We are now several days from NFL Free Agency kicking off, which means there is a much deeper understanding for the strengths and weaknesses of each team, at least on paper. It feels like the perfect time for another 2026 NFL mock draft, diving into what the first round could look like. Now that rosters are more defined, it feels appropriate to begin projecting trades now, as well.

The 2026 NFL Draft is just another opportunity for each team to get better, and that was my aim in this latest mock draft. We are now also getting a more concrete understanding about where some players could potentially go off the board, but as everyone knows, the draft is extremely volatile. Still, I did my best to at least give some intriguing player-team fits.

So kick back, have some fun, and enjoy your favorite team getting better – hopefully.

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

Yes, it’s boring. Yes, it’s also what’s going to happen. The Raiders need to find an answer at quarterback, and Mendoza’s combination of size, arm strength, and accuracy provides a pivotal floor to that room. 

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

In the Jets’ 3-4 defense, Reese has the chance to become a defensive weapon at multiple positions. At 6-4 and 240 pounds, Reese is an unreal combination of size, speed, and physicality. If developed properly, there is no reason why Reese can’t become one of the best defensive players in the NFL. 

The Arizona Cardinals trade the No. 3 selection to the Washington Commanders for the No. 7, the No. 71, and a 2027 fourth round selection 

3. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame 

Trading up for a running back, in this economy? This isn’t just any running back. Love is a dynamic playmaker who routinely makes big plays, makes defenders miss in space, and can also be a big weapon in the passing game. 

4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech 

Without Love on the board, things got a little bit easier for the Titans to make the decision. Bailey is the type of pass rusher that head coach Robert Saleh has typically valued. His combination of explosiveness, closing speed, and length is highly valued. 

New York Giants trade the No. 5 selection to the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 7 and a 2027 third round selection 

5. Arizona Cardinals: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 

With the Browns needing a left tackle desperately, the Cardinals opt to come back up and take the best one in the draft. Even with Freeling needing to continue improving from a technical perspective, you can’t teach his combination of length and overall movement skills. 

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 

With Freeling off the board, the Browns turn toward upgrading their wide receiver room. Tate brings a ton of length and ball skills to the table, and despite athleticism concerns by some, he routinely uncovers working vertically. 

7. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

After trading back, the Giants are still able to land one of the easiest evaluations in the 2026 class. While Downs isn’t overly impactful playing from depth, his consistency as a tackler and instincts in both short zone and as a robber give some Budda Baker vibes. 

8. New Orleans Saints: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State 

The Saints said goodbye to Demario Davis this offseason, leaving a major hole in the middle of the defense. Styles is a freaky athlete at 6-5 and 245 pounds, possessing the range and playmaking instincts to become one of the best in the league before too long.

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

There isn’t a proven threat across from George Karlaftis right now, which Bain would answer instantly. While cornerback is the bigger need for the defense, the thought of the physicality and effort that Bain brings was too much to say no to. 

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU 

This is about the worst-case scenario for the Bengals, seeing Downs, Bain, Bailey, Styles, and Reese all off the board. They opt for Delane, who is about as safe a prospect as you will find in the 2026 class. His game is eerily similar to early-career Tre’Davious White. 

11. Miami Dolphins: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State 

With so many needs on the roster for the Dolphins, they are an easy team to mock for. The team could use an injection of tenacity and physicality, which Ioane fits perfectly. 

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon 

Thieneman has had experience as a single high free safety, extra box defender, and a robber during his career with Oregon and Purdue. That versatility makes Thieneman stick out in a really good safety class. He could go much higher come April than many anticipate. 

13. Los Angeles Rams: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State 

The Rams are in a Super Bowl window, which means they can afford to draft for luxury a bit right now. While wide receiver isn’t the most pressing need, Tyson may just be too good to say no to. If healthy, Tyson is the easiest separator in the 206 class. 

14. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson 

There’s been some heavy debate about Woods, but there is still a whole lot of upside to get excited about. He is a gifted mover on the interior who could quickly become a playmaker for the Ravens. 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee 

There haven’t been a ton of mock drafts with McCoy on the board at No. 15 overall, and that could change some things. They are projected to start Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison on the outside next season, which obviously can be upgraded, especially if McCoy is back to his 2024 version. 

16. New York Jets: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon has become a pretty consistently mocked player in this spot, and for good reason. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets lack true pass catching threats. Even if Lemon isn’t the most dynamic athlete of all-time, his combination of route nuance, after the catch ability, and toughness will make him a tremendous weapon for an offense. 

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17. Detroit Lions: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

There’s a world where Penei Sewell could make the switch over to left tackle this offseason, similarly to what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did with Tristan Wirfs a couple of years ago. Mauigoa could potentially slide right into that vacated right tackle slot, or at worst, become a dominant force inside at guard. 

18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson 

It feels like the Vikings have needed cornerback help forever. Terrell has played the majority of his career at Clemson on the outside, but he also has the skill set to become a star in the slot. He just makes a secondary better. 

19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon 

The Panthers have a lot of good depth members of their tight end room, but there isn’t a star in that group right now. Sadiq is one of the more rare athletes we have ever seen at the position, while also bringing a tremendous floor as a run blocker, as well. 

20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 

The Cowboys need to continue adding talent to their EDGE group. Faulk still needs to develop as a pass rusher, but his physical traits are certainly there. He’s also a tremendous run defender, bringing a good foundation to build off of. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Without a quarterback who deserves to go to this spot, the Steelers would be best served to put quality weapons around whoever the future signal caller is. Concepcion brings outstanding upside as an after-catch demon, which should pair well with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. on the outside.   

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah 

While Fano has played exclusively at offensive tackle during his Utah career, a lot of NFL teams view him as an interior player. The Chargers have needs at both center and guard, two spots Fano could excel playing. 

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson 

All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson is nearing the end of a legendary NFL career. Miller has the requisite size, movement skills, and length to become the heir apparent whenever Johnson does hang it up. 

24. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah 

After the Browns were jumped for their left tackle with the first selection, they filled the need here with Lomu. Still a younger prospect, Lomu has a ton of overall talent and upside to work with. There’s a chance he becomes one of the best offensive linemen in this class if developed properly. 

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

The Bears need to find more impactful players in the middle of the defense, and that’s exactly what McDonald brings to the table. At 6-3 and 327 pounds, McDonald is nearly impossible to move at the point of attack. The run defense should take a substantial step immediately. 

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

The Bills need to add some impact talent in their safety room this offseason. At around 6-3 and 210 pounds, McNeil-Warren can have an impact in the box and rob short zones in the passing game, while having better range from depth than you would expect. 

27. San Francisco 49ers: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma 

Even before Nick Bosa got injured, this was a 49er pass rush that needed to add some impactful options. With Bosa now returning from a torn ACL, adding someone like Thomas is even more important. 

28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 

Proctor has been strictly an offensive tackle during his Alabama career but he could easily slide into one of the guard spots, as well. At 6-6 and 350 pounds, Proctor is an imposing presence who does his best work in the run game. 

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State 

Even after strong Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine performances, Johnson is somehow going a bit under the radar. He’s one of the better pattern match cover men in the 2026 class. Johnson looks like a plus starter early on in his career for a team that desperately needs it. 

30. Denver Broncos: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana 

With a good overall roster, there aren’t a ton of glaring needs for the Broncos to address during the draft. Adding another weapon for quarterback Bo Nix, however, feels like a sound investment. Cooper is outstanding after the catch, a dynamic that Denver could use more of. 

31. New England Patriots: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 

The Patriots have an improving defense that is a couple of players away from being a very good group. While Allen isn’t as flashy as the Ohio State duo, he brings tremendous pop behind his pads and good speed to work to the perimeter. 

32. Seattle Seahawks: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M 

The right guard position is still the biggest issue on the roster for the Seahawks. Bisontis would add an immediate boost for the offensive line. With experience at right tackle, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Bisontis excels as a pass protector. 

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