2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
In just two short months, mock drafts change dramatically. We all got more familiar with the prospects as the Combine and Pro Days have taken place. Free agency also served to dramatically change team needs. I’m trying once more to project round 1 of the draft, knowing that it will all change in 10 days when I do it again. We’re still not considering trades yet, but don’t worry about seeing the same picks as you did in the previous version. As teams become linked to prospects and signings are made to fill holes, the best match for each team shifts in turn. Let’s see where things stand in version 2.0 of my 2026 NFL mock draft!
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
This is as sure of a #1 pick as I’ve seen in some time. The Raiders literally tanked for the right to draft Mendoza. Since then, he has been checking all of the boxes in a business-like manner. Most recently, he had an excellent Pro Day, which isn’t surprising but is likely comforting to those in Vegas. Mendoza’s offensive system, which didn’t have him throw at a heavy clip, is a slight concern, but LV is desperate. They need a franchise QB in the worst way, and they think Mendoza is their best shot. I’ve seen some analysts vouch for Ty Simpson, and I do think he’s a better thrower of the football, but Mendoza is still the pick.
2. New York Jets – LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Any edge rusher is in play here, but most Jets sources seem to think that the most versatile one is the likely target. Reese has plenty of experience as an off-ball linebacker, but scouts think he could be a great pass rusher as a pro. Think Micah Parsons or even Jalon Walker if you want to be less lofty. Both of those guys played more off the ball in college before their athleticism got harnessed properly in the pros. Having traded Jermaine Johnson, New York definitely needs someone on the edge. Reese is arguably the best option available, even if I might prefer a more standard DE like David Bailey of Texas Tech.
3. Arizona Cardinals – OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The board is pretty fantastic for Arizona right now, as their two biggest needs are an offensive tackle and a DE. I’m moderately confident that this pick is coming down to Mauigoa and whichever edge rusher the Jets don’t take (Arvell Reese or David Bailey). Which exact player is quite a bit tougher to peg. The OT position is much more scarce, so I’m tentatively leaning in that direction. Mauigoa is likely a rock-solid RT from day 1, so he’d pair great with current Cardinals LT Paris Johnson. Notably, there are rumors about Arizona being poised to trade down, but that’s not allowed in this mock. For now, just know that it’s a possibility.
4. Tennessee Titans – DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
There is a TON of noise in the realm of the Titans selecting RB Jeremiyah Love here. While that’s not impossible, it would be an incredibly stupid pick for a team with so many premium needs. New coach Robert Saleh did acquire a pair of his old Jets in Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers, but the former isn’t locked up long-term and the latter can move inside if needed. Bailey is undoubtedly the best prospect left on this board, and you can never have too many edge rushers. A running back isn’t nearly as dire a need. DEs are much harder to find, and Bailey could be an excellent pass rusher during his Tennessee career.
5. New York Giants – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
How about this for a surprise? Not many people are linking this player and team, but I can easily see it happening. It starts with GM Joe Schoen’s great regret about letting Saquon Barkley walk. New York’s own history says that they’d take an RB this high despite not being a good team, and some have Love as the draft’s #1 overall prospect. New coach John Harbaugh came from the Ravens, where he saw what a top-shelf RB like Derrick Henry could do for his team. Finally, Love would be a great asset for QB Jaxson Dart’s development, which we know is the priority in the Big Apple. I could change this pick, but it’s on my mind now.
6. Cleveland Browns – OT/G Spencer Fano, Utah
So far, this is the toughest pick for me to try and project. Cleveland just has so many needs, even if we exclude QB because they’re looking toward 2027 for that position. The best value available, LB Sonny Styles, is the one thing the Browns don’t require. A secondary player, an offensive lineman, or a WR would all be good ideas. Given that their desperation led to an overpay for Tytus Howard, clearly the line is in dire shape. The classic arm length debate is back for Fano, but he should be a great starter at one position at least. Whichever spot that may be, Cleveland needs him there, making them a great match for this prospect.
7. Washington Commanders – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Though Styles might not make it to this pick, I’m giddy about the fit here. Bobby Wagner is a free agent, and even if he returns, a successor is needed. Styles fits his mold so well as a 3-down LB who can cover, blitz, and tackle with great skill. Off-ball LBs normally don’t go this high in the draft, but Styles is a special case. He’s barely scratching the surface of his potential, yet he’s already really good. Washington’s veteran defense completely flopped last year, so they need young talent to infuse life into the unit. Styles most certainly qualifies, and the Commanders would be thrilled to land him outside the top 5.
8. New Orleans Saints – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Sometimes, pairing a prospect with his local team just makes sense. In this case, the need aligns well with Delane going from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. In the last year and change, the Saints have traded Marshon Lattimore and watched Alontae Taylor leave in free agency. They absolutely need a new CB1, and they can acquire the draft’s best corner prospect here. I’ve long loved LSU defensive backs thanks to how well they translate to the pros in general. Delane also played 3 good years at Va Tech. Nobody is really talking about this class containing a shutdown CB, but Delane has a shot. He’s long, fast, and productive.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – DE Rueben Bain Jr, Miami
More than anything, the Chiefs need a full secondary. However, GM Brett Veach doesn’t seem to value CBs and safeties with his most valuable picks, instead trusting DC Steve Spagnuolo to develop less-heralded guys. Kansas City also needs an edge rusher, and I think that’s where they’re more likely to go. Bain has very short arms, but that matters less on defense than on the O-line. KC strikes me as a team that cares more about the football player than any one particular trait, and Bain can flat-out play. The last time a Cane DE with an “odd” body type went in round 1 was Gregory Rousseau. That one worked out pretty well.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
In truth, there’s no reason for Downs to still be available at #10. Several teams above this could easily justify taking him, but a safety isn’t considered a “premium” position. Thus, great players tend to go later than they should. Just look at Nick Emmanwori, who went in the second round last year despite being a top-shelf talent, only to help Seattle win a Super Bowl. Downs is more of an FS than an SS like Emmanwori, but he’s an elite prospect regardless. I don’t think a 1-year deal for Kyle Dugger precludes the Bengals from taking Downs, as they need multiple players at every defensive position. A #1-level prospect would be a godsend.
11. Miami Dolphins – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Back-to-back Buckeyes. I had Miami taking a CB before, and that’s still a pressing need. Since then though, the team traded WR Jaylen Waddle, leaving a bare cupboard at receiver. I can’t say that there’s a surefire #1 WR in this class, but there are several quality prospects. The safest one is Tate, the latest product of the OSU receiver factory. His testing numbers at the Combine were disappointing, but teams usually defer to film. There, you’ll see that Tate is a fluid route runner with good hands and enough size. I consider him a high-end WR2, but others have loftier expectations. Those are projected to make him the first WR taken.
12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Defensively, Dallas has made some investments up front, but their secondary is in poor shape. McCoy would be a potential CB1 for them. McCoy would be drafted even higher if he played in 2025. Alas, an ACL injury wiped out his season, so teams have to rely on his 2024 tape. The thing is, that tape is really good. In fact, it’s arguably better than that of any other corner in this class. We know the Cowboys are willing to take a shot on a high-upside CB coming off a major injury (see Shavon Revel Jr in 2025). McCoy can be the complement that DaRon Bland and perhaps stop teams from passing at will against Dallas every game.
13. Los Angeles Rams – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
I had (correctly) assumed that LA wanted a CB, but they went and addressed that with pick #29 (via a trade for Trent McDuffie) and free agency (Jaylen Watson). That position is thus no longer on their minds. Los Angeles doesn’t have any true needs, but their actions suggest that they want a WR. They thought about trading Davante Adams and actually did try to acquire AJ Brown. Meanwhile, Puka Nacua is in rehab. Clearly, there’s something they don’t like about their current WR room. Tyson would be the clear top WR on the board if not for medical concerns. At #13, he’s worth a shot for a contender that can afford to miss.
14. Baltimore Ravens – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
If we learned anything from the Maxx Crosby trade saga, it’s that Baltimore wanted to overhaul their edge rushing group. The problem is that nobody left is worth the #14 pick, so look for Baltimore to trade if the board falls this way. If they have to pick, more protection up front for Lamar Jackson seems like a good way to go. New coach Jesse Minter probably still has nightmares from his time in LA watching Justin Herbert get crushed. Ioane is a polished pro-ready prospect with great strength in the run game and a solid anchor in pass protection. He’s far and away the #1 guard in the class, so he’ll go earlier than most guards do.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Like the Ravens above them, Tampa needs an edge rusher. However, they’re more desperate based on their current depth chart, so they can’t pivot like I had Baltimore doing. Faulk is my last DE with sources mostly sharing a first-round grade. His skill set is fantastic, but his 2025 production was very underwhelming. It’s easy to sell yourself on Faulk. He’s long and athletic, and his 2024 stats were much better. Supposedly he’s also a fantastic kid. There’s just a lot more risk here than I tend to like for a first-round pick. Other teams don’t share that view though, and the Bucs probably think HC Todd Bowles can mold him properly.
16. New York Jets – WR Makai Lemon, USC
On the clock for the second time in the top 16 picks, you may be wondering whether this is the point when Alabama QB Ty Simpson comes off the board. I say no. This is just a bit too early for me, and I think the Jets brought Geno Smith in to punt on their franchise QB decision until 2027. Aside from Garrett Wilson, the Jets don’t have much at WR. Lemon could go earlier than this based on talent alone, but I hear that his Combine interviews were awful. I view him as a slot and YAC guy, but others see him sticking on the outside. If New York is comfortable with the character, they could form receiving tandem.
17. Detroit Lions – OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Rumors suggest that Detroit would love to snag Keldric Faulk, but Tampa already took him in this mock. Their other big area of need is the offensive line, which took major hits recently. It’s too early for the #2 guard in the class, but Taylor Decker also needs to be replaced. Penei Sewell can move to the left side, but regardless of which side he plays, a tackle must be acquired. The question is: which one. Monroe Freeling is a name people say is rocketing up boards, but so is Proctor, and Detroit is said to “love” him. His weight is supposedly under control, which could allow his elite athleticism to shine. Medium risk, very high reward.
18. Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Harrison Smith’s retirement left a huge void in Brian Flores’ defense. Thieneman is a very similar player in that he has extremely good range and plays with strong instincts. His primary role at Oregon last year was run defense, where he excelled. During his time at Purdue though, he played more coverage and earned a whopping 6 INTs. At the Combine, he ran a 4.35-s 40, far better than most predicted. The lack of elite talent at some of the premium positions in this class is pushing others up. Positions that usually get less attention, such as safety, could see better draft results if their prospects are superior, as Thieneman is.
19. Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
After spending a ton of money on the defense in free agency, the focus shifts back to offense here. Apparently diminutive QB Bryce Young can only throw to towering targets based on the team’s recent receiver picks. Now they can add a big TE to the mix. Sadiq’s stock is rising not because of his receiving skills. We already know that he’s basically an oversized WR. When scouts revisit his tape, they’re seeing something else: a tenacious blocker. Sadiq isn’t great at blocking, but effort is half the battle. Showing that he can be a complete TE will solidify his standing as a top-20 pick, which is where I have him in this mock.
20. Dallas Cowboys – LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Defense and more defense. That has to be the theme of Dallas’ draft, as their offense was plenty good in 2025. I already gave them a corner, and though a second CB is plausible, let’s work on the second level of the defense here. Few players are rising up boards as quietly as Allen. Teams are raving about him behind the scenes, yet the media mostly ignores him. I may even be underselling his draft stock here. Allen is a great run stopper who added some pass rushing moves to his game in 2025. He isn’t an elite coverage LB, but he’s competent. Dallas may see shades of Micah Parsons, or they just know that Allen is a good player.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Broderick Jones has not worked out as a former first-round pick. Moving him inside seems like a possible plan, which would necessitate a new tackle. Given that Jones came from Georgia, I wonder if the Steelers would bypass the Bulldogs and go with Lomu instead. Among all the tackles in this class, Lomu is the most natural LT. He isn’t quite as strong in the run game, which makes him less of a fit on the right side. However, in pass protection, he has great feet and smart hand placement. In the 20s, teams don’t usually find legitimate LT prospects. Lomu’s status as one makes him quite intriguing in this range.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
As badly as the Chargers’ line played last year, they have two great tackles if they’re healthy and don’t need to worry about that position here. Their roster is in pretty good shape in general, but one place they need help is on the edge. Khalil Mack isn’t going to play much longer, and Odafe Oweh left in free agency. Mesidor comes with some red flags: he hasn’t always been healthy, and he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie. His career-best 12.5 sacks, 17.5 TFLs, and 4 FFs though are fantastic. Mesidor played with Rueben Bain, so he’s best as a team’s #2 DE. He’d fit with Khalil Mack in that role now and then with Tuli Tuipulotu later on.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Philly likely has to trade up to get the edge rusher they desperately need. In this mock though, they stay put and address an upcoming concern. G Landon Dickerson is year-to-year with regard to retirement, and RT Lane Johnson is near the end of his career. We know that GM Howie Roseman loves his Georgia Bulldogs, so let’s get him another one! Freeling is rising thanks to his athleticism, but the question is whether the tape matches the build. I didn’t love him at the Combine, where I saw the same issues that scouts see in his play. Philadelphia would give him a chance to develop, so this is his best long-term fit.
24. Cleveland Browns – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
I touched on the Browns’ WR need at #6, and they do something about it here. Boston is slightly polarizing to scouts. His hands are a little inconsistent, and he isn’t a polished player. Conversely, the traits are so good that teams really want to work with him. A towering 6’4″ receiver with deep speed, Boston profiles as an outside X receiver. He was a big play waiting to happen with Washington, but he needs to get better about drops. The Browns might need to take multiple receivers over the three days of the draft, and they’re expected to start with one of their 1st-round picks. For now, I’m saying it’s the second of those two selections.
25. Chicago Bears – DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Like many teams, Chicago needs defensive line help. Luckily for them, they need talent on the edge and inside, so they can grab a better value instead of reaching for an edge rusher. If my analyses are at all accurate, we seem to be witnessing the entire DT group slide thanks to Caleb Banks’ injury and some differing opinions about guys like Kayden McDonald and Lee Hunter. Conversely, Woods’ stock is bouncing back. He was more productive in 2024 than he was last year, but the physical talent isn’t in question. Chicago has to acquire guys that teams must game-plan for, and Woods can be such a player.
26. Buffalo Bills – G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
The Bills seem like they’re truly in a position to take the best player available given the state of their roster. In all likelihood, they’d probably trade out of round 1 in this scenario for a team that wants to jump up for Ty Simpson, and I may even implement that in my final mock. Under my rules for this edition though, they have to pick someone, and the thing they need most is a guard to replace David Edwards. Picking Pregnon here might be a bit of a reach, but teams take 2nd-round prospects at the end of round 1 every year. Pregnon’s game is boring, and that’s honestly one of the highest compliments you can give a guard.
27. San Francisco 49ers – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
San Francisco added Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, but those were short-term additions. Brandon Aiyuk is going to be gone, and Ricky Pearsall was a whiff. Concepcion could be available here due to a lack of size, which might limit him to a slot role. QBs will tell you how valuable slot guys are though, and Concepcion is as twitchy and quick as they come. He gets open with ease, which seems to make him a great fit for HC Kyle Shanahan’s system. As an added bonus, Concepcion is a weapon in the return game. SF just lost Skyy Moore, and their special teams have been weak overall, so they may well be a consideration for them.
28. Houston Texans – OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Here’s another team that might want to trade out of their slot. Houston MUST address the offensive line early, but there aren’t any other first round-caliber players at either tackle or guard. Maybe they don’t think they need a tackle with Aireontae Ersery and Braden Smith around, but a high-upside developmental option would be great for them. That could also be Clemson’s Blake Miller, but I’m slotting Iheanachor here because he’s already a strong run blocker. Therefore, he could start out at guard as he improves his technique at tackle. In that way, Houston gets someone who can help them both now and in the years to come.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
There was no way I could let the Chiefs make two picks in round 1 without touching the secondary. Three different DBs left KC this offseason. We can’t replace all of them with this one pick, but it’s a start. The one flaw with Terrell is size; he might have to play in the slot. Everything else is really appealing. He has good technique, strong ball skills, and speed. His bloodlines (he’s the younger brother of Atlanta’s AJ Terrell) portend a quick transition to the pro game. Back to the size, he’s actually quite similar to the departed Trent McDuffie. KC has proven capable of working with that style of CB, and they could do so again with Terrell.
30. Miami Dolphins – CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
With one of the most talent-poor rosters in football, Miami’s needs are plentiful. Since I pivoted away from CB at #11, I think they’d have to take one at #30. Cisse has started to fly under the radar, but I don’t consider him a cut below Terrell. In fact, if you’re looking for an outside CB, I might even prefer Cisse. He’s big and fast with good athleticism, and he has gotten good coaching at South Carolina. Maybe Miami wouldn’t normally go back there after their whiff that was Cam Smith, but this is a completely new regime. You can’t hold Smith against Cisse, and he fills a critical need while representing a good value at this draft slot.
31. New England Patriots – OT Blake Miller, Clemson
For a team that played in the Super Bowl, New England has a bunch of holes on their roster. Another WR, lineman, or defender would all be quality selections here. With the way Drake Maye got destroyed throughout the playoffs, I think they need to hedge their Will Campbell bet with another highly-drafted tackle. I said that Max Iheanachor is the better run blocker, but that’s fine for New England, as they land the superior pass protector. Before Pats fans ask: Miller has an arm length exceeding 34 inches. Though he does require development, Miller is athletic enough to eventually stick on the left side, which is a selling point.
32. Seattle Seahawks – EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Free agency dealt a serious blow to Seattle’s edge rushing group and secondary. Based on the way GM John Schneider evaluates players, I can see them preferring to replace Boye Mafe first. Howell is a smaller pass rusher who’s a bit like Mafe in terms of physique. Detractors are going to look at his short arms (shorter than Rueben Bain’s) and slight frame. Proponents will point to Howell’s production and relentless motor. That motor will attract him to Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald, who likes his pass rushers to swarm. Often, a productive player translates to the NFL, and that would be the hope with Howell.