The 2026 NFL Draft is one week away—and it remains an unpredictable year. This mock draft includes a relative surprise to the Titans at No. 4 overall, and running back Jeremiyah Love going outside of the top five.
1. LV: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Kirk Cousins signed with the Raiders but basically revealed he’ll soon be teammates with Mendoza, who is set to go from Heisman winner to national champion to No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Raiders have a lot of work to do in the AFC West, though.
2. NYJ: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
This feels like it’s coming down to Arvell Reese or David Bailey for the Jets. We prefer Reese, and the so-called consensus board does have him as the top overall player. It’d be shocking if this pick wasn’t a defender, with New York more likely to go offense with their second first-rounder.
3. ARI: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cardinals would probably love to trade back here, it’s just difficult to see which team will want to trade up—which will probably be a theme near the top this year. Bailey headlined a Texas Tech defensive line that had several million invested into it last season with NIL. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love would complete quite the high-end group of young skill players to build around, but Arizona retained James Conner and signed Tyler Allgeier during the offseason.
4. TEN: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
People are talking a lot about the decision at No. 5 for the Giants coming between Ohio State defenders. The Titans might have the same discussions and make it easier the pick before them. I was initially thinking they might pull a surprise with safety Caleb Downs just because of how awesome he is. But linebacker is a bigger need, and Styles is someone Robert Saleh might like in middle of his defense.
5. NYG: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The debate here appears to be between Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs, and Sonny Styles. If this is indeed the pick, it’d be one that verifies that new head coach John Harbaugh is in complete control of the Giants (as he should be). General manager Joe Schoen previously signed Jevon Holland and drafted Tyler Nubin in the second round at safety, but Downs can be a difference-maker like Kyle Hamilton is in Baltimore while also joining free agent signing Ar’Darius Washington on the backend.
6. CLE: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
No. 6 is another prime trade-back spot. However, it’s difficult to pinpoint who that team might be if the draft falls like this. Perhaps someone will come up for a cornerback, but the Cowboys—a team many believe wants to trade up—are less likely to do so with the Ohio State defenders gone. Tate has been seen as a fit for the Browns throughout the pre-draft process.
7. WAS: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This is widely viewed as the floor for Love, and I agree. He could go as high as No. 3 to the Cardinals, but the Commanders would be thrilled to pair his talent and home-run ability to Jayden Daniels. If Love is gone, it’ll be interesting to see which direction a Washington regime suddenly under fire after instant success in Year 1 goes.
8. NO: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
I believe it’s safe to assume the Saints will take a wide receiver, edge defender, or cornerback in Round 1. Bain is clearly one of the top overall players in the class and would be a great value at a premium position. Though the arm length isn’t ideal, he otherwise fits the mold of thicker rushers like Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa that defensive coordinator Brandon Staley had with the Chargers.
9. KC: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs are a major wild card in the draft, with two first-round picks including one in the top 10—which is still very weird to see—after their shocking 2025 campaign. The top cornerback in the draft might be more open than it appears, but Delane is viewed as the consensus top guy and can make a quick impact on the backend.
10. CIN: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
This is another spot where the pick just before gives clarity—if the knee checks out for McCoy. The Tennessee corner can go anywhere from here in the top 10 to outside the top 20 depending on how comfortable teams are with him missing all of last season. The Bengals like to draft cornerbacks high, and McCoy would be able to work his way into the lineup slowly.
11. MIA: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
This might be about the floor for Mauigoa, who could easily go No. 3 to the Cardinals if they want to plug him in at right tackle. He’s another player with reported concerns medically—but they might be a tad overblown (and you never know where stuff is leaking from). The new Dolphins regime can kick things off with a local player from the Hurricanes.
12. DAL: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Styles to the Titans might be seen as surprising, but this would be considered the first “wow” pick if the mock turns out this way. Faulk has the six-foot-frame to continue developing, and the 21-year-old will help stop the run for a Cowboys team that’s tried to make that their biggest point of emphasis over the past year.
13. LAR (via ATL): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
My guess is the Rams either go wide receiver or offensive tackle with their first-round pick. Freeling has visited with Los Angeles, and I doubt it’s a smokescreen despite it being somewhat of a luxury selection. The Rams know it’s important to have depth at offensive tackle, and Alaric Jackson has unfortunately battled serious health issues in the past with blood clots twice in his career.
14. BAL: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Ravens might want to start on defense under new head coach Jesse Minter, but supporting Lamar Jackson has seemingly been what a lot of this offseason has been about. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was part of the Bears when they added weapons early in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III last year, and Baltimore could benefit by adding Tyson’s size on the outside.
15. TB: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Bucs are a very intriguing team at the middle of the first round. Despite just signing veteran Cade Otton to an extension, I could see general manager Jason Licht adding more juice on offense with Sadiq. It’s a move that would also help make up for the loss of Mike Evans during free agency. Georgia linebacker CJ Allen is someone else to watch here.
16. NYJ (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Edge rusher is seen as a lock at No. 2 overall, and receiver at No. 16 would fill both need and also be a potential value. Lemon can fit right in with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell—and I wouldn’t be shocked if New York eventually trades Wilson as they continue their rebuild.
17. DET: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Offensive tackle is an obvious possibility, but I’ll predict the Lions go with Howell after Monroe Freeling is off the board. The Texas A&M edge defender is a prospect who can easily drop to Round 2, and the size might not be ideal for Detroit—but I could see Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes liking the energy he’ll bring working in with Aidan Hutchinson and underrated free agent signing D.J. Wonnum.
18. MIN: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
If the Vikings don’t go defense in Round 1, it’d probably be for a tackle like Fano. Kevin O’Connell knows how important protecting his quarterback is to allow time to hit Justin Jefferson for those downfield shots. Long-term, the unanimous All-American can take over for Brian O’Neill at right tackle.
19. CAR: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The highly aggressive offseason for the Panthers—which included massive contracts to Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd on defense—could continue with an older but productive prospect in Mesidor. Carolina feels they can repeat in the NFC South and go deeper in the postseason.
20: DAL (via GB): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Look for the Cowboys to go edge and corner in some order to continue boosting a defense that’s had heavy resources invested into it. Hood is one of the most underrated players in the draft and might even be in play at No. 12 if Dallas wants to make sure they get him.
21. PIT: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
After some frustration over the weapons last season, adding Omar Cooper Jr. to play alongside DK Metcalf and trade acquisition Michael Pittman Jr. would present an extremely appealing situation for Aaron Rodgers to come back to in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
22. LAC: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
An interior offensive lineman like Chase Bisontis will probably be in play here, but Thieneman would join an impressive secondary as another guy who knows how to make plays.
23. PHI: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
This is one of the most difficult picks to predict, but Proctor can be developed to eventually take over at right tackle for Lane Johnson—and he can immediately push Tyler Steen at right guard. Philadelphia is proactive in ensuring the offensive line remains a strength.
24. CLE (via JAX): T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Browns might like the production Parker had at Clemson, with 21.5 career sacks—including 11.0 (and six forced fumbles) two seasons ago. This is another potential trade-back spot.
25. CHI: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
McNeil-Warren feels like a Bear, and it’s not surprising that many are making the connection leading up to Thursday night. He’d fit right in next to Coby Bryant in the Chicago secondary.
26. BUF: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Bills have added Bradley Chubb, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, and Dee Alford this offseason on defense. Inside linebacker certainly isn’t a need for Buffalo, but Allen would be a tremendous fit in the transition to a 3-4 attack under Jim Leonhard.
27. SF: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Health cooperating, the offensive line is probably the clear biggest weakness for the Super Bowl-hopeful 49ers. Tackle is a possibility given the Trent Williams situation, but Ioane is someone I envision general manager John Lynch liking.
28. NYG (mock trade w/ HOU): Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The trade here is the Texans acquiring star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence—forming an absolute monster defensive line with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Coach Harbaugh probably wouldn’t be thrilled with losing Lawrence, and a defensive tackle like McDonald would be the likely path as New York looks to avoid getting run all over.
29. KC (via LAR): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Delane and Concepcion would be a nice haul in terms of giving the roster a jolt in Kansas City. The dynamic receiver would be a strong fit as someone to get the ball to in all areas of the field while working with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy on the outside.
30. ARI (mock trade w/ MIA, via DEN): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The anticipation would kick in if a trade up by the Cardinals (or another team looking for a quarterback) occurs; it could turn out this would be for another player like Clemson tackle Blake Miller. However, when Simpson declared, it seemed it was because some team was going to take him in the first round. Arizona has done a lot of work on him and has the most obvious need for a young potential franchise signal-caller.
31. NE: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel might’ve already gotten a head start on coaching up Iheanachor at his Pro Day. With veteran Morgan Moses at right tackle—and even, despite insisting otherwise, some questions over Will Campbell staying outside at the other tackle spot—Iheanachor is someone to develop.
32. SEA: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
While the Seahawks might love to acquire more picks and trade back with a team eager to move up, adding on the edge is a definite possibility if they stay at No. 32. Lawrence is a Seattle style pick to work in off the edge.