2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
Updated look at the 2026 NFL Draft
Trying to keep better track of previous picks, so will try to make a note of that. If the pick has not changed, I will add an update if I have more thoughts.
1 - Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This pick has been more or less set since the season ended.
2 - Jets - Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
The experts have this as a three-way race between Reese, Sonny Styles, and David Bailey, but the overarching drumbeat has been Reese. This would be a pick that fits with GM Darren Mougey’s history. He was the assistant GM in Denver when the Broncos drafted Nik Bonitto — who just so happens to be the second-most athletically comparable player to Reese according to Mockdraftable.
The Jets are a base 3-4 defense similar to the defenses deployed during Mougey’s time with the Broncos.
UPDATE: From Jets insider/superfan Tony Vegas
3 - Cardinals - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
GM Monti Ossenfort has displayed a couple of trends in his time as a GM. For starters he loves the big schools. All 14 of his Day 1 and Day 2 picks as a GM have been from the Power 4.
Arizona has also had their first pick in for a “30 visit” every year. Moreover, they seem to do pretty well in bringing in players within their range for the first two rounds. 5 of their 7 first and second-round picks were in for visits. Those who didn’t — later picks in Darius Robinson and BJ Ojulari — met with the team at the Combine.
In my first mock, I had Francis Mauigoa going with this pick, but the Cardinals have not had him in for a 30 visit as of this writing (they did meet with him at the Combine).
There is still time for the team to add additional visits, but they have already met with both Reese and Bailey, as well as Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. None of their other visits are expected to be drafted anywhere remotely close to this selection.
I’ll leave the light on for Love since he’s such a special talent, but my current expectation would be they take whichever pass-rusher the Jets leave them. Zaven Collins has been a bust, and Josh Sweat has reportedly requested a trade. They could absolutely use a pass-rusher.
Previous Pick: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
4 - Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This is the chalk selection right now, but for good reason. The Titans have made three major defensive signings, but have done little to support second-year QB Cam Ward other than add Wan’dale Robinson. Love is the best playmaker in this draft, and Tony Pollard is eminently cuttable (Love would fill his salary slot almost dollar for dollar for 2026).
It is also notable that Tennessee has made a lot of moves based on their coaching personnel. Offensively, Robinson, Daniel Bellinger, and Austin Schlottman played for Brian Daboll with the Giants. Daboll’s best seasons in New York came with Saquon Barkley on the field, a player he was clearly disappointed was not re-signed by the franchise. He gets a second crack at it here with Love.
Update: Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell has reported that teams believe Love will go Top 5. Jeremiah has also been adamant that the Titans need to do something to help Cam Ward. I also found this quote telling from Robert Saleh at the Combine:
If you have nothing to hide, you can come out and compete.
Love participated in the testing and drills, while Rueben Bain did not. My guess is the Titans take Love or Carnell Tate with this pick.
5 - Giants - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Giants have done a lot this offseason to bring in Jon Harbaugh’s guys as the franchise looks to reset and find competence. This pick will almost certainly be someone who can represent the new regime. Styles is a super-charged version of guys like Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith, and would give new DC Dennard Wilson a cornerstone piece to work with.
Of course, the Ravens have frequently been a team to trade back and scoop up value over the years. If that were to transpire, I would assume the primary target is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Update: Giants beats are zeroing in on Styles as the pick at 5.
6 - Browns - Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Jeremiah said it is “not a secret” that Cleveland is targeting a LT and a WR with their two first-round picks.
So which one do they take first? I think previously, the stronger argument was probably for WR. But the tackles seem to be rising up the board, and are overall a more shallow position than WR is this year.
Looking at Andrew Berry’s draft history, two things stand out (numbers based on Berry’s Round 1 and 2 draft picks vs the NFL average since 2020):
Berry drafts more athletic players than the average NFL team (9.35 RAS vs 8.74 NFL average)
Berry drafts younger players than the average NFL team (21.25 average rookie age vs 21.9 NFL average)
Proctor achieves both. He posted a 9.28 RAS at the Combine, and doesn’t turn 21 until June.
Previous Pick: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
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Trade!
The Miami Dolphins trade picks 11 and 75 to the Commanders for pick 7
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7 - Dolphins - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The default pick here for Miami will be WR after letting Tyreek Hill walk and trading away Jaylen Waddle, but new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan comes from a Packers organization that rarely went WR on Day 1.
Instead, Green Bay favored athleticism (9.28 R1 RAS since 2018), and defense (7/10 first-rounders). JES may have given us some hints at the owners meetings in Phoenix.
That whole back end is competing for their jobs. I like who’s on the roster. Those guys would all tell you no one has established themselves for whatever reason, whether it’s injury or inconsistent play. We are going to put them in a bag and shake them up and see who... wins the job. I’m going to do everything in my power if there’s one available that’s a stud, I’m going to go get them.
Sounds like a defensive back is a priority, and Sullivan likes the safety and edge depth enough in this class to likely not take one with his first pick.
There’s depth at the edge spot. [There’s] a lot of safety depth. Inside linebacker, there’s depth and substance there. Those three positions, this draft relative to most, if you don’t get a guy in the first round, you have a chance to get a chance in the second, third round.
With 7 top-100 picks, the Dolphins can easily make this trade without sacrificing much, while the Commanders pick up an extra Day 2 pick that they sorely need. This part of the above quote speaks volumes.
I’m going to do everything in my power if there’s one available that’s a stud, I’m going to go get them.
While Delane does not have a full workout for RAS scoring, he did run in the 4.3’s at his Pro Day. New head coach Jeff Hafley has a defensive backs background.
Previous Pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
8 - Saints - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Mickey Loomis has not selected a player he has met with in the pre-draft process since 2015 when New Orleans took LB Stephone Anthony with the 31st pick of the first round. That meeting occurred at the Combine. Players in this range of the draft that the Saints have met with as of this writing are: Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, and Mansoor Delane. Scratching them off for now.
We also know that Loomis is willing to be aggressive to get “his guys”:
Typically, Loomis goes after athletes with an average RAS of 9.3 in the first round since 2015. Kelvin Banks 8.34 RAS is the lowest Loomis has taken in that time frame. 7 of 13 picks were above a 9.5. Ryan Ramczyk was the only player who did not test (hip surgery).
There are three players that stand out to me as fits. One is Bailey, who is already off the board. The second is Spencer Fano, who posted a 9.8 RAS and fits Loomis’ predisposition to the trenches (10 of last 13 first-round picks). However, after signing David Edwards, getting someone to play RT/RG (they could kick Tali Fuaga inside) seems less urgent, and this is a strong interior OL class.
Which leaves McCoy, a player who fits a more major need, posted a 9.67 RAS at his pro day, and appears to be rising up the board after proving he is healthy.
I think Jermod McCoy is trending to be the first corner picked - Daniel Jeremiah
Previous Pick: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
9 - Chiefs - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
In the current front office structure, the Chiefs have met with 4 of their 5 first-round picks. The lone exception, Trent McDuffie, they have publicly stated they did not meet with because they simply did not expect him to be there.
Picking this high up, that is unlikely to be a problem. Brett Veach may have given some indication of the route he would like to go in his interview with Peter Schrager.
Tate has already met with the Chiefs, and would perfectly complement what the team has right now at receiver.
Previous Pick: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
10 - Bengals - Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Duke Tobin has been with the Bengals since 1999, but have seemed to go in a particular direction since hiring Assistant GM Trey Brown as a scout in 2021.
Cincy also met with their first round picks in that time other than the COVID draft (2021). Pass-rusher is a potential selection here, but Reuben Bain doesn’t really fit the athletic thresholds we’re looking for, while the Bengals have spent two of their last three first-round picks on pass rushers and signed Boye Mafe.
Looking at their draft history, the Bengals are typically drafting players who can help fill long-term needs, not just plug immediate holes. Fano — who has a 9.8 RAS score — is a bit of both. He has five-position flexibility, which allows him to get on the field simply by being one of the best linemen on the team. That should be fairly easy.
Orlando Brown — 49th-rated OT in 2025 according to PFF (min. 600 snaps)
Dylan Fairchild — 40th-rated OG
Ted Karras — 19th-rated OC
Dalton Risner — 23rd-rated OG
Amarius Mims — 34th-rated OT
Risner and Karras are both older players on one-year deals.
Previous Pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
11 - Commanders - Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
The good folks at Hogs Haven did a great breakdown of Adam Peters’ first draft in Washington, so I decided to expand the data to include 2025. Here are the points:
All 14 draftees played in at least 38 college games.
Roughly half of their draft picks were team captains in college.
9 of 14 draft picks were invited to the Senior Bowl, including all selections in the first four rounds.
All 14 picks had received an all-conference mention.
13 of 14 picks were at least 4 years removed from high school (Josh Conerly was the exception).
All 14 picks had multiple meetings with the team.
None of the 14 selections had documented character concerns.
The draft picks had a 9.24 average RAS.
Obviously, there are some overlapping qualities here. We can more or less boil down Peters’ preferred draft target as EXPERIENCED, ATHLETIC, and HIGH CHARACTER.
Rodriguez fits the Peters criteria to a T. He is a five-year player and two-time captain. Rodriguez participated in the Senior Bowl, and has already met twice with the Commanders. His 9.61 RAS would probably be getting more publicity if not for Styles nearly perfect score.
This will be seen as a reach, but Washington doesn’t pick again until Round 3, and desperately needs a green dot for their defense.
Previous Pick: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
12 - Cowboys - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Dallas Cowboy insider Bryan Broaddus seems to think the team loves Akeem Mesidor, and that they’d be happy with Downs if he fell to 12.
I also found this note interesting as it relates to Bain:
We’ve talked about this. There’s some things that teams are dealing with. There’s things that he’s dealing with. You know, I mean, you got the short arms and all that, but there’s some off-the-field stuff that teams are actually studying right now to make sure.
Doesn’t sound like he or McCoy are in play for Dallas.
Previous Pick: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
13 - Rams - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Rams are the most deliberately covert team in the league when it comes to the NFL Draft, and it is amplified by their overall lack of first-round picks. To that end, I find it interesting that the team met with Makai Lemon at the Combine, and also had Les Snead at the USC pro day. Feels too easy.
Daniel Jeremiah noted that Cooper is a “Rams-ey” receiver in his mock draft with Mina Kimes.
It is not the first time he has mentioned this — it has come up numerous times on Move the Sticks — and I honestly just can’t get it out of my head.
Previous Pick: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
14 - Ravens - Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami
Baltimore somehow always ends up with value in the draft, taking good football players who the league passes on due to either positional value or physical shortcomings. Bain slides in this mock due to his arm length and lack of measured speed, but he is a certified football player. He would pair nicely with Trey Hendrickson.
Update: This is a pairing Jeremiah has mentioned that the Ravens would be interested in, which bears extra weight given that he used to work for the team.
15 - Bucs - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Jason Licht is another GM who typically favors athleticism. Since 2016, his first-round picks have averaged a 9.58 RAS. Sadiq posted a 9.52 RAS at the Combine, and is a pretty rare athlete in terms of speed at TE. After losing Mike Evans in free agency, the Bucs could definitely use another pass-catcher.
Tampa just re-signed Cade Otton, but the money is incredibly modest.
At only slightly more guaranteed money than Chig Okonkwo, Charlie Kolar, and Daniel Bellinger, I don’t think keeping Otton around procludes a Sadiq selection.
It is also somewhat notable that the last year Tampa brought their first-round pick in for a 30 visit was 2019 (Devin White). The COVID seasons could have muddied the picture, but they have definitely not brought in their pick since Bruce Arians joined the front office. Sadiq has not yet visited the Bucs.
Previous Pick: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
16 - Jets - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I can only imagine that Geno Smith has a PTSD episode every time he sees Dylan Parham as the starting LG on the depth chart, but there should be plenty of guard options for the Jets with their two second-round picks. Instead, they try to add to the passing game weapons that are mostly questionable outside of Garrett Wilson.
There isn’t a much of a track record for this Jets regime in terms of draft trends, but Lemon represents a relative value here and seems like a fine pick. It is also at least interesting that Lemon has drawn comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who Aaron Glenn is very familiar with from his time in Detroit.
Previous Pick: Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
17 - Lions - Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
With the release of Taylor Decker, Detroit is left with a gaping hole at tackle. They are switching Penei Sewell to the left side, and would therefore be targeting a right tackle in the draft. Mauigoa started 42 games over his three seasons at Miami. He could go as high as 3, but I have him falling a bit after it was reported he underwent a medical re-check.
It could end up being a total nothing-burger, but we have seen prospects fall in the past after going for a re-check.
Previous Pick: Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia
18 - Vikings - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
We are a little in the dark here as Minnesota fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at the conclusion of the season. Rob Brzezinski is the interim GM, and has been the executive VP of football operations since 2014.
This could mean nothing, but half of the Vikings’ first-rounders in that time have been WRs or DBs. With the expected retirement of Harrison Smith, safety becomes a huge need.
Previous Pick: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
19 - Panthers - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Dave Canales had a lot to say about how Carolina will approach this pick:
At this point, with the 19th pick, we really have the opportunity to bring a player in that can help us immediately. Who’s that going to be? Of course, Dan, Brandt, myself, are always going to say we want to take the best available player. That’s what we did last year. When you look at who was available at that spot at 8, (Tetairoa McMillan) was the best player. And so, we were able to do that. We’d like to do that again. I don’t really believe in drafting for depth or doing things like that. It’s like, ‘Who can impact our team at that level?’ It could be a wideout. It could be a tight end. It could be a safety — there are a couple of dynamic safeties that could free us up. The pass-rush class, we still gotta see where we think the top guys are going. Look at the mocks and all that and see where there might be a bit of a dropoff there.
WR, TE, S, Edge would be the top of the board for me in terms of targets, and we can safely scratch off TE with Sadiq gone. Given how important a year this is for Bryce Young, I would lean WR. The Panthers have also not met with many first-round prospects so far, with Concepcion and Cooper Jr. being the only two.
Previous Pick: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
20 - Cowboys - Akeem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
After playing six seasons of college football, Mesidor will be 25 by the time the draft rolls around. He won’t be for everybody, but Dallas is in a clear win-now window, and needs to just get edge production onto the roster.
Update: The previous commentary from Broaddus regarding Mesidor only enhances this mock selection.
21 - Steelers - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
When it comes to Steeler draft plans, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac is a go-to source. He recently gave a list of positions Pittsburgh could consider at 21:
Any number to be honest. It could be WR, S, TE, G, DT.
We can scratch off TE again with Sadiq gone. The WRs are almost all gone also, and I’m not sure Denzel Boston or Jordan Tyson are athletic enough to match previous Omar Kahn picks (the Steelers also traditionally do well taking WRs with later picks).
EMW is an athletic safety who would be plug-and-play for Pittsburgh.
Previous Pick: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
22 - Chargers - Ola Ioane, OL, Penn State
If they can stay healthy, the Chargers may have the best tackle combo in the NFL this season. They are, however, much weaker at guard. Jim Harbaugh has been all about physicality as a head coach, and another first-round offensive lineman would only strengthen that ethos.
Update: It is worth noting that the Chargers have only taken high-RAS players with their first two picks in each of their drafts during the Jim Harbaugh era. They have also NOT brought in those picks for 30 visits. Ioane satisfies the latter, but not the former. Still, I think he is probably just too good at this juncture to pass on.
23 - Eagles - Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia
Howie Roseman has been inconsistent in both his preferred athletic profile and visit technique. One thing that has been consistent is his hunt for value vs. the consensus board. Arif Hasan has been aggregating said board for a number of years. Here are Howie’s picks versus consensus the last five drafts:
2021 — DeVonta Smith (Selected 10, Consensus 8)
2022 — Jordan Davis (Selected 13, Consensus 15)
2023 — Jalen Carter (Selected 9, Consensus 3) and Nolan Smith (Selected 30, Consensus 18)
2024 — Quinyon Mitchell (Selected 22, Consensus 11)
2025 — Jihaad Campbell (Selected 30, Consensus 14)
The last three drafts in particular were HUGE values for Roseman. Hasan has not posted yet, but PFN’s consensus board has Freeling 17th, making this the biggest relative value. It also helps that Philly needs a long-term replacement for Lane Johnson.
Previous Pick: Blake Miller, OL, Clemson
24 - Browns - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Cleveland got their tackle at 6, so now will look to add to the WR room. Tyson was once considered a top-10 pick, but lingering injury issues may be pushing him down the board. The Browns don’t care, they’ll take the talent discount.
Previous Pick: Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
25 - Bears - TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
If we look at the pass-rushers Dennis Allen drafted in his time with the Saints, they most closely resemble Parker, who tested as a 93rd percentile athlete at the Combine. Chicago needs to try and find an impact pass-rusher in this draft.
Update: The Bears are looking for “trained killers” on defense, and Parker absolutely fits that mold reading his prospect profile on Dane Brugler’s The Beast. I also considered Kayden McDonald here, but the Bears brought him in for a 30 visit and didn’t draft a single player last year that came in.
26 - Bills - Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Buffalo doesn’t pick again until Round 3, so they need to make this selection count. ESPN noted receiver and linebacker as two positions of interest for the upcoming draft, and Joe Buscaglia made a good case for an ILB. Hill is an athletic match for what Jim Leonhard likely looks for at the position.
Previous Pick: Chase Bisontis, OL, Texas A&M
27 - 49ers - Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
Lomu has collegiate experience at both left and right tackle, and played some guard in high school. He is also related to former All-American guard Deuce Lutui. He could potentially step in at guard before eventually replacing Trent Williams.
Previous Pick: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
28 - Texans - Blake Miller, OL, Clemson
An immediate plug-and-play option at RT for the Texans. He started all 54 games during his time at Clemson.
Previous Pick: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
29 - Chiefs - Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
The Chiefs trade away Trent McDuffie, then use the first-round pick they acquired in the deal to draft his replacement. Johnson is the only player in this range who has currently visited the team, which I noted previously as important.
Previous Pick: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
30 - Dolphins - Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Another high-RAS defensive player that fits the type of size Hafley deployed in Green Bay.
Previous Pick: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31 - Patriots - Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
You can bet that Mike Vrabel is going to get the goods on McDonald from Ryan Day.
Update: The Patriots had McDonald in for a visit.
32 - Seahawks - Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
This is starting to become a fairly consensus selection from insiders around the league. I buy it. Price is the clear second-best RB in this class. Jeremiah has indicated he will be a top-40 pick, and John Schneider has made a living off of reaching for “his guys”.
Previous Pick: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M