Day 1 of the legal tampering period has come and gone, and we’ve seen quite a bit of movement thus far! With some teams’ needs shifting, it’s a great time to take a look at another 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Let’s run through my latest mock as we sift through all of the league’s roster changes.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
The Raiders did a ton early on in free agency to make life easy on a rookie quarterback, and, as of now, Fernando Mendoza seems to be the runaway leader in the clubhouse to be the Raiders’ quarterback next season.
2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
After Dante Moore decided to go back to Oregon, the Jets will have to pivot with their selection. I don’t foresee a quarterback being worth it here, especially with next year’s loaded QB class, so I think they should just take the top player on their board.
3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa – Miami
The Cardinals also probably need to go with the best player available, though they do have a few different needs to fill. I’ve had them taking Rueben Bain Jr. in the past few mocks, but it’s starting to feel like OL might be the more likely scenario here.
4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
Robert Saleh also knows first-hand the value of having a do-it-all running back on his side from his days in San Francisco with Christian McCaffrey. Reports from the Combine were that the Titans think Love could be the best player in the draft. I think running back is trending toward going in this spot, especially after Tennessee added Jermaine Johnson in a trade with the Jets, then John Franklin-Myers as their big-ticket free agent.
Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State
The Giants released Bobby Okereke to save against the cap, but then went and brought in Tremaine Edmunds to fill that hole at linebacker. Now I think they will go and get a wide receiver to help out Jaxson Dart, especially after Wan’Dale Robinson departed for Tennessee in free agency.
6. Cleveland Browns: LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State
Cleveland let Devin Bush walk after a career year, and now they have a hole to fill in the middle of that defense. Styles’ speed and athleticism would make a lot of sense as a replacement for Bush.
7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey – Texas Tech
I think Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft still at this point, but if an EDGE with as high a ceiling as David Bailey is sitting there, I think Washington has to take him. However, if their choice is between Bailey or Downs, I don’t think there is a wrong choice.
8. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
The Saints seem to have their young quarterback; now, they can stand to add some help getting to the opposing quarterback. Bain’s arm size was a concern at the Combine, but there is no denying the results he produced on the field. He’s still arguably the top EDGE in this draft and would be a nice pick here.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Spencer Fano – Utah
The Chiefs need to add to the offensive line, especially now that they plan on releasing offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to save cap space. Fano makes a whole lot of sense in this spot if he’s still on the board.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs – Ohio State
The Bengals need help in a lot of places. While they have holes on both lines, they have holes in the secondary, too, and arguably the most talented player in the draft falling to them at 10 in Caleb Downs would be a gift they’d be thrilled to take.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane – LSU
Miami has a few needs defensively, and they select the top cornerback on most draft boards to slot into Jeff Hafley’s defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
Dallas needs help getting to the quarterback, but it could also use a boost in their secondary. McCoy provides them a high-upside candidate there.
13: Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): OT Monroe Freeling – Georgia
The Rams traded their later first-round pick to address the cornerback position, but adding a tackle is still on their to-do list, and Monroe Freeling’s performance in Indy could very well vault him all the way up into the top half of the first round. It’s not hard to envision the Rams grabbing him at this point in the draft process.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (via BAL): WR Makai Lemon – USC
I think this is the first time (at least in a while) I’ve had Lemon going over Jordyn Tyson. Lemon just feels like a very nice fit for Klint Kubiak’s offense. He can do it all, line up anywhere, and try to play the role that JSN played in Kubiak’s offense in Seattle last season (for the record, I’m by no means saying he’ll be as good as arguably the best wideout in the NFL last season. Lemon feels like a nice option to pair with Fernando Mendoza now that the Raiders are in this spot after the Maxx Crosby trade.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor – Miami
The Bucs have to address their struggles getting to the quarterback. It’s not the only thing that cost them their playoff spot this year, but it was really an issue. Akheem Mesidor made a name for himself in the College Football Playoff and has established himself as a first-round talent. Tampa could address this need in free agency, also, so that will be something to keep an eye on.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images16. New York Jets (via IND): WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
Wide receiver might not be their biggest need, but adding Jordyn Tyson to their group of pass catchers adds a versatile weapon for their offense.
17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn
Aidan Hutchinson is a great pass rusher, but the Lions have struggled to find a consistent option opposite him. They could very well take a shot at that here with this pick. I wouldn’t be surprised with a corner going here either, but I think they might rely on getting healthier in that position and drafting an EDGE. This is another decision that could also depend on how free agency goes.
18. Minnesota Vikings: DT Caleb Banks – Florida
The Vikings are expected to release Javon Hargrave in the coming days to save against the cap, and they already let Jonathan Allen go. With a loaded defensive tackle class, I could absolutely see them filling that need in the NFL Draft. Banks has a massive frame and has a ton of potential. He seems to be gaining steam.
19. Carolina Panthers: WR Denzel Boston – Washington
Carolina addressed its need on the edge with the massive Jaelen Phillips deal. Now, I think they’ll try to bring in another talented young wideout to pair with last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Tetairoa McMillan.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): EDGE T.J. Parker – Clemson
The Cowboys, as mentioned earlier, need help getting after the quarterback. T.J. Parker could potentially give this defense some help there.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Dillon Thieneman – Oregon
I think Thieneman is going to keep making his way into first-round mocks and only climb draft boards as we near April. The Steelers could stand to add a playmaker to their secondary. Maybe they go with a corner here, but I could easily see this pick as well.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Olaivavega Ioane – Penn State
The Chargers’ offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Justin Herbert. They’ve had injuries, so fortifying the interior seems like a very Jim Harbaugh selection.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Max Iheanachor – Arizona State
Iheanachor’s stock rose rapidly at the Senior Bowl, and I think it’ll continue to do so through the Combine and the offseason. He’s new to football and didn’t play in high school, but his upside and frame are very intriguing to NFL teams, and an OL factory like Philly would be a really nice landing spot for him.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): WR KC Concepcion – Texas A&M – Texas A&M
Cleveland needs to add some help to their group of pass catchers, and KC Concepcion would provide them with speed and versatility in this spot.
25. Chicago Bears: DT Kayden McDonald – Ohio State
McDonald had a nice Combine weekend and seems like a perfect fit for the Bears’ run-stuffing need in the interior of their defensive line. While Chicago added a defensive tackle in free agency, I still think this is a top need for the Bears.
26. Buffalo Bills: DT Peter Woods – Clemson
This pick still feels fairly up in the air. The Bills need help across the board defensively, but they also hired an offensive-minded head coach. Peter Woods, despite a somewhat disappointing 2025 campaign at Clemson, has a high ceiling and could be a steal for Buffalo here.
27. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
The 49ers added Mike Evans in free agency to address a big need on the outside. That clears the way for them to add to the defensive line, and Cashius Howell provides them a productive option with a ton of upside.
28. Houston Texans: OT Kaydn Proctor – Alabama
The Texans have even more of a need on the OL now that they’ve dealt Tytus Howard to the Browns. We’ll see how they address it in free agency, but Proctor would be very much in play if he’s on the board here, I would think.
Jeff Blake-Imagn Images29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): CB Brandon Cisse – South Carolina
The Chiefs moved star cornerback Trent McDuffie for this pick, so adding his replacement in this spot would make a lot of sense, one would think.
30. Denver Broncos: TE Kenyon Sadiq – Oregon
Sean Payton’s offenses are usually at their best when they feature a great tight end. Sadiq would be a really nice fit to go with Bo Nix for a team that doesn’t have a ton of big holes left to fill. However, after a great Scouting Combine performance, I wouldn’t be stunned to see him make his way up the draft board soon.
31. New England Patriots: OT Caleb Lomu – Utah
As we saw in the Super Bowl, the Patriots really struggled to protect Drake Maye and handle a good pass rush. That’s going to be a huge area of need for them this offseason.
32. Seattle Seahawks: LB CJ Allen – Georgia
The Seahawks have some needs to fill after losing quite a bit in free agency. CJ Allen is a very solid defender who could slide into an already dangerous defense right away, and he’d fill a need in that linebacking core as well.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about 2026 nfl mock draft fallout from day 1 of free agency was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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