Andrew Buller-Russ
As the end of March draws near, we’re seeing more frequent 2026 NFL mock drafts. While there’s still roughly a month to go before the event kicks off on April 23, football fans are always eager to think about how their team can improve ahead of a new season. That remains true as we project the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, from 1-32.
Related: 5 Early Bold Predictions for the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders finally get their franchise quarterback. Can Mendoza help elevate what was a really bad team in 2024 to compete for a playoff spot in 2025? That remains to be seen. But the Raiders have to feel confident in their future by landing a leader who remains poised and accurate under pressure. He’s just what they’ve been looking for.
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2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
There’s some debate here. The Jets need an edge rusher, and there are several top prospects available. Arvell Reese is not a pure pass-rusher, but he has rare positional versatility as a linebacker capable of dropping into coverage or moving to the edge and chasing QBs. Now it’s up to Aaron Glenn to maximize Reese’s potential.
Related: New York Jets Tried Trading for Another QB Before Geno Smith
3. Arizona Cardinals: Rueben Bain Jr., EGDE, Miami (FL)
Analysts may be concerned about Bain’s short arms, but it didn’t prevent him from being one of the most productive sack artists in college. Of course, athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster at the next level. Yet, Bain has the type of explosiveness and bendability that should still lead to high sack numbers in the NFL too.
Related: Arizona Cardinals Urged to Target 4x Pro Bowl Quarterback
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
We know the Titans have several other needs, and it’s not hard to find a capable back like the one they have in Tony Pollard. Yet, the opportunity to inject a potential superstar into Tennessee’s offense next to Cam Ward is too good to pass up.
Related: 5 Most Improved NFL Teams in NFL Free Agency So Far
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
We’ve gone back and forth between Caleb Downs, but there’s better value in the Giants selecting Sonny Styles here. Mansoor Delane was another option, but putting a potential superstar next to Tremaine Edmunds could drastically elevate this defense after ranking 26th in points allowed.
Related: New York Giants Tied to 3x Pro Bowl Receiver
6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
While the Browns could consider a receiver here, they absolutely must find a franchise left tackle. Monroe Freeling battled inconsistency issues in college, as many linemen do, but he has a dominating presence that will make him a tone-setter on Cleveland’s line.
Related: 5 Worst Moves from 2026 NFL Offseason So Far
7. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Commanders could go in a number of directions here. Yet, finding a new CB1 at No. 7 provides excellent value. Plus, Delane is a freakish prospect who clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. He not only has the coverage skills to stick with top receivers, his presence will be felt on run defense too.
Related: Washington Commanders May Be Enticed By Explosive Prospect in 2026 NFL Draft
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Edge rusher David Bailey immediately jumped off the page here. Yet, the Saints must get franchise quarterback Tyler Shough some help. When healthy, Tyson has the ability to be the best receiver prospect in the class. Had he not missed four games due to a hamstring last season, we’d likely see him consistently mocked higher.
Related: Tyler Shough Pushing for New Orleans Saints to Draft Receiver Early
9. Kansas City Chiefs: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
This is an easy decision for Kansas City, as Bailey is the best player available at 9. The Chiefs need another pass-rusher to help complement Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, and Bailey was one of college’s most productive sack masters, leading the nation with 14.5 sacks.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs Connected to Future Hall of Famer
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
It’s hard to imagine a better fit for the Bengals at 10. Cincinnati’s defense has no identity, especially after the loss of Trey Hendrickson in free agency. Downs thrived in different systems, playing for Alabama and Ohio State. He’ll make an instant impact in Cincinnati too.
Related: 5 NFL Teams Seemingly Poised to Tank in 2026
11. Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Who the heck is going to catch passes from Malik Willis in Miami? Makai Lemon. He’s a bit eccentric, but also extremely talented. Lemon plays bigger than he is, often winning contested catches. Yet, his real claim to fame will be how good he is at running routes, creating separation with ease.
Related: Teams Keep Trying to Trade for Another Miami Dolphins Pro Bowler
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Had he not missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL, McCoy might be the first cornerback off the board. Even still, McCoy’s previous tape still has him projected to be a first-round selection. Now fully healthy, McCoy will help compose a strong pairing with DaRon Bland in Dallas.
Related: Dallas Cowboys Make Big, Bold Move in Latest Mock Draft
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
We understand the future concerns in LA of only having Davante Adams under contract through 2026, but after leading the NFL in touchdowns, he’s not suddenly going to drop off. He could also very well re-sign in LA, who is a consistent contender with Sean McVay. Meanwhile, we love the idea of still adding another weapon to the Rams’ offense with Sadiq, who clocked a blistering 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. That’s a weapon.
Related: Los Angeles Rams Connected to Trade for Pro Bowl Receiver
14. Baltimore Ravens: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate’s 4.53 40 yard dash may have been disappointing, but the film doesn’t lie. Tate is widely regarded as the best receiver prospect in the draft class, and he’s polished for being a college prospect. Tate has great hands, he’s physical, and excellent at coming down with 50/50 balls that he has no business catching. He’ll be a big upgrade to Baltimore’s WR corps.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
An edge rusher is a possibility here, but we like the idea of getting Tampa Bay’s offense back on track. Selecting the best guard in the draft class fills a big need on the interior, where the Buccaneers have suffered in recent years. Ioane will move a lot of people in the NFL.
Related: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Lost Pro Bowl Player, Despite Offering More Money
16. New York Jets (via IND): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
New York’s first selection further strengthens a defense that has gotten multiple upgrades this offseason. Now it’s time to get Geno Smith some help. Cooper rarely drops a pass and is extremely hard to bring down after the catch. He plays with a fearlessness that the Jets could use, and coach Aaron Glenn will love.
Related: New York Jets Closely Evaluating Multiple Top QB Prospects
17. Detroit Lions: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)
Detroit needs an offensive tackle after granting Taylor Decker’s request to be released. Penei Sewell likely switches to the left side, but Dan Campbell’s team prides itself on having a strong offensive line. Mauigoa has the potential to be a top 10 pick. But the Lions get lucky by watching him slip to 17 instead.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Loosely Linked to 2x Pro Bowl QB for 2027
18. Minnesota Vikings: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
A bit of a surprise pick here, but Fano offers excellent value at 18 for a Vikings team that saw starting center Ryan Kelly retire. Fano played tackle in college, and the Vikings may need his help there in the future, yet he projects much better at center, where he could develop into an elite player.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Met With Small-School Cornerback Draft Prospect After ‘Terrific’ Workout
19. Carolina Panthers: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Expected to be off the board by now, the Panthers take the best player available in Thieneman. He’ played multiple defensive back positions at Oregon, and excelled at all of them. Thieneman not only blew the athletic testing out of the water (4.35 40 time, 41-inch vert), he reportedly wowed NFL front offices in the interview process too.
Related: Dallas Cowboys Lost Out on Two Key Free Agent Signings
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Cowboys weren’t able to land a starting linebacker in free agency, despite having several targets on their radar. After adding a new starting corner at No. 12, it’s time to circle back and get the Cowboys a new defensive leader for the middle of their defense. An excellent run-stopper with plus instincts, he’ll be a big help in Dallas.
Related: New Pittsburgh Steelers Receiver Offers His Take on Aaron Rodgers
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Left tackle Broderick Jones has been terrible since arriving as a first-round pick in 2023. Old man Rodgers needs better protection (if he returns). Miller started 54 games in college and while whether he’s a better fit at left or right tackle remains up for debate, he’s better than who Pittsburgh currently has. Troy Fautanu will be the other starting tackle, it’s just a matter of which side he’ll be holding down.
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers Connected to ‘Surprise’ First-Round Pick
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Khalil Mack can’t play forever, and teams can never have enough pass-rushers to get after quarterbacks. The Chargers can add a potential game-wrecker here with Mesidor, who had an enormous impact throughout the CFP with 5.5 sacks in just four games. Stepping up when it matters most is exactly what a Chargers team still seeking their first playoff win under coach Harbaugh needs.
Related: NFL Insider Updates Trade Talks on Los Angeles Chargers’ Former First-Round Pick
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn
The Eagles could go in a number of directions, including finding a long-term replacement for right tackle Lane Johnson. Yet, they get better value here by getting a Day 1 contributor in Faulk, who can play multiple spots along the defensive line.
Related: Philadelphia Eagles Urged to Trade for All-Pro Safety
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
After addressing the glaring weakness at left tackle, now the Browns can circle back and get another weapon for their unique quarterback stable. At 6-foot-4, Boston possesses tantalizing size that any quarterback would love to have on their side.
25. Chicago Bears: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Bears have more needs than some would expect after a wildly successful season. We’d argue that adding more help on defense is most important, as Caleb Williams has the ability to mask weaknesses on offense. Parker is an especially intriguing prospect with long arms and a mix of strong pass-rush moves that will cause disruption.
26. Buffalo Bills: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
We can’t imagine a better fit for Buffalo’s defense, who couldn’t stop the run last season. McDonald amazingly recorded 65 tackles last season, an excellent number for a DT. Though, he could improve as a pass-rusher, but for now, he’ll work as a two-down run-stuffer while further developing his arsenal of moves.
Related: San Francisco 49ers Linked to 5x Pro Bowl Pass-Rusher
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The 49ers have options. Yet, we can’t imagine Kyle Shanahan being able to pass up on an elite receiver with extreme shiftiness in Concepcion. He’d be the ultimate weapon in the 49ers’ passing attack, routinely taking short targets for long gains thanks to his ability to make defenders miss with ease.
Related: San Francisco 49ers Set ‘Astronomical’ Trade Price for Pro Bowler
28. Houston Texans: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Houston has bigger needs along the defensive interior, but it’s hard to pass up on McNeil-Warren. While he’s not the quickest safety, he more than makes up for it with his 6-foot-3 frame that wreaked havoc at Toledo. McNeil-Warren is the type of player who makes his presence felt on all three downs.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
After moving on from two starting cornerbacks this offseason, the Chiefs need an injection of talent into their secondary. Avieon, brother of Falcons standout CB A.J., is just what Kansas City needs. While some wonder if his 5-foot-11 frame will restrict him to nickel duties, Terrell has the type of rare instincts that will help him man the boundary.
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
After getting an ultimate YAC weapon in Makai Lemon earlier in the first round, the Dolphins build a stronger offensive line foundation for their new prized QB. Yet, Proctor, who’s a far superior run blocker compared to his pass-blocking, will provide an easy path for De’Von Achane to run through on outside zone plays.
Related: Miami Dolphins Earn High Praise for Prized Free Agency Signing
31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
As we saw in the Super Bowl, the Patriots could use more pass-rushing productivity. Adding an edge-rusher like Howell will make everyone’s jobs easier on New England’s defensive line. While he also has short arms, Mike Vrabel knows a thing or two about working with prospects who fall a bit short on measurables.
Related: Rising NFL Draft Prospect ‘Getting a Lot of Interest’ From New England Patriots
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Clemson
While the Seahawks are fresh off another Super Bowl win, they still have needs. Even if he doesn’t snatch a starting role right away, we have a feeling Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald will find ways to get Hood on the field thanks to his coverage skills alone. Plus, with 4.4 speed and a 40-inch vertical, Hood has a tantalizing skillset.
Related: 5 NFL Players Who Need a Change of Scenery in 2026, Potential Landing Spots
