March 9, 2026, 6:15 a.m. CT

This 2026 NFL mock draft projects Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.Ohio State is projected to have the most first-round selections with five players taken.Teams will look to address needs in free agency before turning their attention to the NFL Draft.Two quarterbacks are projected to be selected in the first round of the 2026 draft.

The NFL kicks off its free agency frenzy this week. All 32 teams, including the Chicago Bears, are going to try and try to make their squads better by adding talent through available free agents. 

No team, not even the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, is without a need heading into the offseason. This is a good opportunity to make moves. There have already been a couple of trades agreed to in a handshake agreement, but more moves are expected to be made on that front as well.

Any needs that are not addressed during free agency will carry over into the 2026 NFL Draft. Before free agency kicks off, this is a projection of what the first round may look like.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Las Vegas Raiders are going to make Fernando Mendoza their franchise quarterback with the first overall pick. He’s better than any free agent quarterback, and this is a chance to take that type of swing. 

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 linebacker Arvell Reese out of Ohio State. The Jets need help on defense before they can think about addressing anything else. 

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. 

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

The Tennessee Titans select wide receiver Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. Cam Ward will get his new young weapon to target with a selection like this. 

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

The New York Giants add to their offensive line with Spencer Fano. Jaxson Dart needs better protection, and Fano can help with that. 

6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauligoa, OT, Miami

Before the Cleveland Browns can truly evaluate their quarterback situation, they need offensive line help. Francis Mauligoa will help with that. 

7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Caleb Downs may be the best player in the draft, but safeties don’t get drafted that high usually. For the Washington Commanders, he’d be perfect as they attempt a comeback year. 

8. New Orleans Saints – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The New Orleans Saints can take a small step if their defense improves, which would be helped along by Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Kansas City Chiefs are a bounce-back candidate if Patrick Mahomes is healthy. Running back Jeremiyah Love makes all of the sense for them.  

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Cincinnati Bengals must stop wasting the prime of Joe Burrow’s career. Mansion Delane of LSU would make their defense so much better. 

11. Miami Dolphins – Kendric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

The Miami Dolphins aren’t getting their franchise quarterback in this draft. Kendric Faulk improving their pass rush is a much better option in this draft. 

12. Dallas Cowboys – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Dallas Cowboys adding a wide receiver like Jordyn Tyson would help Dak Prescott get the Cowboys back on track after a couple of down years.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) – Jermon McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Los Angeles Rams traded a first-round pick for Trent McDuffie, but they were able to retain their highest first rounder, which is a big win. They pair McDuffie with Jermon McCoy out of Tennessee.

14. Las Vegas Raiders (via Baltimore Ravens) – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

After taking their franchise QB with the first overall pick, the Raiders have another opportunity to improve their team in the first round thanks to the Maxx Crosby trade. Peter Woods, a defensive lineman from Clemson, may help improve their defense, which keeps both sides of the ball improving as a result of the draft.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Baker Mayfield needs another weapon to avoid another disastrous year, especially with Mike Evans set to hit free agency. Makai Lemon is someone to consider for that role.

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

If the New York Jets were smart, they’d continue building on defense in this draft and then worry about their offense once that is ready. Sonny Styles is a great piece to help their linebacking core.

17. Detroit Lions – Avierori Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Detroit Lions have a couple of needs that will help them have a bounce-back year. Avierori Terrell, is the type of defensive reinforcement who could get them back on track.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

If the Minnesota Vikings get halfway decent quarterback play, they can win the Super Bowl. That makes them a “best player available candidate,” which is Kayden McDonald in this situation.

19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Carolina Panthers took a big step in 2025 with Bryce Young leading the way. Kenyon Sadiq would give him a fancy new tight end to work with in 2026 as they look to build on their strong year.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Dallas Cowboys have another first-round pick as a result of the Micah Parsons trade with the Green Bay Packers. CJ Allen of Georgia is a great way to make sure they work on their defense in this draft, as well.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers the other team to select a quarterback in 2026’s first round? With Aaron Rodgers in flux, taking a chance on Ty Simpson to learn from him may not be a bad idea. The idea has worked in the past.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Vega Ioane, OL, Penn State

The Los Angeles Chargers need to get some help in front of Justin Herbert. Vega Ioane of Penn State may come in and make an immediate impact.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The Philadelphia Eagles are always a great team on defense. Drafting players like TJ Parker is a big reason why. An edge rusher like him would go a long way.

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Cleveland Browns need help everywhere. Earlier in the mock, they selected an offensive lineman. Now, a weapon for whoever plays quarterback for them makes sense. Denzel Boston is the guy here.

25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

The Chicago Bears have a handful of needs, including the trenches. Caleb Banks can help them create some interior pressure and shore up the defensive line.

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

The Buffalo Bills landed DJ Moore from the Bears. Now, adding another weapon in KC Concepcion is a way to make sure that Josh Allen has everything he needs for a big playoff performance. No excuses this time.

27. San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proccor, OT, Alabama

The San Francisco 49ers are looking for new ways to protect Brock Purdy. An Alabama tackle is never a bad idea. This time, it would come in the form of Kadyn Proccor.

28. Houston Texans – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

The Houston Texans can make one of the best defenses in the NFL, if not the best, better by adding Anthony Hill Jr. of Texas. As a linebacker in the middle, he’d fit right in with all of the studs that play on the defensive line.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) – Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon

The Kansas City Chiefs have had their issues with their offensive line over their glory years. It has been glaring even more over the last 18 months, as they’ve lost some key contributors for cap purposes. Armed with an additional pick after trading Trent McDuffie, they select Emmanuel Pregnon to shore up protection for Patrick Mahomes.

30. Denver Broncos – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Bo Nix was injured on the last play of the Denver Broncos’ season. Adding some protection for him in the form of Caleb Lomu could go a long way in keeping that from happening again.

31. New England Patriots – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Brandon Cisse of South Carolina is a defensive back with the skills that could help the New England Patriots get back to the Super Bowl in 2027.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

How do the Super Bowl champions get even better? They add a high-end pass rusher. Cashius Howell coming off the edge would make them even more dangerous in that regard. With all of the elite players that they have on the defensive line, he’d fit in like a glove.