2026 NFL Mock Drafts: Picks & Predictions

The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events on the football calendar, shaping the future of teams and fantasy rosters alike. At FantasyPros, we provide unparalleled draft insights, from in-depth prospect profiles to expert NFL mock drafts, to help you stay ahead of the curve. This guide is your go-to resource for the NFL Draft, updated regularly with the latest analysis, rankings, and coverage.

We’ll have you covered leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, taking a look at 2026 NFL Mock Drafts, including some involving predicted trades. Let’s dive into our latest 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

2026 NFL Mock Drafts: Picks & Predictions

Here are our latest 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

2026 NFL Mock Draft

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

It’s time to start writing this pick in permanent marker. Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick and the Week 1 starter for the Klint Kubiak-led Raiders.

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

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

With no quarterback worthy of the second pick, the Jets take the best overall player in the draft class. Arvell Reese can play linebacker and potentially develop into an elite pass rusher, similar to Micah Parsons.

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

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

While the Cardinals need help along the offensive line, especially at right tackle, where Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum are upcoming free agents, there isn’t one worthy of a top-three pick this year.

Therefore, Arizona pairs David Bailey with Josh Sweat and will wait until Day 2 to address the offensive line.

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

4) Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

Tennessee could take an EDGE rusher with this pick, especially after they hired Robert Saleh as their new head coach. However, this offseason has to be all about helping out Cam Ward.

Carnell Tate is the safest wide receiver in the draft class and could be a top-five pick.

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

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

If Caleb Downs gets picked inside the top five, he will be only the third safety in NFL history to get drafted that high and the first since Eric Berry in 2010.

However, John Harbaugh knows the value of having an elite safety on defense, having coached Kyle Hamilton for the past four years in Baltimore.

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

Here are all of our picks from our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft >>

More 2026 NFL Mock Drafts

History of the NFL Draft

The NFL Draft has a storied history dating back to its inception in 1936. Initially held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia, the draft was a low-key affair compared to the grand spectacle it has become today.

As the NFL grew in popularity, the draft evolved into a cornerstone of the league’s offseason calendar. The introduction of television coverage in the 1980s transformed it from a procedural meeting into a must-watch event, giving fans insight into team strategy, player evaluations, and long-term roster building. Landmark moments—surprise picks, dramatic slides, and franchise-defining selections—helped turn the draft into a storytelling engine that connected college football to the professional game.

Today, the NFL Draft is a multi-day spectacle and one of the league’s most powerful engagement tools. Hosted in rotating cities and attended by hundreds of thousands of fans, it blends live entertainment, analysis, and league-wide optimism as every team resets its future. What began as a simple mechanism for fairness has become a cultural event that shapes the NFL’s competitive landscape for years to come.