The NFL Draft is approaching quickly, and predictions are starting to emerge. The Super Bowl is over, and the offseason has begun. The Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock.
Fernando Mendoza is a lock to go number one to the Raiders, a team desperate for QB play. Mendoza is fresh off winning a national championship at Indiana, and he looks to bring that championship-level leadership to the NFL with the first pick. Klint Kubiak and Mendoza will be a first-year HC-QB duo to keep an eye on in 2026.
Arvell Reese is simply the best player in the 2026 draft. He has some versatility and experience playing both primary LB and EDGE rusher. The New York Jets would probably prefer to pick a quarterback here, but the class is too weak to justify picking someone like Ty Simpson this early.
Francis Mauigoa has an extremely wide range when it comes to where he may be selected. The Arizona Cardinals would be in the market for a QB, but once again, the lack of quarterback depth doesn’t allow a reasonable selection here. Addressing the offensive line is the best move for the Cardinals.
David Bailey is the best pass rusher in the class with great explosiveness and smoothness. The Tennessee Titans would be adding a star on defense with this selection. Offensive Lineman could be on the table for Tennessee, but Bailey is the best NFL draft prospect available.
Caleb Downs has been discussed as one of the top names from the 2026 NFL draft class for years. He’s easily the best defensive back in the country and would be a fantastic pick for the New York Giants at five. A receiver could be tempting here as well, with many top-tier options available.
Spencer Fano is the perfect player for the Cleveland Browns to build their new offensive line around. A smooth-moving tackle who started two years on the right side. The Browns need to address this position, as they were top ten in sacks allowed in the NFL this past season.
Carnell Tate is the first receiver of the board in a class with many big-time pass catchers. The Ohio State product would give the Washington Commanders a star to pair next to Terry McLaurin for years to come.
Makai Lemon is an electric receiver who makes up for his lack of size (5’11 195lbs) with great skills after the catch. He would be a perfect complement to New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave.
Jeremiyah Love has an argument to be the best player in this year’s NFL draft class. The Notre Dame RB dominated college football and has all the traits to be the next elite back in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs would be adding another dynamic playmaker to their explosive Super Bowl-caliber offense. Love could go earlier when April comes, but the Chiefs are likely the furthest he’d fall.
The Cincinnati Bengals are always searching for defensive help, and selecting Reuben Bain Jr. would be exactly what they need. He is an absolute machine when it comes to sacking the quarterback. He is a top-five player in the class and could compete with Bailey to be the top EDGE rusher taken.
Mansoor Delane has turned himself into the best cornerback in this year’s draft. He has excellent ball skills and instincts. The Miami Dolphins need to address the cornerback position, with both of their primary corners hitting the free agency market.
The Dallas Cowboys benefit greatly from the defensive depth of the draft class. Sonny Styles is a top five-ten player in a typical draft. The Cowboys need to bolster their defense, and adding an LB like Styles does just that.
The Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, and they are likely to address the cornerback position with one of them. Jermod McCoy is an interesting case of high-risk, high-reward. He has great talent, but he comes with big injury issues. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
Jordyn Tyson is the receiver the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson have been missing for years. A big-bodied WR who is a threat from anywhere on the field. This would be a home run pick for Baltimore.
Keldric Faulk is a hybrid lineman who could come off the edge or rush from the interior. His 6’6 285lb frame generates enough power to aid that great versatility. His 2025 season was viewed as a disappointment, but he had seven sacks just the year prior. The Bucs are desperate for pass rush help, having gone four seasons without a player with eight-plus sacks.
The Jets need talent, plain and simple. They added Reese with pick three in this mock draft, so going offense with pick 16 makes the most sense. Denzel Boston is fantastic at making the quarterback’s job easier. His contested ball skills are the best in the class, and he uses his size well to beat corners. The Jets don’t have their QB of the future, but a duo of Garrett Wilson and Boston would be a perfect start for whoever that quarterback is.
Blake Miller is the type of pick that contenders who want to win now make. His upside may not be as high as some of the other offensive tackles in the class, but he is a ready contributor in week one. He would sure up the Detroit Lions O-line immediately, giving them a chance to win immediately.
Avieon Terrell has jumped around big boards and CB rankings, with some having him ranked as high as number one. The Minnesota Vikings are going to have an opening at corner with Isiah Rodgers set to hit free agency, so Terrell fits well.
The Carolina Panthers have been lacking a high-level “sack guy” in recent years, not having a player with more than six sacks in either of the past two seasons. Cashius Howell is exactly what Carolina needs. He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year with 11.5 sacks this past season. He uses his speed and athletic burst to make up for his limited reach and get to the QB.
Akheem Mesidor is an interesting player in the 2026 draft class. He will be 25 years old when the season starts, making him less likely to be drafted by a team seeking upside. Luckily, the Cowboys are in need of defensive help NOW. They use their second first-round pick to double up on defense.
Chris Brazzell is projected to go in the second round in a majority of mock drafts; his talent may be going under the radar. He has a massive frame to grow into and speed like no other. The talent could have him in a position to be a surprise day one pick come April.
The Los Angeles Chargers are built on their offensive line. They were destroyed by injuries last season, but the core of Jim Harbaugh’s team is the O-Line. Olaivavega Ioane is the best interior lineman in this draft class, and he also may be the most physical player, regardless of position. He is great at both run blocking and pass protection, making him a perfect addition for Los Angeles.
Kenyon Sadiq is the number one TE in this NFL draft class with little debate. His offensive skill set would bring a new dynamic to an NFL offense. The Philadelphia Eagles could be moving on from Dallas Goedert, making Sadiq a perfect target in round one.
The Browns double up on offensive tackle here by picking a mountain of a man. Kadyn Proctor is a bit of a project, but his frame and big game experience at Alabama should give him an early advantage. His power and strength are amongst the best in the class, regardless of position. Cleveland needs to revamp the O-line. Could they enter 2026 with two rookies at the tackle positions?
TJ Parker might be the most underrated EDGE rusher in this year’s draft class. He is tremendous at setting the edge in the run game and has some serious potential rushing the passer. The Chicago Bears need pass-rush help, and Parker would help with that and more.
Peter Woods has the talent to go much higher in the mock draft than this. The thing forcing him so low in projections is his frame and shorter arms. He is a fantastic athlete who could be a big-time value pick at 26 for the Buffalo Bills.
KC Concepcion is the sixth wide receiver taken in the first round of this mock draft, approaching a NFL record (seven in 2004). He is a great, versatile “chess-piece” type of player that thrives in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The San Francisco 49ers need help at receiver, and Concepcion could be their new Deebo Samuel.
Monroe Freeling is another one of the “project-type” offensive tackles who could have big-time upside, especially this late in round one. He doesn’t have a ton of college experience, but his massive 6’7 frame is intriguing to NFL scouts. He moves well for someone that size, particularly in the run game.
The Rams need secondary help, and adding Brandon Cisse would be their second cornerback taken in this mock draft. He is not the traditional corner, as he brings a rare type of strength for the position. He can play on the outside and in the slot. Cisse is also very good in the run game.
Anthony Hill is an explosive LB who would bolster one of the NFLs premier defenses in the Denver Broncos. He has good versatility as well; he can reliably rush the passer when necessary.
LT Overton is not the flashy level of EDGE rusher that went off the board earlier, but he is great at doing the little things. He was fantastic at collapsing the pocket at Alabama and making the lives of other defensive linemen easier. The New England Patriots, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, may be a few complementary pieces like Overton away from winning it all.
Caleb Lomu spent 2025 as a tackle for Utah. He could easily slide to the interior, where the Seattle Seahawks could use some refining. There aren’t really holes on the NFL champs’ roster, but the guard position next to Grey Zabel may be the closest thing to it.
The NFL draft is the most exciting time of the offseason. The buildup and predictions build anticipation for the event that changes so many lives. Mock draft season is here.
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