2026 NFL Mock Draft -What Will Happen
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana
The Raiders select the best quarterback in the draft and give new Head Coach Klink Kubiak a potential franchise signal caller. Mendoza has all the tools to be a quality NFL starter with the IQ and winning pedigree to jumpstart a team.
2. New York Jets - Arvell Reese OLB Ohio State
The New York Jets need a dynamic playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and Reese provides just that. He can be utilized as an off-ball linebacker or on the edge as a pass rusher and he has elite physical talent to make big plays at the next level.
3. TRADE: Dallas Cowboys - David Bailey Edge Texas Tech
The Dallas Cowboys have the offense to compete, but they need a star pass rusher to help uplift their defense. The Cardinals are in a full rebuild so they move back to add more draft capital allowing Dallas to scoop up a high ceiling edge rusher in David Bailey. The former Texas Tech star has the size, speed, and explosiveness to dominate as a pass rusher.
TRADE DETAILS:
Dallas Cowboys Receive
2026 First Round Pick (No. 3)
2026 Third Round Pick (No. 65)
Arizona Cardinals Receive
2026 First Round Pick (No. 12)
2026 First Round Pick (No. 20)
2027 Second Round Pick (DAL)
4. Tennessee Titans - Sonny Styles LB Ohio State
New Titans head Coach Robert Saleh has a tough task to rejuvenate this Tennessee roster. There are holes everywhere on the defense but having a dynamic middle linebacker who has elite physical traits is a good start. Styles has all the potential in the world to become an All-Pro player and Saleh will know exactly how to deploy him.
5. New York Giants - Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame
The Giants seem to have their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart and now they add arguably the best player in the draft in Jeremiyah Love. He is a 3 down back who be utilized as a receiver as well and will be a perfect fit in New York.
6. Cleveland Browns - Spencer Fano OT Utah
Spencer Fano is my highest rated offensive tackle in this class, and he goes to a team that needs him the most. The Browns have newly acquired tackle Tytus Howard slotted in at right tackle, where Fano has played the past 2 seasons, but he has experience playing left tackle as well as in the interior so they can find a way to get the best 5 offensive linemen on the field. Fano is an elite run blocker with the athleticism to have success protecting the quarterback. With him in the fold, Cleveland can continue to improve their run game in the coming years.
The Commanders are fortunate to have the best wide receiver in the class fall right into their lap at pick 7. Tate is a dynamic weapon who can stretch the field and be a reliable target for quarterback Jayden Daniels as the Commanders look to get back to the success they had in 2024.
7. Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate WR Ohio State
Chase Young had a strong season for the Saints last year but with his injury history and their other edge rusher Carl Granderson approaching 30, they need to add some young talent to the defensive line. Bain was a game wrecker this past season at Miami. He plays with a relentless motor, and he will have an immediate impact in the NFL.
8. New Orleans Saints -Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Caleb Downs SAF Ohio State
The Chiefs haven’t had a selection this early in the draft since they traded up to number 10 back in 2017 to take quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In this spot, they take my highest ranked player in the draft in safety Caleb Downs out of Ohio State. Downs is a do it all safety and he is exactly what Kansas City needs on the back end of their defense.
10. New York Giants - Francis Mauigoa OT Miami
After trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals, the Giants continue to add to their young offense with the selection of Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa is a dominant right tackle who can play in the interior if needed.
11. Miami Dolphins - Mansoor Delane CB LSU
The Miami Dolphins are another team with holes all over their roster, but they have a desperate need at corner. Delane has the talent to be a day 1 starter. He has all the tools to be lockdown outside corner and will be a massive upgrade to Miami’s secondary.
12. FROM DAL: Arizona Cardinals - Monroe Freeling OT Georgia
The Arizona Cardinals use the first of their acquired picks from Dallas to add to their offensive line. Freeling has experience at both left tackle and right tackle and pairing him with Paris Johnson Jr. will create an excellent foundation for the future of the offense.
The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for another run at the Super Bowl. With Davante Adams approaching 34 years old they would like to add another young weapon to their already dominant offense. Tyson is an explosive outside receiver and if he can stay healthy, he can be exactly what the Rams need to be playing in Super Bowl LXI in their home stadium, in 2027.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State
Ioane to Baltimore is a match made in heaven. He is the best interior lineman in the draft with his elite pass blocking and physicality as a run blocker. He is a perfect fit for the Ravens offense.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Olaivavega Ioane OG Penn State
Akheem Mesidor is an explosive edge rusher who constantly gets to the quarterback on film using his power and technique. He is an older prospect, currently 25 years old, but he is pro ready and will be a big upgrade for Tampa Bay’s defensive front.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami
After addressing the defense with their first pick, the Jets add to their receiving core by adding Makai Lemon. Lemon is an elite slot receiver who is not afraid to make contested catches in the middle of the field, and he excels in getting yards after the catch. Having both Garrett Wilson and Lemon on the field will add a much-needed dynamic to New York’s offense.
16. New York Jets - Makai Lemon WR USC
Although the Lions just moved Penei Sewell to left tackle and Proctor strictly played left tackle at Alabama, his potential is too high to pass up. Proctor may not be the most pro ready offensive lineman in this class, but he has an extremely high ceiling with his size and athleticism. He would be a worthy project for Detroit’s staff and if it hits, they will continue to be a tough offense to defend.
17. Detroit Lions - Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama
18. TRADE: Pittsburgh Steelers - Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee
The Steelers currently have 3 third round picks and they package 1 of them to move up and get their guy. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, but he tested extremely well at his pro day and when he is at full health, he has the traits to be a long-term number 1 outside corner.
TRADE DETAILS:
Pittsburgh Steelers Receive
2026 First Round Pick (No. 18)
Minnesota Vikings Receive
2026 First Round Pick (No. 21)
2026 Third Round Pick (No. 99)
After making the playoffs in 2025, the Panthers continue to bolster their young, up-and-coming defense by selecting Dillon Thieneman. Thieneman makes plays all over the field with his speed and physicality and his versatility will be extremely valuable in Carolina’s defense.
19. Carolina Panthers - Dillon Thieneman SAF Oregon
The Cardinals addressed the offensive line with their first selection and now they address the defensive line with Keldric Faulk. Faulk did not have the production you want this past season at Auburn, but he has the physical traits to grow into a phenomenal edge player in the NFL. He was disruptive often on film will be a key addition as the Cardinals rebuild through the trenches.
20. FROM DAL: Arizona Cardinals - Keldric Faulk EDGE Auburn
21. FROM PIT: Minnesota Vikings - Kayden McDonald DT Ohio State
After trading back and adding another top 100 pick in this year’s draft, the Vikings fill a huge need at defensive tackle. Kayden McDonald was dominant this past year at Ohio State. He is dominant against the run and has the skillset to develop as a pass rusher to make an impact on 3rd downs.
The Chargers dealt with multiple injuries to their offensive line last season and protecting Justin Herbert needs to be their number 1 priority. Blake Miller will provide consistency at the tackle position with the traits to develop into a quality starter throughout his career.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Blake Miller OT Clemson
The Eagles love to draft players with immense potential and that is exactly what Zion Young has. He has an elite blend of size, length, and physicality on the edge and landing in Philadelphia will allow him to play alongside a talented defensive line where he can continue to develop and grow.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Zion Young EDGE Missouri
The Browns need a true number 1 receiver and Concepcion can provide just that. He has excellent suddenness and ability to change direction in his route running and is a weapon with the ball in his hands.
24. Cleveland Browns - KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M
25. Chicago Bears - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren SAF Toledo
The Bears are on the cusp of making a deep playoff run and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren will provide them with big playmaking ability on the backend of their defense. He flies to the football and does a good job of punching at the ball to create big turnovers.
Even after trading for WR DJ Moore, the Bills need a big, x-type wide receiver on the outside. Denzel Boston has very good hands and can be a reliable target for Josh Allen as well as make an impact as a blocker in the run game.
26. Buffalo Bills - Denzel Boston WR Washington
Sadiq’s draft fall ends in San Francisco. George Kittle is coming off an achilles injury and Sadiq can be a perfect receiving option in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He can be used both on the line and in the slot and will add a new element to pass game especially in 12 personnel sets once Kittle returns to action.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon
The Houston Texans do not have many needs on their roster so continuing to add to the offensive line makes a lot of sense here. Iheanachor is an athletic tackle who played phenomenally against David Bailey at Texas Tech this past season. He can be a plug and play starter for Houston.
28. Houston Texans - Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State
The Chiefs continue to address their depleted secondary by adding Colton Hood. Hood has the patience, technique, and physicality to excel in man coverage on the outside and pairing him with Caleb Downs would immediately revitalize the backend of their defense.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Colton Hood CB Tennessee
Although Cashius Howell needs to improve as a run defender before he can be relied upon on all 3 downs, he is an elite pass rusher with the twitch and explosiveness to get to the quarterback in a hurry. Adding both him and Mansoor Delane to the roster would be a fantastic start to the draft for Miami.
30. Miami Dolphins - Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M
The Patriots rely heavily on their linebackers to make big plays defensively and Allen is the perfect addition to that position room. Allen is an extremely smart player with the speed to fly around and make plays, and he is physical in getting off blocks against the run.
31. New England Patriots - C.J. Allen LB Georgia
The Seahawks currently only have 4 picks in this draft so trading down with this pick makes too much sense. The Raiders gift them with a few late round selections as they move up to get their new franchise quarterback’s number 1 target in college. Cooper is a versatile receiver who has shown he can make big time plays in crucial moments and he is what the Raiders need offensively.
TRADE DETAILS:
Las Vegas Raiders Receive
2026 First Round Pick (No. 32)
Seattle Seahawks Receive
2026 Second Round Pick (No. 34)
2026 Fourth Round Pick (No. 117)
2026 Sixth Round Pick (No. 185)
32. TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders - Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana
