2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Giants replace Jaxson Dart, Steelers find their next Aaron Rodgers, and star wide receiver falls
Here is a 2-Round mock following round one of the College Football Playoff.
Round one of the College Football Playoff is behind us, and the Holidays are here. After a couple of exciting games last weekend, prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft could be seeing some movement in their stock.
To help me with the latest action across the big board, Adam Holt and Kyle Crabbs collaborated with myself on this 2-rounder that is full of surprises. We made selections in groups of eight, with Holt first, Crabbs second, and then myself before repeating.
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. New York Giants: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Giants are navigating their way to a new head coach in the building. There’s a potential that new leader will want to choose his own quarterback to stave his future in, outside of Jaxson Dart. Of course, that could parlay into a trade of the current starting QB as well. Regardless, in this scenario, New York starts fresh at the most important position in sports.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore lands in Las Vegas, where Geno Smith has struggled mightily this season. Pete Carroll’s first campaign with the team has not gone as planned, so it remains to be seen what his future is there. The Ducks quarterback may have the most intriguing ceiling at the position in the entire class.
3. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
With both top quarterbacks off the board, Cleveland opts to improve upfront. Their offensive line is aging in a massive way, and multiple starting spots are up in the air as soon as next season potentially. Fano is the top tackle in this class and can start immediately for the Browns.
4. New York Jets: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Aaron Glenn opts to try to improve his secondary, and defense as a whole, by choosing one of the most impressive talents in the class here. Downs can be a chess piece for his scheme and make plays in both the run and pass game for years to come in green.
5. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
The Titans are quite happy here – I’d imagine. Reese is such an exciting prospect who should go in the top five. Reese is one of the top prospects in the class who can become a game changer on defense sooner rather than later.
6. Arizona Cardinals: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Love this value. Bain improves Arizona’s look upfront instantly. With his build and play style, I would not be surprised if he’s moved around fairly often in the pros to force opponents to shift their focus.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Bailey continues to rise up mock drafts. The Red Raiders stud is one of the most productive players in the country and boasts some of the top pass rush technique in the entire class.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate WR, Ohio State
New Orleans pairs a physically dominant wideout with Chris Olave. That duo would work quite well together in a Tyler Shough passing game, and Devaughn Vele was playing good football with the rookie before his injury. The Saints need another playmaker and land one of the top 2 wideouts in the class.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Woods, IDL, Clemson
Cincinnati’s defense has been extremely porous all season long. The team is in desperate need of some anchors along that side of the ball — and Woods makes plenty of sense in a division known for it’s physicality and toughness. Woods has three-down ceiling as an interior defender.
10. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Rams are hoping that this pick stays high enough to land a secure talent or a compelling quarterback option amid Matt Stafford playing into the twilight of his career. Here, McCoy could be a prime candidate with elite physical ability to play as a perimeter defender. There are a number of expiring contracts in the back of LA’s defense, making an addition here a stabilizing move.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
It appears more and more likely that the Dolphins are going to go back to the drawing board as an organization. That, if they’re smart, means simply collecting meaningful talent and not being picky about roster needs. Tyson is a well-regarded receiver prospect who can do a little bit of everything — he brings playmaking and inside/outside ability to a Dolphins wide receiver room that does not have enough beyond Jaylen Waddle.
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Kansas City needs to get back to basics around Patrick Mahomes. To take pressure off of him and become a more proficient offense, the Chiefs need to be more proficient running the ball and reinvigorate the line. With a pick in this range, the Chiefs would presumably be playing Mauigoa at right tackle as the replacement for Jawaan Taylor.
13. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Have you watched the Cowboys defense this season? Have you keyed in on their linebacker play? If the answer is yes, then you get this pick. If the answer is no, go watch any 10 random plays from this season and come back to me. This feels like an obvious pairing of need and talent.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
I love the outlook of a player of Faulk’s skill set going into a front seven in Baltimore that’s always had a use for this kind of size profile. The most recent version, Odafe Oweh, was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers mid-season. The Ravens are habitual drafters of EDGE players and they’ve liked having rookie contracts at play here. They’ve got some young guys now but none built like Faulk or Oweh.
15. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Kevin O’Connell experience offensively has been pretty jumbled at times this season amid the growing pains of JJ McCarthy behind center. What’s the best way to calm a young quarterback down? By having a running game for him to lean on, of course. Love is widely considered a top prospect in this class and putting him in the backfield of this offense should give McCarthy plenty of support in every phase of his cast.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay’s pass rush has been sorely lacking down the stretch. Few teams have a better track record of being undeterred with an unorthodox size profile than Jason Licht’s Bucs team has in recent years, so I don’t expect them to be as put off by the length concerns around Howell as some other teams may be.
17. Detroit Lions: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Lions’ secondary has been battered with injuries, and D.J. Reed hasn’t been able to recover from his hamstring injury. Insert one of the best man coverage corners in the NFL Draft here.
18. New York Jets (via IND): Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
The Jets need to be in the business of finding the best player available and ensuring protection for whoever their future quarterback is. Lomu creates stability up front and adds a nice building block to the Jets’ offense.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers have been one of the best stories in the league this year. The revival of Bryce Young and the coaching job of Dave Canles cannot be understated. How about giving that offense another big target in the form of a WR trapped in a TE’s body?
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
There are multiple doors that Ty Simpson could enter in a few weeks, and it all depends on how well he plays. Should he play how he did against OU and go on a run in the CFP, he’s right back in the first round conversation. How about giving Simpson a season to sit under Aaron Rodgers and then jump-starting his tenure in 2027?
21. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell is one of the most gifted defensive backs in this class and immediately impacts Dallas’ defense on day one. His mirroring ability and smooth hips are two traits that scouts love. Nice value here.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
The Eagles’ offensive regression is tied in large part to a lack of run game. Well, Saquon Barkley isn’t the issue. The loss of Mekhi Becton has been felt in Philly, so how about we supercharge what he was with a player like Ioane?
23. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Houston has gone a run since midseason, and they are a team no one will want to see in the playoffs thanks to their defense. They could use some weapons, but let’s upgrade the unit in front of Stroud with a road grader like Proctor.
24. Buffalo Bills: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Bills might be the most player-centric team in the league right now. It works because Josh Allen is an alien, but he needs help. Lemon was one of the best WRs in the nation this year and he creates an easy button for that offense.
25. San Francisco 49ers: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
The 49ers have done a fantastic job mitigating the departure of Dre Greenlaw and the injury to Fred Warner, but the 49ers should build upon a strength and add arguably the best inside backer in the class with him still on the board here.
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
At times this season, the interior of the Chargers defense has been a weakness. Throw Banks into that mix in 2026, and you don’t have to worry about that nearly as often. He dealt with injury at times this season, but when healthy, is as dominant as any lineman in the class. Jim Harbaugh’s staff will help him find consistency.
27. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Browns keep stocking up on offensive talent for whoever is starting at quarterback next season. Concepcion is a downfield threat, even while lacking some size, but his best plays are once the ball is in his hands. Not to mention, he’s a top return man in college football, too.
28. Los Angeles Rams: Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
The Rams continue to bolster a Super Bowl-worthy roster around Matthew Stafford. Injuries have plagued aspects of their offensive line this season. Dunker can step in at guard or tackle to supply depth immediately for LA.
29. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald is fantastic value here. As one of the top run stuffers in CFB, he’s one of the most NFL-ready defensive lineman in this class. He’s a true first-round talent at nose tackle that gives Chicago more grit upfront for Dennis Allen’s unit.
30. New England Patriots: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
Patriots take a swing on athleticism off the edge here. Thomas has proven to run with a relentless motor for one of the best defenses in the country this season. New England needs to get younger in their pass rush.
31. Denver Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr. LB, Texas
Hill’s an ultra-athletic defensive mover for Denver’s defense that is already gleeming with talent. With the experience around him, the young linebacker would land in an amazing spot given his physical nature and aggressive style.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood is one of the least-talked about players in this class. Yet, he is almost always in round one of mock drafts. For good reason, the Vols CB plays with great instincts and proved that he can be the alpha of a secondary this season for Tennessee. Seattle may have concerns in the long-term with Tariq Woolen, so this selection provides instant insurance and upside.
Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. Las Vegas Raiders: A’Mauri Washington, IDL, Oregon
34. New York Giants: Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn
35. New York Jets: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
36. Arizona Cardinals: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
37. Tennessee Titans: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
38. Cleveland Browns: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
39. Houston Texans (via WSH): Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
40. Cincinnati Bengals Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
41. New Orleans Saints: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
42. Atlanta Falcons: Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
43. Kansas City Chiefs: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
44. Miami Dolphins: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
45. New York Jets (Via DAL): Ja’Kobi Lane WR USC
46. Minnesota Vikings: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
47. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
48. Baltimore Ravens: A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
49. Detroit Lions: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
50. Indianapolis Colts: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
51. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: D’Angelo Ponds CB Indiana
53. Green Bay Packers: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
54. Houston Texans: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
55. Philadelphia Eagles: Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
56. Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
57. San Francisco 49ers: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
58. Jacksonville Jaguars: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
59. Los Angeles Rams: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
60. Los Angeles Chargers: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
61. Chicago Bears: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
62. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
63. Denver Broncos: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
64. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida
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