The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived! And so, the time has come to present my 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final Edition. These first-round projections are based on the current draft order and my personal impressions of team needs and interests entering the draft, with consideration given to potential trade scenarios.
Enjoy the draft!
1 | Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Undefeated season. Heisman Trophy. National Championship. First overall pick. As quarterback Fernando Mendoza continues to live the dream, the Raiders hang their hopes on him helping to turn their franchise around.
2 | New York Jets — Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
The Jets are reportedly still weighing the decision between Arvell Reese and David Bailey, but the field has seemingly reached a consensus that they’ve made it and it’s Bailey. I suppose I’m a contrarian then. In spite of all the smoke, I still think they take the longer runway to arrive at the higher projected ceiling with Reese.
3 | Arizona Cardinals — David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cardinals could send the draft off the rails depending on what they do here — trading down would make sense, but drafting an offensive tackle this high or running back Jeremiyah Love would be forced fits. That said, they could go in a more pragmatic direction, which is what I have them doing. Landing with Arizona would be all too fitting for David Bailey, the pass rusher trendily described as “bird-in-the-hand”.
4 | Tennessee Titans — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Titans seem destined to make an outlier pick here. Reportedly they are deciding between running back Jeremiyah Love and linebacker Sonny Styles, with Styles now being the favorite in media circles. I still lean towards Love, who is slightly higher on my board, to be the tip of their offensive sword.
5 | New York Giants — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Linebacker Sonny Styles. Safety Caleb Downs. Either would make absolute sense as the pick here. Offensive line and wide receiver also appear to be in play. But, in a bit of an upset, I think the Giants instead opt for the best player at a premium position and at a position of immediate need, cornerback Mansoor Delane.
6 | Cleveland Browns — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Offensive tackle is a consideration here and certainly will be if the Browns trade down. But, if they stay put, I’m projecting them to instead address an equally pressing need at wide receiver with Carnell Tate.
7 | Washington Commanders — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Commanders reportedly have their sights set on linebacker Sonny Styles. But, being short on early-round draft capital and having multiple needs to address, a trade could be in order whether he’s still on the board or not. Assuming they fall back, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has emerged as a potential target.
8 | New Orleans Saints — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Connected to multiple names and primed to make a move either up or down, the Saints could be a real wild card in the first round. But, perhaps the best move they could make here is staying put and taking arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft, safety Caleb Downs.
9 | Kansas City Chiefs — Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Chiefs are another team that could be on the move early. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa has been on the move as of late, slipping out of what seemed like solid positioning in the top-five and possibly sliding further due a reported concern with his back. Consider Kansas City to be cautiously optimistic in making this pick.
10 | New York Giants (via CIN) — Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
If the Giants draft defense with their first pick, the expectation is that they will draft offense with the second. Wide receiver is a consideration depending on how the board falls, but I think it’s more likely they look to the trenches, perhaps with plug-and-play guard Olaivavega Ioane.
11 | Miami Dolphins — Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Dolphins have a long way to go to build up their roster, which is why I think they will look at a high-floor, foundational player with their first pick. Edge defender Keldric Faulk isn’t the most exciting pick they could make on draft night, but with his youth, physical profile, developmental traits, and high character, he has the potential to be a celebrated selection in hindsight.
12 | Dallas Cowboys — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Cowboys have an undeniable void at linebacker and currently sit in an unenviable place in the draft order to address it. So, it may be wishful thinking on my part (Cowboys fan that I am) that somehow, someway Sonny Styles finds his way to Dallas. But, I’m going to attempt to manifest it here, either purely through good fortune or deliberate maneuvering to make it happen.
13 | Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) — Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
This has been one of the more popular spots to project a wide receiver, but I think the Rams are actually in prime position to take the best player available. With their history of taking chances on talented football players that don’t necessarily check every box, could edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. be next?
14 | Baltimore Ravens — Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
The Ravens have room to improve on the interior of both lines, but the value here is on offense. Spencer Fano has gained top-ten momentum again as of late, but there are still mixed opinions on where he projects best — tackle, guard, or even center. That said, if he’s still on the board, he’s an immediate upgrade up front for Baltimore and insurance at either tackle if needed.
15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This projects to be the potential starting point for the second wave of edge rushers, but the Buccaneers also expect to be in the market for more offensive weaponry. That’s a fitting description for versatile tight end Kenyon Sadiq, one of the top handful of skill players in this class and one of the more common pre-draft fits for Tampa Bay.
16 | New York Jets (via IND) — Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
With the Jets opting for the upside pick at the top of the draft in my final mock draft scenario, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to circle back here for more of a finished product on the edge with Akheem Mesidor. Wide receiver is also in play, but I think the Jets look in that direction at the top of the second round.
17 | Detroit Lions — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Lions have primary concerns at premium positions — offensive tackle and edge rusher. I think they prioritize the blocker because of the expected first-round run on tackles. Kadyn Proctor and Monroe Freeling could both be in the conversation, but pending Detroit moving Penei Sewell to left tackle, rugged right tackle prospect Blake Miller is the pick.
18 | Minnesota Vikings — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Could this be the most projected player-team fit in the middle of the first round ever? Possibly, so the odds are it doesn’t come to pass on draft night. But, start to finish, safety Dillon Thieneman is my pick for the Vikings.
19 | Carolina Panthers — Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Offensive tackle and tight end are strong possibilities if the right names are on the board. But, even if they are, the Panthers might be swayed in a different direction if wide receiver Makai Lemon slips through and puts a pairing with last year’s first-round pick and OROY Tetairoa McMillan within reach.
20 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
With the Cowboys landing linebacker Sonny Styles in this scenario, edge rusher and cornerback expect to be the priority positions here, with the possibility of a trade down also on the table. While I tend to favor Dallas drafting edge Zion Young at #20, and have them doing so in both of my previous mocks, cornerback Colton Hood has been heavily reported, locally and nationally, as a favorite of the Cowboys in the first round, even as high as #12 if the board does not fall in their favor early. So there’s reason to believe Hood would be a strong consideration here.
21 | Pittsburgh Steelers — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Steelers are currently on shaky ground at left tackle and may be at the mercy of board if they aim to solidify the position in the first round. That said, they could have at least a couple of options still available as they do here, including Monroe Freeling, who has perhaps the highest ceiling of any blindside blocker in this class.
22 | Los Angeles Chargers — T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Chargers could throw a curveball here by drafting one of the guard prospects on the fringes of the first round. But, I lean towards them favoring a physical edge defender like T.J. Parker to round out their veteran rotation.
23 | Philadelphia Eagles — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
With cracks starting to form in their vaunted front line due to age and injury, the Eagles could be looking at bringing in reinforcements both early and late. Offensive tackle Max Iheanachor shows more promise than polish right now, but his raw talent and traits should put him firmly into consideration here.
24 | Cleveland Browns (via JAX) — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Browns are very much in line to take the first offensive tackle off the board early. If they go in a different direction, then tackle becomes the priority target here. Kadyn Proctor is among the names they are reportedly considering at #6, so this is a bit of a hedge, but the need and value would align much better if they were able to land Proctor here or in a modest trade up.
25 | Chicago Bears — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Bears expect to evaluate multiple options here — offensive tackle, interior defensive line, edge rusher, and safety among them. Projections for Emmanuel McNeil-Warren seem to range both higher and lower depending on where you look and listen, but I still have him settling here with Chicago.
26 | Buffalo Bills — R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
Draft night tends to close with a surprise or two. I think, this year, it could be the Bills that shake things up with either a trade or an unexpected pick here. A player who could be in the mix for the team in both scenarios is edge rusher R Mason Thomas, who plays at a position of interest and has a direct connection with the coaching staff.
27 | San Francisco 49ers — Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The 49ers are in the cluster of teams late in the first round looking at offensive tackles. They are also in the mix to draft a guard here. Tackle Caleb Lomu is perhaps the most popular projection at this late stage, but if wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. sneaks through the twenties and is there for the taking, I think San Francisco is a potential suitor.
28 | Houston Texans — Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Texans have made moves to shore up their offensive line this offseason, but you can’t rule out them adding another blocker to find and field their best five. That said, I lean more towards defensive tackle or pass rusher, where they could also afford to stock more talent. I think defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is fully in play here, with edge Zion Young as the fallback option.
29 | Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) — Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
After addressing offensive tackle early, the Chiefs have three immediate needs remaining that make sense in this range — wide receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback. Of the three, I think cornerback and wide receiver are the most likely considerations here. Cornerback Chris Johnson has been a riser throughout the draft process and expects to be in the conversation at #29 if he’s still on the board.
30 | Arizona Cardinals (via DEN thru MIA)* — Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
* Projected trade up with Miami Dolphins *
Quarterback Ty Simpson has been one of the most talked about prospects in this draft and the Cardinals have been the team most mentioned in the discourse. And it makes total sense, given the state of the position in Arizona. As the first round comes to a close, I think they do look to make a deal to move up to secure Simpson with the fifth-year option attached.
The Dolphins move back to #34 in this projected trade, add a pick or two, and probably still come away with one of the players they are considering here at #30.
31 | New England Patriots — Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
The players available and the positions of need and interest for the Patriots line up well here — wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, and edge rusher. Of those targets, wide receiver and edge rusher would have the most opportunity for immediate impact. Given that they appear to have an alternative plan in place that would involve a trade with the Eagles for receiver A.J. Brown, I have them adding speed on the edge with ascending pass rusher Malachi Lawrence.
32 | Seattle Seahawks — Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
The Super Bowl Champions, the Seahawks, have one of the strongest rosters heading into the draft, but there are multiple positions where they could look to add a difference-maker or valuable depth. Drafting all-purpose defensive back Treydan Stukes could serve to do both. With the ability to play across the entire secondary — cornerback, nickel, and safety — Stukes is the definition of a defensive chess piece and my choice for the final pick in the first round.
DRAFTPLEX 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final Edition
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | QB | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
| 2 | New York Jets | OLB | Arvell Reese | Ohio State |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | EDGE | David Bailey | Texas Tech |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | RB | Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame |
| 5 | New York Giants | CB | Mansoor Delane | LSU |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | WR | Carnell Tate | Ohio State |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | WR | Jordyn Tyson | Arizona State |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | S | Caleb Downs | Ohio State |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | OT | Francis Mauigoa | Miami |
| 10 | New York Giants (via CIN) | OG | Olaivavega Ioane | Penn State |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | EDGE | Keldric Faulk | Auburn |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | LB | Sonny Styles | Ohio State |
| 13 | Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) | EDGE | Rueben Bain Jr. | Miami |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | OL | Spencer Fano | Utah |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | TE | Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon |
| 16 | New York Jets (via IND) | EDGE | Akheem Mesidor | Miami |
| 17 | Detroit Lions | OT | Blake Miller | Clemson |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | S | Dillon Thieneman | Oregon |
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | WR | Makai Lemon | USC |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | CB | Colton Hood | Tennessee |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | OT | Monroe Freeling | Georgia |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | EDGE | T.J. Parker | Clemson |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | OT | Max Iheanachor | Arizona State |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns (via JAX) | OT | Kadyn Proctor | Alabama |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | S | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | Toledo |
| 26 | Buffalo Bills | EDGE | R Mason Thomas | Oklahoma |
| 27 | San Francisco 49ers | WR | Omar Cooper Jr. | Indiana |
| 28 | Houston Texans | DT | Kayden McDonald | Ohio State |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) | CB | Chris Johnson | San Diego State |
| 30 | Arizona Cardinals (via DEN/MIA)* | QB | Ty Simpson | Alabama |
| 31 | New England Patriots | EDGE | Malachi Lawrence | UCF |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks | DB | Treydan Stukes | Arizona |
* Projected trade: Miami Dolphins > Arizona Cardinals
Jason Pruett
DRAFTPLEX