2026 Final NFL Draft Mock Draft

This is the time of year folks like myself get dressed up for. With the draft set for April 23-25 and fans anxiously waiting for their teams to make their way to the podium and see who will be added to their squads for the upcoming season. Names like Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, and Caleb Downs have been mentioned up and down people’s draft boards since the conclusion of the 2025 season, as we watched the Seattle Seahawks lift their second ever Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. We’ve seen numerous drafts across social media and I’m sure you’ll have your own too… but here is what I went with going into Thursday. (PLEASE NOTE: No trades were made during this mock.)

Pick 1.01 - LV Raiders select… Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

This one should be an absolute no-brainer. Honestly, I do not believe Mendoza is the next big name in the league, but he will be a strong starter for years to come. The 22-year old quarterback set up Indiana with their first ever CFB National Championship and the expectations have never been higher. Passing for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, Mendoza will have the world at his feet after Las Vegas went out and spent big in free agency.

Alternative Pick: N/A

Pick 1.02 - NY Jets select… Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

With the second overall pick, the Jets have a few options to work with, but I feel like the physical freak in Arvell Reese makes the most sense for the Jets. The 6’4 EDGE rusher broke into people’s favor early after making Ohio State incredibly difficult to penetrate on defense. Between both of his seasons in Columbus, he recorded over 110 tackles and seven total sacks. Statistically, he may not appear as a second overall pick, but the amount of pressure he generates with his powerful, shifty legs makes him worth the pick. Under a great defensive mind in Aaron Glenn, I wouldn’t be shocked if he takes a large step forward in his career.

Alternative Pick: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Pick 1.03 - AZ Cardinals select… David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Cardinals are in a weird spot where they have talent across the board, but are unsure of how to put it altogether. Both in the draft and in free agency. The now former Red Raider set a career-high 14.5 sacks along with three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery across a great Texas Tech campaign after transferring from Stanford. His shifty movements disrupted a lot of different teams in the Big 12 before they lost to Oregon in the first round of the CFB Playoffs 23-0. Arizona needs extra defensive help with the contract of Josh Sweat looking to expire and David Bailey comes in and fills that gap instantly.

 

Alternative Picks: EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State / EDGE Rueben Bain Jr, Miami (FL)

Pick 1.04 - TEN Titans select… Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The top running back prospect will land in the top 10 and people will not like it. Scrolling through social media has me questioning if people really know what Jeremiyah Love is all about. This running back will be a starter in the majority of the league and the Titans are in need of an elite running back who has hands. Tony Pollard can be a serviceable back for the time being, but he’s not getting any younger and Tyjae Spears cannot stay healthy long enough to make an impact. Over 1,600 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns over the course of last season, his ceiling is insanely high and I’m insanely high on him. Let. Him. Cook!

 

Alternative Picks: EDGE David Bailey, Miami (FL) / OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

Pick 1.05 - NY Giants select… Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

This is where my draft goes off the rails… You’ve been officially warned. Carnell Tate is my WR1 in this class and he’ll hit a team that not only needs a WanDale Robinson replacement, but has the offensive upside to hit the ground running. They picked up Calvin Austin III and Darnell Mooney in free agency, but it cannot hurt to have another huge offensive weapon. The 6’3 WR from Chicago had just under 900 receiving yards for the year with nine touchdowns and a staggering 17.2 yards per catch. John Harbaugh should go all out for Jaxson Dart at 1.05 with Tate and allow the offense to take shape.

Alternative Picks: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame / S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Pick 1.06 - CLE Browns select… Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

A team that needs almost everything. This was one I spent a little more time gathering information and ultimately realized their offensive line needed serious help. The 6’6 315lb offensive tackle from American Samoa seemed to just make sense. Cleveland did bring in Tytus Howard in a trade with Houston, but I didn’t see a world in which they could justify getting a LT in free agency too. Enter Francis Mauigoa to step in over Dawand Jones at LT and all of a sudden, the Browns have a solid O-Line to defend Shedeur Sanders.

Alternative Picks: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State / WR Makai Lemon, USC

Pick 1.07 - WSH Commanders select… Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Here comes the steal of the draft… He’s been talked about since day 1 of the CFB season ending about being a top 10 pick. It just became a matter of where he fell. Washington had a shaky secondary after an injury-ridden season. Here’s the nice part about Downs, he can play anywhere in the secondary, but also come in as a nickel and roll players all over the field. Do NOT be shocked if Washington has a special plan for him, even with Nick Cross joining in free agency. Dan Quinn could have a top talent just waiting for him on defense as the Commanders look to make another trip back to the playoffs.

Alternative Pick: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr, Miami (FL)

Pick 1.08 - NO Saints select… Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Before you say, “the Saints have bigger priorities!” I recognize that, but CB is the one I’ve identified as the biggest need right now to partner Kool-Aid McKinstry. Coming off of a slightly regressed season, Delane was electric in the LSU secondary, providing two interceptions amongst 45 tackles this season. Giving Kellen Moore a sense of relief in the defensive side of the ball will allow him to refocus his efforts on offense and newly signed running back Travis Etienne. Delane hits the bill perfectly and I don’t see too many other guys filling in here.

Alternative Picks: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL) / CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Pick 1.09 - KC Chiefs select… Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Here is the most controversial figure going into the draft. Does he stay in the top 10? Who knows as of right now. As we’ve seen in ‘Draft Day’, who showed up to his birthday? Coming off his best season with the Hurricanes, the 6’3 275lb defender put up 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. He is the real deal if his off-field issues cease to exist. The Chiefs could use another D-Lineman to make up for injuries as Felix Anudike-Uzomah couldn’t stay healthy.

Alternative Picks: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee / CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Pick 1.10 - NY Giants select… Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Back to the blue side of New York for now… Not a super tough decision here. This is where you take ‘best available’ and for me that is the athletic monster in Sonny Styles. Making headlines in the NFL combine for putting up insane numbers across all events, Styles is a linebacker that will terrorize the run game. 2024 was his strongest year by far, but 2025 was showing how well-rounded he is. On 83 tackles, he recorded a sack, forced fumble, and an interception along with three pass breakups. The Giants would have their replacements at LB ready made with a defense that will need to step it up in the absence of Dexter Lawrence II.

Alternative Picks: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State / OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Pick 1.11 - MIA Dolphins select… Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Another team with a no-brainer of a positional pick. After releasing Tyreek Hill and trading Jaylen Waddle, wide receiver immediately becomes a position of note to recruit in. Free Agency did see Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert join Miami, but it’s simply not enough. Speed will only get you so far, so the next best option is add more speed, right? The Biletnikoff winner will make his presence immediately known in Miami with a new head coach, QB, and receiving room that is familiar with winning high-profile games. Makai Lemon finished the 2025 campaign with 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Trojans while rushing two into the endzone. Get Malik Willis that primetime weapon!

Alternative Picks: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State / WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Pick 1.12 - DAL Cowboys select… Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Many are predicting that the Cowboys will focus Safety over Corner, but both positions are huge needs. Cobie Durant is a good pickup, but he won’t be a consistent starter, so you go for the best available in that position and you make it work. Jermod McCoy has his injury concerns and teams are rightfully concerned that he could flame out of the league. Coming off of a 4 interception season, McCoy has all the talent in the world to be the next big shot out of Dallas, but will need to work hard in the offseason to stay healthy.

 

Alternative Picks: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU / S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Pick 1.13 - LA Rams select… Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Rams are in a unique position right now to pick freely. Currently, they are entering the draft as my ‘Way-too-early’ Super Bowl winner. I went for a position that they will need to fill sooner rather than later and that is drafting Rob Havenstein’s replacement at RT. Fano is a 6'6, 302lb OT that knows his hips do not lie. His quick step is one that is incredibly hard to beat, but with a year of learning under his belt from one of the most prolific tackles in the game currently, he will only improve.

Alternate Picks: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon / OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Pick 1.14 - BAL Ravens select… Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

I’ve identified two positions that the Ravens need to attack early this draft, wide receiver and center. As there are no Day 1 centers, you fall back to wide receiver and you take the best available on the board. Jordyn Tyson had a big two years at Arizona State in the Big 12, racking up 1,101 receiving yards in 2024 (5th in the Big 12) with 10 touchdowns. The 6’2 Texas native will have something to prove in one of the top franchises in the AFC.

Alternative Picks: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State / WR Makai Lemon, USC

Pick 1.15 - TB Buccaneers select… Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Kenyon Sadiq didn’t have a whole lot of buzz from him until the NFL Combine and all of a sudden, he’s TE1 in the draft with no one else around him. Recording 560 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this past season, Sadiq proved that he can be a top threat for any team taking him early. The Bucs did re-sign Cade Otton to a long term contract, but it cannot hurt to have depth and Sadiq would provide that comfortably. He may even start over Otton.

 

Alternative Picks: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State / EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Pick 1.16 - NY Jets select… Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Taking Arvell Reese at 1.02 solves a few things on defense that could pose as an issue. They spent millions on re-configuring this team and truthfully did very well. Now, you want protection for your QB. Olaivavega Ioane gives you that additional edge and depth necessary to go ahead and compete in the AFC East. If there’s anything we’ve learned in the last 3 seasons… the trenches are so important to a team’s success and the Jets are always injured. He’ll get reps early and often.

 

Alternative Picks: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee / WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Pick 1.17 - DET Lions select… Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

This is the second no-brainer of the draft for me. Lions have a need at LT, so you go get the best possible one in the draft. Larry Borom could do a job at LT to start the year if you want to give Monroe Freeling a chance to develop early in the season, but he's a plug and play for Detroit. I know there were conversations about moving Penei Sewell to LT, but that wouldn’t make sense long-term when he’s already a multiple time All-Pro at RT. Let the 6’7 beast from Charleston, SC be your Taylor Decker replacement and get back to the playoffs.

Alternative Picks: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama / LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Pick 1.18 - MIN Vikings select… Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

This one hurts the Oregon fan in me, but it’s such a heavy need for Minnesota that it’s tough not to say they’ll go get the best available at Safety. Harrison Smith is no longer on the team, allowing the Vikings to only have 2-3 safeties going into this upcoming campaign. Dillon Thieneman, the transfer from Purdue, lit up the Oregon defense and showed that the secondary wasn’t a complete joke. He had the game-sealing interception against Penn State that eventually saw James Franklin lose his job. The 6’ Indiana native will come back to the midwest and perform in one of the best divisions in football currently.

Alternative Pick: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Pick 1.19 - CAR Panthers select… Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Carolina has a few positions that could use a few additional pieces, but I think there is a better opportunity further down the draft for that to happen… Enter Caleb Lomu, your Taylor Moton replacement in a year or two. The Panthers have already done a wonderful job in getting Rasheed Walker out of free agency, so it’s time to look to the future of your O-Line and protection for Bryce Young or another QB. Best part about Lomu? He’s one of the youngest guys in the draft… You’ll have him for a long time.

Alternative Picks: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon / S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Pick 1.20 - DAL Cowboys select… Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Back to Dallas we go and we continue to look at defensive assets for HC Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys could very easily trade back here and add more draft capital, but since we aren’t doing any trades, depth at EDGE is essential and taking the best available would make sense here. Keldric Faulk makes total sense to backup Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku. Don’t overcomplicate this, Jerry Jones. 

Alternative Picks: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana / S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Pick 1.21 - PIT Steelers select… Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

This is one of those “Hear me out” picks… The Steelers don’t have a lot of needs, so I figured we’d go stack out of the WR corps and take the best available. Omar Cooper could flip between the first and second rounds, so take this pick with a grain of salt. He recorded his best season with the Hoosiers in 2025, recording 937 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns. This could be a very slept on pick if Mike McCarthy ends up getting his offense sorted quickly… Most of this is depending on who the QB will be this season… Aaron Rodgers or Will Howard?

Alternative Picks: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M / OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Pick 1.22 - LA Chargers select… Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

This pick comes down to what LAC values more, EDGE or DT. I feel as if you can stick it out with Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack and get depth in the later rounds. Hence, I leaned into Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. Gaining comparisons to Quinnen Williams early on, his pass-rush ability could be the defining factor if he goes here or further down in the draft. Woods will add quality into a decently strong Chargers D-Line and would have us start asking questions if LAC can be a playoff threat.

 

Alternative Picks: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn / OT Blake Miller, Clemson

Pick 1.23 - PHI Eagles select… Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Proctor entered the year as the top OT prospect and ended within the top 5. A slide, but Alabama didn’t help his stock having a subpar season to their standards. Philly has been historically good over the last decade and will have to start looking into depth across their entire squad. Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata aren’t getting any younger and finding their replacements will be a priority for the Eagles. Starting now wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Getting a talented 6’7 replacement at LT would be an outstanding start, although his inconsistency in pass protection is a point of concern. Maybe it's worth moving him inside as a guard.

 

Alternative Pick: OT Blake Miller, Clemson / OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Pick 1.24 - CLE Browns select… KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

This is such a Cleveland Browns coded pick. I’m not saying this is a no-brainer, but pretty darn close to it. Wide receiver is a need for this team and badly. Will KC be the big difference maker in Cleveland under Todd Monken? Perhaps, but you need to give Shedeur weapons. You got extra O-Line protection early in the draft, now you give him the weapons to succeed. He took to social media to showcase his willingness to win and grit to succeed in the league, which is bound to turn a few heads in the draft room. The Aggie receiver recorded just under a thousand all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns this past season, winning the Paul Hornung award (most versatile player) for his efforts.

Alternative Picks: WR Denzel Boston, Washington / EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

Pick 1.25 - CHI Bears select… Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)

As many Bears fans settle in for a long night on draft night for the first time in ages, Chicago has multiple avenues to explore. WR, OT, DT, and EDGE are amongst the big candidates for their first round selection. Peter Woods would be a great pick here, but I’m going for the biggest need in EDGE with Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor spent six seasons in CFB, two with West Virginia and four with Miami (FL). Recording a career-high 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles last season, he was expected to be a top draft pick this year. The main concern with Mesidor is he has a high floor due to his age, but I don’t think the Bears can hesitate on an edge rusher with the talent he currently has. Ryan Poles has a tough decision here…

Alternative Picks: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama / DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Pick 1.26 - BUF Bills select… Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Buffalo is in a comfortable spot. Not too many needs, but positions that can be easily solved throughout this draft. Denzel Boston will bring height to a WR corps that doesn’t exactly have that advantage (minus Keon Coleman and Tyrell Shavers). Boston is coming off an impressive final season with the Huskies with outstanding performances against #23 Illinois and Boise State in the Bucked Up LA Bowl. The 6 '4 receiver concluded the 2025 with 11 total touchdowns and realistically should be an easy target for Josh Allen as they look for their first Super Bowl appearance since their ‘dynasty run’ in the 90s.

Alternative Picks: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State / OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

Pick 1.27 - SF 49ers select… Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

This pick is not a matter of position, but a matter of who is left. The 49ers would be smart to look at the offensive line, even with Trent Williams re-signing a deal for the next two seasons. San Francisco should be taking the best available at the position and for me, that will be Blake Miller. The 6’6, 315lb tackle from Ohio will learn under one of the best tackles of the last two decades. Sounds like a win-win to me.

 

Alternative Picks: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State / OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa

Pick 1.28 - HOU Texans select… Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The defensive tackle class is deep this year, more or less in the later rounds. Houston will want to continue to bolster their defense after signing both Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter to new deals. O-Line was the initial target before they went out and got Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith in free agency. Defensive Tackle was the next logical option as the youth doesn’t quite exist there and getting the arguable best run stopper in the draft would make this defense elite. Kayden McDonald will balance out Anderson and Hunter and allow the offense to figure itself out. The Texans would arguably have all the pieces to go ahead and make a deep run this year, but staying healthy and having C.J. Stroud not throw 4 picks when it matters most will be the key.

Alternative Picks: DT Caleb Banks, Florida / LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Pick 1.29 - KC Chiefs select… Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Very similar to SF, the Chiefs know what position, but it’s a matter of who is available. Between this pick and the one below, there are three CBs that stand out. Brandon Cisse, Colton Hood, and Avieon Terrell. I’m moving for Cisse to KC to fill a need. I wouldn’t be shocked if KC double-dipped in the second round to replace the outgoing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but it’s a positional need and it cannot be hidden. With some of the top tier coaching in Kansas City, Cisse can develop into a top secondary player and be another game changer that the Chiefs have been needing on defense.

Alternative Picks: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee / CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Pick 1.30 - MIA Dolphins select… Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

It’s almost a copy and paste from what I put above. Miami decided to clear house this offseason, including cutting Tua, which leaves them in cap hell for a season or two, but your secondary is missing key pieces. Terrell could fit here, but I went for a guy who can compete in man and zone coverages whilst not being afraid to go downhill and knock a guy on his rear. Colton Hood is a guy who loves competing for those 50/50 balls, having eight pass deflections this past season for the Vols. Jeff Haffley will get his big CB target and begin scheming this defense to fit what he has… which currently isn’t much.

Alternative Picks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina / CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Pick 1.31 - NE Patriots select… CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

I’m looking towards the future with this pick. Christian Elliss, Robert Spillane, Dre’Mont Jones, and Harold Landry III are all very good LBs in the NFL, but age is not on their side. Linebacker will be something that Mike Vrabel looks to assess in the draft and get the guys who will do the dirty work well. Recording 88 total tackles with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass deflections in a Georgia Bulldog team that wasn’t overly crazy as they have been in the past, I’d call this CJ Allen a top talent to look at this late in the first round.

Alternative Picks: LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas / WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Pick 1.32 - SEA Seahawks select… Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Our Super Bowl winners round out the first round out and probably have the most realistic chance of trading out of it. To quote a great deal of very smart people… “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams are no spring chickens and will need replacements sooner rather than later. Losing Boye Mafe in free agency stunk, but I see the vision of getting an EDGE now. Enter Zion Young, the best EDGE left in the draft at this present moment. Coming off of his best season in CFB with 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 42 total tackles, you know this kid will be a wrecking ball in the right system. Mike MacDonald has that system for him and this seems like a no-brainer to me.

Alternative Picks: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson / EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

The lovely part about mock drafts is that no one will likely get all 32 picks right. The past couple years I’ve never gotten above 12 correct. Positionally, I’m usually on the ball, but teams see these guys differently. With draft night just around the corner, you know that this will be one of the most interesting drafts we’ve seen in a long time because of the number of unknowns and potential wild decisions that can happen. Cheer for your team, boo your rival, and most importantly… boo NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to keep the tradition alive. Keep your head on a swivel folks, and welcome to the craziest night in the NFL. Draft Day.