The draft is less than a fortnight away so it’s type for my penultimate 2026 NFL Mock Draft article, as I attempt to go back-to-back as the world’s most accurate Mock Drafter (according to Fantasypros.) As always, send me any questions in the comments below.
1. 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.
2. Jets – David Bailey (EDGE – TTU)
This pick is suddenly very much up in the air. There’s a lot of buzz (started by Peter Schrager and Daniel Jeremiah) that David Bailey will now be the pick here. While the oddsmakers have reacted to that news and moved Bailey to a slight favorite for this pick, this remains a true unknown and could easily switch back at any time. I will mention that I prefer Arvell Reese as the athletic upside pick with the Micah Parsons upside over the pure edge rusher in Bailey. But I’m not in the Jets draft room and I expect to receive some clearly indication from inside the building closer to the day..
3. Cardinals – Arvell Reese (EDGE – OSU)
With Arvell Reese still available, that surely must be the pick here. There has been conversation around a right tackle and Francis Mauigoa is a popular player to mock here, but I’m growing in my confidence that Arizona will select an edge rusher, or trade down to let someone else make that selection.
4. Titans – Jeremiyah Love (RB – ND)
This isn’t set in stone, but it is certainly the most likely outcome, though that will change immediately if the Cardinals selected a tackle with 1.03 instead. Assuming that doesn’t happen though, Jeremiyah Love gives the Titans an immediate all-purpose weapon who can take some attention away from Cam Ward. Well, that’s the thought process anyway. I think the Raiders showed what happens when you draft a running back before the rest of your offense is sorted, but let’s not expect NFL decision makers to be logical.
5. Giants – Francis Mauigoa (OT – MIA)
For the first time this mock, I’m going away from the consensus and the bookmakers. Sonny Styles is the chalk pick here, but I don’t think he makes a lot of sense. The Giants need to protect Jaxson Dart and HC John Harbaugh has come out and explicitly said they want an elite O-line. A tackle makes a lot more sense than a luxury pick like a linebacker hybrid, while a trade back is also possible if they can find a dance partner. Francis Mauigoa is generally considered to be the best OT in this year’s class, but Spencer Fano is also a possibility and is favored by some teams. In fact, the Giants have used a T30 visit on Fano, but not Mauigoa.
6. Browns – Carnell Tate (WR – OSU)
The Browns would love to trade back to acquire more ammo, but we can be confident no matter where Cleveland picks in the first round, they will likely target an offensive tackle and a wide receiver. There are quite a few solid tackle prospects who should be available at 1.24, so I’d suggest a receiver makes more sense here. Carnell Tate is the consensus top pick, though there certainly teams who would favor another option. If that’s Cleveland, a trade back to get someone like Jordyn Tyson (WR) or Spencer Fano (OT) makes a lot of sense.
7. Commanders – Sonny Styles (LB – OSU)
The Commanders want an edge rusher, but can they pass up on an elite defender? When your linebacking has been a real liability, I think you need to take that risk. But, while I’d like to see Rueben Bain go here, I think Sonny Styles is more likely. He’s a super-talented off-ball linebacker who can be a real difference-maker for Washington.
8. Saints – Rueben Bain Jr (EDGE – MIA)
This could go in a number of directions. Wide receiver makes a lot of sense given the Saints’ lack of options behind Chris Olave, but this feels a little early for Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson. If Carnell Tate falls though, I’d imagine this is his floor. Cornerback is also a weakness and that was a real temptation for me. I could imagine either Mansoor Delane or Jermod McCoy being the pick. But I can’t let Rueben Bain Jr fall any further. Picks 7-9 feels like his range, despite question marks around his short arms and whether he can produce without another elite pass rusher opposite him.
9. Chiefs – Spencer Fano (OT – UTA)
The Chiefs have a laundry list of needs, with cornerback, wide receiver and edge rusher all viable options here. But Jawaan Taylor is gone and Jaylon Moore isn’t the answer. The Chiefs need a right tackle opposite Josh Simmons, and Spencer Fano could easily be the answer. While Francis Mauigoa is the popular top tackle, a lot of teams favor Fano and he could easily hear his name called in the top ten.
10. Bengals – Mansoor Delane (CB – VT)
I’ve previously mocked the Bengals Caleb Downs, which remains a popular choice in sharp mocks. But news of a potential knee issue has me nervous, plus safeties typically fall in drafts. Add in the glowing endorsement the combination of Jordan Battle and Bryan Cook has received from Cincy brass, and you have to expect they go elsewhere on defense. Cornerback remains an issue so I’m addressing the secondary with Mansoor Delane this time around. The question of Delane vs Jermod McCoy remains a significant one though. While Delane is safer, McCoy looked fantastic in 2024 and finally appears to be healthy. Watch this space.
11. Dolphins – Jordyn Tyson (WR – ARST)
The Dolphins have needs across the board and would likely have hoped Spencer Fano fell to them. Mansoor Delane is also a player they love, and it wouldn’t be crazy if they took Jermod McCoy instead. But Miami badly need a stud receiver, and that’s Jordyn Tyson. He’s a seriously risky pick given his injury history, but I like him for Miami a lot more than Makai Lemon.
12. 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. If either of the top two cornerbacks is available here, the Cowboys should strike. That’s assuming they don’t trade up to get an edge rusher of course. Jermod McCoy was fantastic in 2024 before a lost season last year due to injury threw up a heap of question marks. He appears to be healthy now and is a threat to sneak into the top ten.
13. Rams – Makai Lemon (WR – USC)
The Rams have the most well-rounded roster in the league, but Puka Nacua’s off-the-field issues and Davante Adams’s age mean receiver could soon be a real issue. Makai Lemon isn’t a clean prospect give his poor Combine interviews, but Tony Pauline reports this is his floor and for now, I’m inclined to agree.
14. Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq (TE – ORE)
The Ravens miss out on the top three receivers but they can go in another direction and lean on double tight end sets, as they have for many years before. Isaiah Likely is out the door but Kenyon Sadiq would give the team a huge upgrade as a very athletic receiving tight end who is also a willing blocker. The combination of Sadiq and Mark Andrews would make the Ravens a total nightmare across the middle of the field.
15. Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk (EDGE – AUB)
The Buccaneers get sniped as the Ravens take their preferred pick. But Tampa Bay has a heap of needs on defense and could reasonably take any player in the front seven without complaint. This feels a little early for CJ Allen or the defensive tackles (though don’t discount Peter Woods) so I’m giving them Keldric Faulk instead. I’d say he’s likely to go somewhere between picks 14 and 20 as a top level pass rusher who lacks the upside of the elite top ten guys.
16. Jets – Caleb Downs (S – OSU)
Any of the last six players selected would have been a preferable pick for the Jets, so they’re forced to go a little off the board. Caleb Downs is the best player available and fulfils a need, as Andre Cisco and Dane Belton aren’t good enough in coverage. Downs would be incredible next to new signing Minkah Fitzpatrick in a secondary badly needing an overhaul.
Check out Part 2 for the remaining 16 picks.
