2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final predictions include Carnell Tate outside the top 10, Chiefs capitalizing on fall at No. 29
The NFL Draft is finally here, and Tyler Forness gives his final predictions ahead of the three-day event.
NFL mock drafts are all about exploring different situations. Because of that, it’s important to understand where the author is coming from.
There are four kinds of mock drafts:
- Predicting what will happen
- Exploring a specific situation
- Talking about what teams should do
- What would you do as an analyst
This mock draft is from a straight predictive perspective. Here is how I see what the first round of the NFL Draft will look like.
NFL Draft Spotlight: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
- Love was a four-star recruit for the Fighting Irish in the 2023 recruiting class.
- After playing as a reserve during his freshman season, he was a two-year starter at running back.
- Love scored 40 touchdowns over the last two seasons, and was an All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025.
First round of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This is a no-brainer for the Raiders. Mendoza isn’t just a good quarterback prospect; he can attack every blade of grass on the field, and will be an elite distributor of the football in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
This has been flipping in the media between Reese and David Bailey. After everything considered, Reese makes too much sense here. He is already an elite off-ball linebacker with the potential to be an edge rusher. This is the Micah Parsons archetype who can attack the quarterback from across the line of scrimmage.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Jeremiyah Love is going to be a popular option for the Cardinals, but with Oessenfort’s history of taking premium positions, I don’t buy it. Mauigoa will help keep whoever plays quarterback upright at either RT or OG.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The pursuit of Love is arguably the most interesting storyline at the top of the NFL Draft. If the Cardinals pass on him or don’t trade back, he will end up a member of the Titans. Love will help ease the burden of second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
I don’t care that he’s a safety, Caleb Downs is the best player in the NFL Draft. He will maximize the output of the Giants’ defense immediately.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
It’s either offensive tackle or wide receiver for the Browns. They take Spencer Fano over Carnell Tate, because the wide receiver class is deeper. Fano can play any of the five positions, helping the Browns build a best five.
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles Jr., LB, Ohio State
With Daronte Jones taking over, pressure will be paramount. Sonny Styles Jr. is a perfect player to maximize the liekly blitz-heavy approach Jones will use, and his coverage skills will maximize the versatility needed to maximize the scheme.
8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Tate would be a great player to pair with Chris Olave, but he’s not available. Bailey has been often linked to going in the top three selections, but the Saint benefit and get an explosive edge rusher that they have been lacking.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Chiefs need help in the trenches on both sides of the football, especially on the offensive line. Freeling is an athletic technician who has boundless potential and will solidify a unit that has been desperate for it.
10. New York Giants (via CIN): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
This is a really interesting turning point for the NFL Draft. The Giants could end up going multiple directions, but getting help for Jaxson Dart will be key. Tyson finally worked out for personnell and he showed the athleticism many believed he had. He will go earlier than projected for the past few weeks.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins need just about everything on the roster with their rebuild. Delane is a man coverage savant who plays with a calculated aggressiveness and excellent ball skills. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan starts his first NFL Draft off with a bang.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
After trading Micah Parsons and the tragic passing of Marshawn Kneeland, the Cowboys need to address edge rusher. Due to on and off the field factors, Bain falls down to 12th overall, and the Cowboys take advantage. His power profile working inside and out will make an impact early and often for the Cowboys.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
This feels like a miracle for the Rams. They would love to get one of the top receivers on the board, and they arguably get the best one in Tate. He’s a route running savant who can play X-receiver in the Rams’ scheme long-term with Puka Nacua on the other side.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Is there a more Ravens pick than Ioane? They need an ass kicking guard on the interior to help maximize the running game with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
This is the first wild card of the NFL Draft. The Buccaneers need edge rusher help more than just about anyone in the league, it’s not a great place to get one. A trade down is ideal, but Lawrence fits everything the Buccaneers like at the position.
16. New York Jets (via IND): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
There are multiple routes the Jets can go at wide receiver, but they choose Omar Cooper Jr. over the likes of Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion. He’s a really talented YAC player with upside on the outside and in the slot.
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
With the retirement of Taylor Decker, the Lions need to replace him either with a left or right tackle. There arguably isn’t an offensive lineman with more upside than Proctor, who thrives once he engages with the defender. He’s also a rare mover at 360 pounds, but he can get beaten around the arc. Having that element figured out will be a challenge, but worth it for the Lions.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The biggest needs for the Vikings are at defensive tackle (where there aren’t great prospects in round one) and the secondary (where the draft is loaded on day two). Sadiq would give them a better third option at wide receiver than Tai Felton while being developed to take over for T.J. Hockenson in 2027.
19. Carolina Panthers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Panthers taking another wide receiver in the first round is a little frustrating for fans, but they need someone who can create separation in short spaces. Concepcion can thrive in multiple ways, creating a perfect complement to Tetairoa McMillan.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Cornerback is also an option for the Cowboys, but Dillon Thieneman makes sense. He can play on the roof and be great fitting the run. While he won’t be a great fit for every defense, Thieneman will thrive in Christian Parker’s scheme.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., the Steelers don’t have any route running savants to create separation in short spaces. Makai Lemon gives the Steelers a well-rounded wide receiver room.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The defensive line needs more difference makers on it, and Woods is currently being overlooked. He was projected to be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft going into the seaosn, but a rough 2025 season has pushed him down the board. The Chargers get him at a value to continue building their defensive line.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Jeff Stoutland might not be with the Eagles as the offensive line coach anymore, but the organization still knows how to pick offensive lineman. Miller is an explosive athlete who can learn behind Lane Johnson for a year or two before taking over.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
After taking Fano at sixth overall, the Browns need to add a wide receiver to their roster. With Jerry Jeudy on one side, the Browns get an X-receiver in Denzel Boston. He needs some refinement overall, but Boston has the tools to be the guy long-term.
25. Chicago Bears: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Bears have a need on the defensive line, and Dennis Allen loves his bigger edge rushers. Faulk is a high-upside option who provides elite run defense immediately and has a high-upside ability when it comes to rushing the passer.
26. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
C.J. Allen is one of my favorite players in the class, and projects to be one of the better linebackers in this class. He is very intelligent, as Glenn Schumann let him run the defense from the field, and will help elevate the Bills’ second level and pass rush.
27. San Francisco 49ers: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
With wide receiver having dried up somewhat, the 49ers go edge rusher. R Mason Thomas doesn’t get enough credit for his run defense, and his pass rush juice is excellent. He will be a nice complement to Nick Bosa.
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
After spending the last two offseasons overhauling their offensive line, they aren’t done yet. Aireontae Ersery is likely best suited for right tackle, so the Texans get Caleb Lomu who can step in right away and help finally fix their biggest issue.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Sometimes, the rich get richer. Jermod McCoy should be a fringe top-10 pick at worst, but the knee issues push him down the board. The Chiefs benefit in a huge way.
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
We don’t know how the Dolphins are going to draft with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Iheanachor is a major upside play, having only played football for a few years. His footspeed, athleticism, and strength profile are a long-term win for the Dolphins.
31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The biggest issue for the Patriots last season was getting pressure from their edge rushers. Cashius Howell is just the explosive edge rusher to pair with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams on the inside.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Seahawks want to trade down, and it would be ideal with only having four draft picks. If they stick and pick, Akheem Mesidor has the power profile and ability to play multiple roles that will maximize the pass rush.