2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins gamble at quarterback, WRs dominate the top-5, and Jets end the slide of elite pass rusher

This latest 2-round 2026 NFL mock draft has an early WR run, a fall from a potential top-3 pick, and a second QB coming off the board early.

Adam Holt, Rob Gregson
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Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) warms up before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

The NFL Scouting Combine is revving up this week. Accordingly, the 2026 NFL Draft is on the minds of plenty of general managers, coaches, and fans.

Myself and Rob Gregson, who also covers the NFL Draft here at A to Z Sports, ran through a 2-round mock draft scenario this week. Check out our selections for every team below.

First round of the 2026 NFL Draft

Keep in mind – we went in chunks of four selections at a time, with Rob kicking us off with the Raiders’ pick at number one.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

You hate to say that a pick is a chalk at this point in the process, but it’s been that way a while with Fernando Mendoza and the Raiders. There are questions about his NFL ceiling, but he’s probably the safest pick in the draft. For a franchise that desperately needs a reset, you take Mendoza and don’t look back. His leadership and intangible traits scream franchise quarterback, even if his tangibles don’t jump off the screen. — Gregson

2. New York Jets – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

There is a lot of talk about going defender here for the Jets, and rightfully so, but we have seen the offense with only one option in the passing game. Whoever is playing quarterback will need some more help, especially if Breece Hall leaves in free agency. Tate is the perfect 1b to Wilson as a route-running savant who can stretch the field on deep overs and post routes while working intermediate concepts. — Gregson

3. Arizona Cardinals – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This pick and, more importantly, Tyson’s stock could come down entirely to what happens in Indianapolis. Not because of anything on the field, but the medical situation behind the scenes. If those check out, however, I don’t see how he escapes the top 5 thanks to his true vertical stretch ability along with incredible route running. He, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr., would give a new Cardinals quarterback everything he needs to be successful. — Gregson

4. Tennessee Titans – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Titans need an EDGE player desperately, but you know what Tennessee really needs? To find out if Cam Ward is the quarterback of the future. You do that by creating an infrastructure that helps propel him forward in his development. Lemon is the smoothest WR in this class with inside-outside versatility that Brian Daboll can deploy and match to the strengths of Ward. He instantly becomes the most reliable option in the Titans’ passing game. — Gregson

5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Giants have to keep Jaxson Dart upright, and part of that is on him. That being said, adding Fano to create a duo at tackle with Andrew Thomas is incredibly enticing. With the opt wideouts off the board, this landing spot makes a ton of sense for New York.

6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Mauigoa continues to emerge as a potential top ten selection. The Browns’ entire starting offensive line may be headed elsewhere this offseason, as none of them are set to be under contract in Cleveland. Accordingly, the Miami product can be the first cornerstone rookie for that group.

7. Washington Commanders – Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

Washington is probably sprinting this pick to the podium. Reese may have the most exciting ceiling in the entire class due to his physicality and pass rush upside. Dan Quinn would love to add this style of skill set to his unit.

8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

New Orleans must surround Tyler Shough with the most talent possible this offseason. Love is the best weapon remaining on the board, since the wideouts went so early in this scenario. The Fighting Irish star may be the most impressive overall prospect in the class.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Bain has a bit of a tweener build to him due to his arm length, but I think he’s a player that Steve Spagnuolo could work wonders with. The famous defensive coordinator can tinker with Bain’s alignment to use his speed and quickness to power ratio against guards, while deploying him against slower tackles to attack the width of the pocket. It’s a pick the Chiefs will have to strongly consider if Bain is on the board. — Gregson

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

I am a big believer that the Bengals should still address the offensive line, but I’m a bigger believer in Caleb Downs. He has an it-factor that you only ever see from the quarterback position. I also believe he has the tangible skills to align as a nickel or a true field safety, and I know he would immediately inject new life into Cincinnati’s defense. He’s the ultimate traffic cop and playmaker in a defensive backfield. — Gregson

11. Miami Dolphins – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Miami Dolphins have so many needs that “reaching” for a quarterback may feel a tad rich here, but Simpson is going to win over teams during this part of the year. He’s going to get on the board and show his football intellect, and high-level decision makers are going to see what their scouts have told them firsthand about his toughness. The real truth, however, is that Ty Simpson, when healthy in 2025, was a difference maker from the pocket with his ball location and maneuverability. He can also make plays out of structure and ad-lib as needed. — Gregson

12. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

I don’t know how the Cowboys go any position other than corner early on in the draft, but certainly if McCoy is on the board. Questions about his knee will dominate much of his pre-draft process, but that 2024 tape was among the best of any player in this class. He can plaster a side of the football field and erase wide receiver No.1’s. That sort of player is foreign to the Cowboys’ defense right now. — Gregson

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The cornerback position was a clear weakness, and the Rams land arguably the top CB in the class. Delane was fantastic in coverage this past season for LSU and consistently looked up top wideouts in the SEC all season long. This is a no brainer to me.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

Ioane îs an NFL-ready guard, and the Ravens need that after watching plenty of Daniel Faalele last season. He’s got the movement ability to play in front of a player like Lamar Jackson, and I believe he’s going to go earlier than many people believe right now.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles Jr., LB, Ohio State

The Bucs have to be ecstatic here. Their biggest need on the entire roster is linebacker, and Styles is one of the most prolific defenders in the class. He’s an incredibly smart players, paired with awesome physical traits that project him to be impactful from day one. Getting Styles at fifteen would be a dream scenario for Todd Bowles.

16. New York Jets (via IND) – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

It is a bit of a fall for Bailey here. Sometimes, he goes as early as second overall in mock drafts. In this scenario, he did not, and New York doesn’t mind. Where he lacks some length, Bailey makes up for with speed and smarts off the edge. He found ways to consistently get after the QB in college and produced at a high level.

17. Detroit Lions – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Taylor Decker has been a good tackle for a long time, but he has no guaranteed salary left on his deal, and he is closer to the end than he is to the beginning. The Lions can find their left tackle of the future wth Lomu, and more importantly, they could have one of the best tackle duos in the league with Lime and Sewell bookending the line for years to come. — Gregson

18. Minnesota Vikings – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

I think Terrell is the best true nickel in this class, as the feistiness and fluidity will play perfectly in Brian Flores’ defense. That unit took a step back in 2025, but it’s very clear that as long as Flores is there, that unit will be one of the best in the league. Insert someone like Terrell, who he can weaponize from day one against slot WRs, and he would be a gift for that defensive backfield. 
— Gregson

19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Continuing to build around Bryce Young should be the motive for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Sadiq offers Young another big-bodied pass catcher, but over the middle of the field. He’s a player that Young can dump the ball off to and watch him go to work, while he also adds true plus-one usage in the run game. — Gregson

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP) – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Now that the Cowboys addressed the cornerback position, they can find their pass rusher of the future. Faulk won’t burst onto the scene the same way that Micah Parsons did, but he’s a developmental player who, if he hits, will be a force along the perimeter of pockets for years to come. Dallas bets on traits here. — Gregson

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Steelers add another big body to their receiving group. Boston’s Combine performance could affect his draft stock a bit more than other wideouts, but this pairing makes sense – regardless of who plays QB next year for the Steelers.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Since the offensive line and EDGE groups have been raided before LA comes on the clock, they go to the interior trenches of their defense. Banks is a fun athlete at his gargantuan size and can help the Bolts improve upfront immediately.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

I like this landing spot for Freeling because he can learn from players like Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata as he transitions to the pros. He’s a smooth mover at his size but needs to improve his technique if he wants a long NFL career. I prefer those chances in Philly.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Cooper continues his climb following a strong season with the national champs. Cleveland needs just about everything on offense, including at least one more dynamic wide receivers. Cooper runs some of the best routes in this WR class and understands spacing really well. Makes sense for this offense.

25. Chicago Bears – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Bears have spent a lot of time, money, and assets on the offensive side of the ball the last few seasons, and now it’s time to address the defense. A big plugging tackle like McDonald will help shore up that run defense in the NFC North and give the Bears an identity along the interior of their defensive line. — Gregson

26. Buffalo Bills – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

If you think that taking a safety here is a tad rich, I implore you to go watch McNeil-Warren on tape. I know that the Bills need WR help, but that defense, and in particular the defensive backfield, has been a mess for a while. With McNeil-Warren, you receive a downhill presence who will strike underneath routes and ball carriers, but someone who also has the range and speed to play as the centerfielder in single high looks. — Gregson

27. San Francisco 49ers – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Peter Woods has fallen down the board when looking at the consensus prior to the 2025 season, but his tape is still among the best in the class, and certainly at the defensive tackle position. I can only imagine what that unit would look like if Woods reaches his potential as a pocket-pushing interior presence. — Gregson

28. Houston Texans – Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama 

The Texans could use some help at WR, but if Tank Dell can return to form, and C.J. Stroud gets back on his year-one trajectory, shoring up the offensive line with a player like Proctor makes a ton of sense. He may be better suited as a guard going forward, but that’s a pick the Texans can make at this point in Round 1. — Gregson

29. Los Angeles Rams – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Miller is one of the most popular developmental tackles in mock recently. He’s got prototypical NFL size and power. In the Rams offense, I really like his long-term outlook, and it addresses arguably their biggest offensive need.

30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Denver needs more physicality at the inside linebacker spot. Allen addresses that immediately. He’s got good instincts at the position, and the Bulldogs defense had a lot of trust in him last season. The Broncos defense just gets even better here.

31. New England Patriots – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

New England leans into this Super Bowl window and grab one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. Mesidor is an older prospect but dominated the College Football Playoff this year. He can make an impact in year one for Mike Vrabel’s team.

32. Seattle Seahawks – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Love this fit. If Rashid Shaheed leaves Seattle, Concepcion is the perfect replacement. He’s arguably the best returner in the class and has blazing speed. He can become the downfield target immediately for Sam Darnold and bolster a strong WR room for the Seahawks.

Second round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

  1. New York Jets – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
  2. Arizona Cardinals – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
  3. Tennessee Titans – T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
  4. Las Vegas Raiders – Chris Bell, WR, Lousiville
  5. New York Giants – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
  6. Houston Texans (via WAS) – Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
  7. Cleveland Browns – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
  8. Kansas City Chiefs – Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
  9. Cincinnati Bengals – Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
  10. New Orleans Saints – Elijah Sarratt, WR Indiana
  11. Miami Dolphins – Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
  12. New York Jets (via DAL) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
  13. Baltimore Ravens – R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
  15. Indianapolis Colts – Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
  16. Atlanta Falcons – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
  17. Minnesota Vikings – Romello Height, EDGE, Texas A&M
  18. Detroit Lions – LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama 
  19. Carolina Panthers – Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
  20. Green Bay Packers – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
  22. Philadelphia Eagles – Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
  23. Los Angeles Chargers – Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
  24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
  25. Chicago Bears – Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
  26. San Francisco 49ers – Will Lee, CB, Texas A&M
  27. Houston Texans – Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
  28. Buffalo Bills – Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma 
  29. Los Angeles Rams – Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
  30. Denver Broncos – Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
  31. New England Patriots – Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
  32. Seattle Seahawks – Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Let us know what we got right, wrong, and everything in between on social media!

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