2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys trade into top-10 for elite defender, Titans throw a curveball, and one team comes up for Ty Simpson
Here is a 2026 NFL Mock Draft, with trades. The Cowboys and Cardinals make big moves up the board, with plenty of surprises along the way.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and here at A to Z Sports, we have been preparing for months. The reports are in, the mock draft simulator has gone through a ton of scenarios, and in less than a week, the real thing will be here.
So to gear up for the marquee event, I, Rob Gregson, along with my NFL Draft colleague Adam Holt, have crafted a 1-round mock draft with trades. Enjoy!
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
It would be the shock of all shocks if Mendoza wasn’t the pick at this point. John Spytek and co. played coy in their pre-draft presser, but it feels like this pick has been chalk for months at this point. Mendoza is a new lease on life for a Raiders team that has been struggling to find its way for years. His football intelligence, ability to handle pressure, and love for the process make him a worthy number one overall pick. – Gregson
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
In recent weeks and days, there has been a lot of buzz about David Bailey as the pick at second overall, and the Jets’ cancelling their top 30 visit with Bailey will only fuel that speculation. Bailey is a win-now player, whereas Reese offers the higher upside as both a pass rusher and stacked backer. The problem is, the Jets and Aaron Glenn may not have the time to bet on upside, hence the buzz on Bailey. I believe Reese is the better long-term player (if used appropriately), and that’s why he’s my pick at two. – Gregson
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love to the Cardinals is not as common as a tackle or even an EDGE player here, but the Cardinals are starting from the ground up. They need as much blue-chip talent on their roster as possible, and I’m not sure there is a better pure prospect in the class than Love. The offensive line in Phoenix is solid, they will probably make a push for a quarterback, and they have great pass catchers. Round it out with a back with Love. – Gregson
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Another “not-so-popular” pick at 4 is Sonny Styles. You most often see Jeremiyah Love or a pass rusher at four, but with Love off the board, I’m going to take Styles over Bailey or Bain here. Think of when Robert Saleh’s defenses have been the best. Whether in San Francisco or New York, there are players like Fred Warner, C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, and Dre Greenlaw in the middle of their defense. Styles has all-world potential, and I can see him dominating under Saleh. – Gregson
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is one of the cleanest prospects in the class, and Styles just went ahead of this selection. John Harbaugh has never shied away from an ultra-talented safety early in the first round. – Holt
6. Dallas Cowboys (via CLE) Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Cowboys jump up here to make sure they land a difference maker in the secondary. Delane has both man and zone abilities and grabs a starting role immediately with Dallas. – Holt
7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Love this outcome for the Commanders, even if they miss on some top defensive talent. Adding Tate alongside Terry McLaurin makes a ton of sense. – Holt
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson is a polarizing player due to injury concerns, but he has the most upside in the class to me when it comes to the WR group. The Saints have to invest in helping Tyler Shough in this year’s draft. – Holt
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
If there is any team and defensive coordinator who is not worried about arm length and measurables when it comes to pass rushers but is infatuated with power, it would be Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs. Bain may not look like a dominant EDGE player, but he has god-given strength and bull rush to get to the passer and wreak havoc. Spagnuolo can move him up and down the line, tinkering with his alignment and giving the Chiefs a bona fide EDGE No.1. – Gregson
10. Cincinnati Bengals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The slide of Bailey stops here, and I can only imagine how happy the Bengals would be if he made it 10. A polished pass rusher who many believe to be the best in the draft, the Bengals desperately need help on the perimeter of their defensive line following the loss of Trey Hendrickson. Bailey’s analytical profile and tape suggest he can be a dominant EDGE, if not one of the best in the league. – Gregson
11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
I know the Dolphins could use some help in their secondary (ok, a lot of help), but I can’t pass on Fano here at 11. Whether you think he’s a right tackle ot a guard, I believe he is one of the smoothest and most athletically gifted offensive linemen in the class. Jeff Hafley was hired to figure out the defense, but making sure Malik Willis has the appropriate infrastructure is also crucial. – Gregson
12. Cleveland Browns (via DAL): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Browns trade back but still land one of the more impressive tackles in this class. I watched Mauigoa in person multiple times in 2025 and came away astonished by his ability to redirect in pass pro, while also carving out pathways in the run game. Cleveland is experiencing a lot of turnover up front, and I believe Mauigoa will be a plus starter in the league, with Pro Bowl potential. – Gregson
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
This is a popular one in plenty of mocks, but I can see why. Lemon is a gritty slot wideout who would fit nicely into a McVay-led offense with tons of talent already infused into it. – Holt
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Ioane can start at guard immediately for Baltimore. They were far too inconsistent along the interior in 2025, and that must change going forward to get the most out of both the pass and run game. – Holt
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The Bucs have a nearly annual need of more pass rush ability, and Mesidor is pro-ready compared to some of the options in this range. Tampa stuck with Todd Bowles this offseason, so he adds a playmaker upfront. – Holt
16. New York Jets (via IND): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Cooper is a sure-handed pass catcher with some of the best route runningh in the class. A duo of he and Garrett Wilson is exciting for the future in the Big Apple. – Holt
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Lions stay at 17, and one of the players most linked to Detroit falls into their laps. While some concerns with Proctor shouldn’t be dismissed, I could see the Lions kicking him inside to guard and watching him maul people at the point of attack. He has tremendous power, a strong vertical pass set, and good run blocking ability. – Gregson
18. Minnesota Vikings: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy to 18 may feel ike a slide, and perhaps it is coming draft night, but there are some real concerns regarding his durability. Despite missing all of 2025, he still wasn’t ready for the NFL Combine. He did, however, put on a show at his Pro Day, and his 2024 tape is the best of any corner in the class. I could see him excelling with a defensive mastermind like Brian Flores. – Gregson
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
I love the idea of Kenyon Sadiq with the Panthers. Sure, he’s a physical freak who showed his all-world athleticism in Indy, but when you turn on the tape, you see a player that’s not only a vertical threat in the passing game, but someone who will throw his weight around and truly cause disruption as a run blocker. Give Bryce Young another tall and physical target. – Gregson
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
There is a real shot that Faulk is gone before 21, but the Cowboys get a steal here and stamp an excellent round one class. Faulk probably has the highest ceiling of any true pass rusher in the class. He’s young and raw, but the traits are undeniable, and Dallas needs to find their pass rusher of the future after Micah Parsons. – Gregson
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Johnson, CB, SDSU
Cornerback is not looked at super often as a huge need for the Steelers, but this pick is necessary with how the board fell. Add in that Pittsburgh has met with Johnson – and it makes a lot more sense. – Holt
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
Pregnon is an athletic freak who has more upside than most of the guard options currently rostered for the Bolts. Keeping Justin Herbert comfortable needs to always be considered, particularly with how LA’s season ended last year. – Holt
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Birds have shown some interest in these developmental, physical tackles. Freeling fits the profile they have liked in the past and can be the incumbent replacement for Lane Johnson after 2026.- Holt
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Browns end up landing OL and WR in this first round, and that’s the norm. Concepcion continues to get a lot more buzz, and he can be a fun piece for whoever the long-term QB is for Cleveland’s offense. – Holt
25. Chicago Bears: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
After cutting LB Tremaine Edmunds, there is a notable vacancy in the middle of the Bears’ defense. I, and a lot of other mock drafters, have given them some DT help, but after an excellent workout this week and his high-level tape, I think CJ Allen is the best fit for the Bears. Chicago’s defense has always been at its best when they have true MIKE backer, and Allen screams field general. – Gregson
26. Buffalo Bills: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
I could have gone WR or CB here, but Josh Allen runs for his life far too much for my liking in Buffalo. Lomu is a true left tackle, a spot occupied by Dion Dawkins, but I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him start his career at RT, and potentially move back to Allen’s blindside when the time is right. The DJ Moore addition should suffice in terms of pass catchers, along with some help later in the draft, but Lomu is too good to pass on here. – Gregson
27. San Francisco 49ers: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman making it to 27 would have the 49ers doing cartwheels in my opinion. He went to the Combine and blew the doors off Indianapolis, but his years of tape at both Purdue and Oregon are why he’s a first-round pick, in my opinion. I believe he can play multiple spots; he has range, ball skills, and can be a plus one against the run. – Gregson
28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Texans may have the best defense in the league, but the two spots that could use some new faces would be the interior defensive tackles. McDonald is built like and has largely played like a nose tackle, but I believe he can provide a little more pass-rush juice and fortify that front four in Houston. – Gregson
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Awesome outcome for KC here. Miller can compete for a starting job as a rookie, and he is a smooth mover at his size. The Chiefs will certainly have OL on their mind to a degree with Patrick Mahomes coming off a season-ending injury. – Holt
30. Arizona Cardinals (via MIA/DEN): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Cardinals get back into R1 here to land Simpson along with a fifth-year option. They have veteran presences in their QB room, but some sort of rookie addition feels inevitable there. – Holt
31. New England Patriots: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
EMW is a strong tackler from the safety spot and provides versatlity for a unit who wants to give different looks on the back end with their defensive backs. – Holt
32. Seattle Seahawks: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
This fit is enamoring to me. Allowing Lawrence to pin his ears back and rush the passer as a rookie on the outside of arguably the best interior in the NFC is a great outcome for both Seattle and the prospect. – Holt