2026 Mock Draft - ROUND 1
Updated 1/15/26
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 have a dire need for a QB. Moore didn't declare, so they have to target another position. Their 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 out in both regards.
3) Cardinals - Arvell Reese | 6'4 | 243 | LB/EDGE | Ohio State - 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. I assume Reese will be the BPA on their board.
4) Titans - David Bailey | 6'3 | 240 | EDGE | Texas Tech - 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.
5) Giants - Francis Mauigoa | 6'6 | 315 | OT | Miami - Getting a healthy Malik Nabers back next year will do good for their offense, but he alone won't do much to help their woeful run game. Mauigoa is a plus blocker who can fill a need at RT.
6) Browns - Carnell Tate | 6'3 | 191 | WR | Ohio State - Despite having a very solid defense, the Browns offense was lacking. Grabbing a top notch WR would be a massive coup for them. Tate might have the highest floor of any WR in this draft.
7) Commanders - Caleb Downs | 6'0 | 205 | SAF | Ohio State - Von Miller performed quite well by amassing nine sacks, but at 36 years old, he's not a long term play. So, an EDGE could bee in play. However, I see Downs having too much value to slide any further.
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, worth off an earl Day 1 selection.
9) Chiefs - Spencer Fano | 6'6 | 304 | OT | Utah - The Chiefs top priority needs to be keeping Mahomes clean. With shaky Oline play and free agency looming in 2027, they grab a legit player in Fano.
10) Bengals - Keldric Faulk | 6'6 | 270 | EDGE | Auburn - 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. Faulk offers value as a plus run defender, with the ability to create pressure. He's a true tweener that will be able to play off the edge and/or kick inside as needed.
11) Dolphins - Jordyn Tyson | 6'1 | 195 | WR | ASU - Regardless of Tua's poor play in 2025, it was obvious that the Dolphins need legitimate WR help. Tyson only falls to them here because of his injury woes. He'd pair very well with Waddle.
12) Cowboys - Mansoor Delane | 6'1 | 180 | CB | LSU - The Cowboys secondary was dreadful at times this past season. Delane currently sits as the CB1 on many boards out there.
13) Rams (via Falcons) - Makai Lemon | 5'11 | 190 | WR | USC - 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 Lemon would make a lot of sense here.
14) Ravens - Peter Woods | 6'3 | 315 | DT | Clemson - The Ravens just missed making the playoffs, with their lagging defense being a prime contributor to said outcome. Woods has the versatility to line up almost anywhere along the LOS. He'd make this front better from jump.
15) Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq | 6'3 | 245 | TE | Oregon - Egbuka had a banner year, but the rest of the receiving core was rather meh. While injuries played a part, they need another youthful sparkplug regardless. Sadiq is a very gifted player, capable of splitting out or functioning as a true Y.
16) Jets (via Colts) - Jermod McCoy | 6'0 | 193 | CB | Tennessee - As stated, the Jets failed to notch a single INT. They need CB help, so they grab a very talented player in McCoy. Assuming he's healthy, he'll get top-20 looks.
17) Lions - Avieon Terrell | 5'11 | 180 | CB | Clemson - The Lions are pretty solid throughout their roster, but their mediocre pass defense is what kept them out of the playoffs. Terrell is a gifted cover man who'll help fill a void.
18) Vikings - Kadyn Proctor | 6'7 | 360 | OT/OG | Alabama - The Vikings simply have to get better across their Oline. Proctor is a massive man who could be looked upon to plat at OT, or kick inside. He has good value at this juncture.
19) Panthers - Caleb Lomu | 6'6 | 295 | OT | Utah - The Panthers are another team that has a meh Oline, one where upgrades could be made. Lomu is a gifted prospect who could fill in almost anywhere and make a positive difference.
20) Cowboys (via Packers) - Sonny Styles | 6'4 | 235 | LB | Ohio State - The Cowboys take another swing at a defense stud as they add Styles to their roster. he's an excellent player who could step in as a rookie and quickly pace the team in tackles.
21) Steelers - Ty Simpson | 6'2 | 208 | QB | Alabama - The Steelers need to plan for the future at the QB spot. While Simpson's season started to slump down the stretch, he has all the tools to regain his once lofty draft potential.
22) Chargers - Vega Ioane | 6'4 | 340 | OG | Penn State - The Chargers will undoubtedly be looking for some Oline talent this offseason. With OG being one such need, a player like Ionae could certainly be seen as a good get for them.
23) Eagles - Akheem Mesidor | 6'3 | 273 | EDGE | Miami - The Eagles have a bunch of EDGE plyers sitting on expiring contracts. While Mesidor is an older prospect, he's a great player.
24) Browns (via Jaguars) - Emmanuel Pregnon | 6'5 | 320 | OG | Oregon - The Browns need more help along their Oline. Pregnon has impressive game tape, would easily look like an upgrade opportunity.
25) Bears - C.J. Allen | 6'1 | 235 | LB | Georgia - The Bears need to add talent to their front seven, namely addressing their porous run defense. Allen is very gifted against the run and pass. He'd improve this LB core.
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 connecting 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 - Kayden McDonald | 6'3 | 320 | DT | Ohio State - The Texans need to add some Dline youth to their squad. McDonald burst onto this scene this year, looked like a 1st-Rounder...
29) Rams - Colton Hood | 6'0 | 195 | CB | Tennessee - The Rams' secondary struggled at times against the Panthers, and again against the Bears. Hood helps fill a void within.
30) Broncos - Chris Bell | 6'2 | 220 | WR | Louisville - The Broncos will look to add another target for Nix. Even though he's coming off of an ACL tear, Bell is a good value here, a play for the future.
31) Patriots - Keith Abney | 5'11 | 190 | CB | Arizona State - The Patriots need some depth at the CB position. Abney is coming off of a very good year, should be a lock to be a top-45 selection.
32) Seahawks - Monroe Freeling | 6'7 | 315 | OT | Georgia - The Seahawks take advantage of an opportunity to dd one of the nation's best LTs here in Freeling.