We are just 32 days until the 2026 NFL Draft officially begins. With NFL Free Agency now behind us, needs for each team have become a lot more solidified, which helps all the mock drafters out there. The draft will provide each organization a great opportunity to find answers to the roster’s biggest question marks. 

In my latest 2-round NFL mock draft, the focus wasn’t on trades in this exercise. Instead, the emphasis was to find interesting player-team fits and also make some unique selections that haven’t been as common. We will know the results soon enough, but this is about developing a deeper understanding about the class as a whole. 

Let’s have some fun. 

Round one of the 2026 NFL Draft 

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

There is a very interesting debate about the overall quality of Mendoza as a quarterback, especially one who is going to be drafted with the top pick. While this debate is fair, in this class, the Raiders need to bet on his combination of size, accuracy, and a seemingly high floor. 

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech 

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has been getting most of the buzz to the Jets recently but they are a bit of a wildcard team. If they opt for the pure pass rusher, Bailey could be the pick to pair with Will McDonald IV and Joseph Ossai. 

3. Arizona Cardinals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State 

Would the Cardinals opt for the more known commodity of Styles or take the hybrid upside of Reese? While Styles’ upside might not be quite as high as his teammate, he also has some rare traits on the second level of a defense. 

4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State 

If Reese is there at No. 4 overall, you have to think head coach Robert Saleh and the Titans would sprint the card up. With needs on the edge and at linebacker, Reese is the type of dynamic defense who could do a ton in the Tennessee defense. The sky is the limit for Reese if used properly. 

5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame 

Would the Giants draft another running back in the top-five considering the optics of the Saquon Barkley departure a couple of years ago? In this scenario, Love might just be too good to pass up, possessing unreal playmaking upside and long speed. 

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 

The offensive tackle vs. wide receiver debate in this spot will continue to rage on. Tate has become pretty underrated after running his 4.53-second forty-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. There is still a lot to love about Tate, including a great catch radius, route nuance, and the ability to separate vertically. 

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

If Love was on the board, it feels like the Commanders would have a hard time saying no to the dynamic running back. With him off, they opt to take one of the safest bets in the class. Downs is an incredibly smart safety who should develop into a good starter early in his NFL career. 

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami 

With Cameron Jordan leaving this offseason, the Saints are in need of a true power rusher off the edge. While Bain lacks length and great closing speed, he makes up for it with tremendous effort, physicality, and premier run defense. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon 

Passing up cornerback will be a controversial decision in this spot but the conversation will center around whether you think Sadiq or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is a more impactful player. With the move toward more 12 personnel in the NFL, Sadiq would provide some intriguing upside mixing and matching with Travis Kelce. He is also the heir apparent with Pro Bowl upside as an all-around tight end. 

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

With Styles, Reese, Downs, and Bain all off the board, the Bengals opt for a talented cover cornerback. Between his stops at LSU and Virginia Tech, Delane has shown a lot of versatility by playing a ton on the outside and in the slot. 

11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah 

The Dolphins are in the middle of a complete rebuild right now, so building through the trenches is always a smart ideology. Fano has the profile to play right tackle or all three interior positions on the NFL level, allowing a lot of flexibility for an offensive line. 

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon 

With so many needs in the secondary, the Cowboys need to select who they deem to be the most impactful football player. Thieneman has very good versatility to play anywhere from in the box, in the alley, in short zone, as a robber, and work from depth. 

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

If not for the durability question marks for Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, he could have been the selection in this spot. Instead, the Rams opt for Lemon, a tremendous blend of route running, toughness, and after catch ability. 

14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State 

The Ravens have traditionally built through the trenches, which is typically a winning formula. While he isn’t overly flashy, Ioane brings the frame, power profile, and balance to become a plus starter inside immediately. 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee 

There haven’t been a ton of mock drafts where McCoy is available when the Buccaneers select. Outside cornerback is quietly an important need for Tampa Bay. When healthy, McCoy is an outstanding press man cornerback who can run. 

16. New York Jets (via IND): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State 

The Jets profit off the durability concerns for Tyson. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets are team without many legitimate passing game weapons, which the former Arizona State star fixes quickly. 

17. Detroit Lions: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 

In a similar situation as Tristan Wirfs a few years ago, the Lions could make the decision to move Penei Sewell from right to left tackle this offseason. Mauigoa is one of the more dependable offensive lineman in the 2026 class, at worst having the upside to become a stellar interior lineman down the road if he fails at right tackle. 

18. Minnesota Vikings: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State 

Yes, I’m fully aware this is probably the highest you have seen Johnson in a mock draft. The second half of the first round could get a little funky, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see a team value Johnson’s overall mix of long speed, scheme diversity, and coverage upside. 

19. Carolina Panthers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana 

The Panthers are an odd team to mock for right now, especially with how the board fell. The 2026 season is going to tell us a lot for whether Bryce Young is going to be the team’s quarterback for the long-terms, so adding passing game weapons around him would be advantageous to get a true read on the situation. 

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 

With the need on the edge, Faulk could provide much-needed size and movement skills to the group. He will immediately help the group in terms of run defense. If Faulk ever develops as a pass rusher, he has a chance to become one of the best values in the class. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 

The Steelers look like they’re willing to roll with Dylan Cook and Broderick Jones going into the 2026 season. While Cook showed a lot of promise, passing up on a talent like Freeling feels like a bad move. Investing in the offensive line is typically a sound decision. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson 

It wasn’t long ago that it felt like a pipe dream for Woods to be available for the Chargers. If he is, they should sprint the card to the podium. He’s a ball of chaos and impact in the middle when he’s playing consistently. 

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah 

With Lane Johnson nearing the end, the Eagles would be best served to find his replacement for the long-term. While this might not feel like the biggest 2026 need on the roster, grabbing Lomu for the future would be extremely beneficial. 

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 

Cleveland fans won’t like this but there is no answer on the roster at left tackle right now. Proctor is also going to go early, whether you like it or not. His combination of size, length, and explosiveness will be heavily valued by the NFL. 

25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State 

At 6-3 and 327 pounds, McDonald is a massive defensive tackle who is incredibly difficult to move at the point of attack. He should provide an immediate bump for the Bears run defense. 

26. Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo 

The Bills have needed a difference maker at safety for a couple of years now. McNeil-Warren brings the combination of size, versatility, and propensity to create turnovers that would be a welcome addition to the defense. 

27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M 

Concepcion feels like the perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers have always prioritized the ability to win after the catch, something that the former Aggie star does at an extremely high level. 

28. Houston Texans: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 

The Texans could potentially upgrade the middle of their defense during the draft, either at defensive tackle or on the second level. Allen would bring a cerebral element to the DeMeco Ryans’ defense. He also has very underrated range. 

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

When the Chiefs traded away Trent McDuffie this offseason, they were losing a cornerback with the ability to play both on the outside and in the slot. Terrell brings that same type of style, which should be an immediate boost to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. 

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee 

Like McCoy, Hood is a very talented press corner coming out of Tennessee. With requisite long speed and change of direction, Hood has the tools to become a quality starter early with more upside to tap into. 

31. New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami 

The Patriots feel like a team that is just a couple players away from getting over that Super Bowl hump. Investing in the pass rush is never a bad idea, and while Mesidor isn’t the most dynamic athlete of all-time, he should provide an immediate boost to a pass rush early. 

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

Right guard remains a massive need for the Seahawks following free agency. Bisontis has played a lot of football for the Aggies over the years, coming into the NFL as one of the better pass blocking offensive guards in recent memory. 

Round two of the 2026 NFL Draft 

33. New York Jets: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida 

34. Arizona Cardinals: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson 

35. Tennessee Titans: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington 

36. Las Vegas Raiders: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State 

37. New York Giants: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville 

38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech 

39. Cleveland Browns: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 

40. Kansas City Chiefs: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF 

41. Cincinnati Bengals: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma 

42. New Orleans Saints: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee 

43. Miami Dolphins: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson 

44. New York Jets (via DAL): Brandon Cisse, CB, NC State 

45. Baltimore Ravens: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia 

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri 

47. Indianapolis Colts: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M 

48. Atlanta Falcons: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana 

49. Minnesota Vikings: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona 

50. Detroit Lions: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois 

51. Carolina Panthers: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona 

52. Green Bay Packers: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas 

53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC 

54. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt 

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, USC 

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma 

57. Chicago Bears: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU 

58. San Francisco 49ers: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M 

59. Houston Texans: Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa 

60. Chicago Bears (via BUF): Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan 

61. Los Angeles Rams: Connor Lew, OC, Auburn 

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

63. New England Patriots: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama 

64. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas