There’s only one more game left in the 2025-26 NFL season: Super Bowl 60. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will square off on February 8, setting the stage for a rematch of their thrilling Super Bowl matchup 11 years ago.
While those two teams will fight it out for the right to call themselves world champions, the other 30 teams are now in offseason mode. Draft season is in full swing with collegiate all-star games taking place, and the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is right around the corner.
Using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator to set the current draft order and the PFSN NFL Playoff Predictor to project the Super Bowl’s impact for the remaining two teams, here is our latest three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
1) Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
With the Las Vegas Raiders picking No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, the assumption is that they’ll select a quarterback to replace Geno Smith. Considering he led the NFL in interceptions and finished No. 34 in the PFSN NFL QB Impact Metric, he fell well short of expectations in 2025.
Fernando Mendoza is 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. This pick is as easy as they come.
2) New York Jets
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Do the New York Jets resist the urge to reach for a quarterback just for the sake of taking one? It’s clear they need to move on from Justin Fields, but Ty Simpson is arguably too steep for a No. 2 selection. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they opt for a defensive player, presumably adding a veteran stopgap at quarterback instead.
Whether it’s as an edge rusher or an off-ball linebacker, Arvell Reese has immense potential at the NFL level.
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. His play strength, long arms, and craftiness as a blitzing defender even have some projecting him as an edge rusher in the NFL.
3) Arizona Cardinals
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Arizona Cardinals have a variety of different directions they could go with the No. 3 pick. There’s a chance they boost their defensive line that needs reinforcements, and there’s always the off chance they take a quarterback. In the end, we went with a top offensive tackle to pair with Paris Johnson Jr.
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.
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. A wide receiver could make sense here, but with how flawed their roster is, it makes sense to go with the best player 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, 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.
5) New York Giants
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
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 if they want to take their offense to the next level, it will be critical to provide him with more protection up front.
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.
Fano is not the biggest or strongest tackle 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.
6) Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Cleveland Browns have two first-round picks in this year’s draft, and it wouldn’t be surprising if both of those picks were used towards bolstering the offense, especially at wide receiver. Their top 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
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Let’s face it: 2025 was a disaster of a season 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 give their roster a much-needed youth infusion, especially in the trenches.
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.
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.
8) New Orleans Saints
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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.
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.
9) Kansas City Chiefs
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Kansas City Chiefs were simply unable to get the job done in the clutch in 2025. They went 1-9 in one-score games this season and 0-8 against playoff teams. They have a few glaring needs to address this offseason, but their lackluster run game played a significant role in their middling offense this year.
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.
10) Cincinnati Bengals
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
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. 31 in the NFL in PFSN NFL Defense Impact
(DEFi). Improving that unit should be their top priority this offseason.
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.
11) Miami Dolphins
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Going into this offseason, there’s a lot up in the air surrounding the Miami Dolphins. They’ll likely be moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, and they still have some glaring needs on both sides of the ball. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they opted for a veteran quarterback addition in free agency and now draft a top lineman to help protect him.
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.
12) Dallas Cowboys
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The bad news for the Dallas Cowboys is that they had the worst defense by DEFi in the entire NFL last year. 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.
Keldric Faulk is a physical anomaly, standing at 6’6 and weighing 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.
Faulk’s pass-rushing production dropped in 2025, but he still brings a high motor and impressive size-adjusted quickness to the table.
13) Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Heading into the 2026 NFL playoffs, the Los Angeles Rams have one of the more complete rosters in the league. One area of weakness appears to be the cornerback position, though, especially along the outside perimeter. Luckily for them, they have a first-round pick in the top 15 from Atlanta to address it.
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.
14) Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
After coming just one field goal short of making the playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens chose to hit the reset button and fire head coach John Harbaugh after 18 years with the team.
Having Lamar Jackson healthy would help them get back to form in 2026, but they also saw issues along the interior offensive line this past season. New head coach Jesse Minter would be smart to hit the trenches heavily in the 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.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Lavonte David has been a reliable force for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his whole career, but it becomes clear as each year passes that they haven’t properly invested in a long-term successor. They could finally do so in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arvell Reese gets a lot of the 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.
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 through his stems 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
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Few expected the level of regression the Detroit Lions experienced in 2025. They drafted Tyleik Williams late in the first round of last year’s draft, but their defensive interior still needs other long-term solutions. That was one of a handful of reasons they missed the playoffs.
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.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
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.
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 2 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 down to 10.4% from 4.1% the year before.
19) Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Carolina Panthers made a slam-dunk pick, taking Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Now that they’ve found their WR1, they need to find other weapons to surround him with to give Bryce Young a more explosive offense to work with.
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 8 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.
20) Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Earlier in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Cowboys found a new edge rusher to bolster their lackluster pass rush in Keldric Faulk. 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.
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 limitless range as a tackler and impressive agility. He also brings value as a physical blitzing defender.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
With Mike McCarthy chosen as Mike Tomlin’s successor, the Pittsburgh Steelers clearly have a goal to improve an offense that’s practically been stagnant since the days of the Killer B’s ended nearly a decade ago.
The Steelers already have a big, fast receiver in D.K. Metcalf, and Makai Lemon’s shiftiness would be a perfect pairing. He has been the most productive wide receiver in the Big Ten in 2025, a notable achievement given the conference’s wealth of talent.
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
Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa
Injuries to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater this season revealed just how much of a problem the Los Angeles Chargers’ interior offensive line is when they don’t have two Pro Bowl tackles to mask their mistakes. They’d likely be bummed to miss out on Olaivavega Ioane here, but they get a substantial consolation prize with another top guard prospect.
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.
He packs a nice punch at the point of attack and can clear defenders off the ball in the run game.
23) Philadelphia Eagles
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Going into 2025 as the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles took a slight step back this season. Part of that came down to the defensive line losses they suffered over the offseason. Now, it’s time for them to fix that unit back up.
The tools have always been there for Akheem Mesidor, and he put it all together for the Hurricanes in 2025. He’s an older prospect entering the 2026 NFL Draft, but one with impressive power setting the edge and a deep arsenal to disengage from blocks as a pass rusher.
Paired with the speed of Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. off the edge, Mesidor’s physicality and refined use of his hands would bring the Eagles closer to reaching the levels of their absurd defensive line rotation that helped win them their last Super Bowl.
24) Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Assuming the Browns don’t take a quarterback early, they have two glaring needs to pursue with their two first-round picks: wide receiver and offensive line. They addressed the former with their Carnell Tate selection in this mock draft; it’s now time to address the latter.
If you haven’t done your research on Monroe Freeling, now’s the perfect time to become acquainted. 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 6’7″ and 315 pounds with rare athleticism for such a big man.
25) Chicago Bears
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
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.
Though Caleb Banks played in just three games in 2025 due to injury, he’s shown enough on tape during his time at Florida to warrant an early-round selection.
He’s a 6’6″, 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 are powerful and disruptive, passing down value to entice scouts.
26) Buffalo Bills
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
As one might expect, given that they’ve made the playoffs every year since 2019, the Buffalo Bills consistently have one of the best rosters in the NFL. However, they don’t have a true long-term solution off the edge to pair up with Gregory Rousseau, and incumbent starter Joey Bosa is a free agent this offseason.
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, lower-body strength, and refined hands on tape. Though his sack production fell this year, he remained incredibly efficient at putting pressure on the quarterback.
27) San Francisco 49ers
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
It seems likely that Brandon Aiyuk is on his way out of the San Francisco 49ers’ organization, and Jauan Jennings is a free agent this year. Presumably losing both Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk in consecutive offseasons, they’ll require a talent infusion at the position to complement the likes of George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey in the passing game.
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 be a near-perfect addition to San Francisco’s offense.
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 with a 1-technique’s body but the pass-rushing chops of a 3-technique.
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) Los Angeles Rams
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
After addressing the offensive line with their first Round 1 selection of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Rams have a variety of different avenues they could pursue with their own pick.
They could pursue a quarterback to develop under Stafford, but they might wait to aim higher with their succession choice than what’s available in this class. Adding to their secondary seems like a smart choice, though.
A 6’2″ safety with impressive size, length, and straight-line speed, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has freakish athleticism with the potential to go higher than many expect. He’s a hard hitter and a smart processor who deserves an early-round pick in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
30) Denver Broncos
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Denver Broncos had the second-best defense, according to the PFSN NFL Defense Impact (DEFi) grading, in the 2025-26 NFL regular season. Though their offense wasn’t bad, it obviously wasn’t up to par to get them to the Super Bowl. In our latest three-round mock draft, they invest in another weapon alongside Courtland Sutton.
A big-bodied weapon at 6’4″ 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.
31) New England Patriots
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Speaking of massive turnarounds, the New England Patriots going from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 and reaching the Super Bowl in 2025 is nothing short of incredible.
Their offense is in much better shape with Drake Maye at the helm. They also have a pretty strong defensive line that improved significantly with key additions last offseason. A standout linebacker prospect could absolutely feast at the second level with guys like Harold Landry, Christian Barmore, and Milton Williams up front.
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.
32) Seattle Seahawks
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Considering they’ve made it to the Super Bowl and Mike Macdonald is one of the top defensive minds in the NFL, it’s no surprise the Seattle Seahawks have had one of the best defenses in the league this season.
That said, Riq Woolen is slated to hit free agency this year, and instead of paying him big money, it could be smarter to save that cap space and select a cornerback early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him make his way into the first round as he does in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Round 2 | 33) New York Jets
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.
34) Arizona Cardinals
A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
The more I watch A.J. Haulcy, the more confident I become that he can be a good starting safety in the NFL. 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.
35) Tennessee Titans
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 would be a great addition for a young, developing Giants offense.
36) Las Vegas Raiders
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
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.
37) New York Giants
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
In the absence of Jermod 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)
Brian Parker II, OG, Duke
As a collegiate starting tackle, I have Brian Parker II kicking inside to center, although a move to guard could also make sense. Regardless, his coordination, mobility, and high football IQ give him immediate starting potential in the pros.
39) Cleveland Browns
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, 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
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
With a starting opportunity now in his reach at Texas A&M, Cashius Howell has 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.
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
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
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 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.
43) Miami Dolphins
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
With an allowed passer rating of just 16.1 this season, Chris Johnson is my top Group of 5 prospect in this draft and catapulted himself into first-round pick conversation with a stellar 2025. He’s a smooth, intelligent cornerback who reads route concepts well and also plays with a scrappy demeanor in run support.
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. 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.
READ MORE: Top 100 2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings
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.
45) Baltimore Ravens
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.
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
Darrell Jackson Jr. is a pro-ready run defender with extraordinary length, a nasty demeanor, and ample power at the point of attack. He’s a high-floor rotational lineman along the interior, but he also has some juice as a pass rusher up the middle.
47) Indianapolis Colts
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. He’s done so in Mobile, demonstrating the body control, ball skills, and stem work that the 6’4″ weapon displayed in flashes for the Fighting Irish.
48) Atlanta Falcons
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.
49) Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
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.
50) Detroit Lions
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.
51) Carolina Panthers
Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Keith Abney II is the type of high-floor cornerback with the potential to be a good NFL starter for years on end. He’s a well-rounded corner with very good ball skills who brings ideal aggressiveness as a tackler.
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 5’9″ and 170 pounds, but Ponds is a tremendous athlete with great coverage instincts and a scrappy demeanor near the line of scrimmage. He also has two pick-sixes, leading to the phrase “Try 5, Get 6” becoming popular among Indiana fans.
53) Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Bisontis, OG, 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 is a sturdy guard with heavy hands who lands his strikes accurately. His physicality and high motor should fare well in the pros.
54) Philadelphia Eagles
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.
55) Los Angeles Chargers
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
He’s an average athlete for a safety, but Kamari Ramsey is a physical DB with a high football IQ who can make plays in coverage thanks to his quick processing speed. He should end up being a solid starter in the pros.
56) Jacksonville Jaguars
Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Keep an eye on Julian Neal as a riser during the pre-draft process. He’s a big-bodied corner at 6’2″ and 208 pounds with good physicality in press coverage and nice coordination coming out of his breaks. If he runs well at the Combine, he’ll likely go in the first two rounds.
57) Chicago Bears
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Listed at 6’5″ 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. With his continued development as a pass rusher, he could go higher than this in real life if the right scheme fit becomes apparent.
58) San Francisco 49ers
Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Caleb Tiernan is a massive blocker, standing at 6’7″ 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.
59) Houston Texans
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.
60) Buffalo Bills
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Ja’Kobi Lane has been more of a complementary weapon than a true WR1 for USC, but he’s a 6’4″ receiver with tremendous ball skills and better athleticism than most his size. His physicality and coordination would make him a strong ‘X’ receiver to grow alongside Tyler Shough early in his career.
61) Los Angeles Rams
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
At 6’8″, Isaiah World is a massive, mobile lineman, and his upside is undeniable. Few offensive tackles have the range in pass protection that he has. If he can stabilize his anchor better, he could be a serious impact lineman in the NFL.
62) Denver Broncos
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Jake Golday has come from an under-recruited, 190-pound edge rusher into one of the top linebackers in college football. He’s now 6’4″ and 240 pounds, which, combined with his freakish athleticism, gives him one of the highest ceilings in this linebacker class.
63) New England Patriots
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
It’s tough to gauge Dani Dennis-Sutton’s stock in this year’s draft, as he has Day 1 tools but Day 3 tape. That said, he still 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.
64) Seattle Seahawks
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.
Round 3 | 65) Arizona Cardinals
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. He’s a twitchy route runner with natural burst out of his transitions, too.
66) Tennessee Titans
Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
Some may have been initially surprised that Josiah Trotter declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. But when you turn on the tape, it’s clear 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.
67) Las Vegas Raiders
Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Chris Brazzell II is a 6’5″ 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. He’d be an ideal deep threat for Fernando Mendoza to work with in this mock draft’s hypothetical.
68) Philadelphia Eagles (via Jets)
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. The Eagles have a reliable tight end in Dallas Goedert, but should they eventually look for his successor, Klare has the receiving chops needed to step into that role in due time.
69) Houston Texans (via Giants)
Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Parker Brailsford has been a good college center for so long that it feels like he’s become the victim of prospect fatigue. Don’t get it twisted: he may be a little undersized, but he’s an agile lineman with great body control and a high football IQ.
70) Cleveland Browns
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Will Lee III is a long 6’3″ corner with surprising agility and solid ball skills. He’s totaled four interceptions and 23 pass breakups over the course of his last three seasons along the boundary. His measurements and ball production will have him firmly on NFL radars as an early-round draft pick.
71) Washington Commanders
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. is an impressive wide receiver with strong ball skills, coordination, and strong hands. If he continues to develop as a route runner, taking him in Round 3 could be very good value.
72) Cincinnati Bengals
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
With 35-inch arms and a wicked first step, Malachi Lawrence has the tools to go much higher than this in real life. He’s a bit raw and a little light in the pants, but the pass-rushing upside is palpable. That’s more than enough for Cincinnati to bring him in as they look to improve their lackluster defense.
73) New Orleans Saints
Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
Don’t sleep on Keldric Faulk’s running-mate in this class. Keyron Crawford isn’t as big or as strong but offers high-level explosiveness, flexibility, and effort getting to the passer. He projects as somebody who could test very well at the Combine this year.
74) Kansas City Chiefs
Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
Domonique Orange is a physical run-stuffer up the middle who has the power and technical prowess to step into a defensive-line rotation and make an impact in the NFL. He might not have elite pass-rushing value, but he could certainly plug up running lanes in Baltimore at a high level.
75) Miami Dolphins
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Omar 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.
76) Pittsburgh Steelers (via Cowboys)
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 he keeps a low center of gravity at the point of attack.
77) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Michael Trigg has been on my draft radar for years due to his freakish athletic traits, but it wasn’t until 2025 that he put it all together. His large catch radius, fluidity, and ball skills should make him one of the first tight ends picked in the 2026 class.
78) Indianapolis Colts
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.
79) Atlanta Falcons
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Davison Igbinosun entered Ohio State as a toolsy, raw prospect with high highs and low lows. That’s still the case, though he’s evened out a bit. His instincts are showing progress in 2025, but it’s his length and athleticism that have him firmly on NFL radars.
80) Baltimore Ravens
Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
A stout player with ideal pad level and good hands, Dontay Corleone is one of the best run-stopping defensive tackles in the upcoming 2026 draft class. He’s also quite athletic for a man listed at 335 pounds.
81) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Lions)
Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
Emmett Johnson is an explosive, shifty runner with very good breakaway speed and big-play value written all over him. Should the Jaguars pass on extending Travis Etienne this offseason, Johnson would be able to replicate that same explosive element in their ground game at a cheaper salary.
82) Minnesota Vikings
Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
If you like your running backs in the bowling ball phenotype, Jonah Coleman is your guy in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a stout back who runs with low pads and plays with great ball-carrier vision, patience, and contact balance in between the tackles.
83) Carolina Panthers
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
David Bailey gets all the attention on Texas Tech’s defensive line, but don’t sleep on Romello Height, either. He’s an extremely efficient pass rusher who’s undersized but makes up for it with his explosiveness off the snap and red-hot motor chasing the quarterback.
84) Green Bay Packers
Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
He missed some time due to injury this season, but Tim Keenan III should still be near the top of the conversation as one of the best run stoppers in the 2026 NFL Draft. His anchor strength and spatial awareness up the A- and B-gaps should give him a niche on early downs quickly in the league.
85) Pittsburgh Steelers
Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Tacario Davis missed some time at the beginning of the year due to a rib injury, but he was impressive when he came back healthy. He finished the 2025 regular season with two picks in seven games, and he’s used his length and fluidity efficiently in coverage.
86) Los Angeles Chargers
LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
LT Overton is a powerful edge rusher who should defend the run well early on, thanks to his play strength and tenacity. He has the size-adjusted quickness to project well rushing the passer in due time, as well. His 2025 tape was a step back from his 2024 season, but he still brings plenty of value as a rotational defender.
87) Miami Dolphins (via Eagles)
Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
Keep an eye on Keylan Rutledge to go a little higher than what people expect at this stage of the pre-draft process. He’s a four-year collegiate starter with one of the strongest anchors in the class. His powerful jabs, nasty demeanor, and balance through contact could turn him into a solid starting guard someday.
88) Jacksonville Jaguars
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
If you haven’t heard of Ted Hurst yet, you have plenty of time to get familiar. He’s had 127 catches and 1,965 yards over his last two seasons at Georgia State. The 6’3″ receiver has very good deep speed for his size, with stellar body control attacking the ball in the air.
89) Chicago Bears
Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
The buzz cooled off a little on Jalon Kilgore compared to earlier in the season, but I think there’s still serious Day 2 value in his game. He’s a big, versatile safety who can line up all over the field. His physicality, ball skills, and underneath coverage instincts could make him a good starter in the pros in due time.
90) Miami Dolphins (via Texans)
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
There are valid concerns with Trinidad Chambliss: he has an average arm, he’s undersized, and he started at the D1 level for only one year. That said, there’s also a lot to like. He’s a naturally accurate passer with impressive anticipation behind his throws, and he came in clutch in key situations for Ole Miss this year.
Someone will take a chance on him early, given how many NFL teams need quarterbacks this offseason.
91) Buffalo Bills
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Harold Perkins Jr. is a Swiss army knife defender who can rush off the edge, cover in the slot, and defend the run in the box. A smaller frame and his injury history drop him a bit, but his athleticism, motor, and versatility could make him a valuable piece of Buffalo’s defense in this hypothetical.
92) San Francisco 49ers
Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
The 49ers saw firsthand that their edge-rusher depth wasn’t up to par as their defense declined in the second half of 2025. The 6’5″, 275-pound Anthony Lucas is a lengthy, powerful defender with accurate hand placement and good speed-to-power rushing the passer.
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. He’d fit in very well as a complementary receiver in a loaded Rams offense.
94) Denver Broncos
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 seasons. 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.
95) New England Patriots
Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri
He’ll need to put on weight in the NFL, but Kevin Coleman Jr. is a prototypical complementary slot receiver who’s good for a few nice grabs a game. He’s a twitchy route runner with strong hands and a good understanding of how to attack leverage points through his stems.
96) Seattle Seahawks
Logan Jones, C, Iowa
A converted defensive lineman who started right away and has since become an anchor of Iowa’s offensive line, Logan Jones is an athletic and powerful center with some injury history, but the tape of a future NFL starter.
97) Minnesota Vikings
Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
Josh Cameron is a 6’1″, 224-pound freak of nature with good ball-carrier vision that stems from his experience as a punt returner. He’s fast off the snap and has a large catch radius, which gives him more than enough upside to overlook his thin route tree.
98) Philadelphia Eagles
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 6’2″, 202-pound frame that helps him lay out ball-carriers. He also processes route combinations well in zone and offers plenty of alignment versatility.
99) 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.
100) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Lions)
DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
DeMonte Capehart has been a key interior defender for Clemson for his last four years, which has arguably led to too much prospect fatigue overshadowing his abilities. He’s a pro-ready run defender with long arms, powerful hands, and a sturdy anchor.
