2026 NFL Mock Draft
The only thing I consistently do in my life is this blog every year. I just love the draft. Its the last bit of football we get until August. Every team gets better. I love the debate on which pick is good and which pick is bad by fans even though they dont usually know what the vision of the pick is. I love hearing people bitch about positional value. I love hearing people bitch about how your GM only picks guys based off their RAS score because god forbid youre a GM with one of the best track records drafting one of the most athletic guys in this years crop. All of this is what makes the draft great and why i love it so.
A disclaimer for how my mock draft works. This is not who I think will the teams will pick. This is who I would pick if I was the GM in these situations. There are no trades because that is impossible to predict. Its kind of a combo of a mock draft and a big board and my overall view of the teams and where the roster is at and where it is headed. I am higher on some guys then the big analysts and sometimes I am right and sometimes I am wrong.
1. Raiders β Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This one is an easy pick. Take the Heisman winning National Champion. The Raiders brought in Kirk Cousins who is essentially the exact personality as Mendoza. These guys are going to get along great. Mendoza is built with the same mentality as Tom Brady. Hes a winner and he lays it all out on the line to win. Im not sure that he will ever be considered one of the best guys in the NFL, but he definitely has the tools to be a consistent winner and a fan favorite just like he was at Indiana. I havent liked the Raiders roster in many years but this selection with some of the guys they have on the offense to build around it looks like they may actually have a direction.
2. Jets β David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Now while I like where the Raiders are going. The Jets are a year away. Glenn is a sacrificial goat this year and will be fired by week 8. They dont have a legit quarterback but thats next years problem. This year its all about building a roster that will be ready to compete when the QB of the future does come in.
David Bailey I think is the best rusher in this class. Getting a stud pass rusher is definitely a step in the right direction for the roster. The offensive line already is looking pretty good. If we can address our defensive line we may be cooking with gas here moving forward. Bailey is that pure rusher thats going to get after the passer. His critics say that he struggles against the run, but he has a similar profile and criticisms as Aidan Huthchinson had and he turned out ok. I am not saying he is Aidan Hutchinson but if you are a pass rusher with a high motor that is good at rushing the passer we can figure out the run stuff.
3. Cardinals β Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Arizona is in a similar position but kind of worse then the Jets as they dont have the assets the Jets do. New coach Mike LeFleur is in fact a LeFleur so you know hes going to prioritize the trenches. Mauigoa I think will be a very solid Lane Johnson esque RT in the league for years to come. This team has a long way to go and I am not sure if Paris Johnson is the answer at LT but this is a solid building block moving forward
4. Titans β Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
This pick could definitely be Love to soup up the offense and I would not be upset. If I am Tennessee though with new coach Robert Saleh I would like to give him a piece that will help him on where he specializes which is defense. The best part of a Saleh defense has always been his All Pro LB Fred Warner in San Fran. Sonny Styles has all the ability to become that level of player. With Saleh coaching him in this system I think that is a very real possibility that counteracts what people would say about βpositional valueβ here. Bottom line if you just drafted an All Pro caliber LB that plays well in space I dont think were upset with this one bit three years from now.
5. Giants β Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Giants are a fun one because I am one of the few that does not think Dart is going to be good. Like almost at all. I think he has a real issue throwing the ball and just decides to run way too much. I think he runs too much cause he knows he cant throw the ball. Now if we can pair up Tate with Malik Nabers we would for sure know he cant throw the ball. I think this is a perfect fit for Tate as well. He can continue playing a role similar to what he did at Ohio State with Jeremiah Smith. This gives the Giants weapons moving forward and Dart no excuse for why he cant get it done. If I am wrong and he can then we have an exciting young core ready to roll. If I am right and he sucks eggs we can move forward next year with a young core that just needs a QB to run things.
6. Browns β Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Sound the alarm we have the first Kohler guy. I am way higher on Proctor then like everyone. I think this guys is your best shot at a probowl LT. He has the size and athleticism for sure. He does struggle with his weight but I think with maturity and a team pushing a good diet youre good there, or at least you would hope so. Its Cleveland so theyll probably fuck it up. But this is me as the GM and this is who I would want out of this draft as my LT. Besides a bad game against Florida State I dont see the problem with this guy, and everyone on Bama had a bad game that day. Also elite run blocker.
7. Commanders β Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
How exciting would this offense be if we add in a Jeremiyah Love. The explosiveness would be off the charts. I actually think this is the floor for him as he is likely the best overall player in the class, but I have him falling a little bit cause of fit and needs. This offense would be very sick with Daniels and Love in the backfield there. Pick your poison until Daniels goes down for the year with an injury.
8. Saints β Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
What a slip for Reese. People have him going as high as number 2. I have a slight slide here because I dont know what this guy is. Ok he is an EDGE? Hes got 7 sacks the past two years combined and is 240 pounds. I hear a lot of Micah Parsons talk but I am also not sure about that. I am just concerned where he falls as a player. I think if he works at it he could possibly that pure Von Miller EDGE. This is a good get for the Saints.
9. Chiefs β Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Out goes McDuffie. In comes Delane. The Cheifs definitely do have more holes then they usually do, but I think this addresses one of the larger ones on the outside. Delane checks all the boxes for a Spags defense. This is just a solid player for the Chiefs moving forward as they start to retool the roster from some of the older players on the roster.
10. Giants β Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Building block on offense now building block on defense. Downs is probably the second best player in the draft so getting him here is a steal. This guy can play all over the defense and will be the leader Harbaugh needs. The Giants have the building blocks to get after the quarterback now they add a piece that can get the ball when the quarterback makes a mistake. All of the sudden the Giants look a year away (unless I am wrong about Dart then they may be the surprise team of the season).
11. Dolphins β Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon is an Amon-Ra St. Brown clone. This guy is going to be a slow and steady 100 catches a year. This guys going to do the dirty work and get in peoples face. There were some concerns about his interviews at the combine that hes just a weird guy but hes a receiver so sure, whatever. As for the Dolphins they have a long way to go and this would at least give Malik Willis a guy to throw the ball to.
12. Cowboys β Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Nothing says Dallas Cowboys like a star corner that can take the ball away. McCoy might actually be the best corner in the draft but has injury issues and it looks like sat out this year even though he could have played? Kinda has Cowboy written all over him. I can definitely see some star years where he then gets paid and then something happens and is traded the next offseason. All jokes aside this would be a day one high level starter that the Cowboys can add to a defense with DeRon Bland to take the ball away.
13. Falcons β Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
We werent going to let our year start with Jawaan Taylor starting at RT. Fano is a plug and play guy that we can hopefully move to LT when Jake Matthews decides to hang em up. Were going to invest in a solid starter on the offensive line to help protect whoevers at QB since it looks like Penix will probably be being replaced next offseason.
14. Ravens β Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
What a Raven pick am I right? Ioane is easily one of the best players in this draft and probably a probowl/all pro level player pretty quickly. Looking at the Ravens guard situation right now, I think Andrew Voorhees is one starter and the other is probably John Simpson. This is a huge upgrade for a team thats gonna want to run the damn ball.
15. Buccaneers β Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Big time slide for Rueben Bain. It is the TRex arms. Hes going to have to be a huge outlier to be drafted where a lot of guys have him. My philosophy is to take more sure things when you can in the draft. I think Bain will have a good NFL career. I dont think he will outperform his tiny arms though so he is likely going to be a solid run stopper that is a leader on the team but may only have 6 maybe 10 sacks a year. The ceiling here is a Brandon Graham like player that youre happy getting here. The Bucs dont have a whole lot going on at EDGE so I think this is a very solid pick.
16. Jets β Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Ok now were kinda cooking in New York. Remember this isnt the year. This is the year to get ready for next year. Wilson, AD Mitchell, Tyson now we got some guys. This is a beautifully built core of receivers that compliment each other and gives them a lot of pieces to build around moving forward.
17. Lions β Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
As a Detroit fan this actually may be one of my least favorite picks I have made. I am really hoping Proctor makes it to this spot but it only takes one team to be as high on him as I am for him to not be here. I dont love any of the EDGEs here for the Lions to take. I guess I will take the upside here and just really hope that the Lions can develop him. Hes a good athlete and has good size and maybe moving him to the right side will help but Im not sure if hes starting week one over Borom. Maybe hes Andrew Thomas but maybe hes Broderick Jones and is just ok. Very whatever pick to me.
18. Vikings β Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
How lucky are the Vikings to be able to replace Harrison Smith with another just solid safety. Thieneman I think is very close to a sure thing. Having him back there for a few years learning from Smith before eventually taking over is going to give Brian Flores a lot of flexibility with what they can do on defense. Just a great all around player.
19. Panthers β Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers actually dont have a TE under contract after this year. It also doesnt like Legette is going to be able to be that second option for Bryce Young. Sadiq I think fits perfectly for what they want to do. Hes going to be a demon down the middle of field as an outlet for Bryce Young. I would be really excited if I was Carolina to get this pick, and I think this is an appropriate spot for Sadiq to go.
20. Cowboys β Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
I am definitely higher on Hill then most. I think this guy got over analyzed for a bad year at Texas where he wasnt even that bad he was just hurt. I love this guys size, athleticism, and just overall what he can do. at 6ft 2in and 240 pounds he ran a 4.51. Look at his stats from last year when he wasnt hurt 113 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 int, 4 ff. Sign me up. Yet another plug and play playmaker for a Cowboys defense that all of the sudden looks very scary.
21. Steelers β Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
I was very anti the Kenny Pickett pick when the Steelers did that a few years ago. I think Simpson for sure has the tools to be a first round pick but needs to go to the right team. Honestly he should have gone back to school for a year, but I digress. I am assuming Rogers is coming back for another year and you need Simpson to sit for a year to learn. Who knows how this would turn out but if Rogers doesnt come back Mason Rudolph or Will Howard are your QB so fuck it.
22. Chargers β Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
This team desperately needs to protect Justin Herbert this year. The offensive line being a weakness is weird to say for a Jim Harbaugh team, but they are very weak at guard. They have two of the best tackles in the league and Tyler Biadsz will be solid at center. I think they may start Cole Strange at one of the guard spots? If so Pregnon here is a must. Lets keep Herbert alive this year.
23. Eagles β Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Its no secret that AJ Brown is probably on his way out of town. Boston is definitely not AJ Brown but he can replace a lot of what he does well with less drama. I think Boston compliments Devonta Smith very well and probably wont be reading books on the sideline. This I think is a safe pick for the Eagles.
24. Browns β Caleb Lomu, OG, Utah
Look at us, the Cleveland Browns, building the trenches. Lomu can play all 5 positions and I think I am going to pick him with the plan to put him right next to Proctor on the left side. What is not to love about this. Regardless of who ends up being the starting QB down the line they do not have to worry about the left side of their line anytime soon. I think these guys compliment each other and are give the Browns a great duo moving forward.
25. Bears β Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Da Bears do not have a safety I dont think that youre super excited about. Cobie Bryant coming over from Seattle is nice but McNeil Warren gives you a physical piece you can be excited about. He doesnt give you a ton of speed in the back end but does give you a guy that can make plays whether thats playing the ball in the air or lighting someone up. This roster has a surprising amount of holes for a team that just went on a playoff run
26. Bills β Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Buffalo loves giant EDGE players. Faulk fits that perfectly. Hes not there all the way right now but has crazy upside. At this point in the draft I dont think you can pass on high upside guys that fit exactly what you do at a position of need. Faulk hopefully can help replace what Bosa and Epenesa brought maybe even bring more if they can unlock him.
27. 49ers β T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
I think the 9ers need a guy that can just rush opposite of Bosa. These last couple of picks you can see where the tier of player kind of falls off. I like TJ Parker as a pure EDGE for the 9ers that can move around and maybe develop into something more. San Francisco though is in a position where they are going to start needing to replenish the roster with young talent with most of their star players at the end of their careers.
28. Texans β Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
We know this Houston defense is fucking nasty. I feel like theyre missing someone up the middle though. Woods is a guy that I think we could look back at this draft and say we may have misread this one. This guy was projected top 5-10 beginning of the year, but due to another poop Clemson season has fallen quite a bit. This guy has traits though and Demeco Ryan knows how to coach defense. They need offensive lineman but I couldnt help myself here.
29. Chiefs β Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Remember what I said about replenishing the roster. Mesidor could be a high level player for the Chiefs day one. While I think hes just a good player to a high level starter I think KC really needs help on the edge with George Karlaftis being their only somewhat productive guy there right now.
30. Dolphins β Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Another player I dont love but would help Miami immensely. Again a team thats kind of starting from the bottom here so just take guys. Blake Miller is a guy. I think you can start him at LT but this year I think is a wash anyways so if it doesnt work you could probably move him to the right side or guard. They cant be worse then they would be without him.
31. Patriots β Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Wow three pure off ball LBs in the first round what a crazy guy. When I am looking at day one starters I think Rodriguez is 100% that guy. You put this guy next to Robert Spillane for the next two years and then hes ready to take over as the alpha on your defense for years to come. Dudes just got Patriot written all over him. Hes going to get you the ball and lead the defense. Just a guy Vrabel and the fans will love.
32. Seahawks β Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Looking at Seattles roster they are actually very well built. I do not see a ton of holes. If there was one it would be at RB where they have some injury prone guys at an injury prone position. I think Price fits great here for what they want in helping replace Ken Walker. Dude is explosive and absolutely fits what Seattle wants to do. I love this fit.