The dust is settling on another wild NFL free agency period. Giving way to a much clearer picture as we head towards the 2026 NFL Draft, which is just over a month away. Some teams took big swings and addressed areas of need, making the picture much clearer on what they need to address in the 2026 NFL Draft. Let’s dive in and take a look at my post NFL free agency 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0.
Since my 1.0 mock came out just a few weeks ago, there has been a change to the order. The Los Angeles Rams traded the 29th pick (among other things) to the Kansas City Chiefs. Leaving Los Angeles with just one first-round pick, No. 13 from the Atlanta Falcons. Then the Las Vegas Raiders also added some capital, snagging the No. 14 overall pick from the Baltimore Ravens (among other things) for Maxx Crosby, until they didn’t. As we all know, Baltimore backed out of the deal and instead signed Trey Hendrickson. That leaves four teams that do not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft; the Rams had two, so they retain the #13 pick. The Jaguars, Falcons, Colts, and Packers are the teams without a first-round selection.
This mock draft does not include any projected trades; I only use real trades that have already taken place. When I mock, I make the picks as I go down the board, being conscious not to “save” someone for a specific team.
| # | Team | Pick | Pos | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raiders |  Raiders | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana |
| This is the one pick that was never going to change. Mendoza to the Raiders is all but signed, sealed, and delivered to the commissioner already. The National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner will 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 | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State |
| The Jets need help, and a lot of it. Luckily, they have a lot of capital this year and next. Reese can play both linebacker and edge, and will be a trustworthy player that the Jets would love to get their hands on. Reese is an elite prospect. | |||||
| 3 | Cardinals |  Cardinals | Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami |
| It’s back-to-back Hurricanes in the top three. The Cardinals cut Kyler Murray and need to rebuild this team. Is it Brisset? Or is it Minshew starting this year? Either way, the focus is on the future. With Paris Johnson on the left side, Mauigoa would be a plug-and-play tackle to start opposite Paris Johnson and immediately improve this line. | |||||
| 4 | Titans |  Titans | Ruben Bain | ED | Miami |
| The Titans made some solid moves in free agency, but they need a lot of help on defense. Defense is new head coach Robert Saleh’s specialty. Bain gives them arguably the best edge rusher in the Draft and an anchor end to build their defensive line around. Bain is the real deal. | |||||
| 5 | Giants |  Giants | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah |
| Many have the Giants taking the wide receiver Carnell Tate here, and with the departure of Wandale Robinson, that could certainly happen. But 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. This isn’t a “quick fix” despite hiring an old man at head coach. Get a star player here as you find a quarterback to throw to him. |
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| 7 | Commanders |  Commanders | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State |
| The Commanders did a great job of addressing the offensive line and edge rushing positions in free agency. Now they can turn their attention to other positions of need. Their safeties were their next biggest weakness last season, and Downs has the range to play box safety, free safety, and slot. His football IQ is extremely high, and he’s just what Washington needs. | |||||
| 8 | Saints |  Saints | David Bailey | ED | Texas Tech |
| The Saints were a possible Jeremiyah Love team, but with the signing of Travis Etienne, they can focus on the needs. Bailey has an elite first step, that advanced pass-rush arsenal, a high motor, and he’s versatile. |
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| 9 | Chiefs |  Chiefs | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon |
| Sadiq impressed with his blazing speed at the NFL Combine, running a 4.40 40-yard dash. With the Chiefs snagging Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, they can add Sadiq at tight end as the heir apparent to Travis Kelce. Pairing them up with Sadiq as the next great for Mahomes to throw to. Has my fantasy football bones rattling! |
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| 10 | Bengals |  Bengals | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
| Defense, defense, defense, should be the focus for the Bengals again this year. Their offense is loaded, and they’ve got some great young pieces on defense. Woods has the speed, agility, and strength to make him dangerous in the middle of the defensive line. | |||||
| 11 | Dolphins |  Dolphins | Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU |
| The Dolphins are in need of some defensive backfield help. Delane could easily be a top 10 pick, and the Dolphins will be happy if he’s still on the board. He’s a lockdown corner and immediately upgrades their defensive backfield. | |||||
| 12 | Cowboys |  Cowboys | Keldric Faulk | ED | Auburn |
| The Cowboys are still possibly in on the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, and they traded for Rashan Gary, which will be huge. They need a lot of help there, and if Faulk is still on the board. At an imposing 6’6” 285lbs, Faulk wreaked havoc on SEC offensive lines at Auburn. | |||||
| 13 | Rams |  Rams Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
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| Via ATL | The Rams traded away the 29th pick, but still have #13 via the Atlanta Falcons. They were hot and heavy chasing AJ Brown and clearly have a window to win a ring here. Placing Tyson on this dangerous offense as an X receiver opposite Devonte Adams, letting Puka work the middle. He’ll be a real threat. | ||||
| 14 | Ravens |  Ravens | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame |
| I had Love in this spot in 1.0, and I’m sticking to it. Will Love fall this far in real life? It’s hard to say, but it looks a lot more likely with Kansas City and New Orleans filling their roles. 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 | Cashius Howell | ED | Texas A&M |
| Pass rusher is the biggest need for the Buccaneers 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 collegiate career, 25 of those over the last three seasons. He was also the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. | |||||
| 16 | Jets | Jets | Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| Via IND | The Jets addressed the linebacker/pass rusher at pick #2 with Arvell Reese, the versatile Ohio State player. Now they turn to the offensive side of the ball and give Garrett Wilson a running mate. Lemon is a refined route runner with excellent hands and great ability to make plays after the catch. He’ll be a great addition for Geno Smith and whoever the Jets turn to down the road. | ||||
| 17 | Lions |  Lions | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama |
| The Lions need help at offensive tackle, and Dan Campbell can’t pass up on a physical specimen like this. Proctor, a giant 6’7” 336lbs tackle, would be a great fit. He’s flexible and can move inside or stay outside wherever the Lions need him to be. | |||||
| 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 Emmanuel McNeil | S | Toledo |
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| McNeil has been mocked near the top 10 by some, and was 29th in mock 1.0. He moves up to 19 here to address maybe the biggest need by the Carolina Panthers. McNeil is a tall safety who is physical, versatile, and ball-hawking. | |||||
| 20 | Cowboys | Cowboys | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State |
| Via GB | Funny enough, I had Styles going to the Cowboys at pick #12 in Mock 1.0. He slides here just based on team needs, and the Cowboys' scoring their edge helps with Kendrick Faulk at 12. They get more defensive help here in Styles. 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. |
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| 21 | Steelers |  Steelers | CJ Allen | LB | Georgia |
| Quarterback is the obvious big need for Pittsburgh, but there is just nobody worth taking here. Allen is said to have a high football IQ and would be the perfect leader to strengthen this Pittsburgh defense. | |||||
| 22 | Chargers |  Chargers | Akeem Mesidor | ED | Miami |
| The Chargers' window is now with this Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh pairing. Mesidor is a little older as he was a sixth-year senior, but that just means he’s ready to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact in Los Angeles. That’s exactly what the Chargers need. | |||||
| 23 | Eagles |  Eagles Tj Parker | ED | Clemson |
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| The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers, and they only have two edge rushers under contract. Parker is an edge with elite handwork, an uncanny ability to strip the ball, and reads the rushers extremely well. He’ll immediately improve the Eagles' pass rush and edge of their defense. | |||||
| 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. |
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| 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. | |||||
| 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 more playmakers. DJ Moore was a solid addition, but this receiver room could use more. 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. Mike Evans is a beast, and great short-term addition, but the 49ers need help at wideout. They’ll add the National Champion receiver here at 27. |
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| 28 | Texans |  Texans | Emmanuel Pregnon | OG | Oregon |
| 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. Pregnon’s hand placement lands early, and his anchor against power is elite. | |||||
| 29 | Chiefs | Chiefs | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee |
| Via LAR | McCoy slid farther than normal, and the Chiefs would be extremely happy to see him on the board. After grabbing the Travis Kelce replacement earlier, they get to grab Trent McDuffie’s replacement with one of the picks they got when they traded him. | ||||
| 30 | Broncos |  Broncos Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
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| Bo Nix needs a new toy at wide receiver, and Boston would be a great addition to the Denver Broncos, one of the quietest teams in free agency. At 6’4”, 210 pounds, Boston is a “big X” receiver. |
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| 31 | Patriots |  Patriots | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah |
| 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, Lomu can play right tackle with the possibility of moving to the left side later on if they need. | |||||
| 32 | Seahawks |  Seahawks | Zion Young | ED | Missouri |
| The Super Bowl Champions still have Uchenna Nwosu and DeMarcus Lawrence, but both are expensive and older. Young gives them a “young” guy with a solid succession plan to anchor the pass rushing of this elite defense for years to come. | |||||
