2026 Mock Draft - ROUND 1
Updated 3/30/26
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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..
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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.
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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.
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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.
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5) Giants - Francis Mauigoa | 6'6 | 329 | OT | Miami - Inking Tremaine Edmunds to a 3-year deal should certainly help their LB corps, allows them the security to pass on Styles. Their O-line has been shaky so they grab Mauigo to solidify things up front.
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​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.​
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7) Commanders​​ - Sonny Styles | 6'4 | 244 | LB | Ohio State -​ 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. Styles has a high floor would mke the defense even better.​
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8) Saints - Rueben Bain | 6'3 | 265 | EDGE | Miami - The Saints need a long-term replacement for Cam Jordan, someone that can be their new EDGE1. Needs aside, Bain is a very talented player who should make an impact early on.
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​​​​​​​​9) Chiefs - Spencer Fano | 6'6 | 311 | OG/OT | Utah - Jawaan Taylor is out, and while the Chiefs do have a couple options to man their RT post, none of them have great upside. There's a coaching connection between the Utes and the Pats.
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​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.
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11) Dolphins - Mansoor Delane | 6'0 | 190 | CB | LSU - The Dolphins literally have talent holes everywhere, so they should be going BPA with almost every pick, provided it addresses a need. Delane is a fantastic CB.
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​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.
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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.
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​14) Ravens - Vega Ioane | 6'4 | 320 | OG | Penn State - The Ravens could make a huge upgrade at thee LG spot by drafting Ioane. While there may be couple players ranked higher, he's ready-now talent that addresses a need.​​​
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15) Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq | 6'3 | 245 | TE | Oregon - Cade Otton was extended on a 3-year deal, but the Bucs still need to fill the receiving voids of Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard. Sadiq gushes talent and showed as much at the NFL Combine. The Bucs have the opportunity to add the nation's best TE to their fold here, creating some great mismatch opportunities.
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16) Jets (via Colts) - Omar Cooper | 6'0 | 200 | WR | Indiana - As stated, the Jets failed to notch a single INT. So, CB could be in play. However, WR is also need. The Jets reportedly love Cooper.
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​17) Lions - Kadyn Proctor | 6'7 | 352 | OT/OG | Alabama - 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.
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​​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 SAAF Thieneman helps them shore things up in the back end.
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​19) Panthers - Monroe Freeling | 6'7 | 315 | OT | Georgia - 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. Freeling would compete to start in 2026 and either stay there or kick inside to OG thereafter.
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​​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 but he possesses the build and the accompaniment of talent that few offer.
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​​​​​​​​​​21) Steelers - Jordyn Tyson | 6'2 | 200 | WR | ASU - The Steelers are still eyeing WR talent. Tyson falls here due to his medical flags but is worth the risk.
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22) Chargers - Akheem Mesidor | 6'3 | 260 | EDGE | Miami - 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. Mesidor is an older prospect but he's very accomplished.​​​​
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23) Eagles - T.J. Parker | 6'3 | 265 | EDGE | Clemson - The Eagles will look to add some EDGE help this draft as well. Parker has a high ceiling despite coming off of a meh season.
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​​24) Browns (via Jaguars) - Blake Miller | 6'6 | 310 | OT | Clemson - The Browns are desperate for some O-line talent, currently sporting a big need at the RG spot. Miller could man the RT posting, as Howard could/would kick inside.
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25) Bears - Kayden McDonald | 6'2 | 326 | DT | Ohio State - The Bears might be looking to bolster their run defense. McDonald has drawn interest from several teams as he might be the nation's best NT.
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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 paass upp 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. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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​​28) Texans - Caleb Banks | 6'6 | 325 | DT | Florida - The Texans filled their void at RT by extending Trent Brown and acquiring Braden Smith. So, that's no longer a need. They do need help at DT, however, as they have a couple of guys sitting on 1-year deals. Banks carries a big medical flag but the Texans think he's worth the risk.​​​​​​
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29) Chiefs (via Rams) - Zion Young | 6'5 | 262 | EDGE | Missouri - The Chiefs have the opportunity to get great EDGE before the well runs dry.​​​
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30) Cardinals (via Dolphins via Broncos) - Ty Simpson | 6'2 | 208 | QB | Alabama ​​- The Cards trade back into Round 1 to get Simpson.
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31) Patriots - Max Iheanachor | 6'6 | 321 | OT | ASU - The Pats need O-line help nd they re in love with this raw prospect
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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.​​​
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