Dustin Baker’s Final NFL Mock Draft | 2026
Each year, in addition to various Minnesota Vikings-themed mock drafts, we get one on record for all the league. This is the last mock draft of 2026 — the leaguewide version for Round 1.
The board is set. Pandemonium is next.
This year may be more unpredictable than most, as the NFL shortened the clock between picks, and several teams are hoping to trade down.
Final Forecast for Every Pick in Round 1
Not limited to the Vikings, here’s a full NFL mock draft.
1 — Las Vegas Raiders
The Pick: Fernando Mendoza (QB) | Indiana
The first pick of the draft is inevitable. Mendoza gives the Raiders a legitimate shot at their quarterback of the future, which in turn allows the rest of their plans to fall into place. Any other choice would be an earth-shattering surprise; Las Vegas didn’t clear the runway solely for Kirk Cousins or a mid-round QB.
2 — New York Jets
The Pick: David Bailey (EDGE) | Texas Tech
This debate — Bailey or Reese — has actually become annoying because it’s so difficult to decipher. The Jets ultimately roll with Bailey. He’s a purer pass rusher.
3 — Arizona Cardinals
The Pick: Arvell Reese (LB) | Ohio State
Pundits have teased Jeremiyah Love going here, but we’re just not buying it, not when the Cardinals have James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, and Trey Benson on the roster. This feels like a textbook smoke-filled rumor reserved for draft week.
4 — Tennessee Titans
The Pick: Jeremiyah Love (RB) | Notre Dame
Tennessee effectively signaled this move by passing on top-tier running back help in free agency. Players like Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, or Javonte Williams could have addressed their RB needs rather easily. Instead, the Titans left the door open for a premium runner, and Love walks right in. He’s explosive, elusive, and perfectly built to be a game-changer.
5 — New York Giants
The Pick: Sonny Styles (LB) | Ohio State
With Bobby Okereke off the roster, the Giants can approach the linebacker position from a fresh angle, prioritizing youth. Styles possesses the range, size, and play style that will integrate seamlessly in New York. He feels like a quintessential John Harbaugh defender.
6 — Cleveland Browns
The Pick: Spencer Fano (OT) | Utah
Dawand Jones offered little to Cleveland last season, and his limited sample size didn’t inspire confidence. Tytus Howard is also on the roster, but the Browns still require a long-term solution on the offensive line. Fano perfectly addresses that need, bringing youth, consistent play, and a quicker-than-expected path to a starting role.
7 — Washington Commanders
The Pick: Caleb Downs (S) | Ohio State
It’s tempting to roll with a wide receiver here because the Commanders’ cupboard is a bit barren, but at the end of the day, Dan Quinn is a defense-first head coach, and he just can’t leave Downs on the board.
8 — New Orleans Saints
The Pick: Carnell Tate (WR) | Ohio State
Next to Chris Olave, the Saints need another weapon for Tyler Shough. As the first wideout off the board to get the party cracking, it’s Tate to the Bayou.
9 — Kansas City Chiefs
The Pick: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE) | Miami
Kansas City will be elated that Bain Jr. fell this far, and he’ll instantly swipe Ashton Gillotte’s job.
10 — New York Giants (via Cincinnati Bengals)
The Pick: Francis Mauigoa (OT) | Miami (FL)
A best player available pick, general manager Joe Schoen takes the plunge with Mauigoa, sending Jermaine Eluemunor to RT2.
11 — Miami Dolphins
The Pick: Mansoor Delane (CB) | LSU
Miami arguably needs every position on the draftboard, but as No. 11, Delane is the best pick and the first corner off the board.
12 — Dallas Cowboys
The Pick: Dillon Thieneman (S) | Oregon
Daniel Jeremiah chirped this week that Dallas could pounce on Thieneman “early,” and we believe it. His Combine was that fantastic.
13 — Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
The Pick: Makai Lemon (WR) | USC
The Rams’ deep roster allows them to make a luxury pick here. Lemon provides Sean McVay with another dynamic weapon, converting that Atlanta trade from last year into a receiver with significant upside. Puka Nacua, Davate Adams, and Lemon will cook.
14 — Baltimore Ravens
The Pick: Olaivavega Ioane (G) | Penn State
Tyler Linderbaum’s departure created a significant void in Baltimore’s interior. The Ravens require significant power and consistent play inside, qualities Ioane provides. This feels like a classic Baltimore selection, one that makes too much sense to overthink.
15 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick: Kenyon Sadiq (TE) | Oregon
Yes, the Buccaneers just extended Cade Otton to a handsome contract extension. No, that doesn’t matter.
16 — New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)
The Pick: Jermod McCoy (CB) | Tennessee
McCoy didn’t play at all last year due to an ACL tear, so he carries some risk. Sounds like a Jets draft pick to me.
17 — Detroit Lions
The Pick: Kadyn Proctor (OT) | Alabama
Relying on Giovanni Manu as a starting tackle presents a precarious situation for a contender with Detroit’s strong roster. Proctor rectifies this immediately; he can step in right away, providing the Lions with a powerful bookend opposite Penei Sewell.
18 — Minnesota Vikings
The Pick: Peter Woods (DT) | Clemson
Two recently jettisoned defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, played a combined 1,300+ defensive snaps last year. Do you really think Levi Drake Rodrgiuez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins will split that new workload? We say no. The pick is Woods, the first DT of the night.
19 — Carolina Panthers
The Pick: Jordyn Tyson (WR) | Arizona State
The Panthers’ brass love drafting wide receivers, and the pattern doesn’t stop in 2026. Tyson’s tumble ends, becoming Tetairoa McMillan’s running mate.
20 — Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)
The Pick: Keldric Faulk (EDGE) | Auburn
This is the beginning of the plan to erase the sins of the Micah Parsons trade.
21 — Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pick: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR) | Indiana
Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Ty Simpson, or Garrett Nussmeier will hope to feast with DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, and Omar Cooper Jr.
Cooper Jr. will be a stud. Remember it.
22 — Los Angeles Chargers
The Pick: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE) | Miami
Khalil Mack remains a factor, but Father Time is an inevitable force. The Chargers require another solution on the edge, and Mesidor is their choice. At 25, he’ll be an older rookie, which might deter some teams, but Los Angeles can accept that if he’s ready to make an immediate impact.
23 — Philadelphia Eagles
The Pick: Monroe Freeling (OT) | Georgia
The University of Georgia fetish continues.
24 — Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Pick: Kevin Concepcion (WR) | Texas A&M
Cleveland’s wide receiver room is in desperate need of assistance. Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Isaiah Bond form a group that doesn’t exactly strike fear into opposing defenses. Concepcion alters this equation, providing the Browns with another solid target and injecting much-needed energy into the position.
25 — Chicago Bears
The Pick: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S) | Toledo
Tell us this doesn’t feel like a Bears pick. We won’t believe you.
26 — Buffalo Bills
The Pick: T.J. Parker (EDGE) | Clemson
Buffalo’s new-look OLB corps:
- Bradley Chubb
- Greg Rousseau
- T.J. Parker
That might just work.
27 — San Francisco 49ers
The Pick: Caleb Lomu (OT) | Utah
Trent Williams cannot play forever, so San Francisco must plan ahead at premium positions. Lomu embodies the 49ers’ “next-man-up” strategy; he can integrate into the system now, positioning himself to take over when the time comes.
28 — Houston Texans
The Pick: Kayden McDonald (DT) | Ohio State
Houston’s defense, thanks to DeMeco Ryans, boasts virtually no weak spots. However, if pressed to identify one, it would likely be defensive tackle, a spot where McDonald fits beautifully.
29 — Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams)
The Pick: Chris Johnson (CB) | San Diego State
After Kansas City traded Trent McDuffie, cornerback immediately became their top priority. This makes Johnson a straightforward choice, as he fills that void and provides the Chiefs with a young defensive back to address a suddenly critical position.
30 — Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos)
The Pick: Denzel Boston (WR) | Washington
The Dolphins need WRs after booting Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Boston is the last remaining option for Miami who deserves a 1st-Round pick.
31 — New England Patriots
The Pick: Blake Miller (OT) | Clemson
Miller will eventually take over for Morgan Moses, possibly this summer.
32 — Seattle Seahawks (Pick Traded Elsewhere)
The Pick: Ty Simpson (QB) | Alabama
No, the Seahawks won’t draft Simpson, but someone will trade into the 1st-Round’s last spot — probably the Arizona Cardinals to capitalize on Simpson’s fifth-year option, if applicable, in 2030.
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