After the best and wildest NFL trade deadline anyone will ever see, the 2026 NFL Draft is getting shaken up significantly.
Even with the ink still drying on our latest 2026 NFL mock draft projections, we've got to crank out a new first round, at the very least, with so many more picks being exchanged. The New York Jets now own multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a second-round pick from the Dallas Cowboys. They'll have three first-round picks in 2027.
So far, we've already had four first-round picks change hands and we haven't even reached the 2026 offseason yet. Buckle up. Even though the Jets only added one first-round pick in this year's draft, the trades we saw at the deadline have also impacted teams' future needs and how they might attack the draft next year. Let's refresh our 1st-round predictions.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jets cash in after blockbuster Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams trades
1. New Orleans Saints: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The move off of Spencer Rattler to Tyler Shough will give the New Orleans Saints a clear picture, but if they finish with the worst record in the NFL this season, they're going to want (need) to start fresh at quarterback.
2. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
More than anything, the Titans just need pieces around Cam Ward. This team sold off its most valuable parts at the NFL trade deadline and they need to take the best player on their board here.
3. New York Jets: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
After the frenzy of trades, the Jets obviously have a number of needs on their roster going forward. But there's nothing more important than the quarterback position. With three first-round picks in 2027 as well, it'll be interesting to see if the Jets make that position non-negotiable with their top pick.
4. Miami Dolphins: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
A surprise here as the Dolphins enter the quarterback mix with Tua Tagovailoa's future very much up in the air. We've already seen the Dolphins move on from general manager Chris Grier, and whoever ends up being the new GM may want to hitch their wagon to a new QB.
5. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Giants feel like they at least have their franchise quarterback of the future, so they've got to protect the asset. Getting the top offensive lineman on their board would be a huge win in next year's first round.
6. Cleveland Browns: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Cleveland Browns need direction as a franchise, and a quarterback would give it to them. The problem is, nothing has worked since they were reintroduced as a franchise back in 1999. The Browns discovering a franchise QB is top priority, and he's not likely already on the roster.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Las Vegas Raiders could go a variety of directions with their top pick in next year's draft, but getting Arvell Reese at 7 overall might soon be viewed as a bargain. Reese might be the best non-QB in the class.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Bengals held onto Trey Hendrickson at the crazy NFL trade deadline, so perhaps we'll see them look to the EDGE group here. Caleb Downs would be an upgrade to just about any defense, and Cincinnati needs all the help they can get. They allowed the Bears to get 30 first downs in Week 9.
9. Washington Commanders: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The injury bug has bitten the Washington Commanders a lot worse than many teams this season, and they just haven't been able to recover. One area they've struggled, in particular, is at wide receiver. Jordyn Tyson's big play ability would be welcomed for young QB Jayden Daniels, who would know him well.
10. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
After what we saw from the Ravens in their win against the Miami Dolphins, don't expect them to be picking this high for much longer. But regardless, a first-round edge rusher could be on the docket after the team traded former first-round pick Odafe Oweh.
11. Los Angeles Rams: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Someone is going to take a chance on Kadyn Proctor's elite combination of size and athletic traits at some point, and the Rams make as much sense as anyone. This team doesn't have a ton of holes so they can afford to invest in the trenches with their prime NFL Draft real estate.
12. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
After making a change at quarterback, benching Kyler Murray for Jacoby Brissett, the plot has thickened considerably for the Cardinals in the 2025 offseason. But regardless, the offensive line is going to need an upgrade. Francis Mauigioa can play either right tackle or guard.
13. Houston Texans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
One of the biggest needs that has revealed itself for the Texans this season is the running back position. With Joe Mixon out, the Houston run game has just not been consistent. Jeremiyah Love would bring some much needed pop.
14. Dallas Cowboys: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
With two first-round picks after the Micah Parsons trade, the Cowboys have to address the EDGE group, right? Donovan Ezeiruaku looks like a long-term keeper, but another player like TJ Parker would give this team even more weapons off the edge.
15. Minnesota Vikings: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The VIkings' cornerback need wasn't really a problem earlier in the season, but it could become more and more pronounced as the year goes along. Mansoor Delane has emerged as arguably the CB1 of this class and would be a great value here in the middle of round one.
16. Carolina Panthers: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Carolina Panthers would be sprinting to the podium in this case. Peter Woods has been a lock for the top 10 of most mock drafts we've done this year, so getting him here and keeping him in the Carolinas would be fantastic.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Kansas City Chiefs have lost a decent amount in their secondary over the past couple of years, and Jermod McCoy might be the #1 corner in this class if not for an injury suffered back in January. This would be a great fit, and we know the Chiefs aren't afraid to take players with injury or off-field concerns.
18. Chicago Bears: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Chicago Bears have so many pieces offensively, and while they could continue building on the offensive line or running back, the pass rush needs attention as well. David Bailey has been one of the best in college football this season.
19. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
After landing a potential franchise QB of the future with their top pick, the Browns get their guy a weapon and do a little fan service in the process. Carnell Tate looks like the next in line coming out of that Ohio State program, which is cranking out quality receiver prospects year after year.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The Steelers need a plan post-Aaron Rodgers. They are obviously all-in this season, but they can't be shy about going back to the well for a first-round quarterback after the abject failure that was the Kenny Pickett selection.
21. Detroit Lions: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Detroit Lions need to upgrade off the edge significantly. They now have Aidan Hutchinson locked into a long-term deal, but adding players who can win in one-on-one situations or take pressure off of Hutchinson is essential.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
The Chargers have lost both starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt to season-ending injuries this year. And now they just have to hope and pray that both guys not only can come back healthy, but that Justin Herbert isn't hurt in their absence. Fortifying the offensive line will be a top priority.
23. San Francisco 49ers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
After going all-in to upgrade their defense in the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers pick up right where they left off with the selection of Avieon Terrell. Getting playmakers in the secondary would help take this defense to another level under Robert Saleh.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
With the selection the Cowboys got from the Packers, they upgrade the linebacker position with one of the top playmakers in the country. For a defense that has been horrendous all year, the Cowboys might be cooking with something if Sonny Styles is cleaning up behind Quinnen Williams.
25. Bufalo Bills: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Buffalo Bills might have the most obvious wide receiver need of any team in the NFL heading into the 2026 offseason. And if they can get Makai Lemon, they might be dancing around the war room on draft night. He might be WR1 in the class.
26. Seattle Seahawks: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Seattle Seahawks don't have many roster weaknesses right now. We know Mike Macdonald needs playmakers at the linebacker position for his defense to be operating at maximum efficiency, so this would be a smart pick.
27. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Rams traded for Roger McCreary this year to sort of put a bandage over the cornerback position, but they need long-term pieces there. Colton Hood has been phenomenal this year for the Vols defense.
28. Denver Broncos: Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
There are a number of spots that could make sense for the Broncos here, but getting an upgrade on the interior offensive line might make sense. Starting center Luke Wattenberg is a free agent next year and Ben Powers has missed some serious time this year with a biceps injury.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Cade Otton is set to hit free agency next year and the Buccaneers couldn't script a better option to drop to their pick in next year's draft. Kenyon Sadiq is the TE1 of the class and a dynamic weapon in the passing game.
30. New England Patriots: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
The New England Patriots could go with another offensive lineman or receiver here for Drake Maye, but getting tougher in the trenches is always on the table for a Mike Vrabel-coached team. LT Overton can play multiple positions up front and be versatile chess piece.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Philadelphia Eagles swung a deal for former first-round pick Jaelan Phillips at the NFL trade deadline, and we know Howie Roseman is never done adding in the trenches. He loves getting big men out of the SEC.
32. New York Jets: A'Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
The Jets traded both Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, so the defensive line and cornerback positions have to be front and center in next year's draft as well as cornerback. A'Mauri Washington has been tremendous this season and looks like an instant impact player at the next level.