With the draft approaching in a few days, here is my final 2026 mock draft. This is the third year I have had the opportunity to put out my own mock ahead of the draft and I am hoping to do better than the six correct picks I had in both the 2024 and 2025 drafts.
Since Mock 1.0, my New York Giants agreed to a massive trade with the Cincinnati Bengals, sending Dexter Lawrence II to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick, which could have major implications for the top 10. More on this later.
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- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Lock it in, Fernando Mendoza is a Raider. He is already studying the playbook to get a jump start on minicamp. I think Mendoza will be ready to roll as the starter in Week 1 and am curious to see how he gels with Jeanty and Bowers in the Kubiak system. The Raiders need to prioritize getting him protection and weapons throughout this draft.
- New York Jets – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
I was fairly confident in David Bailey being the pick here, but recent shifts in draft pundits’ tune after the Bailey visit was cancelled has me believing Reese is the pick here (as someone who holds a Bailey +150 ticket here, this is painful to write). I am skeptical that Aaron Glenn is the guy who can help Reese reach his full potential but there is no denying the pure talent this guy has. He is a cyborg and has top five pass rusher upside.
- TRADE: Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I truly believe the Chiefs will get aggressive to add a blue chip player to their roster. The Chiefs were consistently playing for Super Bowls while ranking in the top 10 in the league in sacks, and it’s no coincidence they missed the playoffs last year while the pass rush took a massive step back. Bailey led the FBS with 14.5 sacks last year for the Red Raiders and would add some juice to the KC front that they desperately need. KC sends picks 9, 40, and a day 3 pick to get this done.
- Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Robert Saleh will want Sonny Styles badly here to be the Fred Warner of his defense, but I think Brian Daboll has enough influence that Titans’ brass will realize this pick has to help Cam Ward. This goes against what my team building philosophy is – that a team should add an elite running back when the premium positions are checked off and playoff contenders – but he is too good of a prospect to pass up on compared to the offensive lineman and receivers at this spot.
- New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
John Harbaugh knows they need to fix the run defense, and the departure of Dexter Lawrence does not help in that area at all (they will sign DT DJ Reader after the draft). So why not add one of the most physically gifted linebacker prospects the league has seen to the front 7? I think this pick comes down to Styles or Downs, but the elite physical traits of Styles wins out.
- Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
There is a lot of buzz the wide receivers are climbing up boards as the draft approaches, and I think the Browns will be the team to get the run going here. I thought about going with Mauigoa or Fano, but ultimately the Browns need a guy to play left tackle and neither of those guys will do that at the next level. Tate may not be the same caliber of prospect as a Chase / Harrison Jr. / Nabers, but he has all the tools to be a number one in this league. Wide receiver guru Brian Hartline recently said Tate is the smartest player he has ever coached.
- Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
As much as I would love for Downs to fall to my Giants at pick 10, I think the Commanders are taking whichever Buckeye stud defender the Giants don’t take (unless Jerry Jones rolls the dice and jumps up for a Buckeye). I believe Carnell Tate is very much in consideration here but with him off the board Dan Quinn will want to take the best defensive player available. This Commanders defense was terrible a season ago so adding a green dot player and future captain in Caleb Downs would go a long ways to getting back into the postseason.
- New Orleans Saints – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
There is A LOT of Jordyn Tyson top 10 smoke after he conducted a private workout in front of teams and apparently he looked healthy. You can make the argument he has the highest ceiling of all receivers in this class and I would probably agree with you. Although I think Delane and Bain are in play here, I think back to last year where I switched my prediction for the Carolina Panthers in this exact slot from Tet McMillan to Jalon Walker at the last minute and ended up kicking myself. Shough needs more help, give him another weapon in Tyson to play opposite Olave. The most important thing for the Saints in 2026 is Tyler Shough’s development!
- TRADE: Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami
This would be a home run outcome for the Cardinals. In this scenario, they pick up extra 2nd and 4th round picks and still get their right tackle in Francis Mauigoa, my top offensive lineman in the class. Arizona would be following a similar blueprint to what they pulled off a couple years back when they selected their promising left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. after a trade down.
- New York Giants – Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
I have mocked up a pretty rough scenario for my Giants with Downs, Tate, and Tyson off the board, but Vega is a phenomenal consolation prize. Harbaugh has stated publicly they want to be a dominant run team and they need to stop the run. A Syles-Ioane start to this draft is building that identity. Ioane is arguably the best guard prospect to come out since Quinten Nelson and if he lives up to his all-pro upside, it would make sending Dexter Lawrence away worth it.
- Miami Dolphins – Reuben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Bain’s mini slide ends and he stays home in Miami, Florida. For the record, I think the recent news about the accident is not what makes him fall outside the top 10 (teams have known about it for quite a while), but rather his short arms. The odds are stacked against him to become a double digit sack guy, as that has not happened for someone with arms under 32 inches in over 20 years. The Dolphins need help everywhere so going with the best player available in Bain would be wise.
- Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
There is a real possibility the Cowboys move up to get one of Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs, but instead they could stick and pick the consensus top corner in the class. I personally view McCoy in a higher regard than Delane as a prospect, but Jerry has made it clear he wants guys who are ready to go right away and McCoy’s recovery from his knee injury could give Delane the nod. The Cowboys desperately need a top line corner.
- Los Angeles Rams – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I toyed around with the idea of attacking the trenches, but the fact that the Rams were sniffing around the AJ Brown market and have made it known Davante Adams was involved in trade discussions tells me they want more weaponry in Stafford’s arsenal. The 2025 Bilinkentoff winner has a toughness to him that fits what Sean McVay values from his wide receivers. Lemon staying in Southern Cal makes way too much sense.
- Baltimore Ravens – Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
With Ioane off the board, the Ravens stick and pick the top remaining offensive lineman in Fano who could start at center or either guard spot for them. I ultimately believe he stays on the inside due to his arm length (even shorter than Will Campbell’s), but he could potentially be the solution at right tackle as well. The Ravens are weak on the interior and for an offense that is built on the legs of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, they must get better up front.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Faulk has been a late riser this draft cycle, following a trend that seems to happen every year for the young pass rushers with intriguing physical tools. Faulk won’t have a huge impact immediately, but he will be a force in the run game to start while he develops his pass rushing repertoire. The Bucs have swung and missed on edge rushers over the past few years, so they must get this one right and find a guy to fix arguably their biggest weakness.
- New York Jets – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
I am disappointed one of the top offensive playmakers or Ioane did not fall for the Jets as I believe they want to add a player here to support the quarterback they take in the 2027 NFL draft. But McCoy could end up being an absolute steal in this spot if he lives up to what his 2024 tape teased he could be. He has the size, speed, and explosiveness to be a lockdown corner and make Jets fans forget about Sauce Gardner.
- Detroit Lions – Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia
The Lions would be thrilled to see Freeling and Kadyn Proctor on the board who are the top two left tackles in this draft. I ultimately went with Freeling this time around due to his elite athleticism for the position (9.99 Relative Athletic Score is 2nd all time). Dan Campbell would lose his mind over this pick as the Lions replace Taylor Decker and keep Penei Sewell on the right side.
- Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Perfect example of when value fits need. Thieneman lit up the combine with his performance after he started two years for Purdue and a year for Oregon at safety. I think McCoy would be the pick if he is here because corner is more valuable than safety, but the Vikings have a big need in the secondary.
- Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Drafting a skill position player on offense for the third year in a row feels a little bit repetitive, but I love this fit for Carolina. Sadiq’s skillset paired with McMillan’s would make this offense really fun all of a sudden. Carolina really has to be sure about Bryce Young after this season so I support using yet another first round pick on the offensive side of the ball. The Panthers did well in free agency on the defensive side adding Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.
- Dallas Cowboys – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
If the Cowboys walk away with Mansoor Delane and Akheem Mesidor, that is a heck of a haul. Mesidor is ready to roll right out of the gates after dominating in the College Football Playoffs. A Dallas D-Line of Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Akheem Mesidor, and Donavan Eziaraku would be difficult to block and may be enough to make some Dallas fans forget about Micah Parsons.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Broderick Jones has not lived up to expectations at left tackle which could open the door for Proctor to take over there or kick inside to begin his career. I would not be shocked if he goes much higher to this given his elite size and measurables but he must clean up his technique in pass protection if he is going to become a pro bowl caliber player. I am operating under the assumption that Rodgers will be back for one more season so Pittsburgh should add a player on the offensive side of the ball to give him help.
- Los Angeles Chargers – TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
With the top offensive linemen with inside-outside flexibility off the board, the Chargers add to their defensive line with TJ Parker. Parker had a down season in 2025, like many Clemson Tigers, but he dominated the senior bowl and was discussed as a top 10 player heading into the 2025 season. Khalil Mack won’t be able to play forever and Odafe Oweh left in free agency to sign with the Washington Commanders.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
AJ Brown is likely a New England Patriot, so despite both offensive and defensive line being tempting, the Eagles decide to add his replacement in Cooper Jr. It sounds like Concepcion is viewed slightly higher in league circles than Cooper, but I believe Cooper fits the culture and system better in Philadelphia while also being a better compliment to Devonta Smith.
- Cleveland Browns – Caleb Lomu, T, Utah
The gamble of waiting on a left tackle pays off for Cleveland as they add a player with a ton of upside in Caleb Lomu. I wouldn’t have minded Lomu going back to school for another year to get stronger and refine his technique, but he does have pro bowl upside. A Tate-Lomu duo for Cleveland would be an A+ first round.
- Chicago Bears – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
This pick feels like defense all the way and with Grady Jarrett getting up there in age and Gervon Dexter on the last year of his contract, Ryan Poles may opt to add the best run stuffing defensive tackle in the class in McDonald. Although his production in the pass rushing department in college wasn’t great (3 sacks), there is a lot of potential for him to develop in that area and outproduce this draft slot.
- Buffalo Bills – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Bills complete their wide receiver room overhaul with the addition of the electric Concepcion. His burner skillset would fit in the room perfectly beside the physical DJ Moore and crafty slot guy in Khalil Shakir. I would be slightly concerned about how he holds up in the cold weather given his history of drops and slight hesitation catching the ball over the middle of the field, but you can’t find a better playmaker at this point in the draft. Linebacker CJ Allen from Georgia was strongly considered here.
- San Francisco 49ers – Blake Miller, T, Clemson
The Niners don’t have many holes on their roster, but beefing up the offensive line is certainly one of them. Unfortunately, it is unlikely a left tackle (Freeling, Proctor) will be available in this spot as Trent Williams battles the Niners for a new deal, but Miller is not a bad consolation prize. He started over 50 games at right tackle for the Tigers and has glowing reviews from the program in terms of his work ethic and leadership. Miller is in play starting with the Panthers at 19 in my opinion.
- Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
It is chalky to send an offensive lineman to Houston, but the reality of the situation is that this is the clear weakness on the roster. Pregnon allowed one sack over his last two seasons starting at guard for the Ducks. I would imagine CJ Stroud would be ecstatic with this pick.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State
Todd McShay reported that Andy Reid is hellbent on fixing this offensive line in front of Patrick Mahomes, who of course is coming off a torn ACL. If the Chiefs stick and pick at 9, look out for Spencer Fano. However, I had them moving up for Bailey, so they add their right tackle of the future in Iheanachor at 29, who is still raw as a player but has a ton of upside with his size and length.
- TRADE: Arizona Cardinals – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Everything seems to point to Ty Simposon becoming an Arizona Cardinal. I actually think Arizona will move higher up the board, but it’s difficult to project at this point in time, so for a team like Miami that has so many holes a move down made sense. Simpson does not have the number of starts that typically leads to success at the NFL level, but he was balling out the first ten weeks of the season before injury and the talent around him led to a significant drop in play.
- New England Patriots – Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
With the recent reporting that AJ Brown appears headed to New England post June 1st, wide receiver is out of the question here for me. I think Vrabel really wants to add to his pass rush and he gets his guy in Zion Young, who was awesome for the Tigers a season ago and has a ton of untapped potential.
- Seattle Seahawks – Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
This is one of the biggest shocks of my mock with Price sneaking into the first round. I think defensive line and corner are certainly in play, but for a team that really doesn’t have any holes outside of running back, it makes sense to take Price. Walker is gone, while Charbonnet is coming off a late season torn ACL. Price is the only running back remaining on the board that I think could be the lead guy for Seattle and help them get back to the Super Bowl. He was overshadowed by Jeremiyah Love, but he averaged over seven yards-per-carry for the Fighting Irish and has a ton of explosiveness, even returning kicks to the house in college.
