The 2026 NFL Draft is already later this month, and teams across the NFL are deep in preparation for this year's rookie class. It's not necessarily seen as a very talented class from top to bottom, but there is a sweet spot this year where some good talent can be found.
The quarterback class is also below-average, for the most part, as there is a chance that only one passer is taken in the first round. We're just two years removed from six quarterbacks going in the first 12 picks, which was flat-out insane to witness in real-time.
We've cooked up yet another mock draft. Our latest mock is one round long and does feature some insane trades.
Updated Round 1 NFL Mock Draft featuring ridiculous trades
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This is going to happen unless an all-time historic scenario somehow happens, which isn't going to happen. Fernando Mendoza might actually begin the year as a backup quarterback to Kirk Cousins, but the Raiders clearly have a plan here, so his not starting immediately is not a bad thing.
2. New York Jets - Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Arvell Reese might actually be able to play as a 3-4 inside and outside linebacker. He's got the talent, size, and athleticism to excel at both, which is a true gift, but he'll have to likely settle into one of those positions in the NFL.
3. Dallas Cowboys (via ARI) - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Trade! The Dallas Cowboys get ultra-aggressive here and trade up with the Arizona Cardinals to take David Bailey, a Nik Bonitto-like pass-rusher who is simply going to get to the quarterback at a high level consistently.
4. Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love paired up with Cam Ward on offense could not only help Ward make a year two leap, but it would also infuse the Titans offense with a likely elite rushing attack. Love has receiving ability as well and is a Jahmyr Gibbs-type of player.
5. New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate and Malik Nabers, when healthy, is going to form an elite wide receiver duo for Jaxson Dart, a quarterback who played a lot better than people thought during an encouraging, but also slightly concerning, rookie season.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (via CLE) - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Trade! The Chiefs are able to keep their other first-round pick, as they trade up just three spots here, and in doing so, they snag Rueben Bain Jr, the undersized but objectively talented pass-rusher. Bain's side has been a discussion all offseason so far, but people are overthinking him as a player. He'll find a home off the EDGE and very soon in his career be a 'plus' player.
7. Washington Commanders - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
A do-it-all defensive back, Caleb Downs would instantly become a massive weapon for Dan Quinn's defense, a defensive-minded coach who has always prioritized having talented secondary play.
8. New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
After signing Travis Etienne in free agency, the Saints could double-dip on offense and take Jordyn Tyson, who could pair up with Chris Olave on offense and give Tyler Shough an embarassment of riches on offense for what's going to be a massive second season.
9. Cleveland Browns (via KC) - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns trade down a few spots and bring in yet another new face along the offensive line in Spencer Fano. Fano has experience all over the place and might be a legitimate 'five position' player along the offensive line.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is just sitting there for the Bengals at pick 10 in this mock draft. A slam-dunk starter at inside linebacker from day one, Styles would give the Bengals defense a much-needed boost right in the middle.
11. Detroit Lions (via MIA) - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami FL)
Trade! I personally love the idea of the Lions kicking Penei Sewell to the left side to man the left tackle spot, and then dipping in the NFL Draft to take a big, physical right tackle in Francis Mauigoa. The Lions traded up six spots with the Miami Dolphins, so in this mock, they clearly wanted him.
12. Arizona Cardinals (via DAL) - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Cardinals are going to have two first-round picks in this mock since they traded down with the Cowboys. The first one is for Vega Ioane, a perfectly-crafted NFL-caliber guard who is going to start for 12 years and make a ton of Pro Bowls.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Rams may actually have an urgent need for a wide receiver given the Puka Nacua situation and Davante Adams being in the last year of his deal. Los Angeles takes Makai Lemon at pick 13 to address a shocking need.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane is a polished cornerback prospect and the best in this year's class. He heads to the Ravens at pick 14 and instantly becomes the top cornerback for new head coach Jesse Minter.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Even after bringing Cade Otton back, the Buccaneers dip into the first round here and take Kenyon Sadiq, giving Baker Mayfield another young offensive weapon. Mike Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers, so the Bucs could use a big-bodied pass-catcher now.
16. New York Jets - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Jets use their second of two first-round picks and again look to the defense, taking Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. With Sauce Gardner no longer in the picture, the cornerback room looks a lot different than it has.
17. Miami Dolphins (via DET) - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Dolphins accepted the trade-down offer with the Lions in this mock draft and snag Keldric Faulk from Auburn. Miami simply needs the the best player available with all of their picks given how weak the roster is.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
A potential long-term Harrison Smith replacement, Minnesota uses pick 18 on Dillon Thieneman from Oregon. Thieneman is another defensive back in this year's class who can do a bit of everything on the backend, profiling as an immediate starter for Brian Flores.
19. Carolina Panthers - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling is going to excel at tackle for years in the NFL. Carolina is shocked to see him falling this far and jumps on the chance at pick 19.
20. Arizona Cardinals (via DAL) - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Quarterback! The Cardinals probably can't justify using their original third overall pick on Ty Simpson, but landing somewhere in or near the 20s could change the game. With Jacoby Brissett starting, Simpson could develop and soak in as much as he can, and even red-shirting his rookie season would not be a bad idea given how much talent Arizona needs on both sides of the ball.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Pittsburgh continues spilling resources into the offensive line. With no legitimate quarterback prospect available, the Steelers take Kadyn Proctor, who has to keep his weight in check in order to survive at tackle in the NFL.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Perhaps the Chargers are set on grabbing another starting-caliber player along the offensive line this year. Caleb Lomu is the second Utah tackle taken in Round 1 and would end up findiing a home where along the Chargers offensive line.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Akheem Mesidor would be an old rookie, but he can get to the quarterback, and Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman has a rich history as any GM of investing into the trenches. Philly could use a boost after losing Josh Sweat and Milton Williams last offseason.
24. Cleveland Browns - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Browns are just pouring resources into the offense in this mock draft. After overhauling the offensive line, they bring in a new wide receiver, taking Omar Cooper Jr., as the Jerry Jeudy era just has not worked out thus far.
25. Chicago Bears - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald would be an ideal pick for the Bears in their quest to remake what was largely a limp defensive line from 2025.
26. Buffalo Bills - Avieon Terrell, CB, CLemson
The younger brother of AJ Terrell, Avieon Terrell could be a boundary and slot cornerback for the Bills, a team that has botched the cornerback group in recent years.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Peter Woods is another part of the potential solution on the 49ers defensive line. They lost Nick Bosa to another season-ending injury and just dealt with a ton of defensive issues last year. Despite all of that, they scraped together 12 wins and nearly earned the NFC's top seed.
28. Houston Texans - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The smartest linebacker in the NFL Draft, CJ Allen is a day one, decade-long starter in the NFL. While Houston is strong up the middle, you really can't argue with making a good unit even better, especially with how well they addressed the offensive line this offseason.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Taking Denzel Boston, a big-bodied target in the mold of Courtland Sutton, the Chiefs use both of their first-round picks in this mock to further positions of need for the present and future.
30. Miami Dolphins - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Miami, once again, is simply about taking the best player available. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a big, physical, hard-hitting safety.
31. New England Patriots - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Patriots can draft for specific need in Round 1, and the pass-rush department definitely needs some help. K'Lavon Chaisson departed in free agency, so there is a bit of a hole along the defensive line. TJ Parker is a common player being mocked to the Patriots, so the fit and the roster need line up.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Cisse, CB, Tennessee
Speaking of drafting for specific need, the Seahawks lost Riq Woolen in free agency, so they'll come away with a notable cornerback at some point in the NFL Draft. Brandon Cisse is the best one left on the board, as GM John Schneider keeps an elite unit stocked up with talent.