While the NFL Combine is important for the sake of getting official measureables, it's hard to use the combine as anything overly useful in terms of scouting. At the end of the day, watching film and seeing how the players perform on the field in game action is the best way to evaluate talent.
But the combine is always a spectacle, and getting official measurements is still quite important. For example, Rueben Bain Jr's historically small size for an edge rusher might throw a wrench into Round 1, but overall, it's too early to say anything.
Let's get into a fresh Round 1 mock draft now that the NFL Combine is here.
Updated first round NFL Mock Draft as the combine gets underway
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza unless something unprecedented happens. Vegas has to get a viable, young quarterback in the building.
2. New York Jets - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Swapping Jermaine Johnson for T'Vondre Sweat, pass-rusher just got a lot more important for the Jets, so David Bailey is the pick here.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese might actually profile better as an off-ball linebacker, but he's one of the most talented players in the entiree class.
4. Tennessee Titans - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Speaking of talent, Caleb Downs is also in that running and can genuinely do a bit of everything in the secondary.
5. New York Giants - Jeremiyah Love, RB. Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love is a slam-dunk running back prospect, and the Giants should truly be all about building around Jaxson Dart as much as possible this coming offseason.
6. Cleveland Browns - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns are going to take a swing on a quarterback at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft, but for now, they can rebuild the offense and snag an Ohio State wide receiver in Carnell Tate.
7. Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Another slam-dunk, can't-miss prospect, Sonny Styles would be the perfect linebacker for Dan Quinn and could be a mainstay for years to come.
8. New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Saints have to give Tyler Shough another weapon or two, so they pony up and snag Jordyn Tyson to pair with Chris Olave in the receiver room.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Speaking of receivers, the Chiefs pass up defensive line talent and instead opt to give Patrick Mahomes more weapons, taking Makai Lemon from USC.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Keldric Faulk's measureables are fantastic, so this might actually be a wildly successful pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, a team in desperate need of more defensive talent.
11. Miami Dolphins - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Miami Dolphins have to get more fierce in the trenches, so they take Spencer Fano in our latest mock draft.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
With Rueben Bain Jr having historically poor measureables, he could slide a bit. The Dallas Cowboys would feel like 'the team' to finally stop that slide, as they do need pass rush help.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Los Angeles Rams are going to make at least two major additions in the secondary this offseason. We could see them pursue some free agents and use one of their two first-round picks on a top cornerback prospect.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Another top cornerback prospect, the Baltimore Ravens take Jermod McCoy and give Jesse Minter another 'weapon' on the defense.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Peter Woods is a future starter in the NFL and someone who is a schematically-versatile player. The Buccaneers need some defensive help.
16. New York Jets - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Bailey at pick two and Denzel Boston at pick 16 is not a bad haul for the Jets. With two picks in the first 16 selections, one of them has to pan out, right?
17. Detroit Lions - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Francis Maugoa might be a guard at the NFL level, but either way, the Detroit Lions build on a strength and take the talented tackle at pick 17.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Minnesota Vikings have a pretty dire need for some secondary help, so they don't mess around and take Avieon Terrell at pick 18. He's the brother of AJ Terrell and has inside-out versatility.
19. Carolina Panthers - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Caleb Lomu is the second Utah tackle off the board here in Round 1 in our latest mock draft. The Carolina Panthers keep beefing up this offense with the hope that Bryce Young could take another step in year four.
20. Dallas Cowboys - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
CJ Allen's IQ is off the charts. He's someone who could wear the green dot on defense, and he's got a high-floor about him, so this is another can't-miss NFL Draft prospect.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor is another offensive line prospect who might have to kick inside to guard, but the Steelers have truly remade this offensive line in recent years, and Isaac Seumalo is a free agent this offseason, so there could be an open spot.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Caleb Banks' measureables are off the charts, so it would not be a shock if he went higher than the 22nd pick. The Los Angeles Chargers could be getting a massive steal here.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Ahkeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Ahkeem Mesidor is older than you'd like, but you can't really argue with the tape. Mesidor is a first-round prospect and someone who could make the Philadelphia Eagles a lot better.
24. Cleveland Browns - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Keeping with the pass-rushers, the Browns further beef up their defensive line and snag TJ Parker from Clemson. If it's a strength, why not keep it one?
25. Chicago Bears - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald could enter into a revamped defensive line. Chicago is going to bring in multiple new bodies in the offseason.
26. Buffalo Bills - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
KC Concepcion is elite with the ball in his hands. The Buffalo Bills would need more receiver help, but that could also come in free agency.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
A fun pick for the San Francisco 49ers, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a great prospect and could be one of many new faces the 49ers bring to the team this offseason.
28. Houston Texans - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The offensive line should be a massive emphasis for the Houston Texans this offseason, and they further reinforce the position in our latest mock draft.
29. Los Angeles Rams - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Ty Simpson heads to the Rams at pick 29, and it really does seem like LA is always trying to get one step ahead. A year or two sitting behind Matthew Stafford could be an ideal scenario for Simpson.
30. Denver Broncos - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This would be a fun fit if Kenyon Sadiq fell this far. Former teammates with Broncos quarterback Bo Nix for a year at Oregon in 2023, Sadiq does actually bring a lot of what Denver is missing at tight end. This potential fit makes all the sense in the world.
31. New England Patriots - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The New England Patriots outperformed their roster talent in 2025, if that makes sense. New England simply needs to take the best player available, no matter who it is.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both free agents this offseason, so the Seattle Seahawks will need some cornerback help.