{"id":225392,"date":"2026-03-18T15:23:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T15:23:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/225392\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T15:23:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T15:23:35","slug":"3-round-update-after-free-agency-and-broncos-dolphins-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/225392\/","title":{"rendered":"3-round update after free agency and Broncos-Dolphins trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

Free agency did what free agency always does.<\/p>\n

It took my last updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft and blew it up, along with everyone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n

A week of spending, panic-buying and roster patchwork reshaped team needs all over the league.<\/p>\n

The most recent move hit Tuesday.\u00a0Denver traded for Jaylen Waddle after Miami decided to hit Ctrl+Z on its roster. The Dolphins now have quite the assortment of premium picks.<\/p>\n

With pro days rolling and the draft inching closer, this is what the first three rounds look like after the market\u2019s first big wave.<\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S NEW IN THIS UPDATE<\/p>\n

Three full rounds, including compensatory picks
\nUpdated team needs across the league
\nWashington grabs a wide receiver at No. 7
\nRams take a wide receiver at No. 13
\nJeremiyah Love lands in the top five
\nDolphins select a safety and wide receiver in Round 1
\nJacob Rodriguez climbs into the top 20<\/p>\n

MOCK PREAMBLE<\/p>\n

This is an attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season\u2019s draft class, and which teams they\u2019d match up well with considering the current draft order courtesy of NFL.com. The closer we get to draft day, the more I\u2019ll attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.<\/p>\n

According to The Huddle Report, I was the second-most accurate NFL draft prognosticator in print last season. I tied for first overall (out of 172) covering a five-year period between 2019 and 2023.<\/p>\n

Considering the NFL doesn\u2019t have an offseason, the draft has become the Super Bowl of the league\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Agree? Hate it? Think your team just got robbed? Follow along on X (formerly known as Twitter) @UTEddieBrown<\/a> and let\u2019s argue about the board like civilized adults.<\/p>\n

FIRST ROUND<\/p>\n

1. Las Vegas (3-14) \u2014 Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana, Jr.<\/p>\n

Mendoza wins with command, accuracy, red-zone efficiency and grown-man composure. Top needs: QB, WR, DT<\/p>\n

2. N.Y. Jets (3-14) \u2014 Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St., Jr.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound uber-athletic Reese is a modern defensive problem-solver: long, explosive, versatile, and productive enough to justify the hype. Top needs: QB, CB, WR<\/p>\n

3. Arizona (3-14) \u2014 Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami, Jr.<\/p>\n

Speed and counter rushers will test Mauigoa\u2019s feet and timing, but the baseline traits scream long-term starter, whether he stays at tackle or eventually slides inside. Top needs: QB, OL, DL<\/p>\n

4. Tennessee (3-14) \u2014 Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame, Jr.<\/p>\n

Love is built for volume (6-foot, 214 pounds) and versatility with three-down traits (vision, finish, receiving upside). He\u2019s my No. 1 overall player in this draft.<\/a> Top needs: WR, Edge, LT<\/p>\n

5. N.Y. Giants (4-13) \u2014 Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St., Sr.<\/p>\n

Styles delivered one of the most outrageous athletic profiles scouts have seen in years at the Combine.\u00a0At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, he ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 1.56 split, then posted a 43\u00bd-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Top needs: WR, DT, G<\/p>\n

6. Cleveland (5-12) \u2014 David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech, Sr.<\/p>\n

The selling point is simple: Bailey gets to quarterbacks, and he does it a lot. Top needs: QB, Edge, WR<\/p>\n

7. Washington (5-12) \u2014 Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St., Jr.<\/p>\n

Tate\u2019s tape says he is fast enough. He\u2019s a week-to-week separator who should translate as a high-volume NFL target. Top needs: Edge, WR, RB<\/p>\n

8. New Orleans (6-11) \u2014 Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami, Jr.<\/p>\n

Bain\u2019s lack of ideal length is real, and it will scare off some teams. But the r\u00e9sum\u00e9, disruption, and polish are also real. Top needs: WR, DT, CB<\/p>\n

9. Kansas City (6-11) \u2014 Spencer Fano, T, Utah, Jr.<\/p>\n

Fano\u2019s ceiling debate comes down to length\/anchor vs. NFL power, but his floor is high because the pass-pro foundation is real. Top needs: CB, Edge, RT<\/p>\n

10. Cincinnati (6-11) \u2014 Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU, Sr.<\/p>\n

Delane doesn\u2019t have elite size (5-11, 187) or deep speed, but he\u2019s sticky, instinctual and can play multiple positions in the secondary. Top needs: DT, CB, WR<\/p>\n

11. Miami (7-10) \u2014 Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St., Jr.<\/p>\n

Downs plays like he\u2019s on the headset with the coordinator. He\u2019s a glue-piece safety who raises a defense\u2019s floor immediately. Top needs: WR, Edge, CB<\/p>\n

12. Dallas (7-9-1) \u2014 TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson, Jr.<\/p>\n

Parker\u2019s bull rush is devastating and he\u2019s already a solid run defender. Top needs: Edge, LB, NB<\/p>\n

13. L.A. Rams from Atlanta (8-9) \u2014 Makai Lemon, WR, USC, Jr.<\/p>\n

Lemon already wins like a pro. He varies tempo, understands leverage, and wastes very little movement in and out of breaks. Top needs: WR, RT, Edge<\/p>\n

14. Baltimore (8-9) \u2014 Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St., Jr.<\/p>\n

Because Tyson didn\u2019t test at the Combine and because injury history is already part of the profile, team doctors are going to have a louder voice than usual in his final grade. He could slip further despite the massive talent. Top needs: C, WR, CB<\/p>\n

15. Tampa Bay (8-9) \u2014\u00a0Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon, Jr.<\/p>\n

Sadiq is a legitimate field-stretcher who can line up attached, in the slot, split out wide, or in the backfield, which gives play-callers real flexibility. Top needs: Edge, LB, G<\/p>\n

16. N.Y. Jets from Indianapolis (8-9) \u2014 Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee, Jr.<\/p>\n

If the medicals check out and the movement looks right at his pro day (March 31), McCoy\u2019s the type of talent who usually goes in the top half of the first round. Top needs: QB, CB, WR<\/p>\n

17. Detroit (9-8) \u2014 Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia, Jr.<\/p>\n

He needs polish, but Freeling is a classic traits-plus-SEC-production tackle prospect: long, explosive, and athletic enough to make coaches believe they can unlock something big. Top needs: T, Edge, LB<\/p>\n

18. Minnesota (9-8) \u2014\u00a0Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon, Jr.<\/p>\n

Thieneman is a do-it-all safety with verified NFL athleticism, real ball production, and enough versatility to be a coordinator\u2019s favorite toy. Top needs: DT, CB, SS<\/p>\n

19. Carolina (8-9) \u2014 Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson, Jr.<\/p>\n

Terrell is a much better run defender than his brother A.J. \u2014 former first-round pick of the Falcons \u2014 despite being a bit undersized (5-10\u00be, 186). Top needs: WR, NB. DT<\/p>\n

20. Dallas from Green Bay (9-7-1) \u2014 Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.<\/p>\n

He will be a 24-year-old rookie, but Rodriguez is a turnover-hunting, highly instinctive enforcer with monster production, elite 2025 PFF grades, and he answered all big athletic questions at the combine. Top needs: Edge, LB, NB<\/p>\n

21. Pittsburgh (10-7) \u2014 Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn St., Jr.<\/p>\n

Ioane\u2019s the kind of interior presence that changes your run game personality, while featuring impressive movement skills for a man his size (6-4, 330). Top needs: QB, LG, LB<\/p>\n

22. L.A. Chargers (11-6) \u2014 Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami, Sr.<\/p>\n

Mesidor is a productive, polished, hard-nosed edge rusher whose tape is built on actual pass-rush craft instead of empty athletic fantasy. Top needs: Edge, LB, FS<\/p>\n

23. Philadelphia (11-6) \u2014 Caleb Lomu, T, Utah, So.<\/p>\n

Lomu is a high-upside left tackle prospect with real athleticism, clean pass-protection production, and the kind of awareness coaches can work with. Top needs: T, Edge, WR<\/p>\n

24. Cleveland from Jacksonville (13-4) \u2014 Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama, Jr.<\/p>\n

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. Top needs: QB, Edge, WR<\/p>\n

25. Chicago (11-6) \u2014 Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio St., Jr.<\/p>\n

McDonald is a stout run defender who can hold the point and keep your linebackers clean. Top needs: Edge, DT, WR (slot)<\/p>\n

26. Buffalo (12-5) \u2014 Denzel Boston, WR, Washington, Jr.<\/p>\n

Boston (6-3, 212) is a big-bodied, strong-handed, red-zone-friendly outside receiver with real production and better route nuance than a lot of receivers built like him. Top needs: LB, Edge, WR<\/p>\n

27. San Francisco (12-5) \u2014 Blake Miller, T, Clemson, Sr.<\/p>\n

Miller is the rare four-year ironman tackle prospect who checks the NFL\u2019s favorite boxes in permanent marker: size, length, anchor, awareness, durability. Top needs: T, LG, WR (slot)<\/p>\n

28. Houston (12-5) \u2014 Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn, Jr.<\/p>\n

Faulk flashes high-end tools, and his draft slot will hinge on whether he shows a repeatable rush plan and scouts believe he can consistently finish. Top needs: RB, Edge, FS<\/p>\n

29. Kansas City from L.A. Rams (12-5) \u2014 Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee, So.<\/p>\n

Hood is a fiery, aggressive press corner who features the size (6-0, 193), speed and physicality to make plays in a man-heavy scheme. Top needs: CB, Edge, RT<\/p>\n

30. Miami from Denver (14-3) \u2014 KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M, Jr.<\/p>\n

Concepcion is a space creator, but he\u2019ll need help versus physical press. Still, as a slot weapon\/return threat he brings immediate value. Top needs: WR, Edge, CB<\/p>\n

31. New England (14-3) \u2014 Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama, Jr.<\/p>\n

Proctor is a mountain with real upside: when he\u2019s square and engaged, he swallows defenders. Top needs: WR, T, TE<\/p>\n

32. Seattle (14-3) \u2014 Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St., Sr.<\/p>\n

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. Top needs: RB, RG, Edge<\/p>\n

SECOND ROUND<\/p>\n

33. N.Y. Jets \u2014 Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana, Jr.<\/p>\n

34. Arizona \u2014 Peter Woods, DT, Clemson, Jr.<\/p>\n

35. Tennessee \u2014 Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona St., Sr.<\/p>\n

36. Las Vegas \u2014 Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M, Sr.<\/p>\n

37. N.Y. Giants \u2014 Christen Miller, DL, Georgia, Jr.<\/p>\n

38. Houston from Washington \u2014 Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame, Jr.<\/p>\n

39. Cleveland \u2014 Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama, Sr.<\/p>\n

40. Kansas City \u2014 Caleb Banks, DL, Florida, Sr.<\/p>\n

41. Cincinnati \u2014 Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech, Sr.<\/p>\n

42. New Orleans \u2014 Chris Bell, WR, Louisville, Sr.<\/p>\n

43. Miami \u2014 Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina, Jr.<\/p>\n

44. N.Y. Jets from Dallas \u2014 Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon, Sr.<\/p>\n

45. Baltimore \u2014 Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona St., Jr.<\/p>\n

46. Tampa Bay \u2014 CJ Allen, LB, Georgia, Jr.<\/p>\n

47. Indianapolis \u2014 Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas, Jr.<\/p>\n

Hill is a rare athlete at linebacker with true range and matchup value. He can be a modern defensive weapon. Top needs: Edge, LB, S<\/p>\n

48. Atlanta \u2014 Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia, Jr.<\/p>\n

Branch is a twitchy, explosive, space-destroying playmaker who wins with speed, suddenness, and return-game electricity. Top needs: WR, T, CB<\/p>\n

49. Minnesota \u2014 Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma, Sr.<\/p>\n

50. Detroit \u2014 Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois, Sr.<\/p>\n

51. Carolina \u2014 Zane Durant, DT, Penn St., Sr.<\/p>\n

52. Green Bay \u2014 Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn St., Sr.<\/p>\n

Dennis-Sutton is a classic edge export from the Nittany Lions: big, long, violent hands and a built-in motor. Top needs: DT, Edge, CB<\/p>\n

53. Pittsburgh \u2014 Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh, Jr.<\/p>\n

54. Philadelphia \u2014 R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma, Sr.<\/p>\n

55. L.A. Chargers \u2014 Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati, Sr.<\/p>\n

Golday has size at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, tested like a real athlete in Indianapolis, and plays with the sort of downhill violence that makes inside runs feel like a bad idea. Top needs: Edge, LB, FS<\/p>\n

56. Jacksonville \u2014 Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF, Sr.<\/p>\n

Lawrence is an explosive, high-motor edge with three-year sack consistency and verified athletic traits. Top needs: Edge, FS, G<\/p>\n

57. Chicago \u2014 Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan, Sr.<\/p>\n

58. San Francisco \u2014 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo, Sr.<\/p>\n

59. Houston \u2014 Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona, Sr.<\/p>\n

60. Chicago from Buffalo \u2014 Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson, Jr.<\/p>\n

61. L.A. Rams \u2014 Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa, Sr.<\/p>\n

Dunker is a powerful, nasty, Iowa-forged O-lineman who wins with brute force and leverage. Top needs: WR, RT, Edge<\/p>\n

62. Denver \u2014 Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt, Sr.<\/p>\n

Stowers is a modern NFL tight end: matchup-driven, explosive, and production-proven. His performance at the Combine likely added helium to his draft stock \u2014 a 4.51 40 paired with a tight end vertical jump record (45\u00bd-inches). Top needs: DT, FS, RB<\/p>\n

63. New England \u2014 Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee, Sr.<\/p>\n

64. Seattle \u2014 Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas, Sr.<\/p>\n

THIRD ROUND<\/p>\n

65. Arizona \u2014 Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU, Sr.<\/p>\n

66. Tennessee \u2014 Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma, Sr.<\/p>\n

67. Las Vegas \u2014 Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana, Sr.<\/p>\n

68. Philadelphia from N.Y. Jets \u2014 \u00a0Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina, Jr.<\/p>\n

69. Houston from N.Y. Giants \u2014 Chase Bisontis, OL, Texas A&M, Jr.<\/p>\n

70. Cleveland \u2014 D\u2019Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana, Jr.<\/p>\n

71. Washington \u2014 Zion Young, Edge, Missouri, Sr.<\/p>\n

72. Cincinnati \u2014 Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky, Jr.<\/p>\n

73. New Orleans \u2014 Keionte Scott, CB, Miami, Sr.<\/p>\n

74. Kansas City \u2014 Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech, Sr.<\/p>\n

75. Miami \u2014\u00a0Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan, Sr.<\/p>\n

76. Pittsburgh from Dallas \u2014 Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida St., Sr.<\/p>\n

77. Tampa Bay \u2014 Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech, Sr.<\/p>\n

78. Indianapolis \u2014 AJ Haulcy, S, LSU, Sr.<\/p>\n

79. Atlanta \u2014 Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke, Sr.<\/p>\n

80. Baltimore \u2014 Logan Jones, C, Iowa, Sr.<\/p>\n

81. Jacksonville from Detroit \u2014 Genesis Smith, S, Arizona, Jr.<\/p>\n

82. Minnesota \u2014 Tacario Davis, CB, Washington, Sr.<\/p>\n

83. Carolina \u2014 Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi St., Sr.<\/p>\n

84. Green Bay \u2014 Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri, Sr.<\/p>\n

85. Pittsburgh \u2014 Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia St., Sr.<\/p>\n

86. L.A. Chargers \u2014 Bud Clark, S, TCU, Sr.<\/p>\n

Clark is a rangy, ball-hawking safety with verified athleticism and a long trail of quarterbacks who learned the hard way. Top needs: Edge, LB, FS<\/p>\n

87. Miami from Philadelphia \u2014 Max Klare, TE, Ohio St., Jr.<\/p>\n

88. Jacksonville \u2014 Caleb Tiernan, T, Northwestern, Sr.<\/p>\n

89. Chicago \u2014 Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn, Sr.<\/p>\n

90. Miami from Houston \u2014 Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa St., Sr.<\/p>\n

91. Buffalo \u2014 Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri, So.<\/p>\n

92. Dallas from San Francisco \u2014 Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio St., Sr.<\/p>\n

93. L.A. Rams \u2014 Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee, Sr.<\/p>\n

Josephs isn\u2019t a finished product, but he\u2019s exactly the kind of traits-and-motor rusher who becomes a problem once a D-line coach gives him a real plan. \u00a0 Top needs: WR, RT, Edge<\/p>\n

94. Miami from Denver \u2014 Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut, Sr.<\/p>\n

95. New England \u2014 Justin Joly, TE, NC State, Sr.<\/p>\n

96. Seattle \u2014 LT Overton, Edge, Alabama, Sr.<\/p>\n

97. Minnesota (compensatory) \u2014 Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss, Sr.<\/p>\n

98. Philadelphia (compensatory) \u2014 Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame, Sr.<\/p>\n

99. Pittsburgh (compensatory) \u2014 Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama, Sr.<\/p>\n

100. Jacksonville from Detroit (compensatory) \u2014 Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M, Sr.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Free agency did what free agency always does. It took my last updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":225393,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[102689,37222,102687,102691,102690,102692,102688,74,76,75],"class_list":["post-225392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-2026-nfl-draft-updated-mock","tag-2026-nfl-mock-draft","tag-2026-nfl-mock-draft-after-free-agency","tag-2026-nfl-mock-draft-with-compensatory-picks","tag-broncos-dolphins-jaylen-waddle-trade-mock-draft","tag-jeremiyah-love-top-5-mock-draft","tag-nfl-mock-draft-2026-three-rounds","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}