2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Titans gift Cam Ward a weapon, Cardinals take QB swing, and Saints surprise with first overall pick
Latest mock draft proves outstanding talent in SEC, Big 10 and creates a new era for multiple NFL teams.
The NFL trade deadline is officially behind us. With that, it is a great time to look at a 2026 NFL mock draft with teams slotted in new places in the first two rounds and ever-evolving roster needs after some notable deals for starters and depth around the league.
Myself and Rob Gregson have collaborated on this two-round mock draft to break down every first-round selection and give fans a new look at where their team may look to improve their roster in April in round two as well. Of course, there’s plenty of football left to be played, but let’s get into it.
2026 2-round NFL mock draft following trade deadline deals
Round 1
Round 1, Pick 1: Saints: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
New Orleans throws everyone a curveball by not going quarterback here. Reese has been the best player in college football this season and provides unbelievable upside off the edge for any NFL defense. The Saints need to improve their defensive line in a major way this offseason to help out Chase Young.
Round 1, Pick 2: Titans: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I know that EDGE is a huge need for the Titans. But there will be a new coaching staff in Nashville, and Cam Ward will be on the clock. He’s had zero help on the perimeter this season, and Tyson is as complete a WR as you will find. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 3: Jets: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
New York finds their potential QB of the future here. Mendoza is widely regarded as the top QB in the class as he’s in the middle of a potential Heisman Trophy campaign for the Hoosiers. Jets knock down a key domino in their rebuilding process.
Round 1, Pick 4: Dolphins: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Regardless of what happens in Miami this offseason, it feels like the writing is on the wall with Tua Tagovailoa and his future. Dante Moore is the kind of player who can grow and develop into an elite starting quarterback, whether Mike McDaniel is still around or not. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 5: Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The defense for the Giants has been incredibly disappointing at times this season, and the secondary is the main issue with it. Downs is one of the most polished defensive back prospects we have seen in recent seasons, and he would immediately step in as an impact starter for the G-Men.
Round 1, Pick 6: Browns: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Cleveland will be back in the quarterback market in 2026 and looking to finally find a franchise passer. Simpson has all the intangibles you could dream of, while also being an anticipatory passer with above-average traits. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 7: Raiders: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Las Vegas’ offensive line has been a struggle due to inconsistency this season, and that’s a bit unexpected. Adding Fano here would go a long way in rekindling the preseason excitement for a unit led by Ashton Jeanty and some exciting pass catching options.
Round 1, Pick 8: Bengals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
There is no reason why the Bengals’ first pick should be anything other than an offensive lineman. Their ability to protect Joe Burrow has been abysmal over the years, and every year that goes by with him being injured is a missed opportunity. Cincy takes a plug-and-play tackle here. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 9: Commanders: Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Washington would love this scenario most likely. Bain has often gone in the first three picks of mock drafts, but the board fell differently here. Now, they get to grab one of the elite talents of the defensive prospect pool in Bain, who can dramatically shift their future when it comes to both getting after the passer and stopping the run. He’s got legitimate versatility in his future.
Round 1, Pick 10: Ravens: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Ravens simply are not explosive enough on offense. Outside of Zay Flowers, they don’t have a downfield presence, which makes life a lot tougher on Lamar Jackson. Inserting someone with the playmaking ability of Tate would raise the rev limiter on the Ravens’ offense. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 11: Rams (via ATL): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy has been nursing an injury this season, but he remains arguably the most talented cornerback prospect in the class due to what he has already put on tape. He’s a smooth mover who showed upside in both man and zone coverage. While the Rams defense has impressed, they still lack a true top CB on the depth chart. McCoy has the potential to check that box for years to come.
Round 1, Pick 12: Cardinals: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Kyler Murray experiment may have run its course in Arizona, and Jonathan Gannon and the staff will need to show either a winning season or signs of growth from a young signal caller, similar to what’s going on with the Giants right now. It’s a dice roll, but it’s better than being stuck in the purgatory that Arizona is currently in. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 13: Texans: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Seems early for interior offensive line? Not for Houston. They need any and all capable OL pieces available during the offseason, and Ioane has consistently risen up boards this season. He’s quick for his size and can play a key role in protecting QB C.J. Stroud in year one.
Round 1, Pick 14: Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Cowboys swung a big deal for Quinnen Williams yesterday, but the edge rushers along their defensive line are still suspect. Why not fully rebuild the unit up front with one of the more freaky EDGE rushers in the class? — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 15: Vikings: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Another huge riser here. Delane wasn’t on day one radars entering this season, but his jump in consistency with the Tigers has been phenomenal. He is sticky in coverage and grades out as one of the best DBs in America. The Vikings need another playmaker on the back end, desperately.
Round 1, Pick 16: Panthers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Far too often do you see Panthers QB Bryce Young running for his life in Carolina. The run game has been fantastic, and recent draft capital has been invested in the perimeter, but now is the time to solidify the protection unit. Proctor has some up and down moments on tape, but he’s worthy of top 20 consideration. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 17: Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Sorry, NFL. Kansas City sits in the teens for this exercise still and lands the top running back in the class in this mock draft. Giving Love to a Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes and KC’s coaching staff is a terrifying potential reality for the rest of the league.
Round 1, Pick 18: Bears: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Bears’ offense has been up and down this season. After acquiring pieces along the interior of the offensive line, at WR, and TE in recent years, perhaps shoring up the protection will keep Caleb Williams in the pocket more and less prone to going off script. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 19: Browns (via JAX): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon continues to make exciting, acrobatic grabs on a weekly basis. He owns an NFL frame and uses it effectively. Love this fit for Cleveland – and they need more talent around the offense as soon as possible.
Round 1, Pick 20: Steelers: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
The trade deadline came and went, and Pittsburgh didn’t add anyone to its WR room. It will be 20 years this April since they last used first-round draft capital on a WR. That should change if Bell, a big, physical, YAC monster, is still on the board. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 21: Lions: Peter Woods, IDL, Clemson
Getting stronger upfront will never be a premise that Dan Campbell turns down. Woods is one of the most gifted prospects in this class and was usually a top five overall pick in earlier mocks. He slips a bit here, but this is still great value for Detroit and a fun landing spot for the Tigers lineman.
Round 1, Pick 22: Chargers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Ladd McConkey has become a reliable option for Justin Herbert, but Quentin Johntson’s inconsistency is still an issue. Herbert can finally have not only a big, but speedy downfield target in his WR corps with Boston. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 23: 49ers: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Injuries have ravaged this season for San Fran, especially along their defensive line, which has now lost Nick Bosa and last year’s first-round pick, Mykel Williams, for the season. That defense is at its best when they have a healthy defensive line rotation, and Bailey can provide a real spark off the corner.
Round 1, Pick 24: Cowboys (via GB): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
If it seems like the Cowboys are investing heavily in defense, it’s because they need to. The secondary has arguably been just as bad as the pass rush unit, and the lack of protection is creating a symbiotic relationship in the worst way possible. Terrell can change that as a player who will fit Matt Eberflus’ scheme thanks to technique and route recognition. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 25: Bills: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman is a player who could have some teams scratching their heads by the middle of next season. He makes plays on the football consistently and owns a high football IQ. With that, though, it’ll be intriguing to see how many teams are targeting a safety this early on. Buffalo lands a day one starter to me, here.
Round 1, Pick 26: Seahawks: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Seahawks have one of the more well-rounded rosters in the league, but the inside backer spot opposite Ernest Jones IV could use a boost. Insert Sonny Styles, and suddenly Mike Macdonald’s genius scheme will look even better with one of the better pure prospects in the class. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 27: Rams: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
The Rams grabbed a notable defender earlier in the round and bounce back here with a trench pick for Sean McVay’s unit. World is an absolute giant, but he has come into his own this season and could continue to rise up draft boards as the spring approaches.
Round 1, Pick 28: Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
All you ever hear about is how much Sean Payton loves his tight ends. The Broncos currently employ Evan Engram, but Sadiq would be too good to pass on in this spot. Pair him up with Bo Nix to create a duo of former Ducks that can make the offense more efficient. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 29: Bucs: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
There may not be a clearer need for a team than Tampa’s at linebacker. Luckily for the Buccaneers, I really like the top end depth of the LB class for 2026. Hill is a fun athlete who plays with unbelievable energy and has a knack for the big moment.
Round 1, Pick 30: Patriots: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Parker may seem a little low, but some of the preseason hyped has cooled a bit. That being said, he fits the mold of what Mike Vrabel likes at outside backer, and he can develop into a nice player for the Patriots. — Gregson
Round 1, Pick 31: Eagles: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Goosby is the exact type of athletic specimen at his size that OL coaches for Philly love. With an aging unit, there will be answers to be found along that unit upfront, and Goosby feels like a player with so much unlocked potential if he does declare for this draft.
Round 1, Pick 32: Jets: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
The Jets suddenly have a massive hole at the DT spot following the decision to trade All-Pro Quinnen Williams. Fix that with a DT who has turned more than a few heads following a consistent 2025 season thus far. — Gregson
Round 2
33. Titans: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
34. Saints: Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
35. Jets: A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
36. Giants: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
37. Dolphins: Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State
38. Raiders: Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
39. Browns: Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
40. Texans: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
41. Bengals: Christen Miller, IDL, Georgia
42. Falcons: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
43. Cardinals: Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn
44. Texans: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
45. Ravens: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
46. Jets (via DAL): Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
47. Vikings: Caleb Banks, IDL, Florida
48. Chiefs: L.T. Overton, EDGE, Alabama
49. Panthers: Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
50. Bears: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
51. Steelers: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
52. Lions: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
53. Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
54. 49ers: Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
55. Chargers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
56. Packers: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
57. Seahawks: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
58. Rams: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
59. Bills: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
60. Broncos: Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
61. Buccaneers: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
62. Patriots: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
63. Eagles: Damon Wilson Jr., EDGE, Missouri
64. Colts: Cooper Barkate, WR, Duke
Let us know how you feel about your team’s picks on social media! Check back weekly for more 2026 NFL mock drafts.