We are less than a month away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and mocks now have much more value with free agency helping to clear up the landscape around the league. This is how I could see things playing out in Round 1.
1. LV: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
After the Maxx Crosby trade didn’t go through, should the Raiders think even more strongly about trading the No. 1 overall pick? There is no indication it’s something they’ve entertained, but I would frankly advise them to take a Godfather offer and instead trade for Jalen Milroe.
2. NYJ: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets added another speed rusher on the edge in Joseph Ossai to pair with Will McDonald IV, and Reese would be a smooth, versatile piece on the second level of their 3-4 front. If the team is looking ahead to 2027 for a potential franchise quarterback, I would think a trade might be the preference here.
3. ARI: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Arizona has the offensive line set—after signing Isaac Suemalo to play left guard—everywhere other than right tackle, so Mauigoa would be the seamless final piece for them. I wonder if the Cardinals could circle back to Jimmy Garoppolo depending on whether they are able to get Ty Simpson or another signal-caller next month.
4. TEN: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Jeremiyah Love was the choice in Mock 2.0 and still the heavy betting favorite, but I’ll change things up by highlighting Bain—who I’d bet Robert Saleh is a huge fan of. A pass rush of Bain, Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Meyers, and Jermaine Johnson II would be very formidable in the AFC.
5. NYG: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Giants signing Tremaine Edmunds doesn’t take them out of the running for Sonny Styles by any means—as they might want to build a defense with two monster-sized linebackers in the middle. However, Caleb Downs is arguably the best player in the draft, so we’ll see if he’s the target for John Harbuagh.
6. CLE: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns taking a wide receiver and offensive lineman in the first round has been the expectation, and they might lean more towards a pass-catcher in the top 10 after already acquiring three new starters up front (compared to no real notable moves at receiver). Tate brings a vertical element on the outside to pair with Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr.
7. WAS: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Again, Love can certainly end up going to the Titans, but Washington might be his floor if he slips outside the top five. Adding a superstar in the backfield and hitting on a receiver at some point is the path for the Commanders to get back into contention.
8. NO: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Wide receiver has felt like the direction for New Orleans, but perhaps the signing of Travis Etienne Jr. as a major weapon in the backfield changes things. If so, Delane could stay home and pair with Kool-Aid McKinstry as one of the NFL’s top cornerback duos.
9. KC: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Chiefs are a curious team because they typically aren’t drafting this high, and their approach in the draft could have a lot to do with how they evaluate their own talent. At defensive end, that means determining whether they believe Bailey would significantly upgrade a group with George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Ashton Gillotte.
10. CIN: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles saw his “stock” jump in a big way during the Combine, but I’m getting the sense his range will start around here based on the recent team visits. Although the Bengals took Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter last year, Styles would step in as their top linebacker.
11. MIA: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Dolphins are a wild card with both of their Round 1 selections, as the entire roster needs to be built up outside of running back (De’Von Achane) and the defensive interior (Zach Sieler and Kenneth Grant). Fano has openly discussed his willingness to play anywhere on the offensive line, and he would start immediately at right tackle or right guard.
12. DAL: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Dallas has a prime opportunity to accelerate the rebuild of their defense next month, and I could see them trying to move up for Sonny Styles after being unable to sign a linebacker in free agency. At cornerback, they might believe McCoy’s talent makes him a “value” here coming off a torn ACL.
13. LAR (via ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Rams reportedly being involved in talks for A.J. Brown puts wide receiver towards the top of the list for them here, and Lemon excels working between the numbers. Since they couldn’t get Brown, drafting the USC product is the next best way to supercharge the offense.
14. BAL: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
I am not on board with Ioane as an elite guard prospect like everyone else seemingly is, but he does fill a clear hole at guard in Baltimore. Although losing star center Tyler Linderbaum hurts, the Ravens would be happy with John Simpson and Ioane being upgrades at guard.
15. TB: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell could go lower than his based on his length, but the Buccaneers have been one of the better drafting teams over the past decade or so—and they might recognize his value off the edge. Linebacker might be a possibility following the retirement of Lavonte David, too.
16. NYJ (via IND): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson is deservedly getting more buzz over the past couple of weeks, and that includes from former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum—who consulted the organization on their current power structure. The concern for Simpson is limited experience, but he can develop behind Geno Smith for a year and doesn’t necessarily preclude New York from a signal-caller in 2027.
17. DET: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Taylor Decker being granted his release leaves a huge hole at left tackle (or right tackle if Penei Sewell moves), and Freeling is a player who could go in the top 10 based on his upside. On the defensive line, Keldric Faulk would be an option who fits Detroit’s archetype on the edge.
18. MIN: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Brian Flores being rumored to want Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell is something to keep in mind, but free safety is a glaring weakness if Harrison Smith doesn’t return. It’ll be interesting to monitor how Minnesota operates without a long-term general manager in place.
19. CAR: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
I like what the Panthers have at tight end with Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble, but Sadiq is on another level—giving Carolina another young playmaker for Bryce Young to grow with after hitting on NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan.
20. DAL (via GB): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Cowboys were unable to land Nakobe Dean in free agency, but why not turn to another Georgia linebacker? In addition to being well worth selecting in the top 20, Allen has a connection to new outside linebacker coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe.
21. PIT: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
Bisontis getting more first-round buzz as the draft draws closer suggests the media is catching up to how teams might view him—and I think he’s the best interior blocker in the class. In general, Pittsburgh has quietly done a great job bolstering the roster this offseason.
22. LAC: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Los Angeles bringing in veteran Dalvin Tomlinson will help boost the run defense, but more pieces can be added up front. While trading down would be ideal, Woods is expected to be the top interior defender drafted and will likely come off the board around here.
23. PHI: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Eagles re-signed Fred Johnson as their swing tackle last week, but they are still thinking about life after Lane Johnson—and need to add depth at guard. Proctor arguably fits both criteria with the power to thrive on the interior despite playing left tackle for the Crimson Tide.
24. CLE (via JAX): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
I hope the Browns give Dawand Jones another shot to stay healthy, and they at least have faith in his ability after moving him to the blindside in 2025. However, they might decide to get stability in the form of Lomu—completing the overhaul for new head coach Todd Monken.
25. CHI: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Chicago is expected to target the defensive line and secondary next month, and McNeil-Warren would pair with Coby Bryant as the new duo on the backend. Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds notably doesn’t make this mock because I don’t trust teams will view him as a Round 1 prospect, but his ability to play man coverage could make him an option for the Bears as well.
26. BUF: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Perhaps it was spin with many feeling DJ Moore—especially considering the hefty price paid for him—isn’t enough in terms of boosting the receiver room, but there was almost immediately talk about Buffalo not yet being done there. If so, I like the idea of getting another separator in Concepcion to join Moore and Khalil Shakir.
27. SF: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Similar to the Steelers in the AFC, savvy moves made to fill holes this offseason in San Francisco haven’t gotten much recognition. The offensive line appears to be the biggest weakness right now, but I could see Blake Miller being the target as a future upgrade at right tackle with the demeanor to perhaps start at left guard.
28. HOU: Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
Houston has a top-tier defense, but there have been times when opponents are able to run on them—so the interior could be a focus in the 2026 NFL Draft. Miller can also rush the passer, and playing between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter would lead to some favorable opportunities.
29. KC (via LAR): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson could go much higher than this based on his talent, but he’s still yet to workout for teams due to a hamstring injury that has plagued him dating back to his final season. Remember, the Chiefs were able to get Josh Simmons late in the first round last year, so history could somewhat be repeating.
30. MIA (via DEN): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Faulk needs to develop as a rusher, but he’s one of the youngest players in the draft and is a nice power complement to Chop Robinson. He also defends the run very well to help set the tone on defense, and I don’t see Miami’s new regime “tanking” despite the roster teardown.
31. NE: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
I think the Eagles signing Elijah Moore—who is extremely close to A.J. Brown—might put an unofficial end to a potential trade. If that’s the case, New England could turn to the draft and get Cooper as more of an inside weapon to pair with the underrated Romeo Doubs on the perimeter.
32. SEA: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood was the choice for the Rams at No. 13 in Mock 2.0, but they since remade the secondary with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Instead, the Seahawks would likely be thrilled with Hood lasting until their pick to replace Riq Woolen in a trio with Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe.