Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
The NFL Combine is upon us, so now seems as good a time as any to put out an NFL mock draft.
This year’s draft is not quarterback heavy, which could lead to a much more wide-open first round than we’ve seen in recent years. Here is how I see the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft playing out as of February 27.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The Raiders are playing coy about how they’re going to go about this draft, but if they keep this pick, there doesn’t seem to be much mystery here. Fernando Mendoza just won a Heisman Trophy and national championship, and now, he’s going to be the first overall pick of the NFL Draft.
2. New York Jets: LB/EDGE Arvelle Reese, Ohio State
The Jets have plenty of holes on defense that need to be plugged, particularly after parting ways with both Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Arvelle Reese is a versatile defender who can rush the passer and step back into coverage, so New York can fix a couple problems with one selection here.
3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
If the Cardinals are going to keep Kyler Murray healthy this season, they will need to reinforce their offensive line. Francis Mauigoa has great NFL size and strong instincts in pass protection that should make him an instant starter alongside Paris Johnson.
4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Reuben Bain, Miami
It’s back-to-back Hurricanes off the board, and this time, the Titans take Reuben Bain to create a formidable duo with Jeffery Simmons on their defensive front.
5. New York Giants: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Jermaine Eluemunor is heading into free agency this spring, which could leave a hole at right tackle for the New York Giants to fill. Spencer Fano has spent the past two seasons at that position for the Utah Utes, so this should be a pretty seamless transition.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling, Georiga
The top end talent is limited at the offensive tackle position, and while Cleveland has another pick at No. 24, they jump at the chance to pick up one of the better left tackles in this class before it gets too late.
7. Washington Commanders: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Commanders need to see some improvement on defense, and Mansoor Delane is my top cornerback in this draft class. He’s got elite coverage skills on the boundary and very well could go even higher in this draft if a team opts to prioritize their secondary rather than offensive line.
8. New Orleans Saints: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Alvin Kamara era inevitably is coming to an end in New Orleans in the next couple years, but until then, the Saints will have a very formidable 1-2 punch out of the backfield to help support QB Tyler Shough by taking the dynamic Jeremiyah Love.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Chiefs are going to feel stung if Love goes off the board right ahead of them, but they get a great wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes to throw to. Carnell Tate is the most sure-handed receiver in this draft class, and at 6’3″, he is a big target who can eat up space on his routes.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Bengals have a strong offense as long as Joe Burrow stays healthy, but the defense is in desperate need of reworking. Caleb Downs is an elite safety project who can do just about anything, and he’s a good start towards revamping the secondary.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The Dolphins could be moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, which would make this a rebuilding year for Miami. This wasn’t a good team in any category during 2025, but they really need to improve the secondary.
12. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Dallas stays in the state of Texas here by picking up David Bailey. After trading away Micah Parsons, they need a new future off the edge, and they hope they found a cornerstone here.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
As long as Jermod McCoy is fully healthy, he is worthy of being a first-round pick. The NFL Combine will be a great opportunity for him to prove that.
14. Baltimore Ravens: WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Baltimore Ravens do it again. A top end talent at a position of need falls right into their lap, and they stop the Makai Lemon fall.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
It’s another Buckeye off the board. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a springy off-ball linebacker who can cover receivers while also being a physical run stopper. Sonny Styles checks those boxes.
16. New York Jets: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Quinnen Williams is no longer around, so the Jets reset by taking a top defensive tackle prospect after grabbing Arvelle Reese with the second overall pick. New York has a brand new defensive front to build around.
17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
The Lions have a chance to create a strong duo on their defensive front with Aidan Hutchinson, and they do exactly that with the selection of Cashius Howell.
18. Minnesota Vikings: DT Caleb Banks, Florida
The Minnesota Vikings need to find answers at their defensive tackle position after striking out in free agency last year. Caleb Banks can do everything in the trenches, and he’ll be a fun piece for Brian Flores to utilize.
19. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
The run of defensive front prospects continues as the Panthers try to build their pass rush around Keldric Faulk, who possesses some great athleticism off the edge.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell immediately turned into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and now, there is another high-end Toledo defensive back available in Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Dallas jumps at the chance to shore up their secondary.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Steelers need a true WR2 behind DK Metcalf. While Jordyn Tyson has some injury concerns, he is a silky smooth route runner with great speed to give Pittsburgh a different look at the wide receiver position.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Olaivega Ioane, Penn State
Jim Harbaugh’s influence continues in LA. With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt being anchors at the tackle positions, the Chargers still need to figure things out on the interior. Olaivega Ioane is a start.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Dallas Goedert might not be back in Philadelphia, which offers the Eagles a chance to get younger at the tight end position. Kenyon Sadiq is a great pass catcher at the position and could become the replacement.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Quarterback remains a problem in Cleveland, but there isn’t really an option worth taking here at No. 24. Instead, they build up their wide receiver room with Denzel Bostom.
25. Chicago Bears: DT Christen Miller, Georgia
The Bears have Gervon Dexter, but they need someone else in the middle of their defensive line to help stop the run. Christen Miller can help in that department.
26. Buffalo Bills: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Elijah Sarratt won’t blow anyone away with his speed, but he is about as precise a route runner as there is in this class. Buffalo has a severe need at wide receiver, and Sarratt is a high floor prospect who can immediately contribute.
27. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
Wide receiver is a need for the 49ers here, but with both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams recovering from torn ACLs, they add another pass rushing presence to the group with Zion Young.
28. Houston Texans: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
The Texans will put off adding a running back until later in the draft, allowing them to add another piece to a defense that was already elite in 2025. Kayden McDonald provides insurance for a defensive tackle room that could see a lot of faces depart in free agency.
29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Keith Abney, Arizona State
The Rams have three cornerbacks entering free agency this offseason. Odds are they will need to fill a hole at that spot.
30. Denver Broncos: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
The Broncos will be looking to get a bit younger at linebacker this offseason, and CJ Allen is a solid player in coverage who can add some dynamic athleticism to this team.
31. New England Patriots: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
If there is one thing that is certain following the Super Bowl, the Patriots need to get better at protecting Drake Maye in 2026. Kadyn Proctor is a mammoth of a human being at 6’7″ and 366 pounds, and he’ll create a dynamic tackle duo with Will Campbell.
32. Seattle Seahawks: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
If Rashid Shaheed leaves in free agency, the Seahawks will need to find a way to fill that speedy void that really made a difference for them on offense and special teams. KC Concepcion returned two punts for touchdowns in 2025 while being a deep threat on offense for the Aggies.
You must be logged in to post a comment.