The 2026 NFL Draft is about six months away, but that hasn't stopped us from churning out mock drafts weekly. Fortunately, the coming QB class does appear to be a bit stronger than it was in 2025. However, it might not be as strong as it was in 2024.
Many of the teams picking high in the NFL Draft are going to be targeting a quarterback, but there are other very talented non-quarterbacks that these front offices could grab. Only time will tell what truly happens, but our latest mock does bring some intrigue and some good fits for teams.
Let's get into our latest mock draft. It's a round long and does have a couple of major surprises at the top.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Titans grab a weapon early for Cam Ward
1. Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Tennessee Titans have to get this thing going and give Cam Ward some weapons. The Titans might have the worst collection of offensive talent in the NFL, and GM Mike Borgonzi simply has to load up this offseason.
Carnell Tate is one of many Ohio State wide receivers that have and could make it big in the NFL, so he does come from the best WR school in the NFL. Ward has dealt with some WR inconsistencies in his rookie season.
2. New York Giants - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New York Giants could bolster their defensive front yet again with Arvell Reese, a linebacker from Ohio State. The Giants might have something special in Jaxson Dart, and I could see this team adding another weapon for Dart with this pick.
However, the Giants have other draft picks in 2026, obviously, and Reese is one of the best players in the country, so this would be a logical move.
3. Cleveland Browns - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Cleveland Browns simply have to get the QB position right, and that might be the understatement of the century. And while his starting debut has been hyped up a lot already, there is a reason why Shedeur Sanders was a fifth-round pick.
The Browns will likely be in a position come April to be the first team to take a QB, and Fernando Mendoza feels like the most complete prospect in the class. Cleveland is also fielding a playoff-caliber defense, so this team might not be all that far away.
Heck, it would not shock me if they pursued a bridge QB in the offseason and then dipped into the NFL Draft to grab a hopeful franchise QB. This could give Cleveland an actual solution in the room for years to come, and that is what this team needs.
Mendoza at pick three to the Browns in this mock draft could fix the franchise for years to come.
4. New Orleans Saints - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The New Orleans Saints could be another team that takes a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft, but I do think that Tyler Shough can play enough to at least earn another year. Saints' fans might not want to hear that, but you have to rememeber that Mickey Loomis is running the show.
In the meantime, the Saints grab Rueben Bain Jr from Miami and bolster their slow, aging defense, and that's simply what this team has to do on both sides of the ball. They also need to get the cap situation a lot healthier, and it really feels like the rebuild is only just beginning.
The Saints are so deprived of young talent that they could go in a number of directions here. Getting pass rush help can't hurt here.
5. New York Jets - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The New York Jets are clearly embracing a rebuild, and that is a beautiful thing. The Jets made two major moves at the deadline, sending Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. All of a sudden, GM Darren Mougey has a done of first and second-round draft picks to get this thing right the next few years.
However, if Mougey can't hit on the QB, none of it will matter, and that has been the case for years now. The Jets are currently slated to pick fifth overall and could grab Ty Simpson from Alabama, and if Simpson is the guy, the Jets are back on the map a lot earlier than you might think.
The offensive line is actually quite encouraging, and it might not be all that hard to find a few new weapons for Simpson, either. I would be shocked if the Jets did not take a QB with their first-round selection, as they simply might not have a choice.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Wouldn't it be weird to see the AFC West having three quarterbacks who all went to Oregon? Dante Moore is just sitting there for the Las Vegas Raiders with the sixth overall pick, and it would be hard for this team to pass him up. Geno Smith simply isn't the answer, and I am not sure the Raiders should have made that move in the first place.
The rest of the roster is also just bad, so this is going to take some time to rebuild and get back into contention. The AFC West had three playoff teams last year and could have three again this year, so the Raiders would really have to hope that Moore could be the guy.
7. Washington Commanders - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
It's been a year for the Washington Commanders, and I was flat-out wrong about this team, so I'll admit that right now. I did believe this team was going to find a way to win the NFC East this year, but I overrated this roster. It's old, not that good, and now a bit banged-up.
Second-year QB Jayden Daniels has missed a ton of time this year, and it would be wise for them to simply shut him down for the rest of the season if you ask me, as the Commanders are not winning a dang thing this year. For GM Adam Peters, he simply has to begin loading this roster up with young talent.
It's going to take some time, but that's how this league works. Washington needs to grab the best player available with every single one of their draft picks to ensure they are not wasting another year of Daniels' career, as the 2025 NFL Season has indeed been spiraled down the drain.
8. Los Angeles Rams - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The LA Rams own the first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, so they currently have two, which feels unfair, as the Rams just might be the best team in football this year, and them having two firsts is just insane. It's almost unfair, to be honest. The Rams will eventually have to prepare for life without Matthew Stafford, but I cannot imagine Stafford is thinking about retirement with how good he's playing right now.
The Rams could bolster the secondary or even add another wide receiver in the first round, but it does feel like the CB room could use a boost, so I went with Mansoor Delane from LSU. On paper, this Rams' team might be better than the 2021 team that won it all.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Cincinnati Bengals are a total mess, and I am not sure it makes any sense to put Joe Burrow back on the field, as this defense is historically bad, and Burrow isn't going to fix that. If you ask me what Cincy needs to do, they need to move on from Zac Taylor and bring in a proven, defensive head coach.
Joe Burrow and that offense is going to be just fine, so hiring a defensive-minded coach to get that unit right would make a lot of sense. From there, the Bengals need to load up on defensive talent and again address the offensive line.
This could lead them to taking Caleb Downs from Ohio State with the ninth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It would be wise for the Bengals to embrace a more rugged, defensive mindset this coming offseason, as they are now approaching missing the playoffs three years in a row.
Things will continue to get worse until major change is made.
10. Arizona Cardinals - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Another team that could undergo a ton of change this coming offseason is the Arizona Cardinals, a team that feels poised to move on from Kyler Murray. If they do that, the Cardinals might angle toward taking a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft, but most of the top ones are gone at this point.
This is where we might see a major trade, but I am not sure Arizona would want to reach for one, as Jacoby Brissett has played well for them. For now, they could add another weapon on offense, which has been something they've needed for multiple years now.
Jordyn Tyson might be the best WR in the country, so this would be a great pick for Arizona.
11. Miami Dolphins - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Miami Dolphins, if nothing else, are still playing hard for Mike McDaniel, and I get the sense that he is going to come back for the 2026 NFL Season. Much of what the Dolphins have fallen into is not his fault, as GM Chris Grier was just not making the right moves with this roster.
A new GM might be able to fix the weaker spots and have this Dolphins' team back on the right track in no time. Heck, Miami did just blowout the Buffalo Bills a couple of weeks ago, so the Dolphins are no slouches. It would be wise for Miami to prioritize the trenches in the offseason. Peter Woods, a defensive tackle from Clemson, could be a good start.
They did grab Kenneth Grant in the 2025 NFL Draft, so this would be an encouraging trend if they went back-to-back along the defensive line. The Dolphins can move the ball well and score a ton of points, so you have to wonder if they could get back into the playoff mix with a stout defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dallas Cowboys were aggressive at the NFL trade deadline, adding Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams. Dallas did also blowout the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football in Week 12, so they are trying to get back on the right track.
And with how good the offense is, it might not take much to get Dallas back into contention. The Cowboys figure to at least try to get long-term deals done with Javonte Williams and George Pickens in the offseason.
If they do that, they could turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball and bolster the secondary with Jermod McCoy from Tennesse at pick 12. Dallas might be closer than we think.
13. Minnesota Vikings - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to develop second-year QB JJ McCarthy, but at the same time, are trying to compete. In many instances, these two things simply cannot exist with one another.
And that's kind of the problem they are finding themselves in right now. McCarthy has started a handful of games in the NFL, and it shows, but that doesn't mean Minnesota should cut ties at the end of the season.
However, this team is a year removed from a 14-win season and clearly have the coaching and talent to win now, so unless McCarthy really ramps it up, the Vikings might be looking for another QB.
While a running back might not be the best choice here, Vikings' GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn't really done himself many favors and might savor at the possibility of grabbing one of the best offensive prospects.
The defense should continue to be in good hands with Brian Flores, so investing more into the offense is a possibility.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Baltimore Ravens are now 5-5 on the season after a shaky 1-5 start due a ton of injuries. The Ravens could definitely use a new starter or two along the offensive line, so that was a big reason for them taking tackle Francis Mauigoa in this mock draft.
The defense also just hasn't been great this season, but a change in coordinator might be able to fix that overnight. Baltimore should be able to win enough games to eventually overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers and win the AFC North.
But the team overall is nothing special at this point, so I am not sure they are a legitimate threat when the playoffs roll around. Ravens grab Mauigoa at pick 14 in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
15. Kansas City Chiefs - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Kansas City Chiefs simply need to reset things on both sides of the ball, and them having this high of a pick in the 2026 NFL Draft could be a good thing. On paper, this team is simply nothing special, and I don’t think that’s controversial to say.
They’ve got no juice on the defensive side of the ball, a below-average pass rush, and limited talent in the secondary. Despite being able to contain the Broncos’ run game in Week 11, Bo Nix was still able to do what he needed to against this defense.
Overall, Kansas City simply needs better players on the roster, and them being 5-5 really isn’t much of a surprise. Sure, they can go on a run here, but this roster is too Patrick Mahomes-reliant right now, and GM Brett Veach really has to change that in the coming years.
Well, the Chiefs could nab one of the best linebackers in the country in Sonny Styles to help bring some more juice to the middle of the defense, as their current linebackers are nothing special and subpar in coverage.
The Chiefs might hold their own destiny for the playoffs this year - they are also not really guaranteed to win out like many think they can. This could be a transitional year for the Chiefs as they perhaps regroup with some newer players and reset for 2026 and beyond.
16. Houston Texans - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Houston Texans are now 6-5 on the season after an 0-3 start, and things are beginning to look up. It honestly would not shock me if the Texans ended up winning the AFC South this year, as the defense is top-tier, and QB CJ Stroud was beginning to heat up before suffering a concussion.
However, this team is not going to sustain success unless they finally get serious about fixing the offensive line, and they could truly trot out four or five new starters along the unit in 2026. Caleb Lomu from Utah would be a legitimate selection for the franchise.
17. Carolina Panthers - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
How about the Carolina Panthers? Now 6-5 on the season, the Panthers are just a half game back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South, but the one thing I really do not hear talked about a lot with this team is the QB position. Sure, Bryce Young has played somewhat well this year, but it’s clear that there just isn’t much to love about Young as a starting QB.
Now in year three, what has Bryce Young done? When has he cemented himself as a starter in this league? With the Panthers being 6-5 now, I do think the front office has to entertain the idea of bringing in a new QB in 2026, but I am not sure how they do that.
They might have to pursue a major trade, but if they are convinced of Bryce Young, they’d give him year four and target some other positions in the 2026 NFL Draft. Carolina could use another defensive back, so I went with Avieon Terrell from Clemson.
The defense has taken a step forward this year, which is awesome, and the offense does look a bit better. Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan is legit, and RB Rico Dowdle has been sensational, so this team might not be that far away.
18. Detroit Lions - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Detroit Lions have dealt with, yet again, notable injuries. Now 6-4 on the season, the Lions have clearly taken a step back, and they now trail the Chicago Bears by a game in the NFC North, which is not a sentence I thought we’d be saying at this point in time.
The Lions lost both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs this offseason, and it’s impacting them. Well, a good way to stop that regression is to simply bring on some better players, and the pass rush could use a boost.
With the Lions having extended Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions should strive to bring in some young, cost-controlled talent. For the time being, though, the Lions have to make up some ground in the NFC North, but getting healthier would obviously help.
David Bailey is the pick for Detroit, and with the draft record that GM Brad Holmes has, there’d be a good shot that Bailey pans out for the team down the line.
19. Cleveland Browns - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Cleveland Browns took Fernando Mendoza at the top of this NFL Mock Draft and have pick 19 as well, as they own the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick. If you remember last year, the Browns traded down with the Jaguars, as they came up to take Travis Hunter.
The Browns got Mason Graham, and his presence along the interior has really opened things up for Myles Garrett, who is actually well on his way to another DPOY award. Cleveland has to put an offensive focus on this coming draft class, so they double-dip on that side of the ball and take receiver Makai Lemon from USC.
Believe it or not, it would be financially possible to cut Jerry Jeudy this coming offseason, so has been a disaster this year after a breakout in 2024. The Browns simply have to field a competent offense in 2026, and it would be enough to get back into the postseason.
It should be a youth movement on this side of the ball going forward, and I oddly have faith that GM Andrew Berry can fix this operation.
20. Los Angeles Chargers - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Los Angeles Chargers are 7-4 on the season, but they do not feel like a 7-4 team. They’ve lost both tackles to season-ending injuries and are now fielding one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL this year.
Justin Herbert is running for his life and being pressured at an insane rate, and it’s honestly to the point that the Chargers really have no choice here in the NFL Draft - they have to grab multiple OL prospects to fix this unit. If GM Joe Hortiz can’t do this, another year of Justin Herbert’s prime is going to be wasted.
One of two tackles from Utah coming off the board in the first round, the Chargers grab Spencer Fano and could probably kick Rashawn Slater inside when he returns from his injury.
21. San Francisco 49ers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The San Francisco 49ers have done an outstanding job this year being able to win with all of these injuries. Now 7-4, the 49ers have lost star players like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for the rest of the season.
And, on paper, the roster right now just isn’t a major threat. Kyle Shanahan should be in the running for the Coach of the Year award this year, as they have beaten the LA Rams once and are still in contention for the NFC West title.
Going forward, though, one thing this team should do is put more of an emphasis on the offensive line, as I feel like that unit just hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves outside of trading for Trent Williams years ago.
The 49ers grab Kadyn Proctor from Alabama at pick 21 in this mock draft. The history of OL from Alabama making it into the NFL isn’t that strong, but that doesn’t mean Proctor can be a hit. Heck, this same argument was used against CJ Stroud when he came into the NFL, and he’s had a very solid career thus far.
This could be a great move for the long-term for the 49ers.
22. Dallas Cowboys - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Dallas Cowboys fielded a much different defense in Week 12 than they had in previous weeks, as they made multiple major deals as the NFL trade deadline, adding Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams, and also got some established players back from injury.
And the neat thing here is that the Cowboys’ defense doesn’t have to be more than average if this team wants to get into the playoffs. Sure, Dallas has to win nearly all of its remaining games to get into the postseason, but this team could win a ton.
Dak Prescott is again playing excellent football, and the defense finally has a good performance to build on going forward. It should be a defensive-focused 2026 NFL Draft. Dallas grabs linebacker CJ Allen to continue building this unit up.
23. Buffalo Bills - Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Even though the Buffalo Bills are 7-4, things really haven’t gone that well for them this year. They lost to the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football and just do not have a very good shot this year. The roster is just OK, and the main position that has been a sore spot for them, wide receiver, continues to be a sore spot.
The defense has also been forgettable this year, and the Bills are going to continue to have to rely more and more on Josh Allen if they want to even make the playoffs this year as a Wild Card. They are two full games behind the New England Patriots, as the Pats are 9-2.
It’s just been a rollercoaster season, and I do get the sense that major change could be on the way for this franchise if it’s another letdown in the playoffs. Overall, Buffalo might just need a good spring cleaning.
The team looks to bolster the weak WR room in the first round of our latest NFL Mock Draft. They take Chris Bell from Louisville and hope that he can provide a spark in this room.
Keon Coleman hasn’t worked out this year and was actually a player that didn’t have a very good NFL-caliber WR profile to begin with.
24. Seattle Seahawks - Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
I do believe the Seattle Seahawks might have a problem on their hands with Sam Darnold. In the biggest game of the year, Darnold tossed four picks. He did something similar his last two games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, and that might have been a primary reason why the Vikings let him leave.
Well, Seattle is still a playoff team and in a good spot. They should look to bolster the offensive line again in the NFL Draft, as Grey Zabel has been sensational thus far. Seattle takes another guard in Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State to remake their iOL for years to come.
I could also see the Seahawks taking a wide receiver, actually, as their room could use another boost. With how stacked the defense is, though, this could be another offensive selection for the franchise.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have regressed a bit this year, but part of that might be due to some of the injuries they have gone through. Tampa’s been one of the more consistent teams in the NFL for years now, but something that sticks out to me with this franchise is how much ‘good’ is around.
The QB is good. The head coach is good. The roster is good. There is very little great with Tampa Bay, so it feels like, yet again, this team is going to win nine or 10 games and not win more than a game in the postseason.
The great thing here, though, is GM Jason Licht. He’s excellent at finding talent and should again be able to find some starters in the 2026 NFL Draft. I do believe the Buccaneers could get more stout in the trenches on defense, so at pick 25, I went with Kayden McDonald from Ohio State.
Another great thing for Tampa is that the NFC South is pretty weak, so they should be able to continue winning this division, but major change might need to be made at some point in the future to hit the mountaintop again.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers - LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers has had a down year, so I guess nothing is certain with his status for the 2026 NFL Draft, but this could be one of the more interesting spots for him. You might think this is an overdraft, but Sellers does have a lot of NFL-caliber tools that might just need to be refined a bit. The Pittsburgh Steelers also have to get serious about the QB position if they hope to contend once again.
They simply cannot keep trotting out over-the-hill veteran passers that maintain the status quo. Sellers, if nothing else, could give Pittsburgh something to try to develop, and they did use a late-round draft pick on Will Howard, so I guess that can’t be ruled out, either.
27. Chicago Bears - Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
The Chicago Bears are 7-3 on the season and now in sole possession of first place in the NFC North, which is not something many of us saw coming before the season began. It’s quite clear that first-year head coach Ben Johnson is the right man for the job, and Chicago could find itself hosting a playoff game this season.
The Bears should look to bolster the defense in the offseason, and I would not be shocked if they explored a trade with DJ Moore in the offseason. Chicago will likely look to boost the pass rush in the offseason, figure out a legitimate left tackle solution, and perhaps add to the secondary, which has been banged up this season.
The backend of the defense needs more youth, so, at pick 27, the Bears grab Kamari Ramsey from USC and add that youth where it’s needed. Something else that would go a long way for this team in 2026 is Caleb Williams making another leap in year three.
He’s definitely played better this year, but you want to see more in what could be a crucial third year.
28. New York Jets- Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
The New York Jets are building, as they swung two major trades at the NFL trade deadline, and they now have a war chest of picks over the next couple of drafts. New York sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and will have to fill his void in the secondary.
Finding a player of Gardner’s caliber is not going to be easy, but for GM Darren Mougey, the task at hand is clear - find the QB earlier in the first round and begin stacking talent wherever you can.
Taking Keith Abney does help a unit that is quite bad on paper right now.
29. Los Angeles Rams - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Los Angeles Rams picking a wide receiver and a cornerback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft would be insane. They own the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick, and that one is currently slated to be inside the top-10 right now.
The rich could get richer, as LA grabs Denzel Boston from Washington, and with Puka Nacua being eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and the Rams paying Davante Adams, it would make sense for GM Les Snead to find some young, cheap talent at the position.
Boston has 17 touchdowns over his last 22 games for Washington and is a big play waiting to happen. This profile could fit what the LA Rams like to do on offense, and I do believe the Rams do not have to grab a QB with how well Matthew Stafford is playing.
30. New England Patriots - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The New England Patriots are another team that could use a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. Stefon Diggs has had a great year, but he’s on the wrong side of 30 and won’t be with the team for a long time.
The Pats need to continue building up that offense, so they grab KC Concepcion at the bottom of the first round. In today’s NFL, it is easier to simply buy and build a top defense, and that’s honestly what the Patriots have done here.
However, in order to sustain success in the NFL, teams must prioritize the NFL Draft on the offensive side of the ball, so giving Drake Maye another weapon, potentially for years to come, could help keep the franchise atop the NFL.
The Patriots currently sit at 9-2 and are in line to win the AFC East this year.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
The Philadelphia Eagles have had a drama-filled season, but, despite some of the drama, the Eagles are still atop the NFC at 8-2 and are winning a ton of games, yet again. The offense has been inconsistent this year, and much of the blame is being put on Kevin Patullo, the offensive coordinator.
The defense has done its job, and the weapons are still very good. I am actually going to take a bit of a different route here and mock Isaiah World to them at pick 31. He’s a tackle from Oregon, and Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ GM, has an insane track record of always prioritizing the trenches, so I struggle to see how he would not make this selection.
Part of the reason that the Eagles have stayed so good for so long is their ability to find these top players down along the offensive and defensive line. Philly also has a war chest of draft picks, so Roseman can kind of go crazy.
32. Denver Broncos - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Denver Broncos are 9-2 on the season heading into the bye and atop the NFL and AFC. They’ve won eight games in a row and are fielding the best defense in the NFL, and it’s also among the highest-paid.
The defense has never really been the problem for the Broncos these past 2.5 years, and even if defensive coordinator Vance Joseph departed for a head coaching job, the Broncos would be able to hire a top-notch replacement.
Offensively is where the Broncos have to get better, and one position that has suffered over the past few years has been the tight end position. Evan Engram signed with the team in free agency, but he’s on the wrong side of 30 and hasn’t been super productive.
There may not be a better fit for the Broncos in the first round than Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon. He’s a do-it-all tight end and someone who is going to bring immediate production to the Broncos’ offense, and it would be yet another Oregon Duck playing a huge role on offense.
Denver selects Sadiq and actually drafts for need here.