2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Ty Simpson falls out of first round, Dallas Cowboys get secondary help, and a big wide receiver run
The NFL Draft is just 25 days away.
The NFL Draft is in just 25 days, with a lot of interesting storylines.
Over the last week, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson has been the talk of the media. Is he worthy of a first-round pick and possibly better than Fernando Mendoza? Your mileage may vary on the first one, but the consensus is very clear about the latter.
Plus, there are discussions about the Cleveland Browns possibly trading edge rusher Myles Garrett. If that were to happen, all bets would be off in this draft. As we are set to enter the month of April, here is how things stand.
NFL Draft Spotlight: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
- Love was a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class out of St. Louis, Missouri.
- After playing sparingly as a true freshman, Love exploded in 2024 as a sophomore with 1,125 yards rushing and 19 total touchdowns. He improved on those marks in 2025 with 1,372 yards rushing and 21 total touchdowns.
- At just 20 years old, Love is projected to go in the top five in this draft.
First round of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
There was a lot of drama over the last week surrounding Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson hasn’t changed anything here. Mendoza is the best quarterback in the class, and it’s not really a debate. He’s got the size, accuracy, touch, and a plenty strong enough arm to attack all three levels of the field.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ pro day was on Wednesday and Reese was arguably the best performer on the day. He’s a very interesting prospect, as Reese has mainly played off the ball, but he’s got edge rusher potential, which is why he goes this high. The Jets need playmakers for Aaron Glenn’s defense, and they get one in Reese.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
After releasing Kyler Murray and hiring Mike LaFleur as their head coach, the Cardinals are in a soft rebuild. They are going to start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, and need help protecting him. Mauigoa deserves a shot to play at right tackle before kicking him inside. He will solidify the offensive line.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This pick has been telegraphed for some time. Love is arguably the best player in the draft and he doesn’t play a premium position. Even so, he will give Cam Ward and that offense an explosive player in the backfield to maximize the offense early on and in the future.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles Jr., LB, Ohio State
Styles might be a linebacker who converted from safety, but he plays the game like a modern linebacker should. He can play coverage, fit the run with effectiveness, shoot gaps as a blitzer, and is one of the best tacklers in the class. Playing behind that defensive front for the Giants will make his job easier.
6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
With the Myles Garrett trade steam coming back around, this could very well be an edge rusher. Even if they trade him, the defensive line is strong enough to where they don’t need to force it. Freeling has been rising up draft boards and it shouldn’t be a surprise. His athleticism and technique will help the Browns offensive line rebuild.
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7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is going to prioritize getting pressure on the quarterback. While the Commanders did give Odafe Oweh big money in free agency, they still need a constant on the other side. Bailey is a great complement to what Oweh brings to the table, and they can bring him along slowly.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
What’s better than having one Chris Olave? How about two wide receivers who play like him? Tate is a route running savant who gets open with savvy in the open field, while also having a excellent ability to dominate the catch point with 12 catches on 14 attempts this past season.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
If Bain had longer arms and a more traditional build, he’s likely going second overall. The limited arm length will be an issue for some teams, but the power profile and overall size will be a massive plus for Steve Spagnuolo. Bain will get a chance to play next to Chris Jones, which will help his production early and often.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs has a real argument for being the top prospect in this class, but he plays safety, which will likely push him down the board, and it could be farther than this. The Bengals are desperate for playmakers on the defensive side of the football, and Downs can be that for them.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins have a lot of holes on their roster. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is going through the beginning of the rebuild process, and they need talent. Delane is an excellent cornerback prospect with plus man coverage skills that will thrive in Jeff Hafley’s defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The ideal scenario would be for either Downs or Delane were to fall here, but it’s not likely to happen. With a Vic Fangio defense that Christian Parker will run, having a safety who can play off the roof is ideal. Thieneman can do that and attack opposing offenses in a linear way.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Wide receiver is a need for the Rams. Davante Adams is going to be a free agent after the season and Puka Nacua is due a big extension. Lemon has the profile to fit very well in a Sean McVay offense working underneath and in the middle of the field.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Ravens could go in multiple different directions with new head coach Jesse Minter, but Lamar Jackson is still the primary player on the roster. Ioane was one of the best guards in the country, who mauls defenders on the interior, and he will be a necessary addition to an offensive line that needs help in multiple spots.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
This one makes all the sense in the world. Lavonte David just retired and was a standout for the Buccaneers for over a decade. Allen can come in and be a solid player right away with the potential to develop into something more. His intelligence and athleticism will play very well in Todd Bowles’ defense.
16. New York Jets (via IND): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
After getting Reese at second overall, the Jets can go a multitude of different ways. They traded both Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner last year, which opens up multiple options for them. Tyson has a fascinating skill set to help maximize the Jets’ offense, pairing him with Garrett Wilson for the next decade.
17. Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
After selecting Aidan Hutchinson second overall in 2022, they have been searching for a player opposite of him to ease the pressure. Faulk fits the profile of a bigger edge rusher that they have targeted across the board, and his pass-rush profile has a lot of growth potential. Right away, they get a really good run defender with high upside potential.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
After cutting both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, they have a dire need at defensive tackle. They won’t force it, as they showed in 2024 when they made edge rusher the main focus. Woods was a projected top-five pick going into the season, and his struggles throughout that and the NFL Draft process. This could be a major steal for the Vikings.
19. Carolina Panthers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Panthers have tried multiple times to address the wide receiver room, with Xavier Leggette and Tetairoa McMillan being picked in the first round. Concepcion is stylistically opposite of that, as he is a route-running savant with explosiveness to all three levels. He can do everything that the room currently doesn’t have, which will be huge for Bryce Young.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Cowboys got Parker a safety to maximize his defense, and they continue to load up with a versatile cornerback in Terrell. He knows how to thrive in both man and zone coverage, along with having all the dog in the world in him. Terrell can be the top cornerback for the Cowboys for 10+ years.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The board hasn’t fallen great for the Steelers, so they choose to get an offensive lineman to help fortify a front that lost Isaac Seumalo. Fano played left tackle at Utah, but many have projected him to kick inside. The Steelers could play him just about anywhere to create their best five.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Last season, the Chargers traded safety Alohi Gilman to bring in Odafe Oweh, creating a hole next to Derwin James. They fill that with a player who can be versatile in McNeil-Warren. He needs to take more consistent angles, but the talent is excellent.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
We are operating under the assumption that the Eagles are going to trade A.J. Brown at some point. By doing so, they will open up a big hole on the outside. Cooper played in an RPO-heavy offense at Indiana, which is something that Jalen Hurts has thrived with. Since Sean Mannion is coming in, Cooper also fits the wide zone, West Coast offense scheme he is bringing in. A very interesting player addition for the Eagles.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Browns got their left tackle at sixth overall in Freeling, and they continue building up their offensive infrastructure. Boston is best pure X-receiver in the NFL Draft, and his profile fits what Todd Monken likes to do in the passing game. Boston’s ability at the catchpoint will be a major draw for multiple teams.
25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Despite making the playoffs, the Bears’ defense showed themselves to be a liability, especially on the defensive line. McDonald can come into Chicago and thrive with however Dennis Allen asks him to, especially against the run.
26. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The board doesn’t fall great for the Bills, so they take a massive upside swing on Parker. He was likely a top-10 selection going into the season, and struggled in multiple ways. He has the profile both from an athleticism and production standpoint to warrant a first-round pick, and it could be a steal for Brandon Beane.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
With the uncertainty surrounding Trent Williams, the 49ers taking an upside swing at a new left tackle is a smart play. Proctor has some movement limitations due to his weight, but his ability once engaged is excellent. He can kick inside for the time being while developing, and potentially take over for Williams in a year or two.
28. Houston Texans: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Taking a high-upside player to try and maximize C.J. Stroud while they use their day two capital to fortify their depth. Sadiq is a willing blocker who needs improvement, but also a dominant weapon up the seam. He can be an impactful player right away while developing into the well rounded starter they want.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
After trading for this pick with Trent McDuffie, they get a player to help replace him and Jaylen Watson. If there was no injury to McCoy, he would be a serious contender to go in the top 10. McCoy’s man coverage ability will be a huge draw for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
After the Jayden Waddle trade, wide receiver is a big hole for the Dolphins. There is a chance they wait until day two like the Green Bay Packers have done for years due to Sullivan’s ability with the position. However, Bell might be too good to pass up. He profiles similarly to A.J. Brown in size, play style, and ability. They can wait for him to recover from his torn ACL due to taking on nearly $100 million in dead cap over the next two years after cutting Tua Tagovailoa.
31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Protecting Drake Maye should be a major priority for the Patriots, and they do that with Miller. Since they have Morgan Moses on the roster, they don’t have to worry about playing Miller immediately. His athletic profile is excellent, and he’s a better player than most would give him credit for.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
The Seahawks lost Kenneth Walker II this offseason to the Chiefs, and finding one to replace him will likely be a priority, especially with Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL. Price is a talented and versatile back who only didn’t start because Love is a top-five selection.
Second round of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. New York Jets: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
34. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
35. Tennessee Titans: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
36. Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
37. New York Giants: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
39. Cleveland Browns: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M
40. Kansas City Chiefs: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
42. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
43. Miami Dolphins: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
44. New York Jets (via DAL): R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
45. Baltimore Ravens: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
47. Indianapolis Colts: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
48. Atlanta Falcons: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
49. Minnesota Vikings: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
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50. Detroit Lions: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
51. Carolina Panthers: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
52. Green Bay Packers: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
57. Chicago Bears: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
58. San Francisco 49ers: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
59. Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
60. Chicago Bears (via BUF): Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
61. Los Angeles Rams: Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
62. Denver Broncos: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
63. New England Patriots: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
64. Seattle Seahawks: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
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