3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Browns finally fix their offense while Raiders, Steelers, Jets, Dolphins grab quarterbacks
Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Trinidad Chambliss, and Garrett Nussmeier are the only quarterbacks to be selected inside first three rounds
NFL Draft season is officially here. Yes, the Super Bowl is still to come, but for 30 of 32 NFL teams it’s time to retool and rebuild for 2026.
Plus, everyone knows, “The Draft Starts in Mobile” with the Senior Bowl this week. For those unfamiliar, the Senior Bowl is the premier college football all-star game where many of the best 2026 NFL Draft prospects will compete all week long in front of all 32 teams and media. Our A to Z Sports crew will be live on site with nine of us interviewing players, coaches, staff, and agents all week long as we break down the practices. In preparation for this, six of us decided to come together and hold a three-round NFL mock draft to help you familiarize yourself with this upcoming NFL Draft class.
Enjoy the mock draft! And make sure you’re following our crew throughout NFL Draft season so you stay up-to-date with all of the latest football news:
Travis May (@FF_TravisM on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Kyle Crabbs (@KyleCrabbs on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone on X) – At the Senior Bowl
JT Ruhnke (@jt_ruhnke on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Dante Collinelli (@DanteCollinelli on X) – At the Senior Bowl
Ryan Roberts – (@RiseNDraft on X) – Will be at the NFL Combine
Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams on X) – Will be at the NFL Combine
AJ Schulte (@AJSchulteFB on X) – Was at the Shrine Bowl
Key Facts and Stats on the 2026 NFL Draft
- Three NFL teams currently hold multiple first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets
- The Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers all have at least four picks in the first three rounds (not including compensatory selections)
- Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza has a 98% probability of being the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to sports books
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The 2026 QB class isn’t the strongest, but Fernando Mendoza showed that he has the tools to be excited about moving forward in his career. The Las Vegas Raiders desperately need their franchise quarterback, but they also need to add support around him to succeed. Mendoza will have weapons already in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, but they need to revamp the offensive line to give him time to get acclimated to the NFL speed. He showed he has guts, toughness, and a competitive drive in addition to arm talent that should have Raiders fans excited for the future. – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets have plenty of major needs on offense, but luckily for them they have three other picks in the first 44 selections of the 2026 NFL Draft to fills those holes. They can just go with the best raw talent in the entire class here with Arvell Reese. He is an elite off-ball linebacker who could convert to full-time edge defender if he adds a few more pass rush moves to his arsenal. Reese brought pressure on over 20% of his pass rush snaps last season and nearly never missed a tackle in run defense. The Jets snag the future of their defense here with Reese. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
I’ll continue to bang the drum for Francis Mauigoa not only as a tackle, but as the first tackle off the board. The Cardinals need good players to start this rebuild, so no need to overthink it. Mauigoa is a mauler in the run game, who helped propel the Hurricanes and running back Mark Fletcher to the College Football Playoff National Championship, and he’s shown the ability to pass protect at a high level as well. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
It’s really early, and draft season is full of twists and turns, but the stars do seem to be aligning for the Titans to take an edge rusher with the fourth overall pick. Parsing through the different flavors of Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain, and David Bailey will be a fun conversation. And of course, who falls to them dictates what they do. Here I take Bailey over Bain, leaning into his high level of production and true wide alignment ability to get after the passer. He can be the alpha this team has been missing for too long. – Easton Freeze, A to Z Sports Tennessee
5. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State
The Giants are ushering in the John Harbaugh era with plenty of enthusiasm. Perogative number one should be helping young quarterback Jaxson Dart. Mauigoa (offensive tackle, Miami) would have been the pick if he were on the board, but instead the pick goes to a pass catcher to play opposite Malik Nabers and ensure that the depths of the wide receiver room are filled with impact. – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns currently have all five starters on the offensive line set to be free agents. Getting talent on the line needs to be a major focus. Fano is a stud at right tackle and can be a plug and play starter fro day one wherever Cleveland decided to plug him in. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Commanders had a bottom-three defense in the league last year, and they need to rip the roster apart, with many starters being aging veterans. There are obvious questions about Rueben Bain Jr’s arm length, but the film shows that he can win from the outside and the inside with his strength, blowing up plays in the backfield. The Commanders desperately need a pass rusher who can stop the run, and Bain Jr. does that at an elite level. – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate should be considered the consensus WR1 in this NFL Draft class, but his fellow first round wide receiver teammates (Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith) at Ohio State have stolen some of his shine over the past three seasons. Tate has every skill you want in a receiver, so much so that scouting him is almost boring, because he makes everything look too easy. He posted over three yards per route run this past season, catching over 85% of his contested opportunities. The Saints land their true lead alpha wide receiver in Tate. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor
9. Kansas City: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
I know the Chiefs need to shore up the 5-man unit up front, but I just can’t help myself from placing one of the more dynamic players in this class in a backfield with Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs might need help up front, but finding a back with home-run hitting potential shouldn’t be too far down Kansas City’s list of priorities. Love can immediately raise the floor of the offense in Kansas City. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Extremely simple decision here. The Bengals have been defined by scoring 30 points every week and still somehow losing for the better part of the past two years. They desperately need talent on the defensive side of the ball. Downs is one of the best football players in this class, full stop. – Easton Freeze, A to Z Sports Tennessee
11. Miami Dolphins: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
The Jeff Hafley/Jon-Eric Sullivan era in Miami is underway and the duo has talked extensively about building the roster from the inside-out. Miami could certainly go with an edge rusher here, but the ability to stack up a line of scrimmage addition like Olaivavega Ioane can serve as a tone-setting selection for a team that has several promising centerpieces on the line of scrimmage. Ioane joins Aaron Brewer, Patrick Paul and 2025 second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea to give the Dolphins a nucleus to build around up front. – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
There arguably wasn’t a worse singular unit in the NFL last season than the linebackers in Dallas. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker saw what Zack Baun did for the Eagles defense, and he gets a taller, more athletic version in Styles, who was a former safety, has the coverage skills, and tackling ability to thrive in the NFL. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Los Angeles Rams’ only real weakness was on defense, and more specifically, the cornerback room. They rotated players down the stretch, and we even saw Emmanuel Forbes have streaks of not playing before going back on the field again. Mansoor Delane is my CB1 in the draft with Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns, and the film backs it up as well. Delane didn’t allow a single touchdown in 2025 and wasn’t called for a single penalty. He had a 31.4% forced incompletion rate and only allowed a 26.7 passer rating on the season. – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
14. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Ravens have demonstrated over the years that they’re willing to take a shot on players with less than perfect college production if they have the requisite physical traits to succeed in the NFL. That’s Keldric Faulk. He’s a monstrous human, standing at 6-6, 285 pounds, with a long powerful wingspan. Faulk can knock offensive tackles off their feet with his power off the edge, and take on multiple opposing linemen when he shifts inside. He wasn’t always asked to be the “get-home” sack artist for the Auburn Tigers. Faulk was more of the havoc creator that set up success for everyone else around him — the anchor of the defense. The Ravens get a lot better at run defense and havoc creation immediately with this pick. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
You can’t go wrong when it comes to giving the Buccaneers’ defense help at 15. However, you really can’t go wrong when that player is the best cornerback in the class. McCoy is a good workout and clean medical check away from being a top 5-10 pick in this class. He would be an absolute steal for the Buccaneers at 15. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
16. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Jets fill one of their most pressing needs here by going with Makai Lemon at wide receiver. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award (for best wide receiver in college football) this past year and finished the regular season with more receiving yards than any other power conference player. His easy separation ability with speed and burst off the line, his surprising contested catch abilities at his smaller size, and his physical play will make him a day one dominant starter in the NFL. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor
17. Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
This feels like a Detroit pick, to me. The Lions desperately need some pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson in the long-term. Akheem Mesidor is dense, twitchy, and powerful — meaning he should have little issue testing tackles with all the one-on-ones he’ll be collecting opposite Hutch. – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
18. Minnesota Vikings: Denzel Boston, WR Washington
The Vikings have bigger needs, but the direction they are taking is an interesting one. Youth on defense is needed, but Brian Flores doesn’t normally trust young players. Boston is a great prospect and gives Kevin O’Connell’s offense something it doesn’t have: an X-receiver with size. Considering Jordan Addison’s future seems to be in doubt, giving J.J. McCarthy another weapon should be a priority. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota
19. Carolina Panthers: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Carolina Panthers have a tough defense that shutdown some of the better offenses in the league, but the linebacker room held them back at times. CJ Allen would be a natural fit and an instant boost for the defense with his ability to stop the run at a high level — he had only a 7.4% missed tackle rate in his career. He has excellent range and instinct to change directions and go in coverage as well. Allen is just 20 years old, but he played over 1,600 snaps, so he has room to grow while bringing experience and leadership on the field. – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell has three straight seasons of dominant coverage tape. He gave up a few explosive plays this past season that skewed his overall passer rating when targeted, but he’s a shutdown cornerback that can also add value in the run game and get after the quarterback in pass rush (three sacks this season). He’s a tad undersized, so some may doubt his complete inside-outside abilities, but Terrell plays with sufficient aggressiveness and strength to succeed against taller longer wide receivers too. Cowboys get a versatile plug-and-play experienced starter here in Terrell. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Pittsburgh Steelers might be back in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes in 2026, but that shouldn’t preclude them from drafting the future of the franchise. I know that Ty Simpson creates some polarizing opinions, but when he was healthy, despite having a regression from his star wide receiver and poor protection, he was the Heisman favorite and being mocked first overall. I believe that player still exists. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Chargers need some bodies in the defensive trenches, and Peter Woods fits the bill for them here. He brings an injection of size and athleticism to the DL room in LA. Plus he can line up and win from anywhere along the defensive front. Jim Harbaugh will love that. – Easton Freeze, A to Z Sports Tennessee
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Eagles are going into a contract year with Jordan Davis — will they get an extension done? Even if they do, we’ve seen time and time again how much Eagles general manager Howie Roseman loves to get his hands on disruptive defensive linemen early in the draft. With an EDGE room that’s lost some of the impact from the 2024 team, getting more disruption at any alignment feels like a good thing. Caleb Banks is the kind of player that could be a monster in a front filled with athleticism. – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns got Spencer Fano at sixth overall, and double down with a hyper athletic left tackle in Monroe Freeling. He thrived at the end of the season, launching himself into first round contention. Having two rookies starting at tackle isn’t ideal, but think of how nice it’ll be in two years to have quality starters at a discount. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota
25. Chicago Bears: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Chicago Bears had a season to remember, but they could’ve gone further with a consistent pass rush on defense. Cashius Howell is a twitched-up edge-rushing prospect who will bring the juice to that defensive front. He has a first-step burst that offensive tackles struggle with, and a tool belt of moves to get to the quarterback. Howell’s bend is one of the best in the draft class, and he has everything it takes to be a high-level producer in the NFL. – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Bills desperately need to continue improving at wide receiver for the sake of Josh Allen and any hope that Buffalo wants to have in winning meaningful playoff games. KC Concepcion should be the perfect player to help them do that. He added more than seven yards after the catch this past season as one of the best YAC weapons in the game. Concepcion proved he could be a deep threat on top of just an underneath threat in 2025 as well, tallying seven touchdowns on intermediate and deep throws down field. He’s turned into a complete receiver that can play any role the Bills want. – Travis May, A to Z Sports College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor
27. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Brandon Cisse hasn’t generated the buzz that many corners at the top of the class have thus far, but it’s coming. The league has taken notice of his man coverage skillset, and he has more than a few fans. For a 49ers defense that has been thin at corner for a while, Cisse can step in and carve out a role on day one, in my opinion. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Texans are focused on shoring up their trenches in this mock draft, and they start on defense. Kayden McDonald adds elite strength and monstrous size to the interior of an already ferocious front that helped carry Houston to the playoffs this past season. – Easton Freeze, A to Z Sports Tennessee
29. Los Angeles Rams: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Los Angeles Rams haven’t had two consistent starting offensive tackles this season, but they have both improved. However, they need better options for the long haul. Selecting Caleb Lomu allows them to move other pieces around, but he projects best as a starting tackle at 6-6, 308 pounds. He’s the best pass-protecting prospect in the draft, and would sure up the line for years to come. Lomu is also an excellent athlete who can move in space and get to the second level to seal blocks in the run game. – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
30. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Shame on the rest of the NFL if this one happens. Sean Payton getting his hands on a true ‘Joker’ tight end like this would be the stuff of nightmares — consider how good RJ Harvey is with the ball in his hands and now project Sadiq into the same offense? Payton would be a kid in a candy store with this fit. – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
31. New England Patriots: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
Getting pressure off the edge is arguably the only rough spot on the Patriots’ defense. R Mason Thomas is a great pass rusher with much better run defense skills than you would expect to see from a “get after the passer” specialist like him. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
With Tariq Woolen set to hit the market this spring, the Seahawks may be in the market for a new starting defensive back. Hood joins Seattle’s championship defense after a standout year, stepping up when Jermod McCoy missed the entire 2025 season (recovering from injury) for the Volunteers. – Easton Freeze, A to Z Sports Tennessee
NFL Draft
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Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft
- New York Jets: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
(Pending his case against the NCAA for an extra year of college eligibility) - Arizona Cardinals: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
- Tennessee Titans: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
- Las Vegas Raiders: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
- New York Giants: Anthony Hill , LB, Texas
- Houston Texans (via WAS): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
- Cleveland Browns: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
- Kansas City Chiefs: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
- Cincinnati Bengals: Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
- New Orleans Saints: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
- Miami Dolphins: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
- New York Jets (via DAL): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
- Baltimore Ravens: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
- Indianapolis Colts: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- Atlanta Falcons: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
- Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
- Detroit Lions: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
- Carolina Panthers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
- Green Bay Packers: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
- Philadelphia Eagles: Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
- Los Angeles Chargers: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
- Chicago Bears: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
- San Francisco 49ers: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
- Houston Texans: Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida
- Buffalo Bills: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
- Los Angeles Rams: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
- Denver Broncos: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
- New England Patriots: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
- Seattle Seahawks: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
NFL Draft
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Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
- Arizona Cardinals: Keionte Scott, DB, Miami
- Tennessee Titans: Will Lee, CB, Texas A&M
- Las Vegas Raiders: Zachariah Branch , WR, Georgia
- Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ): Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
- Houston Texans (via NYG): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
- Cleveland Browns: Brian Parker II, C, Duke
- Washington Commanders: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
- Cincinnati Bengals: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
- New Orleans Saints: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
- Kansas City Chiefs: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
- Miami Dolphins: Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
- Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL): Harold Perkins Jr., LB/EDGE, LSU
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
- Indianapolis Colts: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
- Atlanta Falcons: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
- Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
- Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET): Ar’maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M
- Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
- Carolina Panthers: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
- Green Bay Packers: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
- Los Angeles Chargers: Fernando Carmona, OL, Arkansas
- Miami Dolphins (via PHI): Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Louis Moore, S, Indiana
- Chicago Bears: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
- Miami Dolphins (via HOU): Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
- Buffalo Bills: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
- San Francisco 49ers: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
- New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
- Los Angeles Rams: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
- Denver Broncos: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
- Seattle Seahawks: Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
NFL Draft
3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders, Steelers, Cardinals aggressively target QBs while runs on WR and CB define early rounds
Ty Simpson and Trinidad Chambliss join Fernando Mendoza as early QB picks, and surprise perimeter weapons stack early selections.
We’ll be back with more NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports soon. Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news.