The mock drafts are in full force, and they won't stop anytime soon. As we have talked about for multiple months now, the 2026 NFL Draft is not necessarily the most talented class we have seen, especially at the quarterback position.
There is some blue-chip talent here and there, but overall, teams picking late in the first round won't have a ton of first-round worthy prospects to choose from. At the end of the day, we could see an extra-aggressive free agency period due to this.
Teams lacking talent and needing to continue or begin a rebuild are in a bit of a tough spot right now. Let's dive into our latest mock draft; it's one round long and does feature a ton of trade chaos.
Updated first-round mock draft predictions as the NFL Draft slowly approaches
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The real question as to what the Las Vegas Raiders could do may actually be centered around their free agency haul. Vegas does have enough money to splurge a bit and really stack this roster with some neat talent ahead of drafting Mendoza.
2. New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New York Jets stand pat at pick two and take Arvell Reese, improving the defense from day one.
3. Arizona Cardinals - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
David Bailey has a lot of Nik Bonitto to his game and was an extremely productive player. This could be another defensive selection who displays promise immediately.
4. Los Angeles Rams (via TEN) - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Our first major trade sees the Los Angeles Rams moving up nearly 10 spots to take Caleb Downs, the best defensive back in the country and someone who can quite literally do it all from the backend of the defense.
5. New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate eventually pairing up with Malik Nabers in New York would be an unfair receiver duo for opposing defense to try and stop.
6. Cleveland Browns - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
With the entire Cleveland Browns offensive line set to hit free agency this offseason, the Browns could honestly draft three players along the offensive line in 2026. Spencer Fano is increasingly likely to be the first prospect of the board along the offensive line.
7. Washington Commanders - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Rueben Bain is a bit undersized, but that hasn't stopped players before. Hopefully, Washington doesn't overthink this is Bain is in their reach,
8. Dallas Cowboys (via NOR) - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys get in on some of the trade fun and snag Sonny Styles to immediately bolster the middle of their defense. Logan Wilson was recently cut at the linebacker position, and he wasn't going to be much of a solution regardless.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love on the Kansas City Chiefs could come true. Love should fall this far, and it's about time that General Manager Brett Veach quit assuming that Patrick Mahomes is going to continue to be able to carry most of the load on offense. Even the best quarterbacks need more help sometimes.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane is just on another level in coverage and could find himself as one of the better cornerbacks in the league during his rookie season. Cincinnati needs help all over the defensive side of the ball.
11. Miami Dolphins - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Francis Mauigoa might have to play guard in the NFL, but he plays with a nasty demeanor and is someone who could make that transition rather easily. Miami has to get tougher in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
12. New Orleans Saints (via DAL) - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The New Orleans Saints moved down a few picks with the Dallas Cowboys and still got a top-tier prospect, taking Jordyn Tyson to pair up with Chris Olave. Tyler Shough played better than expected in 2025 and could take a huge leap with the right additions.
13. Tennessee Titans (via LAR) - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Keldric Faulk is the pick for the Tennessee Titans after moving down nine picks. The Titans do have a reason to entertain moving down, as the roster has holes everywhere.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon is a strong selection for the Baltimore Ravens, a team that always seems to have a need at the position. Jesse Minter is now the head coach after a near 20-year stint by John Harbaugh.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via TB) - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Philadelphia Eagles are also trading up and take Jermod McCoy, directly addressing a huge position of need in a major way.
16. New York Jets - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The younger brother of AJ Terrell, Avieon Terrell can line up in the slot or on the outside, which is a skillset that could be put to use immediately.
17. Detroit Lions - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Caleb Lomo is the second Utah tackle to go in Round 1 of our latest mock draft. The Detroit Lions took Tate Ratledge high in the 2025 NFL Draft and are again seen using a top pick on an encouraging offensive lineman.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is the best tight end prospect in the country. He has receiving upside and can block - there isn't much more here. Sadiq is a clear-cut 'very good NFL player' and should go in the top 20 picks.
19. Carolina Panthers - Ahkeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Ahkeem Mesidor is older for a rookie, but good pass rushers are sometimes hard to come by in the NFL, as the Carolina Panthers make the selection in our latest mock.
20. Dallas Cowboys - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Dallas being able to grab Styles and Peter Woods would be a sensational first-round haul, but the secondary would still need some work.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Pittsburgh Steelers have to take a stab on a quarterback at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially if Aaron Rodgers does not return, which is very possible. The Steelers snag Ty Simpson at pick 21 and instantly give Mike McCarthy a young quarterback to try and develop. This would be a great, forward-thinking pick by the Steelers.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor is a tackle, but he also might be a collegiate tackle who kicks inside to guard in the NFL. Either way, the Los Angeles Chargers could absolutely make it work for years to come.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via PHI) - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded down with the Philadelphia Eagles but were still able to get Caleb Banks. Banks does not have the collegiate production, but he's got an insane ceiling, perhaps the highest among most interior defensive line prospects this year.
24. Cleveland Browns - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns use both first-round picks along the offensive line in a clear investment at one of the most important positions in all of sports.
25. Chicago Bears - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald is going to be one of a few notable defensive line additions the Chicago Bears make this offseason, as that was a huge weak spot for the unit last year. It'll see significant change.
26. Buffalo Bills - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Denzel Boston is a big-bodied wide receiver and someone that General Manager Brandon Beane simply has to hit on, as the receiver room in Buffalo was a massive weakness and a reason why team saw an earlier-than-expected exit in the playoffs.
27. San Francisco 49ers - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
KC Concepcion is a dangerous player with the ball in his hands and would be a seamless fit for Kyle Shanahan's offense. With the receiver room also needing a major refresh, this pick makes all the sense in the world for the San Francisco 49ers.
28. Houston Texans - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Vega Ioane is as tough as nails and is a day one starter at guard and is one of the more 'safer' picks in the draft, but that isn't a bad thing. He's not safe in the sense that he's going to have a high floor, but rather, his skillset is going to translate immediately, and he'll soon find his name in top guard conversations by year two.
29. Tennessee Titans (via LAR) - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
CJ Allen is an old school linebacker and simply another talented player added to the mix for the Titans.
30. Denver Broncos - Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
Anthony Hill Jr might have a higher ceiling than a CJ Allen in the NFL, but the main thing with Hill is that he will definitely need some development, but if the Denver Broncos are patient enough, this pick could payoff big-time.
31. New England Patriots - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell immediately factors into the New England Patriots defense and addresses a position of need. The pass rush was kind of patched together in free agency last year, so it's about time for some homegrown talent.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
With Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen both set to be free agents in 2026, the Seattle Seahawks actually do have a need here. This pick may seem like defensive overkill, but it's simply ensuring the secondary doesn't take a step back.