The NFL regular season has ended, and the playoffs are here. With Week 18 coming to a close, the Draft board is starting to solidify. It’s never too early for an NFL Mock Draft, so here are the top 10 teams, and who they should pick.
The number one overall pick is usually fairly obvious, and 2026 is no different. The Raiders’ offense ranked 28th in pass yards per game (167.7) and 32nd in points per game (14.2). Pete Carroll has been fired, and a new head coach will want to replace Geno Smith.
Fernando Mendoza has taken college football by storm amidst Indiana’s impressive run. He won the 2025 Heisman award and is the consensus top pick in this draft. Vegas won’t overthink this.
It was initially believed that the Jets would draft Oregon QB Dante Moore second overall. Moore has decided to forgo the Draft and return to college for another year. This leaves New York in a tough spot where they’ll either trade back or take the best player available.
Arvell Reese is a perfect pick for anyone, regardless of Draft position. Ohio State is going to be an NFL factory this year, and the linebacker will be the first to go. At 6’4”, 243 pounds, he has the potential to be a game-wrecker. The Jets will have to wait until 2027 to find their franchise QB, but their laughably bad defense certainly needs help.
The Cardinals will have plenty of holes to address in 2026. Their head coach, Jonathan Gannon, was fired, and they may move on from Kyler Murray. While their future at QB is in question, veteran Jacoby Brissett is more than competent running that offense for now.
Spencer Fano is arguably the best tackle in this Draft. He’s familiar with both the left and the right side, and he’s a two-time All-American. Arizona needs to build this offensive line for their future QB, and Fano is a great piece to add.
The Titans are the first team on this list to have their franchise QB in place and will now build around him. Despite the team being a dumpster fire, Cam Ward has shown immense potential.
Simply put, Ward needs weapons. The Titans are lacking playmakers all over the field, and Carnell Tate is an immediate WR1 in Tennessee. His presence would shift entire defensive game plans, opening opportunities for Ward.
The Giants were so close to that first overall pick. After winning their final two games, they dropped to fifth. The bright side? Jaxson Dart has silenced the doubters, and John Harbaugh is likely to be their new head coach.
New York’s defense was historically bad in 2025. Blame it on Shane Bowen if you must, but the secondary was miserable. Caleb Downs isn’t only the best safety in this draft; he’s the best overall player. This is a match made in heaven, especially for a Harbaugh-led team.
The Browns’ 2025 season was a confusing roller coaster. Their defense is impressive, and the offense showed promise. They finally feel like they’re close to good football, and they’ve fired their head coach.
Shedeur Sanders, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr. are a nice trio, but they’re missing a strong wide receiver. Jordyn Tyson is smooth in his route running, he’s fast, and he can make tough catches. He could unlock something dangerous in this offense, regardless of the head coach.
The Commanders have a talented team led by a former Offensive Rookie of the Year QB. Their biggest hurdle right now is finding youth. They currently have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL and could lose key players in the coming seasons.
If Reese falls this far, he’ll go to Washington, but since he likely won’t, they’ll grab another top-tier defender. Rueben Bain is a versatile machine that can instill some juice into this team. The Commanders’ defense needs strength, and they’ll get it here.
It might be safe to say the Saints have found their QB. In nine starts, Tyler Shough has quickly impressed “Who Dat” Nation and should be the centerpiece of this offense.
While Alvin Kamara is certainly not ready to hang up the cleats, it’s time to bring in a young rusher alongside him. Jeremiyah Love was the only non-QB to be a Heisman finalist, and he’s dominant in the running and passing game. He and Shough could do a ton of damage to defenses for years to come.
It’s strange to see the Chiefs pick inside the top 10, but that’s the world we live in. They are facing a ton of questions going into 2026 and may be without Patrick Mahomes to start the year. This is the time to take a complimentary piece for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Texas Tech’s David Bailey is a perfect fit for Spagnuolo. He’s an immediate starter who can develop nicely in one of the NFL’s best defensive systems.
If there’s one thing the Cincinnati Bengals don’t need in 2026, it’s offensive players. They’re offensive line has improved this season, they have terrific receivers, and Joe Burrow should be sticking around.
Cincinnati’s defense ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed per game (93.6). Peter Woods is arguably the best run-stopper in this draft, and at 10, he’d be a steal. The Bengals need to fix this defense, and their best option is already wearing orange.
The NFL Draft is wildly unpredictable, but some moves just make sense. The top 10 picks are always met with high expectations, and these 10 players are up for the challenge. 2026 should be an exciting year for many of these teams.
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