2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions

Happy Draft Day!

There’s still plenty of uncertainty (outside of the first three picks), but some things have come into better focus.

There’s no time to lose. Let’s get right into it.

MOCK PREAMBLE

Considering the NFL doesn’t have an offseason, the draft has become the Super Bowl of the league’s second season, and a mock version of said draft is meant to educate, perhaps even entertain. At very least, it helps you pass the time.

Agree? Hate it? Think your team just got robbed? Follow along on X (formerly known as Twitter) @UTEddieBrown and let’s argue about the board like civilized adults.

Here’s the final version of my 2026 NFL Mock Draft:

FIRST ROUND

1. Las Vegas (3-14) — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana, Jr.

Mendoza was a lock as soon as Dante Moore decided he was returning to Oregon for his junior season. Mendoza wins with command, accuracy, red-zone efficiency and grown-man composure. Plus, the Heisman-winner has reportedly already began learning Klint Kubiak’s playbook.

2. N.Y. Jets (3-14) — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech, Sr.

Genereal Manager Darren Mougey might see Bailey as a cleaner immediate pass-rush upgrade and “win now” defender over the uber-athletic Arvell Reese from Ohio State. Bailey is a get-off merchant who stresses tackles immediately and can live in the backfield when he wins early.

3. New Orleans from Arizona (3-14) — Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St., Jr.

***TRADE*** If the Jets move, it’s only because someone falls in love with the slot and overpays. Mickey Loomis has never traded down in the first round in 23 years as the Saints GM. Loomis has moved up or back into the first round 11 times though. New Orleans did work on Ohio State’s group, and edge is a real need, so perhaps they pay a premium to go get Reese. It’ll likely cost them 2027 draft capital.

4. Tennessee (3-14) — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame, Jr.

I feel like the Titans will take whomever is available out of Bailey, Reese and Love. I’m sure GM Mike Borgonzi would prefer a modest trade down, but instead, my No. 1 overall player in this draft class falls into his lap.

5. N.Y. Giants (4-13) — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St., Jr.

The Giants probably would’ve preferred Love fall to them, but Downs is a pretty good consolation prize. He’s a glue-piece safety who raises a defense’s floor immediately. His father (Gary) was also drafted by the Giants in the third round (No. 95) of the 1994 NFL Draft.

6. Cleveland (5-12) — Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama, Jr.

GM Andrew Berry would prefer to drop down into the 9-12 range for a tackle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they stick and pick their guy regardless. The NFL will test Proctor’s conditioning and lateral quickness, but the raw size/power profile gives him a starter’s runway.

7. N.Y. Jets from Washington (5-12) — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St., Jr.

***TRADE*** The Jets have reportedly already explored a move into the top 10, most likely for Tate or Jordyn Tyson. Tate is smooth rather than truly explosive, and he benefited from Jeremiah Smith’s presence, but he is the cleanest all-around receiver in this class and has Pro Bowl upside. He’d pair nicely with former Buckeye Garrett Wilson.

8. Arizona from New Orleans (6-11) — Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami, Jr.

***TRADE*** The plan all along has been for GM Monte Ossenfort to move down, add some draft capital and target Mauigoa. He is big and powerful with an attitude that shows up on every finish. He was recently diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back, but it is not expected to significantly hinder his draft stock.

9. Kansas City (6-11) — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami, Jr.

Bain fits what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes to do, and would address the need for a partner opposite George Karlaftis. He is a power-first edge who compresses pockets with force and plays the run like it’s personal.

10. N.Y. Giants from Cincinnati (6-11) — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St., Jr.

Tyson has clear WR1 potential if he stays healthy and would be a nice complement to Malik Nabers. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Connecticut’s Skyler Bell were the only other two FBS receivers with at least 1,800 receiving yards and 18 TDs over the past two years. He’s developed into a true three-level threat with strong ball skills and alignment versatility.

11. Miami (7-10) — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU, Sr.

After the Dolphins hit Ctrl+Z on their roster, they need help all over the place. The more I watch Delane, the more he reminds me of Seahawks All-Pro corner Devon Witherspoon. Both share a similar size profile. Both ran 40-yard dashes in the 4.38-4.42-second range at their pro days. Most importantly, both are sticky in coverage, process routes quickly and can thrive in multiple alignments.

12. Dallas (7-9-1) — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St., Sr.

Jerry Jones himself has said that if a player starts to fall, that is when the Cowboys would start thinking seriously about moving. That player would likely be Styles, so I could see a deal materialize between them and the Browns for six. He can play too tall through traffic, and he’s still refining block deconstruction as a full-time stack linebacker, but Styles looks like the prototype for the next version of the position.

13. L.A. Rams from Atlanta (8-9) — Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia, Jr.

The Rams spent extended time with the former Georgia Bulldog during the pre-draft process. He could also be the target if they trade down. Freeling features rare lateral movement skills for a tackle his size. His combine numbers were elite enough to produce a near-perfect 9.99 RAS. He needs polish, considering he only has one full season as a starter, but he earned second-team All-SEC recognition.

14. Baltimore (8-9) — Spencer Fano, T, Utah, Jr.

The Ravens have long been one of the better organizations at maximizing tough, technically sound linemen. Whether Fano sticks at tackle or eventually slides inside may depend on the team, but his athleticism (9.80 Relative Athletic Score) will pop in all five positions.

15. Tampa Bay (8-9) — Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami, Sr.

The Buccaneers need another pass rusher to pair with Yaya Diaby. Mesidor is an older prospect, who just turned 25, but he’s been highly productive for two different college programs, including 17½ tackles for loss, 12½ sacks and four forced fumbles last season for the Hurricanes.

16. Washington from N.Y. Jets via Indianapolis (8-9) — Makai Lemon, WR, USC, Jr.

***TRADE*** GM Adam Peters has said the Commanders aren’t actively shopping their pick, but they only have two picks in the first 100. Lemon already wins like a pro. He varies tempo, understands leverage, and wastes very little movement in and out of breaks.

17. Detroit (9-8) — Blake Miller, T, Clemson, Sr.

The Lions are planning to move Penei Sewell to left tackle after Taylor Decker’s release. Miller is one of the safest prospects in this class: smart, sturdy, technically advanced, and rarely overwhelmed.

18. Minnesota (9-8) — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson, Jr.

The Vikings need to replenish their interior D-line after releasing veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason. Woods remains the most naturally gifted interior disruptor in this class, even if the production never quite matched the hype.

19. Carolina (8-9) — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon, Jr.

This is the Oregon safety’s floor in Round 1. Thieneman is a dynamic, playmaking split-safety starter who can roll down and survive in nickel packages. He fits perfectly in the modern NFL.

20. Dallas from Green Bay (9-7-1) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee, So.

The Cowboys value corners who can survive on an island and still bring something in the run game. Hood is a fiery, aggressive press corner who features enough size, speed and physicality to make plays in a man-heavy scheme.

21. Pittsburgh (10-7) — Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn St., Jr.

Broderick Jones’ neck injury setback could force the Steelers to think harder about tackle, but I can’t imagine they’d pass on Ioane if he’s still on the board. He’s a phone-booth mauler who wins with raw power, leverage and heavy hands. He’s the kind of interior presence that changes your run game personality, while featuring impressive movement skills for a man his size.

22. L.A. Chargers (11-6) — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee, Jr.

GM Joe Hortiz comes from the Baltimore Ravens organization, where they turned “best player available” into a mantra. Before McCoy got hurt, he showed high-end ball production and sticky man-cover traits, and his pro-day testing reminded teams why the upside is so enticing. Some teams have red-flagged his knee, so the top-10 talent could fall further, but I’m thinking he’s too good for Hortiz to let pass.

23. Philadelphia (11-6) — Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona St., Sr.

The Eagles have long prioritized line play and developmental continuity in the trenches. GM Howie Roseman doesn’t generally wait until there is a crisis to invest in offensive linemen. Iheanachor is a big, athletic (9.86 RAS), ascending tackle prospect whose stock is built on size, agility, and the promise of what happens when a relatively new football player keeps improving.

24. Cleveland from Jacksonville (13-4) — Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana, Sr.

The Browns have to come out of this first round with a tackle and receiver. Cooper’s appeal is that he keeps winning in the exact situations NFL staffs care about most: third down, red zone and tight windows.

25. Chicago (11-6) — TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson, Jr.

The Bears still need a true running mate for Montez Sweat. Parker’s counters can stall when first contact doesn’t win, so he needs a better Plan B, but there’s double-digit sack upside at the next level.

26. Buffalo (12-5) — Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn, Jr.

The Bills could also trade down, but Faulk’s upside is too tempting to pass on here. He ran a 4.67 40 at nearly 275 pounds (9.11 RAS), which is a big reason he kept hovering in the first-round conversation despite the lack of production. That, and he doesn’t turn 21 until September.

27. San Francisco (12-5) — Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF, Sr.

Both Lawrence and Cashius Howell make too much sense here considering the 49ers recorded an NFL-low 20 sacks last season and face health uncertainty with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. The first-team All-Big 12 pick was one of the bigger risers of the cycle due to an explosive performance at combine. Lawrence can play too tall into contact, but he’s a smooth mover with the bend and burst teams covet.

28. Arizona from Houston (12-5) — Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama, Jr.

***TRADE*** It seems like it’s a forgone conclusion the Cardinals will trade back into the first round to grab Simpson. A trade-down also makes sense for the Texans with the value at 28 expected to flatten out. Simpson only has 15 collegiate starts to go off of, but the small sample size shows he is a poised, accurate, mechanically clean QB who wins with processing, rhythm and pocket control more than raw star-power traits. The fact that Mike LaFleur has coached under both Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay would cause me to breath easier if I’m a Cardinals fan. That coaching tree specializes in developing quarterbacks like Simpson.

29. Kansas City from L.A. Rams (12-5) — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon, Jr.

Sadiq is the luxury pick of this first round and could go lower than most expect. The uber-explosive Sadiq would be Travis Kelce’s eventual successor. He is a legitimate field-stretcher who can line up attached, in the slot, split out wide, or in the backfield, which will give Andy Reid real flexibility as a play-caller.

30. Miami from Denver (14-3) — KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M, Jr.

Concepcion gives the Dolphins a quick-hitting creator they can manufacture touches for after dealing Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. He’ll need help versus physical press, but as a slot weapon/return threat he brings immediate value.

31. New England (14-3) — Zion Young, Edge, Missouri, Sr.

Mesidor, Howell and Young all fit the Patriots’ defensive mold. Young isn’t a sudden-twitch rusher, and his pad level can steal leverage, but there is real value in a edge who can collapse pockets and hold up in the run game.

32. Seattle (14-3) — Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St., Sr.

If the Seahawks want another boundary defender offenses have to work around, this would be a strong way to close Round 1. Johnson is a smooth, instinctive outside corner who pairs sticky coverage with real ball production. He wins with patience, press ability, and enough athletic juice to erase mistakes. His ceiling is with the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18. He fits Brian Flores’ complex scheme and there are SDSU connections with head coach Kevin O’Connell.