Conference Championship week is upon us, meaning 28 organizations have completed their 2025 campaigns, cemented their draft position, and shifted their focus to draft preparation.
This mock draft exercise — using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator — gives us a glimpse of the current landscape, evaluates positional depth, and identifies potential landing spots for prospects. We will certainly see fluctuation between now and draft day, but let’s take a look at how it could shake out if the draft were held today.
1) Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
It’s customary for the owner of the first overall selection to drain the clock, allowing the organization and its fans to revel in the moment they select their savior tasked with elevating them from the pinnacle of irrelevancy.
Thankfully, the NFL mercifully reduced the time allotted per pick from ten minutes to eight because the only thing more irrelevant than the 2025 version of a once proud Raiders franchise is the eight minutes they have to officially turn in the card once the draft is “officially open.”
The draft is still three months away, and Raiders General Manager John Spytek has all but filled out the draft card and handed it to Roger Goodell.
Mendoza is no stranger to turning around a downtrodden organization. He’s the only bona fide quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft class.
2) New York Jets
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New York Jets have needs all over their roster. Reese may only have one year of real production, but his traits are off the charts, and his technique is nearly flawless. In a draft class lacking a multitude of blue-chips, Reese is a great option with immense upside.
3) Arizona Cardinals
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Kyler Murray’s time in Arizona is surely done, but there is no quarterback help worthy of the third overall selection, so Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals elect to fortify their front.
Fano can step in immediately at right tackle and pair with 2023 first-round selection Paris Johnson Jr., helping solidify a strong offensive foundation. That way, whenever the Cardinals do land their next franchise quarterback, they’ll be positioned to keep him upright.
4) Tennessee Titans
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Although the Titans’ brass is dragging their feet in the head coaching search, getting jumped by both the Giants and the Falcons, who hired their coaches just hours before the Titans were scheduled to meet, general manager Mike Borgonzi is still building a solid young roster.
Bailey is more than a token pass rusher; he’s an every-down player. He has an elite motor and is a relentless pass rusher who can provide much-needed relief alongside All-Pro Jeffrey Simmons, who recorded 11 sacks in 2025.
5) New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
John Harbaugh had Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, and now he gets his new defensive anchor in Caleb Downs. Downs is the ultimate defensive chess piece, a complete eraser, and one of the few true blue-chip prospects in this class.
He’s detail-oriented, processes information rapidly, and can line up anywhere on the field. His character is impeccable, and he’s an elite playmaker. The New York lifestyle will be a non-factor.
6) Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Cleveland Browns arguably had the best draft class in 2025 and can build on that momentum by further fortifying their offensive line. If they’re going to give second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders any chance to succeed, they simply can’t afford to surrender 51 sacks again.
7) Washington Commanders
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
What could go wrong did go wrong for the Commanders in 2025. The organization needs a reset, and adding another weapon would give Jayden Daniels much-needed support in a passing game that grossly underperformed a year ago.
8) New Orleans Saints
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Saints may have struck gold by selecting Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick in 2025. However, the group of receivers he worked with was piecemeal at best.
New Orleans has already invested time and draft capital into fortifying the offensive line and can now afford to give Shough a formidable set of weapons. Tyson, alongside Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, and Alvin Kamara, forms a group that’s easy to get excited about.
9) Kansas City Chiefs
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Let’s not pretend it’s merely bad luck that the Chiefs are picking in the top ten. Patrick Mahomes covered a lot of holes on the roster over the past few years, but it was simply an unsustainable model.
Their roster, particularly on offense, is in desperate need of a reboot. GM Brett Veach and his staff may have lost their fastball temporarily, but finally holding premium draft capital gives them a real opportunity to revitalize an ailing unit quickly.
Love can be a bruising runner between the tackles. He runs with power, patience, and finesse, and has the unique ability to make any defender miss in a phone booth or kill defenses with speed off the edge. He’s a true home-run threat every time he touches the ball.
10) Cincinnati Bengals
Reuben Bain, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Let’s not forget that at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Duke Tobin and the Bengals brass vowed not to pay more money for the same team in 2025… yet that’s exactly what happened. Then they followed that up by selecting the Belle of the Ball from the combine, Shemar Stewart, who looks like Tarzan but ended up playing like Jane.
The jury might not be out on Stewart yet, but the Bengals’ inability to consistently develop raw talent doesn’t bode well for Stewart’s long-term outlook.
Their historically bad defense got worse in 2025, giving up nearly 400 yards per game, recording only 35 sacks, and generating pressure on just 20% of plays. The Bengals need help, and the best thing they can do is select a bona fide pass rusher with proven production.
Bain has recorded 19.5 career sacks (8.5 in 2025). Until they prove they can better develop talent, they need someone with a history of getting the job done.
11) Miami Dolphins
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
When Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst was hired in 2018, he elevated now-Dolphins GM Jon Eric Sullivan to Co-Director of Player Personnel, and they selected future All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander 18th overall.
READ MORE: PFSN All-SEC Football Team Headlined by Diego Pavia, Mansoor Delane
Delane has premier lockdown corner written all over him. He’s the kind of prospect that absolutely pops on tape… You can feel him. He’s got elite instincts, quick feet and hips, is explosive and twitchy, plays through the football, and has the confidence and ability to play on an island.
12) Dallas Cowboys
Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Micah Parsons deal was a net positive for the Cowboys. Although they parted ways with one of the league’s premier players, they used some of that capital to acquire Quinnen Williams from the Jets and improved their defense overall.
However, they still have to improve their ability to rush off the edge, and they do so here with the 6’6” Faulk.
He’s got great speed and can bend, allowing him to disrupt and get after the quarterback quickly. His size, length, and speed, combined with the power and interior disruption provided by Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark, could be the lethal combo Jerry Jones envisioned all along.
13) Los Angeles Rams
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Both Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary are expected to be free agents following this magnificent playoff run. It’s reasonable to believe that one or both of them have new homes in 2026, especially given that corners are getting paid a premium.
McCoy is a sticky and physical corner with great instincts and reaction speed. He plays with a moxie that could certainly complement fellow teammate Emmanuel Forbes.
14) Baltimore Ravens
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Ravens have a lot of young talent on their roster, but were inept at getting after the quarterback in 2025, ranking 29th in the league in sacks and generating a pressure rating of only 19%.
Parker has great speed and power rush packages, plays low and with active feet, and has a relentless motor. He recorded 21.5 sacks in his career at Clemson. If the Ravens’ new coaching staff can help him develop his premier skill set, they can quickly return to the daunting defense we once knew.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods is an incredibly unique prospect. He’s an All-American defensive tackle and doubled as a short-yardage power back for the Tigers in 2025. He’s a smooth and natural athlete, has elite quickness, and can be a pure disruptor on the interior. He’d be a significant tag-team partner to power-house Vita Vea.
Jason Licht puts a premium on a prospect’s character, and anyone coming from Dabo Swinney’s program is going to be a seamless fit in Tampa.
16) New York Jets
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Already selecting Arvell Reese, the Jets double down on their defensive front. Howell has done nothing but produce during his collegiate career, recording 27 career sacks, including 11.5 for the Aggies in 2025.
He’s a quick processor, has a mean up and under move, has great bend when running the hump, and is great at establishing low pad level to control the defender. Howell and Reese can be the backbone of what Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey hope to be a quick turnaround.
17) Detroit Lions
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Lions must improve Jared Goff’s protection heading into 2026. Adding another anchor to the offensive line, especially on the interior, is a must if the Lions have any chance to reclaim their spot among the NFC’s elite.
Proctor is a 6’7”, 366-pound mauler. He played tackle for the Crimson Tide and could very well play tackle in the NFL, but there is a belief that he could start his career on the interior of the line playing guard.
He is a physical, punishing run blocker who has no issue pulling or working up to the second level, and he’s big and strong enough that he rarely gets walked back. He’s an elite athlete with immense upside, an immediate plug-and-play prospect.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Vikings had one of the league’s best defensive units in 2025, but they likely lost a franchise legend in Harrison Smith, who anchored the backend of their secondary for 14 years.
Former Toledo Rocket Quinyon Mitchell was selected 22nd overall by the Eagles in 2024 and named a 2025 first-team all-pro, proving that a first-round pick on a defender from the MAC isn’t as outlandish as it sounds.
McNeil-Warren is an explosive, twitchy athlete with long-range speed, strong instincts, and a physical style of play. He’s a strong tackler, can powerfully set the edge as a rusher, runs and rallies to the football, and is an absolute ball hawk.
After McNeil-Warren puts on a show at the combine, expect his stock to rise quickly.
19) Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The addition of Tetairoa McMillan played a major role in the resurgence of Bryce Young’s career. Dan Morgan and the Panthers can continue surrounding Young with weapons to help alleviate pressure, and few things benefit a quarterback more than a tight end who is an actual receiving threat with a massive catch radius.
20) Dallas Cowboys
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Cowboys continue to revamp what was once a depleted defensive unit. Hill can absolutely control the middle of the field. He’s an incredibly physical tackler, has a great pass-rush skill set, can comfortably work in pass coverage, and is a turnover machine.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Mike Tomlin era appears to be coming to an end in Pittsburgh, which also makes Aaron Rodgers unlikely to return, leaving the Steelers with more questions than answers. This has the feel of the Kenny Pickett selection all over again.
Simpson has just 13 collegiate starts and is coming off an underwhelming 67-yard performance in the Rose Bowl. While there may be alternatives later in the draft with higher upside, this appears to be the direction the Steelers are headed at the moment.
22) Los Angeles Chargers
Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Chargers’ interior offensive line play may have been among the most inept the NFL has seen, allowing 66 total sacks. Their uninspiring postseason showing against the Patriots ultimately cost offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin their jobs. At the same time, Justin Herbert spent much of the season fighting for his life just to keep the offense afloat.
It’s important to note that former All-Pro Rashawn Slater missed the entire 2025 season after suffering an injury in training camp, while Joe Alt also missed over half the year. As a result, the offensive line is likely to improve significantly in 2026, especially with the addition of a key interior piece like Ioane.
23) Philadelphia Eagles
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
The Eagles’ offensive line battled multiple injuries during the 2025 campaign, with stalwarts like Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson missing meaningful time.
Howie Roseman understands the importance of building depth in the trenches and takes a swing on the 6’5”, 318-pound guard from Oregon. He has an elite build and is a dynamic run blocker with active feet, along with the quickness and power to dominate at the second level. You can never have enough linemen, and Pregnon would be a great fit in Philadelphia.
24) Cleveland Browns
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Providing support for Shedeur Sanders, or whoever is under center, is priority No. 1. After adding a tackle earlier in the draft, they now land a premier playmaker in Lemon.
Lemon is a blue-collar, gritty receiver with dynamic run-after-the-catch ability. He’s strong, fearless, and can serve as a reliable security blanket for a second-year quarterback.
25) Chicago Bears
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Bears can build on a phenomenal 2025 season by fortifying their defensive front. McDonald brings a powerful interior presence with an extremely high motor. He’s a true gap eater with impressive lateral movement, an elite run stuffer who has the power and leg drive to collapse the pocket consistently.
26) Buffalo Bills
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Somehow, general manager Brandon Beane was promoted while Sean McDermott was the sacrificial lamb in Buffalo. Ever since Stefon Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans prior to the 2024 season, the Bills haven’t been successful in providing Allen with the help he needs to get the Bills over the hump.
And somehow it’s only McDermott’s fault for whiffing on Keon Coleman (not to mention handing Xavier Worthy to the Chiefs on a silver platter to do so) and not turning Khalil Shakir and Tyrell Shavers into the second coming of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne… but that’s neither here nor there. But hey, let’s promote the guy who bought mediocre off-brand groceries and fire the chef.
Anyways, Beane’s Bills give Allen some relief. Boston is a big, gritty receiver who catches the ball in tight windows, wins contested catches, and has no issues high-pointing the football.
27) San Francisco 49ers
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
The 49ers add a big-time playmaker to their receiving corps. Bell is calm and confident at all times. He’s a natural catcher with strong hands and outstanding ball skills, consistently coming down with everything thrown his way. He offers a versatile skill set, capable of playing both outside and in the slot, and has the potential to fill the role Deebo Samuel once played in this offense, providing a major lift to Brock Purdy.
28) Houston Texans
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Texans had arguably the league’s best defensive unit in 2025, and adding Banks, a true disruptor, only makes them better. At 6’6”, 330 pounds, he’s powerful, quick, and absolutely eats up the interior of the defensive line. He’s a true gap plugger, has great get-off speed, lightning-quick hands, and can collapse the pocket with his bull rush.
29) Los Angeles Rams
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Rams have been in the market for a young tackle, and finally got their guy in Lomu. His 6’6”, 308-pound frame allows him to anchor and slow down any bull rush. He’s a solid pass protector, has great power, really good bend, and a strong punch. He adds legitimate depth to the Rams’ offensive line, which looks to protect their 38-year-old quarterback.
30) New England Patriots
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Mike Vrabel’s Patriots play with an edge, and they require the players they bring in to have an edginess to their style of play. Allen is a physical linebacker who plays with elite effort, has great play speed, and is highly effective in blitz packages. He’s got the required versatile skill set to play every down in Terrell Williams’ scheme.
31) Denver Broncos
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles is a great athlete who plays with elite effort. He’s instinctive, has good ball skills, and finds his way to the football. His versatile skill set and big-game pedigree make him a great fit for Denver.
32) Seattle Seahawks
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
The Seahawks are set to lose Tariq Woolen to free agency, and with the price for corners at a premium, expect John Schneider to address this need with one of the top corners in the 2026 draft.
Johnson is one of my favorite players in this class. He has a long, prototypical frame, is technically sound, has great start-and-stop ability, fluid mobility, elite eye discipline, and is an absolute ball hawk. Johnson absolutely pops on tape, and I’d expect him to rise rapidly following an outstanding combine.
