With the 2026 NFL Draft a little over a month away, what better time to release a mock draft than after a wild first week of free agency. The Washington Commanders potentially made more noise than any other team, especially when you consider how involved and close they were to signing a few of the “big-money” free agents this offseason.
Considering all of the pre-draft news and rumors, let’s dive into a full first-round mock draft and break it all down (with no trades).
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
At this point, you can put the
first overall pick in sharpie for the Las Vegas Raiders. Other than tending to the Maxx Crosby debacle, Vegas invested a good portion of their offseason into the offensive line, headlined by new free agent center signing Tyler Linderbaum. Mendoza will enter an ideal situation in Las Vegas, especially when you compare it to previous number-one overall QB selections.
2. New York Jets
Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Despite early chatter of potential red-flags on Arvell Reese, the Jets would be negligent to ignore his outright versatility and potential coming out of the Buckeyes program. His combine workout was unbelievable, and he certainly looks the part (6’4″, 241 lbs) Reese could be a pillar on the Jets defense for the next ten years.
3. Arizona Cardinals
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
David Bailey is a lightning rod off the edge and was undeniably a major part of Texas Tech’s journey to the College Football Playoff. While Arizona remains in rebuild mode, Bailey could end up being a staple moving forward.
4. Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Titans entered the 2026 offseason with the second-highest amount of salary cap room in the NFL, and they did not waste time using their stockpile of cash.
With Love wreaking havoc, quarterback Cam Ward and the Titans offense could be very improved after an inefficient rookie campaign.
5. New York Giants
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, Styles was hovering in the 8-12 range among many draft analysts and scouts. Now? It would be a shock to see Styles fall out of the top-five. His on-field performance in Indianapolis was otherworldly and his interviews were phenomenal, according to Dane Brugler from The Athletic.
6. Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns are in the market for a true difference-maker on the outside for whoever is taking first-team snaps under center next season, and Carnell Tate would be the ideal fit for Todd Monken’s offense. He would immediately become the top option in Cleveland, along with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. who is coming off a stellar rookie season.
Tate finished last season at Ohio State with zero drops and zero holding penalties (as a more than willing blocker).
7. Washington Commanders
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
With Styles and Love off the board, Washington goes best player available here and selects Caleb Downs, who would instantly become a chess-piece for Daronte Jones’ defense. Downs is the definition of a “Commander”, which has been a targeted quality since Dan Quinn took over in Washington.
8. New Orleans Saints
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The biggest question for Tyson throughout the draft process is not about his play on the field, but more about his injury history and overall availability. If Tyson can remain healthy, the Saints are taking him in the appropriate range. Keep an eye on Tyson’s stock as we near April’s draft…
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Chiefs would benefit tremendously by inserting a bookend tackle into the starting offensive line, and Mauigoa provides an offense with versatility in both the run and pass game. His tape from Miami’s College Football Playoff run is very impressive, which helped solidify his status this spring.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
After transferring from Virginia Tech last year, Delane entered the SEC in 2025 and did not skip a beat once hitting the field. Cincy is in need of a secondary rebuild and Delane is the top-choice to anchor that group.
11. Miami Dolphins
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Bain’s slight draft slide stops at the place he grew up and attended college, with the Miami Dolphins selecting Bain at #11. Bain’s shorter arm length has been widely critiqued by media and fans alike, but his overall dominance during certain stages is undeniable.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling has been one of the biggest risers of the draft process and for good reason. The Georgia offensive tackle towers over most defenders at 6’7″, 315 lbs. This is a plug-and-play pick for Dallas at a lacking tackle position aside from Tyler Smith.
13. Los Angeles Rams
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Even though LA may have the best receiving duo in the league with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, the depth behind those two superstars is significantly lacking. With Nacua’s versatility, Lemon immediately becomes an intriguing option for a team that has zero issues with loading up on offense.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Ravens are in a new era entering 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season that ended with an 8-9 record, no playoffs, and a new head coach. They’re clearly in need of more explosiveness on offense and Kenyon Sadiq provides that and then some.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Perhaps the player that improved their draft stock the most during the College Football Playoff was Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor. He tallied 5.5 sacks in four CFB Playoff games, catapulting his team to the National Championship game. The main knock on Mesidor is his age (turns 25 before draft), but the ability is indisputable.
16. New York Jets
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
We go from one of the oldest prospects, to one of the youngest prospects in this year’s draft as the Jets double-up on edge rushers in the first round. League-wide opinions are mixed on when exactly Faulk will go off the board, but there seems to be mutual agreement on him being a potential developmental project pick. Time will tell.
17. Detroit Lions
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Here’s where we start to spice it up.
Caleb Lomu is selected before his Utah teammate Spencer Fano in this scenario, with the Lions chasing positional value with Lomu’s left tackle experience. Scouts have cited play strength as the main red flag on Lomu, and what better place to build your strength up than with one of the most physical teams in the league.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman is one of many in this uber-athletic draft class to improve their stock during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The Vikings, who have been led on the backend by Harrison Smith for the past 14 seasons, are moving in a different direction in 2026 and Thieneman could be the ideal player to supplant Smith in Minnesota.
19. Carolina Panthers
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Panthers are coming off of an important season in their rebuild, as the young core was able to gain valuable playoff experience and earned a division title after a strong season. Carolina finds great value here with Terrell, who can play outside and also has experience in the nickel/slot. Terrell would also be facing his brother A.J. twice a year in this situation…
20. Dallas Cowboys
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Dallas continues to reestablish their front-seven by selecting T.J. Parker with their second pick in the first round. Parker would step into a more than ideal spot with Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Rashan Gary taking up a majority of the attention from offenses.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Another tantalizing storyline heading into this year’s draft is the mystery of Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation. With the Aaron Rodgers era seemingly over, Pittsburgh will have to pivot in another direction. The runner-up pick here would have been Vega Ioane from Penn State, considering Pittsburgh’s needs at interior offensive line.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Chargers have been trying to solidify a stable cornerbacks unit for a while now, and Jermod McCoy could be the ideal centerpiece. The Chargers are another team to watch for Vega Ioane from PSU as well.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Nearly every year it seems like a talented prospect that was projected top-ten falls into the Eagles lap…
Well, in this scenario it happens again with Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, who would be a dream successor for Lane Johnson once he retires.
24. Cleveland Browns
Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Ioane is another offensive line prospect that could end up going way earlier than the mid-20’s, but Cleveland finds great value here after losing both of their guards in free agency this year. Ioane is widely considered the best interior lineman in this year’s class.
25. Chicago Bears
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Bears forced the most interceptions in the NFL last season, but surprisingly decided to let both of their starting safeties walk in free agency. At pick 25, McNeil-Warren fits the need and does not feel like a reach.
26. Buffalo Bills
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
It’s no secret the Buffalo defense struggled in 2025 during a vital year in the McDermott-era. With Joe Brady now at the helm, they elect to go defense in the first round with Golday, who is a freak at 6’4″, 240 lbs.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
As the Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams sagas are nearing a head, we should have more clarity on the situations in San Fran, but it has been made clear from 49ers front office brass that Aiyuk will not be with the team next season. Denzel Boston brings physicality after the loss of Jauan Jennings, along with the ball skills Aiyuk possesses.
28. Houston Texans
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Houston feels like a good spot for Woods to explore more of his potential alongside Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The Texans go BPA here.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Rodriguez is one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s class, with analysts wondering where his value lies. Kansas City and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo have a good history of developing young linebackers, and Rodriguez has all the tools to become an All-Pro someday.
30. Denver Broncos
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Broncos find a playmaker late in the first round with national champion wide receiver, Omar Cooper Jr.
Cooper showed to be a threat at all three levels of the field during the dominant season from Indiana, and truly made his mark towards the second half of the year.
31. New England Patriots
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots could be in the market of selecting a linebacker in this draft, especially when it comes in the form of the ultra-athletic Anthony Hill Jr.. Hill posted a 9.93 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) following his combine performance and could cause mayhem for New England’s defense.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Speaking of RAS, Mike Washington Jr.’s historic combine showing earned a perfect 10.0 rating, ranking him as the most athletic running back in the draft. Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price may also be considered here.
