3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Ty Simpson suffers disastrous fall, Dolphins replace Jaylen Waddle, and safeties dominate night one
With the majority of NFL free agency in the rearview, here is a 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft after all the big moves.
NFL free agency has come and gone, and now the league will fully shift its focus to the NFL Draft. In a little over a month, the NFL world will call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home for the weekend, and we will see where the stars of tomorrow end up.
To gear up for this huge stretch, I have created a 3-round mock and decided to collaborate with some of my outstanding colleagues and draft analysts here at A to Z Sports. Adam Holt, Kyle Crabbs, Destin Adams, and I went for three rounds, alternating picks on each. I have put our last names by each first-round pick we made, and the cycle continued throughout. Enough setup, here it is:
Key facts about Ty Simpson
- Only 15 career collegiate starts.
- Was recruited by Nick Saban.
- Starting quarterback for Alabama’s first CFP win under Kalen DeBoer.
- Is the son of a college coach.
First round of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
After securing arguably the best free agent on the board via Tyler Linderbuam and getting back Maxx Crosby despite trying to trade him, Mendoza is walking into a situation that suddenly looks a lot better than it did two weeks ago. Vegas is still a ways away, but the infrastructure surrounding Mendoza is much better than it was just weeks ago. – Gregson
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The draft really starts at pick two with the New York Jets, where they could take one of, like, five players without anyone batting an eye. I have them taking Arvell Reese, a dynamic player with upside as both an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. The Jets don’t need to compete in 2026, so they have time to figure out which position is a better fit for him at the NFL level. – Adams
3. Arizona Cardinals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
There’s a lot of momentum for the Cardinals to draft an offensive lineman, but if Sonny Styles is on the board he should absolutely be a part of the conversation. Styles is, for my money, the best player available and projects as a difference-making player for what he brings in all phases of a defense. The Cardinals have made several adds to their offensive line — but at linebacker there’s still room for a big investment. – Crabbs
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This pick has a lot of steam right now, and while the Titans have a ton of needs along their roster still, I would understand it to a degree. Love is arguably the most polished offensive prospect in the class and immediately helps out Cam Ward. – Holt
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
One of my favorite fits in the first round for any team, and prospect is Carnell Tate and the New York Giants. The Giants have an onslaught of young talent on the offensive side of the ball, which is exactly what they need to find out what they have in quarterback Jaxson Dart. Pairing Tate’s deep play ability with Malik Naber’s route running would be a match made in heaven. And even if Dart isn’t the answer, they will then have a lethal wide receiver duo for whoever they bring in at quarterback next. – Adams
6. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Browns have successfully assembled a starting offensive line for Todd Monken against all odds and their defensive additions have added several probable role players. From here, just collect talent. There’s room for a third impact player in the safety room alongside Ronnie Hickman and Grant Deplit — Downs is a potential “BPA” candidate who could turn a strength into a defining piece of a team. – Crabbs
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I know the Commanders added not one, not two, but three EDGE players in free agency, but that room needed a total overhaul. Let’s round out a new quartet of pass rushers with the specialist who would immediately have the highest ceiling, and more importantly, provides ready-made pressure ability. – Gregson
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
A bit of a changeup here. I usually take Caleb Downs in this scenario, but he is off the board in this scenario. Tyson is my top wide receiver in the class, but the medical concerns could potentially push him down the board. Nobody knows for sure right now. Regardless, getting a dynamic weapon for Tyler Shough will be on New Orleans’ radar early in this draft. – Holt
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Due to his short arms, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. isn’t going to be every team’s cup of tea. I do think his brute strength and physical playstyle will make Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a fan. – Adams
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Bengals stick to their biggest needs and select the safest CB prospect in the class. Delane was the best cornerback in the SEC in 2025 and deserves to be the top CB off the board in this class. – Holt
11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Strap up, Miami. This is going to be a busy draft for the Dolphins. Nothing says “we’re bucking the soft label” quite like drafting a mauler and heavyweight tackle at No. 11. This team needs a long-term right tackle and a short-term right guard. Mauigoa can be both. – Crabbs
12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
I am a huge fan of Thieneman’s game, and I think Dallas can use defensive help at nearly every spot. They can use the Ducks product in multiple spots around the unit and get legit production out of him. Not to mention, he was a vocal leader for Oregon and can provide that in the pros, too. – Holt
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Rams used one of their two first-round picks to trade for All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie before poaching another former Chief via Jaylen Watson. Les Snead and Sean McVay attacked their biggest weaknesses with aggressiveness and now it’s about building a Super Bowl contender for the future. Fano is light-years ahead of many tackles athletically, and he can be a pillar for years to come. He falls to far here, but I’ll stop the slide in Los Angeles. -Gregson
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Ravens’ additions of Trey Hendrickson and John Simpson have done well to immediatelly address two of the weaker points on the team. The loss of a hybrid receiving weapon like Isaiah Likely is a tough one despite his quiet 2025 — and the Ravens simply don’t have a comparable player available right now. Positional value here isn’t great for a tight end in the top-15, but this is about blending physicality and explosiveness on all phases of offense, and for that reason I love the fit. – Crabbs
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Whichever team takes Jermod McCoy in the first round is taking a big risk. The CB hasn’t played football for a full year, and there’s still a lot of mystery about whether he is even at 100% now. His tape in 2024 was fantastic, though, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are desperate to improve their outside corner spot. – Adams
16. New York Jets (via IND): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Back-to-back corners off the board as the Jets use one of the picks received for Sauce Gardner from the Indianapolis Colts to replace him. Clemson’s Avieon Terrell can play on the outside or in the slot, but is probably more dangerous in the slot. Aaron Glenn had a lot of success with a dynamic slot corner in Brian Branch in Detroit, and this pick would let him try to do it again with Terrell. – Adams
17. Detroit Lions: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Lions probably need to address the trenches in some capacity in the first round, and Parker seems like the type of EDGE prospect that Dan Campbell would like to place across from Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit’s need meets the projection of where Parker likely goes here. – Holt
18. Minnesota Vikings: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Vikings gutted their defensive tackle room this offseason, cutting both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargraves for cap relief. So, using an early pick on a defensive tackle seems likely at this point. Clemson’s Peter Woods film in 2025 wasn’t great, but in 2024 he played at a high level, and many viewed him as a top-10 pick in this class as a result. – Adams
19. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Carolina moved on from A’Shawn Robinson, so you know there’s snaps to be had in this rotation. If you want to talk about all-time “scary hours” up front…Putting Banks in alongside Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown, Jaelan Phillips and more up front? This group, if Banks hits his ceiling and Phillips stays healthy, could be DOMINANT. I would like to see it. – Crabbs
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Dallas chooses to pair a safety with an EDGE rusher in the first round. Faulk was a great run stopper off the edge last year for Auburn, and he is still developing as a pass rusher. He’s one of the youngest prospects in the class, but has all of the prototypical physical traits and overall intangibles for a player that will stick around in the NFL. – Holt
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Pittsburgh Steelers wasted no time finding their WR No. 2 via Michael Pittman during free agency, but that room is still razor thin. Lemon is the perfect slot WR to pair with Pittman and Metcalf on the outside. He would give whoever plays QB in Pittsburgh in 2026 and beyond an easy button as a natural separator and smooth route runner. – Gregson
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Ioane nearly never makes it this far in mock drafts anymore, but LA takes advantage. The Bolts have made a couple of small adjustments along their offensive line for 2026, but the Nittany Lion would really bolster the unit’s upside. He is a top ten prospect in the class, overall. – Holt
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Eagles have to prep for life after Lane Johnson. While Miller may not have a huge impact in 2026, unless an injury happens, he can learn from one of the best tackles of the generation and step in next season if needed. – Holt
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Cleveland has their cake and eats it too in this scenario. Downs at No. 6 is a pick that is all about the value. Seeing Freeling tumble to their pick at No. 24 affirms that they can get that final piece to add onto the offensive line and say they honestly reassembled the whole unit in one fell swoop. – Crabbs
25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Bears added some notable depth at defensive tackle during free agency, but none of those players should prevent Chicago from finding a true point man like McDonalf in round one. His ability to anchor a defenisve line and set the tone against the run woudl work wonders in the NFC North. – Gregson
26. Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
EMW is a great fit for the defense in Buffalo, and their safety room is rather depleted. He can play single high and is also not afraid to come down and tackle. Would be a great piece to add to a young secondary with plenty to prove next season. – Holt
27. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The end of round one is a crap shoot to try to predict most years, but feels even more so this year. From pick 20 on, it feels like a group of about 25-30 players has a chance to hear their name called. So some may view this as a reach, but South Carolina corner Brandon Cisse has great game speed and solid size that would be a welcome addition to the 49ers’ secondary. – Adams
28. Houston Texans: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Texans added three new starters and a Pro Bowler via Wyatt Teller in free agency, all of which came after the David Montgomery trade. The Reed Blankenship addition was a luxury, given what else Houston boasts on that side of the ball, but the last hole to fill is WR. Washington would be a perfect complement to what the Texans have in Nico Collins. He can win at the catch point and give CJ Stroud another vertical element. – Gregson
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Chiefs traded Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency and acquired this pick by trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams as well, which makes corner one of the top positions of need on their roster. Colton Hood got catapulted into the top corner spot at Tennessee this past year due to McCoy’s injury. His play warrants being a first-round pick and would add some needed stability to Kansas City’s secondary. – Adams
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
I’m sure you’ve seen the memes about Miami’s current wide receiver room. They’ve been plentiful after the Dolphins traded Jaylen Waddle this past week. But Miami has a chance to reshape the entire room with their 2026 draft capital — it’s a good wide receiver class. Cooper Jr. is a physical, run-after-catch player with good body control and routes. He’s a well-rounded player who could command plenty of targets in Miami’s new-look roster in 2026. – Crabbs
31. New England Patriots: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
I believe Proctor can play guard or tackle, but his best long-term outlook is likely to kick inside, similar to what Mekhi Becton has done. He would create immediate movement at the point of attack for New England, while also serving as an upgrade for pass protection along the interior, something Drake Maye missed throughout the playoffs. – Gregson
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Super Bowl champion Seahawks lost significant talent in free agency as other teams poached players from their roster. The target on their back is huge, and they will need to use the 2026 NFL Draft to address multiple holes created by it. One of which is at edge rusher, where they lost one of their key rotational pieces in Boye Mafe. Cashius Howell’s arm length makes him a bit of an outlier, but his ability as a speed-rusher off the edge makes him one of the best fits in the class to replace Mafe for Seattle. – Adams
Second round of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. New York Jets: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
34. Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
There is a lot of talk about the Cardinals and Ty Simpson. Some see using the third pick in the draft as too rich, others think that if Arizona waits until 34, he will be long gone. It worked for the Cardinals in this mock, but Simpson has a real chance to hear his name called night one due to his precision passing and intangibles. – Gregson
35. Tennessee Titans: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
36. Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
37. New York Giants: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
39. Cleveland Browns: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
40. Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
42. New Orleans Saints: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
43. Miami Dolphins: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
44. New York Jets (via DAL): Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
45. Baltimore Ravens: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
47. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Colts have one of the worst linebacker rooms in the NFL right now after trading away former All-Pro Zaire Franklin. They want to be younger and faster on defense, specifically in the linebacker room. Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. would do just that and could be the green dot for Lou Anarumo’s defense early in his career. – Adams
48. Atlanta Falcons: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The Falcons will have to address their defensive line for what feels like the 10th year in a row this offseason, but this time they go interior. Hunter put on a show at the Senior Bowl and he can provide a real presence in the meat of your defensive line. – Gregson
49. Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
50. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
51. Carolina Panthers: AJ Haulcy, SAF, CAR
52. Green Bay Packers: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
The Jaguars lost star linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency following the best year of his career. He won’t be an easy player to replace, and without a first-round pick, their chances are limited. Therefore, the linebacker has to be considered a top option for this pick. Jake Golday is a former edge rusher who converted to linebacker at Cincinnati. This makes him a real weapon as a blitzer, but he’d also developed into a solid coverage player as well. With NFL coaching, he could become a true, well-rounded linebacker and have an incredible pro career in front of him. – Adams
57. Chicago Bears: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
58. San Francisco 49ers: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
59. Houston Texans: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
60. Chicago Bears (via BUF): Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
61. Los Angeles Rams: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
62. Denver Broncos: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
Welcome to the party, Denver. I’m sure you enjoyed your Jaylen Waddle highlights during the No. 30 pick being made on Thursday night. The Broncos’ efforts have largely been around retaining their roster. But I do think there’s an upgrade opportunity here with Trotter — a violent defender who is one of the younger players in this class. His tackling and hitting power behind this defensive line? I dig it. – Crabbs
63. New England Patriots: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
64. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Third round of the 2026 NFL Draft
65. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern
66. Tennessee Titans: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
67. Las Vegas Raiders: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
68. Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
69. Houston Texans (via NYG): Keionte Scott, DB, Miami
70. Cleveland Browns: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
71. Washington Commanders: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
72. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
73. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
74. Kansas City Chiefs: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
75. Miami Dolphins: Jalon Kilgore, SAF, South Carolina
76. Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL): Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas A&M
78. Indianapolis Colts: Jaishawn Barham, EDGE/LB, Michigan
79. Atlanta Falcons: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
80. Baltimore Ravens: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
81. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET): Genesis Smith, SAF, Arizona
82. Minnesota Vikings: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
83. Carolina Panthers: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
84. Green Bay Packers: Devin Moore, EDGE, Michigan
85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
86. Los Angeles Chargers: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
87. Miami Dolphins (via PHI): Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
89. Chicago Bears: Chandler Rivers, DB, Duke
90. Miami Dolphins (via HOU): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
91. Buffalo Bills: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
92. Dallas Cowboys (vis SF): Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
93. Los Angeles Rams: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
94. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
95. New England Patriots: Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
96. Seattle Seahawks: Louis Moore, S, Indiana
97. Minnesota Vikings (compensatory): Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
98. Philadelphia Eagles (compensatory): Brenen Thompson, WR, MSST
99. Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory): Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
100. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET, compensatory): Zane Durant, DT, Penn State