With the 2025 champions crowned, it’s time to move forward and shift our focus to the 2026 NFL Draft, which is just two months away. Last year, I finished as the world’s most accurate mock drafter, according to FantasyPros. This year, I’m looking to go back to back. So this is very much a first draft, which will be updated and adjusted as the draft nears. As always, send me any questions in the comments below.
- Raiders – Fernando Mendoza (QB – IND)
This one has been set in stone for some time now, as Dante Moore’s return to college removed any intrigue that might have existed. Without a controversy of epic proportions, Fernando Mendoza will be selected first overall in April. The National Champion is a safe prospect who needs some development but should turn into the first solid starter for the Raiders since Derek Carr.
- Jets – Arvell Reese (EDGE – OSU)
The Jets need a quarterback, but it would be a total waste to pick one this early. This pick will near certainly be an edge rusher and I expect it will probably be Arvell Reese. The former Buckeye profiles as an every down linebacker who still has some question marks, as his explosive 2025 came a little out of nowhere.
- Cardinals – David Bailey (EDGE – TTU)
The Cardinals need a right tackle, but that’s too early for any of this class. Instead, they take David Bailey, a speedy edge rusher out of Texas Tech. His size limits him a little and he may struggle to start on early downs, but his sack production would give Arizona the defensive boost they’ve needed for years.
- Titans – Rueben Bain Jr (EDGE – MIA)
This feels a little early for Rueben Bain, who has been highly productive but carries plenty of question marks. However, I believe his strong character and Tennessee’s positional needs will lead them to take a punt on Bain over the cornerbacks and wide receivers available here.
- Giants – Francis Mauigoa (OT – MIA)
The popular picks here are defensive back and wide receiver, while they’re also rumored to like Jeremiyah Love, but I believe the Giants need to do whatever they can to protect Jaxson Dart. Enter another Miami prospect, big Francis Mauigoa. He’s an excellent run blocker who will likely get a chance at tackle with the flexibility to move to guard if that doesn’t work out.
- Browns – Spencer Fano (OT – UTAH)
The Browns badly need a quarterback, but they also badly need offensive line help. Given there isn’t a passer suitable for this range, I expect they take one of the two stud tackle prospects in this class. Spencer Fano is raw but highly talented and suits Cleveland as they have time to develop him.
- Commanders – Keldric Faulk (EDGE – AUB)
The popular picks for Washington are Rueben Bain and Jeremiyah Love, but with Bain off the board, I went in a different direction. I really rate Keldric Faulk as a good run defender who could develop into a solid blocker. Meanwhile, I think the Commanders have shown they don’t need an elite runner to have a good run game.
- Saints – Carnell Tate (WR – OSU)
The Saints may have found their quarterback solution (heavy emphasis on maybe) but they need to surround him with more talent. Chris Olave is great when he’s healthy, but they can’t enter the season with DeVaughn Vele and Kevin Austin as starters. Carnell Tate is great WR2 with solid all round talent. He’ll unlikely to be a superstar, but he’s a very safe pick.
- Chiefs – Jeremiyah Love (RB – ND)
The Chiefs have an alarming amount of needs, with edge rusher, defensive tackle and safety all viable options. But Jeremiyah Love is a Top 10 talent and surely can’t fall past the Chiefs. With Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both free agents (and frankly awful anyway), the KC run game needs a spark to take some pressure off Patrick Mahomes. Love is a true every down back who can contribute straight away in all facets of the game.
- Bengals – Caleb Downs (S – OSU)
In my opinion, safeties don’t belong in the Top 10. But Caleb Downs is a special talent who is getting mocked in a lot of Top 5s and may still rise for me. After all, this is what I think will happen, not what should happen. The Bengals have had an awful secondary for years now and need to find a solution; whether that’s Downs, a cornerback, or an edge rusher to replace Trey Hendrickson.
- Dolphins – Mansoor Delane (CB – VT)
The Dolphins secondary played well above expectations last season, but still needs some significant additions. Mansoor Delane is a safe prospect with good all-round skills who could sneak into the first round as the possible first cornerback off the board. He’s not an elite talent but premium positions tend to go early, and I think this is the floor for the first CB off the board.
- Cowboys – Jermod McCoy (CB – TEN)
The Cowboys need upgrades across their defense, so I’d expect they spend both first round picks on this side of the ball, depending on what is available. In this case, cornerback is the most obvious choice. Jermod McCoy is a pacy, athletic prospect who will need to improve his tackling technique. He could easily end up as a nickel-only option.
- Rams – Avieon Terrell (CB – CLEM)
The Rams have been sniffing around the cornerback market and are likely to use one of their first round picks at the position. Avieon Terrell is small but very talented and will likely end up in the middle of the first round.
- Ravens – Jordyn Tyson (WR – ASU)
The Ravens need a better WR2 as Rashod Bateman just ain’t it. Jordyn Tyson is a solid, well-rounded receiver who would likely go earlier if not for his injury issues.
- Buccaneers – Sonny Styles (LB – OSU)
Last year I was high on the Buccaneers drafting Jihaad Campbell. They didn’t, and linebacker remains a need. Sonny Styles is the elite off-ball linebacker in this class and is unlikely to fall far past Tampa Bay at 15.
- Jets – Makai Lemon (WR – USC)
The Jets use their second pick on a complement to Garrett Wilson. A smaller receiver who runs great routes, Makai Lemon profiles as a slot guy in the NFL.
- Lions – Zion Young (EDGE – MIZ)
- Vikings – Brandon Cisse (CB – SC)
- Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq (TE – ORE)
- Cowboys – Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – MIA)
- Steelers – Caleb Lomu (OT – UTAH)
- Chargers – Peter Woods (DT – CLEM)
- Eagles – Olaivavega Ioane (OG – PSU)
- Browns – Denzel Boston (WR – WAS)
- Bears – Kayden McDonald (DT – OSU)
- Bills – Cashius Howell (EDGE – TA&M)
- 49ers – R. Mason Thomas (EDGE – OU)
- Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon (OG – ORE)
- Rams – Kadyn Proctor (OT – ALA)
- Broncos – CJ Allen (LB – UGA)
- Patriots – KC Concepcion (WR – T&AM)
- Seahawks – Colton Hood (CB – TEN) Â
