Mock drafts are running rampant these days, less than a month before the 2026 NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh. Mike Band of NFL.com decided to take a different direction in his first one of the cycle, though.
Band decided to use AI-based NFL IQ to help determine things such as team needs and realistic outcomes before putting together the first round. Draft capital was also taken into consideration, leading to some trades within the first 32 picks.
With that being said, let’s check out what Band was able to come up with after getting input from NFL IQ. We start with the team currently on the clock, the Las Vegas Raiders:
Mendoza transferred to Indiana and grew into a quarterback worthy of helping the Hoosiers win a national championship. Now, he is expected to be the first name called by Roger Goodell, giving Las Vegas a franchise guy despite signing Kirk Cousins.
NFL.com: “Mendoza has been the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 for months. At this point, it would be shocking if the Raiders were to go in another direction.”
(Samantha Madar | Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Reese is a guy who can play multiple positions at a high level. If the Jets were to take him, a hybrid role certainly appears to be possible, just as Reese did in Columbus.
NFL.com: “Head coach Aaron Glenn made the Jets’ priorities clear after the 2025 draft: toughness, physicality and building from the inside out… The Ohio State product is a clean fit as a violent, versatile front-seven weapon who matches the identity this New York regime wants to establish.
Arizona currently needs a quarterback for the future after letting go of Kyler Murray. But with none considered to be worth the value at No. 3, the Cardinals snag somebody to block up front.
NFL.com: “With Paris Johnson Jr. locked in at left tackle, Mauigoa gives Arizona a long-term answer on the right side and helps solidify the pocket in a division built on pressure.”
Texas Tech was home to arguably the top defensive line in college football last season. And while plenty contributed, none were considered better than Bailey coming off the edge.
NFL.com: “With Robert Saleh now running the show, Tennessee feels like a prime candidate to prioritize the kind of edge burner who can juice a wide-9 front.”
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles (Birm/Lettermen Row)
Another Ohio State linebacker, there are no questions about Styles’ long-term position. His college career started at safety, and those traits still show up to this day.
NFL.com: “Styles gives the Giants a franchise-defining playmaker whose size, range and physicality fit the mold Harbaugh has long valued in the middle of his defense, while still aligning with GM Joe Schoen’s history of betting on elite athletes with elite production.”
Offensive tackles usually find a way to creep up boards, especially coming out of Georgia. NFL.com sends Freeling to Cleveland to be the franchise’s left tackle.
NFL.com: “A premium-position athlete with the upside Berry has consistently chased, and someone who gives the Browns a long-term answer at a spot (left tackle) they can’t afford to leave unsettled.”
Positional value is likely why Love fell to No. 7 in this scenario. Because many out there believe Love is among the best players available in the 2026 NFL Draft, having him high on boards.
NFL.com: “Adam Peters’ aggressive defensive spending spree in free agency gives Washington the freedom to resist drafting strictly for need here… Love fits exactly what Peters said he wants more of this offseason.”
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)
Recent NFL Drafts tell us a run at wide receiver will eventually happen. Well, the Saints get the ball rolling in this mock, sending Tate down to the Big Easy to pair with Tyler Shough.
NFL.com: “New Orleans’ No. 8 pick feels like a major pivot point in this draft, with wide receiver and edge rusher standing out as co-favorite paths. I gave the Saints Tate here because he fits Kellen Moore‘s stated desire for a diverse receiver room.”
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Kansas City experienced an unexpected down year before a Patrick Mahomes injury ended any kind of playoff push. Now, the Chiefs look to get better on the defensive side by adding college football’s most dominant pass rusher from 2025.
NFL.com: “GM Brett Veach has been transparent about how hard it is to find impact edge players, and after Kansas City tied for 22nd in sacks in 2025 without getting much help opposite George Karlaftis, Bain fits the type of premium front-seven investment this regime has shown a willingness to make.”
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs makes it four Ohio State products inside the top 10. His NFL ability has been apparent from Day One, starting as a true freshman at Alabama under Nick Saban.
NFL.com: “The Bengals have made it clear they need more difference-makers on defense, and the Ohio State safety is a versatile, high-IQ tone-setter who can help stabilize the secondary on a unit that badly needs more playmaking.”
AI-based mock 2026 NFL Draft: Picks No. 11-32
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
16. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19. Carolina Panthers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAC): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
25. Chicago Bears: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
26. Arizona Cardinals (via BUF): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
31. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee