With the bulk of free agency now in the books, teams will turn their attention to the 2026 NFL Draft in about six weeks. For many teams in the league, free agency is a time to get aggressive and really make a huge effort to improve their roster weaknesses.
For others, like the Denver Broncos, free agency is a more modest period where many of the same faces are retained, and teams look for bargain deals in the second or third waves. As of now, there are truly still a ton of capable players left on the market.
And as we get closer to the NFL Draft, we could see some more moves happening. With the main wave of free agency over, though, most, if not all, teams will look virtually the same until the NFL Draft. Let's get into a fresh NFL Mock Draft prediction as the offseason rolls on.
Updated first-round mock draft following free agency frenzy
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Aside from an all-time major event going down, the Raiders are going to stay put with the first overall pick and take Fernando Mendoza. The main story with the Raiders was the Maxx Crosby trade falling through, so even after their insane free agency haul, they are still in a solid financial position with Crosby now back in the mix.
2. New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese is one of the best and most athletic prospects in the NFL Draft class. He's someone who truly might get snaps at EDGE and inside linebacker. He profiles nicely at both positions and is simply the best player for the Jets to take at this point in time, but they do also have the Indianapolis Colts first-round pick as well, so they could really do some damage here.
3. Arizona Cardinals - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Arizona Cardinals are a bit of a mess, and while moving on from Kyler Murray was probably the right decision, this team loses a lot more when he's not in the lineup. With Jacoby Brissett slated to start for the team in 2026, and Gardner Minshew backing him up, this is a very obvious 'tank but not really tanking' situation.
The NFL is not the NBA - no team is going to make it painfully obvious that they're tanking, as the Cardinals did invest into the free agency market, but most of us can plainly see that this team isn't trying to win football games.
And to an extent, you can't blame them, as the 2027 NFL Draft is truly expected to be a lot deeper at quarterback, so the front office is obviously trying to set up for that. The Cardinals take the best player available here and snag David Bailey, a hyper-productive pass-rusher from Texas Tech. Slowly but surely, the Cardinals could be going in the right direction.
4. Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Tennessee Titans went all-in on the defensive side of the ball in free agency this offseason, so it's reasonable to think that the offense gets most of the love in the NFL Draft. Jeremiyah Love comes off the board at pick four in our latest mock, and this would actually be a solid way of going about things.
In today's NFL, 'draft and develop' has to be the name of the game on offense, while defensively, teams can buy talent and build through free agency and trades. We've seen this develop with the Broncos in recent years, and they got within one game of the Super Bowl this past season. Love to the Titans is a pick to watch out for.
5. New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The New York Giants have had a solid free agency up to this point, as they were able to retain some key players and did get better at a couple of positions. The Giants also made a slam-dunk coaching hire with John Harbaugh coming aboard. With Harbaugh now leading this team, likely having final say in the personnel, and Jaxson Dart showing encouraging signs in 2025, this team is all of a sudden on the right track.
And while they're still the Giants, bad teams don't always have to stay bad. Going forward, I believe the Giants will be focused on getting Dart at least one more notable weapon. Isaiah Likely came over in free agency, but some help at running back is needed.
Love could be the pick for the Giants here if he fell this far, but instead, the Giants grab a future no. 1 wide receiver in Carnell Tate. Those Ohio State receivers tend to do well for themselves in the NFL, and not only that, but Tate is a legitimately great prospect and would soon form an elite duo with Malik Nabers.
Running back is another position to keep an eye out for as well for the Giants.
6. Cleveland Browns - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Cleveland Browns have already gotten to work shoring up this offensive line, trading for Tytus Howard and signing Zion Johnson. With their first pick here in Round 1, the Browns continue this wise investment and take Francis Mauigoa from Miami (FL). Like with many tackle prospects coming into the NFL, there is always usually a question if they end up kicking inside to guard.
But for now, the Browns simply need more legitimate, starting-caliber bodies along the offensive line, and that's something we can all agree on.
7. Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Washington Commanders are doing what many teams would do with a ton of cap space. They've spent a metric-ton of money to shore up the defense, which was a sore spot in 2025. To be fair, though, this team struggled big-time with injuries, so they likely would have flirted with a winning record had the health was better.
But adding players like Odafe Oweh and Leo Chenal, for example, are pieces of what could end up being a stellar defense in 2026. Dan Quinn and the Commanders have made a ton of changes this offseason even before free agency, which included overhauling the coaching staff a bit.
But at the end of the day, the main factor here is going to be the health of Jayden Daniels, and that was a slight concern of his coming into the NFL given his thinner frame. Washington, in this mock draft, keeps their foot on the gas defensively and takes Sonny Styles. Styles is an immediate impact player.
8. New Orleans Saints - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Hats off to the New Orleans Saints thus far. Adding Noah Fant, Travis Etienne, and David Edwards in free agency are great moves to help get the most out of Tyler Shough in what could be a breakout season in year two. Shough and the Saints won four of their final five games in 2025 and also saw some notable improvements defensively.
The Saints stay put at pick eight and take Rueben Bain Jr, and while his length is a concern, he's also simply a top prospect and a good football player, so in a few years, we might look back at Bain and wonder how so many people simply overthought this prospect. New Orleans could make teams look silly for passing him up.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I have no idea why people are making a big deal that the Kansas City Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker III. He was overpaid and got nearly $30 million guaranteed despite being a 'good not great' running back. Walker isn't good in pass protection and just doesn't create enough explosive plays.
Not only that, but the Chiefs secondary lost all of Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Bryan Cook this offseason, so much of the starting secondary is now out the door. This roster has gotten worse, but at least the Chiefs overpaid for Walker, right!
Kansas City's front office is missing the mark, and they have done so for multiple offseasons now. They'll take Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State and, if nothing else, give Patrick Mahomes another weapon. He's working his way back from a torn ACL, so having better players around him to take some of the pressure off is ideal as his knee gets back to 100 percent.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Speaking of Cook, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to sign the former Chiefs safety, and they double-down in the secondary here in our latest mock draft with Caleb Downs from Ohio State. Downs is one of those defensive backs who can do a little bit of everything, so people should look past his position.
Positional value is going to be a discussion here, but, like Bain, people might overthink this pick, and the Bengals, of all teams, could make many other teams look silly. Not only that, but this offseason really has to be a successful one, as the Bengals have missed the playoffs three years in a row now, and this defense was among the worst in the NFL in 2025.
It's just insane that the prime Joe Burrow years are flying by like this.
11. Miami Dolphins - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Miami Dolphins, of note, cut ties with Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa this offseason in two major moves that signal the beginning of a massive rebuilding project. However, the decision to pay Malik Willis is an odd one if you ask me.
Sure, Willis doesn't cost a ton, but he's getting paid after very limited action as a backup quarterback, so it's kind of hard to see what the Dolphins are trying to do here. I guess ideally, Willis emerges as the NFL's next breakout quarterback in the mold of 2024 Sam Darnold or 2023 Baker Mayfield.
That could very well be possible, but unfortunately, most of the Dolphins roster is simply bad. Miami has to draft some 'hits' here. Mansoor Delane is arguably the best cornerback prospect in the draft this year, so this would be a wise selection.
New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley did deal with some below-average cornerback play during his time as defensive coordinator in Green Bay, so he probably would love a first-round cornerback.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dallas Cowboys also get in on the cornerback fun and take Jermod McCoy from Tennessee at pick 12. With two first-round picks this year, the Cowboys could really do some damage, and we have already seen this team sign an underrated safety in Jalen Thompson and swing a trade for Rashan Gary. Both players aren't necessarily big-time names, but they'll be huge upgrades.
And with Christian Parker in as the defensive coordinator, we could see a heavy Vic Fangio influence here, and that means acquiring cornerbacks who can hold up in man coverage. McCoy is that type of player and could be yet another new face that contributes to a long-term solution on defense.
Dallas could honestly double-dip on defense in Round 1, too.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Los Angeles Rams are doing precisely what any team should do in a Super Bowl window, and that's aggressively addressing positions of need. We saw this team swing a major trade for McDuffie, formerly of the Chiefs, and the Rams decided to snatch away another Kansas City cornerback in their signing of Watson on a three-year deal.
All of a sudden, the main weakness with the Rams is now anything but, so this team has given themselves a lot of flexibility in the NFL Draft, as they still own the 13th overall pick by way of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Rams take Spencer Fano here, and while Fano might not be an immediate contributor, the Rams still have to think about the future. If General Manager Les Snead really wanted to get bold, he could even consider someone like Ty Simpson from Alabama as a potential replacement for Matthew Stafford, who is slowly approaching 40 years old.
But Snead has absolutely earned the benefit of the doubt here, and whatever player the Rams take is bound to contribute at a high level in some fashion.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
We may never truly know why the Baltimore Ravens ended up backing out of the Maxx Crosby deal, but it does seem to be mainly because the front office got cold feet and didn't want to part with two first-round picks. Since Crosby now isn't going to be a Raven, the team could look to the NFL Draft to take a prospect. In the long-term, this could be a better solution.
New head coach Jesse Minter is one of the best defensive minds in the game, so we could expect a defensive influence in the NFL Draft. Keldric Faulk is the pick for Baltimore at no. 14.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
In college for six years, Akheem Mesidor is bringing a whopping 65 games of experience into the NFL. In 2025 for Miami, Mesidor racked up 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, finishing his collegiate career with 52.5 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks.
Age might be a concern here for some teams, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clearly need a major pass-rush boost, and I bet the front office did check in on Trey Hendrickson. If they did, it was obviously to no avail.
In an urgent situation where the team needs to field a better defensive line and probably get back into the playoffs, the Bucs simply have to take a chance here and bank on Mesidor panning out. He could be an immediate impact player given his insane collegiate production.
16. New York Jets - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Jets snag Makai Lemon at pick 16 after taking Reese at pick two. Right now, the Jets simply don't have any semblance of a quarterback plan, but I guess Geno Smith is an option. The Jets actually got pretty aggressive in free agency to shore up the defensive side of the ball, but it's really hard to see the vision here.
You get the sense that Aaron Glenn is already on the hot seat, and an in-season firing is firmly on the table. Given that, you have to wonder if General Manager Darren Mougey was just trying to load up the roster as much as he realistically could.
If nothing else, the NFL Draft next year is apparently going to be stocked at quarterback, so with three first-round picks, the Jets could really add some major talent next year, but the vision this year is nearly impossible to see at the moment.
17. Detroit Lions - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Caleb Lomu is the pick for the Detroit Lions with the no. 17 selection in our latest mock draft. With the Lions cutting ties with Taylor Decker, left tackle does become a priority, but if it were up to me, I would bump Penei Sewell back over to the left side and let him become a Hall of Famer over there.
However, the Lions might not want to change up the offensive line all that much and could simply opt for a more plug-and-play solution in Lomu.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Minnesota Vikings could truly be one of the more fun, interesting teams in the NFL this year. They were able to sign Kyler Murray, and I think most of us can plainly see that Murray was signed to start. JJ McCarthy, besides not playing well when he can get on the field, just has not stayed healthy enough these past two seasons to warrant him going into 2026 as the guy.
Murray is slated to 'win' this quarterback competition, in my opinion, and what we could see this offseason is the coaches and other members of the staff market this as a legitimate competition for the starting job, but Murray did not sign here to not start in my eyes.
With that said, the Vikings really have to ensure they address their key roster needs, as they won nine games in 2025 and might not be that far away from getting back into the playoffs. Adding Kenyon Sadiq to this offense that would likely feature a dual-threat quarterback and a future Hall of Fame wide receiver would be unfair for opposing defenses to have to handle.
I would expect Murray to be a bit of a breakout quarterback in 2026.
19. Carolina Panthers - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Carolina Panthers made two big-time free agency investments on the defensive side of the ball, signing Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips. Both players are going to be improvements from what they had before, and this front office continues to invest heavily on the open market.
In 2025, despite a losing season, the Panthers did make the playoffs and gave the Los Angeles Rams a fun for their money in the Wild Card Round. Carolina simply has to take another step forward this coming season, and it really does boil down to Bryce Young.
Young did play the best football of his career in 2025, but he was still largely average and not really anything close to a franchise quarterback. For the time being, the Panthers will continue to bolster the defense, selecting Dillon Thieneman from Oregon.
20. Dallas Cowboys - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
After taking a cornerback with their first pick at the 12th overall selection, the Cowboys snag one of the most intelligent players in the NFL Draft in CJ Allen. Allen was running the defense out there for Georgia and is one of the more ‘safer’ prospects in the draft.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. While Allen may not end up being a future All-Pro, he profiles as a steady starter for years, and he’d fit nicely into the new-look Cowboys defense. As long as Dallas fields an average unit in 2026, they’ll end up winning double-digit games and perhaps even win the NFC East.
The nice thing about Dallas is that their needs are quite obvious, and they really have a ton of resources to be able to fill those needs. It's going to be a massive failure if this team fails to improve on that side of the ball in 2026.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Pittsburgh Steelers, at this point in time, do not have a clear-cut quarterback solution on the roster, and once again, much of the NFL world is waiting to see what Aaron Rodgers ends up doing. The Steelers have gotten aggressive this offseason, swinging a trade for Michael Pittman Jr and bolstering the secondary, so they seem to be acting like Rodgers is going to return for another season.
Rico Dowdle also came over in free agency on a two-year deal. The Steelers could be a solid team if Rodgers returns, and his coming back for one more year would give the front office a bit more of a runway to find that next quarterback. For the present and future, though, the Steelers could get a prospect in Vega Ioane who I believe to be one of the few sure-fire ‘hits’ this year.
He’s the exact type of guard every NFL team would want, is built like one, and plays with a nasty edge.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Speaking of offensive line, you really would have expected the Los Angeles Chargers to do a bit more at the position this offseason. Their biggest signing was center Tyler Biadasz, who is a fine player, but their other signings were Cole Strange, Trevor Penning, and also bringing back Trey Pipkins.
I’m not really sure those are the type of winning moves that need to be made along the offensive line. Heck, just take the Denver Broncos, for example. All five of the Broncos starters are highly-paid at their respective positions, and guess what?
The Broncos offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL. Los Angeles needs to find another viable starter here, so I went with Kadyn Proctor from Alabama. Proctor could get a crack at a tackle spot but might end up being best-suited as a top-tier guard for the Chargers.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Philadelphia Eagles might trade AJ Brown. They also might not trade him. Brown has seen his name come up in discussions time and time again, and as of right now, it seems like Philly will be bringing him back for the 2026 NFL Season, but you get the sense that his time with the Eagles could be ending.
And that might end up being the best solution for both parties. The Eagles snag Denzel Boston in our latest mock draft, as they lay the groundwork here for a transition on the offensive side of the ball. For cap purposes, the Eagles might end up being very motivated to offload Brown, especially if they get a prospect like Boston.
The Eagles do have a below-average passer at the quarterback position in Jalen Hurts, and if Philly plans on keeping him as their starter for years to come. General Manager Howie Roseman will need to continue restocking this offense with legitimate talent.
24. Cleveland Browns - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
This could be a fun pick for the Browns. With their second of two first-round picks, Cleveland snags Ty Simpson for the quarterback room. Todd Monken is now the head coach, and we have seen the Browns overhaul the offensive line this offseason and earlier in this mock draft, so the next logical position would be a quarterback.
Simpson isn’t an overly special prospect, but there are qualities present that could make him a fun project, and when you look at how solid this defense is, the Browns really aren’t that far away from fielding a complete team.
For 2026, at least, an average offense would be good enough for the Browns to win a ton of games. Luckily, they have two first-rounders and could get aggressive, whether moving up or down the draft board.
25. Chicago Bears - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Chicago Bears probably sniffed around a Maxx Crosby trade, but that might be out of the picture given what happened with the Baltimore Ravens, as they backed out of the deal at the last minuted and cited his knee as a reason for doing so.
Right now, Crosby is probably sticking with the Raiders, and the Bears may have moved on. With pick 25 in this mock draft, they snag Peter Woods from Clemson. Woods can play all over the defensive line and is not only the best player available at this point, but he also fills a huge position of need.
But all of a sudden, the Bears look pretty empty in the secondary, so GM Ryan Poles might also have to do a bit of work on the backend of the defense. Right now, this front office does have an uphill battle to see that unit improve in 2026 and beyond after a breakout 11-6 season in 2025.
26. Buffalo Bills - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Speaking of secondary, the Buffalo Bills snag Avieon Terrell from Clemson. Terrell is the younger brother of AJ Terrell, so he could end up being quite good in the NFL. Buffalo has done rather well this offseason, as they were able to keep center Connor McGovern in the picture and swung a notable trade for DJ Moore from the Bears.
CJ Gardner-Johnson was a rock-solid addition in the secondary, and Terrell could be one of the finishing touches. On paper, though, this roster really isn’t overly special, especially on the defensive side, so GM Brandon Beane still has some work to do here, and with Moore in the picture on offense, most of the offensive line returning, and an elite running back in the backfield, the Bills could go heavy on defense in the 2026 NFL Draft.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Kayden McDonald - DT, Ohio State
The defensive line is going to continue to be a huge point of emphasis for the San Francisco 49ers. One of their major additions was swinging a trade with the Cowboys for Osa Odighizuwa, who is an underrated player and someone who has nearly 50 quarterback hits in the past two seasons from the defensive interior.
The 49ers have to keep their foot on the gas here, so they snag Kayden McDonald, and while McDonald might not be the best player available on the board at this point, this also does open up a discussion of drafting for need or drafting the best player available. The “BPA” approach is a bit flawed, as all of a sudden, a team uses this philosophy and overloads at one position while inadvertently neglecting another.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with drafting for need, and I think McDonald is that type of player for the 49ers, so this would be a slam-dunk selection.
28. Houston Texans - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Caleb Banks suffered a broken foot recently, so that could make it possible that he slips out of the first round of the NFL Draft, but this is still a first-round prospect even with the injury. I understand why some may have reservations of Banks going in Round 1, but a team may just have to have a little bit of patience here.
And despite how good the Texans defense is, the interior of that defensive line does need a boost. Banks’ measureables are off the charts, so you’re getting an insane athlete at an insane size, which creates a massively high ceiling in the NFL.
Houston has to continue leaning on a strength going into 2026, to adding to the defensive side of the ball is an easy decision.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Chiefs bolstered the wide receiver room with their first pick, and thanks to the McDuffie trade, the Chiefs are picking twice in Round 1. They take TJ Parker from Clemson at pick 29 and bolster the defensive line.
With multiple defensive backs now out the door, the Chiefs could simply use this pick to effectively replace McDuffie, but the defensive line has needed some help for multiple years now, and the Chiefs do have this weird skill of being able to find mid to late-round defensive backs that end up being competent.
Kansas City’s roster still needs a bit of work, so this team isn’t necessarily on track to return to the top of the NFL world, but a first-round haul featuring a wide receiver and a pass-rusher is a great start.
30. Denver Broncos - Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr has a visit lined up with the Broncos, so the team does have some level of interest, and Denver really does need to add another weapon on the offensive side of the ball. Whenever Denver does sign an external free agent, they will be the last team in the NFL to do so this offseason.
And after getting within one game of the Super Bowl in 2025, that fact is flat-out insane and the wrong move by the front office. This team has clearly embraced the run it back mantra, but not adding key talent at positions of need like linebacker and tight end is also going to hurt what this team can do in the NFL Draft.
The Broncos are backing themselves into a corner here and take a wide receiver because they need to, and because they didn’t add a viable weapon in free agency. It’s odd to see Denver have this type of free agency period, especially with Bo Nix being on his rookie deal.
31. New England Patriots - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The New England Patriots cut Stefon Diggs and signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. While Doubs isn’t as good as Diggs, he is a lot younger, and the Patriots still appeared to have some level of interest in trading for Brown, so that could be a trade they revisit later in the offseason.
The Pats, in the meantime, add another wide receiver and snag KC Concepcion from Texas A&M. Concepcion is elite and a massive difference-maker with the ball in his hands, so that’s going to be how he’s used - getting the ball in his hands quickly and often.
New England made it to the Super Bowl this year but got blown out, proving that they were clearly a year or two early and also proving that they simply need better players. The Patriots went further than the raw roster talent, and that’s a huge testament to the coaching.
In 2026, the schedule is going to get a bit harder, so a regression could be on the horizon, but the right NFL Draft class could help them maintain their success in 2026.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Seattle Seahawks likely had no intention of bringing Riq Woolen back, as he signed with the Eagles. Seattle won the Super Bowl this year primarily due to their elite defense, so they have to keep that unit a strength heading into 2026.
The front office takes Colton Hood from Tennessee and fills that vacant spot on the backend of the defense. This is a well-oiled machine, so whoever they pick is bound to fill a huge need for them, but there is nothing stopping this team from winning two Super Bowls in a row, especially if the defense is just as dominant as it was in 2025.