With the season coming to a close the league now has its eyes set on the next big stage: the NFL draft. In a stacked draft class on every level, let’s take a look at where I predict these next big stars will land in my first official mock draft of the 2026 offseason.
**1\. Las Vegas Raiders**
Pick: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
This is by far the easiest pick to make. The Heisman quarterback put on a show this season and set himself apart as the clear No. 1 quarterback in this draft. The Raiders need a quarterback and more importantly a fresh start and this pick gives them both.
**2\. New York Jets**
Pick: Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State)
The 6-foot-4 243-pound linebacker out of Ohio State was a dominant force for arguably the best defense in college football this season. Reese is not necessarily as technically sound as the other defensive stars in his class, but his size and athleticism makes him a day one difference maker that the Jets need on their roster.
**3\. Arizona Cardinals**
Pick: Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)
No matter who throws the ball for Arizona in 2026, it’s always a great idea to protect them. Snagging the best offensive lineman in the draft in Mauigoa at the third pick would solve a lot of issues the Cardinals currently have.
**4\. Tennessee Titans**
Pick: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
With the hiring of defensive mastermind Robert Saleh, the Titans No. 1 goal should be to buff up this defensive roster in any way possible. In a loaded defensive class, snagging a premier pass rusher like Bain would be an amazing fit for both sides.
**5\. New York Giants**
Pick: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
With a young quarterback at the helm in a huge regime change, it’s smart to get him as many weapons as possible. With Wandale Robinson possibly leaving in free agency, snagging the receiver with zero drops in 2025 is the perfect resolution. Tate is a great replacement to pair with Malik Nabers and give Jaxon Dart even more help.
**6\. Cleveland Browns**
Pick: Spencer Fano (OT, Utah)
The Browns have a lot of issues that need to be solved offensively. With a strong market of pass catchers Cleveland could target this offseason, addressing the offensive line with the No. 6 pick should be their first concern. Getting Fano at No. 6 would give a young talent to protect whoever throws the ball for Cleveland in 2026
**7\. Washington Commanders**
Pick: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
After a disappointing season for the Commanders, adding some fire power on the defensive side of the ball should be their No. 1 concern. Styles, a former safety, has an elite combination of talent and technique that would make him a day one starter and impact player for this front seven.
**8\. New Orleans Saints**
Pick: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
With a spark towards the end of the season, the Saints look to have some offensive momentum going into the 2026 season. Meanwhile the defense still has a lot of holes to fill. Bailey is maybe the most technically sound pass rusher in this class, adding the talent and bringing youth to this front seven would be a home run pick for New Orleans.
**9\. Kansas City Chiefs**
Pick: Jeremiah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
Despite the Chiefs rough 2025 season they are still set up to win. The run game, however, has been a glaring struggle for this offense, especially this past season. Adding an elite rusher in Love would transform this offense and relieve a lot of pressure off of Patrick Mahomes shoulders, making this one of the most sensible matches in the draft.
**10\. Cincinnati Bengals**
Pick: Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
Even with a star studded offense, the Bengals have never been able to get the defensive side of the ball right. Adding Downs, who has easily been the best defensive player in all of college football, would make an immediate impact. Adding Downs would be one crucial step towards having a defense that can support Joe Burrow and company.
**11\. Miami Dolphins**
Pick: Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
The Dolphins are set on a new path with a new head coach in former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafely, so why not give him what he’s been missing the past few seasons, a star corner. Delane was easily the best corner in college football this past season and adding him as a key piece to Miami’s rebuild would be an immediate day one impact.
**12\. Dallas Cowboys**
Pick: Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
Despite being out for the 2025 season, McCoy was easily the best corner in college in 2024 and had a better tape than any corner did this past season. The Cowboys offense has everything they need to succeed, but desperately need some fresh talent on the defensive side of the ball. Assuming McCoy’s injury doesn’t affect his talent he has all the necessary tools to become the strongest piece in that secondary on day one.
**13\. Los Angeles Rams (Via ATL)**
Pick: Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
After trading down with the Falcons in the 2025 draft, this is most certainly a luxury pick for the Rams. Having one of the most complete rosters in the league, and ways to fix their problems in free agency, targeting talent over position would prove to be more beneficial for Los Angeles. Adding Lemon would give Matthew Stafford another future super star to throw to and even more talent on an already star studded offense.
**14\. Baltimore Ravens**
Pick: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
Following a disappointing season for the Ravens, one thing is for sure, Lamar Jackson needs more weapons. Adding a tall versatile receiver in Boston to pair with Zay Flowers would open up this offense to a whole new level. Signing Jesse Minter as a defensive minded head coach gets your defense right where it needs to be, and adding Boston would be the best next step in upgrading this offense.
**15\. Tampa Bay Buccaneers**
Pick: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
Tampa Bay has everything they need to succeed offensively, but one thing stuck out this season: their inability to get to the quarterback. Adding Howell to the line would be a game changer. The edge rusher has a knack for reading the quarterback and getting to the passer no matter what, adding Howell’s skill set to this team would be a key piece in making this defense thrive again.
**16\. New York Jets (Via IND)**
Pick: Caleb Banks (DI, Florida)
After losing Quinnen Williams during the trade deadline, finding such a dominant force to replace him will be hard. Adding Banks to this defensive line would be the best fit possible for possibly the worst defense in the league. Following an amazing senior bowl Banks put on a show and proved he can take on just about anyone, putting his talent in the hands of Aaron Glenn would be a huge impact for New York’s front seven.
**17\. Detroit Lions**
Pick: Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)
**18\. Minnesota Vikings**
Pick: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
**19\. Carolina Panthers**
Pick: T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
**20\. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)**
Pick: CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
**21\. Pittsburgh Steelers**
Pick: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
**22\. Los Angeles Chargers**
Pick: Kayden McDonald (DI, Ohio State)
**23\. Philadelphia Eagles**
Pick: Olaivavega Ioane (G, Penn State)
**24\. Cleveland Browns (Via JAX)**
Pick: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
**25\. Chicago Bears**
Pick: Peter Woods (DI, Clemson)
**26\. Buffalo Bills**
Pick: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
**27\. San Francisco 49ers**
Pick: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
**28\. Houston Texans**
Pick: Lee Hunter (DI, Texas Tech)
**29\. Los Angeles Rams**
Pick: Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
**30\. Denver Broncos**
Pick: Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
**31\. New England Patriots**
Pick: Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
**32\. Seattle Seahawks**
Pick: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)