The 2026 NFL Draft picture becomes more clear by the day.

Let’s not confuse that with certainty on what is going to happen. But branches of the multi-verse seem to close every time a new report drops about a team agreeing to terms with a free agent. I last did a mock scenario eight days ago — it feels like a century ago. How as the first wave of free agency blown up our expectations for April?

Here’s a fresh 2-round 2026 mock draft to explore where things stand now.

First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

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

This one can be written in pen. Sharpie. No, chiseled into stone tablets. LOCK. IT. IN. The Raiders made this a formality by trading Geno Smith for a pick swap to get him out of the building and clear the way for Mendoza to be the team’s top investment in the position.

2. New York Jets: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Speaking of Geno Smith, he gets the call back in the Big Apple, where it all began. New York’s been hurriedly stacking talent on their roster, with the clear intent on raising the floor of their defense. Hear me out: The 2024 Lions used three linebackers plenty, so I’m undeterred from the addition of late-stage Demario Davis in free agency when I know the math is quite easy to still get him, Jamien Sherwood, and Sonny Styles all on the field at the same time. Styles is one of the cleanest players in the draft.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

The Cardinals finally got some action on their offensive line after essentially treading water last offseason. Isaac Seumalo is a good addition and Matt Pryor is a good depth signing. Forgive me for not being moved by the idea of Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle, though. The Cardinals will need to sort out their quarterback plan long-term but that’s a story for another time. Mauigoa plus Seumalo, Hajlte Froholdt, and Paris Johnson Jr. is a foundation of an offensive line we can work with.

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Titans (rightfully) spent like gangbusters this past week. The defensive front has ample reinforcements for Robert Saleh. The team spent at cornerback big. Brian Daboll got his toys on offense, too. Where do we go from here? Take the next step in putting the best supporting cast around Cam Ward that you can, of course! Love is the best skill player on the board, so why not hook Ward up with an elite running back prospect.

5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

New York’s wide receiver room incurred the loss of WanDale Robinson in free agency and traded that off so far with Calvin Austin III in free agency. John Harbaugh did successfully coax loyal soldiers in Isaiah Likely and Patrick Ricard from Baltimore to New York, but other than that we have been stagnant on offense this offseason. Tate is a vertical receiver with big-play ability. He would pair with Malik Nabers to create headaches in trying to cap routes downfield amid Jaxson Dart’s big play eagerness.

6. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State

I don’t know how well it will work, but kudos to Cleveland for a busy week rebuilding their offensive line. I do believe they got a pair of defensive contributors in Quincy WIlliams and Kalia Davis, as well. Where does this leave the team? Let’s just add some talent and let the rest sort itself out as we go. Ronnie Hickman is a good player and Grant Delpit is an established starter — but three safety looks are a great equalizer when teams go heavy but still present passing threats. Downs is, in my opinion, the best player in the class.

7. Washington Commanders: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Dan Quinn just asked me to pinch him. The man who had all that success with Micah Parsons gets his hands on a highly athletic tweener who can play off the ball or rush the passer in this scenario. The Commanders spent in free agency to add K’Lavon Chaisson, Charles Omenihu, and Odafe Oweh to their pass rush group but they don’t have THIS player type on the roster.

8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Saints spent most of their efforts this past week leveling up the offensive side of the ball for young quarterback Tyler Shough. Noah Fant, David Edwards, and Travis Etienne are all nice additions on paper. Kaden Elliss was tabbed at linebacker; he can help the pass rush as well as playing off the ball. But another horse to rush off the edge is sorely needed behind Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Bailey is exactly that.

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

Welp. Thanks a lot, script-makers. The Chiefs simply sit on their hands and watch Rueben Bain Jr. fall into their lap after Kansas City’s first bad season in 15 years. The Chiefs haven’t shied away from rushers who lack length via George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte. Bain Jr. is a top talent and would be an awesome ‘best player available’ pick here.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

The Bengals have been busy this past week trying to level up their defense. Boye Mafe is a strong addition to their young pass rush group. I like the fit of Bryan Cook at safety to pair with Jordan Battle. The linebacker room is young, but I don’t see value here to fit that spot. Someone is going to fall in love with Peter Woods. If the Bengals saw what they did in Kris Jenkins Jr. to draft him in the second round, I’m inclined to think they can be the team that sees the very high ceiling that seems to exist with Woods. Jon Allen, who they’ve signed this past week, is a short-term answer, after all.

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

Miami stacked together a very busy free agency period, even if they weren’t signing a lot of big-name and high cost players. They did, of course, secure Malik Willis to be their Tua Tagovailoa heir. But this year is all about building infrastructure and the offensive line outlook needs more talent and more depth to feed good about the unit long-term — particularly at the guard spot. Ioane should be considered a plug and play option to help assess Willis and the rest of the offense.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

New Cowboys defensive coordinator Brandon Parker has gotten some toys to work with this past week. Dallas paid up for safety Jalen Thompson, the team traded for Rashan Gary, and the Cowboys signed Cobie Durant in free agency as well. None of that stops me from plucking a best player available option in Delane, who just so happens to play a premium position — and one Dallas has struggled with durability at in recent years, to boot.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

This turns out to be the best case scenario for the Rams. They trade for Trent McDuffie and sign Jaylen Watson to bolster their cornerback situation and get a great fit for their offense in Makai Lemon staring them in the face at No. 13 overall. Lemon has the ability to be the heir to Davante Adams as the second top target down the road. And for 2026, the Rams stay loaded up with pass catchers when they want to space the field and play in 11 personnel.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Fano replacing Tyler Linderbaum at center is my big brain obsession right now. And don’t dismiss it as just a fantasy, either. Fano was asked to snap at the 2026 NFL Combine and go through center workouts. He’s got ELITE athleticism for an offensive lineman and putting him at center allows for that athleticism to shine as a second-level blocker and working off of Ace blocks at the line of scrimmage. If you have concerns about his length, play him at center! Sign me up for this one.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami

The Buccaneers’ hallmark addition to the pass rush this past week was Al-Quadin Muhammad, who has become a very respectable pass rusher but shouldn’t be considered a cure-all for what ailed the team’s rush last season. To double down on pass rush with a developed rusher like Mesidor makes for, in my opinion, a very attractive fit.

16. New York Jets (via IND): Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon

Minkah Fitzpatrick joins the Jets this season thanks to a “bag of balls” trade with Miami. The team brought back Andre Cisco on a one-year deal and also added Dane Belton this week, too. I don’t care. Belton is a fine option for a third safety and Fitzpatrick will star best at this stage of his career in the nickel and down lower to the line of scrimmage. Cisco is on a short-term deal. Let’s get a long-term piece locked in for Aaron Glenn here. In the worst case scenarios, Thieneman, Fitzpatrick, and Cisco can all share the field while Belton serves a special teams role on his one-year deal for $4.5 million or becomes a trade chip.

17. Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

No pass rush additions for the Lions thus far this offseason! It’s still just Hutch and the gang! I’ll actually take this one a step further — the Lions have three edge defenders on the roster: Aidan Hutchinson, Tyler Lacy, and Ahmed Hassanein. Saddle up…take your defensive end of choice, Brad Holmes!

18. Minnesota Vikings: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

It sure sounds like, to me, that all parties are serious about a Jonathan Greenard trade. If that comes to pass in the next few weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, I’d love to see the Vikings re-load on the edge. Parker feels like a good fit for a Brian Flores front. He’s long with heavy hands but not excessively stiff. He can rush from a two-point or three-point stance. And he can play the run. If Greenard moves, this is the pick for me.

19. Carolina Panthers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Congratulations to the Panthers on another impressive free agency cycle. The Panthers have used this period the last few years to really load up on their roster, with signings like Jaelan Phillips, Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, Devin Lloyd, Tre’von Moehrig, Bobby Brown, and Tershawn Wharton are recent big signings. If the Panthers get a similar hit to Tetairoa McMillan early, they’re cooking with gas. McCoy is a boom or bust candidate due to his injury status and medical outlook, but he pairs with Jaycee Horn to perhaps be the cherry on top to all this defensive spending.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Okay, so hear me out. You remember that time last year when the Bucs, as a playoff team, drafted Emeka Egbuka despite having Chris Godwin and Mike Evans and everyone said “WTF, man?” and then Egbuka was one of the best performers from the first round this past season? And the Bucs let Mike Evans walk amid a production regression and some risk?

Yeah, you remember. I know you do. Dallas should do that this year if Tyson is on the board and tip their cap to George Pickens after the season. He’s a long-term challenge to fit amid their other contracts and Tyson is the perfect successor while offering an added impact as a third receiver in 2026.

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

The Steelers added Michael Pittman via trade this past week, a strong addition to a lean wide receiver situation. But they still need more in the way of explosiveness to help whoever is playing quarterback. I hope, for their sake, it’s Aaron Rodgers. Because the rest of these options at this stage look a bit dodgy.

Concepcion’s middle name is “explosive”, for that it’s worth. Sprinkling him into the mix with Pittman and Metcalf should give this offense a dramatically different feel in the passing game.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Chargers fans, I want to affirm you. I’ve seen your questions and concerns about the interior offensive line. Welcome, my friends, to the Mike McDaniel experience. Coaches off of this scheme generally believe they can coach “around” the guard play and Los Angeles is going to need GM Joe Hortiz to serve as a guardrail to that belief. Or else he’ll lean into it, which is the scenario this pick explores. I know all about Oronde Gadsden and I know Charlie Kolar just got the bag in free agency.

But McDaniel’s offense requires lots of toys in the skill group. And you don’t need to look any further than the other team in town to see what an impressive tight end room can do for an offense. McDaniel dabbled with it in Miami last year with Darren Waller, Julian Hill, and Greg Dulcich and the offense routinely put their best numbers up with those three on the field together.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Is AJ Brown staying or going? I can’t keep track. Even if he stays, the Eagles have a need at wide receiver behind him and Devonta Smith. Even with the news of a return in 2026 for TE Dallas Goedert, the passing game weapons as a whole are still primed for an upgrade.

Cooper Jr. feels like exactly the kind of receiver who will endear himself to the Eagles’ fanbase with his toughness and run after catch ability.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

What a draw for Cleveland. They opt to go with best player available at No. 6 overall and then still end up seeing Freeling on the board when they make their next pick at 24? This scenario is a perfect outcome for the Browns and the kind that you joke about needing 30 seconds on draft night to turn the card in for. The Browns’ offensive line overhaul is complete with this pick.

25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Chicago has added Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street to the interior defensive line equation this week. Neither stops me from nailing down a potential steal in Banks. Dennis Allen and Ben Johnson feel like the kind of edgy coaches who can pull all the potential out of Banks — he’s one of the most physically gifted players in the entire class.

Adding Banks to a front that already sports Montez Sweat, Geron Dexter, Grady Jarrett, and a motivated Dayo Odeyingbo should give the Bears plenty of horsepower up front.

26. TRADE — Arizona Cardinals (via BUF): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

TRADE TERMS: Arizona receives pick no. 26, Buffalo receives picks no. 34, 104 & 2027 3rd

We get the Jaxson Dart trade all over again here as Arizona circles back to get their guy after loading up on offensive line in the top-5. Mike LaFleur’s offense is going to look dramatically different than what we saw last year for the Cardinals. And that’s a good thing. Why does Arizona make this trade? Because Monti Ossenfort is on a bit of a warm seat, just like Joe Schoen was last year. He can’t afford to miss.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

So the Trent Williams thing is a little unsettling, no? The 49ers have successfully made some transitions on their roster over the past few years but none would be bigger than this one. Lomu has a good profile to play in a Shanahan-rooted scheme, but no one would be foolish enough to believe he could step in to play for Williams straight away. I’d honestly like this pick more even if Williams stayed around for 2026 so that Lomu could be groomed to start and be an insurance policy at OT.

28. Houston Texans: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

With where Houston picks in the first round here, I wouldn’t mind seeing them just take another step towards a little bit of stability along their offensive line. The team looks to have hit on Aireontae Ersery and Ed Ingram last year. But there’s still more work to be done and the Texans have already paid up for Braden Smith at right tackle. Bisontis is an athletic mover who could slot next to Ersery at left tackle and be a long-term duo.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Take a bow, Kansas City. You trade Trent McDuffie and see a number of other defensive backs leave this offseason and the turnaround is Alohi Gilman and Kader Kohou in free agency to go along with one of the twitchiest corners in the draft waiting on you at No. 29 after gobbling up Rueben Bain Jr. earlier in the first.

30. Denver Broncos: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Broncos have won free agency’s staring contest. And, to be fair to Broncos leadership, their roster does look to be in a stable position. The could get more diverse weapons for the offense if they wanted. They could secure a John Franklin-Myers replacement. I’ll settle for a fresh stalwart on the inside to help keep the Broncos in long & late downs.

31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

New England’s future on the offensive line looks to be coming into focus. Will Campbell at left tackle, Michael Onwenu at right guard, Jared Wilson at center. The Patriots obviously hope Alijah Vera-Tucker will be their left guard — although injuries could have something to say about that. They have for the past several years. But a long-term choice at right tackle? Blake Miller feels like a great long-term option who plays a gritty brand of football and meets all the tackle thresholds.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Seattle is a tough team to mock for. The team could use a deluxe back or an upgrade at right guard but I don’t love their value options here. The front is still loaded. I’ll choose a physical outside cornerback who can help keep Devon Witherspoon free to drop into the slot and move around the secondary.

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Second Round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

33. New York Jets: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

34. Buffalo Bills (via ARZ): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

35. Tennessee Titans: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

36. Las Vegas Raiders: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo

37. New York Giants: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

39. Cleveland Browns: Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee

40. Kansas City Chiefs: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

41. Cincinnati Bengals: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

42. New Orleans Saints: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

43. Miami Dolphins: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

44. New York Jets (via DAL): Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

45. Baltimore Ravens: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

47. Indianapolis Colts: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

48. Atlanta Falcons: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

49. Minnesota Vikings: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State

50. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

51. Carolina Panthers: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

52. Green Bay Packers: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky

54. Philadelphia Eagles: AJ Haulcy, SAF, LSU

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kamari Ramsey, SAF, USC

57. Chicago Bears: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

58. San Francisco 49ers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

59. Houston Texans: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

60. Chicago Bears (via BUF): Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee

61. Los Angeles Rams: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

62. Denver Broncos: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

63. New England Patriots: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech

64. Seattle Seahawks: Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa

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