We are still very early in the draft process with things not becoming clear until free agency, so this mock is more of an exercise to discuss certain prospects and teams.
1. LV: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
If I had to guess now, I would say the Raiders will end up trading the No. 1 overall pick because they know they need more to support a young quarterback. At the same time, they might believe in Mendoza enough to lift the rest of the offense/team, and the bottom line is they need to hit at the position—and hit in general—to take advantage of Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers on rookie deals.
2. NYJ: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets could decide to move up a spot for Mendoza, but if not, Reese fits best among the prospects thought to be in consideration for a top-five pick. Remember, the Lions spent a first-round pick on Jack Campbell (who has developed into an All-Pro) when Aaron Glenn was there, so Reese could slide right in middle of the defense while providing some pass-rush juice.
3. ARI: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Arizona used the No. 6 overall pick on Paris Johnson Jr. back in 2023, so general manager Monti Ossenfort could again opt for the trenches by getting Mauigoa to play right tackle. Of course, the Cardinals are one of a few teams still without a head coach at this point, so we’ll get more clarity soon.
4. TEN: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Bain isn’t the prototypical edge in terms of his size and build, but there is no denying how disruptive he was for the Hurricanes. I would bet on Robert Saleh wanting Bain to start his first draft in Tennessee, and he’d join Jeffery Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat, and Oluwafemi Oladejo up front.
5. NYG: Caleb Downs, S Ohio State
The Giants trading up for Jaxson Dart last year leaves them without a third-round pick, so a trade down seems very logical. However, Downs is arguably the best player in the draft, and John Harbuagh clearly values the safety position with first-round picks spent on Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks in recent years.
6. CLE: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Cleveland clearly hit on running back (Quinshon Judkins) and tight end (Harold Fannin Jr.) last year, and I could see them targeting a wide receiver early to continue building up the supporting cast for whoever is under center. Tyson has good size and a vertical skillset on the perimeter to open things up for everyone else, including Judkins and Fannin.
7. WAS: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Commanders were in the NFC Championship Game last January, but they are in danger of really falling off under the current regime if they don’t start drafting better. Bailey exploded for 14.5 sacks last year at Texas Tech, and Washington needs to improve the pass rush after 36-year-old Von Miller led the team with 9.0 sacks in 2025.
8. NO: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love going to the Chiefs with the next pick is the nightmare scenario for the rest of the NFL, but New Orleans could prevent that from happening if they believe a star runner could elevate them in Year 2 under Kellen Moore. After spending a first-round pick on an offensive tackle in back-to-back drafts, Love is a big-play back who can take advantage by being sprung on perimeter runs.
9. KC: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
There has been a ton of smoke about Trent McDuffie potentially being traded as Kansas City is forced to make tough decisions to be cap compliant, so cornerback could be a huge need by April. Delane was an All-American in his lone season at LSU after transferring from Virginia Tech.
10. CIN: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Two linebackers in the top 10 might be something that ultimately doesn’t happen, but Styles could form an impressive long-term duo with Demetrius Knight Jr. in Cincinnati. While defensive line is always a possibility for the Bengals, I’ll say they count on the young guys they’ve invested in to step up.
11. MIA: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Malik Willis could be the target at quarterback for Miami with their general manager and head coach coming from Green Bay—and cornerback is a massive need that will be addressed this offseason. Terrell doesn’t have the size of his brother (Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr.), but he is an ideal scheme fit for Jeff Hafley.
12. DAL: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Dallas is typically one of the more predictable teams in the draft, and I’m expecting them to go heavy on defense with the extra capital they have from the Micah Parsons trade. Howell is comparable to Broncos star Nik Bonitto, and his speed could be scary off the edge to create more favorable rush opportunities for Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa on the interior.
13. LAR (via ATL): D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Ponds will likely go later than this based on his size (listed at five-foot-nine and 173 pounds), but the Rams could use a confident, playmaking cornerback to complement all their talent up front and at safety. We also shouldn’t count out a quarterback for them to develop with two first-rounders at their disposal.
14. BAL: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
I assume Bisontis is a rare name for early mock drafts, but he was perhaps the best player on a dominant Texas A&M offensive line and could be an impact player from Day 1 for Baltimore. The defensive interior isn’t as big of a need if Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) is healthy in 2026.
15. TB: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Tampa Bay might not pour even more resources into the skill positions after surprisingly taking Emeka Egbuka last year—but Sadiq is the clear No. 1 tight end prospect and could bring a power element depending on the status of Mike Evans as he contemplates retirement. It’ll be interesting to see if pass rushers are pushed down the board a bit in a deep class, but that’s a need for the Bucs as well.
16. NYJ (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
If we’re sticking to the Jets trying to replicate the success of Detroit in terms of rebuilding, Lemon could be their version of Amon-Ra St. Brown—and we know the depth at wide receiver needs major improvement. The same could be said about a lot of areas (including the secondary with zero interceptions by the team in 2025), but Lemon might be a better value.
17. DET: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Lions have long been searching for a consistent answer across from Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive front, and Faulk is their kind of player at six-foot-six, 288 pounds. I’d expect a strong draft for the organization after the early returns for 2025 were underwhelming compared to previous years under Brad Holmes.
18. MIN: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but many still expect him to be the top cornerback off the board. Minnesota still has Isaiah Rodgers under contract after he was another bargain for them in free agency, and McCoy could eventually join Byron Murphy Jr. and Rodgers as a starting trio.
19. CAR: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Carolina made great strides on defense from 2024 to 2025, but they could still use a leader on the second level. Allen started over the past two years for the Bulldogs and provides intangibles in addition to instincts at linebacker.
20. DAL (via GB): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Cowboys are trying to replicate what the Eagles have become under Vic Fangio by hiring Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, and Hood is a nice fit for the matchup zone coverage they’re expected to play. If DeMarvion Overshown returns to form at linebacker and along with both DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr. in the secondary, Dallas could get better in a hurry.
21. PIT: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate often goes much higher than this in mocks, but in a deep class and with needs not lining up, it’s possible he slips with Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon going ahead in this mock. The Steelers should lean more on the wideouts with Mike McCarthy as head coach, so Tate gives them another perimeter target to pair with DK Metcalf.
22. LAC: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Chargers have a need at guard with Mekhi Becton expected to be released after not being a fit, so Ioane could be a seamless replacement there. Los Angeles will also get Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) back at the tackle spots, and Mike McDaniel being the likely offensive coordinator would give Justin Herbert all the help he needs.
23. PHI: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Trade rumors around A.J. Brown will be one of the top storylines of the offseason, and a slow process in hiring an offensive coordinator might not help the chances of him wanting to be back in midnight green. Either way, Branch can be an electrifying addition as an underneath weapon who could do damage on designed touches.
24. CLE (via JAX): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Browns probably need to hire a coach before we can feel good about pairing them up with a quarterback, but it’s easy to imagine the analytics-driven front office not liking that Ty Simpson has limited experience and that Trinidad Chambliss is “undersized.” Instead, they opt for another big tackle to pair with Dawand Jones.
25. CHI: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
I’d anticipate the Chicago defense will be retooled this offseason, and it could start in the trenches to match what the organization did last year on the offensive line. Woods would be a strong addition rotating alongside Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr.
26. BUF: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Brazzell is a big-time vertical threat at six-foot-five, 200 pounds—but I do believe this would be early for him despite tons of hype after a breakout final season where he averaged 16.4 yards per reception. That said, the Bills need perimeter weapons, and I could see them identifying Brazzell as their target in Round 1.
27. SF: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Although age could work against Mesidor (he turns 25 before the draft), San Francisco might feel good enough about the fit—and they need to boost the edge rush with Nick Bosa coming off a torn ACL. We’ll see if Bryce Huff is back on a reduced deal with no dead cap if the Niners were to release him.
28. HOU: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Texans got the most out of Trent Brown at right tackle this year, but he missed the Divisional Round loss, turns 33 in April, and has general durability concerns. Freeling is a six-foot-seven wall who could be the long-term answer with Aireontae Ersery at tackle.
29. LAR: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
As stated, quarterback can’t be counted out for Los Angeles, but they basically made it known they wanted Tetairoa McMillan last spring despite already signing Davante Adams—so wideout could be squarely in play. Concepcion would bring a different skillset than Puka Nacua and Adams while taking a bunch of snaps that have gone to Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith.
30. DEN: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Denver needs to add more weapons for Bo Nix, and Bernard brings tremendous versatility with a combination of size and skill that others lack with the ball in their hands. We could also see one of these teams projected to take a receiver late use draft capital on someone like A.J. Brown or Brian Thomas Jr.
31. NE: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The role Josh McDaniels has played this year in making Drake Maye an MVP candidate hasn’t gotten enough praise—and the team is still seeking a star wideout to pair with their quarterback. Ja’Lynn Polk didn’t work out as a former Washington pass-catcher, but Boston has more of a No. 1 receiver profile.
32. SEA: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen are both free agents this offseason, so cornerback could be remade for Seattle around Devon Witherspoon. Cisse is another prospect who emerged in his lone season in the SEC (after transferring from NC State), and he could be a Week 1 starter for Mike Macdonald.