3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore battle it out for the top spot while Chiefs splurge on major weapon
Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore battle it out for the top spot, while Jeremiyah Love finds a great spot.
The College Football Playoff is nearing its end, and the NFL Draft is already in full swing as the calendar has turned to 2026. Before you know it, draft boards will be finalized and teams will be making picks in April.
So to kick things into full gear, I was joined by Ryan Roberts, Joe DeLeone, and Destin Adams in this 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft. We went in increments of four, with Joe kicking off the selections, followed by Destin, Ryan, and me before repeating.
First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza has proven he deserves to be the first overall pick in this class. With multiple clutch performances during his Heisman season, he’s established himself as the right quarterback to turn around the Raiders. Hopefully, they can find him a supporting cast, but the potential for him being a plus starter in the league is there.
2. New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore is no consolation prize in this class, as he also has the tools to transform a franchise. In his first full year as a starter, he’s flashed tremendous accuracy and playmaking ability. It may take time to construct a winning roster, but taking Moore is the first step in getting back to winning.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Cardinals fans may be frustrated by the premise of drafting another hybrid linebacker who’s being coined as an elite athlete who needs the right system. However, Reese is not Zaven Collins or Isaiah Simmons. He can be a high-impact run defender and a weapon as a blitzer.
4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Bain might have short arms, but he also has game-wrecking ability. The truth with Bain is that he doesn’t need to be locked into being a pass rusher. His power and physicality have made him disruptive from multiple alignments at Miami. Tennessee needs that type of player in its defense.
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Giants already have a solid young nucleus of offensive talent. There are still certainly questions about Jaxson Dart, but he showed flashes of being a franchise QB during his rookie season. They need to add more weapons to find out what Dart can truly accomplish, and pairing Malik Nabers with Tate would be a match made in heaven.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
I’m sure a lot of Browns fans would love to land one of the top QBs in the upcoming draft class. The top two are already off the board, so instead, they do the next best thing and add to their offensive line by selecting Spencer Fano out of Utah. Fano would be a day-one starter and can serve as the blindside protector of whoever ends up being their QB in 2026 and beyond.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Bailey was one of the best players in all of college football this past year, and yet he still feels criminally underrated ahead of the draft. I think he’s a top-five player in the class, and he would upgrade the Commanders’ pass rush tremendously.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
It was too late to save their season, but the Saints really started to figure things out down the stretch. Tyler Shough began to look like the real deal, and getting more offensive firepower needs to be a top priority for the offseason. Adding Tyson to Chris Olave would be a great duo to see just how good Shough can be.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
With Patrick Mahomes coming back from injury, the Chiefs’ offense is going to need to take some pressure off his plate. Whether as a pure runner or pass game weapon, Love can do a lot for an offense. This would be the most dynamic runner that Kansas City has had in a very long time.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Bengals are a defense that needs to add talent on all three levels. While Downs isn’t the most impactful safety from depth of all time, he’s incredibly instinctual and a dynamite open field tackler. He is one of the more high floor players in the entire class.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Many have forgotten just how good of a player McCoy is due to the offseason knee injury. When healthy, he is a potentially elite press man cornerback. He instantly becomes the top guy in the room for the Dolphins.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
With McCoy out injured, Delane took advantage of the spotlight. The former Virginia Tech standout went from a good player in Blacksburg to an elite one for LSU in his lone season.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
The Rams could use some better protection up front, and there is no better RT in the draft than Mauigoa. Look no further than what he has done during Miami’s CFP run as a protector for Carson Beck.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Ravens are watching the playoffs from home due in large part to their lack of pass rush with a four-man front. Faulk may be a developmental player at first, but he has real upside.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
There is a strong chance that Lavonte David has played his final snap in the NFL. That, coupled with the sieve-like defense in 2025, means that taking an ideal stacked backer is a perfect fit.
16. New York Jets (via IND): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Quinnen Williams left via trade, and now the middle of that Jets defensive line has a massive crater. Insert arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the draft to fix that.
17. Detroit Lions: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
While improving the Lions’ offensive line should be an offseason priority, it feels like a need that is better addressed in free agency. Instead, with this pick, they can bolster their secondary and continue to improve their defense. Pairing Hood with Arnold could create a solid corner pairing for this squad.
18. Minnesota Vikings: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
Washington may be the most athletic player in this class, which is insane to say for a defensive tackle. His combination of power and burst is rare for a player of his build. He could be a missing piece in Minnesota’s defense that takes them from dangerous to elite.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
If Carolina plans to build around Bryce Young, they can help him out by adding the most athletic tight end in the class. Sadiq has serious juice with the ball in his hands and can be a massive threat in the Panthers’ offense. Imagine the size and athleticism they’d have with Sadiq and Tetairoa McMillan.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Cowboys fans might have a stroke at the sight of another offensive lineman; however, given how the board shook out, this makes the most sense. They already secured Delane to boost their secondary, and all of the pass rushers worth picking this high are off the board. Lomu can plug right in as they evaluate who fits best at each spot. Also, let’s be real, this is something that Jerry Jones would absolutely do.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Steelers took a step in the right direction this year, but their WR room still needs multiple additions. DK Metcalf is a great start, and Concepcion’s skill set complements his perfectly. That would give Aaron Rodgers, and whoever takes over at QB after him, a great duo to mold their passing game around.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Chargers’ ability to fight through their insane number of injuries on the offensive line and win double-digit games, while making the playoffs, is pretty remarkable. They will have their star tackle duo back on the field in 2026, but adding more talent around them remains a priority. Ioane from Penn State can start at either guard spot right away and help the Chargers protect their most important asset, Justin Herbert.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Eagles have their top outside CB in Quinyon Mitchell and have one of the best slot CBs in the league in Cooper DeJean. They are one more outside CB away from having their starting rotation for the future locked in. Cisse out of South Carolina is going to rise up a lot of boards this draft cycle. He has great instincts in coverage and is going to test very well athletically. I think he’d be the perfect final piece to the Eagles CB puzzle.
24. Buffalo Bills: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Bills desperately need to find a consistent difference maker at WR. Their investment in Keon Coleman hasn’t worked out, which brings them back to the drawing board. Lemon is a big-play waiting to happen type of WR, which will fit great with a QB like Josh Allen that’s always on the hunt to make the game-changing play.
25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
There is no better run stopper in the class than McDonald. At 6-3 and 327 pounds, he is immovable at the point of attack. McDonald is one of those players who makes everyone’s job around him a whole lot easier.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
While Chris Bell is recovering from a knee injury, this is the type of class where it might still be worth a late first-round investment. He is a massive pass catcher whose YAC skills are well-suited for the San Francisco offense.
27. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Texans need to improve the protection for CJ Stroud, and while Proctor is extremely inconsistent, his natural size and power is a sound investment. There’s a chance he could end up slotting inside at guard and have some Mekhi Becton upside on the interior.
28. Cleveland Browns (via JAC): Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
The run on wide receivers hurt the board a bit for the Browns, so they had to take a chance on a high-weight-speed freak like Brazzell. If he hits, he has a chance to be a legitimate vertical weapon.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell might be viewed as a slot CB, but he still has some of the best mirroring ability in this class and would fit perfectly in a nickel-heavy team with the pass rush that the Rams employ.
30. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Patriots might win it all this season, but there is no doubt that the team could use some younger and higher upside pass rushers. Howell’s insane measurables and movement skills should have him in the round one conversation.
31. Denver Broncos: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
R Mason Thomas is probably a second-round pick when everything is set and done, but look no further than Nik Bonitto as a reference to how well the Broncos develop smaller pass rushers.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Seahawks’ passing attack has primarily run through JSN. Here, you add a total opposite body type, with the 6-4 speedster that is agile enough to return punts. Major pick up for the Seahawks here.
Second Round of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. New York Jets: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
34. Arizona Cardinals: Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
35. Tennessee Titans: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
36. Las Vegas Raiders: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
37. New York Giants: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
39. Cleveland Browns: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
40. Kansas City Chiefs: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
42. New Orleans Saints: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
43. Miami Dolphins: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
44. New York Jets (via DAL): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
45. Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas Tech
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
47. Indianapolis Colts: Ty Simpson, OB, Alabama
I’m not sure where the Colts go from here at quarterback, but with Simpson officially declaring for the draft, it feels like a major slam dunk to find someone with his upside in round two.
48. Atlanta Falcons: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
49. Minnesota Vikings: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
50. Detroit Lions: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
51. Carolina Panthers: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
52. Green Bay Packers: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
The Packers’ secondary has desperately needed a makeover since moving on from Jaire Alexander. Of the available cornerbacks still on the board, Everett presents the highest potential of becoming a quality outside corner.
53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
56. Buffalo Bills: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Syracuse
57. Chicago Bears: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
58. Houston Texans: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
59. San Francisco 49ers: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
60. Jacksonville Jaguars: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
The secondary is the weakness right now for the Jaguars. Ponds is a unique player who could play on the outside or in the slot, potentially. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with speed and tenacity.
61. Los Angeles Rams: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
62. New England Patriots: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
63. Denver Broncos: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
64. Seattle Seahawks: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
Third Round of the 2026 NFL Draft
65. Arizona Cardinals: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
66. Tennessee Titans: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
67. Las Vegas Raiders: Eric Singleton, WR, Auburn
68. Philadelphia Eagles: Ahkeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
69. Houston Texans: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
70. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
71. Washington Commanders: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
72. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
73. New Orleans Saints: Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
74. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
75. Miami Dolphins: Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
76. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
78. Indianapolis Colts: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
79. Atlanta Falcons: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
80. Baltimore Ravens: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
81. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
82. Minnesota Vikings: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
83. Carolina Panthers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
84. Green Bay Packers: Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
86. Los Angeles Chargers: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
87. Miami Dolphins: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
88. Buffalo Bills: Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
89. Chicago Bears: Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
90. San Francisco 49ers: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
91. Miami Dolphins: Keionte Scott, DB, Miami
92. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
93. Los Angeles Rams: Harold Perkins Jr., EDGE/LB,LSU
94. New England Patriots: Parker Brailsford, IOL, Alabama
95. Denver Broncos: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
96. Seattle Seahawks: Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE, Michigan
97. Minnesota Vikings: Aidan Fisher, LB, Indiana
98. Philadelphia Eagles: Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU
99. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
100. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama