**1\. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame**
**2\. Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State**
**3\. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana**
**4\. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State**
**5\. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech**
**6\. Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State**
**7\. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State**
**8\. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami**
**9\. Spencer Fano, OL, Utah**
**10\. Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami**
**Analysis**: Love’s explosive play ability in the run and pass game makes him a future superstar from this draft class. Downs and Mendoza are incredibly advanced from a mental preparation standpoint and that should help them make an early impact in the NFL.
The identity of this year’s group is the high-end talent and depth of the front seven group, which includes Reese, Bailey, Styles and Bain in the top ten here. Fano’s lack of arm length might force him inside, depending on which team drafts him. Mauigoa could be asked to do the same, but I see his pathway closer to former Saints first-rounder Taliese Fuaga (who has stuck at right tackle).
**ROGERS MOCK DRAFT 2.0:** [**Love to Titans, Downs to Commanders**](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-titans-get-jeremiyah-love-rueben-bain-jr-lands-with-chiefs)
Simms' RB draft rankings: No. 1 Jeremiyah Love
Chris Simms dives into Jeremiyah Love's Marshall Faulk-type skillset and explains why the Notre Dame running back is far and away the best at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft.
**11\. Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State**
**12\. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State**
**13\. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU**
**14\. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon**
**15\. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee**
**16\. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri**
**17\. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana**
**18\. Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon**
**19\. Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State**
**20\. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee**
**Analysis:** ‘Plug and play’ gets recklessly tossed around, but Vega Ioane truly fits that saying at guard. I like Tate’s size, attention to detail and tracking, but Jordan Tyson’s separation ability gave him the edge as my top receiver.
Delane, McCoy and Hood all have the demeanor, speed and physicality to thrive in man coverage in the NFL.
I might seem higher than consensus on Zion Young and Kayden McDonald, but they bring a toughness that is hard to quantify properly. Omar Cooper’s ability to create yards with the ball in his hands, after winning from the slot or outside, is incredibly impressive.
Ioane takes pride in protecting the QB
Penn State offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane talks with Connor Rogers about the pride he takes in not letting his QB get hit and the importance of preparation.
**21\. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia**
**22\. Makai Lemon, WR, USC**
**23\. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington**
**24\. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF**
**25\. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama**
**26\. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Auburn**
**27\. A.J. Haulcy, SAF, LSU**
**28\. Christen Miller, DL, Georgia**
**29\. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo**
**30\. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah**
**Analysis**: This is a fascinating group because Lemon and Mesidor win without top-tier athleticism but are hard-nosed, fearless football players. Haulcy and McNeil-Warren consistently change games with their ability to take away the football through the air or with physicality. Lomu is still developing as a run blocker, but his movement skills show a lot of upside as a pass protector.
Highlights from Lemon's Biletnikoff campaign
Check out the kinds of plays that made Makai Lemon a Biletnikoff Award winner and a first-round worthy prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
**31\. TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson**
**32\. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia**
**33\. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M**
**34\. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana**
**35\. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn**
**36\. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida**
**37\. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame**
**38\. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson**
**39\. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama**
**40\. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama**
**Analysis:** This group includes two fascinating outliers in Cashius Howell (lacks length) and D’Angelo Ponds (lacks overall size). The intensity and speed each play with makes it impossible for me to bet against them. Banks would be ranked much higher if not for an injury that cost him much of the 2025 season and then another injury at the combine. Bernard’s reliability and willingness to do whatever is necessary to help the team reminded me of Jarvis Landry.
Who are the best edge rushers in 2026 NFL Draft?
Chris Simms and Connor Rogers analyze how the top edge rushers performed during the combine, detailing why Rueben Bain Jr. is "all about that business" and why David Bailey is "one of the more safer picks of the top 10."
**41\. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson**
**42\. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech**
**43\. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington**
**44\. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M**
**45\. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois**
**46\. Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech**
**47\. Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M**
**48\. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson**
**49\. Treydan Stukes, SAF, Arizona**
**50\. Skyler Bell, WR, UConn**
**Analysis:** I’d bet on Jonah Coleman leading a backfield for quite some time despite being underappreciated in this draft. He runs hard, has natural hands as a pass catcher and wears the opposition out. Lee Hunter can take on double teams and bolster a unit’s run defense singlehandedly, while Bisontis is a phonebooth bully on the offensive line to drive a run game.
Stukes played a lot of slot corner in college, but I think his athleticism and ball skills can project to free safety too. Skyler Bell has been highly productive, put on a show in the testing at the combine and already prepares like a true pro. He has no business making it out of day two of this draft.
Hunter discusses origin of 'The Fridge' nickname
Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter joins Connor Rogers and Joshua Perry at the NFL Combine to discuss his NFL draft preparation, the origin of his nickname, playing in the College Football Playoff, and more.
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