April is finally upon us, meaning that it’s officially the month of the 2026 NFL Draft. All these months of player evaluations and heated discussions will be wrapping up within a matter of weeks.
For the time being, though, we’re still in the home stretch. Which players will surprise and make their way into Round 1? Join us as PFSN breaks down our first 2026 NFL Mock Draft of the month of April.
1) Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Having traded Geno Smith to the Jets, the Las Vegas Raiders all but confirmed they’d be taking a quarterback with the first overall pick. The anticipated selection has remained the same throughout this pre-draft process, and it will be finalized once the draft order is finalized.
No matter what the latest headline says to generate traffic, Fernando Mendoza is the best quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a well-built, poised, and intelligent quarterback who sees the field well and has a natural sense of timing behind his throws.
The Heisman Trophy winner has excellent pocket presence and a strong arm that can hit targets in stride from all levels of the field. He’s a polished quarterback with a high floor, and he has more than enough arm talent to make big plays in the NFL.
2) New York Jets
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
With multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have a good opportunity to accelerate their rebuild. They focus on the defensive side of the ball to begin this mock draft, seeing as though there isn’t a quarterback on the board worth taking at No. 2.
David Bailey is pass-rushing lightning in a bottle, and he deserves to be selected early in Round 1 in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. After a stellar Combine, which saw him run a 4.50 40-yard dash with a 1.62 10-yard split at 251 pounds, he propels himself all the way up to the third pick.
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 exploit the weaknesses of whichever offensive tackle he’s going up against.
3) Arizona Cardinals
Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
With the third overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals have many different directions they could go. They need a quarterback, and their offense could use some improvement, but they also need some additional juice off the edge alongside Josh Sweat.
An argument could be made that Arvell Reese is the best player in this draft class. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder is a physical specimen with elite size and length for an off-ball defender, which he pairs with impressive speed and ideal physicality. His play strength, long arms, and craftiness as a blitzing defender have some projecting him as an edge rusher in the NFL, which he might become with the Cardinals here.
4) Tennessee Titans
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Tennessee Titans found encouraging flashes out of No. 1 pick Cam Ward in 2025, but their roster is far too flawed to get the most out of their young quarterback. At this stage of their rebuild, they shouldn’t overthink it: take the best player available at a premier position.
Rueben Bain Jr. is a powerful edge rusher who accelerates quickly off the line of scrimmage.
Bain Jr. maintains a low center of gravity at the point of attack, converts speed to power well, and 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.
5) New York Giants
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Their record didn’t exactly show it, but the New York Giants played tough against many talented teams in 2025. They received encouraging early returns from Jaxson Dart, and though it could make sense to boost the offense for that reason, the defense is also a pretty big work in progress outside of their defensive line.
Sonny Styles has developed from a raw athlete into one of the top prospects in the entire 2026 NFL Draft.
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.
6) Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
There’s a chance the Cleveland Browns consider a quarterback early, but in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they look to give Shedeur Sanders a fair chance to be the guy. Their top wide receiver in 2025 was Jerry Jeudy with 602 yards, and he was their only player at the position with over 350 receiving yards all year.
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.
7) Washington Commanders
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The 2025 season was a disaster for the Washington Commanders. Injuries flooded their roster, but they also exposed their lack of developing young talent outside of injured quarterback Jayden Daniels. They have a serious chance in the 2026 NFL Draft to infuse their roster with much-needed youth.
Excluding positional value, I’d argue Jeremiyah Love is at least a top-five player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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. A backfield with Daniels and Love would be very difficult for opposing NFL defenses to stop.
8) New Orleans Saints
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Winning four of their last five games may have hurt their draft positioning, but that’s a trade-off the New Orleans Saints will take, considering the growth that Tyler Shough displayed. Now sitting with the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, they’re no longer in need of a quarterback early, which really opens up more options for them in Round 1.
With an allowed passer rating of just 26.7 in 2025, Mansoor Delane was 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.
9) Kansas City Chiefs
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Realistically, it will be a long time before the Kansas City Chiefs pick this high again. With players like Bain and Delane off the board, they opt for the best defensive player available, regardless of the positional value debate.
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 significant, 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.
10) Cincinnati Bengals
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
When Joe Burrow returned to the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting lineup for the final few games of the year, it showed what this team can be when its franchise QB is healthy. That said, they still have a defense that ranked No. 28 in the NFL in PFSN’s DEFi. Improving that unit should be their top priority this offseason.
Jermod McCoy didn’t play 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.
11) Miami Dolphins
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Miami Dolphins seem to have committed to Malik Willis being their starting quarterback, at least for 2026. If they want to give him a fair chance to succeed, they’ll improve their offensive line, and the value lines up well for them to take a tackle at No. 11 overall in this mock draft.
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.
Mauigoa redirects pretty well and rarely overshoots his pass sets in pass protection, and he showcases good spatial awareness against exotic rush looks.
12) Dallas Cowboys
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The bad news for the Dallas Cowboys is that they had the worst defense in the NFL, according to the PFSN NFL Defense Impact metrics (DEFi), in the 2025 season. The good news, though, is that they have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving them the chance to double down on that weak unit.
If Akheem Mesidor were two years younger, he would be an undisputed top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even turning 25 years old this April, he’s coming off such a good season that he might flirt with that range, anyway.
The tools have always been there for Mesidor, and he put it all together for the Hurricanes in 2025. He’s an older prospect entering the NFL, but he’s one with impressive power setting the edge and a deep arsenal to disengage from blocks as a pass rusher. He’s a high-floor edge rusher and projects as an immediate starter.
13) Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Los Angeles Rams put together a strong 2025 but ultimately fell just one game short of a Super Bowl appearance. After trading their own first-round pick to the Chiefs for star cornerback Trent McDuffie, they can use the pick they got from the Atlanta Falcons to improve their offensive line.
Within the last month or two, Monroe Freeling has become a red-hot name in draft circles. He stepped in as Georgia’s starting left tackle in 2025 and demonstrated elite physical prowess. He’s a bit raw but features tremendous size at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds with rare athleticism for such a big man.
14) Baltimore Ravens
Spencer Fano, G, Utah
After their trade for Maxx Crosby fell through, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves back with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. An edge rusher seems unlikely after they signed Trey Hendrickson, which should see them pivot elsewhere with their early pick.
Spencer Fano is not the biggest or strongest lineman out there, but he moves incredibly well, thanks to 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.
Though Fano projects as an immediate starter wherever he ends up playing in the pros, I have him kicking inside in this scenario, landing with the Ravens. His issues with length would be masked at guard, giving Baltimore a potential Pro Bowler along the interior after losing center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
As of this writing, Haason Reddick is still a free agent. Even if they bring him back, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lack of long-term answers along their defensive line, especially in their current group of edge rushers.
Keldric Faulk is a physical anomaly, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 288 pounds, with long arms and a frame that carries his weight 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.
Faulk’s pass-rushing production dropped in 2025, but he still brings a high motor and impressive size-adjusted quickness to the table.
16) New York Jets (via Colts)
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
It could make sense for the Jets to use the second of their two first-round picks on defense, seeing as though they traded both Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline. Their offense, however, is severely lacking in passing-game weapons. In our latest NFL Mock Draft, we find a talented receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson.
Jordyn Tyson is a threat with his agility, sinking his hips sharply into his breaks and consistently creating separation underneath.
He adjusts his approach with each step, depending on the coverage he sees, showcasing good footwork and strong defensive pattern recognition as a route runner. He’s also an effective YAC receiver with good ball-carrier vision.
17) Detroit Lions
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Few expected the level of regression the Detroit Lions experienced in 2025. After the release of long-time starting left tackle Taylor Decker, they find themselves with a big hole along an offensive line that already took a step back after key departures the previous offseason.
Caleb Lomu is a smooth, polished left tackle who didn’t allow a single sack in 382 pass-blocking reps during the 2025 regular season. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top offensive tackle prospect and a worthy first-round selection in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
All things considered, it’s a minor miracle the Minnesota Vikings went 9-8, given the instability they faced at quarterback this year. It’s far too early to give up on J.J. McCarthy, but their roster could benefit if they invest in their shaky secondary early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dillon Thieneman’s production dipped in 2024, but his transfer to Oregon gave him new life in 2025. As a freshman at Purdue, he had six interceptions and showed elite range in coverage. He projects as a rangy, high-upside free safety with playmaker potential who can also lower the shoulder as a downhill tackler.
19) Carolina Panthers
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
It wasn’t the prettiest season, but the Carolina Panthers did enough to come away victorious in the NFC South. Their weak division gives them a path to more playoff opportunities in the future, but their offense is still a work in progress. They could use some reinforcements protecting Bryce Young up front.
Don’t be stunned if Max Iheanachor goes this high in real life. He’s listed at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, has a large wingspan, and is an impressive athlete with great redirect skills for such a big offensive tackle. He may be a raw technician who struggles with pad level, but his physical tools are some of the best of the offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft.
20) Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Cowboys improved their defensive line by selecting Akheem Mesidor with their first pick. They’d be smart to take another defender with the pick they got from the Green Bay Packers, especially considering some of the defensive value still on the board in this hypothetical.
Avieon Terrell is a sharp cover man with excellent speed and short-area burst, as well as good route-recognition capabilities. In 2024, he notched two interceptions and 12 pass breakups for Clemson, and he’s combined 21 pass deflections over the course of his last two seasons.
This year, he improved as a tackler, dropping his missed tackle percentage to 10.4% from 14.1% the year before.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
After trading for Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have an improved wide receiver duo to boost their lackluster offense. However, the move was more of a salary dump by Indianapolis than anything. If the right value is there at No. 21, don’t rule out the Steelers picking up another receiver.
Makai Lemon was an All-American in 2025 with 79 catches, 1,156 yards, and 11 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) Los Angeles Chargers
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Tyler Biadasz was a nice addition to the Los Angeles Chargers’ interior offensive line this offseason, but the group still stands out as a big weakness on their roster. Luckily for them, arguably the best pure guard in the 2026 NFL Draft is still available in this mock draft.
Olaivavega Ioane 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, and he dominated in pass protection, providing Penn State with elite guard play amid a disappointing season for the program.
23) Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Dallas Goedert is back in Philadelphia for another year. Though he’s coming off a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns, he’ll be 32 years old next offseason and might not be a long-term option for the Eagles beyond 2026. Luckily for them, they have a potentially elite tight end prospect fall into their laps in this mock draft.
Kenyon Sadiq is 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.
He caught eight touchdown passes in the 2025 regular season, taking advantage of his first opportunity at cracking the starting lineup. His upside as a receiver is through the roof, making him worthy of a first-round selection in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
24) Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
After improving their wide receiver room with Tate at No. 6 overall, the Browns have a great chance to double down on their offense with the second of their first-round selections. They traded for offensive tackle Tytus Howard this offseason, but Cleveland’s offensive line could still use some reinforcements.
Though Kadyn Proctor is arguably the most inconsistent of the top offensive linemen in the 2026 draft, he might have the highest ceiling of the bunch. He’s a massive presence with long arms and powerful hands, helping him dominate physically at the point of attack.
Proctor is not just big; he’s coordinated and can handle power and maintain an anchor in pass protection. Whether it’s at tackle or guard, he should be able to start from Day 1 for Cleveland in this scenario.
25) Chicago Bears
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Ben Johnson led the Chicago Bears to a playoff appearance and an NFC North crown, solidifying them as one of the biggest turnarounds in the NFL this year. Much of that was due to their offense, though. Defensively, they’ve consistently struggled to get home with a four-man rush, and free agent additions Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett didn’t live up to the hype in 2025.
Peter Woods is an explosive defensive tackle with refined hands, a high motor, excellent agility for his position, and a high football IQ. He’s an effective two-gapping defensive tackle against the run, and he also brings plenty of value on passing downs.
That combination alone should make him highly sought after. In a draft class where a lot of the defensive tackles have clear flaws either as pass rushers or run defenders, Woods stands out as the best three-down defender of the bunch.
26) Buffalo Bills
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
As the Buffalo Bills look to break their streak of playoff appearances without winning the AFC, they’ll need to get creative, adding talent through the draft. In order to stop some of the high-powered offenses in their conference, investing in the pass rush should help them significantly in that quest.
With a starting opportunity now in his reach at Texas A&M, Cashius Howell lived up to the hype in 2025. He finished the regular season with an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks, and he’s displayed tremendous acceleration and flexibility off the edge. Howell’s arms aren’t incredibly long, but there’s a lot there to be excited about with him on tape.
27) San Francisco 49ers
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The San Francisco 49ers performed admirably in 2025, even with several key performers on both sides of the ball missing time due to injury. There are many directions they could go with their first-round pick, but adding a Day 1 starter would be beneficial to help them get over the hump and return to the Super Bowl.
A 6-foot-4 safety with impressive size, length, and straight-line speed, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has freakish athleticism with the potential to crack the first round. His performance in the MAC this year and tremendous upside should see him highly regarded by NFL defensive coordinators.
28) Houston Texans
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Houston Texans have arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the NFL in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. As good as their defense has been this season, their interior defensive line is arguably the unit’s biggest weakness. They could use a massive space-eater to complement their stars rushing off the edge.
Kayden McDonald is a thickly built defender who might just be the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He’s a powerful interior defender who can two-gap well with a sturdy anchor and good spatial awareness against the run, but he also has some juice coming off the line of scrimmage for such a big man.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams)
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
After boosting their secondary with their first selection, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs target a defensive lineman with the pick they got from trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams. A cornerback could make sense here, but an upgrade opposite George Karlaftis off the edge is a necessity.
With 35-inch arms and a wicked first step, Malachi Lawrence has the tools to go much higher than a lot of people expect. He’s a bit raw and a little light in the pants, but with his physical tools and finesse rushing off the edge, the pass-rushing upside is palpable.
30) Miami Dolphins (via Broncos)
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Having traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins could look to draft a wide receiver with the first of their multiple first-round picks. They don’t do so in this mock draft, but luckily for them, there should be plenty of good value at the position with the No. 30 overall pick, too.
KC Concepcion is a dynamic receiver with tremendous YAC ability and impressive quickness, excelling as a route runner who shoots out of his breaks.
Throughout his stints at Texas A&M and NC State, he’s been a reliable underneath weapon with inside-outside versatility. His twitchiness underneath and speed-oriented game would give Miami a chance at finding a direct replacement for Waddle for much cheaper.
31) New England Patriots
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The New England Patriots going from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 in 2025 is nothing short of incredible. If they want to maintain that level of newfound success, at the top of their list should be finding a bonafide top wide receiver to replace Stefon Diggs.
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A big-bodied weapon at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Denzel Boston is a sure-handed receiver with some of the best hands and physicality in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
He has impressive ball skills and coordination to high-point the ball and square up to it properly. As a route runner, Boston uses his hands well through his stems and can attack leverage points by adjusting his footwork to exploit a cornerback’s blind spot.
32) Seattle Seahawks
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
As the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks head into the offseason with a target on their back. After all, their offense was explosive in key matchups, and their defense was one of the most dominant units in the NFL this season.
Part of their success down the stretch came from their super deep defensive line rotation, though they lost Boye Mafe to Cincinnati in free agency. Keeping that deck strong could make them dominant along the defensive front for a long time.
Clemson as a whole didn’t live up to expectations this year, but that doesn’t fall on T.J. Parker. He’s a tremendous, high-floor player with plenty of potential as he heads to the NFL.
He had 11 sacks as a sophomore and demonstrates great burst, strong lower body, and refined hands on tape. Though his sack production fell this year, he remained incredibly efficient at putting pressure on the quarterback.
Round 2 | 33) New York Jets
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
He’s not the biggest linebacker in the class, but CJ Allen might be the most polished. He’s an intelligent run defender who fills his gaps properly and takes precise angles to the ball.
Allen’s exceptional athleticism enhances his calculated movements; he possesses tremendous straight-line speed, with sideline-to-sideline range and impressive agility. He also brings value as a physical blitzing defender.
34) Arizona Cardinals
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Blake Miller started at Clemson for four seasons, and though he isn’t the flashiest athlete out there, he lands his strikes with accurate placement and timing, and he blocks with a nasty demeanor needed to drive defenders off the ball. He has the tools to be a long-term, solid starter.
35) Tennessee Titans
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. is an impressive wide receiver with strong ball skills, coordination, and strong hands. He adjusts well to the ball in the air and can consistently make plays after the catch with his agility and toughness. If he continues to develop as a route runner, he has the potential to be an impact starter.
36) Las Vegas Raiders
Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Keylan Rutledge is a mauler of a guard prospect who engages with a nasty demeanor at the point of attack. He brings great play strength to the table, and he’s coming off an impressive Combine performance, which saw him excel in positional drills with his polished footwork.
37) New York Giants
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
In the absence of McCoy in Tennessee’s cornerback room for much of the season, Colton Hood has really come into his own as their CB1. He’s a lengthy ball-hawking cornerback who covers with physicality through his stems, with the potential to be an impact starter by Year 2 or Year 3.
38) Houston Texans (via Commanders)
Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa
Gennings Dunker is a three-year starter at Iowa, having played right tackle and both guard positions in college. I project him best as a guard in the NFL due to a lack of length, but I also think his ability to drive defenders off the ball as a down blocker would be better suited along the interior.
39) Cleveland Browns
Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
Amidst stints at Wyoming and USC, Emmanuel Pregnon transferred to Oregon in 2025 and has put together strong tape everywhere he’s gone. He’s a flexible, powerful guard who offers solid starting upside in the NFL.
40) Kansas City Chiefs
Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)
A physical, hard-hitting nickel cornerback with good ball skills, Keionte Scott looks the part of a Day 2 selection on tape. He brings a more physical edge than most corners in the run game, and he’s aggressive, making plays in coverage. Don’t be surprised if he goes higher than this in real life.
41) Cincinnati Bengals
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
There were always tools with Christen Miller, but he put it all together in a bigger role for Georgia in 2025. He’s a powerful run defender with a low center of gravity, good hand usage, and great gap awareness working off of blocks. Miller demonstrates some upside as a pass rusher with his first-step acceleration off the ball, too.
42) New Orleans Saints
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, Zion Young is a high-floor edge rusher with impressive play strength and length that helps him set the edge well in run support. He’s gotten better every year as a pass rusher, adding new moves to his arsenal and showing improved first-step acceleration in 2025 for Missouri.
43) Miami Dolphins
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
There was plenty to like in Brandon Cisse’s tape at NC State, but his transfer to South Carolina in 2025 saw him unlock his full potential. He’s a freak athlete with good coverage instincts, allowing him to explode out of his breaks and act on his reads with more efficiency than most cornerbacks.
44) New York Jets (via Cowboys)
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Ty Simpson is only a one-year starter in college, but he’s pretty advanced given his limited playing time. 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. The Jets have an abundance of draft capital in the early rounds and a big need at quarterback, so using a second-round pick on a player like Simpson could be worth a shot.
45) Baltimore Ravens
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Though Caleb Banks played in just three games in 2025 due to injury, and he suffered another broken foot at the Combine, he’s shown enough elite flashes on tape during his time at Florida to warrant an early-round selection.
He’s a 6-foot-6, 325-pound interior lineman with more pass-rush juice than expected for a player his size, giving him a very high ceiling at the NFL level. Banks is powerful and disruptive, passing down value to entice scouts.
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Anthony Hill Jr. led the SEC with 16.5 tackles for a loss in 2024, and he was a consistent presence in Texas’ defense in his three years with the team. He’s explosive, tough, and rangy, and carries significant blitz upside. Whether it’s as a MIKE or a WILL, I think he develops into a quality starter.
47) Indianapolis Colts
R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
R Mason Thomas has two seasons of strong SEC tape, having tallied 15.5 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss in that span. It’s his explosiveness, flexibility, and deep arsenal as a pass rusher that should have him in high demand as an immediate contributor on passing downs when the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around.
48) Atlanta Falcons
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
With an allowed passer rating of just 16.1 this season, Chris Johnson is coming off a stellar season, which saw him dominate the Mountain West on a weekly basis. He’s a smooth, intelligent cornerback who reads route concepts well and also plays with a scrappy demeanor in run support.
49) Minnesota Vikings
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
There were probably four or five college football programs where Jadarian Price would not have been a starting running back. Notre Dame just happened to be one of those schools. He’s a tough downhill runner with impressive patience and vision between the tackles, hitting open running lanes.
50) Detroit Lions
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
At around 330 pounds, Lee Hunter is a monster of a man who can plug up gaps well in the run game with two-gapping abilities. He’s also a freak athlete for someone his size, though, and his closing speed is impressive for a nose tackle.
51) Carolina Panthers
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
With his inside-outside versatility, return experience, and consistent hands and ball skills, Germie Bernard feels like a safe bet to be a solid complementary weapon in the NFL, which the Panthers could use alongside Tetairoa McMillan.
52) Green Bay Packers
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
D’Angelo Ponds tallied seven interceptions and 30 pass deflections over his last three seasons. He’s an undersized cornerback at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, but Ponds is a tremendous athlete with great coverage instincts and a scrappy demeanor near the line of scrimmage.
53) Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
One of multiple future NFL players along Texas A&M’s offensive line, Chase Bisontis won’t wow you as an athlete, but he is a sturdy guard with heavy hands who lands his strikes accurately. With his motor and physicality, he has the opportunity to be a Day 1 starter at the next level.
54) Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
A.J. Haulcy is one of the most physical safeties you’ll find in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he’s got some nice chops attacking the ball in the air, too. The tape is impressive, as he’s a physical tackler who packs some serious pop in his pads when he engages in contact, and he’s an intelligent defensive back who processes well in coverage.
55) Los Angeles Chargers
Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Heading into 2025, I was already impressed by Derrick Moore’s first-step acceleration, pass-rushing arsenal, and motor. That said, I came out of this season impressed by how he added power to his game, giving him strong Day 2 upside in this year’s draft class.
56) Jacksonville Jaguars
Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Though he may have some detractors with his smaller frame for a defensive tackle, Gracen Halton makes up for it with his explosive style of play. He’s quick off the line of scrimmage, has a high motor stringing moves together through blocks, and keeps a low center of gravity at the point of attack.
57) Chicago Bears
Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Gabe Jacas tallied 19 sacks between his final two seasons at Illinois, demonstrating impressive strength, physicality, and effort in getting to the quarterback. He’s not the flashiest athlete off the edge, but he has a deep arsenal of moves he uses to beat blockers. That should see him contribute right away in the NFL.
58) San Francisco 49ers
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Listed at 6-foot-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 falls a little bit due to a thin route tree and a season-ending injury, but one could argue that Bell has the highest ceiling among wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
59) Houston Texans
Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Sam Hecht is a coordinated, intelligent interior offensive lineman who accelerates well off the snap and lands his strikes with precise timing and accuracy. His ability to block on the move in the run game and spatial awareness in pass protection will be very enticing to teams on Day 2.
60) Chicago Bears (via Bills)
Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
Whether it’s as a slot cornerback or as a safety, I think Treydan Stukes will be a starter in the NFL for a long time. He started for Arizona’s secondary for four years, intercepting four passes in 2025. He has a competitive edge at the catch point, with good ball skills and a high comfort level processing in deep zone shells.
61) Los Angeles Rams
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
A Heisman Trophy hopeful for much of 2025, Jacob Rodriguez was incredibly productive for Texas Tech this year. He lacks prototypical linebacker size but plays with a relentless motor, showing off quick processing against the run and in zone coverage across the middle of the field.
62) Denver Broncos
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Jake Golday has gone from an under-recruited, 190-pound edge rusher to one of the top linebackers in college football. He’s now 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds with freakish athleticism and improving instincts against the run, which gives him one of the highest ceilings in this linebacker class.
63) New England Patriots
Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
A rotational defender in 2024, Joshua Josephs put together some impressive tape with a bigger role on Tennessee’s defense in 2025. He’s a little undersized for an edge rusher but brings impressive acceleration, flexibility, and motor, rushing the passer.
64) Seattle Seahawks
Connor Lew, C, Auburn
There’s a good chance Connor Lew would go much higher than he does in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, had he not torn his ACL. He’s a little bit light for a center, but he’s an impressive athlete at the position with good spatial awareness and a high football IQ. In a weak center class, he could still be drafted high, even with his injury.
Round 3 | 65) Arizona Cardinals
Brian Parker II, G/C, Duke
An offensive tackle in college, I foresee Brian Parker II moving to either center or guard due to a lack of ideal length. He has all the tools to succeed along the interior, though: spatial awareness, refined hand placement, and good coordination blocking on the move.
66) Tennessee Titans
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Eli Stowers is one of the top athletes at tight end in this year’s draft class, as his incredible Combine outing indicated. He’s a bit raw as an in-line blocker, but offers good vertical speed and explosiveness as a route runner coming out of his breaks.
67) Las Vegas Raiders
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Cooper Jr. may be the more explosive of Indiana’s two standout receivers, but Elijah Sarratt is the more refined of the bunch. He’s a big, crafty receiver who works leverage well through his stems and has the physicality needed to win above the rim. Reuniting him with Fernando Mendoza in the NFL would be a fun outcome for all parties involved.
68) Philadelphia Eagles (via Jets)
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
It’s tough to gauge Dani Dennis-Sutton’s stock in this year’s draft. He’s a bit inconsistent on tape, but he has prototypical physical attributes and a high motor. He has the size, length, and explosiveness to make NFL teams want to take a shot on him as a developmental edge rusher with starting upside.
69) Houston Texans (via Giants)
Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Chris Brazzell II is a 6-foot-5 serious threat with a freakish combination of size and speed, and he adjusts well to the ball in the air with proper body control and high-pointing ability. He’s raw as a route runner, but the tools are unmatched.
70) Cleveland Browns
Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
Keyron Crawford isn’t as big or as strong as his more heralded teammate Keldric Faulk, but he offers high-level explosiveness, flexibility, and effort getting to the passer. His value as a situational pass rusher right out of the gate should be apparent to teams needing some more juice up front, and he has the upside to turn into more.
71) Washington Commanders
Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Battle-tested against some of the top defensive lines in college football, Jake Slaughter is a mobile center with good quickness as a pull blocker and solid agility run-blocking on the move. He’s also an intelligent lineman who keeps his head on a swivel for work in pass protection.
72) Cincinnati Bengals
Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Genesis Smith is a 6-foot-2, rangy safety who brings ideal versatility to the safety position. He’s a true centerfielder in that he has the fluidity and route processing speeds to make plays in single-high formations in coverage.
73) New Orleans Saints
Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
He may not have had the WR1-type season some expected from him, given his pre-draft hype, but Antonio Williams is still one of the best wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a crafty route runner with good explosion out of his breaks, consistently creating separation.
74) Kansas City Chiefs
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Ted Hurst is a 6-foot-3 weapon with very good deep speed and the subtle stem work needed to work himself open against different coverage looks. His size would complement the likes of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy well in Kansas City.
75) Miami Dolphins
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
A standout at the Senior Bowl, Malachi Fields didn’t get too much of an opportunity to display his gifts at Notre Dame, and a slower 40-yard dash at the Combine drops him out of the first two rounds in this mock draft.
However, he shows a lot to like on tape, demonstrating the body control, ball skills, and stem work that indicate he could have a bigger role in the NFL than he did for the Fighting Irish.
76) Pittsburgh Steelers (via Cowboys)
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
If there’s one thing Penn State knows how to produce, it’s physical safeties. Zakee Wheatley is a hard hitter with a 6-foot-2, 202-pound frame that helps him lay out ball-carriers. He also processes route combinations well in zone and offers plenty of alignment versatility.
77) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
Domonique Orange is a physical run-stuffer up the middle whose size makes him difficult to move around at the point of attack. He has the power and technical prowess to step into a defensive line rotation and make an impact in the NFL.
78) Indianapolis Colts
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Through two seasons at USC before his transfer to Georgia, Zachariah Branch has been one of the most dynamic receivers in football. He’s undersized but thrives in space with elite athleticism and ball-carrier vision that shines when he returns kicks and punts.
79) Atlanta Falcons
Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
To the surprise of very few, least of all me, Brenen Thompson ran the fastest 40-yard dash at this year’s Combine. He’s undersized and lacks ideal physicality, but he’s an incredible athlete with elite deep speed and scary shiftiness with the ball in his hands.
80) Baltimore Ravens
Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Keith Abney II made significant improvements to his stock this season, looking the part of a potential NFL starter along the perimeter. He’s a well-rounded cornerback with very good ball skills who brings ideal aggressiveness as a tackler.
81) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Lions)
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
You don’t find 6-foot-1, 223-pound running backs who can run a 4.33 40-yard dash very often. That’s exactly what you have in Mike Washington Jr., who’s a dynamic straight-line runner with raw speed and power to project as a high-upside swing for RB-needy teams on Day 2 of the draft.
82) Minnesota Vikings
Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Devin Moore is a tall, lengthy cornerback who brings ideal physicality in press coverage and as a tackler at the wrap-up point. He has a deep injury history but has the combination of size, speed, and aggressiveness to warrant a third-round pick.
83) Carolina Panthers
Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
If you like versatility in your defensive backs, Jalon Kilgore is a prospect you’ll enjoy. He’s smart enough to play as a deep safety, in the nickel, and in the box. His physicality and high motor make him a reliable tackler, and he has good ball skills in coverage.
84) Green Bay Packers
Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
A big-bodied defensive tackle with elite length and massive hands, Darrell Jackson Jr. can overwhelm opposing blockers with his physicality at the point of attack. Though he’s raw as a pass rusher, his raw speed is impressive for such a big man.
85) Pittsburgh Steelers
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Garrett Nussmeier excels in all the fundamentals: he’s accurate, smart, and composed under pressure. His pocket presence and decision-making stand out.
His 2025 inconsistency sees him fall down the board pretty significantly, but when he’s on like he was for most of 2024, he displays genuine NFL starting potential.
86) Los Angeles Chargers
Bud Clark, S, TCU
Over his last four seasons, Bud Clark combined for 15 interceptions and two pick-sixes. He’s a bonafide playmaker with the coverage instincts and the ball skills needed to be a valuable asset in coverage.
87) Miami Dolphins (via Eagles)
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
He’s undersized for an NFL edge rusher, but Romello Height brings tremendous athleticism to the position. His quickness off the ball, hand activity through contact, and flexibility turning the corner give him upside as a designated pass rusher.
88) Jacksonville Jaguars
Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
An early declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft, Josiah Trotter has shown, between stops at West Virginia and Missouri, that he’s ready for the next level. He’s an instinctive, physical tackler at the MIKE spot who wraps up with proper form, takes precise angles in pursuit, and doesn’t shy away from taking blocks head-on.
89) Chicago Bears
Logan Jones, C, Iowa
Logan Jones is an experienced Big Ten lineman with a large sample size and a tremendous Combine performance to his name. He’s explosive off the line of scrimmage and carries the raw power and tenacity to drive run defenders off the ball consistently.
90) Miami Dolphins (via Texans)
Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
Jalen Farmer is a physical guard prospect with underrated explosiveness coming off the line of scrimmage. His hand placement is a work in progress, but he has the physical attributes and the motor needed to project as an eventual starter in the NFL in due time.
91) Buffalo Bills
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
He brings average athleticism to the safety position, but Kamari Ramsey is a physical DB with a high football IQ who can make plays in coverage thanks to his quick processing speed, high motor, and ball skills. He should end up being a solid starter in the pros.
92) Dallas Cowboys (via 49ers)
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
Kaleb Elarms-Orr is a hard-hitting, speedy linebacker who wraps up with proper form and physicality. He should be a special teams demon early in his career and has eventual starting upside.
93) Los Angeles Rams
Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
2025 was a banner year for Skyler Bell. He had 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns this year, and he’s an athletic weapon with the ability to create separation at all three levels of the defensive secondary.
94) Miami Dolphins (via Broncos)
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
A high-level producer for Purdue in 2024, Max Klare is an athletic and fluid tight end with a high ceiling on passing downs. His numbers dropped a little with his move to Ohio State, but his tape remained strong, keeping him firmly in Day 2 conversations as one of the top tight ends in this year’s class.
95) New England Patriots
Justin Joly, TE, NC State
After standing out at UConn for two years, Justin Joly made the jump seamlessly to NC State for his final two years. He’s a little smaller for a tight end, but is a fluid athlete with great hands who knows how to work himself open against zone coverage.
96) Seattle Seahawks
Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
He’s a smaller running back, but Demond Claiborne is one of the most electric runners in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a twitchy athlete who changes direction well, has impressive breakaway speed, and has the patience to let the play develop in front of him before exploding through an open running lane.
97) Minnesota Vikings
Trey Zuhn III, C, Texas A&M
A likely convert to the interior from his usual offensive tackle spot, Trey Zuhn III could project as either a guard or center in the pros. He’s a tall lineman who moves well for his size, and he showcases good grip strength when he gets his hands right.
98) Philadelphia Eagles
Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
With consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and 27 total touchdowns over the last two years, Bryce Lance dominated the FCS level for North Dakota State. He’s an unpolished route runner but offers an elite combination of size, length, speed, and 50/50 ball skills at the wide receiver position.
99) Pittsburgh Steelers
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
He’s too grabby in coverage, which can lead to too many penalties drawn against him, but Davison Igbinosun’s highs on tape are very encouraging. He’s a bigger cornerback at 6-foot-2 with long arms, proper physicality in press coverage, and a competitive edge in run support.
100) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Lions)
Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Caleb Tiernan is a massive blocker, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 329 pounds, with gap-zone run-blocking versatility. He has the size, strength, hand usage, and spatial awareness to become a good starter in the NFL.
