3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Browns, Saints, and Commanders get new offensive weapons, and Ty Simpson finds a first round home

Latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft includes a heavy run on pass rushers and offensive linemen, some chalky selections, and even more unexpected twists and turns.

JT Ruhnke, Ryan Roberts

Apr 5, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) after Smith scored a touchdown in the first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

We are less than three weeks from the 2026 NFL Draft officially kicking off. With not much time remaining, everyone is frantically doing their last-second research on the class, finalizing scouting reports, and assessing team needs. A 2026 NFL mock draft is also a useful exercise this time of year.

Along with fellow A to Z NFL Draft analyst JT Ruhnke, we put together an updated three-round 2026 NFL mock draft. To maintain a steady flow, we alternated selections in increments of 10. Each first-round selection is labeled by the author and accompanied by the analysis that follows. You can do the math from there.

This latest mock draft was filled with some chalky picks, surprises, and even more interesting twists and turns. It was all made available by the brand new A to Z Sports mock draft simulator, which you can find HERE. Let’s have some fun.

NFL Draft Spotlight: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

Began his career at Oregon State; Recorded 31 total tackles, two interceptions, and 7 PBUs in 2023 as a freshman
2024 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist; All-SEC First Team and All-American Second Team selection
Missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a torn ACL
Was considered a three-star player coming out of Whitehouse (Texas) High School in the 2023 recruiting class
Finished college career with 75 total tackles, six interceptions, and 16 pass breakups in 25 games played

Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft

Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Despite signing Kirk Cousins to one of the fakest contracts of all time, the Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. Whether it is to start immediately or learn behind Cousins, Mendoza is what the Raiders need to hopefully get back to contention. – Ruhnke

New York Jets – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

The Jets go pretty chalk here, taking Arvell Reese and adding the versatile defender to an Aaron Glenn defense still looking for an identity. Reese seems to project to be an edge rusher for most teams at the next level and will add much-needed juice to the front seven. – Ruhnke

Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

There are many different avenues Arizona could take, but with no quarterback lined up this year as their franchise guy, the smart move would be to build through the trenches. Mauigoa is the top tackle in the draft and would be a nice bookend with Paris Johnson Jr. for their next franchise guy. – Ruhnke

Tennessee Titans – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Titans have been heavily linked to Jeremiyah Love, and while I do think it would be a phenomenal fit and a big help for Cam Ward, general manager Mike Borgonzi still believes the team is thin at edge rusher. That’s where Bailey comes in with a lightning first step and would slot perfectly into Saleh’s edge rotation to complete the room. – Ruhnke

New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

I can’t get the idea of John Harbaugh getting his new Kyle Hamilton out of my mind. That’s why I have the Giants selecting Downs here and adding a super-versatile piece to a secondary room that needs some help. – Ruhnke

Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Browns are another team that could go in a lot of different directions, but adding Sheduer/Gabriel/Watson some weapons would be a smart move for Monken and his offense. Tate’s contested catch ability should make life easier for whoever is throwing him the ball. – Ruhnke

Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Commanders have needs elsewhere, but the idea of protecting Jayden Daniels with a top 5 rushing attack in the league seems like a smart investment. Love is easily my top prospect in this class and would make a wicked one-two punch in Washington. – Ruhnke

New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Tyler Shough showed enough promise last season that the Saints should feel good about building around the former Louisville quarterback. Kellen Moore adds a dynamic receiver with a little bit of diva to a room with Chris Olave to jumpstart Shough in year two. – Ruhnke

Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Kansas City wastes no time rebuilding its secondary after shipping off Trent McDuffie, getting the best cornerback prospect in the league. Delane will add an alpha presence to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and get the Chiefs closer to competing again. – Ruhnke

Cincinnati Bengals – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Bengals really need to go best defensive player available with their pick at ten, and Sonny Styles has an argument to be just that. An athletic freak and a smart defender, Styles will add some identity to the Bengals’ defense. – Ruhnke

Miami Dolphins – Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

With the Dolphins in a deep rebuild, giving some early attention to the trenches would be smart. Whether you wanted him at right tackle, offensive guard, or at center, Fano has the versatility to fill any role you need. – Roberts

Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

There’s no way that Bain falls this far, right? Right? I wouldn’t talk that definitively, but the Cowboys cash in on a powerful rusher who brings a very high floor as a run defender. – Roberts

Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

With the Rams in a winning window, they could opt for luxury early in this draft to maximize it. With the issues that star wide receiver Puka Nacua is going through, adding a talented pass catcher like Tyson would be a great addition. – Roberts

Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Ioane just feels like a Baltimore Raven. They are an organization that has made a habit of letting good football players fall into their lap. The former Penn State standout is one of the safety prospects in the 2026 class. – Roberts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

While EDGE and linebacker are bigger priorities in the class, McCoy being available completely changes the formula. With McCoy showing he was healthy at the pro day, the hype is steadily climbing. He’s a physical press man cornerback with outstanding upside to work with. – Roberts

New York Jets (via IND) – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods didn’t take the step in 2025 that most wanted, but he is still incredibly talented. If he can become a more consistent player, then this becomes one of the better values in this class. The physical gifts are easy to see. – Roberts

NFL Draft

The controversial 2026 NFL Draft prospects who are going to go much earlier than what most people are expecting

Leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, there are several divisive prospects who are expected to go much higher than most people believe.

Ryan Roberts March 31, 2026

Detroit Lions – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

With Taylor Decker leaving the team this offseason, the Lions have a massive haul at left tackle, literally. There is the potential for Penei Sewell to switch to the blindside, but either way, that leaves a big need at offensive tackle. Freeling is still a bit raw, but the physical tools are undeniable. – Roberts

Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

If Thieneman is somehow there when the Vikings pick, they need to run to the podium. With Harrison Smith’s future in question, Minnesota needs a safety who can create some game-changing plays. That defines Thieneman perfectly. – Roberts

Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

A tight end this high may feel like a luxury for some, but Sadiq is exactly what the Panthers need. He’s an incredible athlete who has been compared to Vernon Davis in the past. His impact in the run game as a blocker also provides him with a strong floor. – Roberts

Dallas Cowboys (via GBP) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

I’m running out of reasons why Johnson won’t go in the first round. He put together some tremendous film in 2025, was a multi-year contributor, tested exceptionally well, and has great character. Johnson is an easy player to bet on. – Roberts

Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Pittsburgh did a lot to build up its offensive skill room this offseason, adding Michael Pittman Jr and Rico Dowdle to an already pretty complete room. The main problem is that the quarterback position is still up in the air. Rodgers will most likely be back for one last ride with McCarthy, but this spot gives the Steelers a great chance to plan for the future in Simpson. – Ruhnke

Los Angeles Chargers – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio St

The Chargers did well to address their needs on the offensive line to protect Justin Herbert, but by no means are they done. An offensive lineman could be the pick here; however, I can’t see Jim Harbaugh passing up a run-stuffing monster in McDonald here. – Ruhnke

Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson are both returning for the 2026 season, but the writing is on the wall. The Eagles need to find a plan for life after those two, and Iheanachor would be the perfect fit to sit behind the Eagles’ line for a year and then be a monster in year two. – Ruhnke

Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The offense continues to get upgraded here for the Browns, and Proctor seems to have caught Cleveland’s eye over the predraft process. The former Crimson Tide tackle is a long-term play for a team without a real plan at quarterback, solidified. – Ruhnke

Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Chicago beefed up their defensive line and added yet another powerful guy in TJ Parker. While he may not be a complete rusher, Parker has the traits of a first round prospect and could do well to learn next to Montez Sweat. – Ruhnke

Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Bills could go anywhere on the defensive side of the ball, but adding a new element to their defense in Allen is something I couldn’t pass up. Allen may be one of the smartest and most instinctual defenders in the class and is a monster in coverage. – Ruhnke

San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

After a disappointing exit for the 49ers in the playoffs, adding more to the offensive line feels like a solid investment for Shannahan’s offense. Lomu may be a bit of a project, but he has great movement skills to help in the run game from the jump. – Ruhnke

Houston Texans – Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M

Protecting CJ Stroud should be the Texans’ top priority. That’s why Chase Bisontis feels like such a natural fit for Houston here. The former Aggie dominates in the run game and will pack a punch running in front of Woody Marks and David Montgomery. – Ruhnke

Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Chiefs aren’t lacking at the receiver position, but they also don’t have a “true X” receiver. Boston feels like a luxury pick here for the Chiefs that could take the league by storm next to Rice and Worthy whenever Mahomes returns. – Ruhnke

Miami Dolphins (via DEN) – Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana

Even though Miami is rebuilding for all to see, Malik Willis will still need someone to throw to. Omar Cooper feels like the perfect versatile piece to add to an offense that desperately needs playmakers. – Ruhnke

New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

While most have cooled on Faulk, he is still loved around the NFL. At over 6-5 and 276 pounds, the former Auburn is a long and talented athlete on the edge. Becoming consistent is the name of the game. – Roberts

Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Coby Bryant left for the Chicago Bears via free agency this offseason, leaving a hole on the back end next to Julian Love. McNeil-Warren would be an extremely interesting complement to him and Nick Emmanwori, creating one of the most versatile secondaries in the NFL. – Roberts