The latest NFL Mock Draft is here from CBS Sports’ Mike Renner with a trade for the No. 1 overall pick! That’ll shake things up and change the future of one, or multiple, franchises.
We still have to get through the rest of the NFL and college football seasons, so this is an early mock draft. But based on what we know right now, this is a nice early look at what teams could need.
So without further ado, let’s dive into CBS Sports’ mock draft, starting with a big trade. It involves a quarterback!
1. New York Jets (trade with New York Giants): Fernando Mendoza, QB – Indiana
The Heisman Trophy winner is going back to New York! Well, New Jersey actually. The Jets grab their new franchise quarterback in this mock trade with the Giants, hoping this time it’ll work out.
Mendoza threw an FBS-leading 33 touchdown passes prior to the College Football Playoff. We’ll see if his stock rises even more in the CFP.
(Photo by: Max Unkrich/ScoopDuckOn3)
Moore is regarded as the second quarterback in most mock drafts, at least right now. The Oregon star struggled as a freshman at UCLA, but sat a year at Oregon to learn and it paid off in 2025.
The Ducks won a CFP game, Moore looks stout in the pocket and the Raiders see franchise potential. Las Vegas needs just about everything, so you might as well start with the most important position.
Bain is a dominant defensive lineman, perfect for this mock draft for the Titans. They are still rebuilding but you can succeed quickly if you build up the trenches.
Bain has 18.5 sacks in his career for the Hurricanes, including 7.5 this year. He’ll try and help Miami upset Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinals.
Speaking of Ohio State, here’s the first of many players in this Round 1 mock draft. Tate might’ve been WR2 for the Buckeyes behind Jeremiah Smith (2027 NFL Draft), but he’s the top receiver here.
He set career highs this season with 48 catches, 838 yards, nine touchdowns and 17.5 yards per catch. Tate can add to it in the College Football Playoff.
5. New York Giants (trade with New York Jets): Jordyn Tyson, WR – Arizona State
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Tyson is next up in this mock when it comes to wide receivers. Pairing him alongside Malik Nabers with the Giants sounds like a fun time!
Tyson was limited to nine games this year, but was still productive: 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. Overall, he has 158 catches for 2,282 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14.4 yards per catch in three full collegiate seasons.
The Cardinals need to protect their quarterback, whoever that may be next year. So CBS’ mock draft has them going with Goosby out of Texas.
You can’t afford to pass up on the ever-improving Longhorns tackle. He can play left or right tackle, depending upon your needs.
Bailey saved his best for last at Texas Tech and we’ll get to see him at least one more time in the CFP. After three solid years at Stanford, Bailey went off in 13 games for the Red Raiders, prior to the postseason.
The Saints, with a top 10 pick in the mock, can use this to bolster their pass rush. Bailey has 17.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks this season.
Arvell Reese (Birm/Lettermen Row)
Reese is one of the best linebackers in the country, if not the best in his draft class, so he’s not getting out of the top 10 of this mock from CBS. The Commanders need to get younger on defense and Reese is the answer.
The All-American has career highs across the board in 2025. Reese has 62 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for the Buckeyes.
Downs, despite going after Reese in this mock, might be the best overall defensive player in the draft. It’ll just depend on teams and their needs.
Downs was a freshman All-American at Alabama before his transfer and got even better at Ohio State. He has 249 career tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six interceptions.
Speaking of Alabama, Simpson is the first Crimson Tide player selected in this mock draft. The Rams get their QB of the future as Matthew Stafford is nearing the end, we think!
In his first full year as a starter (that’s still going in the CFP), Simpson has 3,500 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 64.1% completion percentage., He might be tailor-made for Sean McVay’s offense.
2026 NFL Mock Draft from CBS Sports
11. Miami Dolphins: Kenyon Sadiq, TE – Oregon
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OT – Miami
13. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB – Notre Dame
14. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB – Ohio State
15. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OL – Utah
16. Carolina Panthers: Jermod McCoy, CB – Tennessee
17. Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, EDGE – Auburn
18. New York Giants (trade with Jets): Peter Woods, DL – Clemson
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane, OL – Penn State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR – USC
21. Philadelphia Eagles: A’Mauri Washington, DL – Oregon
22. Houston Texans: CJ Allen, LB – Georgia
23. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB – LSU
24. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion, WT – Texas A&M
25. Chicago Bears: Kadyn Proctor, OT – Alabama
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Kayden McDonald, DL – Ohio State
27. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Lomu, OT – Utah
28. San Francisco 49ers: Emmanuel Pregnon, OL – Oregon
29. Los Angeles Rams: Carter Smith, OL – Indiana
30. New England Patriots: TJ Parker, EDGE – Clemson
31. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB – Clemson
32. Denver Broncos: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DE – Ohio State