With free agency signings and trades clarifying the roster-building picture for many teams, let's take another spin at projecting Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. My third go-around includes a coup for the Cowboys and a trade up by the Cardinals -- but not for the prospect you might be thinking of.
NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23-25.
This pick feels locked in for a team that needs to find and build around a face of the franchise.
GM Darren Mougey has loads of draft capital and should be allowed the runway to build his squad. Reese is an unpolished diamond, but the Jets can take a swing on the upside.
Arizona is in position here to trade back or simply take the best player available, which happens to be Bailey in this scenario.
The Titans grab an explosive three-down back to help take pressure off Cam Ward" data-link="/players/cam-ward/" data-slug="cam-ward"> Cam Ward, then look to target wide receiver later in the draft.
With Tate off the board, the Browns are forced to decide between a slight overdraft on a future left tackle or a quality wideout. They go with Option No. 1 here. Freeling needs more polish, but he has the traits, athleticism and upside to be an effective bookend at the next level.
The Commanders need a plug-and-play starting cornerback in the worst way, and that is exactly what the speedy, smothering Delane offers on the outside.
The Saints prioritize wideout over edge defender in this spot, grabbing the ultra-competitive Lemon to offer a high-volume option for Tyler Shough" data-link="/players/tyler-shough/" data-slug="tyler-shough"> Tyler Shough.
The Chiefs stick with their best-available mindset and add a polished, athletic offensive lineman who can step into the right tackle spot or bump inside in the future if need be.
The Bengals, in dire need of a pass rusher, end up landing the strongest, most physical defender at the position in this draft.
Austin Jackson" data-link="/players/austin-jackson/" data-slug="austin-jackson"> Austin Jackson is only under contract through the 2026 campaign, which means Mauigoa can either take over the right tackle spot this season or slide inside to guard for a year before kicking back outside in 2027.
Jackpot! Look, Styles could go much higher. If the Giants don't take him No. 5 overall, he could be a potential trade-up target for a few teams. But if he's still on the board at the 12 spot, the Cowboys should be very excited.
The Rams add even more firepower to the offense while providing some insurance at the position in the event Davante Adams" data-link="/players/davante-adams/" data-slug="davante-adams"> Davante Adams departs when his contract runs out next spring.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS
Carolina moves ahead of Tampa, New York and Detroit, three teams that need edge help, to grab a plug-and-play pass rusher with a deep bag of tricks and relentless motor.
Inside linebacker and edge are needs for Tampa, but those are also deep positions in this draft. Sadiq is one-of-one in this class in terms of a pass-catching tight end who opens up more 12 personnel groupings for OC Zac Robinson.
Downs' slide stops with the Jets, who should be overjoyed to add a culture player offering a tremendous competitive nature and the ability to play strong safety and some nickel.
This could be a best-case scenario for the Lions if both Proctor (a potential left/right tackle) and Olaivavega Ioane" data-link="/players/olaivavega-ioane/" data-slug="olaivavega-ioane"> Olaivavega Ioane (guard) are on the board. In this case, the Lions take the massive Alabama tackle.
McCoy is a press man cornerback with good size. He allows defensive coordinator Brian Flores even more freedom to crank up exotic blitzes, because McCoy can play on an island.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH CAROLINA PANTHERS
Baltimore moves back and still gets its hands on a mashing guard prospect with excellent size (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) and the ability to help fortify the running game for years to come.
There is nothing sexy about this pick. Dallas needs help on the back end, and Hood is one of the first-round tackles who offers toughness in coverage and in run support.
The Steelers' new WR combination of Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf" data-link="/players/d-k-metcalf/" data-slug="d-k-metcalf"> DK Metcalf is solid, but Cooper gives them a more dynamic option and could offer insurance after the 2026 season, in case Pittsburgh wants to move on from Metcalf and save a chunk of cap space.
With an injury history that reportedly includes a broken foot suffered at the NFL Scouting Combine, Banks carries some risk as a potential first-round pick. But the Chargers shoot their shot here, banking on his elite traits and very high ceiling.
Miller is an athletic, long-armed career right tackle with more game experience than any tackle in this draft. He feels like an eventual natural replacement for Lane Johnson" data-link="/players/lane-johnson/" data-slug="lane-johnson"> Lane Johnson on the right side.
I'm in the camp of people who believe the Browns could shake up the NFL with a trade of Myles Garrett" data-link="/players/myles-garrett/" data-slug="myles-garrett"> Myles Garrett before the draft -- despite brass repeatedly denying the possibility -- which could change everything. Parker is a power rushing edge whose 2024 production was off the charts.
Thieneman offers Dennis Allen's defense an instinctive safety with explosive athleticism and the versatility to help disguise coverages and change the picture post-snap for the quarterback.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH THE BUFFALO BILLS
Arizona trading back into the first round to take Alabama's Ty Simpson has become popular among mock drafts, but my guess is the Cards make the jump for the ascending right tackle. Buffalo brings in some much-needed draft capital in the move out of Round 1.
Mike Evans" data-link="/players/mike-evans/" data-slug="mike-evans"> Mike Evans is aging, and Christian Kirk" data-link="/players/christian-kirk/" data-slug="christian-kirk"> Christian Kirk has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons, so the addition of those players shouldn't keep San Francisco from taking a look at one of the premier separators in this draft.
Hill is fast, can rush or cover on third down and is a very good tackle finisher who rarely misses assignments in the run game. Both Texans starting linebackers (Henry To'oTo'o" data-link="/players/henry-to-oto-o/" data-slug="henry-to-oto-o"> Henry To'oTo'o and Azeez Al-Shaair" data-link="/players/azeez-al-shaair/" data-slug="azeez-al-shaair"> Azeez Al-Shaair) are free agents after 2026; however, Hill should be able to supplant To'oTo'o this year.
I'm not sure Auburn's Keldric Faulk fits the type of edge defenders the Chiefs like, and there really isn't a board-value cornerback here. Instead, the Chiefs target another position of need and grab a big, ball-winning target to add more firepower to the offense.
If the board falls this way, it might be a decision between Keldric Faulk and McNeil-Warren. The Dolphins have seven picks in the top 100, and the draft is deeper at edge than safety, so let's grab the long, rangy hitter out of Toledo.
Lomu is a little green, but he's talented in pass protection. He would give the Patriots the ability to mix and match Will Campbell" data-link="/players/will-campbell/" data-slug="will-campbell"> Will Campbell and Lomu at either tackle spot once Morgan Moses" data-link="/players/morgan-moses/" data-slug="morgan-moses"> Morgan Moses departs.
Price is a silky smooth running back with plug-and-play talent and the potential to add more receptions than we saw from him at Notre Dame. Getting the fifth-year option that would come with drafting Price in Round 1 is a big advantage for the Seahawks in this spot.