Matthew Jones | Thu, Apr 23rd 2026, 7:48am EDT

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Matthew Jones’ Final First-Round Predictions

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here. It’s time for my final look at how the first round could unfold with my last 2026 NFL mock draft. For the sake of convenience, except where a team was trading into the first round (which happens twice), I didn’t project trades here, but rather assumed that teams would move around the board to land players in different positions.

This has been one of the most mysterious mocks in recent memory, so it’ll be interesting to see what ultimately happens. As always, feel free to contact me on X @draftexaminer with any feedback regarding my 2026 NFL mock draft.

2026 NFL Mock Draft

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

There’s not a whole lot of suspense regarding the first overall pick, with the Raiders set to select Fernando Mendoza and bring him along slowly behind Kirk Cousins before giving him the reins in Klint Kubiak’s offense.

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

Going with David Bailey is a bit of a surprise, but it looks like the Jets view him as the safer of the top two EDGE prospects in this year’s class, despite perhaps not being as much of a fit with the culture Aaron Glenn is trying to create.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)

Arizona appears to be working the phones, trying to trade down. While it’s more likely that Arvell Reese or maybe Jeremiyah Love is the third player off the board, moving back and landing a Francis Mauigoa would work well.

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

Robert Saleh would have to be happy about the prospect of adding Sonny Styles, one of the Buckeyes’ star defenders, to his team. However, it’s unclear whether Styles would be the pick if Jeremiyah Love were still on the board.

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

It feels like picks three through five will most likely be some shuffling of the same three players, so the Giants will most likely end up happy to draft whoever doesn’t end up getting picked third and fourth overall.

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

Deciding which tackle the Browns want to draft has been agonizing, and they could easily hold off until later. Personally, I see moving up for a tackle with their second pick to be a wiser move than taking one here.

7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

This should seemingly be a defensive pick, but Carnell Tate might be too tempting to pass up if he’s available. The Ohio State prospects stand out as good fits.

8. New Orleans Saints: Arvell Reese (LB – Ohio State)

I’m not totally sold on the Saints being willing to overlook Rueben Bain Jr’s lack of ideal arm length, so a wide receiver or Caleb Downs seems more likely if they stay put. However, I could also see the Saints getting aggressive to move up for ArvellReese.

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

This seems like a great pick, although Rueben Bain Jr’s length isn’t ideal, and Brett Veach has expressed interest in the defensive end depth. However, the Chiefs have been trying to land a stud EDGE rusher for some time now.

10. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

It seems like the Giants are very interested in the Ohio State defenders and in Jordyn Tyson. If they somehow land Jeremiyah Love earlier, it seems like they’d probably prefer to draft some sort of defender here, though.

11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

With a front-office regime imported from Green Bay, I’m expecting this to be an excellent athlete, and Spencer Fano fits the bill. His versatility also matches the type of preferences Green Bay has shown along the line.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)

It seems like a foregone conclusion that Dallas will draft some sort of defensive player with their first pick, and probably with their second as well. A move up is certainly possible, but they might luck into someone sliding.

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

This is an offense that didn’t use a third receiver very heavily last season, preferring jumbo sets, but Makai Lemon seems like a great fit for Sean McVay’s scheme. The Rams reportedly explored the possibility of trading Davante Adams.

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

Infamous for allowing excellent values to drop into their lap, the Ravens appear poised to do that again this year. Olaivavega Ioane might be a predictable pick to some extent, but he would complete the team’s overhaul of the guard position.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)

This is prime real estate for teams looking to move up from the 20s for a tackle. Tampa could trade back a handful of picks and land Akheem Mesidor. T.J. Parker fits what the Buccaneers typically look for a bit closer, but may not be available later.

16. New York Jets: Colton Hood (CB – Tennessee)

After a season in which they somehow didn’t intercept a single pass, look for the Jets to target a cornerback with one of their early picks, either here or at the top of round two. They have a few choices here, with different risk profiles.

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (OT – Clemson)

I’d be shocked if this pick wasn’t a tackle. The question is which one the Lions would like. I could see the teams just ahead of Detroit trading down, and the Lions ending up with Blake Miller. His character, toughness and athleticism would fit in very well.

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

Brian Flores’ defense relies heavily on safety play, and Dillon Thieneman is probably the most direct replacement for what the Vikings are losing in Harrison Smith. They have to be careful that a team like Carolina doesn’t leapfrog them.

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

General manager Dan Morgan has indicated a willingness to draft a third first-round pass-catcher in four years. It’s possible they could look at KC Concepcion. This could also be Kenyon Sadiq‘s floor.

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

Keldric Faulk has been linked to Dallas throughout the pre-draft process, and it makes a lot of sense, as he has the type of build to fit Christian Parker’s defensive front, with a different body type than what the team already has.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)

Is this the year the Steelers finally pull the trigger on a first-round receiver? It seems a bit odd given the team’s recent acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr., but Omar Cooper Jr. seems to be closely linked to the team.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)

If a player like Olaivavega Ioane or Kadyn Proctor falls, that could prove irresistible for the Chargers. Otherwise, I wonder if they would turn their attention to the defensive front, seeking a bigger-bodied prospect.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

A receiver is in play, but it feels like lining up a right tackle of the future would make a lot of sense as well. Given Philadelphia’s love of Georgia prospects and athletic freaks, a move up for Monroe Freeling makes sense.

24. Cleveland Browns: Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)

The Browns have the ammunition to move up from this spot for a lineman, and will most likely have to. If they don’t take one with their first pick, it’s seemingly almost certain they do so here. Right guard Teven Jenkins also has only a year on his deal.

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

Offensive tackle has been suggested as a potential pick here, but this feels like it’ll be a defensive pick of some sort. An EDGE rusher would have to get consideration, but Emmanuel McNeil-Warren brings the physicality they’re seeking, too.

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

When the Bills drafted Keon Coleman, the pick came as a surprise, as it ran counter to their typical philosophy of drafting quicker route-running specialists. KC Concepcion would be a return to that classic Bills mold.

***Trade Alert***

27. Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)

While it’s doubtful that the Cardinals would be able to acquire their quarterback of the future via a trade with a division rival, Trent Williams‘ recent extension obviates the need for San Francisco to force a left tackle here.

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

After losing Tim Settle in free agency, I can’t help but think that Texans general manager Nick Caserio, a former Patriots executive, would love the opportunity to bring in a huge nose tackle coached by Matt Patricia.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Johnson Jr. (CB – San Diego State)

There should be a few solid options for the Chiefs here at the end of the first. They’ll have their pick of a few intriguing cornerback prospects. They could also explore drafting someone like Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu.

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

Fixing the defensive backfield will surely be a major priority of the Dolphins’ new leadership. They could potentially draft Mansoor Delane with their earlier pick, but it feels more on-brand for them to wait for an athletic type later.

31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor (OT – Arizona State)

If not an offensive tackle, this pick will likely be someone on the defensive front. With a relatively loaded roster, the Patriots can afford to bring in someone a year early, so it might be worth swinging on a developmental prospect.