Every day, we get closer and closer to the 2026 NFL Draft.

As of the time of this writing, we are officially just one month away from Fernando Mendoza being selected first overall (spoiler alert). However, the picture becomes clearer and clearer the closer we get to the draft. Free agency has completely shifted expectations and needs for virtually every team. Fortunately, the draft has plenty of intriguing talent to address needs across the board.

I take a stab at exploring where each team could go in this 3-round 2026 mock draft.

2026 NFL 3-round Mock Draft

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

I don’t care how or where you write this pick in, whether you write it in pen or carve it on the moon, just make sure you lock it in.

I do think it’s funny how draft media has cycled through “The Raiders should draft Mendoza->Raiders should trade the pick->Raiders aren’t good enough to take Mendoza->Mendoza isn’t actually thar far ahead of the class” when it comes to the No.1 overall pick.

Yes, he is. Mendoza runs laps around the rest of the class and he’s a easy first overall caliber playmaker. Ignore anyone who says otherwise.

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

I’ve heard that the Jets are fairly torn between Reese and David Bailey here with the second pick. If I had to make a call, I think Reese would win out due to A. being the better player and B. his ability to impact the defense in multiple ways. For a defense desperately searching for splash plays and talent, Reese will be that instant impact player right away.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

This pick feels more and more like chalk every day. I’m still sketchy on Mauigoa’s fit in an outside zone-scheme offense, but he’s the top consensus offensive line prospect in the draft and is a ready made NFL starter right away.

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

I don’t think Robert Saleh is going to be able to resist completely reshaping the Titans’ defensive line with a splash play hunter like David Bailey.

5. New York Giants: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

This is where the draft starts, in my opinion. The Giants could feasibly go in any direction here at fifth overall. I ended up going Delane mainly because the Giants lost Cor’Dale Flott and didn’t add a free agent there to replaced him (at least as of the time of this writing), whereas I believe the Tremaine Edmunds signing could push them out of Sonny Styles.

John Harbaugh is going to want to improve the Giants’ defense immediately, and adding Delane significantly reshapes their secondary.

6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Browns’ front office has long favored young, traitsy players across every position group. Freeling has arguably the highest ceiling of any offensive tackle in this class, and he’s one of the toolsiest tackles of the last few drafts. Given Cleveland’s current depth chart at left tackle, Freeling solves a crucial need-regardless of who is under center.

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

Adam Schefter more or less stated “Don’t be surprised if Jeremiyah Love ends up in Washington”.

I can read the tea leaves here. With their shift under center, I expect a back like Love will get a heavy workload and is an immediate scheme fit.

8. New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

I’m deviating a bit from the usual chalk I’ve seen here to go with a different wide receiver. I think there might be too many similarities in terms of role between Chris Olave and Carnell Tate, while Jordyn Tyson’s medicals might be too much for a team to be comfortable on.

However, for a team that frequently lived in 11-personnel, Lemon can slide right in there and be Tyler Shough’s favorite target.

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

On film, Rueben Bain shouldn’t be sliding this far. However, the NFL loves to overthink prospects, and his arm length and testing have seemingly dinked him.

The Chiefs shouldn’t listen. He can be a dynamite No.1 pass rusher in the NFL and can revitalize their pass rush.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Bengals would probably weep tears of joy on their way to the podium submitting this pick (assuming they would do it, it’s the Bengals so we can’t be too sure). Styles is one of the best linebacker prospects of the last decade, and Cincinnati is in desperate need of a pulse at linebacker. He can be the leader and instant impact playmaker they need if they want to have any hopes of turning their defense around.

11. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

You, yes you, dear reader, are currently playing wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, given the state of their depth chart. If a player like Carnell Tate falls here, there’s no reason the Dolphins shouldn’t pull the trigger to give them a legitimate outside threat at wide receiver. You can’t gauge Malik Willis if he doesn’t have anyone to throw it to.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Somehow, the Cowboys ended up winning here, coming away with a blue-chip safety prospect in Caleb Downs. He would be an excellent fit in Christian Parker’s defense, capable of handling any role they will ask of him, and he instantly adds a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive back to their secondary.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

I recently made the case in favor of the Rams drafting an offensive tackle, and depending on how the board falls, it becomes more and more appealing. I personally think Fano is the best offensive lineman in this class, and he would be an instant upgrade at either tackle spot.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Baltimore got their first-round pick back, and they turn around to add another impact playmaker to their offense. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle can get creative with Sadiq and Mark Andrews to manufacture explosives in the passing game, and Sadiq is capable of handling multiple roles in their offense.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Tampa has been a consensus defensive pick here in the first round, but Tyson might be too good to pass up. Who knows what Chris Godwin will look like next season, and the Buccaneers need someone who can replace the gravity that Mike Evans brought to the offense.

Tyson’s medicals are a legitimate concern, but he’s the best route runner in this class and has the upside to be one of the top wide receivers in the game.

16. New York Jets (via IND): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

The Jets need anything offensively, and Concepcion is a dynamite playmaker with the ball in his hands. He dices up coverage with routine ease, and if he was a little bit bigger, he might be the consensus WR1 in this class. As it stands now, the Jets get a player who can help draw some coverage away from Garrett Wilson and can play in the slot and outside.

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Taylor Decker’s retirement opens up a hole at left tackle for the Lions. While there have been rumors that they could explore a move of Penei Sewell from right to left, I’d say just plug and play in a left tackle here instead.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Fellow coworker and A to Z Sports Minnesota Vikings writer Tyler Forness will hate me for making this pick, but I think Thieneman is a special coverage talent with tremendous range, awareness, ball skills, and reaction timing. He would solidify Minnesota’s secondary deep.

19. Carolina Panthers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

I understand a lot of Panthers fans aren’t necessarily thrilled at taking a cornerback, but I think the Panthers have done a good job of adding in free agency to set themselves up for a best player available approach in the draft.

McCoy can be the CB3 behind Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson to start while he works back to 100% and then take over as a full-time starter when Jackson hits free agency next offseason.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Dallas hasn’t hidden their interest in a cornerback this year, and Terrell is a seamless fit into their defense. I think he has the upside to be a Jaire Alexander-type of playmaker with all the traits to be a high-end starter aside from his size. If he can be a smidgen more disciplined finding the ball, Terrell has the makings of a top-flight cornerback.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

With how much 11-personnel the Steelers will be running under new head coach Mike McCarthy, they are missing a starting wide receiver. Cooper can play inside and outside, giving them flexibility to move him and Michael Pittman Jr around for whoever their quarterback will be.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

The Chargers have been eyeing the edge rusher class this year, and I think Keldric Faulk might be too good of a bargain to pass up on here. He offers great ability as a power-to-speed rusher, and his excellent run defense makes him an instant three-down player at the next level. He can play from multiple alignments as well, giving the Chargers some intriguing flexibility.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

It sounds like under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, the Eagles will be moving completely to an outside zone rushing scheme, meaning their OL have to be better blocking out in space. Philly has never shied away from taking offensive tackles, and Lomu can slide inside to right guard early before eventually taking over at right tackle for Lane Johnson.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Double-dipping offensively here for the Browns. Cleveland shored up their offensive line, but whoever the quarterback is will be missing any sort of quality playmakers at the skill positions aside from Harold Fannin Jr.

Boston can be a quality starter outside with his immense size, catch radius, and underrated route running. He’s cut from a similar mold to Drake London and Tetairoa McMillan, and he can be their top target early on in his career.

25. Chicago Bears: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

The first-round buzz surrounding Malachi Lawrence has only grown as the offseason has gone on, and I think there’s legs to it. The Bears need a jolt to their pass rush room, and Lawrence is arguably the toolsiest pass rusher in the draft. He doesn’t have the arm length concerns of a Cashius Howell or R Mason Thomas or the medical history of Ahkeem Mesidor, making him much more appealing than the crowd here.

26. Buffalo Bills: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State

Ioane almost never makes it here in mock drafts, but guard value is always tough to gauge in the NFL Draft, and we’ve seen similar “falls” in recent drafts (Jackson Powers-Johnson comes to mind). The Bills lost David Edwards in free agency. Why not go best player available here and shore up their offensive line around Josh Allen?

27. San Francisco 49ers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

The 49ers’ pass rush wilted down the stretch last season, and they desperately need more talent here. Cashius Howell‘s 0th percentile arm length is a cause for concern on his profile, but he’s quick, bendy, and can drop into coverage, a bit of a requirement for some EGDE rushers in Raheem Morris’s scheme.

28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The Texans have done a good job attacking their rebuilt offensive line, but I’m still not sold on the long-term outlook of their tackle room. Blake Miller can start at either tackle spot in the long haul with his quick feet and play strength.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Offense dried up here, and the opportunity for the Chiefs to add another impact defender here was simply too good to pass up. Woods tallied off as the rest of the Clemson defense did, but he’s an explosive force up front who can threaten the edge from multiple alignments. He and Chris Jones can be a deadly force up the middle, and when paired with the earlier acquisition of Rueben Bain, completely overhauls the Chiefs’ pass rush.

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

The Dolphins have a number of holes on the roster, and I’m not sold on any of their current pass rushers. Akheem Mesidor can be a quality pass rusher they can at least begin their defensive overhaul by building around up front.

31. New England Patriots: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones are strong floor rushers, but the Patriots could use some more juice in their pass rush room to really threaten opposing offenses here and keep their pass rush fresh. R Mason Thomas is an explosive, bendy rusher with the elite competitive toughness that Mike Vrabel will covet.

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

Seattle doesn’t have a lot of needs, making this pick completely wide open. The appeal of having two talented guards here in Bisontis and Zabel would be too tempting for me to pass up, especially since Bisontis is the best pass-protecting guard in this draft. Plug him in at right guard and ensure some stability up front for Sam Darnold.

Round 2

• 33. New York Jets: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
• 34. Arizona Cardinals: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
• 35. Tennessee Titans: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
• 36. Las Vegas Raiders: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
• 37. New York Giants: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
• 38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
• 39. Cleveland Browns: Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
• 40. Kansas City Chiefs: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
• 41. Cincinnati Bengals: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
• 42. New Orleans Saints: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
• 43. Miami Dolphins: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
• 44. New York Jets (via DAL): Devin Moore, CB, Florida
• 45. Baltimore Ravens: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
• 46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
• 47. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
• 48. Atlanta Falcons: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
• 49. Minnesota Vikings: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
• 50. Detroit Lions: Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan
• 51. Carolina Panthers: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
• 52. Green Bay Packers: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
• 53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
• 54. Philadelphia Eagles: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
• 55. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern
• 56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
• 57. Chicago Bears: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
• 58. San Francisco 49ers: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
• 59. Houston Texans: Brian Parker II, C, Duke
• 60. Chicago Bears (via BUF): Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
• 61. Los Angeles Rams: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
• 62. Denver Broncos: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
• 63. New England Patriots: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
• 64. Seattle Seahawks: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Round 3

• 65. Arizona Cardinals: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
• 66. Tennessee Titans: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
• 67. Las Vegas Raiders: Bud Clark, S, TCU
• 68. Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ): Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
• 69. Houston Texans (via NYG): Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
• 70. Cleveland Browns: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
• 71. Washington Commanders: Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal
• 72. Cincinnati Bengals: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
• 73. New Orleans Saints: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
• 74. Kansas City Chiefs: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
• 75. Miami Dolphins: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
• 76. Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL): Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
• 77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
• 78. Indianapolis Colts: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
• 79. Atlanta Falcons: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
• 80. Baltimore Ravens: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, UCF
• 81. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET): Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
• 82. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
• 83. Carolina Panthers: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
• 84. Green Bay Packers: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
• 85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
• 86. Los Angeles Chargers: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
• 87. Miami Dolphins (via PHI): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
• 88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
• 89. Chicago Bears: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
• 90. Miami Dolphins (via HOU): Logan Taylor, OL, Boston College
• 91. Buffalo Bills: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
• 92. Dallas Cowboys (via SF): Landon Robinson, DT, Navy
• 93. Los Angeles Rams: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
• 94. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
• 95. New England Patriots: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
• 96. Seattle Seahawks: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
• 97. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Joly, TE, NC State
• 98. Philadelphia Eagles: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
• 99. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
• 100. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET): Keagan Trost, G, Missouri