2026 NFL Mock Draft!

It’s what literally ones of you have been looking forward to all year - my annual NFL Mock Draft!

Before we get to the mock let’s go over a couple of areas of interest –

• 5 Teams have two picks in the first round – the Giants (5,10), the Browns (6,24) the Jets (2, 16), the Cowboys (12,20) the Dolphins (11,30) That leaves the Colts, Falcons, Jaguars, Broncos and Packers without a pick in the first round.

• This will be a very rare year in that there is a good chance you’ll see only one QB drafted in the first round. Ty Simpson has a chance to crack the first round as well, but that would be the absolute max.

• Overall the sentiment is that this is a very weak draft class compared to previous years – that may be true for certain positions, but I still think there is value to be had. This is a good class to pick up an edge rusher or wide receiver. This is not a great year for quarterbacks, offensive tackles (you’ll see tackles drafted in the first round who will probably move inside to guard) and especially defensive tackles.

• While as always I do not predict trades with my mock draft, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of movement this year, especially in the mid rounds. For the first round I would anticipate teams move up only for a handful of players - QB Ty Simpson will be the player to watch here.

• The most fun part of this year’s draft? While there is a consensus #1 overall pick, the draft is wide open afterwards, with many teams having multiple holes that need to be filled

Last year’s favorite players:

Abdul Carter – DE – Penn State

Mason Graham – DL – Michigan

Luther Burden – WR – Missouri (I think he may be the sleeper of the draft)

Mike Green – Edge – Marshall

Jihaad Campbell – LB – Alabama

Grey Zbel – IOL – North Dakota State

My favorite players from last year’s draft all had some growing pains but overall had very successful seasons. Carter, Graham, Campbell and Zbel all made the All-Rookie team. Burden came on late in the season and despite only starting 5 games finished with over 600 yards. Green did not have the season that Baltimore had hoped for.

This year’s favorite players:

Malachi Lawrence, Edge USF

Sonny Styles, LB Ohio State

Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

For those keeping score at home, 25 of my 32 2025 first round selections were selected in the first round, and correctly matched 6 in terms of team selection Once again this is  all in good fun. I’d anticipate that this year’s class is going to be very difficult to predict, especially at the bottom third.  With that said, we’re on the clock - let’s get to the Mock Draft!

1.Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Let’s not complicate this. The Raiders desperately need a QB and are not going to get one via free agency. Mendoza may sit the first few games behind Kirk Cousins, but will be starting by Week 5.

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State - This is where things start getting interesting immediately. Will the pick be Reese or David Bailey? Bailey is the more polished prospect, but Reese offers the most upside. I think the Jets go Reese here.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame – The Cardinals desperately need an offensive lineman and quarterback, but I’m not sure there is anyone available here who would warrant that pick. Love would not be a smart selection for the Cardinals considering their other needs, but I just think his potential is too great to pass up. If Love doesn’t go here, I can promise you he will not get past #5.

4. Tennessee Titans – David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech – The Titans will consider Sonny Styles here, but Bailey’s ability to get to the quarterback will be coveted by new coach Robert Saleh. A very explosive player

5. New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State – Styles will be a top 5 pick overall, and in addition to putting on an all time performance at the NFL Combine, he had an incredible season for Ohio State. Safety instincts with the explosiveness to get to the quarterback. If he is available here, Harbaugh shouldn’t think twice.

6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami – I think the Browns would be more than happy to trade out of this pick and can go in a bunch of different directions, but my gut says they look to address the offensive line. Mauigoa and Spencer Fano will be in play here but I’ll go with Mauigoa.

7. Washington Commanders – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State – The Commanders desperately need a WR so this is a perfect place for our first WR to be taken off the board. Terry McLaurin will be 31 and the Commanders need more weapons for Jayden Daniels (Note: It’s a long shot but I think Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq could be in play here)

8. New Orleans Saints – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU – In this scenario the Saints not only fill a need, but do so with one of the best defensive backs in the draft who has to make the short trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans

9. Kansas City Chiefs -  Ruben Bain, Edge, Miami – Bain is explosive and is a bulldog but there are some serious concerns about his arm-length and size. I think this is a place where the Chiefs would love to be able to trade out, but I just don’t see who would give up significant capital to move to this spot. (Note: Bain is a candidate to drop if concerns over his size takeover)

10. New York Giants (from Bengals) – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State – I’ve struggled here with choosing Jordan Tyson, and the Giants absolutely need help at the WR position alongside Malik Nabers but I just think the idea of Harbaugh getting his own version of Kyle Hamilton will be too much to pass up. Makai Lemon may also be in play here.

11. Miami Dolphins – Spencer Fano, OL, Utah – The Dolphins are starting from scratch which leads me to believe that they’ll start by addressing their offensive line. Don’t be shocked to see Olaivavega Ioane be in play here either.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon – The Cowboys are in desperate need of a lot of pieces on defense. I think they’ll be tempted by a receiver here but Dillon Thieneman has been moving up draft board and has a very versatile skill set that will be coveted by many teams, even as a safety.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC – The Rams window for a Super Bowl is open but they need pieces that can come in and contribute right away. Lemon is one of those players that can come in and contribute immediately. A true “dawg”.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State – One of my favorite players in the draft, I would personally select him ahead of most other lineman. Fills a need and would be an immediate starter for the Ravens.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon – The Bucs are in desperate need for some pass rush help, but I don’t necessarily love the choices here for 15^th overall. Sadiq may not be the most physical of players from a strength standpoint but his athleticism is off the charts.

16. New York Jets (from Colts) – Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State – Tyson is one of the top receivers in this draft class, although he comes with a lot of injury risk. Durability is an issue but the Jets need more explosiveness to their offense and when healthy Tyson is one of the best.

17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama – Proctor is athletic, explosive and has great footwork. His issue is his weight, but with the right coaching (looking at you Dan Campbell), his potential to contribute right away is undeniable.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo – I can see the Vikings going Chris Johnson (CB) here, but McNeil-Warren has Pro Bowl potential and the Viking are in desperate need of a Safety.

19. Carolina Panthers – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State – Speaking of, Johnson would be a big reach here but I truly believe he has first round talent and the ability to be an immediate starter. I do think Jermond McCoy will also be in play, but the injury risks would concern me.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee – Immediate starter at the next level and as mentioned before the Cowboys need all of the help they can get. Prime spot for a trade as well.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana – Physical, strong, and exactly the mold of what Pittsburgh loves. The Steelers are in desperate need of a QB but I just don’t think they can ignore their other needs and take a chance on Ty Simpson here.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Blake Miller, OL, Clemson – If the Chargers learned anything last year it’s that offensive line depth is not a luxury but a necessity. Miller can line up immediately as a right tackle but would probably start the season as a guard.

23. Philadelphia Eagles Denzel Boston, WR, Washington – Big receiver who knows how to use his strength. I wouldn’t be shocked if he went higher than this. I don’t think the Eagles are in the midst of a rebuild as much as a retool, and Boston would be a luxury pick that could pay immediate dividends – especially with AJ Brown on his way out the door.  Monroe Freeling from Georgia is another possibility here.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo – Physical player who is familiar with the area and would fit an immediate need. I think the Browns would love to get a WR here but can’t see it happening based on the draft board.

25. Chicago Bears – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State – McDonald has the size and strength for the DT position but more importantly he fills a need for the Bears. He also is one of the few defensive tackles in this draft that projects as a first round pick.

26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M – The Bills would probably love to get a weapon for Josh Allen here, but they also are in desperate need of a pass rush. Howell isn’t huge, but he is explosive and has outstanding effort. New coach Joe Brady is an offensive genius but can’t afford to ignore the defensive side of the ball.

27. San Francisco 49ers – Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia – The 49ers need OL depth even after signing Trent Williams. Freeling has the ability to work his way up to LT, while contributing immediately this season. There are some injury concerns but nothing that should prevent him from being selected in the first round.

28. Houston Texans – Max Iheanachor, OL, Arizona State – He’s only started playing football in junior college but his potential is off the charts. Super athletic and strong. Caleb Lomu may also be in play here.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee – Yes he missed the entire 2025 season to an ACL tear but he would be great value at this stage of the draft. The Chiefs could walk away with two solid pieces for their defense to take some of the pressure of Patrick Mahomes.

30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos) – Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn – I think that they can go OL again here, but we’ll go with Faulk who has been known for his character and worth ethic. For a team rebuilding he would be a great cornerstone.

31. New England Patriots – Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah – The Patriots could use some OL depth, and Lomu could step in as a tackle or most likely a guard at the next level. He needs to work on addressing his strength, but that can be addressed, he has the technique. CJ Allen (LB) would be another direction here.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame – The Seahawks have the Super Bowl winning formula, but with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker moving on, the Seahawks reload immediately with Price who was overshadowed by Love but has all the tools to be an impact starter.

Happy Drafting!