The NFL never sleeps! The confetti is still fresh on the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl Championship, but the other 31 teams have their eyes set on the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Those teams are focused on how to dethrone the Seahawks, while Seattle itself is focused on improving their roster to defend that precious title. Let’s turn our attention to the NFL Draft as I fire up my first NFL mock draft of 2026’s first round.
This mock draft does not include any projected trades; I only use real trades that have already taken place. Of course, things will change after free agency, but it’s always fun to speculate now! Last year at this time, all 32 teams had their own draft picks, but that is very much not the case in 2026. Four teams do not hold their own picks; the Jaguars, Falcons, Colts, and Packers all traded away their first picks for other assets to build their teams around.
When I mock, I make the picks as I go down the board, being conscious not to “save” someone for a specific team. In this case, it saw Jeremiah Love be the victim of slipping based on the situation. San Francisco might have reached just a little bit to grab their guy, but sometimes that’s what you do to get your guy!
| # | Team | Pick | Pos | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raiders |  Raiders | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana |
| There’s not much to say about this pick. It’s all but set in stone that the Heisman and National Championship-winning quarterback will be the next quarterback for Las Vegas. Luckily for him, he’ll have Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty awaiting his arrival. Some guy named Tom Brady will be there to help train him as well. |
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| 2 | Jets |  Jets | Ruben Bain | ED | Miami |
| The jets need help, and a lot of it. Luckily, they have a lot of capital this year and next. Bain gives them the best edge rusher in the Draft and an anchor end to build their defensive line around. The Jets shouldn’t overthink this one after the short arm stuff from the combine. Bain is the real deal. | |||||
| 3 | Cardinals |  Cardinals | Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami |
| It’s back-to-back Hurricanes in the top three. The Cardinals need to protect Kyler Murray, or whoever they start at quarterback this year. Mauigoa is the top tackle in the draft and will be a much-needed addition. He would be a plug-and-play tackle to start opposite Paris Johnson and immediately improve this line. | |||||
| 4 | Titans |  Titans | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State |
| The Titans need a lot of help on defense, and that is new head coach Robert Saleh’s specialty. Reese can play both linebacker and edge, and will be a trustworthy player that Saleh would love to get his hands on. Bain goes before him due to the uncertainty of his edge abilities, but don’t confuse that for Reese not being an elite prospect. | |||||
| 5 | Giants |  Giants | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah |
| Many have the Giants taking the wide receiver Carnell Tate here, but my hope is they re-sign Wandale and roll with the great offense they have. Either way, they need to protect Jaxson Dart going forward, and Fano can anchor the right side of the line for years to come. Having Andrew Thomas on the left side and Fano on the right sets Dart up for what the Giants hope is a long career. |
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| 6 | Browns |  Browns Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State |
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| The Browns lucked into Tate still being on the board here. Who’s playing quarterback? Nobody knows, but with Fannin and Tate to throw to, it might give that quarterback a chance. Cleveland could use a star wide receiver, and Tate can fit that bill. |
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| 7 | Commanders |  Commanders | David Bailey | ED | Texas Tech |
| Washington has been in need of an edge rusher, and they got their guy at #7. Their new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, loves to blitz and be aggressive. Bailey will fit right into this system. He has an elite first step, that advanced pass-rush arsenal, a high motor, and he’s versatile. | |||||
| 8 | Saints |  Saints | Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU |
| Jeremiyah Love is definitely attractive here, but the Saints need a lot of help in a lot of places. A top 10 running back in this economy is still a high price to pay. They need help at the corner and Mansoor played just up the road in Baton Rouge. He’s a lockdown corner and immediately upgrades their defensive backfield. |
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| 9 | Chiefs |  Chiefs | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State |
| Another team that could look Love’s way. The Chiefs need a running back, but they aren’t “just a running back away.” With an elite safety like Downs still on the board, he’ll be a huge addition to the Chiefs' defensive backfield. Downs has the range to play box safety, free safety, and slot. His football IQ is extremely high, and he’s just what Kansas City needs. | |||||
| 10 | Bengals |  Bengals | Keldric Faulk | Ed | Auburn |
| Defense defense defense. That’s all the Bengals need to worry about. They have one of the best offenses in the league, and need to keep upgrading this defense. With Trey Hendrickson on his way out the door, Faulk can line up opposite Shemar Stewart. | |||||
| 11 | Dolphins |  Dolphins | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
| No, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle’s status is up in the air. Is Tua back? Is it a new quarterback? With Tyson still on the board here, he’ll have an immediate impact and help whoever plays quarterback for the Dolphins. He’d be a great player to pair with Waddle if he stays in town, or could be the #1 if called upon. | |||||
| 12 | Cowboys |  Cowboys | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State |
| The Dallas Cowboys strike gold getting Styles at pick 12. Styles is an athletic freak out of Ohio State. He’s versatile, a great open field tackler, and could turn into the defensive signal caller for an NFL team real quick. Styles is just 21 years old, but already more than an elite prospect. He got near the combine record with a 43.5-inch vertical. | |||||
| 13 | Rams |  Rams Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
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| Via ATL | Another player staying close to where he played college. With no great quarterback options here, the Rams could use another wide receiver to pair up with Puka Nacua long term. Lemon is explosive and would play a good third option to Nacua and Adams in 2026. Lemon is a refined route runner with excellent hands and great ability to make plays after the catch. | ||||
| 14 | Ravens |  Ravens | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame |
| Will love fall this far in real life? It’s hard to say, but if he does, Baltimore is an interesting landing spot. A 1-2 punch of Love and Derrick Henry would be dangerous. With Love as the heir apparent to the King’s throne. Love is clearly the best running back in this draft class and lines up to be a great one for years to come. | |||||
| 15 | Bucs |  Buccaneers | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon |
| Sadiq impressed with his blazing speed on Friday at the NFL Combine, running a 4.40 40-yard dash. This offense has firepower, but with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin’s statuses up in the air. Sadiq could be a dangerous weapon for Baker Mayfield and a great running mate with Egbuka. | |||||
| 16 | Jets | Jets | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee |
| Via IND | Best player available. That’s basically what the Jets' draft plan should be. We’ll see if the Draft is important enough for their coach to stay awake for. But if he is, McCoy is the best player on the board, and the Jets need to replace the gap left by Sauce Gardner’s departure. Injury history shouldn’t be a huge concern for the Jets, who aren’t in won now mode. | ||||
| 17 | Lions |  Lions | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
| The Lions need some help on the defensive line, and you know Dan Campbell loves his big guys. Woods is smaller than most “big guys,” but he makes up for it in effort, a perfect marriage with Campbell. Woods has the speed, agility, and strength to make him dangerous in the middle of the defensive line. | |||||
| 18 | Vikings |  Vikings | Olaivavega Ioane | OT | Penn State |
| The Vikings went interior offensive line in the first round last year, and they’ll do so again with this pick. Donavan Jackson has worked out well, and they need to continue to shore up the line to protect JJ McCarthy up the middle. Ioane would be a day one starter and is an excellent run blocker and pass protector. | |||||
| 19 | Panthers |  Panthers Cashius Howel | ED | Texas A&M |
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| Carolina had the worst pass rush in the NFL last year. It’s their biggest need and deserves to be addressed with their first pick. In Howell, they get an ideal speed rusher who is lightning quick and has an arsenal of pass-rushing moves. Howell had 27 sacks over his five year coliegte carrer, 25 of those over the last three seasons. He was also the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. | |||||
| 20 | Cowboys | Cowboys | Akeem Mesidor | ED | Miami |
| via GB | The Cowboys already grabbed linebacker Sonny Styles at pick 12. Here’s their chance to continue to improve one of the worst defenses in the league. Mesidor is a little older as he was a sixth-year senior, but he’s ready to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact in Dallas. |
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| 21 | Steelers |  Steelers | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson |
| I considered giving the Steelers Ty Simpson here, but we’ll leave them in quarterback purgatory for now. Instead, they’ll address their defensive backfield. AJ Terrell’s younger brother has elite quickness, amazing discipline, and physicality. He’ll make a great Steeler. | |||||
| 22 | Chargers |  Chargers | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama |
| Protect Justin Herbert. That should be the top goal of the Chargers in this draft. Getting Proctor, a giant 6’7” 336lbs tackle, would be a great fit. He’s flexible and can move inside or stay outside wherever the Chargers need him to be. | |||||
| 23 | Eagles |  Eagles Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
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| Talk about the perfect AJ Brown replacement. It’s likely the Eagles move on from Brown this offseason, and bringing Boston in would be a great way to replace him. At 6’4”, 210 pounds, Boston is a “big X” receiver. He’d pair well with Devota Smith. |
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| 24 | Browns | Browns Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia |
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| via Jags | The Browns picked up big-play receiver Carnell Tate earlier in the first round. Now, with the Jaguars' selection, they grab Freeling to give whoever is playing quarterback time to deliver the ball to Tate. Freeling might just be the best pass blocker in the draft. He’s an upgrade to the Browns' offensive line. . | ||||
| 25 | Bears |  Bears Caleb Banks | DT | Florida |
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| The Bears need to address some key defensive pieces. They’ll be happy if Banks makes it to them here at 25. The 6’6” 330lbs defensive tackle from Florida is “massive, explosive, and versatile.” He's the perfect candidate to replace Andrew Billings. |
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| 26 | Bills |  Bills | Kevin Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M |
| If Concepcion is still on the board, how do the Bills not take him? They have got to get Josh Allen a playmaker, and Concepcion could be that guy. He's a dynamic player whose speed gives him the ability to separate on the outside. It’s a great fit at 26. | |||||
| 27 | 49ers |  49ers Omar Cooper Jr | WR | Indiana |
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| Probable #1 pick Fernando Mendoza recently compared his top receiver in college to Debo Samuel. What could the 49ers use? Their next is Debo Samuel. It appears clear Brandon Aiyuk won’t be returning, and the 49ers need serious help at wideout. They’ll add the National Champion receiver here at 27. |
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| 28 | Texans |  Texans | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah |
| The Texans' defense is elite, and they are pretty set at playmakers. This is a great opportunity for them to upgrade their offensive line and offer CJ Stroud some much-needed protection. Lomu would make a great companion to their pick from last season, Aireontae Ersey. | |||||
| 29 | Rams | Rams Emmanuel McNeil | S | Toldeo |
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| McNeil has been mocked to the Rams at times at the 13th pick. If he falls to 29 and is still here, I think they’ll be happy to see him. McNeil is a tall safety who is physical, versatile, and ball-hawking. |
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| 30 | Broncos |  Broncos CJ Allen | LB | Georgia |
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| Allen slipped down the board in this one, and Denver would be overjoyed if they could snag him at 30. Allen is said to have a high football IQ and would be the perfect leader to strengthen this Broncos defense. |
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| 31 | Patriots |  Patriots | Blake Miller | OT | Clemson |
| We all saw the Super Bowl. The Patriots need more help on their line. Morgan Moses is getting pretty old, and I’m not convinced Will Campbell is cut out to stay at left tackle. Either way, Miller can play right tackle with the possibility of moving to the left side later on if they need. Miller has been described as the “textbook” tackle. Something the Patriots desperately need. | |||||
| 32 | Seahawks |  Seahawks | Colton Hood | CB | Tennesse |
| Seattle is set to lose some of the key pieces to their Super Bowl-winning crew in free agency. One way to ease that pain would be bringing in a physical corner like Colton Hood to replace Josh Jobe, who may depart in free agency. Hood would be a great fit for the Legion of Doom. | |||||
