2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks (3.0)

We’re less than a month away from the NFL Draft, so business at the rumor mill is about to pick up. Since my last mock 2026 NFL mock draft, some teams have addressed gaping holes via free agency, thereby changing the priority of their draft needs.

We’ve also had a first-round pick change hands since then, with the Broncos giving the Dolphins the 30th overall pick as part of a deal for Jaylen Waddle. Here’s my best guess as to how things will play out in Pittsburgh the night of April 23rd.

And if you’re interested in checking out my previous mocks, here is mock draft 1.0 and here is mock draft 2.0.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB – Indiana)

It would be astonishing if the Raiders did anything other than keep this pick and use it on Fernando Mendoza, the best quarterback prospect in this class by miles.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Fernando Mendoza

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese (EDGE – Ohio State)

The Jets could take David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr. or Sonny Styles here, but the 20-year-old Arvell Reese may prove irresistible. He’s an explosive athlete with immense upside as an EDGE rusher who can also stuff the run.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Arvell Reese

3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas A&M)

A lot of mocks have the Cardinals taking Miami offensive tackle prospect Francis Mauigoa. As good a prospect as Mauigoa is, spending the No. 3 pick on a tackle who might not play on the left side seems like a dubious move.

The Cardinals were a bottom-five team in sacks and pressure rate last season. They have quantity but not enough quality at the edge. David Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in the class.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for David Bailey

4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)

Running back Jeremiyah Love is a possibility here, but it will be hard for new Titans head coach Robert Saleh to cook on defense without difference-makers on that side of the ball.

Never mind that Rueben Bain Jr. has relatively short arms. He’s a wrecking ball who wins with a devastating combination of agility and brute strength.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Rueben Bain Jr.

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

The Jeremiyah Love watch continues, but the Giants need defensive help. They have an exciting collection of pass-rushers, but need more juice on the other levels of the defense.

Sonny Styles is an athletic marvel who tested like Superman at the combine and could anchor Big Blue’s defense for a decade.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Sonny Styles

6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)

The third overall pick seems too early for Francis Mauigoa, but this spot seems just right for him. The Browns took steps to address their depleted offensive line in free agency, but that unit needs more work.

Mauigoa has the makings of an All-Pro right tackle, and he might eventually be able to play left tackle.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Francis Mauigoa

7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

The Commanders don’t need to take Jeremiyah Love after signing Rachaad White and Jerome Ford (and re-signing Jeremy McNichols), but their current running back group lacks sizzle.

Pair Love with young quarterback Jayden Daniels, and suddenly the Washington offense is keeping defensive coordinators awake at night.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jeremiyah Love

8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

Receiver is a clear need for the Saints. Chris Olave is a stud, but he has a worrisome medical history. Beyond Olave, the cupboard is pretty bare. With Olave on one side and Carnell Tate on the other, Tyler Shough would have a dynamic ex-Buckeye tandem.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Carnell Tate

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)

The Rams have looted the Chiefs’ secondary, trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson. Cornerback is now a pressing need for Kansas City, and Mansoor Delane might be the most foolproof cornerback in the class.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Mansoor Delane

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)

A knee issue that was flagged at the combine might drop Caleb Downs out of the top five, but it’s hard to see him making it past Cincinnati at No. 10.

The Bengals’ defense needs help at every level, and Downs is a proven playmaker who’ll bring needed intensity to the Queen City.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Caleb Downs

11. Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon (WR – USC)

Miami has needs aplenty, but the wide receiver position is barren after Miami traded Jaylen Waddle to Denver. It would be malpractice to sign Malik Willis to a multi-year deal and give him no weapons at receiver.

Makai Lemon could immediately be an explosive high-volume slot receiver, much like fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Makai Lemon

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

Jermod McCoy is a bit of a gamble after missing the 2025 season while recovering from a torn ACL and then not working out at the combine, but his 2024 tape suggests that he has star potential.

With two first-round picks, the Cowboys can address the secondary with one and the front seven with the other.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jermod McCoy

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

Puka Nacua is one of the best receivers in the league, but his take-no-prisoners style elevates his injury risk, and he’s had moments of odd behavior lately. Davante Adams is 33.

The talented Tyson is an insurance policy, and giving Matthew Stafford an extra weapon is an appealing premise.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jordyn Tyson

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane (OG – Penn State)

Olaivavega Ioane may well be the best offensive lineman in the class, but guards typically aren’t top-10 picks. The Ravens badly need interior line help and will pounce on Ioane if he makes it this far.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Olaivavega Ioane

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)

A lot of mocks have the Buccaneers taking Miami EDGE rusher Akheem Mesidor. He is a more finished product than Keldric Faulk, but there’s a reason for that. Mesidor will turn 25 in April; Faulk is 21.

The 6-foot-6, 276-pound Faulk is also bigger than Mesidor, although not quite as explosive. It’s just hard to see a team spending a top-15 pick on a 25-year-old.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Keldrick Faulk

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

The Jets are going to muddle through 2026 with Geno Smith at quarterback, effectively tanking the season. They’ll address the position in the potentially quarterback-rich 2027 NFL Draft.

The athletic and versatile Spencer Fano helps feather the nest for the Jets’ yet-to-be-identified quarterback of the future.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Spencer Fano

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

Monroe Freeling has been gaining steam, going as early as pick No. 6 in some mocks. That seems rich for a somewhat unfinished product, but Freeling would be a great option for the Lions at No. 17. Detroit needs to replace left tackle Taylor Decker.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Monroe Freeling

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman (S – Oregon)

This seems like a perfect team-player fit. Dillon Thieneman is an athletic freak who tore up the combine. The Vikings need to find the heir to 37-year-old safety Harrison Smith.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Dillon Thieneman

19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)

Kenyon Sadiq may not fall this far after running a 4.39 forty-yard dash and posting a 43.5-inch vertical jump. If he does, the Panthers, who have been getting substandard production from the tight end position, would pounce.

Sadiq and second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan would give Carolina an exciting young pair of pass-catchers.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kenyon Sadiq

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)

After taking a cornerback at No. 12, the Cowboys add an EDGE rusher. The 21-year-old T.J. Parker is coming off a mildly disappointing season at Clemson, but as a sophomore in 2024, he looked like a potential top-five draft pick. Parker’s ceiling is enticing.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for T.J.Parker

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kadyn Proctor (OL – Alabama)

With guard Isaac Seumalo having left in free agency and tackle Broderick Jones recovering from a serious neck injury, the offensive line is a pressing need.

The planet-sized Proctor (6-foot-7, 352 pounds) played tackle at Alabama but could also be an option at guard.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kadyn Proctor

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)

The Chargers still need interior offensive line help, but there’s no value on a guard or center here. They could also use more pass-rushing steam, and Akheem Mesidor is a refined EDGE rusher ready to contribute immediately.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Akheem Mesidor

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor (OT – Arizona State)

On the consensus big board at NFL Mock Draft Database, Max Iheanachor falls outside of the top 32. I’m convinced he will be a first-rounder because of his vast upside.

The 6-foot-6, 321-pound Iheanachor is a late-comer to organized football, but he’s been a quick learner, and his athleticism is special. He’ll be a good fit with the team that found and developed native Australian Jordan Mailata.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Max Iheanachor

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)

After addressing the offensive line with pick No. 6, the Browns add some much-needed talent to their receiving corps. Omar Cooper Jr. is terrific after the catch and has NFL toughness.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Omar Cooper Jr.

25. Chicago Bears: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S – Toledo)

The Bears lost starting safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. They signed ex-Seahawk Coby Bryant to fill one of those spots.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a hard-hitting playmaker, could fill the other. He has a small-school pedigree and isn’t ultra-athletic, but McNeil-Warren’s tape is attention-grabbing.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

26. Buffalo Bills: Kayden McDonald (DT – Ohio State)

The Bills acquired DJ Moore in a trade with the Bears, so wide receiver isn’t as urgent a need, although the Bills could still use help there. There’s value at defensive tackle at this point in the draft; Kayden McDonald would pair nicely with Ed Oliver up front.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kayden McDonald

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu (OT – Utah)

The 49ers could use pass-rushing help, but they took an EDGE rusher (Mykel Williams) in the first round last year, and this year’s EDGE class is deep enough to yield some good prospects deep into Day 2 of the draft.

Caleb Lomu has ample upside and would help fortify San Francisco’s aging offensive line.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Caleb Lomu

28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller (OT- Clemson)

The Texans’ offensive line has been an Achilles heel for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The rugged Blake Miller, a four-year starter at Clemson, helps upgrade that unit.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Blake Miller

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from L.A. Rams): Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)

Patrick Mahomes finally gets a big X receiver. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid loves speed at receiver. Denzel Boston is no burner, but he moves well for a bigger (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) wideout and would be an inviting red-zone target.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Denzel Boston

30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)

Cornerback is among the Dolphins’ many needs. Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, is an aggressive cover man with good ball skills.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Avieon Terrell

31. New England Patriots: Gabe Jacas (EDGE – Illinois)

A high-motor player whose stock has risen during the pre-draft process, Gabe Jacas seems like the sort of player Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel would adore. And the Patriots need pass-rushing help.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Gabe Jacas

32. Seattle Seahawks: KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)

I think there’s a better chance of Seattle trading this pick to a team that specifically wants Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson than there is of Seattle actually making this selection.

The Seahawks only have four total draft picks as of now and, as reigning NFL champs, don’t have any screaming needs. Concepcion is likely to fit into the first round and could help a team as both a receiver and kick returner.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for KC Concepcion

More 2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks

Here are more 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

Articles Mock Drafts NFL NFL Draft Rookies

About Author

Pat Fitzmaurice

@Fitz_FF

Pat Fitzmaurice is the managing editor and a fantasy football analyst at FantasyPros.