The 2026 NFL Draft conversation is defined by a massive surge in defensive front-seven talent and a debate over the value of the class’s second tier of quarterbacks. While the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 pick and selection of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza remains the draft’s only certainty, the rest of the first round has become a battleground for teams desperate to find the next generation of pass-rushing disruptors and protectors.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson has emerged as a central figure in this race, forcing teams like the Cardinals and Jets to weigh the value of a franchise passer against blue-chip defensive needs. Meanwhile, the historic combine performances of Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq have made them locks for the top 10, as teams prioritize explosive, game-breaking athleticism to counteract the league’s dominant defensive fronts.
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Last week, my first mock was published, and I am now moving ahead with an updated edition.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) smiles as he celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Mendoza arrives after a 41-touchdown campaign where he led Indiana to an undefeated title. His 182.9 passer rating topped the nation, giving Las Vegas the efficiency they lacked during a season in which they ranked 26th in passing EPA. By pairing his 72 percent completion rate with Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, the Raiders finally secure a stable floor for an offense that struggled with 30th-ranked third-down conversion rates.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets prioritize the defensive ceiling by selecting Reese, a prospect many scouts compare to a bigger, more physical Micah Parsons. The Jets’ defense struggled with consistency in 2025, allowing 25.1 points per game and ranking 29th in defensive EPA. Reese brings elite physical tools to the Apple, having combined for 112 tackles and 10 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. His 4.46-second 40-yard dash provides the high-end versatility required to jumpstart a unit that needs a blue-chip playmaker.
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3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Arizona addresses its identity crisis by securing the draft’s top offensive lineman, though rumors persist that GM Monti Ossenfort is exploring a trade-back to recoup assets before targeting Alabama’s Ty Simpson later. The Cardinals allowed a league-high 55 total touchdowns last season, and their line ranked 27th in total yards allowed. While Simpson is the talk of the desert, Mauigoa has started 38 straight games and provides a plug-and-play solution at right tackle to protect the future of the Cardinals’ rebuilding offense.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Titans go all-in on offense to support young quarterback Cam Ward. Love is the clear RB1 of the class, coming off a season where he rushed for 1,372 yards and 21 total touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Tennessee ranked 30th in rushing yards last season, and Love’s elite vision and receiving skills, evidenced by his zero drops in 2025, provide a three-down engine for a unit that lacked explosive playmaking.
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2. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Giants find their defensive heartbeat in Styles. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 240 pounds, he helped Ohio State rank as the top pass defense in college football. Styles recorded 82 tackles last season while transitioning from safety to linebacker. With the Giants allowing 49 touchdowns in 2025 and releasing veteran Bobby Okereke, Styles steps in as the leader to stabilize a unit consistently bullied over the middle by athletic tight ends.
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate
Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Cleveland addresses their receiving corps with the smooth-running Tate. He averaged 17.2 yards per reception in 2025 and caught nine touchdowns as the focal point of the Buckeyes’ aerial attack. The Browns’ offense ranked in the bottom five in explosive pass plays last year. Tate’s ability to win at all three levels provides a much-needed threat to complement Chris Olave and stretch opposing secondaries.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
The Commanders secure a closer for their defensive front. Bain Jr. led the nation with 83 total QB pressures and recorded 9.5 sacks in 2025. Washington allowed a league-high 384.3 yards per game last season, and their pass rush lacked a finisher. Bain brings the violent hands and power required to fix a unit that ranked 32nd in points allowed, giving Jayden Daniels more defensive support.
8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Saints pivot to the most productive pass rusher in college football. Bailey led the FBS with 14.5 sacks and recorded 81 total pressures last season. New Orleans finished in the bottom third of the league in pressure rate, and Bailey’s 19.5 tackles for loss provide the disruptive presence they need. He is a high-motor finisher who fixes a defensive front that struggled to get off the field on third downs.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kansas City lands the most athletic tight end prospect in a generation to eventually succeed Travis Kelce. Sadiq’s 4.39-second 40-yard dash was the fastest by a tight end at the combine in over 20 years. He led Oregon with 51 catches and eight touchdowns in 2025. Sadiq gives Patrick Mahomes a terrifying vertical threat in the middle of the field for a Chiefs offense that relies on creative mismatches.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Cincinnati finds the ultimate safety net for a secondary that allowed 60 pass plays of 20-plus yards in 2025. Downs recorded 257 career tackles and six interceptions over three seasons. He was the heartbeat of a Buckeyes secondary that ranked No. 1 in pass defense. Downs immediately upgrades a Bengals unit that ranked 31st in total yards allowed, providing the diagnostic play they have lacked.
11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Miami pivots to a balanced offensive approach by securing Fano. He anchored a Utah line that allowed the fewest pressures in the Big 12 last year. The Dolphins must protect Malik Willis following the departure of Jaylen Waddle. Fano is an elite mover in space, making him a perfect fit for Mike McDaniel’s zone-run schemes. He brings stability to a unit that struggled with interior push in 2025.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Cowboys ignore the injury history to bet on McCoy’s lockdown traits. Before his ACL tear, McCoy recorded four interceptions and nine passes defended in a single season. Dallas’ defense was shredded for 37.7 points per game in their final stretch last year. If his recovery is complete, McCoy gives the Cowboys a ball-hawking presence opposite DaRon Bland for a unit that ranked last in coverage efficiency.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California wideout Makai Lemon (WO29) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
The Rams stay local to find the heir to Davante Adams. Lemon racked up 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns for USC last season, winning the Biletnikoff Award. He fits the tough, blocking receiver profile that Sean McVay covets. Pairing Lemon with Puka Nacua gives Matthew Stafford a vertical element for an offense that already ranks among the league’s best in yards per play but needs more youth.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Baltimore continues to invest in their physical identity with the best interior blocker in the class. Ioane is a powerful, nasty blocker who helped Penn State’s rushing attack rank among the best in the nation. The Ravens need to maintain their top-ranked rushing volume as Derrick Henry ages. Ioane’s punch and leg drive ensure the Baltimore ground game remains productive after a season of inconsistent interior push.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Tampa Bay adds a high-upside disruptor to their edge rotation. Mesidor totaled 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025, earning high marks for his production in high-leverage games. The Bucs need to improve their pass rush, which struggled to close out games last season. Mesidor’s high motor and ability to set a hard edge make him an every-down player for Todd Bowles’ aggressive defensive system.
16. New York Jets: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Having addressed the defense earlier, the Jets move to help Garrett Wilson. While the buzz connecting Ty Simpson to New York’s second first-round pick is deafening after a private workout and dinner with team brass, the Jets stick to the board here. Tyson recorded 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in just nine starts last year. If he stays healthy, he provides the explosive element the Jets’ offense lacked while they ranked 25th in total yards.
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Lions prioritize the trenches following Taylor Decker’s departure. Proctor is a massive human being who allowed just two sacks across his 611 pass-blocking snaps last season. Detroit’s philosophy is built on dominance up front, and Proctor brings the raw power needed to establish a legitimate ground game. He gives the Lions a long-term bookend to keep their offensive line among the NFL’s elite tier.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Minnesota finds a rangy replacement for the legendary Harrison Smith. Thieneman recorded 92 total tackles and two interceptions last season, allowing very few completions downfield. His athleticism was on full display at the combine, and he fits the versatile safety profile Brian Flores requires. Thieneman provides the deep-half safety net for a Vikings secondary that allowed the 5th most 30-plus yard pass plays.
19. Carolina Panthers: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The Panthers continue their quest to find a blue-chip pass rusher. Faulk is an ascending talent who earned an 85.5 run-defense grade last season and showed flashes as a solo rusher. Carolina’s defense finished near the bottom of the league in sacks and needs a culture-setter in the front seven. Faulk’s versatility and high character make him an ideal fit for the Panthers’ rebuilding defense.
20. Dallas Cowboys: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dallas uses their second first-rounder to find the quarterback of their defense. Allen recorded 88 tackles and 8 tackles for loss last season at Georgia. The Cowboys’ defense ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per game in 2025. Allen’s reliability and diagnostic ability are the antidote to a unit that allowed 59 touchdowns last year. He fills the void in the middle with elite leadership and physicality.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Steelers continue to rebuild their line by selecting an elite blindside protector. Freeling is a high-ceiling athlete who was a key part of a Georgia line that allowed a pressure rate under 3 percent last year. Pittsburgh needs to stabilize a line that ranked in the bottom half of the league in pass protection efficiency. Freeling’s natural balance ensures the Steelers can protect their young quarterback of the future.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Chargers bolster their pass rush after losing key veterans. Parker recorded 127 career pressures at Clemson and showcased elite instincts against the run. Jim Harbaugh values physical dominance in the trenches, and Parker’s 31.5 career tackles for loss prove he is an every-down player. He brings the push required to control the line of scrimmage in the high-powered AFC West.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Eagles find an instinctive replacement for their aging secondary. Delane is a high-IQ corner who allowed a completion rate under 50 percent during his career at LSU. Philadelphia’s secondary allowed 34 passing touchdowns in 2025, and Delane’s elite 90.7 analytical coverage grade offers a Day 1 solution. He provides immediate impact for a team looking to maintain its NFC North contention.
24. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Cleveland doubles down on receiving help with the massive Boston. Standing 6-foot-4, he caught 11 touchdowns and recorded 881 yards in 2025, proving to be a reliable red-zone threat. He provides Deshaun Watson with a big-bodied target on third downs and in the red zone, where the Browns struggled to find a consistent number one option last season.
25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
Chicago adds a relentless motor to its pass rush. Young is a culture player who practices with game-like intensity and recorded 11.5 tackles for loss last season. The Bears ranked 29th in total yards allowed last year, and Young’s ability to set a hard edge and pursue from the backside provides the grit needed to help their young defense.
26. Buffalo Bills: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Indiana University wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. speaks with the media at the 2026 NFL Combine.
The Bills land an ascending playmaker to provide Josh Allen with a big-bodied target. Cooper recorded 69 receptions for 937 yards and 14 touchdowns for the national champion Hoosiers. He excels at winning contested catches and provides the Bills with the size and catch radius they lacked after their recent veteran departures.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The 49ers prioritize a succession plan for Brock Purdy’s blindside. Lomu allowed zero sacks last season and is considered one of the most technically sound pass protectors in the class. San Francisco needs to plan for the eventual departure of their veteran stars, and Lomu’s natural balance and agility make him a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme.
28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Houston secures their future bookends by selecting the most durable tackle in the class. Miller has started every game since his freshman year, logging over 2,800 career snaps. By pairing him with Aireontae Ersery, the Texans now have two young tackles to protect C.J. Stroud. Miller’s technical refinement ensures the Texans can maintain their high-powered offense, even though the quarterback was pressured on 42 percent of dropbacks last year.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The Chiefs continue to prioritize speed and bend on the perimeter. Howell posted the fastest 10-yard split among edge rushers at the 2026 Combine at 1.58 seconds. He tallied 11 sacks last season and showcases the quick-win talent Steve Spagnuolo seeks. He provides the explosive element needed for a Chiefs defense that allowed 31 touchdowns and struggled to close out mobile quarterbacks.
30. Denver Broncos: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Broncos land a high-energy playmaker to maintain their elite defensive standard. McNeil-Warren is a versatile safety who led Toledo in tackles and interceptions last season. Denver’s defense was among the league’s best in 2025, and its ability to force turnovers will help a unit that needs to stay young and athletic in the back end.
31. New England Patriots: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
The Patriots shock the back end of the first round by grabbing a dynamic offensive mismatch. Stowers is a versatile weapon who can line up in the slot or as a traditional tight end. He provides Drake Maye with a high-leverage pass catcher to improve an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in receiving touchdowns. Stowers’ explosiveness after the catch gives the Patriots a much-needed playmaker.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Seattle adds a blue-chip talent to their backfield to cap off the first round. Price was splendid at the combine and recorded 37.5 yards per kick return last season, leading the nation. Following the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Seattle needs a home run hitter to pair with their young core. Price’s ability to win in the passing game and on special teams makes him the perfect fit for the Seahawks.
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