NFL Draft season is in full effect along with the slew of mock drafts that come with it. With the Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl and NFL Combine behind us, prospects have already bolstered or worsened their stock as we approach draft day in April. NFL free agency is right around the corner, so let’s take a look at my first predictive 2026 first-round NFL mock draft.
More: Niqko Marshall’s post-combine mock draft
2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1.01: Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza QB, Indiana, (RS) Junior
The Raiders have holes across their roster, but none bigger than the hole at quarterback. New Head Coach Klint Kubiak has the opportunity to select the Heisman trophy winner who led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first National Championship to operate this new Las Vegas offense. This is the pick we will see made until proven otherwise in the coming weeks.
1.02: New York Jets
Arvell Reese EDGE/LB, Ohio State, Junior
New York has an arsenal of picks in this draft including two in the first 16 selections. Reese is arguably the most versatile player in the draft. On-ball, off-ball and as an edge rusher, Reese can impact the game in ways this Jets defense can’t pass up. The consensus around Reese is he’ll be an edge rusher at the NFL level. If that’s the case, he is a perfect scheme fit in an Aaron Glenn system.
Reese is an edge player who can drop in coverage and defend the run at a high level. With the Jets trading Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for T’Vondre Sweat, the edge position becomes an even bigger need than it already was, making Reese an easy selection.
1.03: Arizona Cardinals
Francis Mauigoa OT, Miami, Junior
The Cardinals have clear needs on the offensive-line. I think Mauigoa has the ability to stay at offensive tackle, making him a plug-in-play right tackle for Arizona. Mauigoa can form one of the better young tackle duos in the NFL alongside Paris Johnson Jr., or can always kick inside to guard and be a plus starter for years to come.
1.04: Tennessee Titans
Sonny Styles LB, Ohio State, Senior
Sonny Styles was the talk of the combine leading linebackers in the 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, vertical and broad jump. He set a new linebacker record of 43.5″ inches on the vertical jump. He all but guaranteed himself a top-10 selection in April. The Titans saw good play from Cedric Gray last season and pairing him with Sonny Styles can help the entire defense elevate their level of play. New head coach Robert Saleh brings the best out of linebackers and Styles becomes his next weapon.
1.05: New York Giants
Jermod McCoy CB, Tennessee, Junior
Jermod McCoy had an incredible 2024 before tearing his ACL before the 2025 season. With the medicals expected to check out, McCoy would become a premiere option in this corner class. The Giants whiffed on Deonte Banks and needed another corner to elevate their secondary to the next level with Cor’Dale Flott becoming a free agent. McCoy joins Paulson Adebo, Dru Phillips, Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin to form an intriguing young defensive back group. Stay tuned for the Tennessee pro-day to see his athletic ability post-ACL tear.
1.06: Cleveland Browns
Monroe Freeling OT, Georgia, Junior
This is the highest I’ve seen Monroe Freeling go in the NFL Draft and I’m all for it. A freaky athlete for the position, Freeling has the traits NFL scouts look for at tackle, and that’s the biggest point. Freeling is a tackle in the NFL, without a doubt. The Browns are in a unique situation where all five of their offensive-linemen are hitting free agency.
Tytus Howard came over in a trade with the Houston Texans and he provides position flexibility, being able to play guard and tackle, but adding to the offensive-line is a must. Spencer Fano’s measurables underwhelmed, dropping him down the board a bit. Free agency could change things, but as of today Freeling is heavily desired as the top “true” tackle in this class.
1.07: *trade* Washington Commanders<>Miami Dolphins
Reuben Bain Jr. EDGE, Miami, Junior
Heading into last season, the Miami Dolphins had a terrific pass-rush trio of Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson and Bradley Chubb. Fast forward to now, Chop Robinson is the only edge player remaining, The Commanders have just five picks in this draft and only two in the first three rounds, and the oldest roster in the NFL.
Adding young talent has to be prioritized and picking up extra picks in this class can do that. The Dolphins add Bain who could easily go to the Jets at No. 2. Bain didn’t test at the combine and measured in with shorter arms than expected leaving room for doubt that he’s the top edge rusher off the board, but the tape doesn’t lie. I don’t see Bain getting outside of the top-10, and the Dolphins jump up to No. 7 to stop the fall.
1.08: New Orleans Saints
Jeremiyah Love HB, Notre Dame, Junior
Love planted his flag inside the top-10 after his 4.36 second 40-yard dash. The explosiveness was expected, but participating in the field drills and even in wide receiver drills showed teams his competitive nature along with showcasing his on-field talent. The Saints have seen a ton of injuries at the runningback position in recent years with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. Devin Neal played some solid football down the stretch for New Orleans, but that shouldn’t stop them from taking a blue-chip running back prospect.
1.09: Kansas City Chiefs
Spencer Fano OL, Utah, Junior
I listed Fano as an offensive-lineman because where he plays is a decision the team that drafts him is going to have to make. Fano had great 2024 tape as an offensive tackle and solid 2025 tape, but measurables predict he is going to play guard. That is a perfect situation for the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is coming off an acl surgery in 2025, so adding to the offensive line will be prioritized. They traded guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears this past off-season and tackle Jawaan Taylor was expectedly released this off-season, so getting a player who can possibly play either in Fano will be very enticing for Kansas City.
1.10: Cincinnati Bengals
Caleb Downs S, Ohio State, Junior
This is the third of a possible four Ohio State players to go in this year’s top-10. Downs is one of the blue-chip prospects in this class. An instinctual safety that can play anywhere on the field at a high level. Downs finds himself here at 10 simply because of positional value. We don’t see safeties go very high in the NFL draft these days, but, if there was an exception it would be Downs. The Bengals need help across the defense and adding a player who can reset the culture as a leader is essential. Whether it’s as a box safety, nickel corner or in single and two high, Downs is a great player for Cincinnati.
1.11: *trade* Miami Dolphins<>Washington Commanders
David Bailey EDGE, Texas Tech, Senior
The Commanders trade down with the Dolphins to add more draft capital on day two and they find themselves a gift in David Bailey at No. 11. Bailey is in contention for the No. 2 selection to the Jets, but in this scenario falls to Washington. The Stanford and Texas Tech product has a wicked first step and matched that with great combine explosive numbers. Dorance Armstrong is coming back from a major injury and Von Miller and Jakob Martin are free agents. Bailey had elite production at Texas Tech and would add some much needed pass rush to the Commanders lacking defense.
1.12: Dallas Cowboys
Mansoor Delane CB, LSU, Senior
Delane has the best 2025 tape of any corner in this class. He was tremendous for LSU this season, and expectedly finds himself going in the top-15 comfortably. Dallas has a clear need at corner with Trevon Diggs being cut in 2025 and inconsistent play from Shavon Revel Jr. in his rookie season recovering from an ACL tear. With the way the board fell, the Cowboys would be more than willing to get themselves a clear starting cornerback for a defense that was awful in 2025.
1.13: Los Angeles Rams
Dillon Thieneman S, Oregon, Junior
Few improved their stock more than Thieneman at the NFL Combine. A 4.35 second 40-yard dash, 41″ vertical jump and 10 ‘5″ broad jump. This showcase of athleticism took him from a fringe round-one pick, to a fringe top-10 pick. The board didn’t fall the way the Rams may have hoped with the top two corners off the board, and with Kamren Kurl set to hit free agency, adding to the defensive backfield in any way may be the path for Los Angeles. His 91.1 coverage grade is obvious on tape and NFL teams will value that.
1.14: Baltimore Ravens
Carnell Tate WR, Ohio State, Junior
Carnell Tate isn’t my No. 1 receiver, but he is the best fit for the Ravens at No.14. Tate fills a bigger need for the Ravens as an outside z-type receiver. Makai Lemon is more of a slot player and Baltimore has Zay Flowers filling that role already. Tate joining a receiving core of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews would be a great fit for the Ohio State receiver and continue to elevate the play for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Tate is a ball winner who can win down field at a high rate and is the safest receiver in this class.
1.15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor EDGE, Miami, (RS) Senior
Tampa Bay has a dire need off the edge and Akheem Mesidor would add immediate production. Mesidor being the most pro-ready pass rusher in this class is becoming the norm. He has a clear pass rushing plan on every snap and has versatility inside and outside on the defensive-line. A dominant swim move along with his attacking hands are hard to look past. Age is the only thing holding him back from being a top selection this draft cycle.
A team like the Buccaneers that is ready to win now in an awful division can take Mesidor comfortably and worry about the age when the time comes for an extension. Todd Bowles is on the hot-seat heading into 2026 and taking an edge rusher who needs time to develop may not be what the front office is looking for,
1.16: New York Jets
Makai Lemon WR, USC, Junior
Makai Lemon is my No. 1 receiver in the 2026 NFL draft. He’s dynamic over the middle of the field and has tremendous ability after the catch. Lemon’s skillset is being valued higher than it ever has with the emergence of Puka Nacua, Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown as slot players. Garrett Wilson and Makai Lemon would form a terrific duo for the Jets moving forward. Lemon is a tough player who can play through contact with strong hands and will provide a great safety-blanket for whoever is under center in New York.
1.17: Detroit Lions
Olaivavega Ioane IOL, Penn State, (RS) Junior
This is the perfect pick for the Detroit Lions. The interior was a massive issue down the stretch last season. Adding the most polished interior player in the entire draft in Ioane would be the best case scenario. A true set-it and forget-it type of guard, and headed to a culture that lives and dies by the offensive line will be a slam-dunk.
1.18: Minnesota Vikings
Peter Woods IDL, Clemson, Junior
I’m very high on Peter Woods in this class. He’s a freaky athlete for the position with incredible strength. Not competing at the combine was a huge miss from Peter Woods’ team in my opinion. Stay tuned for the Clemson pro-day to see his athleticism on display. Woods was fantastic as a true freshman and very good as a sophomore as well. The Clemson team as a whole underwhelmed and how they deployed Woods was questionable to say the least. I think, like all-pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., teams will value his great tape early in his college career and look to ignore a let down season from Clemson as a whole.
1.19: Carolina Panthers
Caleb Banks IDL, Florida, (RS) Senior
Bit of a run on defensive tackles as the Panthers select Caleb Banks. Banks is another freaky athlete in this class and the combine showed that. A 5.05 second 40-yard dash at nearly 330 pounds is ridiculous. Paired with a 32″ vertical jump and 9 ‘6″ broad jump, which finished second for defensive tackles, tremendously increased his draft stock. The conversation for Banks starts in the top-10, but he finds himself at No. 19 to Carolina who needs another interior presence next to Derrick Brown. Banks specializes as an interior pass rusher over run defender, so this could really open up Brown inside.
1.20: Dallas Cowboys
Kadyn Proctor OT, Alabama, Junior
Dallas added Mansoor Delane at No. 12 and flipped to the other side of the ball to add Proctor. The Cowboys have a major need at offensive tackle. Tyler Guyton hasn’t been able to put it together at the NFL level and Terrance Steele isn’t a great pass blocker at right tackle. Proctor can step right in at left tackle and be the anchor for Dak Prescott‘s blindside. A vicious run blocker who really rounded out his game as a pass blocker in 2025 could start to go even higher with how weak the tackle class is.
The weight was an issue, but he’s gotten down closer to 350 pounds and can expect teams to want him to get closer to 330 pounds throughout the offseason. He moves scary well for his size and looks to become a franchise tackle for Dallas.
1.21: Pittsburgh Steelers
Jordyn Tyson WR, Arizona State, (RS) Junior
Tyson might be the best receiver in this class, but injuries have to knock him down a bit. A mulit-ligament knee surgery, broken collarbone and now a hamstring injury make him a tricky prospect. When he has played, he’s been phenomenal. I think Tyson can win anywhere on the field, but in Pittsburgh, can really compliment D.K. Metcalf with his over the middle of the field ability. He’s a terrific player after the catch and if he can stay healthy the sky is the limit.
1.22: *trade* Los Angeles Chargers<>Los Angeles Rams
Avieon Terrell CB, Clemson, Junior
The Rams have a major need at cornerback and with Terrell being the last remaining “group A” cornerback, they decide to make the move up. The Chargers have multiple needs on their offensive and defensive-line, so they add more capital to hopefully combat that. Terrell specializes in zone coverage and is savvy against the run.
Similar to older brother A.J. Terrell Jr., Terrell doesn’t shy away from the hit and plays with a ton of effort. The tape is good in 2025 but even better in 2024. This seems to be the theme with all of the Clemson players in this draft. The Rams add Dillon Thieneman and Aveion Terrell to a struggling defensive backfield that could be losing multiple starters in free agency.
1.23: Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyon Sadiq TE, Oregon, Junior
The Eagles are likely to lose Dallas Goedert to free agency and A.J. Brown trade talks are continuing to float around the NFL. They use their first-round selection to bring in another weapon for Jalen Hurts. Sadiq lit up the combine running a 4.39 second 40-yard dash, jumping 43.5″ in the vertical jump and 11 ‘1″ in the broad jump. Sadiq is far in away the top tight end in this class due to his ability to play on the line of scrimmage.
That is something you have to be able to do at the NFL level to be a 3-down player. That along with the freaky athleticism Sadiq offers makes him an exciting addition to the Eagles offense to replace Goedert.
1.24: Cleveland Browns
Emmanuel Pregnon IOL, Oregon, (RS) Senior
The Browns need to heavily address the offensive-line, and adding Monroe Freeling and Emmanuel Pregnon will do that. Tytus Howard is likely to play tackle for the Browns after being extended, so Pregnon can fill one of the guard spots. Pregnon looked solid at the NFL combine performing soundly in the on-field drills. A powerful interior-lineman that can start along the offensive-line as the Browns look to rebuild the group.
1.25: Chicago Bears
Keldric Faulk EDGE, Auburn, Junior
Faulk is an intriguing prospect because of his age. He will be a 20-year-old rookie by the time of his NFL debut, and already has immense talent as a run defender. He has the size to play on the interior or outside on the edge. Fluidity is the word you’re gonna hear when scouting Faulk. He’s very smooth with everything he does and tactical with his movements. He’s not this bat out of hell player.
The combine went well for Faulk as he tested well in the explosive testing and his measurements were at the NFL level. Landing in Chicago, he has time to develop with a young and exciting coaching staff and also adds a nice floor as a run defender to a defensive line who needs help in that department. 2024 was a much better season for Faulk than 2025, and finding a pass rush plan to go along with his run defense must be a priority.
1.26: Buffalo Bills
Denzel Boston WR, Washington, Junior
The Buffalo Bills have lacked an outside receiver for years now. Since Stefon Diggs has left, the Bills offense has simplified a ton and really leaned on their running game with James Cook. The lack of an outside threat has weakened the Bills significantly and limits the ability of former MVP Josh Allen. Boston is a player who can win down field and at the catch point with strong hands. The Keon Coleman comparison isn’t fair to Boston because he was considerably more consistent than Coleman coming out of Florida State, and I think runs a more polished route tree.
1.27: San Francisco 49ers
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S, Toledo, Senior
McNeil-Warren has perfect size for the modern NFL safety. He’s always got his nose around the football forcing fumbles, deflecting passes and intercepting passes. The 49ers have a hole at safety and haven’t addressed it since losing Jimmie Ward and Talanoa Hufanga in the past few seasons. Malik Mustapha dealt with injury last year and Ji’Ayir Brown hasn’t been exactly a home-run so far. Taking McNeil-Warren gives them freakish size for the position and another defensive weapon with range and versatility. Three-safety sets are becoming the norm in today’s NFL, and McNeil-Warren gives the 49ers the ability to maximize that.
1.28: Houston Texans
Blake Miller OT, Clemson, Graduate (SR)
The Texans’ process through this re-shaping of their offensive-line in the past two seasons has been frustrating. They traded cornerstone left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders last off-season. The offensive-line goes on to struggle because obviously an already struggling group isn’t going to improve all of the sudden when you get rid of your best player. Throughout that time though, Tytus Howard was the most consistent and versatile player they had in the group, and they traded him to the Cleveland Browns. The process is just confusing. Here they add Blake Miller who can slide into that right tackle spot opposite of Aireontae Ersery and try to add some stability to a broken group.
1.29: *trade* Los Angeles Rams<>Los Angeles Chargers
T.J. Parker EDGE, Clemson, Junior
That makes back-2-back Clemson players at No. 28 and No. 29. Four total in the first-round. Imagine if that 2025 Clemson team didn’t disappoint. We’d be talking about possibly six players in the first-round and possibly much higher in the draft. The Chargers select Parker here to add some more edge pressure for their defense.
Khalil Mack has confirmed he will play in 2026, but he’s exploring all options in free agency leaving a possible hole in the Chargers defensive-line. Parker had an elite season in 2024, the theme with these Clemson players, and a less productive but still solid 2025 for the Tigers. Parker looked good at the Senior Bowl consistently winning his reps. Jim Harbaugh appreciates size on his defensive-line and Parker provides NFL size.
1.30: Denver Broncos
CJ Allen LB, Georgia, Junior
Allen has to be one of the top players on Denver’s board. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are set to be free agents this off-season leaving a hole at linebacker. They have Dre Greenlaw as an off-ball player now two-years removed from his achilles tear in Super Bowl 58. Adding a thumping run stuffer next to him is very intriguing. Allen is a smart green-dot defender who has shown flashes in coverage and would continue to improve one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses.
1.31: *trade* New England Patriots<>Arizona Cardinals
Ty Simpson QB, Alabama, (RS) Junior
The Cardinals have announced they are releasing Kyler Murray, which leaves a huge hole at quarterback. Jacoby Brissett is there as a veteran backup who has proven he can start multiple games if needed in 2026. Trading up for Simpson to acquire that 5th-year-option allows the Cardinals to let Simpson develop under new head coach Mike Lafleur.
The Rams are in contention to take Simpson late if they want to let him sit under Stafford and learn from McVay. Lafleur can develop him in a similar system with a long leash as a new head coach. Simpson had a great start to his 2025 season before slowing down toward the end, but he showed elite processing over the middle of the field and Cardinals are willing to bet on it.
1.32: Seattle Seahawks
Colton Hood CB, Tennessee, (RS) Sophomore
Colton Hood has some of the best 2025 tape in this class. Jermod McCoy went down with the acl tear and Hood stepped up big in his absence. Tariq Woolen and Josh Jobe are set to hit free agency leaving a clear need at cornerback. Colton Hood played a ton of boundary corner and can be the replacement Seattle is looking for at the end of the first-round.
Hood looked good at the combine and checked some boxes about long speed that had teams shying away. Hood has work to do as a run defender, but I don’t know if there is a better team to go to that can help round out that part of his game. Playing under head coach Mike Macdonald and alongside Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori and, if re-signed, Coby Bryant should improve his run defense.
These mock drafts are impossible to perfect and players will rise and fall through the rest of the cycle. Team needs will change as free agency comes and goes, but this mock should show some possibilities to look for come April. Stay tuned for the post-free agency mock draft as we really start to see how this draft is going to shape up in the coming weeks.
Main Image: Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
