2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore heats up, Rueben Bain suffers massive fall, and the Jets surprise
Latest 2-round 2026 NFL mock draft settles the battle for QB1, and sees a deep run and wide receivers and pass rushers.
The NFL playoffs are on the horizon, and the 2025 College Football season is slowly nearing the end. Before you know it, it will officially be 2026 NFL Draft season, and every fanbase will have its eyes forward, hopeful for the future. That’s what the draft process is supposed to bring: hope.
From here until April, the space will be flooded with mock drafts, intel, and tons of analysis. To have a little fun right before the holidays, there doesn’t feel like a better time for an updated two-round mock draft.
I was joined by fellow A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Gregson in putting this together. Each first-round selection had the analysis attached, as well as each team’s first selection that didn’t pick in the initial round. More than anything, these exercises are about getting to know all the prospects better, as well as the team’s needs.
Until the draft order is solidified, I am steering clear of projected trades. Once that order is solidified and the team’s needs are more definite, that is when we will toy with morement. So yes, there are going to be some selections that make you angry. Yes, it is very unlikely that the New York Giants hold their top pick come draft day, but just relax and have a little bit of fun. Gregson and I alternated eight selections at a time, and that is also clearly marked.
So kick back, enjoy, and remember not to get grumpy around the holidays.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
1. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
“When the draft finally gets here, it will be unlikely that the Giants stay at No. 1 overall. If they do, the emphasis should be to take the best player available. For my money, that is Reese. He looks like a future Pro Bowler at multiple spots.” – Roberts
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
“The battle between Moore and Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) will be raging on until April. Moore is the more physically gifted of the two, possessing some big-time arm talent and upside. The Raiders need some excitement injected into the fanbase, and Moore would bring plenty of it.” – Roberts
3. Cleveland Browns: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
“It’s not often that a team can stick at No. 3 and get their franchise quarterback, but that is exactly what happened to the Browns. While Mendoza doesn’t have the highest ceiling of all time, he is a very smooth processor with a good blend of size and arm strength. His floor is something worth getting excited about.” – Roberts
4. New York Jets: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
“McCoy didn’t play in 2025 while recovering from an ACL injury, but when healthy, he’s an elite football player. This might be high for some, but McCoy is a top-three player in the 2026 class if he recovers well. If you love physical press man cornerbacks who can run, then you’ll love McCoy.” – Roberts
5. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
“Quarterback Cam Ward has shown some pleasant signs as a rookie, and now it is the team’s job to put more talent around him. Tate has gone from a good player in 2024 to an elite one this season. His combination of smoothness, length, and nuance is an impressive blend for an outside wide receiver.” – Roberts
6. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
“The Cardinals need to upgrade their pass rush big time. While Bailey isn’t the best run defender of all time, he sure can get after the quarterback. His blend of first-step explosiveness, length, and closing speed makes him a menace on passing downs.” – Roberts
7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
“The Commanders have the worst defense in the NFL. They would be best served to take whoever they deem to be the best defender on the board. Downs might not be the biggest difference-making working from depth, but he’s incredibly smart, physical, and brings a really appealing floor to the table.” – Roberts
8. New Orleans Saints: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
“2025 was a season to forget for Faulk, but his upside is still incredibly high. He moves remarkably well for a player who is listed at 6-6 and 285 pounds. Faulk has the body type, length, and overall athleticism to make plays from several different alignments.” – Roberts
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
“You honestly can’t go wrong giving the Bengals help at all three levels of the defense, but let’s go with corner and give them arguably the best man coverage defender in this class. Cincinnati doesn’t have anyone who can lock down a side of the field the way that Delane projects.” – Gregson
10. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
“Puka Nacua is a star, and Davante Adams has been good when healthy, but I can only imagine Sean McVay’s brilliance with a player like Tyson. His mix of traits and versatile skillset would mesh perfectly with Matthew Stafford and McVay in Los Angeles.” – Gregson
11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
“The left side of the Dolphins’ line is solid, and Aaron Brewer blossomed into a star at center this year, but I’m not sold on the right side of that unit. With the roster and team in flux, I keep the Hurricane at home and go with one of the “safer” picks in the draft, via Mauigoa.” – Gregson
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
“The Chiefs have to address the offensive line position after back-to-back years of volatility from that position group. Fano and Simmons would create a tackle duo that thwarts pass rush for years to come. Fano’s athleticism and grace give him one of the more promising profiles in this year’s class.” – Gregson
13. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
“I know the Cowboys need defenders like humans need air, but the thought of taking what was already one of the league’s best offenses and giving them an RB like Love is enough to sell me on this pick. The Cowboys would undoubtedly have the best skill grouping in the league.” – Gregson
14. Baltimore Ravens: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
“With pass rushers that fit the Ravens’ mold already off the board here, I went with Styles to pair up with Roquan Smith and create a dynamic inside backer tandem, similar to when Patrick Queen was there. Trenton Simpson is a fine player, but Styles could be a Pro Bowl LB.” – Gregson
15. Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
“The Vikings need more speed and range in the middle of their defense, but they also need a field general. CJ Allen is just that, and he could be the next great inside backer to come out of Georgia thanks to his old-school play style and modern-day skillset.” – Gregson
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
“The Peter Woods fall stops here with the Buccaneers shoring up the interior of that line and getting three down upside out of a player like Woods. There are a lot of holes to fill on that side of the ball in Tampa, but taking the best player available isn’t a bad idea.” – Gregson
Alabama Crimson Tide News
2026 NFL Draft prospects with the most on the line heading into the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff
These 2026 NFL Draft prospects can completely change their paths to becoming first-round picks with stellar performances in the College Football Playoff.
17. Detroit Lions: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
“The slide for Bain finally stops, landing in a perfect spot on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson. There are more questions about Bain around the league than the media seems to have. He is, however, still a good player who brings a physical presence to the table.” – Roberts
18. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
“The Jets had a tough board fall to them in terms of finding a quarterback. Whoever ends up being the team’s signal caller long term, the staff can at least provide them with some weapons to work with. Lemon should pair perfectly with Garrett Wilson to create a dynamic duo.” – Roberts
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
“Bryce Young has shown some good signs at quarterback this season, so continuing to add solid weapons around him would be smart. Sadiq is a tremendous athlete with high upside as a receiver. He’s also an outstanding blocker who should excel in the Panthers’ running game.” – Roberts
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
“Outside of DK Metcalf, the Steelers lack consistent weapons at wide receiver. Concepcion is a dynamic space weapon who excels after the catch. He is also a tremendous route runner, which would be a welcome skill set to the Steeler offense for whoever is the quarterback after Aaron Rodgers.” – Roberts
21. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
“Once a strength of this team, the cornerback position has been trending downward over the last couple of years. Hood is a smooth athlete who also possesses tremendous football IQ at the position. He is a great bet on both ceiling and floor.” – Roberts
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
“The outside pass rush has been very inconsistent for the Eagles this season. While Howell will never be much of an impact player in the run game, he can get after the quarterback. That is very valuable in today’s game.” – Roberts
23. Houston Texans: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
“The Texans need to get a lot better on the offensive line, both at offensive tackle and on the interior. Ioane provides a strong presence at offensive guard, including being a brick wall in pass protection. Quarterback CJ Carr would be a happy camper.” – Roberts
24. Buffalo Bills: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
“The Bills need to continue putting more passing game weapons around quarterback Josh Allen. While Bell is now recovering from a torn ACL, he is more than worth the long-term investment. Bell is a very unique after catch threat at 6-1.5 and 227 pounds, possessing outstanding explosiveness and straight line speed.” – Roberts
25. San Francisco 49ers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
“You can never have enough good corners, and the 49ers, after investing in their defensive line in recent years, could use some help on the backend. Given where the board falls in terms of WRs, I gave them one of the more naturally gifted players at the CB position in this year’s class.” – Gregson
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
“I know the Chargers have been ravaged by injury along the offensive line, but that defense doesn’t have a ton of star power on it, and still, Jesse Minter makes the most of that unit. Insert a physically impressive DB like Cisse, and I would bet that scheme looks even better.” – Gregson
27. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
“I know the Browns recently took a big-bodied wideout out of Tennessee via Cedric Tillman, but Cleveland has one of the worst WR corps in the league, and they need to generate more chunk plays. Brazzell provides a good start for doing so.” – Gregson
28. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
“The Rams went aggressive with their first pick in this mock, and now they double down after taking Ty Simpson to be the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford. The two have similar qualities, and I could see Simpson blossoming under McVay, given his timing and anticipation over the middle of the field.” – Gregson
29. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
“After seeing what the Bears have done in such a short amount of time under head coach Ben Johnson, it makes you very bullish about their offense. The next part of creating a Super Bowl team is making the defense do its part. McDonald is a run-stuffer that can develop into being a very down DT in the NFL.” – Gregson
30. New England Patriots: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
“The Pats could use some help on the EDGE, but how about generating pass rush from the interior? That’s something that a player like Washington could bring on day one, making him an ideal fit for Mike Vrabel.” – Gregson
31. Denver Broncos: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
“It’s impossible not to be impressed by what Nik Bonitto has done in Denver. However, the line could use more depth and more juice. Uiagalelei might not be a carbon copy of what a pass rusher is supposed to look like, but he’s refined and everything you could want from a technique standpoint.” – Gregson
32. Seattle Seahawks: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
“The Seahawks want to play run-first football under OC Klint Kubiak, and for good reason when you have a back like Kenneth Walker. Improving that unit with a player like Proctor was a no-brainer here.” – Gregson
NFL Draft
3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Giants and Jets make huge trade for a quarterback as Raiders, Rams, Cardinals, Dolphins add passers
Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore kick things off at QB, and several WRs are picked in the first round after Carnell Tate goes top 10.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Round 2
(Note: Roberts made picks 33-40 and 49-56, Gregson made picks 41-48 and 57-64)
33. Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
34. New York Giants: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
35. New York Jets: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
36. Arizona Cardinals: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
37. Tennessee Titans: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
38. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
39. Houston Texans (via WAS): Connor Lew, OC, Auburn
40. Cincinnati Bengals: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
41. New Orleans Saints: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
42. Atlanta Falcons: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
“The Falcons’ first pick in the draft doesn’t come until Round 2, but they take a solid player at a position of need with Miller. The Georgia native stays in-state and gives the Falcons a high upside player in the middle of their defense.” – Gregson
43. Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
44. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
45. New York Jets (via DAL): R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
46. Minnesota Vikings: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
47. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
48. Baltimore Ravens: Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
49. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
50. Indianapolis Colts: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
“The Colts lack playmakers on the back end of their defense. Thieneman has the unique skill set to play on the roof or play near the box. He should make an immediate impact for the team.” – Roberts
51. Carolina Panthers: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
53. Green Bay Packers: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
“The Packers need to find a run-stopping presence on the interior of their defense. “Big Citrus” is an imposing threat that is hard to move at the point of attack. His overall movement skills are also a lot better than most would expect.” – Roberts
54. Houston Texans: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
55. Philadelphia Eagles: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
56. Buffalo Bills: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., EDGE, Ohio State
57. San Francisco 49ers: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
58. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
“The Jaguars are playing very well, and the roster doesn’t have a ton of holes. You can never have enough pass rushers, and while Dennis-Sutton doesn’t have the elite upside that some of the Nittany Lions before him had, he’s a specimen that can win off the edge and wreak havoc on offenses.” – Gregson
59. Los Angeles Rams: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
60. Los Angeles Chargers: Jake Slaughter, OC, Florida
61. Chicago Bears: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
62. New England Patriots: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
63. Denver Broncos: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
64. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
NFL Draft
2026 NFL Draft Intel: Rueben Bain Jr. question marks, a Top-15 pick not enough people are taking about, and other nuggets to know
2026 NFL Draft Intel focusing on the defensive line.
