Kurt Blakeway | Mon, Mar 2nd 2026, 7:01am EST

2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions

Check out my 2026 NFL mock draft below for who I predict will be first-round picks this coming April.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions

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

Las Vegas’ biggest need is securing a franchise quarterback, and Fernando Mendoza is the rare top-of-the-draft passer in this class with size, accuracy and toughness. He has shown he can win under the bright lights and is the perfect fit for the Raiders.

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

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

With Dante Moore returning to school, Aaron Glenn turns his attention to the defensive side. The Jets need difference-makers everywhere, and Arvell Reese gives them a true pressure creator with the versatility to move around the front.

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

3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

Arizona could go in a lot of different directions here with Kyler Murray‘s future in question. Regardless of what they do with the quarterback room, they get a stud on the defensive side of the ball.

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

4. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)

The Titans need help in a lot of places, and putting pieces around Cam Warn should be a priority. But with new head coach Robert Saleh at the helm, they take the best defensive player in this year’s draft.

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

5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)

New York has to build around Jaxson Dart, but it won’t matter who he has to throw if he’s not protected.

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

6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

The Browns could go in many directions, but to be successful, they need to build a stable offensive line. Spencer Fano is the best pick for that. He has excellent size and strength with room to grow.

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

7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)

Washington needs defensive stability — 37-year-old Von Miller led the team in sacks. The Commanders need a young, fierce pass-rusher like Rueben Bain Jr.

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

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

Chris Olave had a great bounce-back season, but his future is a bit uncertain. Tyler Shough needs another weapon to throw to.

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

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

Kansas City’s offense looked bland last year. With Eric Bieniemy returning as the team’s offensive coordinator, it’s time to get a legit running back.

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

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

It’s safe to say the Bengals may have had one of the worst defenses in the league. They allowed 381 yards (second-most) and 233.8 passing yards per game (seventh-most).

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

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)

Mansoor Delane is arguably the best cornerback in the draft. His speed and consistency should make him an immediate starter in Miami.

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

12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk (DE – Auburn)

Keldric Faulk was a monster at Auburn and will give Dallas a pass-rusher it desperately needs after allowing quarterbacks to sit back and shred their secondary apart.

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

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

Jermod McCoy didn’t play a snap in 2025 after tearing his ACL last January. But before his injury, he may have been a top-10 pick. He is a ball hawk and one of the better cornerbacks in the country when healthy.

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

14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

Jesse Minter is a defensive coach, but he knows the importance of helping Lamar Jackson and getting him more weapons outside of Zay Flowers.

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

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C.J. Allen (LB – Georgia)

Tampa has a lot of holes to be filled on the defensive side. C.J. Allen has been climbing up draft boards and could be a perfect fit.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for C.J. Allen

16. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon (WR – USC)

It’s no secret the Jets need a passer, but the Jets own three first-round draft picks in next year’s draft, which features a much better quarterback class. Instead, they get another weapon for their future signal-caller.

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

17. Detroit Lions: Olaivavega Ioane (OG – Penn State)

The Lions were 31st in the league in pass block win rate (55%). They need to protect Jared Goff and give him time to make plays if they want to get back to the playoffs.

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

18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S – Toledo)

The Vikings only had five draft picks last year and didn’t make a defensive pick until round five, so now it’s time to turn their focus to that side of the ball. This would be a steal as many expect the Toledo prospect to land somewhere inside the top 15.

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

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

Carolina needs explosive playmakers — they hit on Tetairoa McMillan last year, and now hope for a similar result in selecting the best tight end in the draft.

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

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Colton Hood (CB – Tennessee)

Jerry Jones can be unpredictable at times. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he took a wide receiver here, but we are going defense again.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Colton Hood

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Caleb Lomu (OT – Utah)

Whoever the quarterback may be in 2026, he needs to be kept upright. A receiver could be in play here as well, but Mike McCarthy rebuilds the trenches first.

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

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods (DT – Clemson)

The Chargers need offensive line depth because their offensive line was a mess after Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater went down, but you can add depth later. Peter Woods is a dynamic playmaker who can line up on the inside or outside.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Peter Woods

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)

Philadelphia keeps building waves up on the defensive side of the ball. Outside of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, there wasn’t much success in the Eagles’ secondary.

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

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)

After addressing their offensive line earlier in the draft, the Browns focus on another big need — pass-catching help. Cleveland needs a true No. 1 receiver, and Denzel Boston’s physicality and pass-catching ability provide just that.

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

25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young (DE – Missouri)

It looks as if Ben Johnson has the offense under control; now it’s time to build up the defense. The Bears’ defensive line ranked 31st in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) run defense grade (42.2), consistently failing to control gaps.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Zion Young

26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)

The Bills’ owner was trending on social media earlier this offseason for his comments regarding Keon Coleman, and it doesn’t sound like he is the long term answer for Buffalo.

Buffalo needs another weapon for Josh Allen, and KC Concepcion is a threat to make a big play anytime he touches the ball.

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

27. San Francisco 49ers: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

The 49ers will need someone to replace Trent Williams in the near future. An EDGE rusher or wide receiver could also be in play here.

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

28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald (DT – Ohio State)

Houston helps fill a hole in what could open during free agency. Two of Houston’s top defensive tackles (Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle) are set to hit the free agency market.

Houston can save some money by drafting their replacement and using that money to upgrade the offensive line.

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

29. Los Angeles Rams: Blake Miller (OT – Clemson)

The second Rams first-round pick goes to protecting Matthew Stafford. Blake Miller’s high-upside tackle traits and athleticism are worth the bet.

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

30. Denver Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr. (LB – Texas)

Denver adds a relentless, explosive linebacker to help lock down the middle of the field.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Anthony Hill Jr.

31. New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)

One of the most NFL-ready EDGE rushers in this class. Mike Vrabel adds to an already stacked defense.

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

32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse (CB – South Carolina)

Seattle keeps stacking speed on defense. They could lose two starting cornerbacks in free agency. Brandon Cisse has the athletic ability to start right away.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Brandon Cisse

More 2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks

Here are more 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions