2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 Picks & Predictions (2.0)

With the 2026 NFL Draft just a month away and most of the top free agents having already signed, it’s time for another look at how the draft may shake out with my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

This mock draft took a different route, with a few players sliding much further than expected. As always, feel free to contact me on X @draftexaminer with any feedback or suggestions. Enjoy.

2026 NFL Mock Draft

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

Let’s not overthink this until there’s a reason to; the Raiders need a quarterback, and Fernando Mendoza is considered the consensus top passer in the class, a few skeptics notwithstanding.

Mendoza should develop a close relationship with Tom Brady, which could turn him into a legitimate franchise quarterback and solid starter as he develops.

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

2. New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

I’m not quite as high on David Bailey as others, but I’m also not particularly picky about whether this pick is Bailey or Arvell Reese, who I projected here last time.

Either one could work for a team that needs to improve its pass-rush after trading Jermaine Johnson, and Bailey is probably the more polished of the two as a rusher.

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

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese (EDGE – Ohio State)

This seems like the kind of pick the Cardinals definitely would have liked to make in the past, with their tendency to draft elite athletes who were positional tweeners.

There’s new leadership in place, but adding to their defensive front makes sense, and I rank Arvell Reese higher than Francis Mauigoa, who I had here last time, although tackle is a need.

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

4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

I’m not sure how much of a believer I am in some of Tennessee’s defensive line starters, but the team definitely invested pretty heavily there this offseason, which might rule out Rueben Bain Jr. here.

I’m not sure the Titans need Jeremiyah Love with Tony Pollard still on the roster. Sonny Styles would fit Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme well.

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

5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

The Giants just signed Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year deal to play right tackle, so if they drafted Francis Mauigoa, he’d probably be playing guard to start his career.

Either receiver could work here, since Wan’Dale Robinson left and Darius Slayton struggled. I won’t overthink which one too much; Carnell Tate seems to be ranked a bit higher.

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

6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

Have the Browns upgraded their offensive line enough this offseason? I think they’d like a left tackle, but might be satisfied otherwise.

Spencer Fano and Monroe Freeling might fit, although Fano would be sliding over from right tackle. As a backup option, receiver could work, but does Jordyn Tyson overlap a bit with Jerry Jeudy?

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

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs (DB – Ohio State)

Washington’s defense ranked last in the league in 2025, and although they’ve taken some steps to upgrade (Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Nick Cross), this still feels like a defensive pick.

Caleb Downs would replace Will Harris on the back end of Dan Quinn’s defense. A receiver or guard could also work.

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

8. New Orleans Saints: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)

Jeremiyah Love was a possibility before the Saints signed Travis Etienne, but that doesn’t seem likely now. I’m not a huge fan of the EDGE fits here.

New Orleans finished fourth in the league in pass defense in 2025, but lost Alontae Taylor. Mansoor Delane would be a great fit opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry, although I won’t rule out Jordyn Tyson here either.

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

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)

If Mansoor Delane doesn’t fall and they don’t take a receiver, the Chiefs could consider bringing in a right tackle to compete with Jaylon Moore or an EDGE rusher to compete with Ashton Gillotte.

Rueben Bain Jr. would fit well in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, but protecting Patrick Mahomes is also a major priority. Either position would make sense.

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

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

The Bengals lost Trey Hendrickson but replaced him with Boye Mafe and also added Jonathan Allen to beef up their defensive front.

Cincinnati could consider sliding one of the top tackle prospects inside to guard, or else look at a third cornerback to go with Dax Hill and DJ Turner II, who both played pretty well but are entering contract years.

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

11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

This roster has been pretty cleaned out, so they could go in various directions. Looking at the receiver room, everyone still on the roster is more of a complementary target, so maybe scooping up Jordyn Tyson would work.

Tyson can help replace some of the dynamism the team lost when it cut Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle.

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

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

The Cowboys were able to bolster their defensive front by acquiring Rashan Gary, but they could still use a five-technique cornerback or a traditional linebacker.

I’m slightly hesitant to mock them Keldric Faulk because he has a different body type than some of their other EDGE rushers, but he might fit Christian Parker’s multiple, odd-base defense.

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

13. Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon (WR – USC)

Having successfully addressed the cornerback spot, this pick could be a bit of a luxury for a team that’s picking significantly earlier than they should be.

I don’t know that the Rams should feel pigeonholed into taking any specific position. Let’s go with Makai Lemon, who could be an absolute monster in Sean McVay’s offense.

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

14. Baltimore Ravens: Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)

Signing John Simpson to a decent-sized three-year deal likely solidifies the right guard spot, but they could use help at left guard, too, and Ronnie Stanley‘s age and prior injury issues are concerns.

Baltimore could also look at a five-technique, or line up a replacement for contract-year corners Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie.

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

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

Tampa Bay seems to like big-bodied EDGE rushers, so I wouldn’t put it past them to look at one of the top options left. A cornerback to compete with Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison could work, too.

I just think the value elsewhere is getting too good to pass up on, and either Jeremiyah Love or Francis Mauigoa would be great picks.

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

16. New York Jets: Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)

Signing Dylan Parham to a two-year, $16 million deal doesn’t quite rule out taking Francis Mauigoa here, but since the Jets are set at both tackle spots, it might be worth looking elsewhere.

They didn’t intercept a pass last year, and cornerback looks like a big hole, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they used one of their early picks to address the position.

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

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)

Releasing Taylor Decker makes this pick pretty likely to be a tackle of some sort, preferably someone who could play on the blind side.

Otherwise, an EDGE defender would work, too. I really like the fit of Akheem Mesidor, but it’s hard to pass on the tackle talent left here. Proctor is still a work in progress, but has plenty of upside.

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

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

This is a strange pick, as the Vikings significantly underperformed offensively but have a lot of talent, while the defense played very well but doesn’t have many big-name players.

Let’s go with Dillon Thieneman, as the team just released Harrison Smith. Minnesota also rarely used a third cornerback last year, so it’s perhaps not as big a need as it appears.

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

19. Carolina Panthers: Peter Woods (DL – Clemson)

Signing Rasheed Walker obviates the need for an offensive lineman, so beefing up the team’s three-man defensive line might be a good pick.

I like Peter Woods as a potential fit, as the Panthers often go with a smaller lineman on the edge more than you might expect from an odd front. A receiver or defensive back could be a dark horse position to watch out for.

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

20. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Cisse (CB – South Carolina)

This will most likely be another defensive pick. Linebacker play was suspect last year with DeMarvion Overshown missing time.

Besides DaRon Bland in the slot, cornerback is a question mark, where they’re banking on a major leap forward from 2025 third-rounder Shavon Revel Jr. Safety is less likely.

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

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

If Mike McCarthy loves Ty Simpson, he could be the pick here. Otherwise, a good meat-and-potatoes pick would be a left tackle.

Spencer Fano played on the right side at Utah, but has the movement skills to flip. Pittsburgh’s also cycled through a bunch of safeties on the cheap, so they could be interested in investing more there.

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

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane (OG – Penn State)

This is a pick that could go in various directions. I wouldn’t rule out the defensive line, off-ball and EDGE linebackers, cornerback and free safety.

But offensive line woes tanked Los Angeles’ season last year, and that seems to fit the identity Jim Harbaugh would like to build here, with good fits and values available.

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

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)

Unless the Eagles opt to bring in a developmental right tackle behind Lane Johnson, I think an EDGE rusher makes a lot of sense here, as Jalyx Hunt led their team in sacks last year with 6.5, and they’ve lost the likes of Jaelan Phillips and Brandon Graham.

Of the top EDGE rushers remaining, T.J. Parker would probably be the best stand-up option.

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

24. Cleveland Browns: Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)

I emphasized Todd Monken’s connection to Ty Simpson in my previous mock draft, so this feels like a good mix of need and fit.

It feels like there’s a good chance Simpson goes higher than this on draft day, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see teams moving around to land their preferred passer. He replaces Pro Bowl rookie Shedeur Sanders.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Ty Simpson

25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)

I’m not ruling out a replacement for DJ Moore here, although the Bears still have nice duos at receiver and tight end. I don’t think they’ll take a tackle, as Ozzy Trapilo played well in relief of Braxton Jones.

Building through the defensive line looks like the biggest need, and I like the value of Akheem Mesidor here for a talented roster.

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

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

I feel like this pick will probably be on the boundary either way. The Bills acquired DJ Moore, but could still use another receiver if they’re not sold on Keon Coleman.

Cornerback is also an obvious need. After missing on Coleman, maybe the Bills get back to their preferred type of receiver —quicker route-running specialist.

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

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

Another pick that returns from my first mock draft, I’d like to get Caleb Lomu off the board a bit higher than this, but he’s another one of the sliding linemen here, and makes a lot of sense for the 49ers.

I don’t know if I love him as a rookie guard, but I think he’d be a great player to groom behind Trent Williams, who might be year-to-year at his age.

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

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

Free agency cleared up a few things, with the Texans signing Braden Smith to a reasonable two-year deal to play right tackle and losing Tim Settle in free agency.

That tips things toward a defensive lineman, at least concerning the two positions I saw as their most likely needs. Kayden McDonald could help replace some of Settle’s run-stuffing.

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

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)

If this were to happen, it would be a disaster for the rest of the league. No, I don’t really expect Kenyon Sadiq to fall this far, but that’s how this mock shook out.

With Travis Kelce nearing the end of his career, this could provide the Chiefs with more formation flexibility in 2026 and a long-term replacement once Kelce retires.

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

30. Miami Dolphins: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (DB – Toledo)

After adding Jordyn Tyson earlier, trying to find some sort of long-term piece defensively looks like a priority here. I’d be surprised if this pick was a defensive tackle, as Jeff Hafley has a couple of nice pieces there, but basically anything else would work.

Of the defenders left on the board, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may have the best shot at going in the first round.

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

31. New England Patriots: Zion Young (EDGE – Missouri)

An EDGE rusher would be ideal if they liked any of the top options. Denzel Boston will get some serious consideration here because of the team’s top four receivers; only Romeo Doubs is under contract beyond this season.

If the Patriots wanted to line up a replacement for Morgan Moses for next year, they could also look at a future option.

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

32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood (CB – Tennessee)

I still think the interior of the offensive line will get consideration here, especially as an upgrade over right guard Anthony Bradford.

The Seahawks could also look at a defensive back of some sort, having lost Riq Woolen. Cornerback could work well. Colton Hood has some of the length they lost in Woolen and put together a very strong combine performance.

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

More 2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks

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Matthew Jones

@draftexaminer

Matthew Jones is a featured writer at FantasyPros, providing unique insights and in-depth analysis.