The time has come for my first solo mock draft of the 2026 draft season. The past two seasons I have released my mock the week of the draft, but this year, I couldn’t help myself and wanted to get one out earlier. If you are an NFL draft nerd like myself, make sure you are subscribed to our YouTube channel as we have already released eight other iterations of a mock draft. Without further ado, let’s get into this.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mark this one down with sharpie. Mendoza is the pick for a Raiders team that desperately needs a franchise quarterback to jumpstart the rebuild, although he is not the caliber of prospect of a typical #1 overall pick quarterback. With Jeanty and Bowers on the roster, Mendoza will have weapons at his disposal, but I am concerned about the offensive line in front of him even with the signing of Tyler Linderbaum. I believe Mendoza will be a good-not-great quarterback in the league – he has his limitations from a physical standpoint, but the way he is wired between the ears makes me think he can translate to the professional game and have success despite the RPO heavy offense at Indiana.
- New York Jets – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
This pick is clearly an edge rusher after the Jets traded Jermaine Johnson for T’Vondre Sweat, leaving a massive hole opposite Will McDonald. I believe Arvell Reese has a higher ceiling, but he is more of a projection than Bailey who had 14.5 sacks last season for the Red Raiders. The Jets simply can’t afford to whiff on this pick, so I believe they will roll with the proven pass rushing production. The EDGE signings made by the Jets in free agency won’t affect the decision making here.
- Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Cardinals could go several directions here, including Jeremiyah Love or a tackle, but I think this pick is too rich for a tackle given each of the top tackles in this class has at least one major red flag. Instead, Arizona gets a running mate for Josh Sweat in Arvell Reese, who lit up the combine with a 4.46 40 yard dash. After adding Walter Nolen to the defensive line in the draft a year ago, Arizona continues to load up their front to try and improve a poor pass rush.
- Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Note Dame
I know a running back at 4 feels odd, but in this instance, it is justified. Love is arguably the best player in the draft – he ran a 4.36 40 yard dash at the combine, which is comparable to Jahmyr Gibbs, but Love is 15 pounds heavier. He also can line up in the slot and has elite route running and receiving ability for a back. His pass protection improved dramatically in 2025. This is a homerun pick to support Cam Ward, who I’m sure would be thrilled with adding the premier offensive playmaker in the draft. The Saints and Chiefs signing Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker III, respectively, tells me Love won’t make it past the Commanders at 7. Tennessee would be wise to do whatever it can to give Ward support heading into his 2nd season, even with some tempting options on the board for Robert Saleh to add to his defense.
- New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles probably had the best combine performance ever. No joke. His measurables are off the charts. Height-weight-speed on this guy is unmatched, standing at 6 feet 5 inches, 245 pounds, and running a 4.46 40 at the combine. John Harbaugh consistently invested resources at middle linebacker while in Baltimore (Ray Lewis, CJ Mosley, Patrick Queen, Roquan Smith), so I don’t think he will care about taking an off ball linebacker at 5th overall. The argument can be made Styles is a top 3 prospect in this class. The converted safety has sideline-to-sideline range, can cover tight ends up the seam, and his intangibles are off the charts. A true leader and green dot player who will help shore up the 31st ranked run defense from a season ago. Tremaine Edmunds was added in free agency and Micah McFadden was brought back on a one year deal, but that won’t deter the Giants from taking a prospect of Styles’ caliber.
- Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia
This is probably the first major shock to some of you. Freeling is going to go higher than you expect, I promise. He is the top true left tackle in this class by a fairly wide margin – Fano and Mauigoa are right tackles if they don’t kick inside – which means he will go early. Teams are always desperate for tackles, and there is a huge drop off in this class once day 2 arrives. Freeling has the perfect frame to be a great left tackle in the league, standing at 6 feet 7 inches and 315 pounds. He only had 17 college starts and there were times in which we got embarrassed on tape, which is certainly concerning, but any offensive line coach would be thrilled to mold a player with his skillset and attributes. The Browns made several moves in free agency to address the offensive line, but left tackle remains the major concern.
- Washington Commanders – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
How about pairing two Buckeye receivers together in Terry McLaurin and Carnell Tate? McLaurin had an awesome 2024 season but took a significant step back with Daniels hurt last season. It looks like Deebo Samuel is gone, and I know Commanders fans are banking on a Brandon Aiyuk addition, but how can you trust the player based on what has transpired in San Francisco? Even with Aiyuk, Daniels needs another young weapon to grow with. Tate fits the bill; he was overshadowed a bit by Jeremiah Smith, but he is elite in contested catch situations, in the red zone, and improved his route running significantly in 2025. I am not concerned about his 4.53 40 time from the combine – he will be a WR1.
- New Orleans Saints – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
While I think receiver is in play for the Saints at this spot, I am not sure if Lemon is the type of player they are looking for to pair with Chris Olave. I really like what the Saints have up front to protect Tyler Shough, and the addition of Travis Etienne was a good one. So let’s roll with the top corner in this class Delane, who was awesome at LSU in both man and zone coverage. Kool-Aid McKinstry is a solid player, but an upgrade over Isaac Yiadom is necessary when you consider the caliber of wide receivers in the NFC South.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami
The Chiefs have finally ended the Jawaan Taylor experiment, but that leaves a hole at right tackle. Enter Mauigoa, my top right tackle in the class. His arms are long enough for him to stick out there, but he could always kick inside to guard. Regardless, KC needs to prioritize protecting Patrick Mahomes coming off his torn ACL. Francis is a mauler in the run game and dominated in the college football playoffs. He is no slouch in the pass protection department either. I was tempted to go corner here after losing McDuffie and Watson to the Rams, but the tackle drop off will be significant at the end of round one.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Defense, defense, defense. The Bengals have to address that side of the ball. Downs is certainly a top 5 player in the class, but safeties rarely go in the top 10. Pair that with the knee injury reports, which I am not overly concerned about, and I can see a slide out of the top 10. Downs would be an awesome fit and this destination allows him to step right in and be leader from day 1.
- Miami Dolphins – Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Bain is such a difficult evaluation. On one hand, he dominated last season for the Canes, disrupting games via the pass rush and by being a bully in the run game. On the other hand, he will have the 2nd shortest arms of a drafted edge rusher since the late 1990s, which is certainly a red flag when you consider the hit rate on pass rushers with short arms. Those arms are the reason he falls into the Dolphins lap at 11. Miami appears to be entering a full rebuild and they have various holes to fill on that roster, but keeping Bain in Miami would be a wise selection to set the tone for the franchise up front after moving on from Bradley Chubb.
- TRADE: Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
My first trade in this mock has the Lions moving up to take Kadyn Proctor out of Alabama. Proctor is a former highly touted 5 star recruit that started all 3 years for the Crimson Tide, but he needs to work on his technique in pass pro and movement skills. He has all the tools to become an elite tackle in the NFL, and after the Lions released longtime stalwart Taylor Decker, they need to address the tackle position.
- Los Angeles Rams – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Rams are the most win-now team in the league, which is evident after trading a haul to land Trent McDuffie in a trade with Kansas City. Stafford has one, maybe two seasons left, so adding another weapon who can step in and produce right away in Makai Lemon would be an unreal fit. Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and the reigning Blinkentof award winner Makai Lemon – are you kidding me? The best wide receiver trio in the league.
- Baltimore Ravens – Vega Ionne, G, Penn State
I had to update my mock draft after the Ravens pulled out of the Maxx Crosby trade (good luck in negotiations with other teams and agents in the future Baltimore!). The pick was Vega for the Raiders, but it remains Vega with the Ravens. Baltimore’s interior offensive line was an issue in 2025 and that was with Tyler Linderbaum, who ironically enough signed a record-setting deal with the Raiders. Vega is a blue-chip caliber of prospect, some even saying he is the best guard prospect since Quinten Nelson. Don’t be shocked if he works himself into the top ten.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
As tempting as Kenyon Sadiq is here, edge rusher is such a huge need for the Bucs. Faulk is a monster standing at 6 feet 6 inches and 285 pounds with inside/outside versatility. He has a high floor given his dominance in the run game, but to reach his ceiling, he has to become more polished as a pass rusher as the production was not always there at Auburn. After swinging and missing on Haason Reddick in free agency a year ago, Tampa needs to add a top of the line pass rusher.
- New York Jets – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Jets could go several directions at this spot, but adding another premier wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson would set up whichever quarterback the Jets will take in the 2027 NFL Draft for success. The Jets already have 2 young bookend tackles, so getting two weapons out wide allows the Jets to drop their quarterback of the future into a great situation from a personnel standpoint (Aaron Glenn is a different conversation). Tyson is an absolute gamer, but durability concerns have him slipping down to WR3 in my projection. If he can stay healthy, this could end up being a steal at 16 for the Jets.
- TRADE: Dallas Cowboys – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
With the board looking pretty ugly for Dallas at 12, they drop back 5 slots, pick up extra draft capital, and pick up Thieneman who shined at the combine with sub 4.4 speed and freaky athletic testing. The Cowboys, like the Bengals, have to address the defense in the first round; we know the offense is going to put up points. Jerry Jones has indicated they are looking for players who are ready to go now and don’t want to wait around for a redshirt / project, and I believe Thieneman meets the bill. Even with the addition of Jalen Thompson, the Cowboys secondary still needs help.
- Minnesota Vikings – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
TJ Hockenson is fairly washed at this stage of his career and the Minnesota offense took a big step back a season ago (should have resigned Sam Darnold!), so let’s roll with Sadiq. He is a freak athlete, running the 2nd fastest 40 time by a tight end in combine history at 4.39 at 6 feet 3 inches and 240 pounds. He isn’t quite the caliber of prospect as Coleston Loveland or Tyler Warren, which is why I have him going a little later. It feels like the 13-19 range is when Sadiq is going to come off the board.
- Carolina Panthers – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy has slipped in my mind after not getting on the field for any workouts during the combine. Todd McShay reported that teams are not thrilled with McCoy’s agent who evidently is giving him the advice to not test or workout, so it’s hard to predict where an awesome cornerback talent like McCoy will go when he hasn’t been on the field since January 2025. His 2024 season was arguably the best in the country for cornerbacks and he has the talent to be a top 10 pick, but is he medically ready? If McCoy can hit his ceiling, pairing him with Jaycee Horn would give Carolina one of the most prolific CB tandems in the game. After adding Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to the front seven in free agency, McCoy could help make this Panthers defense scary.
- Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Sticking on the defensive side of the ball for the Cowboys here with CJ Allen. The former man in the middle for the Bulldogs defense will certainly hear his name called in round 1 and I think pairing him with Demarion Overshown, who has shown a ton of flashes when healthy, would be wise for the Cowboys. Allen is ready to start from the jump and Dallas needs to fix its run defense. Taking a Georgia defender usually tends to work out well. Dallas missed out on another former Bulldog linebacker Nakobe Dean in free agency, but they get their guy here.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
The Steelers have several holes with the big question mark being the quarterback position, while this will be the team’s first draft without Mike Tomlin’s influence in nearly two decades. Wide receiver was a common pick until Pittsburgh made a strong move trading for Michael Pittman Jr. The Steelers also addressed corner in free agency with Jamel Dean. So let’s attack the trenches with Fano, whose arm length is extremely disappointing (a quarter of an inch shorter than Will Campbells, for what it’s worth). He was doing center drills at the combine, so I see a bump inside as likely. However, he can play all 5 positions on the offensive line, making this a valuable piece up front for the Steelers and whoever is under center.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
The Chargers have moved on from Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton this offseason, but they did give Trevor Penning an extension. LA could still use an upgrade over Trevor Penning or Cole Strange at guard, which is where I see Lomu playing in this scenario. Lomu has plenty of starts under his belt at left tackle at Utah, but there are some inconsistencies in his game. This pairing makes a lot of sense considering he has the skillset to play both left and right tackle should Slater or Alt get injured again. This would also mean the two Utah offensive lineman go back-to-back.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Emmanual McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Eagles hit a grand slam with the selection of former Toledo Rocket star Quinyon Mitchell, so why not go back to the well here with McNeil-Warren? Philly lost Reed Blankenship in free agency creating a hole in the backend, but they did add Riq Woolen at corner. Although I believe offensive line is in play, I think there is better value with McNeil-Warren who dominated the MAC conference and has an awesome frame at 6 feet 3 inches and 210 pounds.
- Cleveland Browns – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Browns added their tackle in Freeling at 6th overall, so let’s get either Watson or Sanders a speedster in Concepcion. He may be the fastest receiver in the class and the Browns are desperate for playmakers. Although he struggled with drops in college, I think Cleveland will look past that and reach a bit for a player that can add some explosiveness to the offense.
- Chicago Bears – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Bears have been attempting to allocate significant resources to their defensive line, and with Gervon Dexter’s future in doubt, adding a prospect the caliber of Woods would be a homerun for Chicago. Woods played much better in 2024 compared to 2025 after slimming down, so I am curious if he is going to beef back up for the league. He is phenomenal in the run game and has rare pass rush potential for the position, but ultimately the lack of consistency has him sliding in this scenario. The Bears would be thrilled to end the slide.
- Houston Texans – Blake Miller, T, Clemson
Houston desperately needs help up front to protect CJ Stroud and provide running lanes for newly added running back David Montgomery, so Miller makes a ton of sense. I am a fan of Aireontae Ersery at left tackle, whom they selected in the 2nd round last year, so Miller makes sense to compete with newly added Braden Smith at right tackle. Miller started 54 games for the Clemson Tigers and has a great profile to be a long time starter in the league at right tackle.
- San Francisco 49ers – Omar Cooper JR., WR, Indiana
This is my FAVORITE fit in this entire mock. The Niners really need help at wide receiver despite adding Mike Evans to what is essentially a one year deal. Jauan Jennings is a free agent, Brandon Aiyuk quit on the team, and Ricky Pearsall has struggled to stay healthy. Not to mention George Kittle’s torn achilles. Enter Omar Cooper Jr., a YAC (yards after catch) machine that is the perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense known for being atop the league in YAC year in and year out. Cooper’s draft stock has skyrocketed recently and I believe he is a sure fire first round pick. He was phenomenal for Fernando Mendoza en route to a National Championship for the Hoosiers. Evans and Cooper would be some way to retool the weaponry at Brock Purdy’s disposal.
- Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Bills added DJ Moore to be the number one target for Josh Allen, but his production was disappointing in 2025. Adding another weapon in Denzel Boston to create a Moore-Shakir-Boston trio would be wise for Buffalo, especially when you consider the Bills have one of the most expensive wide receiver rooms in the league. Boston was uber productive for the Huskies, demonstrating physicality after the catch and strong hands at the catch point. He isn’t going to get a ton of YAC, but he will be able to punish DBs after the catch and form an exciting corps for Josh Allen.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Chiefs decided to trade way former All-Pro Trent McDuffie as opposed to giving him a $30 million+ per year deal, and then the Rams signed Jaylen Watson away from KC! I decided to pass on corner earlier in the first round, but this is the prime opportunity to add a player like Colton Hood, who had a heck of a 2025 season without Jermod McCoy in the lineup. Spagnuolo has shown he can develop corners – KC is hopeful he can do it with Hood yet again.
- TRADE: Arizona Cardinals – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Denver trades back, allowing the Cardinals to get back into the first round and take Simpson, securing the fifth year option. Look, I disagree heavily with Simpson declaring for the draft given he only started 15 games and had lucrative NIL offers to stay in college (supposedly teams offered north of $6 million for Ty to come back and stay in school). Don’t you think he declared with intel from league sources indicating he would be picked relatively early? He was playing awesome ball through 10 weeks of the season, leading the Tide through a gauntlet of a schedule with ridiculous performances, but really struggled down the stretch. Since the conclusion of the season, we have learned that he was battling an illness which caused him to lose a significant amount of weight, which seems to explain the dip in production. Ty would immediately be the most talented QB in the room and this allows him to sit if he isn’t quite ready behind Brissett.
- New England Patriots – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The Patriots certainly could use a premier wide receiver, but maybe that happens in the form of AJ Brown post June 1st when the money makes more sense on Philadelphia’s side. The other big need for the Pats is edge rusher after losing K’Lavon Chaisson to the Commanders. Mesidor is only available at this spot because he will be a 25-year-old rookie, but if you watched the College Football Playoffs, you know how dominant he was. Mesidor is the type of pro ready prospect I could see Mike Vrabel wanting to add to his pass rush arsenal.
- Seattle Seahawks – T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Super Bowl champions really don’t have any holes on their roster, outside of running back, which is certainly not the play here at pick 32. Leanord Williams and Demarcus Lawrence aren’t getting any younger and a team can never have too many pass rushers. 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. Mike Macdonald is certainly a coach that can get the most out of Parker.
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