2026 NFL Mock Draft with trades: Chiefs move up for splashy weapon while Steelers gamble their future at QB after Dante Moore returns to Oregon
Latest 2026 NFL mock draft has moves up and down the board for both the NFC and AFC.
The NFL postseason has kicked off, and the Divisional Round is just around the corner. With the Wild Card Round in the rear view mirror, more teams know their exact pick for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Accordingly, let’s take a look at a mock draft scenario where trades are involved. Keep in mind that these moves are hypothetical based on current team needs, franchise pressure, and the remaining prospects on the board.
2026 NFL Mock Draft with trades
Myself and Rob Gregson put together this mock draft. We each took over eight picks at a time, and I led off for us. Plenty to break down with these trade decisions and picks.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This feels fairly chalk for it to be early January. That being said, Mendoza has legitimately dominated during the Hoosiers’ postseason run, and he was an incredibly deserving Heisman Trophy winner. I expect that he will be the first player off the board and the hopeful QB answer for a long time in Vegas.
2. New York Jets: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Well, this is a curveball of a situation for New York. For full transparency, this pick was Oregon QB Dante Moore this morning. He’s going back to school now, so the Jets pivot to improve along the line of scrimmage on defense with Woods. He plays with speed and power that can grow into an impactful player for a long time at the NFL level.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Arizona loses out on finding its own QB here, but they don’t particularly settle. Fano is often lauded as the top tackle in this class and immediately fills a starting need for a unit that was not up to snuff this season for the Cardinals.
4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Titans’ pass rush struggled badly this season, particularly from the EDGE group. Adding Arvell Reese to a unit upfront alongside Jeffery Simmons is really exciting. Reese may have the highest ceiling in the entire class.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (via NYG): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Trade number one has arrived. The Chiefs move up for their superstar running back of the future. While the trade may not look necessary, it is possible other teams around KC’s range would be wanting to move in front of them to land Love. They don’t let that happen here.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Browns OL is a unit that lacks long-term stability in a major way. Mauigoa is one of the highest floor prospects for 2026 and has dominated for the Canes on their way to the national title game.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Commanders need so much on defense. Simply put, it is hard to make a “wrong” pick here. Bailey impressed this season and was ultra productive for the Red Raiders’ defense.
8. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This class’s ultimate chess piece on defense comes off the board. Downs is arguably the best prospect in this class for my money and immediately boosts the potential of a young secondary for the Saints. He and Jonas Sanker could be an awesome, young duo on the back end.
9. New York Giants (via KC): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The New York Giants already have one dominant player via Malik Nabers. How about going to the other side of the perimeter and giving Jaxson Dart another premier talent at the WR position? The Giants could use some better protection, but they need more than one reliable pass catcher.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami
The Bengals need to rebuild their trenches from the ground up, and Rueben Bain is a player who can contribute to that. He may not have the length to play EDGE full-time, but I could see him in a Geno Atkins-like role in Cincy.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Miami Dolphins are amid a total rebuild. Anytime that happens, you need to take the best player available. Sure, McCoy didn’t play in 2025, but this is very much a Derek Stingley situation, where it’s obvious how good McCoy is when you turn on the tape.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cowboys’ secondary, but particularly the cornerback position, is in dire straits in Dallas. Leaving round one without a corner feels irresponsible for Dallas, especially with someone who has the fluidity and footwork of Delane. He’s a day one, man coverage phenom in the league.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (via LAR): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
As it stands, the Pittsburgh Steelers have more questions than answers when it comes to the coach and quarterback. Ty Simpson has officially signed his draft papers, and he has the pedigree and makeup of a Steelers’ signal caller. Regardless of what happens next, the Steelers have to find a new QB.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Ravens’ demise on defense came down to their inability to rush the passer. Faulk is a bit of a project, but Baltimore has always been able to scout and develop defensive talent. He brings tremendous upside to that unit.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
You just can’t go wrong when it comes to giving the Bucs a linebacker. Styles has been one of the best stacked backers in the country this season, and he would bring speed and instincts to the position.
16. New York Jets (Via IND): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Jets need a quarterback, but they also need more talent on the perimeter to give whoever is throwing the ball some more options. There is a good chance that Tate is gone by this point, but he would immediately be an asset for the Jets.
17. Detroit Lions: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Detroit improves their cornerback room with one of the top defensive backs in this class. Terrell’s mirroring ability and smooth hips should land him in round 1.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIN): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Dallas Goedert is a free agent, and he may not be back in the fold next season. With that, the Eagles land the top TE prospect in this class here. They must value building upside and depth for the offense in the long-term during this offseason.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald’s rise has been a notable one. I won’t be shocked if he’s gone by pick fifteen. That being said, he is the top run stopper in this class, and Carolina needs to get heftier on defense. The Panthers would be smart to invest this pick in a player like him.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Dallas already addressed their CB need, so let’s take another swing for the horrific defense. Allen is a great mover at his size and can blossom at the pro level due to his natural instincts and willingness to get dirty in the run game. The Cowboys need more grit, and he can provide it at linebacker.
21. Los Angeles Rams (via PIT): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
LA moves back in this first round and still lands an impactful prospect for day one of their prep for next season. Cornerback has been a bit of an inconsistent point of concern this season (and recent years overall). Hood would immediately create a spark at that position for them.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
Protect Justin Herbert. I get that bad luck was involved with the injuries at tackle this season, but the interior was a mess to start the year. Pregnon will probably test well ahead of the draft and could grab a starting guard spot quickly for the Bolts. Reminder: Keep your QB upright, Chargers.
23. Minnesota Vikings (via PHI): Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks would be a potential game wrecker for an already exciting defensive front for Minnesota. He would only elevate the current players along that unit, and he made so many splash plays when healthy as a Gator. This fit makes a ton of sense.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
After getting better in the trenches for the offense, the Browns add a dynamic weapon for their offense here. Lemon is a fantastic value in the 20’s, and he will produce as a rookie due to his skill set. He is electric with the football in his hands and plays bigger than his stature.
25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Bears’ protection along the perimeter of the line could use some help, especially after some recent injuries. Give Chicago Lomu and watch Caleb Williams and that offense continue to ascend.
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Buffalo’s offense is purely Josh Allen and James Cook. They simply don’t have a reliable option on the perimeter who can win down the field. Insert the physical specimen and athletic phenomenon that is Boston, and I could imagine how good that offense would look.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
The 49ers can go a few different ways, but I like shoring up the foundation of that run game with a mauler like Ioane in this spot.
28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
The Texans’ offensive line has performed better than expected, but they could add some size and intensity. Perhaps kicking Proctor inside and making him a guard can get the Texans’ run game on track in a consistent manner.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Rams have both Puka Nacua and Tae Adams, but with most of the top corners and offensive tackles off the board, I gave McVay a supercharged version of Tutu Atwell here.
30. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell is a long pass rusher who fits the mold of what Mike Vrabel looks for in his defenders. Getting younger and more explosive at that position would be one of the few areas where the Patriots could improve.
31. Denver Broncos: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Cisse is someone who is going to rise through this process thanks to his man coverage ability and obvious athletic traits. Putting him opposite of Patrick Surtain would be lockdown city in Mile High.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Bell may fall due to his ACL tear, but I’m still sold on what he brings to the position, and especially what he would bring to the Seahawks offense. Pairing him alongside JSN would make that offense even more dynamic, given his yard-after-catch ability.
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