March 16, 2026, 7:25 a.m. CT
This 2026 NFL mock draft projects Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.Following the first week of free agency, teams are now looking to the draft to fill remaining roster holes.Ohio State is projected to have five players selected in the first round, the most of any school.Several trades have altered the first-round draft order, including a called-off deal between the Raiders and Ravens.
The first week of NFL free agency is in the books, and it was a memorable one to say the least. A lot has been decided for certain teams, but there are still holes on rosters all across the league. Every team will turn to the 2026 NFL Draft now as their best chance of getting players to fill those holes.Â
Trades are happening all around the league, and the first round even has some changes from the end of the season. There is also a change from the last mock draft due to the fact that the Maxx Crosby trade between the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens was called off by Baltimore.
The free agent signings are going to impact what teams feel they need to do in the upcoming draft, especially within the first round. Here’s our latest projections:
The Las Vegas Raiders are going to make Fernando Mendoza their franchise QB with the first overall pick. After an impressive career at the Indiana, Mendoza is ready to try his luck in the NFL. Â
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New York Jets select Arvell Reese with the second pick. The Jets have made some moves this offseason that should make them a better team, and adding Reese to the mix will do wonders for their defense.Â
3. Arizona Cardinals – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Arizona Cardinals improve their pass rush, which is one of their many needs, by selecting Reuben Bain with the third overall pick in the draft. With Kyler Murray out, the focus will be on rebuilding their entire team, and Bain is a great starting point.Â
4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. Cam Ward will get his new young weapon to target with a selection like this. The Titans are still working toward something bigger, and adding a star receiver while they try to develop their quarterback is wise.Â
5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The New York Giants have already made moves to make their offensive line better. Now, they have a chance to draft a difference-making running back to help out Jaxon Dart. Jeremiyah Love is the guy for them with the fifth overall pick. They have had success with early running backs before, and now is their chance to see history repeat itself.
6. Cleveland Browns – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateÂ
Is there a world where the lowly Cleveland Browns get the best player in the draft with the sixth overall pick? Well, some believe that Caleb Downs is the best, but it’s hard to take a safety in the top five. Where the Browns are as an organization, however, a star like Downs would be great for their rebuilding process.
7. Washington Commanders – Francis Mauligoa, OT, Miami
The Washington Commanders had a lost season in 2025 after a brilliant 2024. Now, in 2026, it’s all about getting Jayden Daniels back to where the world knows he can be. Keeping him healthy is part of that quest, and drafting Francis Mualigoa out of Miami could be a big help in that department.
8. New Orleans Saints – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The New Orleans Saints are not the worst team in the league, despite many expecting that in 2025. Well, adding a potential star corner in Mansoor Delane out of LSU would go a long way in their continued improvement.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Kansas City Chiefs have had some troubles with their offensive line in recent years. Some of their stars have priced themselves out as they have become better players. Now, a stud like Spencer Fano out of Utah would be great for them as they look to get back to the playoffs in 2026. With Kenneth Walker going there, they want to make sure that their protection is strong on offense.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cincinnati Bengals just lost Trey Hendrickson, so adding more help on the edge is essential. David Bailey of Texas Tech would make a great fit.
11. Miami Dolphins – Kendric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Miami Dolphins, like the Bengals, improve their edge attack on defense by selecting a great rusher in Kendric Faulk. With the team going in a different direction following the departure of Tua Tagovailoa, fixing their defense should be a priority.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
For a while, getting the offense going again with Dak Prescott has been the biggest need for the Dallas Cowboys. Makai Lemon from USC is a great option as they look to give him another weapon.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) – Jermon McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Los Angeles Rams have this pick from the Atlanta Falcons, which is a great way for the rich to get richer. Jermon McCoy of Tennessee would be a great corner for their secondary.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Baltimore Ravens didn’t have this pick in our last mock because it was supposed to go to the Raiders in the Maxx Crosby deal. Instead, they use it here on Peter Woods, another defensive lineman who may become a star in the NFL one day. With Hendrickson there, Woods would have an elite mentor to look up to.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go into a season without Mike Evans for the first time in over a decade. He is taking his talents to the San Francisco 49ers to close out a great career. In his place, a receiver like Jordyn Tyson is an option to consider in the draft.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
For the second pick of the first round, the New York Jets add to their defense in the middle with Sonny Styles out of Ohio State. After being a game-wrecker in college, he is ready for another step in the NFL.
17. Detroit Lions – Vega Ioane, OL, Penn State
The Detroit Lions have seen their once elite offensive line take a couple of hits in recent years. Adding a stud from Penn State like Vega Ioane would go a long way in helping them get the trenches back on track.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Minnesota Vikings were one win away from a division title in 2024, but then fell to the basement in 2025. Now, in their quest to bounce back, Kayden McDonald of Ohio State makes perfect sense for a team trying to improve all over the field. McDonald would make their pressure more respectable right away.
19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Is Bryce Young the long-term answer for the Carolina Panthers? Well, adding a potential star tight end in Kenyon Sadiq would give him another great option and help the team evaluate their quarterback.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Micah Parsons trade resulted in No. 20 landing with the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft. With this selection, they take CJ Allen from Georgia. If they did take an offensive weapon with their own pick and then a defensive contributor with this one, they’d end night one feeling like they made their team better.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be the first team to consider a quarterback outside of the Raiders, taking Mendoza first overall. Ty Simpson out of Alabama is one to consider. If Aaron Rodgers comes back for another year, having a rookie working under him may be a good plan for Pittsburgh.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Avierori Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Los Angeles Chargers need help getting the most out of their franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Improving on defense would be a big help. Avierori Terrell of Clemson could be a division-winning move, depending on how the rest of the teams perform with mixed expectations.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t have the same swagger in 2025 that they did in 2024, when they won the Super Bowl. Expect a big effort from them in 2026, and TJ Parker from Clemson may be right there in the middle of their pressure-creating team.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Cleveland Browns, with another first-round pick, take a wide receiver this time around. Denzel Boston of Washington would give whichever quarterback wins the job a boost. Having weapons available is important for every option.
25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Chicago Bears have a few needs. Defensive line and safety all remain at the top of their list. For the line, it doesn’t matter if it’s interior or on the edge; they just need to make life harder on opposing quarterbacks. Caleb Banks of Florida fits that mold.
26. Buffalo Bills – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Buffalo Bills traded for DJ Moore, and they gave up a lot to get him, so a receiver is not likely to be at the top of their list anymore. Anthony Hill makes much more sense for them. They are running out of time to win the Super Bowl with Josh Allen leading the way, so hitting on these picks is big.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proccor, OT, Alabama
Like the Bills, a move made over the last week takes the 49ers out of the high-end wide receiver market. Mike Evans, if healthy, should do wonders for Brock Purdy. It would be better for San Francisco if Purdy is healthy for the entire year, so a great line would go a long way. Kadyn Proccor of Alabama is a guy who may be able to help keep Purdy upright.
28. Houston Texans – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
There is a case to be made that the Houston Texans have the best defense in the NFL. They are certainly right there with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Getting CJ Stroud back on track could be the difference for them in their quest to win the Super Bowl. KC Concepcion of Texas A&M would be a great new target for the young quarterback.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) – Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a hard time with their offensive line in recent years. They’ve let a lot of great ones go because they couldn’t afford them. Well, now that they have this 29th pick following a deal with the Rams, there is another opportunity to improve their offense. After taking Fano in the top 10 for the edge of their line, they could select Emmanuel Pregnon for the interior. Developing these guys together could lead to a super-line in front of Mahomes in the coming years.
30. Denver Broncos – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Denver Broncos had a lot made about the fact that their quarterback, Bo Nix, went down on the final play of their win in the divisional round. Caleb Lomu, an offensive tackle from Utah, would give Nix an extra layer of protection. It is worth considering at pick 30.
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The New England Patriots have a good team, but how do they get over the hump as the Super Bowl runner-up? An edge rusher like Cashuius Howell makes a ton of sense, as he’d give their defensive attack a much different and more athletic look.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks take Brandon Cisse out of South Carolina with the final pick of the first round. Every Super Bowl winner needs reinforcements, and Cisse would be a strong one for the Seahawks.
