With the arrival of NFL Week 16 comes more and more teams clinching playoff berths, meaning fan bases of other clubs start to focus on the 2026 NFL Draft. This year’s class and the current 2026 NFL Draft order are particularly intriguing because of the possibilities for deals and surprises.
Following the conclusion of Week 16, let’s dive into our latest 2026 NFL mock draft.
1. Arizona Cardinals*: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Arizona Cardinals are now in desperate need of a new face of the franchise and it stands to reason, given all the injuries this season, they may not be in a position like this next year. Trading up four spots does cost a premium in draft capital, but the entire organization gets a quarterback it can invest in. Fernando Mendoza would walk into a situation with a very good receiving duo (Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson) plus an All-Pro caliber tight end in Trey McBride. He needs a good supporting cast to thrive and we think the Cardinals’ pass-catchers plus a healthy Trey Benson is the right spot to maximize him.
- TRADE: Arizona Cardinals trade 5th, 37th overall picks and 2027 1st for the 1st overall pick
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Raider Nation might want Fernando Mendoza, but there is a case to be made that Dante Moore is just as good as a quarterback prospect. In fact, some like him even more than the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Standing at 6-foot-3, Moore is a better athlete than Mendoza, and he played really well this season despite Oregon’s receiving corps being ravaged by injuries. He is only 20 years old, but the physical tools give him a higher ceiling than Mendoza, and the Ducks’ quarterback already shows real poise when pressured.
3. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Cleveland Browns will likely need to explore trading up if they want to get their franchise quarterback prospect. If they cannot get that signal-caller, then the next best thing is creating a supporting cast that will elevate the quarterback of the future. Coming out of an insane pipeline program for wide receivers, Carnell Tate is already polished as a route-runner, and his hands are just as good. He is ready to be a number one wide receiver on a young team and is a better receiver prospect than Tetairoa McMillan, an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate this season.
Related: Cleveland Browns Coaching Candidates 2026
4. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The New York Jets get the best prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arvell Reese’s athleticism and versatility stand out on the field, as fans will see during the College Football Playoff. In Aaron Glenn’s defense, Reese offers the ability to both drop back in zone coverage and hold his own, and he can be deployed as an edge rusher. It is rare to find a linebacker with this level of flexibility and all-around talent, and Glenn is a great coach to get the most out of Reese.
5. New York Giants*: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
After trading down with Arizona, the New York Giants simply take the best defensive player on the board to address one of the league’s worst defenses in 2025. Caleb Downs can play as the deep safety, addressing a unit that allowed far too many big plays this season, or he can come down and play closer to the box with his instincts shoring up New York’s run defense.
6. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami
There is so much work to do with this Tennessee Titans roster, so there is really no wrong answer here. However, his takeover in the first-round College Football Playoff matchup against Texas A&M shows what Rueben Bain Jr. is capable of. Plus, Bain would have the added benefit of getting to take on tackles one-on-one because of the presence of Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat on the interior. Tennessee’s secondary will still need work, but great defenses start up front.
7. Washington Commanders: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With the defensive standouts off the board, the Washington Commanders give Jayden Daniels a 1B wide receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. Jordyn Tyson would be a great complement to this offense, as he is good at getting open quickly and also excels at pulling down contested catches. Tyson could eventually become a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown player in this Commanders offense.
8. New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
It is a testament to the strength of this draft class at wide receiver that three receivers could be top-10 picks. Makai Lemon did not get as much national attention this year, and he is a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 compared to his peers, but he is a playmaker. Lemon knows how to create separation, he can make plays after the catch, and he plays bigger than his size when it comes to bringing in 50-50 balls. Pair him with Chris Olave, and Tyler Shough will have a group of pass-catchers that can elevate his game even further.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Trey Hendrickson is not coming back to this organization next season, and Shemar Stewart clearly is not ready to be a reliable pass rusher, especially for a team that has playoff aspirations. David Bailey has been a dominant force for two seasons now, both at Stanford and Texas Tech; he would be an immediate contributor, unlike Stewart. Plus, Bailey has really made some nice strides this season as a run defender.
10. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver Jr. did the best he could with what he had to work with, but this was always one of the worst cornerback rooms in the NFL. Mansoor Delane, at 6-foot, is coming off an All-American caliber season at LSU. He is extremely skilled in coverage with great ball skills (8 career interceptions) to go with it.
11. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jerod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Los Angeles Rams are in a luxury spot with this pick. They could address the long-term need at right tackle or take care of a more immediate hole at cornerback. We think the lean is corner, especially for a player of McCoy’s caliber. He missed this season after suffering an ACL tear in January, but he’s the most physically skilled corner in this class.
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Jeremiyah Love certainly merits consideration here for the Kansas City Chiefs, but Brett Veach will likely prioritize the defense. The organization needs to think about what its future looks like at defensive tackle, especially since Chris Jones showed signs this season of some decline due to his age. Peter Woods offers an elite skill set, and making him the understudy of Jones while pairing them together would be massive for Kansas City’s defense both next season and beyond.
13. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
There are too many needs defensively for the Dallas Cowboys to take Jeremiyah Love here. A former safety, Sonny Styles shows that athleticism at 6-foot-5, and he really blossomed this past season under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Dallas has been looking for its next standout to roam the middle of the field, and Styles is that guy.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
As the Sunday Night Football loss showed, the Baltimore Ravens’ pass rush just is not good enough. Keldric Faulk just wins at the line of scrimmage, and he has the ability to serve as a three-down defender who can be lined up at multiple spots. It is not a total fix, but it is another step toward addressing what has become an increasingly weak pass rush over the years.
15. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Minnesota Vikings are going to keep rolling with J.J. McCarthy, but that means even more must be done to support him. One thing this offense is missing is an explosive running back. Jeremiyah Love has drawn comparisons to Reggie Bush, who would have thrived in the modern NFL. Love, a top-five talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, could eventually challenge for 1,600 scrimmage yards in his peak seasons with Minnesota.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Defense is obviously a need for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but this season has also captured the fact that the offense just is not the same without an elite play-caller. Plus, Mike Evans is nearing retirement, and Chris Godwin will be 30 years old next season. Kenyon Sadiq is easily the best tight end prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, with great athleticism at 6-foot-3 and skills as a receiver that are only found in perennial Pro Bowl selections.
17. Detroit Lions: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Detroit Lions offensive line has been one of the team’s biggest problems this season. It is also time for the front office to think about a successor for Taylor Decker. Utah’s Spencer Fano has starting experience at both tackle spots, and at 6-foot-6, he provides the franchise with another tackle who is ready to start immediately.
18. New York Jets (via IND): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
It is double-dipping on defense, with the Jets adding another building block for their front seven. CJ Allen brings great athleticism for the position, and he combines that with excellent football IQ, leadership, and a strong tackling ability. Pairing Reese and Allen together would be a massive step toward rebuilding New York’s defense, creating a unit that can support the quarterback of the future.
19. Carolina Panthers: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
The slide for Francis Mauigoa ends here, with the Carolina Panthers snagging the All-American right tackle and kicking him inside. This is all about protecting Bryce Young, who has played well enough this season to warrant his fifth-year option being picked up. Plus, Mauigoa on the right side will also help Carolina’s run blocking.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Going veteran-heavy in the secondary didn’t really work out too well for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season and Joey Porter Jr. has been up-and-down. Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell is on the smaller side (5-foot-11), but can play either outside or on the perimeter.
21. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Dallas uses its other first-round pick to shore up the secondary, landing South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse. He offers good size at 6-foot and the speed to stick with some of the league’s top vertical threats. Cisse proved this season that he could handle man coverage against SEC wide receivers and with a strong pre-draft process, where he should test well athletically, he could be a top-20 pick.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
The appeal with Kadyn Proctor his his versatility for the Philadelphia Eagles. If needed, the Alabama Crimson Tide left tackle could kick inside to guard for a reason. He has also demonstrated the ability to improve year-over-year and that combined with his athleticism, makes him an enticing development project for Jeff Stoutland. If there’s anyone who can help Proctor reach his full potential, it would be the Eagles coaching staff.
23. Houston Texans: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Houston Texans offensive line improved this year, but that says more about how bad the unit was in 2024. What’s clear is that help is needed on the interior, enter Vega Ioane. He was one of the few standouts on the Nittany Lions offense this past season, proving instrumental in the success of the run game and helping keep the interior pocket clean.
24. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Brandon Beane needs to find pass-catching help for Josh Allen, especially with Keon Coleman already reaching the point in his young career where he’s a healthy scratch. At 6-foot-4, Denzel Boston would provide Allen with someone who can turn 50-50 balls into 70-30 throws and Boston knows how to use that size to his advantage in tight coverage.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could be leaving this offseason for a head-coaching gig and edge rusher Khalil Mack is getting closer to retiring. So, there’s both a pass-rushing deficiency in Los Angeles and the potential loss of a defensive mastermind who finds ways to overcome it. Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell thrives at getting after the quarterback and while that might be his only role in the NFL, that’s still plenty valuable.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
With both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams returning from ACL tears, there are needs all over the San Francisco 49ers defensive line. It’s also worth noting that Robert Saleh wants to become a head coach against, so the team can’t be as reliant on great coaching to make up for talent deficits. Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald would step in as a space-eater on the interior against the run, but his explosiveness gives him a path to becoming a very impactful three-down player.
27. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
It all works out for the Cleveland Browns in this NFL mock draft, with Ty Simpson falling right to them. He’s not the flashiest quarterback prospect by any means, but he’s incredibly advanced as a processor and decision-maker for someone with such limited starting experience. Plus, with the top-five pick used on Carnell Tate, Simpson would be stepping into an offense with two great playmakers in Tate and Harold Fannin Jr.
28. Los Angeles Rams: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Los Angeles Rams use their original first-round pick as an investment in the future of their offensive line. Caleb Lomu earned the starting job at left tackle and he performed well, though, it’s clear he is still in the developing stages. What matters is that at 6-foot-6, he has good quickness and an understanding of how to win in pass protection. Play strength is an issue, but he wouldn’t need to play right away in Los Angeles.
29. Chicago Bears: Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Mizzou
Injuries have been the biggest reason for the defense underperforming this season, but Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen needs more help next season. Mizzou edge rusher Damon Wilson offers enticing length, explosiveness off the edge and he’s got an impressive motor with a penchant for standing out in big games. He might not offer the highest ceiling, but pass-rushing depth is needed in Chicago.
30. New England Patriots: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
If KC Concepcion had better hands, he might be a top-20 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The skills that matter are obvious once he snags the football, with a run after catch ability that is unmatched by his peers in this class. This is all about giving Drake Maye more weapons and Concepcion is the type of pass-catcher who could deliver even more explosive plays for the Patriots offense.
31. Denver Broncos: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
It is a case of the rich getting richer, as the Denver Broncos take a chance on a great talent who falls because he is recovering from foot surgery. If Caleb Banks can make a full recovery, we are talking about a 6-foot-6 defensive tackle who, at 330 pounds, offers remarkable quickness and packs a punch when coming out of his stance. Pair that with his strength, and there is a path to him earning a Pro Bowl selection in his prime.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
With Riq Woolen likely departing in free agency this offseason, there’ll be an opening at cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks. Given some of the durability issues experienced in the secondary this year, this should be a position that Mike Macdonald prioritizes. Colton Hood emerged as the top corner at Tennessee this season, playing at an All-SEC level. Between his physicality and ball skills, we feel like he’d be an excellent fit for Seattle in the years to come, and there’s not a better place for him to develop and grow into his top form.
