An NFL first-round mock draft is an exercise in educated speculation. That still makes it very challenging enough to project 32 unique picks when considering each pick has a progressive impact on the successive selections.
Predicting draft-day trades adds a new layer. The permutations are already voluminous. Moving teams up and down in the order from current positions makes for endless possibilities.
With a more calculated approach, Sporting News does only one mock that works in trades. Here's our 2026 edition, featuring X potential deals that can shake up the first round.
MORE:Sporting News' complete 7-round mock draft
NFL Mock Draft 2026 (first round with trades)
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 236 pounds)
The Raiders won't be fielding any trade offers for their locked-in favorite next franchise quarterback. Mendoza's pro day was the latest smash hit for his can't-miss draft status in Klint Kubiak's offense.
2. New York Jets
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State (6-4, 241 pounds)
The Jets will be going for a dynamic, dominant and versatile playmaker to add to the new-look defense with Aaron Glenn and Brian Duker. From all the elite options, including other Ohio State stars, Reese would be a great chess-piece get.
3. Washington Commanders (TRADE up with Cardinals)
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 212 pounds)
The Commanders have made it no secret they love Love to be their new feature power back as they reboot their backfield this offseason. Rachaad White is a complementary option and Love can be the needed workhorse to boost the overall game of Jayden Daniels with David Blough taking over the offense.
4. Tennessee Titans
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-2, 263 pounds)
The Titans will be looking to upgrade their pass rush and will feel comfortable with Bain's production and pedigree for Robert Saleh's defense. Bain is a good fit as a traditional upfield disruptor for a 4-3 end.
MORE:NFL power rankings 2026 after free agency
Rueben Bain
5. New York Giants
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-5, 244 pounds)
The Giants are strongly considering one of the Ohio State stars to upgrade the defense. With Reese off the board, Styles would be the better choice for his active second-level playmaking over safety Caleb Downs. He would be a good first pick for Dennard Wilson as he tries to build a Ravens-like foundation.
6. Cleveland Browns
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 206 pounds)
The Browns would be down with taking Downs to add to their defensive playmaking juice at every level behind DPOY Myles Garrett and DROY Carson Schwesinger. He can be active in the Kyle Hamilton sense that new coach Todd Monken just saw in Baltimore.
7. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE down with Commanders)
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-4, 251 pounds)
The Cardinals know they have options between Reese, Bain and Bailey to upgrade their pass rush and with multiple needs as a rebuilding defense in transition, they need someone who can have an impact upfield and also be a unique asset in coverage for Nick Rallis.
8. Dallas Cowboys (TRADE up with Saints)
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 187 pounds)
The Cowboys love Delane but should know they need to move into the top 10 to get him and have that flexibility with two first-rounders. It would make sense to jump the Chiefs, the other team heavily tied to taking the best corner in the draft, a potential shutdown superstar in Delane.
MORE:Complete 7-round draft order for 2026
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-2, 192 pounds)
The Chiefs have two first-rounders so they won't panic should they lose out on Delane as they try to recover from being gutted at cornerback. Tate has also been high on their board to give their offense another big-play threat for a recovering Patrick Mahomes.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-2, 298 pounds)
The Bengals need to beef up their interior disruptive potential, and Woods, who is back up boards through the reevaluation process, would be a solid anchor as they address edge rusher later. They just need to stay here and pick.
11. Miami Dolphins
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-1, 188 pounds)
The Dolphins will be looking at Delane, too, as they try to land a top big corner who can make a lot of plays on the ball. But they also have needs at many positions as they move on with Jeff Hafley as head coach and can't afford to use picks to move up the board. They should be happy still landing McCoy.
12. New Orleans Saints (TRADE down with Cowboys)
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 203 pounds)
The Saints will be eyeing a top pass rusher but they also will be fine with sliding a few picks and addressing another need well in the first round. With Tate gone to the Chiefs in this mock, it is ideal for them to take this solid outside receiver to support Chris Olave and Tyler Shough.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds)
The Rams are in good shape at tackle with Rob Havenstein retiring, thanks to Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr. But they can consider Fano as a strong swing backup with the run-blocking pop to potentially take over at either guard.
14. Detroit Lions (TRADE up with Ravens)
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)
The Lions are moving on without Taylor Decker and need a strong left tackle candidate to put opposite the dominant right-side edge blocking of Penei Sewell. The Ravens will be OK obliging as they are less locked into a glaring need. Going for Mauigoa would be aggressive but well played by GM Brad Holmes.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (6-3, 259 pounds)
The Buccaneers will be flexible in their needs but linebacker will take precedence for Todd Bowles' defense, either a quick edge rusher or an inside playmaker to help replace retiring Lavonte David. Mesidor has been on their radar as he's risen to be a first-rounder taken not after former Hurricanes teammate Baine.
16. New York Jets (from Colts)
Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 192 pounds)
The Jets could use a quick, reliable route-running slot to pair with Garrett Wilson with Geno Smith at QB. Lemon makes sense as someone who can get open often in the middle, la la fellow former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown.
MORE: Biggest, strongest, fastest from 2026 NFL Combine
17. Baltimore Ravens (TRADE down with Lions)
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (6-4, 330 pounds)
The Ravens will pivot from a potential shot at Mauigoa to taking the best pure mauling interior lineman available in the wake of losing Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. Ioane would give them a huge upgrade at left guard to help the new right guard John Simpson.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thienman, S, Oregon (6-0, 201 pounds)
The Vikings need to replenish safety fast, as it is a suddenly weak position without Harrison Smith and with Josh Metellus. Thienman blew up the Combine as a dynamic athlete who can give them a huge playmaking force in coverage.
19. Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 241 pounds)
The Panthers will follow up their first-round hit on wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan by getting another needed, unique big target for Bryce Young. Sadiq can give the Panthers their long-needed game-changing athlete at the position since Greg Olsen.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 276 pounds)
The Cowboys will be thrilled to still address their pass rush as they end up giving up a future draft pick to the Saints to move up for Delane earlier in the round. Jerry Jones gets aggressive for a change but it will accelerate the defensive surge with new coordinator Christian Parker.
keldric faulk
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (6-6, 315 pounds)
The Steelers will need to think about bolstering their pass protection outside, assuming Aaron Rodgers is still in their quarterback plans for 2026. Broderick Jones has been disappointing and Miller can help right away as a strong, tough rock of an athlete.
MORE:Ranking signings, trades for all 32 teams from best (Chiefs) to worst (Jets)
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 186 pounds)
The Chargers will keep an eye on pass rush and interior offensive line, but with Ioane and Faulk off the board, they can also pivot well to addressing a concern at outside cornerback opposite Donte Jackson for the new defensive scheme under Chris O'Leary.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (6-4, 201 pounds)
The Eagles will have their eye on Thienman to address their key defensive need in the secondary but also should love the fact of McNeil-Warren meshing well in making plays in coverage with his first-round former college teammate, Quinyon Mitchell.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-6, 304 pounds)
The Browns need to stay put and grab the next best available offensive lineman on the board to address their rebuild up front. Lomu, if not taking a key outside spot, would be a strong candidate to star at guard to help replace Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.
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25. New England Patriots (TRADE UP with Bears)
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)
The Patriots have been enamored with the massive frame and intriguing athleticism of Proctor to boost their offensive line at either right tackle or guard to better support Will Campbell and help both Drake Maye and the running game.
26. Buffalo Bills
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-3, 253 pounds)
The Bills need a high-energy pass rusher to rev up their new-look defensive scheme under Jim Leonhard. Howell is their type of productive, versatile option.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (6-7, 315 pounds)
The 49ers will need to think about replacing Trent Williams (6-5, 320 pounds) at left tackle in the near future and will need to debate that vs. taking more wide receiver help. Freeling would be the ideal stash to make a smooth transition at the critical left tackle.
28. Houston Texans
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (6-3, 326 pounds)
The Texans will keep piling on to their defense by addressing some of the weak spots. McDonald fills a big hole for adding more inside pass-rush po,p, including maintaining power run stopping.
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29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams)
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (6-0, 196 pounds)
The Chiefs have plenty of reasons to love what Concepcion can do in their offense as an open-field weapon beyond his nickname. He is dangerous with the ball using his quickness well to add another big-play element for Patrick Mahomes.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (from Broncos through TRADE UP with Dolphins)
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana (6-0, 196 pounds)
The Raiders would be pulling off an interesting coup by moving back into the first round with the multiple-position needy Dolphins and giving Mendoza one of his big-time college targets as his go-to guy in the NFL.
MORE:Winners and losers from 2026 NFL free agency
31. Chicago Bears (TRADE down with Patriots)
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-4, 265 pounds)
The Bears can go with several positions, including offensive line and safety, but pass rush opposite Montez Sweat is also important to address. Parker is an ideal Cameron Jordan-like addition for Dennis Allen's defense.
32. Cleveland Browns (TRADE up with Seahawks)
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (6-1, 211 pounds)
Should the Jets pass on Simpson a couple times and are sitting there at No. 33 overall to open the second round, the Browns should think about sniping them by moving up from No. 39 for a third first-rounder beyond Downs and Lomu. Simpson has been tied more of late to Monken a coach who once coveted him much in the college recruiting process.