Football

Well, here it is. The last one. Now that we are only days away from the real thing, let’s dive into a final edition of the 2026 NFL first-round mock draft. Which prospects will be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando MendozaIndiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) If you miss the first few minutes of the NFL draft, fear not. The Raiders are taking Mendoza here. Without question. The signing of Kirk Cousins doesn’t change anything here. Mendoza is the future of the Raiders, even if Cousins opens 2026 as the starter.  2. New York Jets: Arvell ReeseArvell Reese (Image Credits: Imagn) It would be a surprise if the Jets didn’t address the defense here. Ultimately, their best bet is to go with the do-it-all linebacker out of Ohio State. The Jets are rebuilding the defense with Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and CJ Mosley long gone. The new foundation begins with Reese, who should do wonders under Aaron Glenn’s tutelage. 3. Arizona Cardinals: David BaileyTexas Tech’s David Bailey rushes the Kent State offense during a non-conference football game, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium. The Cardinals already have two big-time defensive linemen in Josh Sweat and 2025 first-round pick Walter Nolen. But you can never, ever, have too many difference-makers in your front seven. Arizona isn’t close to contention. But adding the Texas Tech edge rusher could go a long way in closing the cap with their three NFC West foes. Bailey, Nolen, and Sweat would certainly make things difficult for Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy, and Matt Stafford. 4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny StylesFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (LB25) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images New Titans head coach Robert Saleh has worked with many great linebackers during his coaching career — including Bobby Wagner, Fred Warner, and CJ Mosley. So yeah, he’d definitely love a player like Styles to anchor his defense. The Titans don’t have real game-changers on D outside of Jeffery Simmons. Add Styles via the NFL Draft to the mix, and now you’re really in business. 5. New York Giants: Francis MauigoaFrancis Mauigoa (Image Credits: Imagn) The Giants already have one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles in Andrew Thomas. The rest of the o-line, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Here, the Giants complete the puzzle by pairing Thomas with the best offensive linemen in the 2026 class. New Giants’ head coach John Harbaugh will teach Jaxson Dart to slide more, but he’ll also enjoy taking far fewer hits with Thomas and Maigoa as his bookends. 6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell TateOhio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a first down catch beside Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Terry Jones Jr. (12) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. Ohio State won 38-15. It remains to be seen who will start behind center for the Browns next year. There’s a nice nucleus here led by Harold Fannin Jr., Quinshon Judkins, and Jerry Jeudy, but another explosive pass-catcher could really take this offense to another level. Tate averaged 15.5 yards per reception during his three seasons at Ohio State. He would really open up the passing game and help Jeudy shift to a more suitable No. 2 receiver role. 7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah LoveNov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images We know the Commanders have other needs, but how could they possibly pass on the golden opportunity to pair Love with Jayden Daniels? Love is one of the best running back prospects of the 21st century. There would be no way of stopping this rushing game with Love and arguably the NFL’s most explosive dual-threat quarterback. 8. New Orleans Saints: Caleb DownsCaleb Downs (Image Credits: Imagn) Safety isn’t New Orleans’ biggest issue by any means. But Downs is a unicorn who can single-handedly change the dynamic of a defense, as we’ve seen Kyle Hamilton do for the Baltimore Ravens. The Saints lost linebacker Demario Davis and cornerback Alontae Taylor in free agency. Adding Downs via the NFL Draft can offset the loss and give New Orleans the best defensive back in a wide-open NFC South. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr.Rueben Bain Jr (Image Credits: Imagn) The Chiefs’ pass-rushing depth was exposed during a miserable 2025 season. It certainly doesn’t help that future Hall of Famer Chris Jones appears to be on the downslope of his career, too. Kansas City can get started for life without Jones by taking Bain here. That would give them a three-headed pass-rushing monster in Bain, Jones, and George Karlaftis. 10. Dallas Cowboys (From Cincinnati Bengals): Mansoor DelaneSep 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (not pictured) making an incomplete pass during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Projected trade alert! The Cowboys acquire the No. 10 selection from Cincinnati in exchange for picks Nos. 12 and 112. With the selection, the Cowboys get their man in LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane. Now there’s your new HOPEFUL All-Pro cornerback with Trevon Diggs long gone, and with DaRon Bland struggling to stay healthy. 11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn TysonSep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) in action against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images The Dolphins have many issues to fill, but wide receiver tops the list in the upcoming NFL Draft. They traded Jaylen Waddle to Denver and cut Tyreek Hill in a necessary cap-saving move. Tyson would be a great value pick here for the rebuilding Dolphins. He would immediately slot in as the new No. 1 receiver for Malik Willis, putting the finishing touch on a drastic offseason makeover. 12. Cincinnati Bengals (From Dallas Cowboys): Caleb LomuOct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils with Utah Utes offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Death, taxes, and the Bengals needing help at the offensive line. Good thing this year’s draft is deep on tackles — and that the teams picking in front of Cincy have greater weaknesses. The Bengals have Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims at the OT spot, but Lomu saw some time at guard. He could always move to guard or replace Mims if the 2024 first-round pick fails to take that next step. 13. Los Angeles Rams (From Atlanta Falcons): Makai LemonMakai Lemon (Image Credit: Imagn) With Davante Adams entering his contract year and age-34 season, the Rams should line up their long-term WR2 project behind Puka Nacua. Lemon is one of the “big three” receiver prospects in this class, alongside Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson. With those two off the board, Les Snead pulls off the ultimate “value pick” by adding another mega weapon to Sean McVay’s offense. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Monroe FreelingNov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images With Ronnie Stanley getting up there in age, this would be a good time for the Ravens to develop their next long-term solution at offensive tackle via the NFL Draft. If Stanley can stay healthy and produce a couple of more quality seasons, he and Freeling could give Lamar Jackson the best bookend tandem in the game. And hey, Derrick Henry wouldn’t complain about running behind those two guys, either. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric FaulkAuburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) blitzes as Auburn Tigers take on Ball State Cardinals at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Ball State Cardinals 42-3. YaYa Diaby led the Buccaneers in sacks last season…and he only had seven. Certainly, not the type of potent pass-rushing unit Todd Bowles is accustomed to coaching. Diaby and veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea can’t be the only ones consistently generating pressure on the QB. Faulk is a plug-and-play guy who would help Tampa’s pass rush regain that swagger that carried the D during the short-and-sweet Tom Brady era. 16. New York Jets (From Indianapolis Colts): Jermod McCoyTennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) before a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025. The Jets obtained this pick from the Colts in the blockbuster Sauce Gardner trade. Fortunately, the board plays out in New York’s favor to grab the second-best cornerback in this class. McCoy has the size and physicality to be the next great shutdown corner in Gotham. McCoy established himself as an elite ball-hawker with 14 pass breakups and six interceptions over his two years at Tennessee. The Jets will happily take a well-rounded guy like him. 17. Detroit Lions: Olaivavega IoaneDec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The interior of the Lions’ o-line was exposed with Frank Ragnow’s surprise retirement. Ioane is the best interior lineman in this draft by a country mile. It would be a mega win for Detroit if he were available without GM Brad Holmes having to trade up. 18. Pittsburgh Steelers (From Minnesota Vikings): Ty SimpsonTy Simpson (Image Credits: Imagn) Projected trade alert! The Steelers acquire the No. 18 pick from Minnesota in exchange for picks Nos. 21 and No. 85. That may seem a bit costly at first, but remember, Pittsburgh owns three second-round picks this year. Plus, it’s a price worth paying if they think Simpson is their long-term answer behind center. The Steelers are still waiting on an answer from Aaron Rodgers. Even if he returns, this will surely be his last NFL season. This is the perfect time to develop and groom A-Rod’s successor. 19. Carolina Panthers: Spencer FanoSpencer Fano (Image Credits: Imagn) As Bryce Young’s pass protection improves, so has his production. Who’da thought? The good news for Carolina is that they’ll have plenty of elite prospects to choose from. In this exercise, they turn to Utah product and Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year award winner Spencer Fano. 20. Dallas Cowboys (From Green Bay Packers): Akheem MesidorAkheem Mesidor (Image Credits: Imagn) Dallas’ rebuilt front seven is currently led by Quinnen Williams and trade acquisition Rashan Gary. Jerry Jones can put the finishing touch on it by selecting the Miami product in the NFL Draft, a plug-and-play guy who could easily take over as the new face of their defense. Dallas fans were unhappy with the Parsons trade at first. But it would sure look a lot better long-term if Jones got a player like Mesidor. Now the defense is really back in business. 21. Minnesota Vikings (From Pittsburgh Steelers): Avieon TerrellClemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) during Spring Practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, March 24, 2025. Cornerback certainly isn’t the biggest weakness for Minnesota. But if he’s available by the time Minnesota selects, there’s no excuse to pass on Terrell. Do the Vikings need a reminder of how many stud wide receivers reside in their division? Minnesota’s secondary is led by two underrated corners in Byron Murphy Jr. and James Pierre. Adding Terrell to the mix could give the Vikings a secondary almost as dangerous as Seattle’s. No exaggeration. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: K.C. ConcepcionKC Concepcion (Image Credits: Imagn) Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConky have both established good chemistry with Justin Herbert, but let’s be real. Both aren’t what a Super Bowl contender’s No. 1 receiver should be. The Chargers need a burner and deep threat to open up a passing game that’s become too reliant on the dink-and-dunk. The guy with arguably the best name in the draft averaged 15.1 yards per catch for Texas A&M last year. He would fill that void easily. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Denzel BostonOct 4, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after the Huskies comeback victory over the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images As we’ve said before, we’re operating on the assumption that the Eagles eventually trade AJ Brown. If they are planning to move on, then it has to be a receiver in this spot….right? There is still a deep pool of receiver prospects at this phase. But Philly should prioritize a big body and contested catch specialist like Boston, since they already have their speed-burner in DeVonta Smith. The 6-foot-4, 209-pound Boston is tailor-made for Nick Sirianni’s offense. 24. Cleveland Browns (From Jacksonville Jaguars): Kadyn ProctorKadyn Proctor (Image Credits: Imagn) The Browns used their first day-one pick to address the receiver position. Now, they can turn the focus toward rebuilding an offensive line that said goodbye to veteran mainstays Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, and Joel Bitonio. Proctor might not be ready to start day one, but the long-term upside is certainly worth banking on.  25. Kansas City Chiefs (From Chicago Bears): Omar Cooper Jr.Omar Cooper Jr. (Image Credits: Imagn) Projected trade alert! The Chiefs get the No. 25 pick in the NFL Draft from the Bears in exchange for picks Nos. 29 and 74. With the pick, the Chiefs select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. They need help there, especially with Rashee Rice facing more disturbing off-the-field trouble, Xavier Worthy yet to pan out, and ‘Hollywood’ Brown leaving for Philly. KC comes away with a stud pass-rusher and a potential No. 1 receiver. They’re so back, baby. 26. Buffalo Bills: Cashius HowellNov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Gregory Rousseau led the Bills with seven sacks last year. That’s just not gonna cut it if the Bills are hoping to end years of postseason heartbreak in 2026. The hulking 248-pound edge rusher out of Texas A&M is a day-one starter. Pairing him with free agent signing Bradley Chubb could help Buffalo’s pass-rushing unit finally re-emerge as a top-tier group again. 27. San Francisco 49ers: Dillon ThienemanDillon Thieneman (Image Credits: Imagn) The 49ers’ defense didn’t play up to its potential last year, largely because of injuries. They also sorely missed the presence of former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga, who signed with the Denver Broncos in 2025 free agency. Thieneman probably deserves to go higher, but teams don’t value safety as much as other positions in round one of the NFL Draft. Thieneman can immediately step in and become the new difference-maker in the 49ers’ secondary. 28. Houston Texans: Zion YoungZion Young (Image Credits: Imagn) The Texans have arguably the best defense in football, yes. But why not keep adding to it? Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are perhaps the best pass-rushing duo in the league, but the latter is also about to enter his age-32 season. The Texans may as well create a “big three” and add Young to an already-dangerous group. 29. Chicago Bears (From Kansas City Chiefs): Peter WoodsJul 24, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods answers questions from the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Bears fans needn’t be reminded about how lousy their pass rush and run defense were last year.  Fortunately, there’s a highly touted prospect out of Clemson who can fix both of those issues. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Woods still has room for improvement in the run-stopping game, but his ability to generate pressure up the middle and clear lanes for the edge rushers would make him a special fit in Windy City. 30. Miami Dolphins (From Denver Broncos): T.J. ParkerT.J. Parker (Image Credits: Imagn) It would be a surprise if the Dolphins didn’t use one of their two first-round picks in the NFL Draft on a defensive player. The front seven doesn’t have much to offer right now, so why not roll the dice on the other stud defensive lineman out of Clemson? Now you have Woods and 2024 first-rounder Chop Robinson to build your pass rush around. Boom will go the dynamite. 31. New England Patriots: Kenyon SadiqKenyon Sadiq (Image Credits: Imagn) The Patriots released top pass-catcher Stefon Diggs and replaced him with Romeo Doubs in free agency. Now…if the reigning AFC champions could just add one more playmaker for Drake Maye. Sadiq and veteran Hunter Henry would form the league’s best tight end duo by a country mile. Sadiq’s playmaking abilities are on thing, but Josh McDaniels could scheme up a lot of crafty plays in the red zone with the Oregon tight end lining up with Henry. 32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton HoodSep 27, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Colton Hood (8) runs with the ball after an interception against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images Having lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant in free agency, the Seahawks could definitely use a fresh body to complement Nick Emmanwori and Devon Witherspoon. The Tennessee product has the range and size to make a smooth transition to the pros on Seattle’s star-studded defense.