2026 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: First-Round Picks & Predictions

The NFL Draft is the final drink between when the bartender yells “last call” and actually kicks you out.

This year’s class, in particular, resembles that of an Iron City Light. While it isn’t everyone’s flavor and, dare I say, gets unreasonably criticized, it certainly gets the job done. That’s especially the case for Yinzers, who welcome the three-day event to Pittsburgh for the first time.

Hope shall return for all pro fans, as college football loyalists salute their favorite players goodbye. But before the boatgating floods the Allegheny River, I’m getting in on the action at projecting how the top 32 picks shake out.

With this being version 1.0 of my 2026 NFL mock draft, you’ll find bulkier analysis, complete with team needs, prospect evaluations and scheme fits. Expect more condensed copy in future editions as the process continues to unfold.

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions

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

In a move that shocks absolutely no one, the Las Vegas Raiders select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound nerd who loves ball.

The pocket presence is precise, and the accuracy is borderline elite. Mendoza completed 68.5% of his passes across his two seasons at Cal and one at Indiana, the 15th-highest mark all-time in college football history. While he’s not outstanding with his legs, he was mobile enough to score seven rushing touchdowns this past season, including a game-clinching score in the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship.

Mendoza seemed to work effortlessly under hard-nose coach Curt Cignetti, helping wideouts Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr. and Charlie Becker reach their ceilings. Therefore, he should fit in nicely with new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.

If the team can acquire some young receivers on Day 2 and Day 3 that can grow with Mendoza, potentially even some of his former teammates, the 22-year-old could have a long runway of success at the next level.

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

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

Let’s face it; the New York Jets have more holes than any one player can fill. With the lack of top quarterback options in this class behind Fernando Mendoza, they won’t get the haul that previous second-overall draft picks would garner.

However, in this deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, they still acquire two second-round picks to move back eight spots.

The Bengals’ Super Bowl window remains open, but it’ll close if they can’t add top-end talent, specifically on the defensive side of the ball and offensive line. With over $50 million in projected cap room, according to Over the Cap, and a bevy of linemen who are unrestricted free agents, Cincinnati can address up front there.

That paves the way for them to make this aggressive move to draft Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE rusher Arvell Reese. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound, 20-year-old is the perfect chess piece for defensive coordinator Al Golden to move inside and outside the box.

The team will likely franchise tag EDGE rusher Trey Hendrickson, and 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart is still coming along. This allows the 2025 All-American Reese, who totaled 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this past season, to play mostly off-ball while pass-rushing in obvious passing down situations.

This is the type of move that sets up general manager Duke Tobin’s team for another deep postseason run and for the long-term future.

Trade Details:

• Jets Receive:
  • 2026 Pick 1.1o
  • 2026 Pick 2.10
  • 2027 Second-Round Pick
• Bengals Receive:
  • 2025 Pick 1.02

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

3. Arizona Cardinals: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)

The NFC West is loaded. Offensive masterminds Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan have set the pace in the division for nearly a decade. Still, it was the upstart Seattle Seahawks that bested them all, winning the Super Bowl in dominating fashion.

The one way to stifle all three of these teams’ quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford, Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold, is relentless pressure. That’s something Arizona struggled to find in 2025, finishing 29th in pressures (114) and tied for 28th in sacks (30).

Enter Miami Hurricanes EDGE rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who has made a living harassing quarterbacks in big-time games over the last three seasons. The 21-year-old finished fifth in the ACC with 7.5 sacks as a freshman, before regressing somewhat as a sophomore while battling injuries.

Bain then returned to form this past year, setting career-highs in tackles (54), tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (9.5), while leading the Hurricanes to a College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship appearance. This earned him AP Consensus All-America and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as the Ted Hendricks Award.

The Cardinals begin a new era with Bain as a staple of their defense.

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

4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

Robert Saleh takes the helm of the Tennessee Titans, a team with great interior players on the defensive front but not much to speak of coming off the edge.

That makes the pick of Texas Tech EDGE rusher David Bailey a no-brainer. The Stanford transfer led the country in sacks (14.5) and finished second in tackles for loss (19.5), carrying Joey McGuire’s team to a Big 12 Championship and first-round College Football Playoff (CFP) birth.

It’s safe to say that the California native’s flashes seen with the Cardinal translated to a higher level of play in Lubbock, Texas. Even in a loaded pass-rusher class, it’d be no surprise if he ends up being the best of the bunch at the next level.

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

5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)

John Harbaugh is now running the show for the New York Giants. One of his most immediate tasks will be working with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to slow down opposing pass games. Too many times did division and conference foes light them up early, putting them in a hole that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had to attempt to pull them out of.

Dart’s mobility, combined with running back Cam Skattebo and one of the league’s best pass rushes, leads me to believe Harbaugh intends to continue winning by operating a rush-first offense and an elite defense.

The most success he had doing so was with elite safeties, such as Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs projects to be somewhere in between the two. He led the SEC in tackles as a freshman, earning SEC Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-SEC honors with Alabama.

Downs then transferred to Ohio State, where he continued to stack accomplishments, including a College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship, two Consensus All-America Honors, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Jim Thorpe Award.

The 21-year-old has been one of the best all-around players in college football for nearly three seasons now, so this is anything but an overpay. Still, the Giants make him the first safety since Eric Berry in 2010 to be drafted inside the top five.

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

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

While Todd Monken’s offenses might be overrated to begin with, it’ll be ineffective no matter what if the Cleveland Browns don’t get help up front. All five starters are unrestricted free agents and have begun to age like cold beer left in the sun, allowing the seventh-most sacks last season (51).

Francis Mauigoa is the class’s consensus top offensive tackle and the pick for Andrew Berry here. Coming from NFL lineage, the American Samoan was a top recruit out of high school and lived up to the billing every step along the way. He started all 42 games in his career, earning Freshman All-America honors as an 18 -year-old and All-America honors as a junior this past season.

As it should be when drafting a tackle inside the top 10, Mauigoa is an absolute unit, coming in at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds. His run blocking allowed running back Mark Fletcher Jr. to get loose on sweeps and counters, and quarterback Carson Beck never looked more comfortable than he did while passing behind the IMG Academy product.

The only downside to taking him here is that he has primarily played right tackle. Still, whether it’s Shedeur Sanders or another right-hander under center, their front side will be in good hands behind Mauigoa.

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

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

The Washington Commanders cutting ties with Kliff Kingsbury, a year removed from an NFC Championship birth, to promote David Blough to offensive coordinator is telling. This should mean more under center, play-action and read options for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The best way to do that is by having a legitimate threat in the backfield. With Jacory Croskey-Merritt the only running back currently under contract, they opt to add Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love.

At 6-foot, 214 pounds and coming off a 1,100-yard rushing season with 19 total touchdowns, Love was most analysts’ and scouts’ RB1 coming into 2025. I bought in, riding an 80-1 Heisman Trophy ticket all the way to New York. He went on to increase his output by another 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns, staying healthy all season on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award.

Love will immediately bring home-run hitting ability to the nation’s capital with his combination of blazing speed and exceptional contact balance. If he can bulk up some to improve his pass protection while further developing his route tree, he could be one of the league’s top running backs in a few years.

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

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

Head coach Kellen Moore’s offenses have both birthed wide receiver careers (i.e., CeeDee Lamb) and resurrected them (see Chris Olave and Keenan Allen). With the New Orleans Saints’ line currently stable and quarterback Tyler Shough likely getting another shot under center, that’s where they go here.

It may seem like a luxury pick for a team in cap hell and void of defensive difference-makers, but Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate is just too special a player for them to go in any other direction. At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, the Chicago Native brings an element of verticality that this team lost when trading Rashid Shaheed. He’s a deep-ball and red-zone threat who thrives in traffic and contested-catch situations.

Like Ohio State wide receivers who have come before him, he was never the top pass-catcher on his team, but is a former five-star recruit who totaled 100+ receptions, 1,600+ receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over his past two seasons.

The All-Big Ten receiver would give Shough the chance to reach his full potential in year No. 2 before a loaded 2027 quarterback class enters the fold.

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

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

The Kansas City Chiefs have the rare opportunity to add a high-end rookie to their aging roster. While Rashee Rice‘s recent allegations have driven many to believe they’ll be in the pass-catcher market, left tackle Jawaan Taylor has been a liability for years.

You can’t have him keep blowing assignments and taking penalties, putting them behind the chains, especially with quarterback Patrick Mahomes coming off a torn ACL. That makes Utah Utes offensive tackle Spencer Fano the selection.

Like Francis Mauigoa, Fano comes from NFL lineage, only this time it runs deep with four uncles who played in the NFL. He played 37 games, switching between left and right tackle for the last three seasons on Kyle Whittingham’s offensive line. He was named a 2025 Consensus All-American and received the John Outland Trophy, awarded to the best offensive lineman in college football.

While it’s not sexy, this is a strategic move from general manager Brett Veach.

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

10. New York Jets (via Cincinnati): Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

After trading back from the second-overall pick, the Jets have successfully acquired two second-round picks. They’re stockpiling assets so that when they find their franchise signal-caller, it won’t be a repeat of what went wrong with Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson.

Selecting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to pair with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell would give them one of the more dangerous receiving corps across the league. Tyson is a true alpha, standing at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He excels in creating separation and coming down with the rock in contested situations. Think George Pickens‘ catch radius met with Jordan Addison‘s elusiveness and route running.

Tyson went for over 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury, his second year-shortening injury after he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL in 2022. Despite injuries to quarterback Sam Leavitt this past season, Tyson was on pace for a career-high in receptions and touchdowns with the potential to cross 1,000 receiving yards. However, the Texas native was eventually shut down with a lingering hamstring injury.

Those injuries are what keep him behind Carnell Tate in this mock draft, but not outside of the top 10 picks.

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

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

Whenever the ‘Teams to Draft a Position First’ betting markets become available, I suggest hammering down on the Miami Dolphins to select a cornerback with their initial pick. Two of their top three cornerbacks and strong safety are unrestricted free agents, leaving safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Storm Duck and not much else.

Whether as the Boston College Eagles’ head coach or the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator, new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley is used to turning lemons into lemonade at the cornerback position. So why not take the top one in the class and see how fast he can reach his ceiling?

After three seasons at Virginia Tech, where he earned a True Freshman All-America nod, Mansoor Delane took his talents to the LSU Tigers, where he became the country’s best shut-down cornerback, being targeted against just a handful of times down the stretch. What was impressive about this was that it came during a time when the Tigers’ defense was playing an absurd number of snaps because their offense wasn’t generating much without quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.

Delane’s playing weight (190 pounds) isn’t absolutely ideal. Hafley begins his era at the helm of the Miami Dolphins by trading rags for riches at cornerback.

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

12. Dallas Cowboys: Cashius Howell (EDGE – Texas A&M)

The Dallas Cowboys are a team that generates pressure on opposing quarterbacks, finishing with the most quarterback hurries (89). However, they struggled to bring them down, totaling just 35 sacks (tied for the seventh-fewest).

That all changes with the addition of Texas A&M Aggies EDGE rusher Cashius Howell, who finished second in the SEC and seventh in the country in sacks with 11.5. This comes just two years removed from leading the MAC in sacks with 9.5 as a sophomore at Bowling Green.

Howell’s getup and deep bag of pass-rush moves help offset the fact that the Missouri native is a wiry 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds. Still, his above-average athleticism and high football IQ make him the best of the remaining EDGE prospects this class has to offer.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cashius Howell

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Los Angeles Rams): Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

The Los Angeles Rams don’t have a fourth-round pick but have five total picks in the sixth and seventh rounds. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t afford to have the Ravens or anyone else move up to take Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, with how rough their linebacking corps is. So, they sacrifice their fourth-rounder in exchange for a late sixth to go get him.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles prides himself on his defense, yet his unit ranked in the bottom half in yards (337.2) and points (24.2) allowed per game. Lavonte David is an unrestricted free agent and is past his prime, so it only makes sense that Styles would be the heir apparent.

The Ohio native comes from a football lineage, with father Lorenzo Styles Sr. having a successful professional and college career. The younger Styles was a five-star recruit when he committed to his father’s alma mater. By his junior season, Styles was one of the top linebackers and freakiest athletes in the country. He had 100 tackles (second-most) and six sacks (fourth-most) for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024 before regressing slightly as a senior.

Styles’ 6-foot-4, 243-pound build, matched with elite explosiveness, could make him the next great defensive chess piece who plays off-ball and rushes the passer. General manager Jason Licht gets one of the steals of the draft at pick No. 13.

Trade Details:

• Rams Receive:
  • 2026 Pick 1.15
  • 2026 Pick 4.16
• Buccaneers Receive:
  • 2025 Pick 1.13
  • 2025 Pick 6.29

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

14. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Woods (DT/EDGE – Clemson)

The Baltimore Ravens’ defense was shredded in 2025, allowing the eighth-most yards (354.5) and 15th-most points (23.4) per game. The unit also totaled the sixth-fewest quarterback hurries (38) and tied for the fifth-most sacks (30). The organization hopes to re-establish its black-and-blue identity on defense under new head coach Jesse Minter.

With EDGE rusher Mike Green coming along, but lacking depth elsewhere at pass-rush and defensive tackle, it only makes sense to acquire a player with a dual skillset like Peter Woods. The former five-star headlined head coach Dabo Swinney’s star-studded 2023 recruiting class. He saw the field early, playing both on the interior and outside, earning Freshman All-America honors.

It was a strong 2024 season for Woods, with 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. However, the team then made what I deem a mistake by keeping the 6-foot-2, 298-pounder only at tackle in 2025. It was enough to earn him All-ACC honors, but it substantially hurt their pass rush. Woods will give Blaitmore an instant upgrade over 2020 fifth-round defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr., with the option to send him loose off the edge on obvious passing downs.

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

15. Los Angeles Rams (via Tampa Bay): Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)

The Los Angeles Rams did a stellar job keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford upright last season, allowing just 23 sacks (the second-fewest). Still, it’s never a bad idea to add depth at a premier position where your current starters are 2021 undrafted free agent Alaric Jackson and 2023 fifth-rounder Warren McClendon Jr.

That makes Kadyn Proctor the ideal pick. The former five-star recruit was the top offensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting class, and for good reason. He’s an absolute hoss. At 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, you can’t miss him, even from the nosebleeds.

After starting 25 games across his first two seasons, Proctor was projected to be a top-five pick coming into the season. However, he showed some flaws early, particularly against Florida State in Week 1, sounding alarm bells. It was later revealed that he tore his labrum in warmups and played through it the entire season. He still earned All-America and First-Team All-SEC honors.

Rams general manager Les Snead takes the shot on Proctor, hoping he can eventually be the next Andrew Whitworth-type of anchor on his quarterback’s blindside.

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

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)

Despite the addition of defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn, the New York Jets forced four total turnovers in 2025. Already entering the season on the hot seat, the long-time Detroit Lions defensive coordinator gets a new pass rusher with the first pick they acquired in the deal to send Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts

That would be Auburn Tigers EDGE rusher Keldric Faulk, who joined Hugh Freeze’s team as a five-star recruit. Unlike most top EDGE prospects, the 6-foot-6, 276-pounder is more known for his prowess on run defense rather than rushing the passer. Yet, that didn’t stop him from totaling 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a sophomore.

Faulk’s metrics regressed across the board during a turbulent 2025 season for the Tigers, leading to Freeze’s firing after nine games. Some teams will still be enamored by the ceiling and untapped potential. I believe it’s an overpay for someone who’s a project getting after the quarterback. But, hey, I guess that’s just the Jets for you.

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

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

The Detroit Lions felt the loss of center Frank Ragnow almost just as much as offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs‘ yards per carry (YPC) average decreased from 5.6 to 5.0, suffering the seventh-most stuffed runs (47). Quarterback Jared Goff was sacked 38 times, the most in his career and eighth-most in the league. That shouldn’t happen in an offense based on quick-timed passing concepts.

Therefore, general manager Brad Holmes addresses the interior of the offensive line, adding the consensus top guard prospect of this class, Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane. It was a slow start to his career after flipping to Happy Valley at the last minute. But there’s only so long you can hold a 6-foot-4 and 323-pound player of his pass-blocking chops back.

After starting 16 games as a sophomore for a team that made a run all the way to the Orange Bowl, Ioane had an even better 2025 season. He earned All-America and First-Team Big Ten honors after allowing zero sacks. This is particularly impressive when you consider the quality of defensive linemen he faced.

The Lions grab an immediate starter to help them in a division that features pass-rushers like Micah Parsons and Dallas Turner.

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

18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)

It doesn’t show up in the box score because of how few times teams needed to throw against the Minnesota Vikings this past season, but cornerback has been their weakness for years. Most recently, they’ve become the island of misfit toys, welcoming the likes of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah.

They finally put some real draft capital into the position by selecting Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell. Part of that loaded 2023 recruiting class for the Tigers and younger brother of A.J. Terrell, the incoming rookie has been in the thick of competitive ACC football since his freshman season. In 2024, he finished second in the conference in passes defended (12). Only to follow that up with a season where they finished fourth in the conference in passes defended (nine) and third in the country in fumbles forced (five).

At 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, Terrell still has muscle he needs to put on to help him avoid getting knocked off his spot by the NFL’s more physical receivers. Yet, he’s the ideal fit for defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense, where he’ll have to man-up opposing receivers.

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

19. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)

The run on the players from Death Valley continues as the Carolina Panthers select Clemson Tigers EDGE rusher T.J. Parker. Carolina’s defense improved dramatically in 2025, but it still ranked fifth-worst in quarterback pressures (38) and tied for third-worst in sacks (30). That’s what happens when it’s pretty much a two-man show between rookie Nic Scourton and 2020 first-round pick Derrick Brown.

Panthers team president and general manager Dan Morgan makes the move to give them another comparable running mate in Parker. The four-star recruit put himself on the map instantly, setting program records with 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2023, earning Freshman All-America honors. The 2024 season brought some of the most dominant single-game performances in modern college football history, resulting in him finishing fifth in the country in tackles for loss (19.5), ninth in sacks (11) and second in fumbles forced (six).

Parker did regress across the board as a junior this past season (9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks) when defensive coordinator Tom Allen moved Woods primarily inside. However, at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds with room to add muscle, Parker has the motor and explosiveness to be an immediate starter in Charlotte, N.C.

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

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

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense was a laughing stock in 2025, allowing the most points (30.1) and third-most yards (377) per game. Already addressing pass rush by adding Cashius Howell with their first pick, team owner and president Jerry Jones now aims to improve a secondary that allowed the most passing yards per game (251.5) and second-most touchdowns (35).

That makes Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy the obvious selection. He had a strong freshman season at Oregon State, where he totaled seven interceptions and two deflections (seventh-most) in the previous iteration of the PAC-12. The now 20-year-old then transferred to Knoxville, Tenn., where he would improve both his pass deflections and interceptions by a pair. He finished seventh and fourth in the conference for those metrics, respectively, earning First-Team All-SEC honors.

A torn ACL over a year ago ended McCoy’s collegiate career abruptly, leaving unanswered questions. Still, his instincts and playmaking ability, which he displayed in his two seasons, matched with a solid 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame, make him worth the gamble at pick No. 20 overall.

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

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

Pittsburgh finds itself in a similar spot to the Packers a year ago. They have the opportunity to make a splashy move for a pass-catcher early. However, Pittsburgh lost in the playoffs because its offensive line couldn’t hold up against the Houston Texans’ pass rush. In a division with Myles Garrett and an improving Bengals defensive line that added Arvell Reese earlier in this draft, they have to address the line.

They might lose guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency, and left tackle Broderick Jones has not been able to hold down a tackle spot effectively. New head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Kahn make the most Pittsburgh move ever by adding to the trenches. They kick Jones inside and give quarterback Aaron Rodgers, or whoever is under center, a fighting chance by adding Utah Utes offensive tackle Caleb Lomu.

The 2024 Freshman All-American comes in at the ideal size of 6-foot-6 and 304 pounds. After starting 24 consecutive games, not allowing a single sack in 2025 and earning All-Big 12 honors, Lomu is ready to take the next step. The best part is that he comes at a value as the fourth offensive tackle off the board.

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

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

The Los Angeles Chargers have returned to being a top-half defense under head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, two of their top pass-rushers — including Khalil Mack — are unrestricted free agents. That means general manager Joe Hortiz uses his first-round pick on defense after addressing the offense in 2024 and 2025.

He does so by adding Miami Hurricanes EDGE rusher Akheem Mesidor. The 24-year-old comes into the process as an older prospect after playing six years of college football. However, that doesn’t mean he was a late bloomer.

Mesidor was a Freshman All-American in 2020, racking up 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with the West Virginia Mountaineers. He immediately saw a jump in production after transferring to South Beach in 2022. He suffered a season-ending injury the following year, just three games in.

It took Mesidor until 2025 to return to peak form. Working alongside Rueben Bain Jr., he posted an astonishing 12.5 sacks (second-most in the country), 17.5 tackles for loss (fifth-most) and four forced fumbles (sixth-most). This resulted in a College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship birth for the Hurricanes and All-America honors for Mesidor.

Age and being undersized at 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds are what pushed Mesidor outside of the top 20 picks. Still, a deep bag of pass-rush moves and enough explosion on the first step make him worth the gamble at pick No. 22.

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

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE – Vanderbilt)

The only tight end the Philadelphia Eagles currently have under contract is 2025 undrafted free agent Cameron Latu. However, they’re not in the worst cap space situation for a team just one year removed from winning a Super Bowl. They could bring in a blocking-first big man like Mo Alie-Cox or Adam Trautman to help in the run game.

This would allow them to select the tight end with the highest upside in this class, Eli Stowers. There are undoubtedly concerns that the 22-year-old is a bit of a tweener at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and that he won’t play every down to begin his career. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t put on some mass once in an NFL facility and grow into a better blocker.

The receiving upside is just too high and exactly what the Eagles could need if they ship A.J. Brown off. The 2025 John Mackey Award winner finished sixth in the SEC in receptions with 62, resulting in 769 yards and four touchdowns. These looks came when lined up out wide, in line and even in the backfield.

Like Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren, Stowers is a former quarterback with an incredibly high football IQ. However, unlike Warren, this 2025 Consensus All-American has multiple years of production across programs and was the consensus TE1 of this class coming into 2025. While others made their case, I don’t think they did quite enough to take Stowers out of position to be the first tight end off the board.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Eli Stowers

24. Cleveland Browns: Makai Lemon (WR – USC)

The Cleveland Browns are one injury to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. away from having essentially zero receiving threats. Whether it’s Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson under center, they need more weapons to work with.

Therefore, they use the extra capital they acquired last April when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up for Travis Hunter to select USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Lemon is more of a new-school receiver who relies on being a technical receiver rather than an overly physical one.

The 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner posted over 1,150 yards (leading the Big Ten) and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions this past season. The biggest deterrent keeping him outside of the top 20 is his size and lack of top-end speed, which could make it difficult for him to get off press coverage at the next level.

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

25. Denver Broncos (via Chicago): Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)

Despite playing 16 games, tight end Evan Engram was rather disappointing in his first season as a Denver Bronco, hauling in 50 out of 76 targets for 461 yards and just one touchdown. Broncos general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton get an immediate upgrade by sacrificing a fourth-round pick to trade up with the Chicago Bears and turning in the card for Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

Without Terrance Ferguson, Sadiq finally stepped out of his shadow and had a breakout 2025 season, reeling in 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. This helped guide Dan Lanning’s team to a deep College Football Playoff run, eventually losing to Indiana in the Peach Bowl.

What may scare off some teams is the lack of proven production outside of this past year. Still, Sadiq makes up for it in athleticism, coming from his track and basketball background. Like Eli Stowers, he’s a bit undersized and could be more of a project than realized due to his sometimes sloppy route running.

I get Eric Ebron vibes from Sadiq and think he’s more likely to be a top-half starter in the league rather than a top-five player at the position. If he does reach that cieling it’ll likely come after the catch.

Trade Details:

• Bears Receive:
  • 2026 Pick 1.30
  • 2026 Pick 4.08
• Broncos Receive:
  • 2026 Pick 1.25

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

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

The Buffalo Bills’ backs are against the wall when it comes to their pass-catchers on the outside. If the season started today, wideouts Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer would be manning the X and Y positions, respectively. As seen in the playoffs, that isn’t good enough to win a Super Bowl, even with quarterback Josh Allen under center and recently promoted head coach Joe Brady now running the show.

That’s where Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion comes in. The former three-star prospect was named the 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year after putting up 71 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 at North Carolina State.

After a down 2024 season, the Charlotte native took his talents to College Station, where he and quarterback Marcel Reed would link up for 61 receptions, 919 yards and nine touchdowns (most in the SEC). That, along with the most punt return touchdowns (two) in the conference, earned Concepcion All-America honors.

The artist formerly known as “Kevin” is just 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, which puts him in the bottom third of the size percentile. Yet, he’s flashed the ability to play both outside and in the slot, giving Brady a versatile weapon for the cost of a late first-round pick.

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

27. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)

In just over a year, the San Francisco 49ers went from having an embaresmment or riches at pass-catcher to scraping the bottom of the barrel. Tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles in the playoffs. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appears to have played his final game for the organization and Jauan Jennings is an undrafted free agent. Plus, 2024 first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has played just 20 games across two seasons.

General manager John Lynch restocks head coach Kyle Shanahan’s pantry with Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston. At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, the former three-star recruit has the potential to develop into a true outside X receiver at the next level. He’s posted back-to-back seasons of 800+ receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, catching passes from overrated quarterback Will Rogers and a work-in-progress quarterback in Demond Williams Jr.

The 22-year-old Boston thrives in consted sitautions. Stylistically, he reminds me of wide receiver Chris Chambers stuck in Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor‘s body, making up for a slower initial step with soft hands and lethal after-the-catch ability. He’s the perfect fit to eventually be quarterback Brock Purdy‘s No. 1 option.

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

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

The Houston Texans will have to get crafty this offseason, with the sixth-lowest cap space (-$7,483,665) and potential holes to fill on the offensive and defensive lines. Yet, with four tackles already off the board and just one interior defensive lineman gone, they take the best player available in Kayden McDonald.

What was a slow start to the four-star recruit’s career in Columbus, Ohio, was accelerated in 2025 after the departure of veterans from the Buckeyes’ front. What seemed impossible became reality as their defense remained nearly impenetrable on the goal line. McDonald was at the center of it, totaling 65 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. This earned him consensus All-America honors and the title of the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.

With the Georgia native clogging the middle and EDGE rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter coming off the boundary, head coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense should remain elite in 2026 and beyond.

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

29. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)

Matthew Stafford might be coming off an NFL MVP-winning season, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s 38 years old. With the threat that he could hang it up at any moment, and the team already addressing their biggest need at tackle earlier in the draft, Sean McVay adds his future franchise signal-caller in Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.

It was a roller coaster 2025 season for the first-time starter in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s system. Still, there’s no denying that Simpson carried Alabama’s offense that had one of the worst rushing games in the country. He led the SEC in both pass attempts (473) and completions (305), throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns.

The arm strength isn’t elite, and there are questions about why the Tennessee native couldn’t beat out now-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe for the starting nod a year ago. However, Simpson is the type of field general who has excelled in McVay’s offense. What’s between the helmet keeps Simpson from sliding out of the first round.

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

30. Chicago Bears (via Denver): Caleb Banks (DT – Florida)

With the hopes of going from a Cinderella story to a yearly contender, the Chicago Bears must continue to build up their defense, a unit that allowed 361.8 yards per game (fourth-most) and 24.6 points per game (10th-most). Their secondary improved upon the returns of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, but their rushing defense remained a mess, surrendering 134.5 yards per game on the ground (sixth-most).

This points to general manager Ryan Poles selecting Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks after acquiring an extra fourth-round pick from Denver to trade back. The former three-star recruit was an anchor for Billy Napier’s defense in 2023 and 2024 before undergoing a season-ending surgery this year after originally injuring himself in spring camp.

At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Banks has the ideal size and athleticism to play in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s 4-3 scheme alongside Gervon Dexter, who continued to take another step forward in 2025. The Bears could hit a home run here, adding one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the class and adding extra draft capital while doing so.

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

31. New England Patriots: Antonio Williams (WR – Clemson)

The New England Patriots were outmatched in the Super Bowl both in the trenches and out wide. With the 9th-most cap space in the league at over $40 million, they should also choose to address the offensive line in free agency. This leaves them to add the best slot man they’ve had in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense since wide receiver Jakobi Meyers: Clemson Tigers wide receiver Antonio Williams.

At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, the South Carolina native will play inside on 3-WR sets and man the flanker in 2-WR sets. Outside of Jordyn Tyson, Williams could be the best true technician in this class. The 21-year-old is awesome at navigating traffic over the middle and has enough speed to break away in the short area and deep down the field.

Williams was a true-freshman breakout, totaling 56 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns, earning him Freshman All-America honors. As a junior, he led the ACC in receiving touchdowns (110) while finishing third in receptions (75). He missed time at the beginning of this past season, and Clemson’s offense immediately suffered because of it. His return was immediately felt, and good things happened when quarterback Cade Klubnik targeted him, posting a 125.4 quarterback rating when doing so.

Not only is quarterback Drake Maye getting a reliable weapon, but Williams is a Swiss-Army Knife that can be used on the ground and in the return game.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Antonio Williams

32. Seattle Seahawks: D’Angelo Ponds (CB – Indiana)

The Seattle Seahawks have struck gold in recent years when drafting defensive backs. However, Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are unrestricted free agents, making that their top priority here at pick No. 32.

They spend it wisely by investing in D’Angelo Ponds. Known for his big plays, he earned First-Team Big Ten honors the past two seasons and was an All-American in 2025 with 61 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions.

At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, the size could be concerning. Yet, the speed more than compensates, as the Florida native won state titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes as a high school senior. Seahawks general manager John Schneider has never shied away from drafting undersized cornerbacks, and with rangier safeties like Nick Emmanwori and Julian Love playing behind him, Ponds could be the perfect fit for Mike Macdonald’s defense.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for D’Angelo Ponds

More 2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks

Here are more 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

• Pat Fitzmaurice’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
• 2o26 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round (2/19)
• 2026 NFL Mock Draft With Trades (Two Rounds)
• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round (2/10)
• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round (2/3)
• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round (1/26)
• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round (1/23)
• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round (1/20)

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Seth Woolcock is a FantasyPros on-air host and producer. For more fantasy sports and sports betting analysis from Seth, follow him on X/Twitter @Between_SethFF.