First round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals trade down with a contender, Commanders, Saints, and Giants support their young QBs
A final predictive first round 2026 NFL Mock Draft sees multiple trades go down to shake up the board. Teams with young quarterbacks make picks that tell the rest of the league they will support them going forward.
The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived. It is draft day, or what I like to call the best day of the year. Today, we will officially know how the first round of the draft shakes out. The top players in the class are set to hear their names called and fulfill a lifelong dream.
Which means this is my last chance to predict what will happen. And that is part of the beauty of the NFL Draft, if you ask me. So let’s not waste any more time. Here is my final predictive first-round mock draft of the year.
Key Facts, Stats, and Odds for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
- Six teams do not own a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos
- Five NFL teams own two first-round selections going into the 2026 NFL Draft: New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets
- Odds to be a top five pick via Draft Kings: David Bailey -4000, Arvell Reese -4000, Jeremiyah Love -500, Sonny Styles -100, Jordyn Tyson +260, Caleb Downs +350, Francis Mauigoa +380, Carnell Tate +500, Rueben Bain Jr. +800, Spencer Fano +900
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This has been written in stone for multiple months now. The Raiders are getting their franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza. This should help them begin to compete with the star-studded list of quarterbacks in the AFC West.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Will the Jets pick Arvell Reese or David Bailey at two? The NFL seems split down the middle on who they will take. I think Reese is the more dynamic player, and I don’t think the Jets are in a place where they should be playing it safe, which would be taking Bailey. So I have them adding Reese to Aaron Glenn’s defense.
Trade: Kansas City Chiefs send picks 9, 29, and 40 (second-round) to the Arizona Cardinals for picks 3 and 34 (second-round)
We’ve got our first trade, and it’s the Super Bowl-contending Kansas City Chiefs. 2025 was a year they want to leave in the past, and what better way to use their better-than-expected draft capital than to move up and land a premium talent in the class. It’s also no secret that the Arizona Cardinals seem to prefer trading down if the opportunity presents itself.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
After making an aggressive move up, the Chiefs land Texas Tech star edge rusher David Bailey. Bailey is viewed as one of the cleanest prospects in this class on and off the field. He would be a day one impact player on the Chiefs’ defensive line and elevate their pass rush in a big way.
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
This pick was between Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love for me. There is an insane amount of smoke pointing to both. Styles look like the next Fred Warner, though, and seem too good to pass up for Robert Saleh, in my opinion.
5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love may not have gone at three or four as some think, but he didn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called in this mock draft. The Giants already have Cam Skattebo, but a duo of him and Love would have an insane ceiling. A pass catcher could also make sense here, but a dynamic running game would take some of the pressure off Jaxson Dart’s shoulder.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Browns are another team rumored to be interested in trading down. Here they stay put and take their top offensive linemen in the class to begin their draft class. And I believe that would be Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
We finally have a wide receiver off the board with the Commanders targeting Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Tate’s ability to stretch the field would be a nice complement to Terry McLaurin. That duo would help the team and quarterback Jayden Daniels bounce back in 2026.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson has been one of the most talked-about prospects in this class in recent weeks. The Arizona State wide receiver turned heads at his private workout, and is rumored to finally be healthy. You could make the argument that he is the most talented wideout in this class if his health weren’t an issue. So the Saints would likely welcome the idea of pairing him with Chris Olave for quarterback Tyler Shough.
9. Arizona Cardinals: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Many believe the offensive line is on the table for the Cardinals, even if they stay put at pick three. Here, they land an additional first-round pick in this class to move back six spots in the first and to move back in the second round. And they still land a talented tackle in Monroe Freeling out of Georgia. In the eyes of many, he has the highest ceiling of any offensive lineman in the class.
10. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
With the pick they landed from trading Dexter Lawrence, the Giants land a player the fan base would be ecstatic to have, in Caleb Downs. Downs was a game-changer for both Alabama and Ohio State in college. Safeties may not be viewed as typically being worth a top 10 pick, but Downs isn’t your typical safety prospect.
11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT/C, Utah
The Dolphins are probably nervous that a massive run on offensive linemen could come before they pick at 11. Here, two are already off the board, but I think they’d still be pumped to add Utah’s Spencer Fano, who has the potential to play any position on the offensive line.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cowboys are a team many think wants to move up to make sure they land a star defender in the class. In this mock, their patience pays off, and the top corner in the class falls into their lap in LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
Trade: Detroit Lions send picks 17, 118 (fourth-round) and a 2027 third-rounder to the Los Angeles Rams for pick 13
Another trade, and ironically it’s between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, whose swap of Jared Goff and picks for Matthew Stafford has played out pretty well for both sides since. This time, the Lions are making an aggressive move up to land a dominant player for their defensive line.
13. Detroit Lions (Via LAR/ATL): Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I do think he would be a great fit on the Lions, though, to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson. It would instantly upgrade their pass rush and give them a lethal long-term duo.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Ravens could go a lot of different directions with this pick. I think the best value is to target the offensive line with so many of the top guys expected to come off the board in round one. So here I have Baltimore adding Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State, who has the potential to be an All-Pro guard in the NFL.
Trade: Philadelphia Eagles send picks 23, 68 (third-round), and 197 (sixth-round) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for pick 15
You should never rule out Howie Roseman trading up in a draft. He is always looking for a way to make a big move. Here he sees multiple of the top offensive linemen go and makes the move. This lets him get one of the guys high on the team’s board at the position before their pick at 23. And for the Buccaneers, the top positions they will likely target still have multiple talented players on the board, so I think they would be content to add more draft capital and move back.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (Via TB): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
This upcoming season could be Lane Johnson’s final year in the NFL, and the Eagles like to be proactive, not reactive. So getting ahead of the eight ball to find his replacement would make a lot of sense if you ask me. In this mock, that player is Utah’s Caleb Lomu. Lomu would be a solid fit for the Eagles’ blocking scheme and would be able to slide right in to right tackle once Johnson hangs up the cleats.
16. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
This is one of the picks the Jets landed in their deal that sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts. They landed a pass rusher/off-ball linebacker at pick two in Reese, and now they target the offensive side of the ball. Their wide receiver room could use another proven producer along with Garrett Wilson, and they land that here in USC’s Makai Lemon. A trio of Wilson, Lemon, and Adonai Mitchell, who the Jets also landed in the Gardner trade, would be exciting to watch.
17. Los Angeles Rams (Via DET): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
If the Rams had stayed put, I probably still would have had them taking Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. I like the fit a lot, and making sure their trade down stayed ahead of the Vikings was strategic here. I think landing extra draft capital and giving Matthew Stafford a weapon like Sadiq would be an incredible way to come out of round one for the Rams.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
This one may shock some people, but San Diego State’s Chris Johnson has gotten a lot of first-round buzz over the last week. If that’s going to happen, I think one of the best fits for him is playing in Minnesota for Brian Flores.
Trade: Houston Texans send picks 28 and 59 (second-round) to the Carolina Panthers for picks 19 and 159 (fifth-round)
The Texans are rumored to be trying to move up in the class, and many believe it’s to find a long-term option at tackle. I think the Panthers are in a good spot to move back and still get a good player while also landing extra capital.
19. Houston Texans (Via CAR): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Texans signed Braden Smith this offseason, but if needed, he could kick inside to guard. And even if he plays tackle in 2026, he isn’t a long-term fix at the position. Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor has a ton of potential and, with the right coaching, could end up being a staple on Houston’s offensive line for the next decade or more.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The Cowboys double-dip on defense with their two first-rounders. After improving their secondary at 12, they land defensive line help here at 20 in Miami’s Akheem Mesidor. He is an older prospect, which may worry some teams, but the Cowboys need instant producers, so Mesidor’s age could actually be a positive for them.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Some think this could be where Ty Simpson comes off the board, but I’m a believer that Aaron Rodgers will be the Steelers quarterback in 2026. He has always been a fan of taking his time to make these types of decisions. So instead, I have Pittsburgh preparing for Rodgers to be under center and look to upgrade their offensive line with Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The Chargers have an interior offensive line need, but I don’t like the value there with how the board fell. Instead, they land defensive line help for Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. Only 21 years old and has a strong floor as a run defender. Has a lot to learn before he will be a threat as a pass rusher, but who better to teach him than Khalil Mack?
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Via PHI): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Another one that may shock some people, but after trading down, the Buccaneers find their Lavonte David replacement. Jacob Rodriguez was one of the best players in college football this past year, and I think he is ready to play right away. Staying at 15 and picking him may have been hard, but after moving back and gaining draft capital, I think they would be more comfortable pulling the trigger.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Browns double down on the offensive side of the ball here, but land a pass catcher this time around. Washington’s Denzel Boston has incredible size at just under 6-4. He also has more speed than you would think by looking at him. His ability as a 50-50 ball winner is arguably the best in the class and would be a welcome addition to the Browns’ offense.
25. Chicago Bears: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
I’ve been laser-focused on the Bears adding help to the interior of their defensive line pretty much the entire cycle. Maybe I’m wrong, but I have to stick it out at this point. So I have them adding Clemson’s Peter Woods, who, this time last year, was viewed as an expected top-10 pick.
26. Buffalo Bills: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
If Omar Cooper Jr. is on the board, I personally love the fit of him joining the Bills offense. Giving Josh Allen a YAC beast who can play inside or out would make his life so much easier. And he showed the world he can make tough catches, because how many people find a way to get their foot down in the back of the endzone as he did against Penn State?
27. San Francisco 49ers: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The 49ers took a high-ceiling but risky prospect a year ago in Mykell Williams. Here, I have them trying the other side of the coin in Clemson’s T.J. Parker. I think he is a relatively safe prospect who should be a solid pro-level player. I’m not sure he is going to be a double-digit sack guy, but he certainly showed he can be that in 2024. I think he would be solid competition for Williams and would form a nice edge trio with Nick Bosa long term.
28. Carolina Panthers (Via HOU): D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
After the trade, the Panthers take one of my favorite players in the class, D’Angelo Ponds. Ponds was one of the best corners in college football over the last two years at Indiana. And despite his size (5-9), he did it playing on the outside. At the pro level, some teams will try to move him inside to the slot. However, I think the Panthers would be wise to put him opposite Jaycee Horn and form a lethal duo on the outside.
29. Arizona Cardinals (via KC/LAR): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Ty Simpson to the Cardinals seems like the worst-kept secret in the NFL at this point. At the moment, Arizona’s quarterback room is Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, so it’s not a room the fan base is going to be excited to watch. Simpson gives the fan base something to be excited about as they enter a new era of Cardinals football. And trading back with the Chiefs earlier allows them to use a second first-rounder to land their quarterback of the future.
30. Miami Dolphins: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Dolphins landed the needed offensive line help earlier, but now their focus should be on the secondary. I was between Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. Thieneman comes with so much less risk due to McCoy’s medical issues. And he still projects as a dynamic player at the next level, which would improve the outlook for Miami’s secondary.
31. New England Patriots: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
The Patriots saw a big run on offensive linemen so that they could target Blake Miller here, with so many already off the board. I have a hard time seeing Mike Vrabel being able to pass on an edge rusher like Malachi Lawrence, who has one of the highest ceilings of any pass rusher in the class. He isn’t a reliable run defender yet, but he can be a weapon as a speed rusher right away on clear passing downs.
Trade: Las Vegas Raiders send picks 36 (second-round), 134 (fourth-round), and 208 (sixth-round) to the Seattle Seahawks for pick 32
The Seattle Seahawks haven’t been shy to tell the NFL world they want to trade out of pick 32. They only have four picks in the draft, so moving down can give them needed capital. Here, they add two extra picks to move down four spots with the Raiders. And Las Vegas moves up to get a jump start on supporting Mendoza.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (Via SEA): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The drop-off at tackle after Blake Miller, given how the board in this mock went, is pretty significant. So instead of waiting to see if he makes it to them at pick 36, the Raiders make an aggressive move. Miller would be a day-one starter for the Raiders and improve the outlook of the offensive line. The unit would still need more upgrades, but it is a step in the right direction.
Notable players that weren’t selected in this first round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
- Emanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
- KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
- Avieion Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
