Over the next three months, NFL analysts will produce 2026 NFL mock drafts in an effort to predict what will happen come April 23. While draftniks will have a great idea of the strengths, weaknesses and NFL potential of each prospect, most of their efforts to mock the draft will become fruitless endeavors.

Why? Because one massive trade – like the Jacksonville Jaguars’ move up for Travis Hunter in 2025 – or an unexpected slide, like that of Shedeur Sanders, can throw a wrench into the mocks of even the most well-prepared analysts.

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That’s why USA TODAY Sports decided to use the Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot to try predict the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft a few months ahead of the festivities in Pittsburgh. The goal was to determine whether a relatively new AI tool could produce a mock draft with any logic or accuracy.

Copilot was able to craft a first-round mock with a single prompt, which was as follows:

Can you create your own 2026 NFL mock draft for the first 32 picks?

All players Copilot included in its mock draft were draft-eligible. The chatbot made occasional errors in its analysis – which wasn’t a surprise, as some Large Language Models (LLMs) have trouble keeping up with the latest sports news and updates – but it was simply prompted to correct those errors when they occurred.

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The most notable aspect of Copilot’s mock draft? It didn’t include Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the chatbot had overlooked Bain or had been scared off by his lack of arm length, which figures to be a key topic leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.

There weren’t many other major surprises among Copilot’s first 32 picks, but a handful of bolder picks stood out from the crowd. Here’s a summation of how its first mock came out, along with a human analysis of how the AI fared in its mock drafting efforts.

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

1. New York Jets – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

1. New York Jets – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

12. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

14. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

17. Detroit Lions – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

18. Minnesota Vikings – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

26. Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

28. Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

29. Los Angeles Rams – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

30. New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE, Missouri

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

31. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

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2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?

32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

2026 NFL mock draft: First-round AI picks1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The Raiders badly need a quarterback, and Copilot called the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Mendoza a “plug‑and‑play face of the franchise.” So far, so good from the AI chatbot.

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2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Copilot will stick to the consensus with its first two projected picks. Reese is considered one of the best defensive players in the draft and the chatbot likes the idea of adding a “hybrid” player with “pass-rush juice” to Aaron Glenn’s defense.

3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

Copilot acknowledged it isn’t sure who Arizona’s starting quarterback will be next season, so it wanted to give the Cardinals help up front. It referred to Mauigoa as a “high-floor right tackle” and noted his power would help to stabilize Arizona’s offensive line. Jonah Williams is set to be a free agent, so adding a potential long-term bookend for Paris Johnson Jr. makes sense.

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4. Tennessee Titans: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

Many mocks are giving the Titans an edge rusher, with Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. being the top targets at this juncture. Copilot opted to go with Bailey here, praising his “explosive first step” while noting his FBS-leading sack production last season (14.5 sacks).

5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Tate to the Giants is another popular pick Copilot targeted for its mock draft. The chatbot called Tate a “big-frame playmaker and contested‑catch winner” and opined he would pair well with Malik Nabers as a top weapon for Jaxson Dart.

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6. Cleveland Browns: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

The Browns are looking to rebuild their offensive line. The chatbot has Cleveland doing that with its first overall pick, by grabbing the “scheme-versatile” Fano. It noted the Utah product could potentially play any of four positions up front, making him a nice building block for Todd Monken’s offense.

7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Copilot is continuing the trend outlined by many of giving the Commanders a defensive player. However, it chose to give Styles to the team over a player like Rueben Bain Jr. or Caleb Downs. Why? The chatbot expressed confidence that Styles would be a three-down linebacker who could change the complexion of Washington’s defense.

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8. New Orleans Saints: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Love is widely considered one of the best players in this year’s draft class. Copilot has him landing with the Saints, where his “home‑run explosiveness and legit receiving value” will make him a great counterpart for Tyler Shough. This seems like a good fit, considering New Orleans’ need for playmakers outside of Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, who will turn 31 before the 2026 NFL season.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Copilot referred to the Chiefs’ need at wide receiver as “obvious.” That might be a little harsh, as Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy have enough talent to emerge as a quality, young receiver tandem. That said, given that Rice is under NFL investigation for domestic abuse allegations and the fact that top tight end Travis Kelce’s career is winding down, the AI chatbot giving Kansas City a “separation‑savvy route runner” like Tyson isn’t shocking.

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10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Bengals are desperate for defensive help and Downs is “one of the best overall players in the class.” Copilot acknowledged the 10th pick is a bit early for a safety, but Downs’ performance at Ohio State justifies his selection.

11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Copilot expects Jeff Hafley to remake the Dolphins‘ secondary ahead of his first season as the team’s head coach. That includes targeting a “technically refined” cornerback like Delane. It’s hard to argue with the chatbot’s logic, as Delane would immediately rise to the top of Miami’s thin cornerback depth chart.

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12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Back-to-back cornerbacks come off the board just outside of the top-10. Copilot noted McCoy had “top-15 tape” in 2024 before missing the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. If healthy, the chatbot believes the Tennessee product would be a “ready-made outside cornerback upgrade” for the Cowboys, who moved on from Trevon Diggs just before the end of the 2025 campaign.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): WR Makai Lemon, USC

Copilot expects Lemon to “fit perfectly” alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in the Rams‘ already-elite offense. It’s fun to imagine what the 5-11, 195-pound receiver could accomplish in Sean McVay’s offense after posting 79 catches, 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final season at USC.

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14. Baltimore Ravens: DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Copilot envisions Woods becoming a “cornerstone” for new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter‘s defense. It credited the Clemson product with being an “explosive interior disruptor” despite his lacking sack production (five across three seasons) with the Tigers.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

OK, it’s becoming clearer that one of two things happened in this mock draft. Either Copilot forgot Rueben Bain Jr. – who is largely being mocked as a top-10 selection – or it isn’t a fan of him. Howell is a worthy first-round target after posting “top‑tier production” in his final season at Texas A&M (11.5 sacks), but few mocks have him going ahead of Bain.

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16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Copilot had the Jets pass on a quarterback at No. 2 overall. Now, the team will take a “risk/reward swing” on Simpson, who the chatbot described as a “high-ceiling” passer but noted his lack of starting collegiate experience as something that could stunt his growth. If the Jets target a first-round quarterback for their offense, this is probably the way to do it, so credit to Copilot for sniffing out this strategy.

17. Detroit Lions: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

The Lions will likely have to rebuild their offensive line with Dan Skipper retiring and Taylor Decker nearing the end of his career. Copilot knows this and that’s why it gave Proctor – who it says has “outlier size and athleticism” – to Detroit. This seems like a great fit, as Dan Campbell and Hank Fraley should be able to milk a lot out of the 6-7, 369-pound tackle.

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18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

The Vikings need a cornerback and Copilot believes Terrell fits “Brian Flores’ archetype” at the position. Terrell generated three interceptions and eight forced fumbles across three seasons at Clemson and has an NFL pedigree, as his brother A.J. is a star starting cornerback for the Falcons.

19. Carolina Panthers: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

Yeah, it looks like Bain is not going to be included in this first-round mock from Copilot. Parker certainly fits the range as a “powerful, productive rusher” who generated 21.5 sacks across 39 games at Clemson. Still, like Howell, it would be a surprise to see him go ahead of Bain.

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20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): DL Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Copilot referred to Faulk as a “traits monster” and listed his 6-5, 290-pound frame and versatility as factors that could make him a strong pro. The 20-year-old has been mocked by some as a top-10 selection and others to the Cowboys at No. 12 overall, so this would be a solid value pick.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Steelers need a No. 2 receiver across from DK Metcalf. Copilot gave them one in Boston – a “physical red‑zone finisher.” Good pick, no notes.

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22. Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Here’s another need-based pick from Copilot. The Chargers had one of the NFL’s weakest offensive lines last season and struggled particularly on the interior. As such, the chatbot is giving Jim Harbaugh’s squad Ioane, who is the “top interior protector on several boards.”

23. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Dallas Goedert is set to be a free agent during the offseason. Sadiq would give the team a “clear succession plan” and “field-stretcher” at the position, in Copilot’s estimation. The Oregon product could go earlier than this, so this represents another good value pick.

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24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Could the Browns double-dip on the offensive line in the first round? Given how badly Cleveland needs offensive line help, it wouldn’t be a major surprise. Copilot has the Browns going a step beyond, however, and taking both of Utah’s top offensive line prospects. It called Lomu a “fluid mover” who can start at guard or tackle, giving Cleveland the flexibility needed to find its best combination of offensive linemen.

25. Chicago Bears: DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Copilot likes the idea of adding a “heavy‑handed run defender” like McDonald to Chicago’s defensive front. The chatbot had a minor faux pas in its analysis of the pick – it claimed McDonald would be a good fit for Matt Eberflus’ defense – but we’ll let it slide since the Bears could use more depth on the defensive line and a long-term successor for Grady Jarrett, who will turn 33 in April.

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26. Buffalo Bills: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Copilot is jumping on the trend of mocking a receiver to the Bills to help improve Josh Allen’s stable of weapons. It described Concepcion as a “space‑creating YAC threat” and opined that he would fit well in the slot. That’s the one hang-up with this fit, as Khalil Shakir, Buffalo’s top receiver, primarily plays in the slot. But to Copilot’s point, the Bills need a receiver who can create separation and Concepcion is arguably the best available at this juncture.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)

Any doubt Copilot forgot Bain in this first round can now be erased, as it’s hard to imagine Mesidor – his 25-year-old teammate – being selected ahead of him. Copilot praised Mesidor for his experience and having a “polished rush plan,” and that could help him sneak into the end of the first round despite his age and injury concerns.

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28. Houston Texans: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Houston found its left tackle of the future in the 2025 NFL Draft, as Aireontae Ersery found solid success as a rookie. They could still use a “right-side bookend” to help C.J. Stroud, and Copilot likes the idea of the 6-7, 315-pound Freeling getting a chance to win that role.

29. Los Angeles Rams: OT Blake Miller, Clemson

After grabbing a receiver with their earlier selection, the Rams continue to build up their offense. Copilot praised Miller as a “nasty finisher” whose 54 college starts will allow him to quickly adjust to the NFL level. Los Angeles exiting the first round without a defensive back would be something of a surprise, but Miller could battle Warren McClendon for the team’s long-term right tackle job as Rob Havenstein, 33, enters the twilight of his career.

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30. Denver Broncos: S Emmanuel McNeil‑Warren, S, Toledo

Denver already sports one of the NFL’s best defenses, but Copilot likes the idea of giving the Broncos a “versatile safety” like McNeil-Warren to further improve the team’s secondary. Backup P.J. Locke is set to be an unrestricted free agent, so McNeil-Warren would replenish the team’s depth while also providing insurance behind Brandon Jones as he enters the final season of a three-year deal in 2026.

31. New England Patriots: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Copilot is evidently enamored with upgrading already elite defenses. The chatbot is given Allen – an “instinctive three‑down linebacker” who it believes is a good fit for Mike Vrabel’s scheme – to the Patriots. The Patriots may have a more imminent need for help on the edge, but Allen would be a nice, long-term fit alongside Robert Spillane.

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32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

There aren’t usually a lot of consensus late, first-round picks in the early draft process. Cisse has become that, and Copilot isn’t bucking the trend. It thinks the “smooth, explosive mover” is a great fit for Mike Macdonald’s defense. Both Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe are set to be free agents after the season, so Seattle will need to add depth and upside at the position should one leave.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL mock draft 2026: AI predicts all 32 first-round picks