3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Giants, Saints, Chiefs, and Buccaneers load up on weapons while the trenches dominate late 

The latest 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft highlights some of the biggest prospects debates in the class.

Kyle Crabbs, Ryan Roberts
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Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes the ball under pressure by Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is just a week away, with every decision maker, scout, player, agent, and media member set to flock to Indianapolis. With both the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl already behind us as well, the 2026 NFL Draft process is moving along very quickly. We are all going to blink our eyes, and April will be here, and from there, we will hope that our favorite NFL teams pull in a tremendous haul of talent to upgrade the roster. 

Along with fellow A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Kyle Crabbs, we teamed together to create a brand new three-round mock draft. To keep the flow consistent, we rotated between making ten straight selections, helping to keep things moving, while also letting each other get into a groove. In the first round, analysis was added and labeled accordingly depending on who made the selection. 

The quality of the draft as a whole has been steadily debated over the last couple of months, but regardless of where you land on that debate, there is always value to be found. Here is what Crabbs and I cooked up heading into Combine week. It will be interesting to see how things change leading up to April, especially after the predraft process and free agency. 

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First round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mendoza is pretty much locked in with Sharpie at this point. The Raiders need someone to help get them back into the rat race of the AFC West, and a firm direction at quarterback is the way to go. Pairing a cerebral quarterback like Mendoza with an efficient offensive schemer in Klint Kubiak gives the Raiders something they’ve been lacking as of late — a direction. – Crabbs

2. New York Jets – LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State 

New York’s roster rebuild is going to be rooted in one thing at this early stage of the process: acquiring top talent. You could argue several different positions for the Jets to go, but I feel like the most dynamic and versatile piece on the board is Reese. Accordingly, I’m putting him on with the Jets to serve as a key piece for Aaron Glenn in a high-stakes year in 2026. – Crabbs

3. Arizona Cardinals – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Arizona’s new direction includes an offensive-minded coach, and so I’m pulling for Arizona to do something that they failed to do all year last year — invest in the offensive line. Mauigoa is a mauler up front with tons of power at the point of attack, and he can pair with Paris Johnson Jr. to give the Cardinals a bookend combo to combat the defenses in San Fran, Seattle, and Los Angeles. – Crabbs

4. Tennessee Titans – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

I thought about this pick for about five milliseconds. I love the fit. I love the possibility of putting Bain Jr. on a defensive front for Robert Saleh and allowing him to rush from all different alignments. The Titans need a centerpiece on the edge to pair with Jeffery Simmons, and they get one in Bain. – Crabbs

5. New York Giants – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

I would suspect the Giants will shuffle around some cap accounting and put themselves in a position to spend in Year 1 under John Harbaugh. If that’s the case, the board falling this way early sets the stage for the Giants to acquire another valuable piece to pair with Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers as the offensive pillars. Tyson’s 2025 season was nowhere near the bar he set in 2024, but he’s still a gifted prospect who would give New York one of the best young WR combos in football if he’s healthy. – Crabbs

6. Cleveland Browns – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Have you seen the scheduled free agency list for Cleveland? Have you seen the ages of the offensive line nucleus set to hit free agency? And you know that the Browns hired an offensive-minded coach in Todd Monken, right? Alright then. What’s there to talk about? Pick your favorite OL prospect at this pick and pencil them in. – Crabbs

7. Washington Commanders – EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Washington’s pass rush unit was a slow burn group in 2025. The threats off the edge were missing an explosive element, and it showed. You know who is explosive? Bailey. I would imagine Dan Quinn’s ability to scheme pressures would look a lot different with this kind of pop on the edge to dictate protections. – Crabbs

8. New Orleans Saints – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

This may feel like a luxury pick, but I do see it as an intersection of best player available and prioritizing the group around a young quarterback. So I dig it. Love is a dynamic runner who can help to play off the flashes we saw from Tyler Shough throughout the back half of 2025 and give the Saints hope for an effective, well-rounded offense. – Crabbs

9. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Kansas City’s offensive outlook is a tough nut to crack. The team needs to find its mojo and get back to creating more explosive plays while also getting more consistent production out of the running game. The Chiefs have invested plenty at wide receiver, but will they extend Rashee Rice? If the answer is no, they’ll need some size and field-stretching ability long-term. Tate gives them all of that. – Crabbs

10. Cincinnati Bengals – SAF Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Best player available meets position of need. Downs is, for my money, the best prospect in this class as a whole. The chance to get him lined up in the state of Ohio at the NFL level is perfect. And no matter what direction the Bengals go from here on defense, Downs will be a fit. – Crabbs

11. Miami Dolphins – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee 

The Miami Dolphins have several massive holes to fill as they begin the Jeff Hafley era. Cornerback is one of the biggest needs right now, needing to add impact talent. When healthy, McCoy has the look of a future All-Pro cover man, excelling with press man technique. – Roberts 

12. Dallas Cowboys – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State 

With all the hype around Arvell Reese, some have lost sight of just how good Styles is. At over 6-4 and 243 pounds, the former safety is an impressive overall athlete. His ability to play with range from the second level is pretty rare, showing the ability to close and finish plays all over the field. – Roberts 

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU 

The Rams have a tremendous defense under coordinator Chris Shula, but the cornerback position is one that can get upgraded quite a bit this offseason. Delane has experience playing on the outside and in the slot during his career with LSU and Virginia Tech, which is very valuable. He would be a major boost for the secondary immediately. – Roberts 

14. Baltimore Ravens – EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn 

Faulk just has the feel of a Raven. While there are still substantial questions to answer as a pass rusher, the 6-6, 280-pound defensive end projects very well as a run defender on the NFL level. The tools are also still there for him to become a versatile pass rusher in the future. – Roberts 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon 

The Buccaneers quietly have a huge need at tight end, and Sadiq is by far the best in this class. While his body type and athleticism would scream that he’s an F (lex) tight end, Sadiq is also an outstanding run blocker. He’s the type of player who can impact both the run and pass game in a big way. – Roberts 

16. New York Jets (via IND) – WR Makai Lemon, USC 

Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets lack any dynamic pass game weapons. Adding someone like Lemon with Wilson could give the team a huge boost. While he isn’t the most exciting athlete of all time, all Lemon does is separate as a route runner, win after the catch, and do better work at the catch point than you’d expect. – Roberts 

17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia 

Outside of Penei Sewell, the Lions’ offensive line underperformed during the 2025 season. Adding Freeling to take over the left tackle position would make a lot of sense. The 6-7, 315-pound blindside protector really turned a corner during the second half of last season, and his best football is certainly still in front of him. – Roberts 

18. Minnesota Vikings – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Defensive tackle isn’t the most pressing need for the Vikings, but when Woods falls into your lap, you take him. 2025 wasn’t the season many had hoped for with Woods, but the talent is still very much there. At around 6-2 and 315 pounds, Woods is a ball of chaos in the middle with tremendous movement skills. – Roberts 

19. Carolina Panthers – DT Caleb Banks, Florida 

The Panthers would have loved to take a pass rusher or even Sadiq, but the board just didn’t fall that way. Instead, the Panthers opt to give Derrick Brown a running mate inside. At 6-6 and 335 pounds, Banks is a rare talent whose best football is still very much in front of him. – Roberts 

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GBP) – SAF Dillon Thieneman, Oregon 

Thieneman has quickly become one of my preferred picks for the Cowboys. While at Oregon, Thieneman played a lot of short zone and robber, while he played mostly single high free safety at Purdue. That type of versatility is a rare commodity on the back end of a defense. – Roberts 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

The future in Pittsburgh took a back seat to an all-in approach to attack 2025 this past season. It didn’t pay any more dividends than the past has under Tomlin. With the new hire at head coach with Mike McCarthy (and his background with quarterbacks), getting a young quarterback to groom makes perfect sense in 2026, especially if Rodgers is back in town. – Crabbs

22. Los Angeles Chargers – OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

The Chargers’ offensive line will be much better this year, regardless, thanks to the presumed health of both of their Pro Bowl tackles. But the interior play? This can be an inspired pick to help the tonality of the interior. Ioane is a supreme pass protector who would help keep that pressure off of Justin Herbert in 2026. – Crabbs

23. Philadelphia Eagles – EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson

You know as well as I do that Howie is itching to bury some more draft capital on pass rushers. Parker had a disappointing 2025 season at Clemson, but he’s a good blend of length, power, and quickness. The Eagles were thin down the stretch here and may lose Jaelan Phillips to free agency. – Crabbs

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M 

Todd Monken’s offense is not only going to need an overhauled offensive line, it’s going to need some more pieces to help the whole thing go. Concepcion is lightning in a bottle, the kind of electric playmaker that can dramatically shift a game with the blink of an eye. Monken would undoubtedly love to have a weapon like this for his passing game. – Crabbs

25. Chicago Bears – SAF Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

McNeil-Warren is a long, explosive weapon on the back end who would be a ton of fun to project into a defensive unit under Dennis Allen. His versatility would pair with Tremaine Edmunds to give the Bears some elite size, length, and athleticism up the middle of their defense. – Crabbs

26. Buffalo Bills – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Bills need to keep hacking at wide receiver. It would be understandable to hesitate about another early investment here, but with Joe Brady getting the call at head coach, the Bills need to ensure they have the weaponry around Josh Allen to pull that next-level combination of both efficiency and big-play ability out. – Crabbs

27. San Francisco 49ers – EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M 

The 49ers’ defensive interior got a major remodeling this past offseason. Now would be an awesome time to add a prolific, explosive outside edge rusher to the mix to ensure the 49ers have the depth necessary to close out games with a lead. Getting Nick Bosa back will help. Adding Howell? A great match, to me. – Crabbs

28. Houston Texans – IDL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

The Texans have two expiring contracts on their defensive interior. There’s a whole lot of good on that defensive depth chart, but a clogger in the middle? That’s a missing link. But it won’t be if the Texans were to draft McDonald here. Few, if any, defend the run on the inside better. – Crabbs

29. Los Angeles Rams – OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

The Rams bid farewell to long-time right tackle Rob Havenstein earlier this offseason due to retirement. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more high-ceiling tackle option outside of the top-10 than Iheanachor, who is superbly athletic despite getting a late start to his pro career. The Rams would be wise to keep the pond well-stocked up front with an older quarterback, too. – Crabbs

30. Denver Broncos – LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas 

Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both on expiring contracts. Veteran Dre Greenlaw remains, but a running back would be wise to stay invested in if the Broncos want to keep their defensive prowess at a championship caliber. Hill Jr.? He feels like someone who would thrive behind the Broncos’ front. – Crabbs

31. New England Patriots – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

The Will Campbell debate will rage all offseason, but no matter where you land in that argument, adding to the offensive line would be a strong move to protect quarterback Drake Maye. Lomu is blessed with a bigger frame and some intriguing movement skills. He’s a younger offensive lineman who still has a long runway of development. – Roberts 

32. Seattle Seahawks – OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama 

The Seahawks have a massive hold inside at right guard. While there are some major questions about Proctor and his ability to stick at offensive tackle, there is no questioning his combination of size and explosiveness. That could be an intriguing fit inside on the next level. – Roberts 

Second round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

  1. New York Jets – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
  2. Arizona Cardinals – LB CJ Allen, Georgia 
  3. Tennessee Titans – WR Chris Bell, Louisville 
  4. Las Vegas Raiders – OT Blake Miller, Clemson
  5. New York Giants – CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
  6. Houston Texans (via WAS) – OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
  7. Cleveland Browns – EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma 
  8. Kansas City Chiefs – IDL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
  9. Cincinnati Bengals – IDL Christen Miller, Georgia
  10. New Orleans Saints – EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami 
  11. Miami Dolphins – EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois
  12. New York Jets (via DAL) – SAF AJ Haulcy, LSU
  13. Baltimore Ravens – OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
  15. Indianapolis Colts – LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
  16. Atlanta Falcons – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
  17. Minnesota Vikings – CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State
  18. Detroit Lions – EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
  19. Carolina Panthers – SAF Genesis Smith, Arizona 
  20. Green Bay Packers – CB Colton Hood, Tennessee 
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee 
  22. Philadelphia Eagles – TE Max Klare, Ohio State 
  23. Los Angeles Chargers – OC Connor Lew, Auburn 
  24. Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma 
  25. Chicago Bears – DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State 
  26. San Francisco 49ers – OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M 
  27. Houston Texans – RB Jonah Coleman, Washington 
  28. Buffalo Bills – CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana 
  29. Los Angeles Rams – LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
  30. Denver Broncos – EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
  31. New England Patriots – EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech
  32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Third round of the 2026 NFL Draft 

  1. Arizona Cardinals – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
  2. Tennessee Titans – CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
  3. Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
  4. Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ) – OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa
  5. Houston Texans (via NYG) – OC Sam Hecht, Kansas State
  6. Cleveland Browns – CB Devin Moore, Florida 
  7. Washington Commanders – SAF Treydan Stukes, Arizona 
  8. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Julian Neal, Arkansas
  9. New Orleans Saints – WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
  10. Kansas City Chiefs – TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt 
  11. Miami Dolphins – QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
  12. Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL) – CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB Kyle Louis, Pitt
  14. Indianapolis Colts – EDGE LT Overton, Alabama
  15. Atlanta Falcons – DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
  16. Baltimore Ravens – TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
  17. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET) – SAF Kamari Ramsey, USC
  18. Minnesota Vikings – WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
  19. Carolina Panthers – LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
  20. Green Bay Packers – OL Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Isaiah World, Oregon
  22. Los Angeles Chargers – DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
  23. Miami Dolphins (via PHI) – DB Keionte Scott, Miami
  24. Jacksonville Jaguars – OG Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
  25. Chicago Bears – EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
  26. Miami Dolphins (via HOU) – OG Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
  27. Buffalo Bills – DT Tim Keenan III, Alabama 
  28. San Francisco 49ers – WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State 
  29. Los Angeles Rams – WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
  30. Denver Broncos – TE Oscar Delp, Georgia 
  31. New England Patriots – SAF Zakee Wheatley, Penn State 
  32. Seattle Seahawks – CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
  33. Minnesota Vikings – OC Trey Zuhn, Texas A&M 
  34. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State 
  35. Pittsburgh Steelers – SAF VJ Payne, Kansas State 
  36. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Chandler Rivers, Duke

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