The 2025 NFL Season has just seven games remaining ahead of the Divisional Round, so the 2026 NFL Draft really isn't that far away, as the collegiate football season has only one game left, as Indiana takes on Miami for the national title.
After the end of both seasons, we'll get into the free agency period, NFL combine, and the NFL Draft in late April, so there is a ton of football related activities yet to come. Ahead of the Divisional Round, we whipped up a quick first-round mock draft.
And as the first round order comes into shape and key collegiate players declare for the draft, the mock drafts may begin to get way more accurate, so let's get into a first-round one right here.
Updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft ahead of the NFL Divisional Round
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This is the only correct pick if the Raiders hope to eventually get out of the cellar in the AFC.
2. New York Jets - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Dante Moore is still a very good QB prospect and a wise choice for the Jets with the second overall pick.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Things really begin to get muddy after the first two picks, but the Arizona Cardinals take someone in Jeremiyah Love who could be an elite, game-changing player from day one.
4. Tennessee Titans - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Tennessee Titans grab Arvell Reese from Ohio State, someone who can immediately beef up the pass rush.
5. New York Giants - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is the choice for the New York Giants, who need a new head coach, among other things.
6. Cleveland Browns - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Cleveland Browns must look to begin rebuilding more on the offensive side of the ball, Jordyn Tyson is a great place to start.
7. Washington Commanders - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Washington Commanders need good, young talent, especially along the defensive line.
8. New Orleans Saints - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate could pair up with Chris Olave to form an elite WR duo for Tyler Shough in 2026 and beyond.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Kansas City Chiefs need to add some explosive, pass-rushing talent to the defensive front. While this might not be a sexy pick, it's a needed one, as the entire defense, frankly, is in dire need of more talent.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Cincinnati Bengals also fit into this, so they take Peter Woods to hopefully plug some holes in the middle of a limp defense.
11. Miami Dolphins - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Miami Dolphins grab a top tackle prospect in Spencer Fano, perhaps turning over a new leaf and beginning to take trench play more seriously.
12. Dallas Cowboys - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Dallas Cowboys have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they begin this mock draft by taking some pass-rush help in David Bailey. The Cowboys are an average defense away from being a contender.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The LA Rams own the Atlanta Falcons first-round pick, and they use it on some much-needed secondary help.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Baltimore Ravens will not have John Harbaugh on the sideline for the first time in nearly 20 years. Not only do they need a new head coach, but the offensive line is a unit that could also see a new face or two.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
I would be shocked if the Buccaneers did not go defense with their first-round pick in 2026.
16. New York Jets - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
With their second first-round pick, the New York Jets take to the other side of the ball and get some secondary help. Good move.
17. Detroit Lions - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Another team that needs some defensive help is the Detroit Lions, and they get it with TJ Parker from Clemson, a high-floor player.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The brother of AJ Terrell, Avieon Terrell fills a pretty significant need for the Minnesota Vikings.
19. Carolina Panthers - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers have to get some insurance for Bryce Young, and while Ty Simpson might need a year or two, this could be a wise long-term selection for the franchise.
20. Dallas Cowboys - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Double-dipping on defensive players is the way to go here for the Cowboys. They rebuild the defensive front a bit with CJ Allen, David Bailey, and their in-season acquisitions of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Pittsburgh Steelers must begin to have a new mindset with the offensive side of the ball, and grabbing a top WR prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft is a great place to start.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
If not for one of the worst offensive lines the NFL has seen in years, the Los Angeles Chargers still might be playing football.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is an elite tight end prospect who can both block and catch. That is simply rare for a college player making the jump into the NFL.
24. Cleveland Browns - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
We have two Utah tackles going in the first round, as the Cleveland Browns continue hammering away at offensive needs.
25. Chicago Bears - Kayden McDonald - DT, Ohio State
The Chicago Bears rebuilt the offensive line last offseason, and I bet they do the same with some key positions along the defensive line in 2026, as well.
26. Buffalo Bills - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Buffalo Bills WR room was not only bad coming into the season, but it's now also banged-up. The Bills might not have another choice in 2026 but to take a top WR prospect.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Two-straight WRs in this mock draft sees another WR-needy team in the San Francisco 49ers grabbing someone in Germie Bernard who can be a high-end no. 2 in the NFL.
28. Houston Texans - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The offensive line has played reasonably well lately for Houston, but another starter is still in need if you ask me.
29. Los Angeles Rams - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The LA Rams have done wonders along their defensive line recently and continue adding young talent to the room by selecting Caleb Banks in our latest NFL mock draft.
30. New England Patriots - Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Chris Bell is injured, but this could end up being a wise long-term investment for the New England Patriots, who need multiple wide receivers in the offseason.
31. Denver Broncos - Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
The linebacker position has been an inconsistent one for the Denver Broncos at times, so taking a first-round caliber prospect in the middle of the defense can truly put the finishing touches on an elite unit.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Why not keep building on a strength? The rest of the roster needs for Seattle could honestly be filled in free agency, anyway...