About a month ago I did my first full mock draft. A lot has changed since then. The pre-draft process has continued to play out, Pro Days, Top-30 visits, injuries, and more have played a role in what’s going to be a massive change to how my mock looked a month ago.
This is the second of what will be three full first-round mock drafts. The last one is coming the week of the Draft.
Pick #1 – Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This pick has been locked in since the season ended. Mendoza is the only quarterback with a first-round grade in this draft
class. The Raiders are set up decently for this pick. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty are great help for a young QB. The offensive line is better than they played last year, if they can remain healthy. If the Raiders don’t want to throw Mendoza into the fire from Week 1, Kirk Cousins is there to take the failure of a bad team and mentor Mendoza.
Pick #2 – Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
With the Jets moving to a more 3-4 base and a multiple defense, Aaron Glenn is going to look for someone who can move around his defense and play multiple roles. That’s what Reese excels at. He can play OLB, he can rush the passer, he sets the edge, he can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.
There’s an inherent risk here because Reese’s fit this high in the draft is predicated on him becoming an elite pass rusher. However, I do think there’s something to be said about his ability in the run game and as a blitzer from the LB spot that has his floor much higher than people give him credit for. Is he a slam dunk success? No. But I also find it very unlikely that Reese doesn’t end up a long-term starter in the NFL, whether it’s at EDGE or LB.
Pick #3 – Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I’m making this pick for two reasons. First, Bailey is the best player at a premium position still on the board. If the Cardinals are going best player available at a position of need or an impact position, they’re going to take Bailey.
The second reason, I don’t think the Cardinals are going to make this pick. There’s been a lot of talk about the Cowboys potentially moving up to this spot for Bailey. While I’m not sure the Cardinals are going to be willing to fall that far, nor do I think the Cowboys, who are without their own 1st round pick in 2027 and a 2nd round pick this year, will want to pay the price to come up, I do think the Cardinals want out of this spot. Mike LaFleur wants an OT, and there’s just not one worth taking here. Falling to the back end of the top 10, accumulating picks, and picking Monroe Freeling or Francis Mauigoa is probably their dream scenario. I find it unlikely anyone is trading up for a RB, which leaves Bailey as the most likely trade-up target for anyone trying to come up.
Pick #4 – Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This rumor has been alive since the Combine. The Titans have fallen in love with Jeremiyah Love. The idea of pairing their young QB with an elite offensive weapon who can take the pressure off of him is incredibly appealing to both Roberth Saleh and Brian Daboll. Saleh wants his team to be physical and run first. Daboll has experience using an elite running back to take pressure off his mediocre QB.
Now, there’s a lot to be said for the value here, especially given the Titans’ issues on their offensive line, and the potential success Love could have behind them. Just ask Ashton Jeanty what being a top running back prospect with a terrible offensive line looks like. But, with no top premium position talent left on the board, the Titans just have to go with the top player on their board, and all signs point to that being the running back from Notre Dame.
Pick #5 – Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
I think the Giants would take Love if he were available here, but with him off the board, they take the next best player on their board. That’s Sonny Styles, the elite LB from Ohio State.
Styles is a very rare blend of athleticism and elite technical ability. He missed just one tackle in the entirety of his final season at Ohio State and has the athleticism to make any and all plays on the field. He has work to do in pass coverage, but he’s otherwise spotless as a prospect. The question is simply how much of an impact an elite off ball linebacker makes on a modern NFL defense.
Pick #6 – Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns have spent all offseason building their offensive line from scratch. They have a new LG, C, and RT. They’re not done yet, as their biggest hole is at LT.
Monroe Freeling has shot up draft boards since the combine and is now firmly in the conversation to be the first OT taken. He’s probably not the best Day 1 offensive lineman in the class, but unlike Francis Maugioa or Spencer Fano, Freeling is going to play LT at the next level. That’s the separator here.
An elite athlete, Freeling separated himself from the field with an elite combine that saw him put up a 9.99 RAS, the second-best testing for an OT prospect in history. He also only gave up 8 total pressures last season at Georgia.
Pick #7 – Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
If there’s one head coach in the NFL who knows the value of the safety position, it’s Dan Quinn. The former Legion of Boom defensive coordinator made his bones in the NFL by developing an elite secondary that featured future Hall of Famers Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas.
Caleb Downs has the ability to be that level of player. Yes, there are questions about his athleticism, yes, there are questions about his ability to handle deep speed. That’s no different from any other top safety. Kyle Hamilton had the same questions. Turn on the tape, and you see Downs may be the best pure football player in this class. I’d be shocked if Dan Quinn didn’t rush the card up if Downs makes it this far.
Pick #8 – Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Saints need to build up their offensive talent to create the best potential supporting cast for Tyler Shough. The second year QB showed flashes last year, but there are questions about his ceiling given his age. So, they need to build up the best supporting cast possible to avoid that worry.
Carnell Tate would provide a great security blanket for Shough as a possession receiver with elite route running and hands. His lack of explosiveness deep and with the ball in hands is limited here thanks to Chris Olave, who provides that element for the Saints offense when he’s healthy.
Pick #9 – Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs lost two of their starting CBs from last year and have done nothing to replace them. At nine they have the chance to select the top-CB in the draft. Delane is an elite athlete and was dominant last year. This just feels like an easy fit for a role the Chiefs otherwise simply couldn’t fill.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Francis Maugioa went here given the Chiefs offensive line issues. But they will have the chance to fill in OT later in the draft.
Pick #10 – Bengals: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
The Bengals are finally going to look to protect Joe Burrow here. He takes too many hits and it piles up. He’s dealt with injuries and he’s only getting older. Right now, the Bengals have Dylan Farichild slotted to play LG. He was not good in his rookie year. Amarius Mims is entering his third season and hasn’t found any kind of consistency.
Francis Maugioa is the most NFL-ready offensive lineman in this draft class. Whether he plays RT or Guard, he’s going to be a competent offensive lineman in the NFL. Competency is something the Bengals have lacked on the offensive line for simply too long.
Pick #11 – Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
This pick stays the same from my last mock. At the time it may have seemed ambitious for McCoy to end up this high, but after his Pro Day I’d be surprised if he didn’t end up in the top-15 at least.
McCoy was a top 5 prospect in this class before an ACL tear cost him the entirety of the 2025 season. Now healthy, McCoy did his athletic testing at a personal Pro Day and he was electric. His athleticism seems fully back, and if that’s the case he may not even get this far.
The Dolphins are desperate for help in the secondary, where Storm Duck is currently penciled in as a starting CB. McCoy has the chance to change everything for that defense.
Pick #12 – Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Bain slides this far because other prospects have simply climbed boards, while his arm length and pass rushing scare teams off. He’s a perfect fit in Dallas though, where his ability to set the edge and lead a run defense is going to be valued highly.
Yes, there are still going to be questions about Bain’s ability to get to the quarterback, but if he ends up a 6-8 sack EDGE with elite run defense, he’s going to be worth this pick. That’s doubly true for a Cowboys team that wants to put emphasis on stopping the run.
Pick #13 – Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon reportedly had a horrible pre-draft process with interviews that rated among the worst of any prospect at the Combine. It hasn’t seemed to hurt his draft stock though.
The Rams are trying to piece together one more Super Bowl run while they have Matt Stafford. Lemon pairs with a declining Davante Adams and a suddenly major off-the-field issue Puka Nacua.
Pick #14 – Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Ravens have the worst interior offensive line in the NFL, and it’s by a pretty wide margin. Even with the addition of John Simpson, the Ravens are the only team in the NFL that didn’t have a top 40 guard in PFF grade last season, minimum 50% of snaps. They also lost Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, and they haven’t replaced him.
Vega Ioane is far and away the best interior offensive lineman in this draft class. Adding him to the mix at guard will help improve a unit that needs to be elite for the Ravens to compete for a Super Bowl, which is the goal for them despite missing the playoffs last year.
Pick #15 – Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The Bucs pass rush doesn’t really have anyone that scares teams. Yaya Diaby is a good player, and they added Al-Quadin Muhammad in the offseason, but they still need someone who can pin his ears back and get after the QB. Despite his age, that’s exactly what Akheem Mesidor does.
A polished pass rusher, Mesidor will find success in the NFL getting after the QB. The question is simply what his role will be and how much he can improve at 25 years old in his rookie year. Still, if he ends up an elite rotational pass rusher that’s probably worth the 15th pick.
Pick #16 – Jets: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Before people start throwing tomatoes at me, please understand this is what I think the Jets would do in this scenario and not what I would do.
Jordyn Tyson is so injury-prone that his hamstring injury from last season still isn’t fully healthy, and the Jets genuinely seem to believe that AD Mitchell can be a WR2. Put that together, and I don’t think they’re going to force a WR pick here. Especially with two second-round picks to come and a WR class that has a lot of late first/early second-round talent.
Now, the Jets did trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick and gave him an extension. But he’s better suited to the Honey Badger role at this point in his career. He’s going to play a hybrid S/LB/CB role for most of the year. It’s where he had success in Miami last year, and Brian Duker and Ryan Slowik came from the Dolphins; they know that. So I doubt his role will change much. That leaves the Jets with a giant hole at deep safety.
Andre Cisco is back, but barely above league minimum. Dane Belton is a rotational safety who makes his money on special teams. Malachai Moore doesn’t have the athleticism to hold his own as a deep safety. That’s where Dillon Thieneman comes in.
The former Oregon Duck is the best deep safety in this class. He’s an elite athlete, his coverage skills were second to none in school, and he could be the ball hawk that Aaron Glenn has spent all offseason searching for.
Is this a pick that I think the fan base would be excited about? No, I think it honestly might cause a bit of a revolt. But it’s one that makes logical sense both for the team and based on the talent available here.
Pick #17 – Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
This is a pairing that has become one of the most mocked in the league. The Lions need offensive line help, and have reportedly considered moving Penei Sewell to LT this season. Kadyn Proctor is probably the highest ceiling OL in this class, given his combination of athleticism, size, and raw ability.
Dan Campbell takes a chance here on Proctor, who is perhaps the least polished OL in the class. If his guys can coach him up, they’ve got a potential star. That’s usually enough for most coaches who tend to think they can coach something out of a player that others couldn’t.
Pick #18 – Vikings: Keldrick Faulk, DL, Auburn
The Vikings’ base 3-4 defense has a very weak front three. Their pass rush at EDGE isn’t the problem. But with no DT really worth taking here, the Vikings turn their attention to a different solution to the issue.
Keldrick Faulk is an elite run stuffer and at 280 pounds could probably slot in at a 3-4 defensive end spot, with the athleticism to stand up as an EDGE as well. By bringing in Faulk, the Vikings charge their pass rush even more with a guy who’s more than athletic enough to win his matchups with IOL, and strong enough to set the edge as a run defender.
Pick #19 – Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers have taken swing after swing at TE and failed. Both Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble have found zero success as pass catchers at the NFL level, leaving a hole in an otherwise surprisingly strong offense in Carolina.
So they take another swing here with Sadiq. The uber-athletic TE was hampered by injuries this past season, and his numbers reflect that. He’s not a polished player, but he’s a weapon. Dave Canales could be the guy who unlocks the unlimited potential here.
Pick #20 – Cowboys: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Cowboys have one of the worst linebacker rooms in the NFL, and without a second-round pick in this class, they need to address that here. So they go with CJ Allen.
Allen will help the Cowboys’ run defense as a fast and physical linebacker. He has major concerns in coverage, though, and it may be a reach here. Still, the Cowboys want physicality to be their calling, and Allen is the best fit for them here as a result.
Pick #21 – Steelers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Steelers’ offensive line has major issues. Broderick Jones has consistently graded out as one of the NFL’s worst OTs. Troy Fautanu hasn’t been able to stay healthy or consistent on the field. 2023 7th round pick Spencer Anderson is currently slotted in as the team’s starting LG. They can’t put Aaron Rodgers, should he re-sign as expected, behind an offensive line like that again.
Spencer Fano has played both LT and RT at Utah, and it would be easy to see him making the transition to guard at the NFL level. That versatility to plug any of the holes on the Steelers’ offensive line is vital here.
Pick #22 – Chargers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Chargers’ wide receiver room is one of the team’s few weaknesses. Quentin Johnston may be a fantasy star, but his overall performance hasn’t lived up to that. The third WR here is Tre Harris, who had 324 yards receiving last year.
Tyson’s injury history is going to scare off a lot of teams, which is why I’ve had him slide this far. But Jim Harbaugh is going to see the talent here and deem it too good to pass up. If he stays healthy, this would be a major steal for the Chargers.
Pick #23 – Eagles: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell’s draft stock is going to be one to watch. The talent is top 15 in this class. He was a beast in his final year in school with 12 sacks on a playoff team. But when he’s drafted, he’ll have the shortest arms of any EDGE in the history of the NFL.
I’m stopping his slide here because the Eagles’ pass rush room is atrocious. Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and Arnold Ebiketie combined for just 11 sacks last year. They need juice off the edge in the worst way. The most talented EDGE still on the board is Howell, arm length be damned.
Pick #24 – Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Browns took care of their offensive line earlier in the first round, and now they add a young WR to help whoever starts at QB on Week 1.
Denzel Boston provides an element as a contested catch beast that the Browns just don’t have right now. Despite his size, Cedric Tillman has just 10 contested catches in three seasons for the Browns. Boston would add that element to an offense that already has a possession receiver in Jerry Jeudy and an explosive big-play threat in Isaiah Bond.
Pick #25 – Bears: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Bears have done a great job filling most of their holes in free agency, allowing them to take the best player available in this spot. For me, that’s Aveion Terrell, the Clemson cornerback who excels in man coverage.
Last season, the Bears got by with poor pass defense because of the turnovers they were able to create. That kind of turnover luck isn’t likely to return for a second year. Upgrading on Tyrique Stevenson isn’t a necessity, but it would do a world of good for Chicago. Stevenson has not posted a coverage grade of even 63 in any of his three seasons in the NFL. Yes, he’s excellent against the run, and his physicality is great, but that’s not enough at CB.
Terrell would provide a legitimate cover corner who could lock down receivers and allow Chicago’s pass rush to get home more often.
Pick #26 – Bills: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Honestly, Omar Cooper Jr. may not make it this far, but the board fell this way because the wide receiver class is stacked in this part of the class and not earlier. I didn’t have many teams reaching for positional value, but if they do, Cooper could go way earlier than this. He could go inside the top 15 honestly.
I’m down on Cooper more than most because I don’t see it technically. He’s physical with the ball in his hands, and he has explosive ability with the ball, but that’s mostly all I see. The route running isn’t great, the hands are okay but not special, and he’s not an athletic freak. But Brandon Beane hasn’t been one to prioritize athleticism in the past. Cooper’s brand of toughness is exactly what the Bills have looked for under him.
Pick #27 – 49ers: Max Ihenachor, OT, Arizona State
Trent Williams’ contract is up at the end of the season, and the 49ers have had a hard time getting a deal done to this point. They need a successor for their future Hall of Fame left tackle. That could be Max Ihenachor, who’s moved firmly into the first round conversation.
Ihenachor has played all three years at Arizona State as a RT, but with his combination of size and athleticism, he should have no problem moving over to the left side with time. The 49ers are a perfect spot where the 6-foot-6 and 330-pound offensive lineman can start at left guard, playing next to Williams before taking his job next year. Not too dissimilar to how the Dolphins once brought along Laremy Tunsil with Brandon Albert at LT.
Pick #28 – Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Texans came into the offseason with needs on the offensive line, and while they still have those, they’re also picking again early in the second round, where a guard will be more appropriate. Here, they target a top talent that fills a need in Kayden McDonald.
The Texans’ run defense just wasn’t good last year, and that started with their defensive tackles. Sheldon Rankins is aging, and outside of Tommy Togiai, they don’t have a rotation-level defensive tackle on their roster. McDonald would give them a top end run stuffer who can be rotated while he improves as a pass rusher before taking over as a three-down player in year two.
Pick #29 – Chiefs: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
A four-year starter at right tackle, Blake Miller is a perfect fit in Kansas City. He can come in and replace Jaylon Moore, who was not good in 2025 to say the least. Miller slots in opposite of Josh Simmons for what the Chiefs hope will be their bookend tackles for the rest of Patrick Mahomes’ career.
Pick #30 – Dolphins: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Jeff Hafley continues to build his defense in Miami by replacing Minkah Fitzpatrick. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an ideal box safety. His size is outstanding and his athleticism, while not overwhelming, is more than good enough for the position.
EMC excelled in man coverage at Toledo and will likely be asked to man up TEs and slot receivers at the NFL regularly in the role he’s in. He’ll also support the run game with his linebacker like skill set and physicality.
Between McCoy and EMC, Hafley should have the building blocks to begin his turnaround of Miami’s defense.
Pick #31 – Patriots: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Shocker! I have the Patriots going off board here and jumping on a player that is guaranteed to get Mike Vrable to smile. Rodriguez was the best linebacker in the country last year. He’s physical, athletic, and his football IQ is through the roof. The only reason Rodriguez isn’t one of the top prospects in this class is his age and the defense he played on.
Vrable isn’t going to care about that. He often went off the consensus board when he was in Tennessee, and the Patriots front office is well known for beating to their own drum. I could go with a more conventional pick here, but Rodriguez and Vrable just seem made for each other.
Pick #32 – Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
This was a tough one. The Seahawks going cornerback here feels like a really strong possibility given they haven’t replaced Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen. It was just a choice of who, with both Brandon Cisse and Colton Hood under consideration.
I went with Cisse here because I think Mike McDonald is going to value his physicality. There’s technical stuff that has to be cleaned up, but it’s hard to find another corner in this class who plays with as much fight as Cisse. That seems like a fit for McDonald’s mindset. It probably doesn’t hurt that he’ll have a pretty strong advocate in the Seahawks locker room in his college teammate Nick Emmanwori.
Bonus Pick
Pick #33 – Jets: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
As mentioned before the Jets really like AD Mitchell, so I expect him to get most of the WR2 snaps. So I’m taking a slot receiver here who has the explosive ability that the Jets offense is simply missing.
Concepcion feels underrated in this draft class. He’s a great route runner, his acceleration is the best in the class by a mile, and nobody in this class is close to him with the ball in his hands. He’ll be dinged for his poor hands, which I don’t think really matters all that much and his top speed. But I care more about his ability to get to his top speed faster than everyone else on the field than the extra gear that some guys can get to.
A creative offensive coordinator who schemes ways for Concepcion to get the ball into his hands in space or get one-on-one matchups against linebackers and safeties will create hell for defenses. He’d be a really fun weapon to see trick play guru and Passing Game Coordinator Seth Ryan play with.
