2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders reap rewards of the Maxx Crosby trade while Bears, Chiefs replace veterans dealt this week

Two big deals announced this week change the landscape of the top-60 in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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The 2026 NFL Draft buzz is about to kick into overdrive.

Free agency opens next week, which is going to dramatically shift the team needs of some of the teams and re-shape our expectations around the draft. But that process has already started thanks to a couple of big deals that we saw announced in the past few days. The Maxx Crosby trade to the Baltimore Ravens will be hard to top this offseason. What can the Raiders do with a top-15 pick to pair with presumed first pick, QB Fernando Mendoza? Let’s find out. Here’s a fresh 2-round 2026 mock draft right on the doorstep of free agency next week.

First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

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

I’m not going to pretend as though I have any innovative, creative insight for you on this one, gang. Mendoza has been considered a lock at the top of the draft for months now and the Raiders just made the leap into the deep end with both feet — releasing veteran Geno Smith before another $8 million in salary fully guarantees. It’s on.

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

The debate for the Jets’ direction is fascinating. I feel like Reese has really compelling blends to settle into a number of roles — and if the team ends up pivoting off of Aaron Glenn with another catastrophic season, I see no reason why his versatility would not be able to find a role in a different scheme, either. He feels like the best of both worlds: a great fit for Glenn and versatile enough to offer meaningful reps in a number of schemes/roles.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame 

I personally don’t love the idea of Arizona going with a running back here but if the team ends up landing QB Malik Willis in free agency, we’re looking at suddenly a pretty diverse skill group with the threat of the quarterback run game. Love is one of the best overall players in the class, so I see the vision of simply taking an ensured blue chip talent and going from there.

4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Robert Saleh gets his “Fred Warner” fit here and I am here for it. Styles is one of my favorite prospects in the entire class. I expect the Titans to throw some money around in free agency to ease some of their needs at premium position (I’m looking at you, defensive end and wide receiver). That path makes Styles as the centerpiece of Saleh’s back-seven very easy to see coming to together.

5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

New York is in a fascinating spot. Do they go with a right tackle to replace Jermaine Eluemunor? Do they go with a pass rusher if Kayvon Thibodeaux is traded? For now, I’m going to give them a vertical presence to help amplify Jaxson Dart’s big-play mentality and put another downfield weapon on the field to ease some of the coverage attention on Malik Nabers.

6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Browns didn’t make the splashy trade this weekend but they did secure one of the first ones: RT Tytus Howard comes to Cleveland to help re-make the offensive line. Freeling gets a chance to serve as Todd Monken’s other bookend — he came onto the scene in 2025 and has been rising throughout the process; he’d pair with Howard to stabilize the edges of the line.

7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami 

Dan Quinn’s defense needs a jolt. I’d trust Quinn to find the right role to keep Bain in positions to be successful despite some untraditional traits and measurements. His power up front fits what Washington seemed to try to assemble last season, but he comes with more prolific disruption ability as a pass rusher.

8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Saints are in a position where they’re finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with their cap situation. As they ramp up for the next competitive window, they’ll need to have the right key pieces on the roster to gain (and keep) leads. Losing Cam Jordan as a pass rusher opens up a meaningful spot in their rotation, which Bailey has the twitch to fill.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

We all saw the same thing happen this week with the Rams and Chiefs, no? Trent McDuffie is firmly on the Marcus Peters plan of starting his career in Kansas City before getting traded to the Rams. With McDuffie out the window and picks in hand, the Chiefs get some more flexibility to re-tool the roster. They do that here by replacing McDuffie with Delane.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Best defensive player available. It’s going to be hard to go wrong with that school of thought if you are the Bengals. Downs may not be the flashy Combine winner this year, but the film speaks for itself. This is a top-shelf football player and he can help a woeful Bengals defense in a big way.

11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

Miami’s roster purge is well underway. That, plus the fact that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan expressed a desire to build the roster inside-out, means this should be a meat and potatoes pick for Miami. It’s hard to imagine a more “meat and potatoes” pick than Mauigoa, who can pair long-term with Patrick Paul to give Miami a pair of strong tackles.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon

Versatility. Athleticism. Explosiveness. These are the things Thieneman brings to the table and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker saw what Cooper DeJean brought to the table as an Eagles defensive assistant who could play deep or in the nickel. Thieneman checks some of the same boxes to provide that role in Dallas.

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

Les Snead is going to come out of this draft looking like a mad scientist. He trades one first round pick for CB Trent McDuffie, then uses this pick on a local product who can be a long-term fit opposite Puka Nacua once Davante Adams’ contract expires. A splash fit for a team that is going for it in 2026.

14. Las Vegas Raiders (via BAL): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Welcome to Sin City, Fernando. Your welcoming gift is the most physically talented wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft! From a functional athleticism standpoint, Tyson is the top of the class. Some durability concerns may ding him and in this scenario, it sets the stage for a terrific 1-2 punch for the Raiders to start the Klint Kubiak era in Las Vegas.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Parker is, to me, one of the most underrated prospects in the class. He’s had good pass rush production, he has prototypical size, he has plenty good enough athletic testing numbers, and he shined at the Senior Bowl. I’m not sure what there is not to like. And for a Tampa team whose pass rush struggled last season, Parker feels like a great fit.

16. New York Jets (via IND): Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Take your time, New York. Just stack fits on the defense. Glenn’s defense already secured Arvell Reese with the No. 2 overall pick and here, with the pick acquired for Sauce Gardner, the Jets go with a defensive front piece to pair with newcomer T’Vondre Sweat. Woods is the perfect penetration/attack player to pencil in next to Sweat as the anchor in the middle.

17. Detroit Lions: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah 

Fano is a tenacious player. I like his fit best in Detroit at Center, where he could serve as the replacement to Graham Glasgow. He’s a plus, PLUS athlete whose functional strength and displacement ability is not as paramount on the interior. Instead, his athleticism can shine working up to the second level off of combination blocks and creating creases for Jahmyr Gibbs to hit.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo

Fano would have been a perfect fit in Minnesota to replace Ryan Kelly so seeing him come off the board one pick earlier is a bummer but the “consolation prize” is this year’s freaky long, disruptive safety. McNeil-Warren feels like an awesome fit to prowl the back of Brian Flores’ defense.

19. Carolina Panthers: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

This is one of my favorite stylistic fits for a prospect and a team in the draft. Faulk projects as a power end who can, eventually, hulk up to be a true inside/outside hybrid player. The big boys in the middle of that Panthers’ defensive front can pair with him to be point of attack owners before one of them cedes a spot on rush downs to Faulk on the inside.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

The Micah Parsons pick yields a potential replacement for Micah Parsons! The Cowboys were reported to be “in” on the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes before the Ravens upped the ante to two first-round picks. If they want a pass rush piece at this point, I really like Young as a powerful end who can play a high volume of snaps. He’s drawn some comparisons to another long-time defensive end in Dallas — Demarcus Lawrence.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Pittsburgh’s secondary is in a state of flux. The team shuffled safeties like nobody’s business last year and the cornerback position needed reinforcements from Asante Samuel Jr. and a surprise season from James Pierre, who is a free agent. That’s also before we account for an aging Jalen Ramsey and his cost. Terrell is a quick-footed corner who is scrappy and would give a complementary skill set opposite Joey Porter Jr.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Tyler Biadasz added at center. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back healthy. Now Ioane? Justin Herbert is swooning. Ioane is, for my money, the best lineman in the class — but he plays guard and we know how that usually plays in the draft. Los Angeles comes out a winner of the Maxx Crosby trade here, as Ioane would have got at No. 14 overall is Baltimore still had the pick.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon 

Sadiq blew up the Combine with a record-setting 40-time. The Eagles usually covet pass rush and offensive line early in the draft under Howie Roseman but a weapon like Sadiq as the team makes some transitions in the skill positions makes too much sense to pass up. If we’re moving on from Dallas Goedert, getting an explosive run after catch weapon who can block in space like Sadiq is as good as you could ask for.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Ty Simpson’s bet on himself and the rest of the 2026 quarterback class pays off. Simpson had a strong throwing session at the Combine and his weight was back up over 210 pounds, both good developments to create more separation from the rest of the pack behind Mendoza. And in Cleveland, he lands with a good offensive mind in Todd Monken and, now, a new pair of pass protectors in Tytus Howard and Freeling to keep him upright.

25. Chicago Bears: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Bears moved on from Tremaine Edmunds in a cost cutting move, which appeared to signal some splash moves in mind for Ryan Poles. They already made one big move with the departure of WR DJ Moore, recouping the 60th overall pick in that deal (that’s a win for Chicag0). But with this pick, one of the most instinctive linebackers in the class comes in to take Edmunds’ position and serve as the long-term quarterback to Dennis Allen’s defense.

26. Buffalo Bills: Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami

The Bills got their wide receiver in the aforementioned Moore trade and now get a chance to land a pass rusher to help bolster that unit with several expiring contracts on the edge. Mesidor is an older player but the Bills are playing for keeps NOW — his pass rush polish would be a sorely needed boost as the Bills transition their defensive scheme under Jim Leonhard.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Wide receiver is a big need here in San Francisco. Aiyuk is done. Jauan Jennings is an expiring contract. Omar Cooper feels like a GREAT fit. He’s got some toughness after the catch, he’s not a small receiver, he runs good routes, and I imagine his play style will endear Kyle Shanahan. I love this fit as the 49ers re-tool around Brock Purdy.

28. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Banks tumbles a bit thanks to some inconsistent tape and the missed time in 2025 but it’s hard to imagine him landing in a better spot overall than here in Houston. The Texans’ fearsome defense gets a potential home run addition to play on the interior and gather a ton of solo blocks. If DeMeco Ryans can harness his raw ability, this could transform a nightmare unit into something at an even higher level.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

So much of the attention around the Chiefs has been trying to find the big plays in the passing game. In reality, the intermediate targets is probably where the Chiefs are going to have to be comfortable living as teams cap their explosive plays. I’m not sure how much we can rely on Rashee Rice and his role, paired with JuJu Smith-Schuster’s reps, creates a strong fit for a receiver like Boston. I like him stepping into this offense to give Patrick Mahomes a big, sturdy weapon to build chemistry with long-term.

30. Denver Broncos: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

You saw the Combine. Stowers feels like a major winner out of the event who could rise all the way up to this stratosphere. It’s probably fair to say the Broncos didn’t get what they were looking for in Evan Engram — Stowers can bring that tight end “Joker” role to life with his athleticism and ability to flex into the slot.

31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Morgan Moses just hung up the cleats and the Patriots are trading Garrett Bradbury to Chicago. The offensive line investments cannot be considered anywhere close to done for the Patriots and their bid to maximize Drake Maye’s early years. Miller is a tough, gritty, “get it done” blocker with good tools and a TON of college starting experience.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy’s a bit of a mystery. He missed all of 2025 with a January 2025 knee injury. Then, he opted not to work out at the 2026 NFL Combine. Is he destined for a Will Johnson type fall? I’m not sure. But I don’t know that we should still be pencilling him into the top-20 of our mock drafts until we get some more clarity. Seattle, fresh off a Super Bowl win and with several expiring contracts in the secondary, will gladly gobble him up at the end of the first round in this scenario.

Second Round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

33. New York Jets; Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

34. Arizona Cardinals: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

35. Tennessee Titans: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

36. Las Vegas Raiders: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

37. New York Giants: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama

39. Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

40. Kansas City Chiefs: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

41. Cincinnati Bengals: Christen Miller, IDL, Georgia

42. New Orleans Saints: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

43. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

44. New York Jets (via DAL): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

45. Baltimore Ravens: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

47. Indianapolis Colts: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

48. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

49. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan

50. Detroit Lions: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

51. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Hill, LB, Texas

52. Green Bay Packers: Caleb Lomu, OT, UTah

53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

54. Philadelphia Eagles: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: AJ Haulcy, SAF, LSU

57. Chicago Bears: Keionte Scott, DB, Miami

58. San Francisco 49ers: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

59. Houston Texans: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky

60. Chicago Bears (via BUF): Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

61. Los Angeles Rams: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

62. Denver Broncos: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee

63. New England Patriots: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

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

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