With the new year approaching, we are sadly approaching the end of the college football and NFL season. The NFL playoff picture is already starting to take shape, and fans of the other half of the league are already firing up every mock draft simulator they can get their hands on to try and fix their favorite franchise in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

Who are the most talented prospects in the country that could save your favorite franchise and find themselves selected inside the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft?

Round 1 of 2026 NFL Draft

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

It sounds like it’s a complete house cleaning in Las Vegas, and that means no Pete Carroll or Geno Smith back in town for next season. They were completely outclassed by the Giants, a concerning fact for the near future of this team, but landing a franchise quarterback gets you a lot closer in a rebuild than anything else.

Which quarterback the Raiders will prefer between Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore will entirely depend on their flavor, but Tom Brady still having influence in this decision might point towards Mendoza.

2. Cleveland Browns (via NYG)*: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

The Browns are in complete desperation mode and are willing to pay just about any price not to be stuck in quarterback purgatory again or have to have Deshaun Watson play another snap in a Browns uniform.

With their bevy of picks they’ve acquired over the Travis Hunter et al trades, Cleveland gives the Giants whatever they ask for to jump the Jets for a quarterback.

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

Well, this might be the worst-case scenario for the Jets if they can’t land a quarterback at the top of the NFL Draft.

They are essentially starting from scratch with one of the most lifeless teams I can recall (and that is saying something, given some of the teams the Jets have put out in recent years), so they might as well take the best player available in Arvell Reese and try to improve where they can.

4. Tennessee Titans: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

To nobody’s surprise, outside the Titans’ building, the Dan Moore mega-deal from last free agency aged like milk. Moore leads the league in blown blocks and is a sieve on Cam Ward’s blind side. The remainder of his guaranteed money under his contract wouldn’t stop me from drafting an upgrade in Spencer Fano and benching Moore.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Pick a position, and there’s a good argument that the Cardinals need an upgrade. They’re going to have to play quarterback musical chairs next year with the Kyler Murray decision, but they need to build out the rest of the roster in the meantime.

Bain’s NFL stock is apparently varied, but I think he has the talent to step right into Calais Campbell’s role in Arizona.

6. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Washington’s defense has been a letdown from its strong 2024 season last year, and it’s a combination of a porous secondary and an inconsistent pass rush. With multiple pass rushers hitting free agency, Washington invests in arguably the most disruptive force in college football this season in David Bailey to boost their pass rush.

7. New York Giants (via CLE)*: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If Joe Schoen does stay as general manager of the Giants, they will undoubtedly look to add talent around Jaxson Dart. They need plenty of weapons around Dart for him to find NFL success, and Carnell Tate is the top wide receiver in the draft this year.

He’s taken a significant step forward this season, and I think pairing him with Malik Nabers would be an awesome 1-2 punch in an NFC East full of them.

8. New Orleans Saints: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

The Saints are in an odd spot draft-wise. They could go in just about every direction, but OT or QB, and I feel like it would be easy to justify.

With Cameron Jordan likely retiring and an inconsistent pass rush outside of him, I’d like to see them take another traitsy rusher opposite of Chase Young to bolster their front four.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

I feel like this pick is almost becoming chalk, but the Chiefs are desperate for any sort of talent infusion across their offensive skill positions.

Position value, shmosition value, Jeremiyah Love is worth the investment here and would take a great deal of pressure off of Patrick Mahomes.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

The Bengals desperately need to add talent to their defensive line, whether it’s on the interior or outside.

Banks missed plenty of time with an injury this year, but I still believe in his talent level, and I think he can be a disruptive force who can collapse the pocket up the middle and draw attention away from Shemar Stewart and the rest of the Bengals’ pass rush.

11. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The two weeks that Emmanuel Forbes and Cobie Durant were salvaging the Rams’ secondary were fun, but that room has fallen back down to earth in recent weeks, and it’s becoming desperately obvious that the Rams need multiple players in the secondary.

Despite missing the entire 2025 season with an offseason injury, Jermod McCoy is still the top cover corner in the draft and would easily take the top corner spot in a Rams’ secondary desperate for a player who can cover consistently.

12. Miami Dolphins: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Tua Tagovailoa saga is over, and call me skeptical on Quinn Ewers being the long-term answer here. Ty Simpson has salvaged his draft stock somewhat with a strong performance against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the College Football Playoff, and he would fit well in Mike McDaniel’s offense.

It’s a bit of a gamble, but teams have done crazier, and the Dolphins don’t have many other options.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Linebacker has been a problem for the Buccaneers for years, despite Lavonte David’s best efforts as an ageless wonder on the field. It feels like it’s finally time he’ll hang it up, and the rest of the room might be the worst unit in the NFL.

Linebackers aren’t a “valuable” position, but Sonny Styles is one of the few blue-chip talents in this draft, and this is a no-brainer if he falls here.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Cowboys need help pretty much everywhere besides defensive tackle. We’ll see if Matt Eberflus survives, but regardless of whether he stays or not, Dallas needs blue-chip talent.

Downs is a versatile, do-it-all safety who would add a veteran-like presence to Dallas’s secondary and is a productive player who seemingly always finds himself around the ball.

15. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Lions could be justified in taking someone defensively, but Taylor Decker has been rumored to be approaching the end of his career, and Detroit has an easy off-ramp with his contract in the offseason.

Lomu is a ready-made NFL pass protector who could easily slide into Decker’s spot at left tackle.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

It feels like times could be changing in Baltimore with how disappointing this season has been for them. This class dried up at other positions of need for them.

However, the Ravens’ offense still needs a real perimeter threat at wide receiver for Lamar Jackson, and Tyson could slide right in and give them a strong height/weight/speed threat outside who can win vs man coverage and open up the easy underneath looks for Zay Flowers.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

I fully expect the Vikings to be investing in at least one rookie cornerback early on in the draft, and I love Terrell’s fit in their defense. Despite his size, Terrell is a fierce competitor with superb athletic ability and is one of the top playmakers at the position in the class.

18. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Even though the Jets don’t have a rookie quarterback in this scenario, they would be wise to fill out their wide receiver room for whoever does play under center next season.

Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell can be the perimeter threats, opening up Lemon to be peppered with targets as a reliable chain mover and after the catch weapon out of the slot.

19. Carolina Panthers: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Panthers might be the most surprising team in the league this year, as they are on the verge of making the playoffs. Jaycee Horn got a mega payday, but the rest of their cornerback room needs playmakers.

Delane was lock down in the best conference in college football this season and projects to be a strong perimeter corner right away in the league.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Who knows who will take over under center next season for the Steelers, but whoever it is will need more weapons than what the Steelers can offer right now. Concepcion can step in as the WR2 essentially right away and would add a strong element of explosiveness that they don’t have outside of DK Metcalf.

21. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

It’s not an exaggeration to say Kenneth Murray has been the worst linebacker in the league this year, and the Cowboys seemingly can’t figure out what is going on in the linebacker room despite it being Week 17. Adding Allen to pair with Overshown next season is a massive upgrade over whatever is going on in that room this season.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)

Mauigoa plays offensive tackle for the Hurricanes, but he would be better served inside at guard. In Los Angeles, Mauigoa would be a seamless fit in their power run game and actually boasts an anchor to prevent the pocket from collapsing, something Justin Herbert would no doubt be grateful for.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Dallas Goedert is a pending free agent and is already 31 years old. With the Eagles having plenty of cap decisions to make and little cap room to maneuver, Goedert might not be a priority for an extension. Sadiq can slide right into his spot as the starting tight end right away.

24. Buffalo Bills: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

I feel like I mock a run stuffer to the Bills every year, and every year they ignore it, only to be surprised when they can’t stop the run that season. Maybe this year will be the year they finally correct that with McDonald, who has the size, play strength, and instincts to be a superb run defender from the get-go.

25. Chicago Bears: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

The Bears need improvement across the defensive line, as it’s been a glaring weakness during Ryan Poles’ tenure. EDGE rusher is a need for sure, but that spot dries up way earlier than the Bears will pick. Washington can be a disruptive three-down defender who plugs right into the middle of their defense and draws attention away from their edge rushers.

26. Houston Texans: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Peter Woods falls right into the perfect spot, as the Texans can reignite some of that talent that didn’t show up for most of the 2025 season. With Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle pending free agents, Woods walks into a room in need of new talent to restock the interior of their defensive line.

27. Los Angeles Rams: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Kam Curl has been a replacement-level starter this year, and there’s no argument to keep him around in Los Angeles anymore. Worst still, the rest of this room doesn’t look much better with some stark regression from Kam Kinchens.

The Rams can capitalize on a solid safety class to add an easy upgrade to their secondary in Dillon Thieneman, who would give them the range they desperately need in the back end while also giving them the run defense they thought they were getting out of Curl.

28. New York Giants (via CLE)*: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

Deonte Banks still hasn’t proven himself to be worth the first-round investment the Giants gave him years ago, and the secondary still needs plenty of work. Abney is undersized, but he’s physical, athletic, and a strong playmaker who can play on the outside or in the slot.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Here’s the list of 49ers defensive ends who are under contract for 2026 and have no injury questions heading into the offseason: Bryce Huff and Keion White.

Even though they will have Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams back, this room still feels like a giant question mark for the future. They’ve long tended to prefer these long, physical defensive ends with great size, something Young checks every box for.

30. New England Patriots: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

Will Campbell has been a stud at left tackle, but right tackle Morgan Moses is aging up there, and the Patriots will need a long-term option there. Goosby is still “developmental,” but he has the tools to be a long-term NFL starter, and he progressively improved as the season went on.

31. Denver Broncos: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

Denver doesn’t have many “priority” needs, which means it can swing for a luxury position or gamble. Chris Bell tore his ACL at the end of the season, so it will be some time before he’s ready to see the field, but he’s an outstanding playmaker on the perimeter who would complement Courtland Sutton well and give Bo Nix another weapon.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State

The interior of Seattle’s offensive line remains a problem, as it has for the last few seasons, and it’s frequently killing promising drives for the Seahawks’ offense. Ioane can plug-and-play right into the middle and finally nip that problem in the bud.

Round Two of the 2026 NFL Draft

• 33. Las Vegas Raiders: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
• 34. New York Jets: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
• 35. Tennessee Titans: Devin Moore, CB, Florida
• 36. Arizona Cardinals: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
• 37. New York Giants: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
• 38. Houston Texans (via WAS): Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
• 39. Cleveland Browns: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
• 40. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., EDGE, Ohio State
• 41. Cincinnati Bengals: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
• 42. New Orleans Saints: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
• 43. Atlanta Falcons: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
• 44. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
• 45. Miami Dolphins: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
• 46. New York Jets (via DAL): Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
• 47. Baltimore Ravens: Austin Siereveld, G, Ohio State
• 48. Minnesota Vikings: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
• 49. Indianapolis Colts: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
• 50. Detroit Lions: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
• 51. Carolina Panthers: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
• 52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
• 53. Green Bay Packers: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
• 54. Philadelphia Eagles: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
• 55. Buffalo Bills: Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
• 56. Los Angeles Chargers: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
• 57. Houston Texans: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
• 58. Chicago Bears: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
• 59. Los Angeles Rams: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
• 60. Jacksonville Jaguars: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
• 61. San Francisco 49ers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
• 62. New England Patriots: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
• 63. Denver Broncos: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)
• 64. Seattle Seahawks: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC

Round Three of the 2026 NFL Draft

• 65. Las Vegas Raiders: Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami (FL)
• 66. Tennessee Titans: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
• 67. Arizona Cardinals: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
• 68. Houston Texans (via NYG): Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
• 69. Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ): Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
• 70. Cleveland Browns: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
• 71. Washington Commanders: Max Llewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
• 72. Cincinnati Bengals: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
• 73. New Orleans Saints: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
• 74. Kansas City Chiefs: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
• 75. Atlanta Falcons: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
• 76. Miami Dolphins: Bray Hubbard, S, Alabama
• 77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ahmad Moten Sr., DL, Miami (FL)
• 78. Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL): D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
• 79. Minnesota Vikings: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
• 80. Indianapolis Colts: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
• 81. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
• 82. Baltimore Ravens: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
• 83. Carolina Panthers: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
• 84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
• 85. Green Bay Packers: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
• 86. Buffalo Bills: Carter Smith, IOL, Indiana
• 87. Los Angeles Chargers: Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
• 88. Miami Dolphins (via PHI): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
• 89. Chicago Bears: Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
• 90. Miami Dolphins (via HOU): Cayden Green, G, Missouri
• 91. Los Angeles Rams: Justin Joly, TE, NC State
• 92. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
• 93. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Parker II, G, Duke
• 94. New England Patriots: Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
• 95. Denver Broncos: Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
• 96. Seattle Seahawks: Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon