2026 Mock Draft - ROUND 1
Updated 4/15/26
1) Raiders - Fernando Mendoza | 6'5 | 235 | QB | Indiana - Mendoza going first overall should be uncontested, given the Raiders' need for a QB and his lofty status.
2) Jets - David Bailey | 6'3 | 250 | EDGE | Texas Tech - The Jets' defense was atrocious last season, as they failed to produce a single interception, and were among the worst teams in sack production. They've done their best to combat this problem by signing players like Joseph Ossai and Demario Davis in free agency. They'll continue to address this side of the ball, snatching up Bailey.
3) Cardinals - Arvell Reese | 6'4 | 241 | EDGE | Ohio State - The Cardinals could go in one of two directions here. Baron Browning and Zaven Collins are both set to become UFAs in 2027. Getting EDGE depth would make sense. However, they have a huge void at RT. Reese is the BPA on their board.
4) Titans - Jeremiyah Love | 6'0 | 212 | RB | Notre Dame - The Titans addressed their EDGE needs by acquiring the services of Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers. With that set, they turn their focus to the offensive side of the ball. Carnell Tate will be highly considered due to his talents and positional value, and Borgonzi's background in KC may imply a lean toward Tate. However, Love is viewed as the best player in the country by many.
5) Giants - Sonny Styles | 6'4 | 244 | LB | Ohio State- Inking Tremaine Edmunds to a 3-year deal should certainly help their LB corps, but adding Styles would make it even that much better.
6) Browns - Carnell Tate | 6'3 | 191 | WR | Ohio State - When a TE, and not a WR leads your team in receiving yards, you know you need WR help. Lacking a WR1, the Browns lock up Tate with this selection. Tate is the nation's top WR on most boards, and with Cooper aging, they need to secure a top tier receiving target.
7) Commanders - Rueben Bain | 6'3 | 265 | EDGE | Miami - Von Miller performed quite well by amassing nine sacks, but at 36 years old, he wasn't a long-term play. So, they signed Odafe Oweh to a big, 4-year deal. While his signing fills a void, they need more depth overall. Bain gets the nod.
8) Saints - Mansoor Delane | 6'0 | 190 | CB | LSU - The Saints need a long-term replacement for Cam Jordan, someone that can be their new EDGE1. However, the top-10 positional talent there is gone, so they get the nation's best CB.
9) Chiefs - Francis Mauigoa | 6'6 | 329 | OT | Miami - Jawaan Taylor is out, and while the Chiefs do have a couple options to man their RT post, none of them have great upside. While the coaching staff has ties to Utah, I think Mauigoa is the play.
10) Bengals - Caleb Downs | 6'0 | 205 | SAF | Ohio State - The Bengals need gobs of help on defense. They were horrible in almost every regard, so I see them addressing this across many selections in 2026. Downs is the BPA on defense, a top-5 prospect.
11) Dolphins - Spencer Fano | 6'6 | 311 | OG/OT | Utah - The Dolphins literally have talent holes everywhere, so they should be going BPA with almost every pick, provided it addresses a need. Fano would be penciled in to play RG out the gate, potentially RT in time.
12) Cowboys - Jermod McCoy | 6'0 | 193 | CB | Tennessee - The Cowboys secondary was dreadful at times this past season. Even with the signings of Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker (1-year deal), they still need outfield help. McCoy looked great in his workout.
13) Rams (via Falcons) - Makai Lemon | 5'11 | 190 | WR | USC - McClendon may be a long shot at RT, while Dotson and Shelton become UFAs in 2027. So, an OT will be considered. However, the Rams are in win-now mode. Lemon is the play.
14) Ravens - Kadyn Proctor | 6'7 | 352 | OT/OG | Alabama - The Ravens will make an investment toward their O-line. Seeing an opportunity to upgrade their LG or LT spot, they grab Proctor who may have the versatility to address either post.
15) Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor | 6'3 | 260 | EDGE | Miami - Cade Otton was extended on a 3-year deal, so Sadiq may not be their guy. Instead, they add a sturdy EDGE to help themselves up front.
16) Jets (via Colts) - Denzel Boston | 6'4 | 212 | WR | Washington - As stated, the Jets failed to notch a single INT. So, a CB could be in play. However, WR is also a need.
17) Lions - Monroe Freeling | 6'7 | 315 | OT | Georgia - Penei Sewell is the new starting LT, for now. Newly-signed Larry Borom was decent for the Dolphins last year in spot duty at RT, but he's not the answer. Freeling is the pick.
18) Vikings - Dillon Thieneman | 6'0 | 207 | SAF | Oregon - The signing of James Pierre to a 2-year deal points to the Vikings needing secondary help. At SAF Thieneman helps them shore things up in the back end.
19) Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq | 6'3 | 245 | TE | Oregon - The Panthers signed Rasheed Walker to play in Ikem Ekwonu's stead while he's recovering from an injury. However, both players are set to become UFAs in 2027. So, an OT will get looks. However, they also need far more production at TE.
20) Cowboys (via Packers) - Keldric Faulk | 6'6 | 276 | EDGE | Auburn - The Cowboys have to get themselves more depth at the EDGE position. Faulk is raw now, but he possesses the build and the accompaniment of talent that few offer.
21) Steelers - Jordyn Tyson | 6'2 | 200 | WR | ASU - The Steelers are heavily eyeing WR and O-line talent. Tyson falls here due to his medical flags, but is the highest rated player on their board, seemingly worth the risk.
22) Chargers - Vega Ioane | 6'4 | 320 | OG | Penn State - The Chargers will undoubtedly be looking for some EDGE depth early on. Mack and Dupree are aging with both set to become UFAs next season. However, no available EDGE grades out higher than Ioane, who addresses a need as well.
23) Eagles - Blake Miller | 6'6 | 310 | OT | Clemson - The Eagles have the opportunity here to draft Lane Johnson's future replacement in Blake Miller, a player who is getting top-25 buzz.
24) Browns (via Jaguars) - Max Iheanachor | 6'6 | 321 | OT | ASU - The Browns are desperate for some O-line talent, currently sporting a big need at the RG spot. Iheanachor could man the RT posting, as Howard could/would kick inside.
25) Bears - T.J. Parker | 6'3 | 265 | EDGE | Clemson - The Bears might be looking to bolster their run defense. Parker is a solid, all-around good EDGE that will help their front-seven.
26) Bills - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | 6'3 | 209 | SAF | Toledo - The Bills will be looking at WRs here but EMW is simply too talented for them to pass up on. He'll make their secondary much better.
27) 49ers - Caleb Lomu | 6'6 | 310 | OT/OG | Utah - The 49ers have shown a ton of interest in the WRs that are expected to be available at the end of Round 1. So, this would be a logical play. However, they have nothing in the cupboard to replace Trent Williams.
28) Texans - Kayden McDonald | 6'2 | 326 | DT | Ohio State - The Texans would love to add an O-lineman here, but the run on talent forces them to look elsewhere. McDonald would be a solid option.
29) Chiefs (via Rams) - Omar Cooper | 6'0 | 200 | WR | Indiana - The Chiefs have the opportunity to get a great WR before the well runs dry.
30) Cardinals (via Dolphins via Broncos) - Ty Simpson | 6'2 | 208 | QB | Alabama - The Cards trade back into Round 1 to get Simpson.
31) Patriots - Kevin Concepcion | 5'11 | 187 | WR | Texas A&M - The Pats need some WR help. Concepcion would give them a spark.
32) Seahawks - Colton Hood | 6'0 | 195 | CB | Tennessee- The Seahawks know that CB talent will fly off the board fast this draft, so they grab a good one here in Hood.