Fernando Mendoza will almost certainly be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After that, there isn’t much clarity about what will happen in the first round.
The New York Jets will have their choice among the draft’s non-quarterbacks with the No. 2 overall pick. There will be plenty of talented edge rushers available with that pick, but Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey’s preference with the selection isn’t yet clear.
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Neither is the exact landing spot of Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love, who is looking to become the first top-five running back selection since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Love is universally considered one of the best players in the draft, but will a team like the Tennessee Titans be willing to use the No. 4 overall selection on him?
Then, of course, there’s Ty Simpson, who could be the biggest wild card of this year’s class. The Alabama quarterback will almost certainly be the second off the board at his position behind Mendoza, but he could fall to the latter stages of the first round if the NFL’s quarterback-needy teams pass on him.
Eventually, a clearer picture will crystallize atop the 2026 NFL Draft, allowing fans and draftniks alike to prognosticate how the opening round may play out. For now, here’s a look at our latest projection for the draft’s first round:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Write it in pen. The Raiders are going to take Mendoza, who won the 2025 Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national title, with the No. 1 overall pick. The only question is whether Mendoza will start in Week 1 or if Las Vegas will rely on the veteran Kirk Cousins to play ahead of him, which Klint Kubiak stated was his preference.
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2. New York Jets: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Jets seem likely to add a pass rusher with the No. 2 overall pick. It’s just a matter of whether it will be Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr. or Arvell Reese. Bailey will get the nod here, as his proven production – he had an FBS-leading 14.5 sacks in 2025 – and pro-ready skill set fit the win-now quest Aaron Glenn is facing in his second season with the Jets.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Edge/LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The Cardinals need to add blue-chip talent on defense. Reese is arguably the best player in the draft. His elite athleticism and versatility should make him a do-it-all playmaker in the front seven. The Micah Parsons comparisons may be premature, but it would hardly be a surprise if Reese emerges as a top-tier edge rusher.
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4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Titans added tons of depth to their roster in free agency. They added at receiver (Wan’Dale Robinson), cornerback (Cor’Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor) and along the defensive line (Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers) to improve the team. Those signings may ultimately allow them to select Love – a true, three-down playmaker at running back and one of the draft’s top playmakers – with the No. 4 overall pick to provide Cam Ward with a versatile sidekick.
NFL DRAFT ODDS: Which team will draft Jeremiyah Love?
5. New York Giants: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Is safety the Giants’ biggest need? Maybe not, but the Ravens frequently used three safeties during John Harbaugh’s final few seasons with the team. He also acknowledged he was a “big fan” of Downs in a February interview on “The Mike Francesca Podcast” that also tipped Harbaugh’s overall draft strategy.
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“If we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll take the best player. When you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick.”
There’s a good argument Downs is, in fact, the best available player here, so we’ll pencil him in for now. Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate are a couple of other Ohio State guys who could draw consideration here.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The Browns have spent the offseason remaking their offensive line and may have their pick among the top tackle prospects with this selection. While Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa may be rated higher than Freeling, the Georgia product projects to be the best fit at left tackle, which is Cleveland’s biggest remaining need up front. That could lead Todd Monken and Andrew Berry to target the powerful 6-7, 315-pound tackle with the sixth pick.
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7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Adam Peters saw firsthand the impact Fred Warner made for the 49ers after being selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Styles, who starred at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, could have a similar impact on an anemic Washington defense desperate to add some sideline-to-sideline athleticism.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints need to continue building around promising second-year starter Tyler Shough, and the team has a gaping hole at receiver across from Chris Olave. Tate has great size (6-2, 192 pounds) and the latest Ohio State receiver to enter the NFL as a polished route runner. He isn’t overly fast, but he’s still a solid, downfield playmaker and should be a strong complement for Olave.
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9. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Chiefs lost both of their top cornerbacks to the Rams during the offseason, trading Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles while Jaylen Watson signed there as a free agent. Delane allowed a passer rating of just 31.3 last season, per Pro Football Focus, and could develop into a star under Steve Spagnuolo’s tutelage.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
The Bengals will be hoping one of the draft’s top defensive players falls into their lap with the 10th overall pick. Bain would qualify, as he could easily be a top-four selection. The Miami star has a compact build and bottom-barrel arm length, but he was productive and relentless in his final season with the Hurricanes, generating 9.5 sacks during their national championship run.
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Cincinnati already has a hyper-athletic edge rusher duo in Shemar Stewart and Boye Mafe, so Bain’s physicality would add a new dimension to Al Golden’s defense.
11. Miami Dolphins: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Miami’s top receivers for 2026 are presently projected to be Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington. That could lead the Dolphins to target a receiver with one of their two first-round selections, and Tyson has the separation skills needed to be a star at the NFL level – provided he can stay healthy.
JAYLEN WADDLE TRADE GRADES: Did Dolphins or Broncos win blockbuster deal?
12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The Cowboys would probably like for one of Delane, Downs or Styles to make it to their selection, but McCoy would be a solid pivot. He didn’t play in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL during an offseason workout but was one of the best cornerbacks in the country the previous season. Provided that McCoy’s medical testing checks out, he should still be a top-20 pick, especially after clocking a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.
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13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Rams are in win-now mode with Matthew Stafford returning for his age-38 season. Les Snead addressed the team’s big need at cornerback during free agency, which should free him up to target a third weapon to join Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in Los Angeles’ receiver room. Lemon is a natural separator with great hands and should be a perfect fit in the slot for the Rams.
14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Ravens’ interior offensive line was an issue last season and that was with star center Tyler Linderbaum. He now plays for the Raiders, so Baltimore will need to spend plenty of resources to upgrade the guard and center spots during the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Ioane is universally viewed as the best interior offensive lineman in this year’s class. The Penn State product has great size (6-4, 320 pounds) and a well-rounded skill set that should make him a plug-and-play starter for a Ravens team seeking a major upgrade at left guard.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
The Buccaneers re-signed Cade Otton during the offseason, but Sadiq is a different kind of weapon at tight end. The Oregon product generated 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns during his final season with the Ducks before showing off elite athleticism at the NFL combine.
Sadiq could pair with Otton to make a fearsome tight end tandem and help replace some of the red-zone production Tampa Bay lost when Mike Evans signed with the 49ers in free agency.
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16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Could the Jets take a quarterback here? Sure, but only if they fall in love with Ty Simpson. If not, Glenn will be content to continue upgrading his defense. Woods has the potential to become a great interior pass rusher at the NFL level. He just needs to play more consistently after generating just two sacks across 12 games during his final season at Clemson.
17. Detroit Lions: OT Francisco Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
Dan Campbell said the Lions are contemplating moving Penei Sewell to left tackle in 2026. If they do, they will need to find a quality right tackle option. Mauigoa (6-5, 329 pounds) played the position at Miami, showing good anchor in pass protection while being a powerful mauler in the running game.
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18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
The Vikings released 14-year veteran Harrison Smith in a procedural move with the 37-year-old likely to retire. Minnesota will need to replace the six-time Pro Bowler and Thieneman has the athleticism and do-it-all skill set that could make him a big-time weapon in Brian Flores’ defense.
19. Carolina Panthers: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Carolina might not have a major present-day need along the offensive line, but one could quickly arise. The team’s normal starting left tackle, Ikem Ekwonu, may miss the 2026 NFL season because of a torn patellar tendon – a difficult injury from which to recover – while free agent signing Rasheed Walker only signed a one-year deal to help replace him.
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Adding Fano would provide the Panthers with a longer-term option at the position in case neither Ekwonu or Walker returns to the team in 2027. Fano also has the athleticism and versatility needed to play along the interior offensive line, so Carolina can certainly find a spot to play the fluid mover.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
The Cowboys traded Micah Parsons on eve of the 2025 NFL season and went on to generate just 35 total sacks – tied for the seventh-fewest in the league – without the All-Pro talent. Faulk (6-6, 276 pounds) has the highest ceiling among available edge rushers here, as the Auburn product is one of the draft’s youngest prospects and has already flashed high-end pass-rushing capabilities.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Broderick Jones hasn’t panned out as the Steelers hoped since they selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Proctor would be a high-upside replacement who has great movement skills for his 6-7, 352-pound frame. The 20-year-old could challenge Jones for the left tackle job or slot in as a powerful left guard replacement for Isaac Seumalo.
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22. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Jim Harbaugh loves having a quality rotation of big-bodied defensive linemen, and Banks would fit the bill at 6-6, 327 pounds. The Florida product played in just three games last season while dealing with a foot injury but has shown great burst off the line. That could make him a threatening interior pass rusher at the NFL level, something the Chargers could certainly use.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The Eagles lost Reed Blankenship to the Texans in free agency, leaving Philadelphia needing a long-term starter next to 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba. Howie Roseman’s staff got a long look at McNeil-Warren when scouting Quinyon Mitchell before the 2024 NFL Draft, and they may fall in love with the defensive back’s ball production and tenacity in the running game.
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24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Browns added an offensive tackle with their first pick in this mock. With their second, they will add a potential No. 1 receiver for Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders or whoever ends up being the team’s top quarterback in 2026. Boston is a big-bodied receiver (6-4, 212 pounds) who has great physicality and should quickly emerge as a red-zone weapon at the NFL level.
25. Chicago Bears: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
The Bears had the seventh-lowest pressure rate in the NFL last season. Adding a high-end complement across from Montez Sweat could help solve that issue, and Parker generated 21.5 sacks in 39 games over three seasons at Clemson. He should be a plug-and-play starter with the physicality needed to set a strong edge across from Sweat.
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26. Buffalo Bills: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
The Bills haven’t yet re-signed Matt Milano or Shaq Thompson, who ranked second and fourth in snaps played among Buffalo’s linebackers last season. If neither returns, the Bills may consider drafting a long-term replacement who could start alongside Terrel Bernard.
Allen was an All-American in his last season at Georgia and is a sure tackler, as he logged 88 in 2025 while missing just six, per Pro Football Focus. His presence in pursuit could go a long way toward helping clean up a Bills defense that allowed the fifth-most rushing yards last season.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
The 49ers need to invest in an eventual successor for Trent Williams, who will turn 38 in July. Lomu is a great athlete with excellent movement skills and room to add more weight and power to his 6-6, 313-pound frame. Drafting him now to learn behind Williams, or play left guard until Williams calls it quits, would be a wise investment for San Francisco.
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28. Houston Texans: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
The Texans signed Braden Smith to start for them at right tackle, but the 31-year-old is only on a one-year deal. Houston could look to draft a successor for him, and Miller’s four years of starting experience and toughness at the point of attack could make him an ideal, long-term bookend for Aireontae Ersery.
29. Arizona Cardinals: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
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Projected trade with Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams)
It’s hard to imagine Simpson falling out of the first round, but if the Jets pass on him at 16, there aren’t many obvious landing spots for him. That could allow a quarterback-needy team to trade into the back of the first round to select the Alabama star, much like what the Giants did with Jaxson Dart last season.
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The Cardinals are desperate for young talent at quarterback, as Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis are presently headlining Arizona’s depth chart at the position. Simpson’s excellent accuracy, ball placement and pocket awareness would make him a nice fit in Mike LaFleur’s offense, and the one-year college starter could be afforded a chance to develop behind Brissett and Minshew in 2026.
NFL DRAFT ODDS: Which team will draft Ty Simpson?
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The Dolphins addressed their barren receiver room with the 11th pick. Now, they will target help for their cornerback room, where Jason Marshall Jr. is the top returning player on the roster. Terrell is a tenacious cornerback who logged 25 pass defenses and three interceptions across three seasons at Clemson and would instantly be Miami’s top cornerback despite his smaller frame (5-11, 186 pounds).
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31. New England Patriots: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
The Patriots could eventually trade for A.J. Brown, but doing so wouldn’t necessarily preclude them from taking a receiver at 31. New England released its lone 1,000-yard receiver from 2025, Stefon Diggs, and his replacement, Romeo Doubs, is probably better cast as a No. 2 receiver.
Cooper is a compact, elusive receiver who forced a whopping 27 missed tackles in 2025. He has a little Deebo Samuel to his game and would instantly be a versatile weapon with whom Drake Maye can grow.
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
The Seahawks lost Riq Woolen in free agency and could use an upgrade across from Devon Witherspoon. Cisse is an elite athlete and allowed just 18 catches on 38 targets in his lone season at South Carolina. Mike Macdonald could mold him into a star alongside Witherspoon and another former Gamecock, Nick Emmanwori.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Latest predictions include big first-round trade
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