With free agency in the rear view, all eyes are officially on the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams are taking shape, and draft plans are becoming clearer with each passing day.
All 32 NFL teams are searching for their next superstar, aiming for a player who will change their futures. With that in mind, it’s time for an updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
If you don’t expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first overall pick in this Draft, you may be living under a rock. After revamping their roster, the Raiders signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins to mentor the 2025 Heisman winner.
Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season and a National Championship. He’s 6’5” and 236 pounds with an unreal football IQ; he’s the prototype. At this point, it’s nearly impossible that they go any other direction.
After signing Geno Smith, the Jets have made it clear they’re looking to 2027 for their franchise QB. They’ve loaded the defense with veterans like Demario Davis, Joseph Ossai, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. They won’t be stopping there.
Arvell Reese is a dynamic linebacker who can play exceptionally off the edge. He’s 20 years old, and as versatile as they come, playing both as a Mike and a Will linebacker.
In my previous mock, I had the Cardinals going defense here, but Francis Mauigoa seems more likely. The quarterback situation is still unclear, and they’ll likely look to next year to find their man. Bringing the protection in first would be a smart move.
Mauigoa was a three-year starter at Miami, and at 6’5”, 329 pounds, he’s a brick wall. He’s built like a guard and moves like a tackle, and his football IQ is wildly impressive. Arizona could find a 10+ year starter right here.
Like the Raiders, the Titans have undergone a massive roster overhaul. They’re looking to improve the offense for their 2025 first overall pick, Cam Ward. What’s better for that than a generational running back prospect?
Jeremiyah Love has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and in that time has rushed for 35 touchdowns. His ability to excel as a receiver will give Ward a reliable checkdown option in his first year under new OC Brian Daboll.
Caleb Downs is exactly what the doctor has ordered for John Harbaugh’s New York Giants. In 2025, they ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed per game (145.4).
Downs is one of the best tacklers in this draft and plays man coverage at a pro level. He would immediately upgrade one of the least efficient secondaries in the NFL. The Giants need a player like him if they want to turn things around.
The Browns have two paths in this year’s Draft: wide receiver and offensive line. Lucky for them, they have two first-round picks, so it’s a coin flip here. With Mauigoa off the board, the logical option would be to take the top wide receiver prospect.
Carnell Tate has played and excelled in offenses with Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith. He has reliable hands, and he would be the lethal deep threat that Cleveland desperately needs.
The Commanders are heavily lacking in their pass rush, and David Bailey is an immediate and long-term fix for that.
Bailey recorded 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss (TFL) in 2025 and showed off an impressive 35” vertical at the NFL Combine. He’s arguably the best edge rusher in this Draft. He may not fall past the top five, but if he does, Washington needs to take him.
Sonny Styles is the perfect replacement for Demario Davis after the Saints moved on from the 14-year veteran. He showed off a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 43.5” vertical at the Combine.
Styles’ IQ is what sets him apart from everyone else. He can diagnose offenses with ease and quickly capitalize on his analysis. He won’t be the first linebacker off the board, but he may pan out to be the best.
The Chiefs traded star CB Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, and they’ll find their replacement right here. Mansoor Delane is the top cornerback prospect in this Draft, and for good reason.
Delane is athletic, disciplined, and shuts down everyone he lines up against. He didn’t allow a single touchdown in 2025 and has the potential to quickly fill McDuffie’s shoes.
The Bengals’ defense has been a hindrance for several years now. Their superstar defensive end, Trey Hendrickson, is now a Baltimore Raven, and he leaves big shoes to fill. Miami’s Rueben Bain at 10 may be the obvious pick for Cincy.
Bain is 6’2” and 263 pounds, and he is one of the strongest edge rushers in this Draft. He has the power of a defensive tackle with the agility of an edge defender. His explosivity should translate quickly to the NFL, and he’ll be a day-one starter for Cincinnati.
2026 might just be a tank year for the Dolphins, but it’s about building pieces for the future. They released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle, leaving the receiver position devoid of any true star power.
Makai Lemon is a high-volume slot receiver with exceptional hands. In 2025, he hauled in 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns at USC. He’s 5’11” and 192 pounds, but what he’s lacking in size he makes up for in IQ and agility. He could be a true centerpiece for a rebuilding Dolphins team.
The Cowboys’ secondary was one of the league’s worst in 2025. They allowed 35 passing touchdowns, trailing only the New York Jets. This Draft is about overhauling the defense, and Dillon Thieneman is the answer.
Thieneman spent two seasons at Purdue before going to Oregon in 2025. In 39 games, he has 188 solo tackles, 306 combined tackles, 10 TFLs, and eight interceptions. He started all three years in college and has the ability to be a field general for a defense that desperately needs it.
The Rams are trying to make one more Super Bowl run while Matthew Stafford is still under center. They have weapons, an elite defense, and a future Hall of Fame quarterback. What they need now is to protect him.
Spencer Fano is the consensus number two offensive tackle in this Draft. He’s 6’5” and 311 pounds with three years of starter experience. He’s athletic and can block downhill. He’d be an extremely effective blocker for Kyren Williams and a shield for Stafford.
The Ravens are back in the first round after dropping out of a trade for Maxx Crosby. They’ve lost multiple starters in free agency, including center Tyler Linderbaum. Finding a strong interior lineman will be important to their run-heavy offense.
Vega Ioane is 6’4” and 320 pounds of pure strength. He has thick limbs and a broad frame with terrific balance. He’s everything Baltimore needs to support Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry’s running ability.
The Buccaneers’ defense was their clear weak spot in 2025. The injuries to the offense didn’t help, but at full strength, the scales are unbalanced. Miami’s Akheem Mesidor is the perfect move to elevate the defense.
Mesidor is 25 years old with six years of college experience. He’s played in 65 games, and in that span recorded 123 solo tackles, 208 combined tackles, 52.5 TFLs, and 35.5 sacks. His age may cause some hesitation, but the positive is that he’s more than ready for the NFL.
The Jets have a second pick in the first round after trading Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts. They’ll use the first to address defense, then turn their attention to offense.
Arizona’s Jordyn Tyson had a stellar 2024 season, recording 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 2025 was cut short due to injury, but in nine games, he had 61 catches for 711 yards and eight scores. He’s versatile enough to line up anywhere and would become a great duo with Garrett Wilson.
The Lions struggled mightily on the offensive line in 2025, so much to the point that Frank Ragnow tried to come out of retirement. Penei Sewell is one of the best tackles in the NFL, but he shouldn’t need to play both sides of the line.
Georgia’s Monroe Freeling is 6’7” and 315 pounds, bringing size and strength to Detroit. He has 34 3/4 “ arms, and he’s extremely athletic. He’s everything head coach Dan Campbell could want in an offensive tackle.
The Vikings will look to bolster their defense with defensive coordinator Brian Flores returning. Jermod McCoy is a 6’1”, 188-pound cornerback with great footwork.
McCoy suffered a torn ACL ahead of the 2025 season, so he only has two years of experience. Without that injury, he may be a top-10 pick in this Draft. A CB with a high ceiling and limited experience in a Flores-led system could be beneficial to everyone involved.
The Panthers’ tight end room currently consists of Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble. This is no slight to either of them, but Kenyon Sadiq would be huge for Bryce Young’s ascension.
Sadiq posted a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest ever for a tight end, at the NFL Combine. He also posted a vertical of 43.5 inches, the second-best ever by a tight end. He’s a pure athletic freak with strong hands. If he’s not off the board by 19, he won’t make it further than this.
The Cowboys continue their defensive overhaul with their second first-round pick. After drafting Thieneman, they’ll focus on the pass rush with Auburn’s Keldric Faulk.
Faulk is only 20 years old, but he’s a culture builder with tremendous leadership qualities. In 37 games at Auburn, he recorded 73 solo tackles, 19.5 TFLs, and 10 sacks. He’s a young prospect with a ridiculously high upside. Filling Micah Parsons’ shoes is tough, but Faulk is a strong candidate for the job.
The Steelers’ QB situation is still a massive question mark, but filling the offensive line is always important. After losing Isaac Seumalo and questions surrounding Broderick Jones’ health, Blake Miller may be just what the doctor ordered.
Miller is 6’7” and 317 pounds with 34” arms. He has 54 career starts, and he consistently wins the run game. His handwork needs improvement, but his positives heavily compensate for that. He has the potential to be a long-time centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s offense.
The Chargers will almost certainly look to build the trenches in this year’s Draft. With Freeling, Fano, and Ioane off the board, they’ll turn to the defensive side with Clemson’s Peter Woods.
Woods is young and still growing into a high-level defender, but he’s on a fast track. He’s powerful and explosive and can play both in the one and two-gap. In 35 games, he has 41 solo tackles, 84 combined tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and five sacks.
The Eagles could look to bolster the offensive line here, but instead will look to replace safety Reed Blankenship. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a 6’3”, 201-pound safety who plays effectively against the run.
In 48 games at Toledo, McNeil-Warren has 106 solo tackles, 214 combined tackles, 11 TFLs, and five interceptions. He’s an enforcer in the middle of the field and could quickly fill the void left by Blankenship.
I said earlier that the Browns have two paths in this Draft. After taking a receiver sixth overall, they’ll turn to the offensive line. Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor is a 6’7”, 352-pound mountain of a man.
Proctor has strong hands and anchors well in protection. Cleveland hasn’t fully committed to anyone as its QB1. With Quinshon Judkins in the backfield, a dominant blocker like Proctor will be wildly beneficial.
The Chicago Bears are in less of a rebuild stage and are now looking to upgrade. The one position that’s been hindering them is at defensive end. With the 25th pick, they’ll turn to Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell.
In the last two years, Howell has recorded 46 solo tackles, 71 combined tackles, 22.5 TFLs, and 15.5 sacks. He’s 6’2” and 253 pounds, bringing immense strength with his athleticism. Head coach Ben Johnson is an offensive mind, but he’s probably already drawing up schemes for someone like Howell.
The Bills are still in their Super Bowl window, but they need to build a stronger roster around Josh Allen. An improved defense could help him keep the Superman cape in the closet.
Georgia’s CJ Allen is a field general of a linebacker, and he’s incredibly patient against the run. Over the last three years, he’s recorded 117 solo tackles, 205 combined tackles, 13.5 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks. His leadership qualities could mirror Buffalo’s star QB on the defensive side.
Kayden McDonald is a 6’2”, 326-pound defensive tackle who excels in run defense. He’s quick to locate the ball-carrier, and he produced nine TFLs in 2025. He’s a bulldozer that could quickly elevate San Francisco’s defense.
If the Texans don’t address their offensive line needs, they’re just asking for another long season. Caleb Lomu was a two-year starter at Utah, and he excels at pass-protection. At 6’6” and 313 pounds, his core strength keeps him from getting rattled. He anchors well, and his athleticism allows him to recover quickly.
After finding Trent McDuffie’s replacement early, the Chiefs will move to the front of the defense. Clemson’s T.J. Parker showed great production in 2024, but his 2025 tape leaves a little to be desired.
Over 39 games at Clemson, Parker recorded 71 solo tackles, 126 combined tackles, 41.5 TFLs, and 21.5 sacks. His 2025 numbers may show a decline, but his overall stat sheet is impressive enough for Kansas City to take him here.
The Dolphins join the fray as teams with multiple first-round picks after trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. They’ll find his replacement early and then turn to the defense.
Avieon Terrell is athletic and fluid in his movements and can play inside or outside. He’s effective in press-man coverage with his ability to mirror receivers. He’s exactly the kind of player Miami’s new head coach, Jeff Hafley, would love to have.
The Patriots picked up former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency, but the search for a true number one isn’t over. Omar Cooper is a strong receiver who can play both inside and outside and was instrumental in Indiana’s National Championship run.
Over the last three years, Cooper has recorded 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s a speedy receiver who can quickly become Drake Maye’s favorite target in New England.
The Super Bowl champion Seahawks will be looking to replace some holes left in free agency. After cornerback Tariq Woolen signed with the Eagles, his replacement is right in front of their faces.
Over the last two seasons at Colorado and Tennessee, Colton Hood has recorded 54 solo tackles, 74 combined tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and three interceptions. He’s an athletic bully who would fit perfectly in Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense.
The NFL Draft is wildly unpredictable, and there is still a high possibility that trades will take place. The weekend of April 23rd will bring a sea change across the league.
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