Richard Janvrin | Sat, Mar 14th 2026, 8:10am EDT

2026 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: First-Round Predictions

With the NFL Scouting Combine and the vast majority of free agency behind us, it’s time for—you guessed it—another 2026 NFL mock draft.

This one will include trades. It’ll also include what I think will happen.

Let’s dive in.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions

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

Nothing more to say on this subject.

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

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

The Jets’ free agent signings, such as Demario Davis, Kingsley Enagbare, and Joseph Ossai, lead me to believe they’re leaning toward Reese. They have the aging veteran linebacker to teach him the ropes as he plays off-ball and develops more as a pass rusher.

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

TRADE: 3. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

With two first-round picks next year, the Cowboys move from No. 12 to No. 3 to take perhaps the best player in the draft in Love.

Yes, they just signed Javonte Williams to a three-year deal, but I don’t think that’ll stop the Cowboys from making this kind of move.

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

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

After an extremely impressive combine, new head coach Robert Saleh gets his version of Fred Warner.

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

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

The Giants brought back Jermaine Eluemunor, and while they could certainly use more help along the offensive line, the tackle positions are mostly addressed.

Instead, they opt for a receiver in Tate to be the Robin to Malik Nabers‘ Batman.

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

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

Mauigoa played the entirety of his college career at right tackle, and while the Browns traded for a right tackle in Tytus Howard, they need to get the five best offensive linemen on the field, and Mauigoa will be one of them.

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

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs

I’d typically lean toward Ruebenzz Bain Jr. or David Bailey, but after signing K’Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh, they can stand to wait a bit on edge rushers.

Instead, they get perhaps the best overall defensive player, just one who is at a position with “less” value.

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

8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

I’ve been penciling in a skill position player for the Saints for a while, but after bringing in Travis Etienne and with Cam Jordan getting long in the tooth and a free agent, they bring in one of the best pass rushers in the draft.

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

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

The Chiefs do need offensive line help, but with Bain Jr. falling in their lap, Steve Spagnuolo is excited.

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

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)

With DJ Turner II showing promise, they can certainly upgrade from Dax Hill. Caleb Downs is a popular pick here, but he went at No. 7.

Instead, they get arguably the best corner in the draft.

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

11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

He didn’t play at all last season due to a torn ACL, but I expect his Pro Day at the end of March to be a massive day for him and his draft stock.

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

TRADE: 12. Arizona Cardinals: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

After trading with the Cowboys to move down to No. 12, the Cardinals take an offensive lineman with a lot of potential who showed out as a fantastic athlete at the combine.

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

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

The Rams brought in two cornerbacks during free agency and have seemingly been in talks to acquire another receiver. While those don’t pan out, they get a guy in Lemon to step into the slot immediately. A trio of Lemon, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams will dominate the NFL.

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

14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano (OL – Utah)

While his arm length may keep him out of consideration at tackle for many teams, he’ll be excellent on the interior and could even take over at center following Tyler Linderbaum’s departure.

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

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)

The Buccaneers desperately need help at linebacker and on the edge, but with Mike Evans leaving, they get another weapon to help Baker Mayfield.

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

16. New York Jets: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

Garrett Wilson finally has a running mate. Tyson can line up from anywhere and has fantastic ball skills. His biggest red flag is injuries, but assuming that’s all set, the Jets get a fantastic receiver for Geno Smith’s return.

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

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

The Lions have lost a lot of veteran offensive linemen, and to help replenish, Dan Campbell gets an absolute mammoth of a specimen in Proctor.

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

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

A perfect Harrison Smith replacement. Thieneman was unbelievable at the combine, running a 4.35 40-yard dash and leaping 41 inches.

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

19. Carolina Panthers: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)

The Panthers brought in Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips in free agency to help out on defense, and now they get a receiver to complement Tetairoa McMillan.

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

20. Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Allen (LB – Georgia)

Allen isn’t exactly a prototype athlete, but he’s a fantastic leader and should anchor the Cowboys’ defense for years to come.

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

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S – Toledo)

The Steelers got some reinforcements on offense with Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle.

Now, they add McNeil-Warren, who’s a long, rangy, hard-hitting safety. He should fit right in with the Steelers.

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

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

If Ioane is there, the Chargers need to sprint the card in. An offensive line with a healthy Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, and an incoming Ioane is magic.

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

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)

Mesidor is an older prospect, but the Eagles have lost out on edge talent for a few years now, and Mesidor will provide a Week 1-ready player.

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

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

I believe the Browns will give Shedeur Sanders a run in 2026, and adding Boston and Mauigoa gives him some real options to help see what they can do.

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

25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks (DL – Florida)

The Bears get a Jordan Davis-like player to clog up the middle of their defensive line and also help get after the quarterback.

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

26. Buffalo Bills: Christen Miller (DL – Georgia)

The Bills brought in players at other levels of the defense and traded for wide receiver DJ Moore. Now, they get one of the more slept on prospects in the draft in Miller.

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

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

A left tackle in college, the 49ers take the heir to the Trent Williams throne.

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

28. Houston Texans: Lee Hunter (DL – Texas Tech)

Hunter, one of the top personalities at the combine, will come in and help with run defense right away. He’s shown some pass-rushing prowess, but he’s still a bit raw.

Who better to get it out of him than DeMeco Ryans?

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Lee Hunter

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Blake Miller (OT – Clemson)

The Chiefs acquired this pick from the Rams after trading away cornerback Trent McDuffie, and with it, they take Miller, a guy who played right tackle at Clemson, to replace a right tackle they released in Jawaan Taylor.

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

TRADE: 30. Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)

After cutting Kyler Murray, the Cardinals trade up into the first round to get new head coach Mike LaFleur’s quarterback of the future in Simpson to sit in a quarterback room with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.

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

31. New England Patriots: KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)

After cutting Stefon Diggs, the Patriots get a player in Concepcion who’s fast and can beat man coverage. His biggest red flags are drops, but if he can clean that up, Drake Maye will have an explosive weapon on his hands.

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

32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)

They still have Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, but they lost some cornerback depth in free agency. Now, they get another player at the same position with similar measureables as Witherspoon.

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

More 2026 NFL Mock Drafts

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