1st round 2026 NFL mock draft: Jets improve their ability to land a QB in 2027, and the Bengals make an aggressive trade
A brand new 1st round 2026 NFL mock draft has a shocking trade shake-up at the top of the board, and its ripple effects are felt throughout round 1.
Sadly, it’s time to admit the football season is coming to an end faster than any of us would have liked.
This weekend, we will find out who will represent each conference in the Super Bowl. And after that, the 2026 NFL Draft cycle will ramp up quickly. April will be here before you know it, and it’s time to get to know the players your favorite team could be looking at over the next couple of months.
I decided to take a shot at predicting how the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft could shake out. My prediction includes a shocking team deciding to push the chips in and make a significant win-now trade to compete this year. As well as the New York Jets readying their war chest to target a QB in 2027 instead.
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
There really isn’t a debate anymore on who the top QB is in the 2026 NFL draft class; it’s Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. No matter who the head coach ends up being in Las Vegas, Mendoza’s high football IQ and leadership skills will be a strong foundation for the Raiders’ offense going forward. And you already know Tom Brady wants Mendoza to be the pick.
Trade: Jets send pick 2 to the Bengals for pick 10, 41 (second round), 2027 first and third round picks.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (Via NYJ): Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The Bengals’ defense is in a tough spot, and they need talent at all three levels. The team’s offense is so good that I almost think it would be irresponsible of them not push the chips in and make sure to upgrade its defense by any means necessary. So I have them making an aggressive trade to land in-state Ohio State star Arvell Reese, who can drop back in coverage and rush the passer.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Cardinals are currently battling the Browns for the title of the least desirable NFL head-coaching opening for this offseason. We still don’t know who the two will be, and depending on who they are, Kyler Murray’s status with the team going forward remains up in the air. No matter who is at QB, though, they need to improve their offensive line. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is a physically imposing force that could start day one opposite Paris Johnson Jr.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Titans seem to have found its QB of the future in Cam Ward and have hired Robert Slash as its next head coach. Now the team just needs to add talent to one of the league’s worst rosters. Jeffery Simmons was tremendous in 2025, but he needs some help, so I have the Titans selecting Texas Tech star pass rusher, David Bailey, to add some needed juice off the edge.
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
It’s officially a new era for the Giants with John Harbaugh as its head coach. The roster has a ton of young talent, and now its job will be to let them develop and hopefully compete for a playoff spot sooner rather than later. There’s a lot to be excited about on the offensive side of the ball, specifically with their young infrastructure, including QB Jaxson Dart, RB Cam Skattebo, RB Tyrone Tracy, OT Andrew Thomas, and WR Malik Nabers. With this pick, I have the Giants giving Dart a new weapon and Nabers a new partner out wide in Ohio State deep threat, Carnell Tate.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns are still working to find its next head coach, and it has more questions than answers about its roster. I’m sure the team would love a QB to be on the table here, but most of the top signal callers who were expected to be a part of the class decided to stay in college. Whether it’s Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, or someone else, the offensive line needs upgrades. Utah’s Spencer Fano is in the discussion to be the first lineman off the board and would be a day-one starter for Cleveland.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The overthinking about Rueben Bain Jr., out of Miami, has already started. He is expected to measure in with shorter arms, as many would not prefer for an edge rusher, which has some wondering if he could drop in the upcoming draft. He was flat-out dominant for the Hurricanes this season and played some of the best ball of his career in the College Football Playoff. The Commanders desperately need more talent on the defensive line, and Bain Jr. falling in their lap feels like a perfect selection.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Saints continued to improve down the stretch in Kellen Moore’s first season as the team’s head coach. Rookie QB Tyler Shough showed some solid flashes to get fans excited for what year two will look like in New Orleans. To properly evaluate him and the passing game they need another consistent weapon to pair with Chris Olave. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson projects as a dynamic weapon and would pair well with Olave for 2026 and beyond.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
If Jeremiyah Love is on the board when the Chiefs get on the clock, it will feel like a match made in heaven. The Chiefs’ offense needs a more consistent rushing attack, and Love is far and away the top RB in the upcoming class and projects as a true three-down bell cow that impacts the game as both a runner and as a pass catcher. He and Mahomes would have the potential to be a deadly duo for the foreseeable future.
10. New York Jets (Via CIN): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The perfect offseason for the Jets went out the window when Oregon’s Dante Moore decided to return to school. Now, at pick two, a QB doesn’t seem on the table, which is why I think a trade back should be highly considered. 10 may feel like a big drop, but without a QB or home-run blue-chip edge rusher in this class, I think it would take dropping down the board a decent amount to net a future first-round pick. Here they land one and still get someone I view as a top-five player in the class: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins decided to fully reset their leadership infrastructure, which makes them tough to predict. They have one of the worst CB rooms in the league, though, and I expect new head coach Jeff Hafley to make that a top priority. So I have them taking Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy to begin reshaping Miami’s secondary.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
There really isn’t a nice way to say it: the Cowboys’ defense is a mess. Dallas needs to add difference-makers at all three phases, and it’s likely going to take more than just one offseason to fix it. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs feels like one of the safer prospects to bet on due to how great of a college player he was for both the Buckeyes and Alabama. Feels like a perfect addition for Jerry Jones to swing for if he is on the board.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Rams are still alive in the race to win the Super Bowl, but thanks to a trade with the Falcons last year, they also hold a top-15 pick. With the first of two first-round selections, I have them adding to its secondary by landing LSU star CB Mansoor Delane.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
There’s a new sheriff in Baltimore, and his name is Jesse Minter. The former Chargers defensive coordinator now takes over as the Ravens’ head coach. Landing one of the top pass rushers in the class as one of his first acts in charge just feels right, so come on down, Cashius Howell, out of Texas A&M.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Buccaneers looked like one of the best teams in the league to start the year, but unfortunately collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs. There are multiple positions Tampa Bay could consider here, but I landed on Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane. Ioane would be a day one starter at either guard spot and would help the Bucs get the most out of Baker Mayfield at QB.
16. New York Jets (via IND): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Jets double up on defense in the first round by following up their selection of Styles at LB with Clemson DT Peter Woods. They need to replace Quinnen Williams, who is now in Dallas, and Woods is the team’s best bet to fill that void.
17. Detroit Lions: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Some predicted the Lions’ fall from grace, but it was still shocking to see in 2025. Injuries played a major role, but the team’s depth at EDGE and CB is also simply not good enough. Either spot would make sense for this pick, but in my opinion, Clemson CB Avieon Terrell is the best player on the board.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Seeing so many of the top CBs already off the board here isn’t ideal for the Vikings. DT is another need the team should address, though, and Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is going to be an excellent pro who would improve Minnesota’s run defense immediately.
19. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Back-to-back DTs off the board here as the Panthers land Florida DT Caleb Banks. Banks is a massive human that would be a great compliment to Derrick Brown to cement the interior of Carolina’s defensive line.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Cowboys stick with the high-floor strategy and pair its first selection, safety Downs, with edge rusher Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. Faulk isn’t as flashy as some other defensive linemen in this year’s class, but Dallas doesn’t need flash; they need day-one contributors who improve the team now. Selecting Faulk does just that.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Steelers fans are ready for change, and they’ve already gotten it. Mike Tomlin won’t be back as the team’s head coach; Mike McCarthy is taking over. The next change fans are clamoring for is at QB, as most do not wish to see Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh. So they take a swing on Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who just a few months ago was viewed as a top Heisman candidate and in the running to be a top-five draft pick.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq seems like a Jim Harbaugh-type of guy. He makes a large impact as a pass catcher and as a run blocker. He would immediately be the most naturally gifted TE Justin Herbert has worked with.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
There are questions about whether or not the Eagles would entertain the idea of moving on from WR AJ Brown this offseason. The WR was clearly upset throughout the season with his role, and there seems to be friction between him and QB Jalen Hurts. I have Philadelphia retooling at WR just in case they make that move by adding USC’s Makai Lemon.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Still no QB for the Browns, but they do land a nice compliment to Jerry Jeudy at WR with 50/50-ball king Denzel Boston out of Washington. Those two out wide, paired with Harole Fannin Jr. at TE, will be a fun trio for whoever operates as the Browns’ starting QB in 2026.
25. Chicago Bears: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Some may think this is a bit early for Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, but I expect his stock to rise as the process continues. He’s a do-it-all safety that could replace Jaquan Brisker in the case that Chicago lets him test free agency.
26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Just a couple of years ago, I was banging the table for the Bills to select Ladd McConkey to give Josh Allen a quick route winner at WR. He’s flourished with the Chargers, and they elected to go with Keon Coleman, who has struggled in Buffalo. I am again going to make my claim that the Bills would be smart to target a quick route winner to make Allen’s life easier, and in this class, the best option that fits that mold is Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman has become every fan base’s favorite second-round pick in mock drafts. Usually, that means the player will end up going at the end of round one to ruin everyone’s dreams. If the 49ers try to stay in a similar scheme to Robert Saleh’s, I think he would be a great fit.
28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Texans’ offensive line outperformed expectations, and in the end, it was CJ Stroud that sank their season. He had to be better, and upgrading the line should help him to do that. Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor was once viewed as a top 10 pick, and he still had the potential to be that type of talent.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Georgia’s Monroe Freeling is already climbing draft boards. He was once viewed as a sleeper at the position in the class, and now the consensus already has him as a first-rounder. The Rams could use upgrades to their offensive line to make the most of however many years Matthew Stafford has left in the tank.
30. Denver Broncos: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Broncos have one of, if not the best, rosters in the NFL, and it led them to the 1 seed in the AFC. With this pick, WR would have been a nice position to target, but the board didn’t fall in Denver’s favor there. Instead, they add a dynamic LB, CJ Allen, to one of the best defenses in the NFL.
31. New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Bain gets all the hype, but Akheem Mesidor was also incredible for Miami this year. I’d even argue that he was the better of the two in the College Football Playoff, in terms of consistency. The Patriots sped up their timeline this year and are still in the running to win the Super Bowl. Mike Vrabel needs more talent off the edge, though, and Mesidor is ready to play right away and play at a high level.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
With the final pick of the first round, I have the Seahawks select South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse. They are likely going to let Riq Woolen walk in free agency, and will need to look for additions to the room. Cisse isn’t viewed as a consensus first-round pick yet, but once he tests at the Scouting Combine and teams see how he moves up close with his large CB frame, I think his stock is going to skyrocket.