2026 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: Round 1 Predictions

A lot has changed in the professional football landscape since I released my NFL Mock Draft 1.0 at the beginning of March.

Free agency has reloaded some teams while depleting others. Big trades have given five teams multiple first-round picks, including the New York Giants, who acquired the 10th-overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals for DT Dexter Lawrence II, less than a week before the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock from the North Shore of Pittsburgh.

NFL Combine and pro day results have also continued to push prospects up and down boards. Just five picks remain the same from my first version, with the biggest risers being players like Ohio State LB Sony Styles and USC Trojans WR Makai Lemon. Meanwhile, the EDGE and defensive tackle market has shifted a ton, sending players like Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell and Clemson Tigers DT/EDGE Peter Woods tumbling down draft boards.

In addition, I have five players who have fallen completely out of Day 1, including Auburn Tigers EDGE Keldric Faulk, Vanderbilt Commodores TE Eli Stowers, Clemson Tigers WR Antonio Williams and Indiana Hoosiers CB D’Angelo Ponds.

But don’t worry, there’s still a ton of action left to unfold with three first-round trades going down.

For more in-depth breakdowns on the returning players in this mock draft, check out version 1.0 or our 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Reports.

2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: First-Round Picks & Predictions

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

The chalk stays chalk; The Las Vegas Raiders add their future franchise signal-caller

The only difference is that I’m actually now higher on the Raiders, specifically after signing Baltimore Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81-million contract and returning OT Kolton Miller from a season-ending injury.

If they can add a couple of pass-catchers on Day Two, look for there to be potential value on Klint Kubiak’s team in the NFL futures betting markets.

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

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

I initially had the New York Jets trading out of this pick in my first mock. However, given the recent buzz and some big performances by other players at the NFL Combine, the gap between Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE Arvel Reese and the next two defensive players has considerably shrunk. This has also harmed the market for a potential trade-up.

The Jets also traded away EDGE Jermaine Johnson II in exchange for Tennessee Titans DT T’Vondre Sweat, suggesting that they’re trying to build around head coach Aaron Glenn’s base 3-4 scheme.

Therefore, they add the Swiss Army knife to lead their new-look defense.

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

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

The thought process stays the same here. The Arizona Cardinals need to get after the quarterback. They struggled to do so last season, finishing 29th in pressures (114) and tied for 20th in sacks (30). The pick is now Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey, rather than Miami Hurricanes EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., due to the arm length concerns revealed at the NFL Combine.

Bailey’s odds to be a top-five pick at prediction markets have now become heavily juiced, whereas Bain Jr.’s have been heavily inflated. We’ll follow those tea leaves and add this class’s most sure-fire pass rusher to bolster the defense.

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

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

The Tennessee Titans were in the bottom three in rushing last year, and if Robert Salah’s time with the New York Jets told us anything, he wants to win by running the ball and playing good defense.

Adding the 2025 All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist, Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love, to the backfield would give quarterback Cam Ward a huge advantage starting in his sophomore season. RBs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears‘ contracts are also up after the season, so it just makes sense for them to go Best Player Available (BPA).

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

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

The New York Giants have one of the best defensive fronts in football, no doubt about it. However, everything else behind that in their defense is middling at best.

Prediction markets now have Styles to be a top-five pick at minus odds, and for good reason. He checked into the NFL Combine at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. This, plus elite scores in the vertical and broad jump, gave him a 9.9 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), courtesy of MathBomb, making him the fourth-most athletic linebacker to test since 1987.

It’s the second straight top-five pick for a non-premium position. However, Styles’ athleticism and football IQ only come around so often.

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

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

I originally had the Cleveland Browns going tackle here at six overall. However, with the position having more question marks than it appeared a few months ago, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate has become the odds-on favorite for this selection.

It makes sense given that the Browns’ leading pass catcher was rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr., who ranked 41st in the league in receiving yards at 731. Whoever Cleveland’s future franchise signal caller is, there’s at least hope that he has a legitimate wide receiver in Tate.

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

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

The Washington Commanders would have loved to add another offensive playmaker in Love or Tate. With them off the board, they shift to improving their defense. Ohio State S Caleb Downs would immediately slide into a starting role over S Will Harris, helping bring stability to a secondary that allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game (242.5) last season.

Some of the easiest money in the NFL betting markets is on Downs to be the top defensive back selected.

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

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)

Bain Jr.’s 30.9-inch arms cause him to slide, but no further than eighth overall to the New Orleans Saints. The 2025 AP consensus All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year would immediately slide in front of either OLB Carl Granderson or Chase Young. That, along with EDGE Bryan Bresee, gives them a more-than-capable front despite losing an all-timer like EDGE Cameron Jordan.

If you want to still drink the juice, Bain Jr. is an approachable -161 to be a top-10 pick.

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

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

Due to the injuries, Arizona State Sun Devils WR Jordy Tyson has become arguably the most polarizing player in this draft class. Still, I’m not buying that he’s falling that far because he is the best technician in this draft class, who has done it every step of the way at just 21 years old.

I initially had them going tackle in 1.0, but the Chiefs seemed to have all the confidence in the world in promoting OT Jaylon Moore. Therefore, they opt for Tyson instead.

WR Rashee Rice enters the final year of his rookie deal and continues to be involved in alleged off-field incidents. He’s run mostly out of the slot anyway, with 2024 first-round pick WR Xavier Worthy running out of the flanker spot. That leaves WR Tyquan Thornton, who had a career-high 438 receiving yards in 14 games last season, as the X. The issue is that Thornton caught only 51.4% of his targets.

It’s the biggest immediate upgrade that general manager Brett Veach and the company can make. If you believe so too, their odds of them drafting Tyson are an enticing +573.

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

10. Los Angeles Rams (via New York Giants): Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)

The “F*** Them Picks” mantra continues. With fewer blue-chip prospects available in this draft than usual, the Los Angeles Rams want to make sure they get one, so they package their third-round pick with their 13th overall pick to trade up with the New York Giants, who acquired this pick in the deal for Lawrence II.

General manager Les Snead then selects Miami Hurricanes OT Francis Mauigoa. He’ll immediately slide in to protect QB Matthew Stafford‘s front side, replacing OT Warren McClendon Jr., whose rookie deal was set to expire after this season.

Trade Details:

Giants Receive:
- 2026 Pick 1.13
- 2026 Pick 3.29
Rams Receive:
- 2025 Pick 1.10

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

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

This is just my second unchanged selection since 1.0. The only semi-meaningful additions the Miami Dolphins made in free agency to improve the secondary were CB Darrell Baker Jr. and FS Lonnie Johnson Jr., both on one-year deals.

If they don’t bring in reinforcements, they’ll get picked apart in an AFC East that features QBs Josh Allen and Drake Maye. LSU Tigers CB Mansoor Delane is the best option for immediate production, and is somehow still +838 to land in Miami.

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

12. Dallas Cowboys: Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

Dallas Cowboys OT Tyler Guyton has missed nine games in his two seasons since being drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. There are also serious question marks about whether he can hold down Dak Prescott‘s blind side.

With their Super Bowl window open and owner Jerry Jones remaining impatient, Dallas makes the surprising move to select Utah Utes OT Spencer Fano at 12 overall. He’ll either immediately compete with Guyton for a starting spot, adding more depth to the line, or they’ll move Guyton completely to try to recoup some value.

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

13. New York Giants (via Los Angeles Rams): Olaivavega Ioane (iOL – Penn State)

The New York Giants make the optimal move, trading back three spots and still sniping new head coach John Harbaugh’s former team for Penn State Nittany Lions G Olaivavega Ioane.

It’s safe to say that former seventh-overall pick G Evan Neal is a bust. He’s on a veteran minimum deal with no guaranteed money. G Daniel Faalele was brought with Harbaugh from Baltimore, but is also only on a one-year deal. If this is a team that’s going to protect QB Jaxson Dart and lean on their run game, they need to upgrade there.

Ioane is one of the more sure-fire prospects in this class, allowing zero sacks in 2025 while playing in the Big Ten. He just also happens to play in a non-premium position, making him available at 13 overall.

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

14. Miami Dolphins (via Baltimore): Makai Lemon (WR – USC)

Just like in Texas Hold’em when you’re dealt pocket rockets, the Miami Dolphins can control the direction of this draft with 11 total picks, seven of which are in the top 100. Therefore, new general manager John Eric Sullivan sacrifices two 2026 third-round picks, a 2027 fifth-round pick and LB Willie Gay Jr. to trade up with the Baltimore Ravens and select Lemon.

The 2025 Biletnikoff Award will be the new Miami QB Malik Willis‘ No. 1 pass-catcher and represents a tier break as the last of the blue-chippers. Yet, with the Ravens already having WR Zay Flowers, who plays a similar style, they make the smart move by acquiring three additional picks and an immediate starter in Gay Jr.

Trade Details:

Ravens Receive:
- 2026 Pick 1.30
- 2026 Pick 3.11
- 2026 Pick 3.23
- 2027 Fifth-Round Pick
- MLB Willie Gay Jr.
Dolphins Receive:
- 2025 Pick 1.14

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

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

The seat for Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is heating up. This is a defensive-minded head coach, yet the Buccaneers finished in the bottom half in yards and points allowed per game last season. They also ranked in the bottom eight in hurry rate (7.0%) and pressure rate (19.8).

Age is but a number for 25-year-old Miami Hurricanes EDGE Akheem Mesidor. The more important numbers to the Bucaneers, though, are the astonishing 12.5 sacks (second-most in the country), 17.5 tackles for loss (fifth-most) and four forced fumbles (sixth-most) that willed him to All-America honors in 2025.

Given the state of their current pass rushers, it’d be no surprise if this selection led the Buccaneers in sacks as a rookie

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

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

The Jets added Reese at the top, but still have a huge hole to fill in the secondary after trading CB Sauce Gardner. They added CB Nahshon Wright in free agency, but that’s a one-year band-aid that won’t fix a defense that had zero interceptions last season.

Enter the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons CB A.J. Terrell, Avieon Terrell, who has been an anchor of Dabo Swinney’s defense since being a part of that historic 2023 recruiting class.

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

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

After a season where Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs‘ efficiency decreased, and QB Jared Goff‘s sacks increased, the last thing head coach Dan Campbell wants to do is rely on LT Larry Borom to start on the right side of the line.

Therefore, Georgia OT Monroe Freeling trades his Bulldog Red for Honolulu Blue. The four-star recruit has been a massive pre-draft riser after only starting 18 games in his career. He checked into the NFL Combine at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, finishing with the second-best RAS ever for an offensive tackle (9.99).

While it may be a slower start to his career than some first-round tackles, the upside if he hits across from OT Penei Sewell is too high not to swing at 17 overall.

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

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

I still think the Minnesota Vikings attacked the secondary at 18 overall. Yet, with Terrell off the board, they pivot to replacing S Harrison Smith with Oregon Ducks S Dillon Thieneman.

The former three-star recruit stayed in-state to play at Purdue, where he finished top six in the country in solo tackles in both 2023 (74) and 2024 (70). The transfer to anchor Dan Lanning’s defense in 2025 paid off, as he exceled in the national spotlight, particularly in games against ranked opponents like the Penn State Nittany Lions, Washington Huskies and Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Thieneman’s fluidity throughout the secondary will give defensive coordinator Brian Flores a crucial chess piece in his scheme, known for exotics.

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

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

This is another pick that remains the same from 1.0. The Carolina Panthers are legitimately a few playmakers on offense and defense away from having one of the better rosters in the NFL.

Therefore, they address defense in the first round for the first time since 2021, adding Clemson Tigers EDGE T.J. Parker, who was projected to be a top-10 pick before the College Football season began.

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

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

It’s another repeat pick from 1.0 and one that Dallas Cowboys fans have been waiting for. Tennessee Volunteers CB Jermod McCoy’s 2024 season was arguably the best year of any cornerback in this class.

The Jones family will gladly take the injury discount on a player who is now a year removed from a torn AC and who they hope will be their potential shut-down cornerback of the future.

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

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)

The Pittsburgh Steelers stay with tackle in this mock, only this time with the option to take Alabama Crimson Tide OT Kadyn Proctor.

As predicted, the team did ultimately lose G Isaac Seumalo in free agency. With LT Broderick Jones being a liability at outside, they’ll kick him inside, hoping the 6-foot-6, 352-pound Proctor can replace him. While the tape is inconsistent, Proctor was a top-five overall player nationally when recruited in 2023 and has shown flashes of brilliance.

New head coach Mike McCarthy will try to get the best of him after getting him at 21st overall.

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

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Banks (DT – Florida)

Florida Gators DT Caleb Banks had a strong pre-draft process, showing he’s recovered well from his 2025 foot injury and wrapping up his testing with a 9.83 RAS. That, plus his strong 2023 and 2024 seasons, should be enough to push him up to DT1 of this class.

That’s something the Los Angeles Chargers could need, with DT Dalvin Tomlinson currently anchoring the middle of their front on just a one-year deal.

As long as the medicals check out, Banks should cash the +398 tickets for him to be a first-round pick.

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

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)

Regardless of the Philadelphia Eagles bringing back TE Dallas Goedert and whatever comes of WR A.J. Brown, they need to continue investing in young skill players.

I’m still convinced Stowers is the best pure pass-catching big man in this class and the one to target for fantasy football. Yet, Oregon Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq’s record-breaking 4.39-second 40-yard dash all but cemented him going off the board first.

New Philadelphia offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will force QB Jalen Hurts under center more and frequents 12-man personnel, which will get Sadiq on the field early.

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

24. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Lomu (OT – Utah)

The Cleveland Browns spent up in free agency to upgrade their offensive line. However, it was with above-average players at best and kept 2023 fourth-round OT Dawand Jones as a starter on the left side. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, they get out in front of it with an immediate upgrade to Utah Utes OT Caleb Lomu.

What was a strong overall testing window for tackles didn’t leave the 2025 All-Big 12 prospect behind, landing him along the shores of Lake Erie at 24 overall.

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

25. Chicago Bears: Peter Woods (DT/EDGE – Clemson)

Clemson Tigers DT/EDGE Peter Woods did himself no favors at the NFL Combine, coming in undersized and testing just adequately. It’ll be tough for general managers to overlook that and his production drop that came with a scheme change last season.

Still, it lands him a Chicago Bears team that has to stop the run to take that next step. They should have success moving him around defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s 4-3 scheme.

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

26. Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S – Toledo)

The Group of Five (G5) officially enters the first round with the selection of Toledo Rockets S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

With the former three-star recruit operating the backend, head coach Jason Candle continued his dominant run in the MAC the past three seasons. Toledo had a defense that ranked no worse than 47th in scoring during that span, including allowing the fourth-fewest points per game (13.3) in 2025.

McNeil-Warren ranked third in the country in fumbles forced (four) as a sophomore before earning First-Team All-Mac and All-America honors as a senior.

For Buffalo, it’s simple. You can’t be a competitive team playing in big games while relying on S C.J. Gardner-Johnson as a starter at this point in his career. Adding McNeil-Warren to a secondary that has CBs Christian Benford and Maxwell Hairston continuing to develop and Dee Alford coming over from the Atlanta Falcons should give Buffalo a ton of young upside for years to come.

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

27. San Francisco 49ers: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)

Signing WR Mike Evans in free agency shifted the San Francisco 49ers’ top need to tackle. However, with All-Pro LT Trent Williams signing a two-year, $50 million extension, pass-catcher is once again the priority.

Whether it’s the nearby electrical substation or just bad luck, San Francisco has been cursed with injuries for nearly the past decade. TE George Kittle continues to recover from a torn Achilles suffered in the playoffs. Evans played a career-low eight games last season. WR Ricky Pearsall has played just 20 games across two seasons. Plus, RB Christian McCaffrey is coming off 440 touches.

Any one of those players is viable to go down at any time, forcing general manager John Lynch’s hand into drafting Indiana Hoosiers WR Omar Cooper Jr. Known more as a deep threat across his first two seasons as a starter, the former four-star recruit developed more into a complete player this past year, working with Mendoza.

He reeled in 61 receptions for 849 yards and 12 TDs (third in the country). Cooper Jr. was an absolute weapon down the stretch, including reeling in five receptions for 71 yards in the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship.

While he’s not a crazy athlete by any means, he checked into the NFL Combine at 6-feet-0, 199 pounds and finished with an impressive 9.16 RAS after showing off his 37-inch vertical and 4.42-second 40-yard dash. That’s more than enough to make him worthy of a first-round pick.

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

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

The Houston Texans reeled off 10 straight wins before suffering another loss in the Divisional Round. If we learned anything during that run, it’s that this defense can do the heavy lifting until QB C.J. Stroud returns to the form we saw during his rookie season.

That’s why I’m still completely on board with the general manager, Nick Caserio, prioritizing the defensive line over the offensive line. McDonald gives them a true run-stuffer that’ll keep this defense among the league’s best right now.

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

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Cashius Howell (EDGE – Texas A&M)

Just like Bain Jr., Howell falls down the board because of his short arm size (30.25 inches). However, the slide stops with the Kansas City Chiefs, who address pass rush after taking Tyson at nine overall.

Howell returns to his home state to immediately compete with 2025 third-round pick Ashton Gillotte for a starting job on the outside of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz-driven 4-3 scheme.

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

30. Baltimore Ravens (via Miami): Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)

The Ravens are one of the true winners of this first round, trading back to acquire three additional picks, a defensive starter and now their next potential top pass-catcher, Washington Huskies WR Denzel Boston.

Everyone in the building, aside from maybe general manager Eric DeCosta, would admit the team overpaid for WR Rashod Bateman, both 27th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and ahead of the 2025 season when they extended him.

He makes things somewhat right here by taking another high-upside swing on a receiver in the first round to give QB Lamar Jackson as much artillery as possible. The only difference is that this time, he collected a ton more assets in the process.

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

The New England Patriots added an above-average boundary pass-catcher by signing WR Romeo Doubs in free agency. Yet they’re currently going to run either a power slot with WR Mack Hollins or a more traditional one with WR DeMario Douglas.

Either way, that’s not going to cut it, especially after all three other AFC East teams already upgraded their secondaries in this mock draft. Therefore, they take Texas A&M Aggies WR KC Concepcion, who can play inside or outside, while also giving them another dangerous returner on the roster.

His camp has kept things close to the vest by not participating in any athletic testing following an alleged minor knee surgery and has sought to dismiss any concerns about drops. Still, it’s not enough to push him outside of the top-32 picks.

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

32. New York Jets (via Seattle): Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)

In an attempt to secure a fifth-year option and ensure the Arizona Cardinals don’t jump ahead of them, the New York Jets auction off their early fourth-round pick to trade up one pick and acquire Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson.

With head coach Aaron Glenn already on the hot seat after a disastrous 3-14 season at the helm, he has to ease tensions by showing flashes of a promising future with a young signal-caller.

The Rams trading their second first-round pick didn’t help Simpson’s chances of being a first-round pick. However, the news that he was suffering from gastritis, caused by medication from a back injury, late last season, did.

Taking a quarterback with just one year of starting experience in the first round is always a risky endeavor. Yet, with QB Geno Smith being the only viable option on the roster, this front office and coaching staff’s hands are forced into shooting for upside here.

Trade Details:

Seahawks Receive:
- 2026 Pick 2.01
- 2026 Pick 4.02
Jets Receive:
- 2025 Pick 1.32

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

More 2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks

Here are more 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

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.