We’re in a bit of a holding pattern in the NFL Draft process as the order has been set, and now we await the NFL Combine, which kicks off in just a couple of weeks. With that in mind, there aren’t a whole lot of changes in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft from last week’s early in the first round. Having said that, the back of the first round could see quite a bit of jostling for position over the coming months.
Let’s hit our latest mock.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
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 second 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: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
The Cardinals also probably need to go with the best player available, who at this point might be Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami. There are a few different routes they can go, but Bain has made a huge impact at a premier position and looks like an outstanding prospect.
4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE David Bailey – Texas Tech
The Titans still need help for quarterback Cam Ward in the pass-catcher department. But with a defensive-minded head coach who understands the importance of getting to the quarterback, I wouldn’t be stunned to see them try to fill a much-needed hole in their defense with a player like Bailey.
5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State
Tate was a big play machine for Ohio State last season, averaging over 17 yards per reception and finding the endzone nine times. The Giants have some nice weapons already for Jaxson Dart in Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. Adding Tate would give them an outstanding over-the-top threat to really stretch the field.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa – Miami
It’s hard to tell where Cleveland will go. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Browns end up taking a receiver like Jordyn Tyson or potentially someone like Makai Lemon, but for now, I think fortifying the line is the way to go.
7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs – Ohio State
Safety might not be considered a premier position, but Caleb Downs is an elite defender and playmaker on that side of the football. I think the Commanders would have a hard time passing on him if this is how the board shook out.
8. New Orleans Saints: RB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore knows the value of a strong running game from his time in Dallas and Philly. Tyler Shough got better every week, and one of the best ways to help a young quarterback along is to have a dynamic running game. Love does just that. He helps in the run game and is a great receiver out of the backfield as well. He gives the Saints a potential dynamic Alvin Kamara replacement.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
The Chiefs aren’t used to making top-10 picks! Honestly, it still feels like a total toss-up trying to figure out where they will go with this pick. However, a high-end pass-catcher with a WR1 ceiling wouldn’t be a bad addition to an offense that could use playmakers.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images10. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Spencer Fano – Utah
The Bengals need help on both lines. I’m not convinced that Spencer Fano falls this far come April, as tackles usually seem to go earlier than we project. But if he is available here, I think Cincy would run to the podium to take him.
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: LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State
Dallas needs to add a few pieces defensively. Getting after the quarterback is important, and they need help there, but taking one here might be a reach. Sonny Styles is climbing up draft boards and would help fill some needs for the Cowboys, even if he’s not a pure edge rusher.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
The Rams don’t have a ton of needs, but cornerback is one of them, and they use a rare chance to draft early to fill that hole.
14. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
The Ravens have a few different areas of need they can address, but their defensive line was an issue last season. Cashius Howell racked up 11.5 sacks for Texas A&M last season, and he could provide a big boost to that defense.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor – Miami
EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn
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.
16. New York Jets (via IND): WR Makai Lemon – USC
Wide receiver might not be their biggest need, but adding Makai Lemon to their group of pass catchers adds a versatile weapon for their young QB. Lemon was outstanding for USC last season and does just about everything well.
17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn
Aidan Hutchinson is great, 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: CB Avieon Terrell – Clemson
Even after the Vikings’ spending spree last offseason, Minnesota’s defense needs some help on the interior defensive line. But the Vikings arguably need help at cornerback even more. They get one of the top players on the board at that position in this mock draft.
19. Carolina Panthers: WR KC Concepcion – Texas A&M
The Panthers found a really good wideout in last year’s first round in Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan. This year, I think they could stand to bring in another young, talented receiver whose skillset would complement McMillan’s very well and give quarterback Bryce Young another good option to throw to.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn
The Cowboys, as mentioned earlier, need help getting after the quarterback. Keldric Faulk, earlier in the draft process, was seen as a potential top 10 pick. He’s explosive and has a massive frame, and I think his tools would be something that would entice Jerry Jones in the spot.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston – Washington
There seems to be a lot of different directions Pittsburgh could go here. Some of that may depend on whether or not Mike McCarthy can convince Aaron Rodgers to play another year. If the Steelers don’t go with a quarterback, adding a complementary receiver to DK Metcalf makes a lot of sense, and Boston would fit that offense 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 Malachi Fields – Notre Dame
Fields had a great Senior Bowl performance. This may be a little early for him still, but after his performance in Mobile, I think a big combine weekend could vault him toward the 1st Round. At 6’4, 218 lbs, he’s a big target to throw to and has a great ability to go up and get the ball in one-on-one situations. He could be a big help to Todd Monken’s offense.
25. Chicago Bears: DT Peter Woods – Clemson
Woods was a projected Top 10 pick earlier in the football season, but he has tumbled down draft boards a bit after a bit of a ‘meh’ campaign at Clemson. Having said that, Woods is incredibly talented and has a high ceiling that could be very intriguing in Dennis Allen’s defense.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods celebrates after sacking Duke quarterback Darian Mensah. © Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images26. Buffalo Bills: DT Caleb Banks – Florida
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. Caleb Banks is a monster in the middle of the defensive line and can help their immediate need in stopping the run.
27. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Zion Young – Missouri
Young had a great Senior Bowl weekend, taking home Defensive Player of the Game honors. After that performance, a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis could easily vault him into the first round. The Niners most certainly need some help along the defensive line.
28. Houston Texans: OT Kaydn Proctor – Alabama
Whoever the Texans view as the top offensive lineman on their board here is who they should take. That group got much better as the year went on, but Houston still needs help up front.
29. Los Angeles Rams: OT Caleb Lomu – Utah
The Rams added a corner earlier in this mock draft. Now, they fill another need with a big offensive tackle out of Utah.
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.
31. New England Patriots: OT Monroe Freeling – Georgia
As we saw in the Super Bowl, the Patriots really struggled to protect Drake Maye and handle a very good pass rush. That’s going to be a huge area of need for them this offseason.
32. Seattle Seahawks: OT Gennings Dunker – Iowa
Interior offensive line and cornerback are two of the bigger needs for Seattle in this draft. Dunker played tackle, but he projects as being able to play across the line and expressed his willingness to do so. I think Seattle would be a great landing spot for him.
The 2026 NFL Draft Countdown Clock sits on the North Shore outside of Acrisure Stadium Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pa.Hence then, the article about 2026 nfl mock draft waiting for the combine bears bulk up more 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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