Sporting News’ previous latest 2026 NFL mock draft was expanded to include projections through No. 64 overall in the second round.
With the NFL Scouting Combine coming and going to ramp up the offseason, it’s time to deliver another edition of first-round projections.
Here’s breaking down the latest team and pick fits, 1-32, keeping in mind what happened in Indianapolis to end February and start March.
MORE NFL COMBINE:
NFL Mock Draft 2026, post-Combine edition
1. Las Vegas RaidersÂ
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 236Â pounds)
The Raiders didn’t need to see Mendoza work out at the Combine but had to pleased that he measured as bigger and stronger than expected to go with toughness, big arm, accuracy, athleticism and intangibles. Las Vegas can feel better about the sure bet at the top.
2. New York JetsArvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State (6-4, 241 pounds)
The Jets should be looking a lot more at Reese after his terrific Combine to prove that he’s a game-changing pass rusher on top of being a rangy playmaker who does everything else well for a defense. Aaron Glenn and new coordinator Brian Duker should want him as the ultimate linchpin.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 212 pounds)
The Cardinals need to move on from James Conner, who turns 31 in May and has battled a lot of recent injury attrition with his mileage. Love made his mark by doing everything well in a full Combine workout, including a blazing 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. He deserves to go in the top five this high as the best non-QB in the class.
MORE: NFL Combine measurements tracker
4. Tennessee Titans
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-2, 263Â pounds)
The Titans may have had their eyes on Reece, but they can feel great going back to the Hurricanes well after taking their franchise passer, Cam Ward, No. 1 in last year’s draft. Bain, who had a great interview with the team at the Combine, fills their need for a transcendent pass-rusher for new defensive-minded coach Robert Saleh.
5. New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 206Â pounds)
Downs may have dropped a little after choosing not to work out at the Combine in relation to his former Buckeyes back seven teammates Reese and Sonny Styles going off on the field. The Giants still should be eyeing him in the top five to give them a dynamic complement to Jevon Holland.
6. Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)
The Browns have gotten a better look at Mauigoa to think he should be the cornerstone of their total offensive line overhaul as their new left tackle to help whoever their starting QB will be in the first season under Todd Monken.
7. Washington Commanders
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-4, 251Â pounds)
The Commanders should be prepared to jump on Bailey should he fall here after his freakish athletic profile was on display at the Combine. Dan Quinn needs this level of dynamic pass rusher who also has rare dropback coverage skills outside.
8. New Orleans Saints
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-5, 244Â pounds)
The Saints need to look beyond the tenure of the great Demario Davis, a free agent at 37. Styles shot up into the top 10 with his incredible speed and agility he showed at the Combine. New Orleans also would be a strong candidate for Bailey.
MORE: NFL Combine 40 time tracker
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-2, 192 pounds)
The Chiefs should also consider cornerback, offensive line and running back with this pick, but with Love gone, it would be difficult to pass up on who’s now the best wideout in the class coming out of the Combine to give Patrick Mahomes another key weapon when he can go again with his knee injury. Between Tate, Rashee Rice in the slot and maybe Xavier Worthy, Mahomes would be set with his best wideout corps ever.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-1, 188Â pounds)
The Bengals will be debating pass rusher vs. corrnerback most in their continued defensive rebuild. They seemed to have more interesting discussions with corners at the Combine, perhaps realizing Reese, Bain and Bailey should be off the board before this pick. McCoy, who eschewed workouts at the Combine but should go all the way on his pro day, would make sense with his shutdown upside.
11. Miami DolphinsAkheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (6-3, 259 pounds)
The Dolphins should be tuned into what the Hurricanes did to develop pass rushers under the watchful eye of their Hall of Famer, Jason Taylor. Mesidor has risen quickly, culminated by good measurements at the Combine to jump into the early first-round consideration with Bain.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 187Â pounds)
The Cowboys need a smooth cover man with nice size to help clean up the cornerback across from DaRon Bland with Trevon Diggs gone. Delane, after a sturdy Combine, would be a good physical fit in the new defense of former Eagles assistant Christian Parker.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 186Â pounds)
The Rams have some key cornerback issues with a potential free agency depletion ahead, so it would make sense to go for this savvy immediate starter, the brother of the Falcons star A.J. Terrell. Terrell is right on the heels of McCoy and Delane as the draft’s best corner coming out of the Combine.
MORE: Highlights, results from top performers at the NFL Combine
14. Baltimore RavensCaleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-6, 327 pounds)
The Ravens need to beef up their impact up front with a versatile, explosive interior disruptor. Banks, who absolutely blew up the Combine to prove he is the best defensive tackle in the drat, is an ideal fit for new coach Jesse Minter’s scheme.
15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersKeldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 276Â pounds)
The Buccaneers should be interested most in linebacker for Todd Bowles, either someone to be rangy making plays from the inside or an outside pass rusher. With Mesidor and Reese rising in that capacity, the Bucs can feel better about landing Faulk, holding steady after the Combine.
MORE:Â Updated list of picks for 2026 NFL Draft
16. New York Jets (from Colts)Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 192Â pounds)
The Jets need to get Garrett Wilson some receiving help for their presumed new franchise QB. Lemon would be a great complement with his route-running and big-play ability in the open field after the catch. He didn’t need to do much at the Combine with great tape still standing out.
17. Detroit LionsCashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 253 pounds)
The Lions need to have a physical thumper to better complement Aidan Hutchinson at end in their 4-3. Howell, like Bain, got knocked a little for arm length at the Combine, but he is too devastating of a producer from another top college defense to think he won’t translate well as a No. 2.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thienman, S, Oregon (6-0, 201 pounds)
The Vikings need to think about safety plenty with that position soon to be further weakened by Harrison Smitih’s retirement. Other than Styles and Mesidor, this dyanmic Ducks athlete helped himself most with his playmaking agility and upside after Thienman crushed his Combine.
MORE: Biggest, strongest, fastest from 2026 NFL Combine
19. Carolina Panthers
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia (6-1, 230 pounds)
The Panthers will be thinking most about offensive line and linebacker help with this pick and should lean toward the latter after they should have a clear shot at Allen following his strong intangible presence at the Combine. Denver has been attached most to Allen, but it’s not crazy for Carolina to take him several picks earlier.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-4, 265 pounds)
Parker wasn’t supposed to slip this far but in relation to the other pass rushers at the Combine, he slips to becoming a great value for Dallas with its second pick after getting Delane from the other Death Valley for their secondary earlier.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 241Â pounds)
Sadiq, fresh off his record-setting tight end 40-yard dash at the Combine, should intrigue the Steelers more as they look out for more downfield receiving juice for Aaron Rodgers’ presumed return. This might surprise some, but the Ducks weapon can be huge in the new offense.
MORE:Â What Mike McCarthy hire in Pittsburgh means for Aaron Rodgers
22. Los Angeles ChargersÂ
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (6-4, 330 pounds)
The Chargers will be hoping that top tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater return healthy and effective and they have a shot at snagging center Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens in free agency. That would leave guard as the key position to upgrade on their offensive line. Ioane remains the draft’s best guard out off the Combine.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds)
Fano’s athleticism is evident that he shouldn’t last too long on the board after Mauigoa. The Eagles would be thrilled to land him here as a bona fide successor to Lane Johnson at right tackle.
MORE: Inside the NFL Combine records
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 203 pounds)
The Browns may think about quarterback in this mock after getting Mauigoa to be their new pass-protecting rock at tackle, but they also need big-play weapons for the outside in Todd Monken’s offense. Tyson, despite raising some Combine concerns that keep him out of the top 10, would help whichever QB starts as a well-rounded go-to guy.
25. Chicago Bears
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (6-7, 315 pounds)
The Bears should think about looking at upgrading the tackles’ pass protection for Caleb Williams, with Braxton Jones being a free agent. Freeling’s massive frame and athleticism will be intriguing to turn some athletic potential into dominance in time.
26. Buffalo Bills
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (6-0, 196Â pounds)
The Bills are locked more into loving this prospect, and Concepcion didn’t disappoint in his Combine drills. He was speedy and quick running routes, and he made sure to work on his biggest knocks, concentration and catch rate. He looks like the ideal go-to guy for Josh Allen in every way.
27. San Francisco 49ersDenzel Boston, WR, Washington (6-4, 212 pounds)
The 49ers didn’t see Boston run at the Combine but still should feel plenty comfortable about his playing speed from his Huskies tape to help them clean up their wide receiver corps with Brandon Aiyuk on the trade block and Jauan Jennings set to leave as a free agent.
28. Houston Texans
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-3, 298 pounds)
The Texans also will think about offensive line, but with Banks shooting up, there’s a good chance they can see Woods fall here to address a key need up front defensively. DeMeco Ryans will love getting the extra inside pass-rush juice.
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29. Los Angeles Rams
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (6-1, 211Â pounds)
The Rams should have appreciated Simpson’s workout plenty. He showed what was there on his Crimson Tide tape with natural accuracy. Should the needy teams pass, he would be a great stash to develop to start behind Matthew Stafford.
MORE: NFL Combine QB results
30. Denver Broncos
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech (6-4, 318 pounds)
The Broncos have loved Allen for a while but they also need defensive tackle reinforcement and came away very impressed overall about Hunter after he continued his fast rise at the Combine.
31. New England Patriots
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)
The Patriots should want to get beefier at right tackle opposite Will Campbell to better run-block and pass-protect. Proctor was big rock for Simpson and can be the same for Drake Maye in Year 3.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 193Â pounds)
The Seahawks likely will need to reload at cornerback after the Super Bowl with Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe heading into free agency. Hood, not far behind teammate McCoy’s stock after the Combine, would be ideal as a big, speedy and physical cover man to help Mike Macdonald help replace one or both of them.