As the NFL playoff race heats up, there are a handful of teams that find themselves on the outside looking in for the remainder of the season. Luckily for them, we’ve got you covered with our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
There are still six more weeks of football left to be played, but using the draft order based on current standings, here are our picks for all 32 selections in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
1) Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
If the Tennessee Titans end up with the first pick for the second year in a row, there’s a good chance they’ll look to trade down with a quarterback-needy team. We’re not projecting trades in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft, though, so for the sake of the argument, they stay put and take the top talent at a premier position.
Rueben Bain Jr. is a powerful edge rusher who accelerates quickly off the line of scrimmage. He maintains a low center of gravity at the point of attack, he converts speed to power well, and he has a deep arsenal of moves he can string together to shed blocks. He’s arguably been the best pure edge rusher in college football this year and is easily one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2) New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New York Giants have seen some improvement along their defensive front this season, but their defense as a whole is still a work in progress. Not since 1992 has an off-ball linebacker gone with the No. 2 overall pick, so it’s possible the Giants would trade out of this pick, as well. That said, you could make a strong argument that this is the best player available.
If you see Arvell Reese as an edge rusher in the NFL, you probably wouldn’t have him going to a Giants team that has plenty of talent there already. As a linebacker, though, he’d be a great addition. The 6’4″, 243-pounder is a physical specimen with elite size and length for an off-ball defender, which he pairs with impressive speed and ideal physicality, taking blocks head-on.
3) New Orleans Saints: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Tyler Shough is only a rookie, and his second-round status indicates the New Orleans Saints could give him a longer leash to develop. But he hasn’t been very good since taking over for Spencer Rattler, and if the Saints get the chance to take their top quarterback in the class, it’s an opportunity they shouldn’t pass up.
At this juncture, Fernando Mendoza is my top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s been electric all year, leading the FBS with 30 passing touchdowns to just five interceptions. He’s a tall, poised, and intelligent quarterback who sees the field well and has a natural sense of timing behind his throws. With a strong arm and advanced capabilities from within the pocket, I think Mendoza is the safest quarterback in this class.
4) New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
As fun as it would’ve been to see work out, Justin Fields isn’t a sustainable long-term option to start at quarterback for the New York Jets. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they draft his successor and find the centerpiece of their rebuild, as emphasized by their decision to trade Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner at the deadline.
A backup to current Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel last year, Dante Moore has really come into his own for Oregon in 2025. He’s a gifted thrower with a loose arm that generates good velocity and can deliver accurate strikes from different angles and platforms. His creativity shines when he has to extend the play out of the pocket, and he’s shown flashes of full-field progressions over the course of the year.
5) Las Vegas Raiders: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Going into Week 13, Geno Smith is tied for the most interceptions thrown in the NFL this season with 13 picks in just 11 games. That high of a turnover rate is unacceptable for the Las Vegas Raiders, which could lead them to target a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ty Simpson is another one-year starter in college, but he’s pretty advanced given his limited playing time. A backup to Jalen Milroe last year, Simpson isn’t quite as athletic or has as strong an arm as his predecessor, but he’s a much more polished passer, and Alabama’s offense looks much better because of it. He identifies soft spots in zone coverage well and exploits them accordingly. He does a good job of finding the open man, and he’s an accurate thrower of the football.
6) Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Missing out on the top three quarterbacks in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns would be better off addressing other needs with the first of their two first-round picks. At No. 6, they enhance an offensive line unit that consists heavily of either aging players or inconsistent starters.
Depending on what you look for in an offensive tackle, Spencer Fano might not be your top choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is to me, though, and a lot of that comes down to how polished he is. He’s not the biggest or strongest tackle out there, but he moves incredibly well with great footwork in pass protection and very nice lateral quickness. He lands his strikes accurately and does a good job of winning with proper pad leverage consistently.
7) Washington Commanders: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
A lot has gone wrong for the Washington Commanders this season, from key players getting injured to a lack of development from young talent on an otherwise aging roster. Luckily for them, they’re slated to have a top-ten pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which should help get them back on track.
Keldric Faulk would be a great addition to a Washington pass rush in need of some upgrades. He’s a physical anomaly at 6’6″ and 288 pounds with long arms and a frame that carries his weight very well. His size and length help him set the edge in run support, and his anchor is strong enough to stand his ground and plug up gaps up the middle. As a pass rusher, Faulk is a great athlete for his size who chases the quarterback with a high motor and can win inside or outside on the defensive line.
8) Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Similar to the Commanders, the Cincinnati Bengals’ season has been derailed by injury, though it’s one player in particular: Joe Burrow. When he’s healthy, this team is a playoff contender, but his absence has underscored how unsustainable their defensive play is. The hope is they can use the draft to enhance that side of the ball and complement their explosive offense.
As of this writing, Caleb Downs is my top overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The fact that he plays safety makes estimating a draft slot for him in a mock draft difficult, but there’s no denying the tools he brings to the table. He’s a large, physical, athletic, intelligent safety with good ball skills in coverage and the fluidity to cover a lot of ground as a two-high or single-high safety. He’s the real deal.
9) Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Paris Johnson Jr. looks like a rising star at left tackle for the Arizona Cardinals, but their other offensive tackle spot remains up in the air. Luckily for them, this class is loaded with natural right tackles in the first-round range. In our 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they select one of the best.
Though Francis Mauigoa won’t wow you with his arm length measurements, his tape will undoubtedly make up for it. He lands his jabs with accurate placement and expert timing, and his grip strength allows him to lock out edge rushers from the inside of his frame. He redirects pretty well and rarely overshoots his pass sets in pass protection, and he showcases good spatial awareness against exotic rush looks. I feel confident that Mauigoa will become at least a solid starting offensive lineman in the NFL.
10) Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Could the Miami Dolphins trade up for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft? It’s possible. They’d be among other teams like the Browns, Cardinals, Steelers, or even Rams as potential pursuers of a trade for a signal-caller. With no trades in this mock, however, the Dolphins address their gaping secondary in Round 1.
With an allowed passer rating of just 27.5 this season, Mansoor Delane has been a shutdown cornerback for LSU all year. He’s my top corner in the 2026 NFL Draft because of his instincts in coverage, impressive fluidity in space, competitiveness at the catch point, and his physicality as a tackler.
11) Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Los Angeles Rams’ decision to trade down with the Atlanta Falcons in last year’s draft to acquire their 2026 first-round pick has aged incredibly well for them. Not only are the Rams a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but there’s a chance they could have a top-ten pick in the 2026 NFL Draft when it’s all said and done.
Jermod McCoy hasn’t played a down in 2025 due to injury, so the fact that he’s selected this high in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft speaks to how well he performed in 2024. He’s an athletic defensive back with excellent ball-tracking skills who mirrors movements well in coverage and plays with a scrappy mentality in press coverage; there’s a lot to like in his tape.
12) Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
A lot is going wrong with the Minnesota Vikings’ offense right now, and a lot of it falls on bad quarterback play. It’s too early to give up on J.J. McCarthy, so their best hope is to surround him with more talent to take the pressure off of him. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they do that by taking the best running back in the class.
Excluding positional value, I’d argue Jeremiyah Love is at least a top-five player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He falls a little because he’s a running back. Still, he’s an explosive runner who combines sound decision-making between the tackles with elite speed, quick feet, and the ability to change direction, along with toughness that shows up both in the run game and as a receiver after the catch.
13) Carolina Panthers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Would it be overkill if the Carolina Panthers draft wide receivers in the first round of three consecutive drafts? Maybe, but Xavier Legette hasn’t lived up to expectations as a high-quality complementary weapon to star rookie Tetairoa McMillan. The Panthers could use the 2026 NFL Draft to take another shot at a receiver.
When I think of the best complements to McMillan in this draft class, Jordyn Tyson immediately comes to mind. Rather than the former’s ability to win above the rim with size and physicality, Tyson is more of a threat with his agility, sinking his hips sharply into his breaks and consistently creating separation underneath. He’s also an effective YAC receiver with good ball-carrier vision.
14) Dallas Cowboys: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have a chance to really boost their defense this offseason. Trading for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson was a step in the right direction, but they need to generate more pressure and get more sacks off the edge.
David Bailey is pass-rushing lightning in a bottle, and he belongs in the first half of Round 1 in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. He’s a little undersized but brings impressive first-step acceleration, flexibility turning the corner, and an advanced understanding of how to use his hands to stack and shed blocks.
15) Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Kansas City Chiefs are better than their 6-5 record indicates, though their close games against top NFL teams have mainly resulted in losses. It could be tempting to add another weapon for Patrick Mahomes here, but it’s best they stick with the best player on their board.
Should the Chiefs end up sliding Peter Woods next to Chris Jones as they do in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft, interior offensive lines around the league would have nightmares. Woods is an explosive defensive tackle with refined hands, a high motor, excellent agility for his position, and a high football IQ that helps him two-gap well.
16) Pittsburgh Steelers: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves outside of the range of the top quarterback prospects in the class. Not all hope is lost, though; it would be a great consolation prize to add another freak athlete at wide receiver to pair with DK Metcalf.
The 6’3″ Carnell Tate can go under the radar sometimes at Ohio State with all the talent they’ve had there, but a good argument can be made that he’s the top wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. He brings an enticing combination of raw size and high speed that makes him a valuable vertical threat, and his body control attacking the ball in the air is tremendous.
17) Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Houston Texans have faced impressive highs and dizzying lows in the 2025 season so far. To help them stabilize and maximize the talent they have in C.J. Stroud, investing in the offensive line must remain a priority.
If we’re talking about ceilings, Kadyn Proctor might have the highest one of any offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft. Listed at 6’7″ and 360 pounds, Proctor is a mammoth of a man whose size and raw strength help him dominate at the point of attack. He also moves very well for someone his size, and though inconsistent, the flashes he’s shown through his hand usage and footwork are very encouraging.
18) Detroit Lions: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Al-Quadin Muhammad has been a pleasant surprise off the edge for the Detroit Lions, pairing pretty well alongside star defender Aidan Hutchinson. The former turns 31 in March, though, so if the value is correct, that shouldn’t prevent the Lions from taking an edge rusher early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Matayo Uiagalelei has been a productive edge rusher for Oregon over the last few seasons, combining for 15.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss over the previous two years. He’s an advanced technician for his age, with versatility along the entire defensive line and tremendous hand usage.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain competitive despite the injuries they’ve had this year says a lot about their depth and resilience. But defensive stalwart Lavonte David is having a down year with a career-low (since 2019) 76.3 LBi grade, meaning it could be time for them to draft a replacement.
Arvell Reese gets a lot of the 2026 NFL Draft hype in that Ohio State linebacker room, but Sonny Styles is a freak of nature in his own right. His instincts have shown plenty of improvement over time, and he’s an explosive, well-built athlete with a large tackling radius and the ability to make plays in coverage.
20) Baltimore Ravens: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Pretty quickly, the Baltimore Ravens’ edge rusher group turned from a strength to an area of concern. They traded Odafe Oweh midway through the season, Kyle Van Noy turns 35 in March, and Mike Green is still adjusting to the NFL level of play. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they address those pass-rushing holes.
With a starting opportunity now in his reach at Texas A&M, Cashius Howell has lived up to the hype in 2025. He finishes the regular season with an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks, and he’s displayed tremendous acceleration and flexibility off the edge. His arms aren’t incredibly long, but there’s a lot there to be excited about with him on tape.
21) Buffalo Bills: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Buffalo Bills have a solid group of weapons, but they don’t have a true WR1 in their offense right now. To me, there’s a clear top three at the wide receiver position in the 2026 NFL Draft, and at No. 21 overall, the Bills are lucky to get one of them.
Makai Lemon has been the most productive wide receiver in the Big Ten in 2025, which says a lot when you consider how much talent resides in the conference. He holds the triple crown, leading with 78 catches, 1,124 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He is a sure-handed slot receiver who’s quick after the catch and consistently gets open against both man and zone coverage with sharp breaks and good leverage work through his stems.
22) Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
How the Browns attack their two first-round picks could depend on how the quarterback situation plays out in the 2026 NFL Draft. Does Arch Manning declare for the draft? What about LaNorris Sellers? Could Jayden Maiava leave for the NFL a year early? It’s tough to tell in this age of college football, so for the sake of the argument, Cleveland goes with a wide receiver with their second selection.
Listed at 6’2″ and 220 pounds, Chris Bell is a freak athlete for his size with the raw speed and strength to be a potential force at wide receiver. He’s improved as a route-running technician in 2025, which should be enough to get him into the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft with how physically gifted he is.
23) San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
With an 88.9 OLi grade, Trent Williams is the highest-graded left tackle in the NFL this season. The future Hall of Famer keeps playing at an All-Pro level, though at 37 years old, it would be nice to use the 2026 NFL Draft to find a left tackle to develop underneath him for the future.
Caleb Lomu is a smooth, polished left tackle who didn’t allow a single sack in 356 pass-blocking reps during the 2025 regular season. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top offensive tackle prospect, a worthy first-round selection, and an intriguing successor to Williams in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
24) Dallas Cowboys (via Packers): C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
As previously mentioned, Logan Wilson has been a nice addition for the Cowboys since they traded for him at the deadline. Their defense is still a work in progress, though, and the right value at off-ball linebacker could be too much for them to pass up with the second of their two first-round picks.
With impressive speed, agility, instincts against the run, and consistent tackling form, C.J. Allen is a true rangy linebacker with elite range as a tackler. He has the potential to be one of the top linebackers in the league in due time.
25) Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Los Angeles Chargers have faced plenty of bad luck with injuries, as both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater have missed significant time this season. The lack of their two-star offensive tackles has amplified just how unstable the interior of their offensive line is, though they address that in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
I had Olaivavega Ioane as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft this summer, but he’s separated from the pack with his play this year. He is a sturdy guard prospect who knows how to use his hands and pad level to obtain leverage. His anchor strength gives him a higher floor than most at his position.
26) Chicago Bears: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
At 8-3, the Chicago Bears have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this year. They’ve stacked up wins against middling competition, though they deserve a lot of credit for how much they’ve won, given how injured their defense has been. Whether healthy or banged up, though, one area of their team that could improve is the pass rush they generate off the edge.
Clemson as a whole didn’t live up to expectations this year, but T.J. Parker is still a tremendous player with a high ceiling in the NFL. He had 11 sacks as a sophomore and flashed great burst, lower-body strength, and refined hands. Though his sack production fell this year, he remained incredibly efficient at putting pressure on the quarterback.
27) Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
They didn’t end up trading him, but Riq Woolen was the subject of trade rumors for the Seattle Seahawks leading up to the trade deadline. With his rookie contract expiring this offseason, they could look to the 2026 NFL Draft to find a cheaper replacement for the future.
Avieon Terrell is a sharp cover man with excellent speed, short-area burst, and hip fluidity. In 2024, he notched two interceptions and 12 pass breakups for Clemson, and he hasn’t allowed a targeted completion percentage of over 55.0% in any season of his collegiate career. That should have him in the mix for an early-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
28) New York Jets (via Colts): A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
After taking a quarterback with their first pick, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Jets use their pick from the Colts to replace one of the two veterans they dealt away at the trade deadline. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they go for a Quinnen Williams replacement.
A’Mauri Washington is a massive, physical presence up the middle who plugs up gaps well and can move well for a big man. He’s one of the biggest risers on my board for the 2026 NFL Draft during the collegiate regular season, thanks to his physical upside and pro-ready run-defending capabilities.
29) Philadelphia Eagles: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Philadelphia Eagles keep on winning games, but without the likes of Josh Sweat and Milton Williams on their defensive line, their pass rush isn’t as strong as it was in the Super Bowl-winning season last year. They could address that need at the 2026 NFL Draft.
There was a lot to like in R Mason Thomas’ tape last year, and he’s living up to the hype again in 2025. His explosiveness, flexibility, and deep arsenal as a pass rusher help him consistently win on rushes to the offensive tackle’s outside hip, and his upside should make him one of the first edge rushers selected in a loaded 2026 NFL Draft class.
30) Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
After an active free agency period this past offseason, the Denver Broncos are seeing a vast majority of those moves pay off for them. The one move that hasn’t quite panned out, though, is the signing of Evan Engram. They could look to the draft for his replacement this April.
Things may change, but the gap between Kenyon Sadiq and the rest of the tight end class is one of the biggest at a single position in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s an elite athlete who can separate from man coverage, has reliable hands as a pass catcher, and battles hard as a run blocker for a smaller tight end. His upside as a receiver is through the roof.
31) Los Angeles Rams: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
The Rams may take a shot on a developmental quarterback here, but I think they either trade up for a top prospect or wait another year to draft one. Since there are no trades in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they use their own first-round pick to enhance their offensive line.
In his first season as a full-time starter, Trevor Goosby has proven that he was worthy of the breakout buzz he got heading into 2025. He’s an elite athlete at offensive tackle with ideal length and coordination in pass protection, and that’s shown in his breakout performance as Arch Manning’s blindside protector.
32) New England Patriots: Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Missouri
The New England Patriots have gotten pretty good pass-rushing production out of Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson this season. With the latter slated to hit free agency this offseason, though, they could look to replace him with a cheaper and younger option.
There’s no guarantee Damon Wilson II declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, seeing as though he has more collegiate eligibility and is only a one-year starter. That said, the former five-star recruit has been everywhere on the field for Missouri this season. He’s an elite athlete with quick hands and a flexible lower half who can really get to the passer off the edge.
