Caleb Downs, Ohio State
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Very rarely is there such a thing as a foregone conclusion when it comes to the NFL Draft, but there is little question who will be first off the board come Thursday. Fernando Mendoza has been perched at this spot through the entirety of the pre-Draft process, and will now be tasked with returning the Raiders to glory in arguably the toughest division in football.
Previous Selection: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Other Possibility: N/A
2. New York Jets
David Bailey, DE/LB, Texas Tech
The Draft really begins at pick No. 2, where it's up to a pair of pass rushers for the Jets: Ohio State's Arvell Reese, or Texas Tech's David Bailey. Reese has all the tools to be a dominant defender for years to come, but it does feel as though Bailey is the more polished, NFL-ready rusher at this point in his development. Given just how bad New York has been, adding a player that can make an immediate impact is a must.
Previous Selection: Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State
Other Possibility: Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Could trading down be in play for Arizona at this spot? It does feel like a real possibility, but taking the best offensive linemen in this Draft provides them an upgrade at one of their greatest needs. Francis Mauigoa projects as either a tackle or guard in the pros, and can be the long-term building block in front of whoever Arizona's long-term answer is at QB - likely a 2027 NFL Draft pick.
Previous Selection: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Other Possibility: Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State
4. Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This has a chance to be the most interesting selection of the entire 2026 NFL Draft. Tennessee needs help up and down their roster, but do they go with a high-upside defender like Reese, or take a swing on an offensive talent like Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love? Given how deep this Draft is in pass rushers as opposed to tailback, I think they take the boom-or-bust option at this spot.
Previous Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Other Possibility: Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State
5. New York Giants
Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State
I simply can't imagine a scenario in which Arvell Reese drops out of the Top 5. The former Buckeye is an athletic specimen who complemented a strong 2025 campaign with tremendous measurements at the Combine. He's still raw in some areas, but gives this Giants defense a major jolt in the front seven.
Previous Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Other Possibility: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6. Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Be prepared to see a whole bunch of Buckeyes go off the board in this range. Cleveland certainly could further bolster an offensive line that has a problem area for years, but the passing game is completely devoid of playmakers. Carnell Tate often got overshadowed by all the other offensive talent in Columbus, but he's an elite weapon with some of the most reliable hands you'll ever see coming out of the college ranks.
Previous Selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Other Possibility: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
7. Washington Commanders
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate both are popular picks for the Commanders, but I'm not sure either last until the seventh selection. Instead, Washington upgrades a defense that they've been working on all offseason by adding the ultra-versatile Sonny Styles. Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will have a lot of fun figuring out all the different ways he can scheme Styles into making plays on the defensive side of the ball.
Previous Selection: David Bailey, DE/LB, Texas Tech
Other Possibility: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
8. New Orleans Saints
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
There's been some rumblings New Orleans adds a receiver here to provide young quarterback Tyler Shough the support he needs on the perimeter, but I love the idea of Mansoor Delane staying in the state of Louisiana at an obvious need position. He's the type of polished, sturdy corner who should be able to acclimate to the pros in short order.
Previous Selection: Rueben Bain Jr., DE/LB, Miami (FL)
Other Possibility: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr., DE/LB, Miami (FL)
Of all the prospects projected to go in the Top 10 range, it does feel like Rueben Bain Jr. is the most likely to slip given all the negative press that has surrounded him throughout the pre-Draft. But, you do wonder if this could be a situation where teams are putting this out in an effort to land the Miami product, who was a sack machine during his time in Coral Gables. For a team like Kansas City, he provides a relentless edge who has proven his worth at the highest level.
Previous Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Other Possibility: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
10. New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs in the same cycle? The G-Men come out as major winners of the first round, using the pick they acquired in the Dexter Lawrence trade to further shape their defense. Safeties are always undervalued this time of year, Downs is one of my favorite players in this Draft as a rangy, reliable contributor on the back-end.
Previous Selection: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (to Cincinnati)
Other Possibility: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
11. Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Few players near the top of this Draft have been as a difficult to get a read on as Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson. He was once the consensus top receiver of the cycle, then seemed to plummet down boards when more detail began coming out on his medicals. Now, it seems like he's trending back up again, and Miami is extremely thin at receiver after moving on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both this offseason.
Previous Selection: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Other Possibility: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
12. Dallas Cowboys
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Investing in the defense is a no-brainer for Dallas after this group was shredded throughout the 2025 campaign. They'd love for one of the top pass rushers to fall down to them at this spot, but taking a prospect like Oregon's Dillon Thieneman is quite a consolation prize. He was highly productive in college because he can do it all at the safety spot - playing over the top as a free safety in pass coverage, while also having elite downhill speed to make plays in run support.
Previous Selection: Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami (FL)
Other Possibility: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
13. Los Angeles Rams
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams is a pretty potent 1-2 combo at receiver, but given the drama that has surrounded Puka this offseason and the fact Adams is beginning to show his age, adding a receiver early on feels likely. The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, Makai Lemon will immediately capture the attention of opposing defenses with his home run ability.
Previous Selection: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Other Possibility: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
14. Baltimore Ravens
Vega Ioane, OL, Penn State
While the rest of the board has shifted significantly over these last several months, Vega Ioane has been a constant in this spot to Baltimore. He just feels like a Raven draft pick to me, and the fit makes plenty of sense. He strengthens an interior offensive line that has slipped in recent years, bolstering a rush offense looking to capitalize on the twilight years of Derrick Henry's career.
Previous Selection: Vega Ioane, OL, Penn State
Other Possibility: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami (FL)
This is best player available mode for a Tampa team looking to reclaim the NFC South crown after Carolina stole it away this past fall. I've had Kenyon Sadiq mocked here previously, but Miami's Akheem Mesidor gives them an immediate impact player on the defensive line who will haunt the young quarterbacks in this division.
Previous Selection: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Other Possibility: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
16. New York Jets
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Adding an effective No. 2 receiver will certainly be a priority for the Jets in this Draft, even after Adonai Mitchell flashed some potential late last fall. New York would love Jordyn Tyson in this spot, but Omar Cooper Jr. has been ascending boards quickly and feels like a real possibility. Fernando Mendoza's favorite target this past season, Cooper's reliable hands and precise route running should ensure he has a long NFL career.
Previous Selection: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Other Possibility: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
17. Detroit Lions
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
We know NFL teams tend to value offensive linemen much higher than you'll see in these mock drafts, but I have a difficult time placing Spencer Fano if he doesn't go to Cleveland at six or Miami at 11. If he does slip, this is a huge win for a Detroit team that gets a Top 10 caliber prospect this late. Fano could eventually move inside to guard or stay firm at tackle, potentially keeping Penei Sewell on the right side of this unit.
Previous Selection: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Other Possibility: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
18. Minnesota Vikings
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Minnesota has taken (and whiffed) on a bunch of first round cornerbacks over the years but if Jermod McCoy is on the board this late, I have a hard time believing they don't take the Tennessee product. While a torn ACL cost him all of 2025, NFL folks love his 2024 tape, and he is an elite physical specimen at the position.
Previous Selection: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Other Possibility: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
19. Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
There's little doubt this year's tight end class is not at last year's level, but Kenyon Sadiq is quite the headliner at the position. You rarely see players at his size move as fluidly as Sadiq does, and it does feel like he was only scratching the surface while in Eugene. For Carolina, he provides Bryce Young another weapon to work with next to the flourishing Tetairoa McMillan.
Previous Selection: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Other Possibility: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
20. Dallas Cowboys
Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Dallas skipped out on taking an edge rusher earlier on - I don't see them doing so again in this spot. Keldric Faulk isn't widely viewed on the tier of the David Bailey or Rueben Bains of the world, but he seems to be the best of the best on the next tier. He's a high motor player who was great at Auburn despite facing double and triple teams throughout his entire career on The Plains.
Previous Selection: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Other Possibility: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Receiver seems to be the most common direction folks have Pittsburgh going at pick 21, but something tells me the organization will invest in the trenches here. The offensive line was already inconsistent, and now the future of Broderick Jones is in doubt after suffering a setback in his return from a neck injury. Monroe Freeling may not end up being a true replacement for Jones, but he provides the Steelers a talented developmental piece who they can move along the line.
Previous Selection: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Other Possibility: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Interior offensive line or defensive line are the likely move from the Chargers here, and Clemson's Peter Woods offers an ideal situation in this range. The former Tiger was a multiyear contributor who proved his worth as a pass rusher and in run support. In a division that includes Ashton Jeanty and now Kenneth Walker III, he makes ample sense.
Previous Selection: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
Other Possibility: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Could receiver be in play here for Philadelphia with the A.J. Brown trade on the horizon? Perhaps, but offensive line still feels like the clearest need, with a long-term replacement for Lane Johnson near the top of their priority list. Kadyn Proctor had his fair share of ups-and-downs while at Alabama, but is great value this late in the first.
Previous Selection: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Other Possibility: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
24. Cleveland Browns
Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
The Browns skipped out on taking a Utah offensive linemen earlier and instead went with Carnell Tate. Now, they get another opportunity in Caleb Lomu at their most obvious position group need. Lomu isn't as polished as his former Ute teammate, but projects as a late first-rounder.
Previous Selection: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Other Possibility: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
25. Chicago Bears
T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
You can never have too many great pass rushers in this league, and Chicago takes their chance on T.J. Parker here, even though they have a greater need on the interior D-Line. Parker was a potential Top 10 pick heading into the fall but had a rough final season with the Tigers. However, a strong pre-Draft has him landing in the first round, as NFL folks love his athletic traits.
Previous Selection: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Other Possibility: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
26. Buffalo Bills
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
You get the sense Buffalo is going to provide new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard a weapon to work with on that side of the ball with this selection. Drafting an interior defensive linemen to eat up blocks makes sense, but investing in a secondary playmaker like Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren gives this entire unit more bite.
Previous Selection: Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
Other Possibility: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
27. San Francisco 49ers
Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
San Francisco has some notable names rushing the passer in the front seven, but both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are coming off significant injuries. It's certainly not crazy to think they invest in another young edge rusher, and there are plenty of options in this Draft. Malachi Lawrence has been trending up in a major way in recent weeks, and provides the Niners an exciting young project.
Previous Selection: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Other Possibility: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
28. Houston Texans
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
If Houston has any hopes for reaching their potential, especially on offense, the line must be better. Arizona State's Max Iheanachor is another player trending up at the right time, who should find himself off the board in the late first. He's still raw in a lot of areas as he hasn't been playing football very long, but he offers significant upside.
Previous Selection: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Other Possibility: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Jermod McCoy is not the only Tennessee corner who has a good chance of hearing his name called on night one. Colton Hood is an instinctive, well-rounded corner who looked the part during this past fall in Knoxville. He's not as fluid of an athlete as McCoy, but feels like the type of defender who will have a stable pro career. The Chiefs need help at corner, particularly now that Trent McDuffie has been dealt.
Previous Selection: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Other Possibility: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
30. Miami Dolphins
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Dolphins added much-needed weapon with Jordyn Tyson earlier, now it's time to work on the offensive line. Blake Miller is another Clemson product whose stock has dipped because of an underwhelming final college season, but he's a proven, well-built tackle who projects to the next level well. This just feels like a sensible for Miami in the selection they acquired in the Jaylen Waddle trade.
Previous Selection: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Other Possibility: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31. New England Patriots
Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
Something tells me we are going to see New England go pass rush early on. Their pass rush was among the most ineffective in the NFL last season, and played a key role in their Super Bowl defeat to Seattle. Cashius Howell still has good odds to land somewhere in the first round, after a stellar final season in College Station.
Previous Selection: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
Other Possibility: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
32. Seattle Seahawks
Chase Bisontis, OL, Texas A&M
Seattle's ground game has serious questions heading into 2026 as they look to repeat. Kenneth Walker III is gone, Zach Charbonnet is hurt, and Emmanuel Wilson is the current No. 1. The Seahawks will likely address the position in this Draft, but further bolstering the interior O-Line should also provide a much-needed boost. Chase Bisontis is a grinding style of blocker who has a chance to form quite the duo with Grey Zabel.
Previous Selection: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
Other Possibility: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
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