Way Too Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Maybe it feels too early to start creating a 2026 NFL Mock Draft. However, for some teams, next year’s draft is all they have to look forward to! Sure, draft positions will continue to change as the season comes to a close. Yes, it’ll change again after some team needs are fulfilled in the offseason’s free agency. Still, it’s fun to start seeing where pieces of the puzzle may fall. Here are two rounds of an NFL Mock Draft, way too early, just for fun!

Round 1

The biggest surprise to the NFL 2026 Mock Draft is a quarterback not going first overall. I actually think that will happen. However, in this mock, there are no trades. Therefore, the first quarterback taken is at pick number two when Heisman-trophy winner Fernando Mendoza gets selected.

#	Team	Pick	Pos	College
1	Giants	Caleb Downs	S	Ohio State
		The Giants have a lot of needs to improve on a disappointing here. However, their core they're building is solid. They improve their secondary by adding safety Caleb Downs who has been a highly-graded safety for the last three years at Ohio State. He allowed 0 touchdowns in 2025 and grades equally well in coverage and on run defense per PFF. It's possible they trade out of this position but in this draft, everybody stays put.
2	Raiders	Fernando Mendoza	QB	Indiana
		What a year for Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders continue the good things in his life by drafting him second in the 2026 NFL Draft. Head Coach Pete Carroll will find all the right ways to use this 6-5 quarterback who just threw for 33 touchdowns and only 6 INTs. He'll help improve this franchise immediately. Don't forget, Tom Brady is partial owner of this team. Some mentorship from Brady can go a long way.
3	Titans	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Tennessee
		The Titans need to take pressure off of last year's top draft pick Cam Ward and they do that by adding the best running back in the draft, Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame. Love has gone over 1000 yards in back-to-back seasons. This year he ran for 1372 yards, a 6.9 yard per carry average, and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 280 yards. He's hard to bring down and will help take pressure off Ward, something Pollard and Spears have struggled to do.
4	Browns	Jordyn Tyson	WR	Arizona State
		The Browns need a lot of help. I'm still not sure they don't grab a quarterback here. However, with a lot of draft capital, they wait and grab one of the best receivers in the draft in Jordyn Tyson. Tyuson didn't play as many games this year as last year. Still, he had 711 yards and 8 touchdowns. In 2024 he had 1098 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's got great hands and a low drop rate.
5	Jets	Ty Simpson	QB	Alabama
		The Justin Fields experiment didn't work out the best for the New York Jets. Whether it was Fields himself or coaching, they move on by drafting Ty Simpson out of Alabama. Simpson is coming off a 3,262 yard pasing performance with 26 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. Overall he had a 102.7 passer rating.
6	Cardinals	Rueben Bain Jr.	ED	Miami
		It's possible Reuben Bain Jr. goes higher than this spot. He deserves to. However, in this 2026 NFL Mock draft, the Cardinals grab him after he slides to pick six. Bain is coming off a season where he had 7 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 48 hurries. He had a pass rush win rate of 23.9% and was a key part of a strong Miami defense. It's not the biggest need for the Cardinals, but they can't pass him up.
7	Saints	Makai Lemon	WR	USC
		It appears that the Saints and Kellen Moore may have a quarterback in Tyler Shough. Now they need to get him more weapons than just Chris Olave. They take the 5-11 Makai Lemon to compliment Olave. At USC last year, he had 1156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite being only 5-11, he had a 66.7% contested catch rate and was 10th in the nation in forced missed tackles. He'll be a good piece for the Saints.
8	Commanders	Arvell Reese	LB	Ohio State
		Nothing really went right for the Washington Commanders this year. What does go right in the NFL 2026 mock draft though is that Arvell Reese slides to pick 8 where they can grab him. They have a need at the linebacker/edge position and Reese is one of the best in the country. He's a really good run-stopper and is a smart-saavy defender that can take over as the centerpiece of their defense right away.
9	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bengals_Logo.png	David Bailey	ED	Texas Tech
		Talk about another team that didn't have much go right. The Bengals could use this pick to get some offensive line help for Joe Burrow. However ,the talent available may not scream top-10 pick to them. Therefore, they try to make up for their blunders on the defensive line last year by taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. Bailey had 14 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 40 hurries in 2025. He's a monster of a pass-rusher and whether it's Hendrickson opposite him or not, he'll be a problem for o-lines.
10	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/8334_los_angeles_rams-primary-20201.png	Mansoor Delane	CB	LSU
		The Rams aren't a team that have a lot of needs, therefore it's possible they trade out of this spot unless Matt Stafford retires and they're on the search for a quarterback. However, in my NFL 2026 mock draft I have them taking Mansoor Delane out of LSU. Delane is coming off a great year where he allowed just a 26.7 passer rating when QB's threw his way. He's excellent in man coverage and can help in run-stopping as well.
11	Chiefs	Keldrick Faulk	ED	Auburn
		The Chiefs aren't used to picking this early in the draft. Because they have such a big need in the trenches though, they are. I have them taking Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. Faulk didn't have an eye-popping year in 2025 after 9 sacks and 31 hurries in 2024. However, he's a solid player with a high-motor who will fit Andy Reid's team philosophies. He'll also help stop the run, which is needed against AFC foes like the Bills and Ravens.
12	Vikings	Avieon Terrell	CB	Clemson
		The Vikings have a lot of needs. One of them may even be at quarterback. However, with the 12th pick of the 2026 NFL Mock draft I have them taking cornerback Avieon Terrell. Terrell took a little bit of a step back last year in pass-coverage, but he took a step forward in run defense. He's great in a zone defense and should be able to play at multiple different defensive-back positions.
13	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Dolphins_Logo.png	Jermod McCoy	CB	Tennessee
		The Dolphins take a chance on a player who missed all of 2025 due to a knee-injury. He was a 2024 All-SEC selection and helped Tennessee get into the CFP in 2024. Healthy and ready to contribue, McCoy can be a game changer. He allowed a 53.6 passer rating at the cornerback position in 2024. The Dolphins will take a risk, hoping it'll pay off - and I think it will.
14	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dallas-cowboys-mock-draft.gif	Cashius Howell	ED	Texas A&M
		The Cowboys improve their defensive line by taking edge rusher Cashius Howell out of Texas A&M. Howell had 12 sacks last year and 26 QB hurries. He also batted the ball down at the line of scrimmage three different times. He's a saavy player who had a 20.9% pass-rush win rate and will start helping fill the hole that was left by Micah Parsons departure.
15	Ravens	Peter Woods	DI	Clemson
		This feels like a classic Ravens pick for some reason. They take the 6-3, 310-pound interior limenan Peter Woods out of Clemson. Woods is a hole-plugging run-stopper who can also get after the quarterback at times. He'll fit the defensive scheme perfectly and even if his stats don't jump off the page, he'll elevate the defensive line by hogging up doubles in the middle.
16	Panthers	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State
		The Panthers started to improve their defense last year in the offseason. They continue to do so in this 2026 NFL mock draft by selecting Sonny Styles, linebacker out of Ohio State. Styles is good at both run defense and pass coverage, which will help elevate this defense. They need more from the linebacker position, and they'll get that with Styles. I expect him to start on Day 1 for them.
17	Lions	Kayden McDonald	DI	Ohio State
		The Lions need a little help on the interior of their defensive line and they get that with Kayden McDonald. McDonald was graded by PFF with a 92.2 run defense grade. That's important against teams like the Packers and the Bears. McDonald will start in a rotation but become an anchor for the defensive line and help make Aiden Hutchinson even more impactful.
18	Jets	Olaivavega Ioane	G	Penn State
		The Jets start helping their new quarterback right away by drafting guard Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State. He allowed 0 sacks and 0 QB hits in 2025 playing primarily as left guard. In the last three years, he has experience playing at each of the offensive line positions. Last year he received a 90.9 true pass set pass block grade. That'll be an immediate improvement for them.
19	Buccaneers	Emmanuel Pregnon	G	Oregon
		The Bucs help Baker and the Boys by taking guard Emmanuel Pregnon out of Oregon. Pregnon grades well as both a run blocker and pass blocker. He allowed 0 sacks in 351 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. He also allowed 0 sacks in 2024 in 555 pass block snaps. Pregnon helps buy time for the Bucs on offense and lets them get in more control of the clock, which is exactly what they need to get back to 2024's success.
20	Steelers	Carnell Tate	WR	Ohio State
		The Steelers need some more receiving weapons and they get one by drafting Carnell Tate out of Ohio State in this NFL 2026 mock draft. Last year in just 10 games, Tate had 838 yards and 9 touchdowns. He averaged 17.5 yards per reception. He's a 6-3 receiver who is excellent in contested catches and plays against man coverage very well. He'll be a great compliment to DK Metcalf.
21	Eagles	T.J. Parker	ED	Clemson
		The Eagles improve their defensive line by taking T.J. Parker out of Clemson. The Eagles aren't the dominant team they were the Super Bowl year. Parker will help elevate them on defense after his 6 sack, 11 QB hits, and 24 QB hurries season in 2025.
22	Texans	Spencer Fano	OT	Indiana
		The Texans need to focus on protecting CJ Stroud. It seemed they did the opposite of that last offseason. Therefore, this season they take their first draft pick and select Spencer Fano, offensive tackle out of Indiana. He played 2025 at right tackle ,but has experence at both tackle positions. Last year Fano allowed 0 sacks and 0 QB hits in 382 pass blocking snaps. That's a huge improvement for the Texans.
23	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dallas-cowboys-mock-draft.gif	Francis Mauigoa	OT	Miami
		The Cowboys first draft pick went to the trenches on the defensive side of the ball in my NFL 2026 mock draft. Now they'll focus on the offensive side of the trenches and take tackle Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa helped protect Carson Beck this year, playing 768 snaps at the right tackle spot. he was graded with an 88.3 pass blocking grade by PFF.
24	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bills_Logo.png	Kadyn Proctor	OT	Alabama
		The Bills make it three offensive tackles in a row by selecting Kadyn Proctor out of Alabama. Proctor only allowed 1 sack in 534 pass blocking attempts at th eleft tackle position. He also run-blocks really well. He'll be a perfect fit in this Bills scheme, protecting Josh Allen.
25	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bears_Logo.png	Romello Height	ED	Texas Tech
		The Bears surprised everybody in 2025 in Ben Johnson's first year. They aren't done yet. One of the areas they need to improve on is their pass rush and they do that by adding Romello Height out of Texas Tech. Height had 8 sacks 11 QB hits and 35 hurries last yera. PFF graded him as a 92.4 pass rush grade with a 21.1% pass rush win rate. He'll work opposite of Montez Sweat and it'll be tough for opposing QBs.
26	Chargers	Jake Slaughter	C	Florida
		Don't undersell how important the center position is. The Chargers certainly won't as they take Jake Slaughter out of Florida. Slaughter had an 87.1 pass blocking grade and a 77.3 run block grade per PFF. He'll immediately improve the Chargers offensive line, helping keep Herbert upright.
27	49ers	Christen Miller	DI	Georgia
		In typical 49ers fashion, they had a lot of needs in 2025 but still found success. They fill one of those needs by taking interior defensive linemen Christen Miller out of Georgia. Kirby Smart's Bulldogs come out of college ready to play immediately. Miller is 6-4, 310-pounds and can play both A Gap and B Gap. He's a big run stopper, which is necessary in the NFC West.
28	Browns	Dante Moore	QB	Oregon
		Just to add to the quarterback confusion, the Cleveland Browns take Dante Moore out of Oregon. Yes, another Oregon quarterback. Moore had a great season last year with a 24-6 TD/INT ratio. He has one of the best deep balls in the draft and an excellent adjusted completion percentage. He'll out perform Dillon and Sanders.
29	Patriots	Gennings Dunker	OT	Iowa
		The Patriots improve their offensive line by adding Gennings Dunker out of Iowa. Coached by Kirk Ferentz, who may be one of the best offensive line specialists in the country, Dunker can start right away. He's played his collegiate career at right tackle, but can be adjutsed as needed.
30	Seahawks	Denzel Boston	WR	Washington
		The Seahawks offense was good in 2025. However, another stud at wide receiver on besides JSN would make it even better. The Seahawks take DenzeL boston out of Washington. He had an 89.8 grade against man coverage, 72.7% contested catch rate, and finished the year with 11 receiving touchdowns. While JSN has the flash and speed, the 6-4 Boston will add the size and they'll become one of the top receiving duos in the league.
31	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/los-angeles-rams-mock-draft.gif	Garrett Nussmeier	LSU	LSU
		The season was not what Garrett Nussmeier would have hoped after finishing with only 1921 passing yards, 12 tds and 5 ints. Still, I think he fits Sean McVays mold. I think he can either work under the tutelage of Stafford if Stafford comes back, or he can take direction right away if they don't get a different bridge quarterback.
32	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Broncos_Logo.png	A'Mauri Washington	DI	Oregon
		The Broncos don't have a ton of needs but their interior line is one that could use a lot of improvement. They take Oregon's A'Mauri Washington with their first round selection. Washington is a good run defender who has played a little bit of everywhere on the line. He'll work in ortation as a nose tackle for the Broncos.

Round 2

#	Team	Pick	Pos	College
33	Giants	KC Concepcion	WR	Texas A&M
34	Raiders	Elijah Sarratt	WR	Indiana
35	Titans	Austin Siereveld	OT	Ohio State
36	Browns	Connor Lew	C	Auburn
37	Jets	Brandon Cisse	CB	South Carolina
38	Cardinals	Jayden Maiava	QB	USC
39	Saints	Katryon Allen	RB	Penn State
40	Texans	CJ Allen	LB	Georgia
41	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bengals_Logo.png	Deontae Lawson	LB	Alabama
42	Falcons	Chris Brazzell II	WR	Tennessee
43	Chiefs	Kenyon Sadiq	TE	Oregon
44	Vikings	Caleb Banks	DI	Florida
45	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Dolphins_Logo.png	Diego Pavia	QB	Vanderbilt
46	Jets	Chris Bell	WR	Louisville
47	Ravens	Chase Bisontis	G	Texas A&M
48	Panthers	LT Overton	ED	Alabama
49	Lions	Colton Hood	CB	Tennessee
50	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Colts_Logo.png	A.J. Haulcy	S	LSU
51	Buccaneers	R Mason Thomas	ED	Oklahoma
52	Steelers	A.J. Harris	CB	Penn State
53	Eagles	Ian Strong	WR	Rutgers
54	Texans	Jaeden Roberts	G	Alabama
55	Packers	Keith Abney II	CB	Arizona State
56	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bills_Logo.png	Quincy Rhodes Jr.	ED	Arkansas
57	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Bears_Logo.png	Emmanuel McNeil-Warren	S	Toledo
58	Chargers	Joshua Josephs	ED	Tennessee
59	49ers	Skyler Bell	WR	Connecticut/b>
60	Jaguars	Dillon Thieneman	S	Oregon
61	Patriots	Matayo Uiagalelei	ED	Oregon
62	Seahawks	Chris Johnson	CB	San Diego State
63	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/8334_los_angeles_rams-primary-20201.png	Caleb Lomu	OT	Utah
64	https://www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Broncos_Logo.png	Michael Trigg	TE	Baylor