LAKE FOREST, Ill., — The first wave of the NFL free agency period is in the books as the legal tampering period, and then the official opening of the new league year has come and gone.
Now the focus for teams shifts to the next wave as well as the 2026 NFL Draft as pro days are underway. We are still just over a month away from the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh and outside of the top pick, there are a lot of questions for this draft. We know the Las Vegas Raiders are taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall but after that, the biggest question is who is next and which edge rusher goes first?
Does Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love go in the top five? What do the Giants do at No. 5? Does a second quarterback go in this draft? There are so many questions left as we head into April's draft, and putting together a mock wasn't the easiest thing to do because of those questions. But as we sit here in mid-March, I decided to give it a go.
My first mock of the year may have some surprises, but I tried to fill the needs of each team the best I could. Of course, almost all mocks never really come close to perfection and there are a lot of things that will happen between now and draft day. Mine will also change with the upcoming versions ahead of the draft.
Make sure to check back with the Bear Report for complete coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. 1 site covering the team!
SLIDE1 of 32
1. Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox, Getty)
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to a title in the College Football Playoffs and saw his draft stock soar. The Las Vegas Raiders take him No. 1 overall.
SLIDE2 of 32
2. New York Jets - LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
(Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire, Getty)
With no quarterback being worth taking at No. 2, the Jets focus on the defensive side of the football and take Ohio State's Arvell Reese.
SLIDE3 of 32
3. Arizona Cardinals - DE David Bailey (Texas A&M)
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The Arizona Cardinals are a mess all around and they very easily could take Jeremiyah Love here at No. 3. But with an offense that likely won't be ready to take the next step for a few more years, they try to land a cornerstone for the defense with David Bailey.
SLIDE4 of 32
4. Tennessee Titans - RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
(Photo: Michael Miller/ISI Photos, Getty)
The Tennessee Titans made some early moves to boost the offense in free agency and here, they take running back Jeremiyah Love to partner with Cam Ward.
SLIDE5 of 32
5. New York Giants - S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
Caleb Downs (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The New York Giants boost their defense with the selection of Caleb Downs out of Ohio State. He's the best safety prospect available and makes sense here at No. 5.
SLIDE6 of 32
6. Cleveland Browns - OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)
Francis Mauigoa (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The Cleveland Browns have a few needs, including on the offensive line at guard and tackle. Here they take the best tackle option on the board with Miami's Francis Mauigoa.
SLIDE7 of 32
7. Washington Commanders - Edge Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami)
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
The Washington Commanders fill a need on the defensive side of the ball by selecting edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami.
SLIDE8 of 32
8. New Orleans Saints - WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
(Photo: Daniel Harker, 247Sports)
The New Orleans Saints give quarterback Tyler Shough a new weapon by taking the No. 1 wide receiver in this draft in Carnell Tate.
SLIDE9 of 32
9. Kansas City Chiefs - DB Mansoor Delane (LSU)
Mansoor Delane (Photo: Gus Stark/LSU, Getty)
The Kansas City Chiefs lost two key players in the secondary during free agency and they begin to re-work that defense with the selection of defensive back Mansoor Delane.
SLIDE10 of 32
10. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Spencer Fano (Utah)
(Photo: Utah Athletics)
The Cincinnati Bengals have to be able to protect quarterback Joe Burrow. With Utah's Spencer Fano on the board, they go that route.
SLIDE11 of 32
11. Miami Dolphins - Edge Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
There are a lot of different ways Miami can go with this draft pick but with an edge available, I believe they go that route.
SLIDE12 of 32
12. Dallas Cowboys - LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
(Photo: Getty)
The Ohio State linebacker stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine with his big performance. He's a fit for the Dallas Cowboys as they rebuild their defense.
SLIDE13 of 32
13. Los Angeles Rams (Via Atlanta Falcons) - OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)
Monroe Freeling (Photo: Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos, Getty)
After having the MVP with quarterback Matthew Stafford, they try to help protect him some more with an offensive tackle. They take Georgia's Monroe Freeling.
SLIDE14 of 32
14. Baltimore Ravens - OL Vega Ioane (Penn State)
Olaivavega Ioane (Photo: Ric Tapia, Getty)
It's been an interesting free agency period for the Baltimore Ravens so far. They did add Trey Hendrickson but also lost Tyler Linderbaum, a key piece on the line. Here they draft one of the top interior offensive linemen.
SLIDE15 of 32
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)
Kenyon Sadiq (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose Mike Evans to San Francisco but they add another offensive weapon with Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
SLIDE16 of 32
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis) - WR Makai Lemon (USC)
(Photo: Mike Richardson | USCfootball.com, 247Sports)
The New York Jets have another first-round pick due to the Sauce Gardner trade and here they get another weapon on offense by drafting Makai Lemon.
SLIDE17 of 32
17. Detroit Lions - OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)
. (Photo: University of Alabama)
The Detroit Lions could go a few different spots here with some needs to address. I think they go in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball and try to sure up the future of the line with Alabama's Kadyn Proctor.
SLIDE18 of 32
18. Minnesota Vikings - S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
Dillon Thieneman (Photo: Jason Fairchild, 247Sports)
A bit of a surprise here as Oregon's Dillon Thieneman is the next safety off the board. But the Vikings get their Harrison Smith replacement.
SLIDE19 of 32
19. Carolina Panthers - DL Peter Woods (Clemson)
Peter Woods (Photo: Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos, Getty)
After a playoff appearance last season, the Carolina Panthers look to build on that. They take Peter Woods from Clemson here at No. 19.
SLIDE20 of 32
20. Dallas Cowboys (Via Green Bay Packers) - DB Jermond McCoy (Tennessee)
(Photo: Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel, USA TODAY Sports)
With the pick the Dallas Cowboys got from the Micah Parsons trade, they look to add defense once again. Here they take a defensive back in Jermond McCoy.
SLIDE21 of 32
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox, Getty)
It's tough to project the Steelers' pick here but even if Aaron Rodgers returns, they need to find a quarterback for the future. They go with Ty Simpson out of Alabama.
SLIDE22 of 32
22. Los Angeles Chargers - DL Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
(Photo: Samatha Madar, USA TODAY Sports)
The Los Angeles Chargers take the best player on the board here with the selection of defensive lineman Kayden McDonald.
SLIDE23 of 32
23. Philadelphia Eagles - LB CJ Allen (Georgia)
Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen (Photo: Kevin C Cox, Getty)
Another Georgia defensive player to Philadelphia? Yep, they take linebacker CJ Allen.
SLIDE24 of 32
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonsville Jaguars) - WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
Jordyn Tyson (Photo: Arizona State Athletics)
The Browns add a key piece to their offense as they take wide receiver Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State.
SLIDE25 of 32
25. Chicago Bears - Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
The Chicago Bears could use some help at safety and edge rusher here in the draft. I think they fill a need at safety with the selection of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo.
SLIDE26 of 32
26. Buffalo Bills - Edge Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
Cashius Howell
(Photo: Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Getty)
With more needs on the defensive side of the ball, the Buffalo Bills try to improve the pass rush by selecting edge rusher Cashius Howell.
SLIDE27 of 32
27. San Francisco 49ers - WR Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)
KC Concepcion (Photo: Maria Lysaker, Getty)
The 49ers add a weapon to their offense and take the dynamic Kevin Concepcion out of Texas A&M.
SLIDE28 of 32
28. Houston Texans - OT Blake Miller (Clemson)
(Photo: Cory Fravel, 247Sports)
The Houston Texans look to sure up the offensive line and take Blake Miller out of Clemson.
SLIDE29 of 32
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) - Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
(Photo: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images, USA TODAY Sports)
After sending Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles, the Kansas City Chiefs pick up an extra first-round pick. They add a weapon for Patrick Mahomes by selecting Omar Cooper Jr.
SLIDE30 of 32
30. Denver Broncos - DL Caleb Banks (Florida)
(Photo: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Getty)
After suffering a foot injury at the combine, Florida's Caleb Banks sees his stock slip a bit. He's still in the first round as the Denver Broncos take him at No. 30.
SLIDE31 of 32
31. New England Patriots - Edge T.J. Parker (Clemson)
(Photo: Cory Fravel, 247Sports)
After falling in the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots pick at No. 30 and take the best edge rusher left on the board in T.J. Parker.
SLIDE32 of 32
32. Seattle Seahawks - DB Colton Hood (Tennessee)
(Photo: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The defending Super Bowl champions reload on defense and take defensive back Colton Hood out of Tennessee.