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2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-round predictions include blockbuster trades

Let's get into our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Lou Scataglia
Lou Scataglia

NFL Spin Zone

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (16) celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The one thing that has stuck out about the 2026 NFL Draft class is that the talent itself just isn't that deep, and the quarterback class is weaker. In typical NFL Draft fashion, it seems like the 2027 NFL Draft could bring a much deeper class at the position.

This could force many teams across the NFL this offseason to get a bit creative and try to find some different solutions. We could potentially see draft picks getting traded more frequently than usual, which could end up being very entertaining to experience.

But at the end of the day, NFL teams have to be able to draft and develop - that's the one guaranteed way to sustain success in this league, and there isn't a shortcut, either. Our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft is one round long but has some blockbuster trades. Let's get into it.

Updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Blockbuster trades highlight updated Round 1 mock draft.

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

It's really only a matter of time before the Las Vegas Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza. While he's not necessarily an elite prospect, he can honestly do a bit of everything at the position and could turn into a functional, competent NFL starter. However, the Raiders have botched the QB position for years now, so there is no guarantee that he pans out.

But one thing is almost for certain - Mendoza will be the Raiders' first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

2. New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

With Dante Moore heading back to Oregon, the New York Jets pivot to Arvell Reese, a a day one starter off the EDGE and someone who can immediately factor into opposing offensive gameplans. Like the Raiders picking Mendoza, the Jets choosing Reese is honestly just waiting to happen.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Arizona Cardinals could go in a number of different directions with their first-round pick here in 2026. They don't have a clear QB to take, as Dante Moore is back at Oregon, and the only first-round caliber QB may have been Fernando Mendoza, who is off the board.

Arizona is also in a bit of a transition period, as Jonathan Gannon is no longer the head coach, but this job as a whole just isn't that enticing, as the NFC West might be the best division in football, and the Cardinals are a distant fourth compared to the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers.

All three of those teams also have a legitimate QB situation. In this case, though, it's really never a bad idea to bolster the trenches, so the Cards grab Spencer Fano at pick three. Fano has played both tackle spots in college and could be a day one starter along the offensive line for whoever the Week 1 quarterback is.

4. Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)

The Tennessee Titans have made some stellar moves this offseason. Robert Saleh as the head coach and Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator are great moves. Tennessee also has a ton of cap space and a QB in Cam Ward who really played well down the stretch in 2025. All of a sudden, Tennessee could be trending upward in a massive way.

It honestly would not shock me if the Titans leapfrogged the Indianapolis Colts and sent them to the cellar of the AFC South. At pick four, the Titans get some pass-rush help and take Rueben Bain Jr from Miami. Sure, Bain is a bit undersized, but he's a great football player, and teams should draft great football players, period.

5. New York Giants - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The New York Giants have made a huge move this offseason, and one that could change their franchise for the next decade. John Harbaugh is going to be a home run of a hire for this franchise, and a huge draw for the Giants job was that stellar defensive line and Jaxson Dart, who absolutely has the goods.

The G-Men aren't too far off right now, in my opinion, as one of the franchise's primary issues was the head coach stability. It would not shock me if the Giants actually competed for the NFC East in 2026. However, this team still has to go about filling their needs. The CB room is one that could use a boost. Sure, there's been an investment in the secondary, but more is necessary.

The Giants snag Jermod McCoy from Tennessee at pick five. Believe it or not, the Giants' roster is close, and we've seen John Harbaugh win year after year. The infrastructure is in place for this team to flirt with double-digit wins in 2026.

6. Cleveland Browns - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Todd Monken is the pick for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job, and I do see a lot of people voicing their displeasure with the move, but why? Monken is a strong offensive mind, and wherever he goes, the offense thrives.

He most recently was with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Jackson's insane 2024 season that somehow didn't result in another MVP was with Monken as the offensive coordinator. We could expect an offensive focus in the 2026 NFL Offseason and into the NFL Draft.

The Browns draft Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State and hopefully find a future WR1. The team probably had that in mind with Jerry Jeudy, but he's been a forgettable and almost unplayable addition.

7. Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Washington Commanders need a lot of work, and a lot of us, including myself, overrated this team and roster a good bit heading into the 2025 NFL Season. Not only was it the oldest roster in the NFL, but the team struggled to stay healthy, and that was the case for Jayden Daniels.

The team was relatively average in the trenches and just did not have a ton of talent overall. Heading into the offseason, much of Adam Peters' tenure is simply drafting Daniels. Hopefully, this team makes a worthwhile investment at key positions and perhaps gives Daniels more weapons in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Ohio State wide receivers tend to work out quite well in the NFL - and Washington is a perfect example of that, as Terry McLaurin is the embodiment of OSU wide receiver success. The Commanders snag Carnell Tate and supercharge their offense, which may also see some notable additions the month prior in free agency.

8. New Orleans Saints - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Speaking of supercharging an offense, the New Orleans Saints take Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame at pick eight in our mock draft and usher in a new era in the backfield. Spencer Rattler, the Saints' second-year QB, was benched to make way for rookie QB Tyler Shough in 2025.

Shough played his tail off down the stretch and absolutely feels like the future at the position. Head coach Kellen Moore also appears to be a viable head coach in the NFL. With a strong defense thanks to Brandon Staley, the Saints are closer than you think.

Adding the best running back in the class is going to perhaps be the finishing touches on a team that could win the NFC South in 2026. Keep an eye out for the Saints - this team could surprise you in 2026.

9. Kansas City Chiefs - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a tough spot right now. They are over the cap for 2026, have to make several moves to get cap complaint, have an average at best roster, and saw their starting QB tear his ACL near the end of the regular season.

I am sure many people are expecting the Chiefs to bounce back, but much of the trouble this team is in now is thanks to Brett Veach, a GM who gets a bit too much credit. The roster, as I said, is just average. The Chiefs need new, explosive faces all over the place, but this is especially true along the defensive line.

The Chiefs opt to take David Bailey, a hyper-productive player form Texas Tech, at pick nine. Given that it might not be likely KC has this high of a first-round pick for a while, this selection has to pan out, period.

Kansas City could address the weaponry on offense in free agency, which could pave the way for them to take some valuable positions in the NFL Draft, like any position in the trenches.

10. Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Cincinnati Bengals are another team that needs to make a noticeable investment on the defensive side of the ball. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase's prime years are being wasted at this point. This team has now missed the playoffs for a third year in a row, and in the two seasons Cincy made the playoffs, 2021 and 2022, they at least advanced to the AFC title game.

Caleb Downs might be the best non-QB prospect in the class and projects as an extremely versatile defensive back in the NFL. Cincy's defensive issues have to get fixed in 2026, or trouble could be on the horizon.

11. Miami Dolphins - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Miami Dolphins make a pretty bold move here and take Ty Simpson, the QB from Alabama. The Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa during the season in a move that many saw coming. The financial ramifications of moving on from the QB would be other-worldly.

However, we did see the Denver Broncos navigate a massive QB dead cap situation with Russell Wilson in 2024 and 2025, so perhaps the Dolphins try and follow suit, but the idea here is that they actually put a QB plan in place for the post-Tagovailoa era, which is coming.

Ty Simpson isn't the most physically imposing or dominant QB we've seen come into the NFL Draft, but he's a shot worth taking. Sure, some people may see similarities between this and when the Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa, who was also an Alabama QB, but the new Dolphins regime has to take a stab at somebody.

Simpson can be a Round 1 prospect - all it takes is a team needing a QB to make the move. The Dolphins grab Ty Simpson in our latest NFL mock draft.

12. Dallas Cowboys - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Dallas Cowboys made some major moves on the defensive side of the ball in 2025, notably trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers but then swinging trades for Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams.

Much more work has to be done. The Cowboys take to the 2026 NFL Draft and snag Peter Woods, a talented defensive tackle prospect from Clemson. I'd honestly be shocked if their first first-round pick, at least, was not on the defensive side of the ball.

That unit wasted away an elite year from Dak Prescott. All the defense needs to be is average in 2026, and this team is winning 10 games or more. Expect a massive investment on this side of the ball in the offseason.

13. Los Angeles Rams - Francos Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

The Los Angeles Rams will need to do some homework along the offensive line this coming offseason, and Francis Mauigoa makes a lot of sense for them right now. The Rams actually own the Atlanta Falcons first-round pick thanks to a trade during the 2025 NFL Draft.

LA also got quite close to the Super Bowl this year and might not have many more years of prime Matthew Stafford, who should run away with the NFL MVP award this year. The Rams should prioritize maximizing what they have left with Stafford while also turning an eye to the future.

If this team took a stab on a rookie QB at some point in 2026, it would not at all be a surprise. Mauigoa is likely a day one starter at right tackle for the Rams to keep that unit trending in the right direction. LA is also picking later on in the first round, as they still have their own first-round pick and do have a need in the secondary.

14. Baltimore Ravens - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

The Baltimore Ravens need to keep chipping away along the defensive line, so they snag Keldric Faulk from Auburn at pick 14. The Ravens pass-rush has not had a legitimate 'dude' in a while, and that has to change.

Being able to create pressue on opposing quarterbacks is one of the foundational pieces of a winning football team, and with a defensive-minded head coach in Jesse Minter now in the building, the Ravens chances at going defense in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft surely increased.

This would be a wise move for Baltimore. The team also has some needs along the offensive line, as they could pursue some guard help at some point in the offseason. Adding another WR could be on the table as well, but they prioritize the trenches here at pick 14.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went through a wild season in 2025. After a wicked-hot start, the team collapsed and totally fell out of the playoff picture. All of a sudden, this feels like a ‘do or die’ year for many people on the team and in the coaching staff.

But to be fair to the Bucs, they dealt with a ton of injuries, and in some instances, the injuries are just too much to overcome. You can reasonably expect this team to be better if the players are healthier.

Sure, that’s easier said than done, but it could also help if the Bucs added Sonny Styles, a top LB prospect. Tampa has to get a bit nastier in the middle of the defense. Styles is a day one starter who can do a little bit of everything at the position. You can’t really go wrong with this type of pick at the 15th slot in the first round.

New York Jets trade pick 16 to Arizona Cardinals for QB Kyler Murray and 2026 3rd-Round Pick

16. Arizona Cardinals - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Our first blockbuster trade is a major one - the New York Jets are trading their second first-round pick, the 16th selection, to the Arizona Cardinals for QB Kyler Murray and a third-round pick in the same draft.

The Jets, for the time being, get some QB stability but also get a third-rounder in return, as Murray is coming off an injury and has a massive contract. The Cardinals then double-down on the offensive side of the ball and snag Makai Lemon, a WR from USC they could insert into a room that already has Marvin Harrison Jr and Michael Wilson.

As for the Jets, they get a QB in Murray who can return some respectability to the position for a couple of years while the front office figures out a more legitimate long-term plan at the position. I do believe this could be a beneficial move for both franchises.

17. Detroit Lions - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Detroit Lions could use another starter on the offensive line. The future of left tackle Taylor Decker seems to be unclear, and one huge reason why the Lions have been one of the better teams in the NFL in recent years is due to the top-tier offensive line.

Lions GM Brad Holmes has also largely done a masterful job in the NFL Draft. There are so many quality players on the roster that Holmes found. Detroit should be able to bounce back in 2026. The defensive side of the ball underperformed in 2025, but a lot of that was due to the roster just not being able to stay healthy.

Health goes a long way - the defense is probably more talented than you think, and in today’s NFL, teams can more easily ‘build’ a defense through free agency. Offensively, it’s more about drafting and developing.

So the Lions do just that and take Kadyn Proctor from Alabama. If Proctor can’t work out as a tackle, he could have a future along the interior as a guard.

18. Minnesota Vikings - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Minnesota Vikings shocked the NFL world by firing now former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this past Friday. It’s already quite late into the offseason to make that type of move, but the team clearly felt like a change was needed. Even with KAM out, the Vikings’ needs this offseason don’t change.

The process to fill those needs could be a lot different, though. Mansoor Delane is going to be in the running to be the first cornerback off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Vikings being able to get him this late in the first round is a huge win.

Brian Flores is back as the defensive coordinator and now might have a bit more leverage to pound the table for this defensive investment. The Vikings did kind of botch the QB position over the last two seasons, so that had to be a driving force for Adofo-Mensah to be shown the door.

19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Carolina Panthers were a losing football team this year, and actually finished the season two games under .500, but they also won the NFC South and hosted a playoff game, so there’s that. The Panthers are an interesting team - you cannot deny the strides this team took under the second year of Dave Canales’ tenure, but the QB position is still a question mark.

The Panthers did pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option, so he’ll likely be back in 2026 and perhaps 2027, but the Panthers do need to do some QB homework this offseason. With Ty Simpson off the board, though, Carolina pivots to Kenyon Sadiq, the best TE prospect in the class.

Sadiq can block and is an elite receiving threat, making him a day one starter at a key position. The big picture with the Panthers is how Young looks in year four. He played the best football of his career in 2025, but he was average, at best, so there is a lot that still needs to be done.

20. Dallas Cowboys - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Dallas Cowboys bolstered the defensive line earlier at pick 12 with Peter Woods. They now pivot to the secondary and add Avieon Terrell, the brother of Atlanta Falcons’ CB AJ Terrell. The younger Terrell could have the ability to play in the slot and play on the boundary in the secondary, which is coveted versatility.

The Cowboys also have a notable hole at CB with the departure of Trevon Diggs. Overall, the Dallas defense has potential, but reinforcements are desperately needed. Two first-round picks being inserted into this defense could be some exceptional change for the present and for the long-term.

However, with some offensive free agents, the Cowboys might look to the other side of the ball at some point in Round 1.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

It’s a new era for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After nearly 20 years of Mike Tomlin being the head coach, he stepped down, and Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy now takes over as the head man. It’s been a very interesting offseason already for Pittsburgh, as many fans seemed to be pounding the table for a younger coach.

McCarthy is in his 60s and might not bring a high ceiling to the team, but one thing he does bring is a sharp offensive mind, and that’s what the Steelers need. I’d be shocked if the Steelers didn’t do notable homework on one or more quarterbacks this offseason.

Heck, Aaron Rodgers could be back in the picture for a year, but I do think we see at least one notable addition to the room in 2026, whether it’s in free agency or the NFL Draft. With no legitimate QB prospect to snag at pick 21, the Steelers opt to bolster the defensive line with Kayden McDonald.

Some of the key players along the DL are getting up there in age, so it’s never a bad idea to install some younger players for that inevitable transition takes place.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Los Angeles Chargers will finally get serious about the offensive line this offseason, right?

Right??

The Chargers at least need two new starters along the OL, and being able to snag Caleb Lomu, the other Utah tackle, at pick 22, feels like a steal. When Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both return from their respective injuries, it’s going to be quite interesting to see how the starting OL eventually shakes out.

I would not rule out the possibility of the Chargers perhaps drafting Lomu and also then kicking Slater to the interior. A guard or center spot might end up being the best course of action, with Alt and Lomu as the bookends.

But no matter how you slice it, the front office has to invest in the right players, as LA’s offensive line, even with a healthy Alt and Slater, was a bit of a mess in 2025.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State

It was a year to forget for the Philadelphia Eagles, and it seems like this team hates the odd-numbered seasons. In 2021, 2023, and 2025, Philly has gone one-and-done in the playoffs, but in 2022 and 2024, they’ve made it to the Super Bowl, winning in 2024.

It’s an interesting pattern, but much of if boils down to the up-and-down nature of the offense - the Eagles need a new offensive coordinator every year at this point. Whether it’s a former OC getting a head coaching job the following year or a bad performance by the replacement, Philly can’t find consistency.

The offensive side of the ball is going to be addressed in the NFL Draft, and the Eagles are going to find themselves making a blockbuster trade in just a few picks. They’ll use one of their first-round picks on Vega Ioane, a day one starter along the interior and a guard who plays with a nasty edge.

This is a wise addition, and it falls in line with Howie Roseman always prioritizing the trenches.

24. Cleveland Browns Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

The Cleveland Browns also get in on the guard fun and take Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon at pick 24 in our latest mock draft. The Browns are likely losing both Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio to free agency this offseason, so some OL help is needed.

Defensively, Cleveland is in a good spot, so you can expect to see a heavy offensive investment in 2026. The QB position is going to be an interesting one to sort out, though. Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson are the QBs of note on the roster - it’s not looking pretty right now, but if nothing else, the Browns having two first-round picks in 2026 can help set a foundation for an eventual young QB to come into.

Chicago Bears trade pick 25 and 2027 1st-Round Pick to Las Vegas Raiders for DE Maxx Crosby

25. Las Vegas Raiders - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Another blockbuster trade we have in Round 1 of this mock draft sees the Chicago Bears parting with two first-round picks: one in 2026, and one in 2027 for Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

It’s not a mystery that the Bears need some pass-rush help, and Crosby is one of the best in the NFL at that. This is also major deja vu, as the Bears and Raiders worked through a trade years ago for Khalil Mack.

The Bears won 11 games in 2025, won the NFC North, and also advanced into the NFC Divisional Round. They did this with a subpar defensive line. Getting fiercer off the edge is going to be a huge priority for Chicago this offseason.

The Raiders now have two first-round picks in this mock draft, and they’ll snag some WR help and take Denzel Boston from Washington. Vegas traded Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, so they do need another WR to give to Fernando Mendoza.

Buffalo Bills trade pick 26 to Philadelphia Eagles for WR AJ Brown

26. Philadelphia Eagles - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Here we go! Yet another major trade sees the Buffalo Bills sending their first-round pick, the 26th overall selection, to the Eagles for AJ Brown. The Bills get a legitimate no. 1 WR, something they’ve been missing for years.

Buffalo’s lack of overall consistent weaponry was a huge reason why this team again fell short of making it to the Super Bowl. It was a huge issue, and if AJ Brown got to play for the Bills for the 2025 playoffs, Buffalo is likely playing for a Super Bowl.

The Bills have to get aggressive, and they did something like this years ago with Stefon Diggs. GM Brandon Beane cooks up another trade, so with a second first-round pick, Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman selects KC Concepcion, a first-round WR prospect who is elite with the ball in his hands.

27. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

The San Francisco 49ers, once again, got dealt a huge blow with injuries this season. Despite all of the mounting injuries, which included Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and Brock Purdy at the beginning of the season, the Niners were within one game of clinching the top seed in the NFC.

All things considered, it was a massively successful year despite the early playoff exit and the injuries. Kyle Shanahan is going to receive a ton of Coach of the Year votes for 2025. Overall, though, the injuries hit the Niners nearly every season, which isn’t ideal.

Something has to change. For now, though, the players can focus on getting healthy, and San Francisco can focus on stacking as much talent as possible. This team could go in a number of directions here in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Caleb Banks is a great DT prospect and could be an awesome addition to the DL.

A main reason why the 49ers were able to make it to the Super Bowl in 2019 and 2023 was because of stacked defensive lines. They should continue that mindset here in 2026 and snag a first-round DT prospect.

28. Houston Texans - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

If I’m the Houston Texans, I am taking a long, hard look at the QB situation. CJ Stroud has largely been average since the breakout season back in 2023 as a rookie. He was atrocious in the AFC Divisional Round against the New England Patriots.

For now, the Texans should at least begin sniffing around potential long-term replacements, perhaps taking a stab at a rookie QB in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft, but in the meantime, the front office should look to continue building on a strength, which is the defense.

CJ Allen is an old-school linebacker and a seamless fit for DeMeco Ryans and that defense. The Texans did win 12 games in 2025 and still appear to be in a great spot, but continuing to field a top defense and perhaps sniffing around the QB class is what this team has to focus on this offseason.

29. Los Angeles Rams - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Los Angeles Rams use their second first-round pick on Brandon Cisse, a cornerback from South Carolina. After taking some tackle help at the top of the first round thanks to the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams address another key area of need, the secondary.

I have lightly seen some trade ideas centered around the possibility that the Kansas City Chiefs could trade Trent McDuffie to the LA Rams for this pick - that seems like a decent enough idea, but the Rams may want to continue drafting and developing on defense, as GM Les Snead has done this in a big way with the defensive line.

The Rams did fall short this year, but having two first-round picks could be enough to get this team right back in the mix as one of the best in the NFL in 2026.

Denver Broncos trade pick 30 to Miami Dolphins for WR Jaylen Waddle

30. Miami Dolphins - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Our final blockbuster trade here in Round 1 sees the Miami Dolphins trading WR Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos for the 30th pick. The Broncos seemed to have some degree of interest in Waddle during the trade deadline, but they did not pull the trigger.

With how successful 2025 was for the Broncos, the time is now to make a major move like this. Bo Nix is very clearly a franchise QB, and not only is he still on his rookie deal, but the Broncos have the NFL Draft resources and the cap space to be very aggressive this offseason.

The Dolphins get a second first-round pick and bolster the secondary with Colton Hood from Tennessee. New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley did have to deal with a below-average CB room in 2025, so he surely would want to make sure that does not happen with the Dolphins.

31. New England Patriots - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

What a year it’s been for the New England Patriots. One season after being one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Patriots are playing for a Super Bowl title in just one week. Mike Vrabel has done a masterful job and is likely going to win the Coach of the Year award this year, and he should.

The Pats have played with house money a good bit this season, though - the roster itself is good, but it’s nothing special. The offensive line still needs work, another weapon on offense is needed, and the pass rush could be beefed up a tad.

I would be shocked if the Patriots weren’t hyper-aggressive next offseason in filling their remaining roster needs. TJ Parker at pick 31 is some nice value for the Patriots. Last offseason, one of their biggest moves was signing Harold Landry. They also got a breakout year from K’Lavon Chaisson, so there’s that.

But it’s clear an investment is needed off the edge, so Parker is the pick at 31.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Seattle Seahawks also get in on some of the pass-rushing fun and snag Cashius Howell from Texas A&M at pick 31. The Seahawks have ridden an explosive defense and an electric offense to the Super Bowl, and I do believe they win that in a week.

Seattle should continue building on its strength and add another pass-rusher to the rotation for Mike Macdonald. Over his final three seasons in college, Howell racked up 33 tackles for loss and 25 sacks, so having that kind of college production has to be enticing for the Seattle Seahawks front office.

However, if a pass-rusher isn’t the pick here, the Seahawks could look to fill in another spot along the interior offensive line, add another wide receiver, or search for more help in the secondary, as that unit does have some notable free agents in 2026, and the WR room is rather top-heavy with Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Lou Scataglia

Lou Scataglia

Lou Scataglia is a Site Expert for Predominantly Orange and NFL Spin Zone, while also contributing across the entire division. Having crossed the 5-year mark with FanSided, Lou has authored thousands of articles and also enjoys his career as a business education teacher.