Here is the first of my two annual mock drafts. This is the version where I tell you who I would pick if I was making the calls for every team. For this exercise I limited myself to only players whose tape I studied, which left me a little light on prospects at the back end. If I did a more thorough analysis the last ten picks would probably look very different, but I didn’t feel like it this year.
1) Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza
is an easy choice here. He wouldn’t be the top ranked quarterback in every
year, but he’s the only quarterback in 2026 worth even considering this high.
The Raiders have spent the past 20 years searching for a quarterback, and while
I won’t go as far as to guarantee Mendoza is going to be that guy, he’s
definitely on the safer side.
2) New York Jets – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
This
is another easy choice. The Jets aren’t really in position to be picky about
positional need, and fortunately they don’t have to. Bailey is the most
explosive pass rusher of this class, and he combines this with a variety of
moves to take advantage of any tackles who try to play things safe against his
speed. He might be a little bit of an awkward fit opposite another undersized
edge rusher in Will McDonald, but they’re both solid enough against the run to
at least not be considered liabilities.
3) Arizona Cardinals – Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
This
is where things get a little more interesting. Bain has his flaws, and the
third pick feels a little high to take a risk on a prospect who doesn’t
typically have the tools you’d want from a player this high. But Bain has
enough weapons to make up for his short arms that I think he’ll find a way to
becoming a high-level NFL player. He’s the best player left on the board at
this point, and Arizona can use another pass rusher opposite Josh Sweat.
4) Tennessee Titans – Francis Mauigoa, OT/OG, Miami
Mauigoa
probably isn’t the best player on the board right here, but he’s close enough
that I’m willing to pull the trigger. Tennessee’s offense was so utterly devoid
of talent last year that it was basically impossible to tell if Cam Ward is
worth anything or not. They need to find a way to fix that, and while the
bigger need is probably at receiver, I think the safety of Mauigoa as a
prospect is enough to make up the difference. I’m open to where they would play
him—I probably like him better as a tackle and JC Latham better as a guard—but
his versatility will make their line better no matter where they put him.
5) New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This
is high for a safety, but Downs is probably the best overall player in the
class at any position. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever scouted, and
he’ll give an immediate boost to a defense both with his own skills and with
his ability to coordinate the others around him. The Giants have a lot of
exciting pieces up front, and with a player like Downs in the secondary this
could take the leap to being one of the best defenses in the league.
6) Cleveland Browns – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
There’s
some risk to Concepcion, but he is easily the most explosive of the first round
receiver prospects, and he has enough other tools to go with his speed to make me
confident he’ll round into a very good receiver. The Browns still have no idea
what they’re doing at quarterback, but whoever it is they are going to need
something better than the ghost of Jerry Jeudy as their top target.
7) Washington Commanders – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
I
can’t really comment on McCoy’s health, which may push him lower than this in
the actual draft. But if he can return to the form he showed in 2024, he has
the potential to become one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He has the
physicality to eliminate a receiver before he can get into his route, and the
closing speed and ball skills to produce game-changing plays when targeted.
Washington basically couldn’t stop anyone from throwing on them last year, and
while McCoy won’t fix every problem, he’s at least a very good start.
8) New Orleans Saints – Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The
Saints have finally crawled out of the cap pit they dug, and the cost has been
basically any young player showing promise. They need help at almost every
position, so why not take a guy who might not have a position? I have no idea
whether Reese can develop the pass rushing skills to be a star edge defender,
but it’s hard to imagine someone with his combination of power, athleticism,
and instincts not finding some way to be useful on an NFL field.
9) Kansas City Chiefs – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I
had Makai Lemon higher on my receiver rankings, but I really like the fit for
Tyson in Kansas City. He isn’t the most explosive athlete, but he is an
incredible route runner who consistently creates separation on the boundary. The
ideal scenario for him is to partner with a veteran quarterback who can get the
ball out to hit the windows he creates, and you aren’t going to find a better
destination in the top half of the draft.
10) New York Giants – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The
Giants address defense with their first pick, and now they go offense with
their second. They have a great left tackle in Andrew Thomas, but they still
haven’t been able to figure out the other positions along the line. Freeling
won’t solve all of their issues, but he’ll at least give them another piece to
build on.
11) Miami Dolphins – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
It’s
tough to know what to do with a player like Banks. His tape is sensational, but
he has enough injury issues that he may simply never make it in the NFL.
Sending him to somewhere like Miami seems like the best fit. They are clearly
playing the long game with their rebuild, and they can afford to take a chance
on a talent like Banks. If he stays healthy, he is a star to build around. If
he doesn’t, then all it really means is that they now might be four years away
instead of three.
12) Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles
is another player who will bring stability to a defense that desperately needs
it. He’s a phenomenal athlete, and a physical force that can choke off an
opposing running game. He also has great instincts in coverage, and if he can
continue to grow to attack NFL schemes, he has the potential to be one of the
rare linebackers that genuinely changes how an offense has to attack.
13) Los Angeles Rams – Spencer Fano, OT/OG, Utah
Matthew
Stafford has done a lot of work covering for an offensive line that is mostly
just fine, but Stafford won’t be around forever. Whenever the Rams do move on
at quarterback, it will be helpful to have a stronger foundation up front. It’s
unclear where Fano will eventually wind up in the NFL, but he’s skilled and
athletic enough that I’m confident he’ll become a valuable piece at guard even
if he doesn’t have the length to make it at tackle.
14) Baltimore Ravens – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
This
is mostly a value pick. The Ravens have some good players in the secondary, and
they’ve spent their last two picks there on players who show early signs of
promise. But the unit as a whole still struggled at times last year, in part
due to lack of depth as injuries added up. Delane will help the depth
immediately and will give them an option to move into the starting role after
what will likely be Marlon Humphrey’s last year with the team.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This
was a weird one to try to figure out. The most glaring need for Tampa Bay is
edge rusher, but there isn’t anyone with that kind of pass rushing juice worth
taking here. So I’ll help them on the back end instead. Thieneman tested as a
phenomenal athlete, and he can be a very good player in the right situation in
the NFL. Drop him in deep coverage, let his speed and instincts rule in space,
and don’t ask him to make too many crucial tackles. Putting him on the back end
will open things up to let the Buccaneers move Antoine Winfield Jr around even
more, getting one of their best defensive players more involved.
16) New York Jets – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The
Jets addressed their defense with their first pick, so now I’ll give them
offense. Their two leading receivers last year were Garrett Wilson, who only
played in 7 games, and Adonai Mitchell, who came over in a trade midseason.
They need basic competence here, and basic competence is Lemon’s calling card.
He’s not the most physically exciting talent, but he has a very good feel for
finding open spots in coverage, and can create with the ball in his hands after
he makes a catch.
17) Detroit Lions – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Taylor
Decker held down the left tackle position in Detroit for the past decade before
his release this offseason. It sounds like the plan is to move Penei Sewell
from the right side to the left, but that still leaves a hole to fill on the
right side. The entire recent run of Lions success was built on a dominant
offensive line, and their struggles a year ago were largely the result of
backslide in that area. They desperately need an infusion of youth at the
position, and Lomu has the potential to develop into another elite tackle.
18) Minnesota Vikings – Keldric Faulk, EDGE/DT, Auburn
After
letting both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave walk this offseason the Vikings
basically have only one proven player on their defensive line. Faulk is a
fascinating prospect with a ton of tools and a ton of holes in his game. But he
is a phenomenal run defender, and he has the frame to put on weight and play
more in the interior. The Vikings defense is a perfect fit for what he should
be, a player who controls things on the interior, flashes occasionally with
quickness as a pass rusher, and lets smaller, speedier guys try to get the
corner on his outside.
19) Carolina Panthers – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love
is an elite running back prospect who probably should have gone higher than
this, but I didn’t see a great fit in the teams selecting above. Instead I’ll
send him to Carolina, who could use another explosive skill player on their
offense. Chuba Hubbard hasn’t performed at the level of an NFL starter, and
Rico Dowdle left as a free agent this offseason. Love would immediately provide
them with a weapon in both the run and pass game as they try to figure out if
they can build a good offense around Bryce Young.
20) Dallas Cowboys – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Both
Cowboys picks should be spent on trying to address their defense. With the
first I gave them a linebacker to help them in the running game. With the
second I’m grabbing a cornerback to help on the outside. Hood is up and down as
a player, but his best moments show the potential to grow into a very good
player in man coverage.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Pittsburgh
traded for Michael Pittman this offseason, but that probably isn’t a long term
solution at the receiver position. Tate is a well-rounded prospect who can
contribute immediately as a deep threat and grow to be a solid piece of their
passing attack. He has good hands and a good feel for coverage, the sort of
player that will be very helpful if they ever decide to try to find a young
quarterback.
22) Los Angeles Chargers – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The
offensive line basically sank the Chargers season in 2025. Getting Rashawn
Slater and Joe Alt back healthy will be a huge boost, but they still have
gaping holes on the interior. Ioane isn’t going to blow you away with what he
does on the field, but he’s a reliable high-floor option for a team that needs
an immediate impact player.
23) Philadelphia Eagles – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
AJ
Brown may or may not be traded this offseason, but it’s clear that one way or
another his time in Philadelphia is drawing to a close. Boston isn’t going to
replace everything Brown is, but he can be a good complement across from the
speed and grace of Devonta Smith. He’s a big, physical ball-winner who can bail
a quarterback out of a bad situation and create plays in the red zone. I have a
few concerns about if he has the burst to succeed in the NFL, and his refusal
to run the forty only makes me worry more. But his tape is excellent, and I
think it’s worth the gamble at this point.
24) Cleveland Browns – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
This
is where the draft begins to get tricky. It’s a thin class this year, and I’m
going to have to take some players in the first round who really shouldn’t be
there. McNeil-Warren is right on the border. He’s a good athlete who flies all
over the field and can make explosive, violent plays. But he’s also a little
shaky reading plays, and doesn’t have much experience playing against NFL
caliber athletes. That said, he’s the best option for a Browns team that is in
position to take a few gambles.
25) Chicago Bears – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
I
don’t love the fit for Howell in Chicago’s defense, but his pass rush juice
makes him difficult to pass up at this point. He might be too small to hold up
consistently as an edge presence in the NFL, but if the Bears can find a way to
surround him with players that can cover for his weaknesses, his quickness and
flexibility will make him a threat to every quarterback they face.
26) Buffalo Bills – Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
The
Bills took a cornerback in the first round a year ago, but Maxwell Hairston
didn’t do much as a rookie (partially due to injury), and even if he takes a
leap the Bills could still use some help in the secondary. Taron Johnson gave
them a weapon out of the slot for the past few years, but he’s in Las Vegas
now, so Terrell will have an opportunity to contribute immediately. There are
some concerns about him—he ran a terrible forty that may or may not have been
impacted by a hamstring injury—but there are enough good moments on tape to
take a shot here.
27) San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The
49ers have gotten by with basically one good lineman for several years, but
Trent Williams is 38 years old, and eventually the weakness will come back to
bite them. Proctor isn’t the best fit for what they want to do schematically,
but he has size and athleticism that is difficult to pass up at this point. If
he can harness his gifts, he can be a physically overwhelming presence that
reshapes an offense.
28) Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
This
is where I start feeling really desperate with these picks. Miller is a great
athlete, but his tape is sloppy, and taking him is gambling on the coaching
staff being able to correct the holes in his technique. This isn’t great for a
team that needs offensive line help right now, but that’s the downside with
picking this late in the first round.
29) Kansas City Chiefs – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald
is an overwhelming force in the middle of the defensive line. You simply can’t
run between the tackles with him on the field, and the value he brings there is
enough to make up for his lack of juice as a pass rusher. Placing him beside
Chris Jones should take some of the burden off of the veteran, letting him
focus more of his attention to getting after the quarterback.
30) Miami Dolphins – Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
The
Dolphins went for a home run with their first pick, now they try just to make
contact with their second. Cooper isn’t the biggest or most explosive receiver,
but he does a good job creating separation and plays bigger than his frame.
Pretty much any position is on the table here, and Cooper will be a solid piece
of whatever their offense is going forward.
31) New England Patriots – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The
Patriots have to get someone for Drake Maye to throw to, and at this point
Sadiq is the best option on the board. He isn’t the sort of route runner we’ve
seen from top tight end prospects over the past few years, but he has the
ability to separate down the seam that will pair perfectly with Maye’s ability
to stand in the pocket and fire lasers down the field.
32) Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
I
mentioned Miami and Cleveland as two teams that can afford to take a risk on
boom-or-bust players because their rosters are so bad that a draft miss won’t
cost them much. Seattle comes from the opposite direction but arrives in the
same place. Their roster is loaded with talent, so even if Cisse can’t develop
his raw athleticism, this defense will still be a nightmare to go against. And
if he does figure things out, it could become impossible to throw the ball on
them at all.
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