Quarterbacks dominate the top of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, but the real story is how aggressively teams are willing to maneuver to secure cornerstone players at premium positions.
With blue-chip defenders and playmakers coming off the board throughout the first round, this mock reflects a league split between chasing long-term answers under center and fortifying rosters with elite, high-floor talent elsewhere. Here’s how the first round could shake out.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. TRADE — New York Jets (via NYG): QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
The Jets make the boldest move of the draft, jumping to the top to secure their quarterback of the future. Mendoza’s poise, accuracy, and command of structure give New York a clean slate at the position and a passer they can build around immediately.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Dante Moore – Oregon
The Raiders swing again at quarterback, this time on a high-ceiling, clean-mechanics passer with real NFL arm talent. Pete Carroll isn’t waiting around for another Geno Smith reclamation.
3. Tennessee Titans: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
After addressing quarterback last year, the Titans turn to the best defensive player in the class. Reese is a tone-setter in the middle of the field with sideline-to-sideline range and true leadership traits.
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch4. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State
Cleveland adds a polished, physical wideout who wins with strength and body control. Tate gives the Browns a reliable target who can thrive regardless of who’s throwing him the football.
5. TRADE — New York Giants (via NYJ): WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
The Giants pivot to offense, landing a dynamic playmaker with elite separation skills. Tyson gives New York a much-needed explosive complement in the passing game.
6. Arizona Cardinals: T Spencer Fano – Utah
The Cardinals build in the trenches, taking one of the best tackles in the class here.
7. New Orleans Saints: T Francis Mauigoa – Miami
New Orleans builds from the trenches, grabbing a massive, athletic tackle who can anchor the line for the next decade. Mauigoa brings immediate stability to a unit in transition.
8. Washington Commanders: ED Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
Washington invests in pass-rush upside with Bain, a powerful edge defender capable of wrecking game plans. He fits perfectly into a defense still searching for consistent pressure.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: ED David Bailey – Texas Tech
The Bengals continue to load up on defense, adding a disruptive edge with relentless motor and bend. Bailey gives Cincinnati another tool to protect leads in January.
10. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): S Caleb Downs – Ohio State
Downs is simply too talented to pass up. The Rams add an elite, do-it-all safety who can play in the box, cover the slot, and erase mistakes on the back end.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: HB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
Kansas City adds another weapon for Patrick Mahomes after he returns from injury. Love’s burst, vision, and receiving ability give the Chiefs a true difference-maker out of the backfield.
Matt Cashore-Imagn Images12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Mansoor Delane – LSU
Delane brings length, ball skills, and physicality to a Vikings secondary that needs consistency. He profiles as an early starter with long-term upside.
13. Miami Dolphins: ED Keldric Faulk – Auburn
Miami continues to chase defensive explosiveness. Faulk’s power and athletic profile give the Dolphins another high-upside edge rusher to rotate into the front.
14. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State
Dallas grabs one of the most versatile defenders in the class. Styles can play multiple roles and give the Cowboys flexibility at the second level.
15. Baltimore Ravens: DI Peter Woods – Clemson
This feels like a Ravens pick. Woods is a powerful interior presence who can control gaps and collapse pockets, fitting Baltimore’s defensive identity perfectly.
16. Carolina Panthers: ED Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
Carolina continues to build its pass rush with Howell, a high-motor edge who thrives attacking quarterbacks and setting the edge against the run.
17. Detroit Lions: T Kadyn Proctor – Alabama
Detroit reinforces the offensive line with a massive, battle-tested tackle. Proctor fits the Lions’ physical style and keeps the offense humming up front.
Jeff Blake-Imagn Images18. New York Jets (via IND): WR Makai Lemon – USC
After landing their quarterback earlier, the Jets add a versatile, YAC-heavy receiver. Lemon gives Mendoza a dynamic weapon to grow with.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq – Oregon
The Bucs add a modern tight end who can stretch the field and create mismatches. Sadiq brings athleticism and red-zone value to the offense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston – Washington
Pittsburgh reloads at receiver with a physical, competitive target who thrives in contested situations. Boston fits the Steelers’ long-standing WR mold.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
The Eagles continue to invest in the secondary. McCoy’s size and instincts make him a strong fit in a defense that values versatility and length.
22. Houston Texans: DI Caleb Banks – Florida
Houston fortifies the interior with a powerful defensive lineman who can eat blocks and disrupt the run game. Banks adds needed toughness up front.
23. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): ED T.J. Parker – Clemson
Dallas doubles down on pass rush, adding another explosive edge defender. Parker’s athletic upside makes him an ideal rotational piece with starter potential.
24. Buffalo Bills: CB Avieon Terrell – Clemson
Buffalo addresses a lingering need in the secondary. Terrell’s speed and aggressiveness give the Bills another playmaker on the outside.
25. Chicago Bears: ED Romello Height – Texas Tech
The Bears add length and upside off the edge. Height gives Chicago another developmental pass rusher to pair with their existing front.
Syndication: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal26. Los Angeles Chargers: G Olaivavega Ioane – Penn State
Jim Harbaugh gets his kind of player. Ioane is a physical interior lineman who brings toughness and reliability to the Chargers’ offensive line.
27. San Francisco 49ers: DI Kayden McDonald – Ohio State
San Francisco reloads the interior with a strong, disruptive defensive tackle. McDonald fits seamlessly into the 49ers’ defensive rotation.
28. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): T Caleb Lomu – Utah
Cleveland continues to build the trenches, grabbing a sturdy tackle prospect who adds depth and future starting potential.
29. New England Patriots: CB Colton Hood – Tennessee
New England lands a physical corner who thrives in man coverage. Hood fits the Patriots’ defensive DNA and adds toughness on the perimeter.
30. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse – South Carolina
Seattle shores up the secondary with a long, athletic corner. Cisse offers developmental upside in a defense that values versatility.
31. Los Angeles Rams: QB Ty Simpson – Alabama
The Rams take a swing on a developmental quarterback to sit behind Matthew Stafford. Simpson’s tools and pedigree make him a worthwhile investment.
32. Denver Broncos: LB CJ Allen – Georgia
Denver closes the first round with a high-IQ linebacker from Georgia. Allen brings leadership, instincts, and immediate special-teams value with starter upside.
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