2026 Mock Draft - ROUND 1
Updated 2/6/26
1) Raiders - Fernando Mendoza | 6'5 | 225 | QB | Indiana - Mendoza going first overall should be uncontested, given the Raiders' need for a QB.
2) Jets - Rueben Bain | 6'3 | 275 | EDGE | Miami - The Jets defense was atrocious, as they failed to produce even a single interception, and were among the worst teams in sack production. Bain should help them produce in both regards.
3) Cardinals - Francis Mauigoa | 6'6 | 315 | OT | Miami - The Cardinals need help in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They struggled to keep their QBs upright, and left a lot to be desired when it came to producing sacks. Mauigoa is a perfect fit to hold down RT for them.
4) Titans - Arvell Reese | 6'4 | 243 | LB/EDGE | Ohio State - The Titans could desperately use help at the EDGE and WR positions. DT Jeffrey Simmons was by far their best sack man, while no WR came close to looking like a WR1. This selection could/should seemingly address one of the aforementioned positional needs. Saleh will want Reese.
5) Giants - Carnell Tate | 6'3 | 191 | WR | Ohio State - Getting a healthy Malik Nabers back next year will do good for their offense, but he alone can't turn the ship on offense. Tate would be an ideal teammate, a player who seemingly has a high floor.
6) Browns - Spencer Fano | 6'6 | 304 | OT | Utah - Despite having a very solid defense, the Browns were lacking on offense. I see Fano as a reach here, but the need at LT is too great to not address.
7) Commanders - David Bailey | 6'3 | 250 | EDGE | Texas Tech - Von Miller performed quite well by amassing nine sacks, but at 36 years old, he's not a long term play. The Commanders were horrible on defense, so they go with the BPA on that side of the ball.
8) Saints - Jeremiyah Love | 6'0 | 206 | RB | Notre Dame - The Saints need to move on from Alvin Kamara. Meanwhile, Love is the nation's best RB, worthy of an early Day 1 selection. I think the Saints will build around Shough this draft. Don't rule out a WR here either....
9) Chiefs - Makai Lemon | 5'11 | 190 | WR | USC - Chris Jones and George Karlaftis were good in sack production, but the cupboard was relatively bare otherwise. That said, Kelce lead the team in receiving yards, not a WR. They could let Hollywood Brown walk and grab Lemon to succeed him.
10) Bengals - Caleb Downs | 6'0 | 205 | SAF | Ohio State - The Bengals need gobs of help on defense. They were horrible in most every regard, so I see them addressing this across many selections in 2026. Downs is the BPA on defense.
11) Dolphins - Mansoor Delane | 6'0 | 190 | CB | LSU - If the Packers' recent drafts have taught us anything, it's that they value the EDGE and CB positions in Round 1. Each is a need for the Dolphins. Hafley will want a strong secondary, so Delane gets the nod.
12) Cowboys - Jermod McCoy | 6'0 | 193 | CB | Tennessee - The Cowboys secondary was dreadful at times this past season. McCoy currently sits as the CB1 on many boards out there.
13) Rams (via Falcons) - Jordyn Tyson | 6'1 | 195 | WR | ASU - This is a luxury pick for the Rams, as they don't have any big, immediate needs. However, Nacua and Adams are both set to become UFAs in 2027. Adding a talent WR like Tyson would make a lot of sense here.
14) Ravens - Akheem Mesidor | 6'3 | 273 | EDGE | Miami - The Ravens just missed making the playoffs, with their lagging defense being a prime contributor to said outcome. Mesidor a stout, solid edge with pass rush capabilities.
15) Buccaneers - Sonny Styles | 6'4 | 235 | LB | Ohio State - Lavonte David has been fantastic for so many years, but he's now a 36-year old UFA. The Bucs have the opportunity to grab his successor in Styles, a talented LB himself.
16) Jets (via Colts) - Colton Hood | 6'0 | 195 | CB | Tennessee - As stated, the Jets failed to notch a single INT. They need CB help. Hood had a very good season and could end up being a top-20 selection for some needy team.
17) Lions - Keldric Faulk | 6'6 | 270 | EDGE | Auburn - The Lions are pretty solid throughout their roster, but their mediocre pass defense is what kept them out of the playoffs. Adding another edge up front should help their back end.
18) Vikings - Vega Ioane | 6'4 | 340 | OG | Penn State - The Vikings simply have to get better across their O-line. Ioane is a massive man who would be looked upon to be give the interior of the O-line more integrity.
19) Panthers - Kadyn Proctor | 6'7 | 360 | OT/OG | Alabama - The Panthers are another team that has a meh O-line, one where upgrades could be made. Proctor is a massive, gifted prospect who could fill in at LT and then kick to OG if/when needed.
20) Cowboys (via Packers) - Peter Woods | 6'3 | 315 | DT | Clemson - The Cowboys take another swing at a defensive stud as they add Woods to their roster. He's a good player who could step in as a rookie and quickly help create QB pressures.
21) Steelers - Ty Simpson | 6'2 | 208 | QB | Alabama - Even though the draff should be deep at B in 2027, Simpson is great value here for a team that needs a new signal caller.
22) Chargers - Caleb Lomu | 6'6 | 295 | OT | Utah - The Chargers will undoubtedly be looking for some O-line talent this offseason. With OG being one such need, a player like Lomu could certainly be looked upon to kick inside and help out.
23) Eagles - T.J. Parker | 6'3 | 265 | EDGE | Clemson - The Eagles have a bunch of EDGE players sitting on expiring contracts. While Parker is coming off of a meh season, he flashed during Senior Bowl week.
24) Browns (via Jaguars) - Kenyon Sadiq | 6'3 | 245 | TE | Oregon - The Browns will be in the market for more receiving help. I think Sadiq has too much talent to fall any further than here.
25) Bears - Lee Hunter | 6'3 | 320 | DT | Texas Tech - The Bears need to add talent to their front seven, namely addressing their porous run defense. Hunter is now seen as a Round-1 play.
26) Bills - Denzel Boston | 6'4 | 209 | WR | Washington - Adding a talented WR like Boston would make this offense even scarier. Allen would form an immediate connection with him.
27) 49ers - Kevin Concepcion | 5'11 | 187 | WR | Texas A&M - The 49ers have three solid WRs that are set to become UFAs. Meanwhile, Concepcion is a dangerous receiving threat.
28) Texans - Blake Miller | 6'6 | 310 | OT | Clemson - The Texans could look to replace RT Trent Brown with this pick. They do so by grabbing Miller, a dependable player with gobs of snaps on his resume.
29) Rams - Keith Abney | 5'11 | 190 | CB | Arizona State - The Rams' secondary struggled at times against the Panthers, and again against the Bears. Abney helps fill a void within.
30) Broncos - Caleb Banks | 6'6 | 325 | DT | Florida - The Broncos will look to add another target for Nix. They also need help up front on defense. Here, I see them going with the BPA fitting a need. Banks looked rusty at the Senior Bowl, but his talents are immense...
31) Patriots - Monroe Freeling | 6'7 | 315 | OT | Georgia - The Patriots' O-line get their ass kicked through the entire playoff run, and certainly in the Super Bowl. Despite Will Campbell being a 4th overall selection, I could see him getting replaced at LT and kicking inside to LG.
32) Seahawks - Avieon Terrell | 5'11 | 180 | CB | Clemson - The Seahawks take advantage of an opportunity to add one of the nation's better CBs here in Terrell. He replaces a shaky Tariq Woolen.