The 2025-26 NFL regular season has officially wrapped up, marking the start of draft season for many teams. Some franchises need just one key piece to catapult their roster into a championship window, while others are on the brink of a full-on rebuild. Regardless of the situation, the path forward always starts with the draft.
Check out my first-round 2026 NFL mock draft to see where I have these talented NFL prospects heading.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a disastrous start to the Pete Carroll and Tom Brady era, and there is blame to be passed down from the top to the bottom. But one thing is for certain: they need to find their franchise quarterback of the future. Mendoza has a proven resume, and there is something to be said for the mental and physical toughness that he showed this season. Both of those traits will be needed for this to be a successful rebuild in Las Vegas.
2. New York Jets
The New York Jets are one of the franchises that have simply hit rock bottom. With their play on the field and having traded away key pieces of their roster, they have nowhere to go but up and desperately need a face-of-the-franchise player. In this spot, the Jets opt for Oregon QB Dante Moore. Moore is a highly skilled quarterback who, given the weapons the Jets have, has the opportunity to step in and lead this offense and team in the right direction as their franchise quarterback.
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are in the unfortunate spot of trying to rebuild and gain momentum while playing in the toughest division in football—one that has three teams in the playoffs and two teams fighting until the last week for the No. 1 overall seed. The Cardinals could go after a quarterback here, but in my opinion, they need to start building an identity of physicality, especially playing in this division. So, with this pick, instead of swinging for the fences to find a quarterback to replace Kyler Murray, they go after Miami edge Reuben Bain Jr. Bain is one of the most physically dominant players in the draft and should start rebuilding the identity of the Cardinals’ defense.
4. Tennessee Titans
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
Cam Ward was the top pick last year and, toward the end of the season, started to play much better and appears to be headed in the right direction. However, this year has made it clear that the Titans need immense help on both sides of the football. So, with this pick, the Tennessee Titans draft the player some believe is the best in the draft: Arvell Reese. Reese, combined with Jeffery Simmons, could be the beginning of a dominant one-two punch in the trenches that the Titans need to compete in a division with young, talented signal-callers.
5. New York Giants
Instead of disrupting Abdul Carter’s progress by adding another similar piece alongside Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, I believe the Giants will choose to draft Miami OL Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa immediately upgrades this offensive line that needs help and can help protect Jaxson Dart.
6. Cleveland Browns
It appears that the Cleveland Browns’ front office and ownership are leaning toward giving Shedeur Sanders his shot at being the full-time signal-caller next year. While Sanders has shown flashes, the issue that has become evident is that the receiver room needs a boost. So, in this spot, they keep the Ohio State WR in-state and draft Carnell Tate. Tate is a big-bodied receiver who can go up and get the ball, and Sanders is a quarterback who is willing to give his receivers a chance to make a play.
7. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders may have had the most disappointing season relative to their success the year before. This season exposed the fact that this roster has many more holes than initially expected, and one of those holes is the secondary. With this pick, the Commanders draft the versatile “do-it-all” defensive back Caleb Downs. Downs has the skill set to immediately change the trajectory of this defense and could be the leader of this unit.
8. New Orleans Saints
The NFL is getting Shough’d next year. The New Orleans Saints may have found their future signal-caller in second-round pick Tyler Shough, and the franchise and Saints fans are excited about what they are seeing. But it’s a must that he continues to make strides in the right direction. To do that, the New Orleans Saints need to add talented young players to this receiver corps. So, in this spot, the Saints draft Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
It’s finally time. The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten by in the past few years with a makeshift running back room and have avoided spending real capital on the position. Jeremiyah Love would be a perfect fit for this Chiefs offense, as he is an explosive runner with the ball, but he also has the versatility to align in different positions and catch passes. Love could be an instantly valuable piece for the Chiefs as they try to regain their dominance.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals once again had a lost season due to Joe Burrow being injured, which was followed up by some interesting comments from Burrow. I think the front office should take what Burrow had to say seriously and look to continue to invest in key positions or risk losing their quarterback. With the front office feeling the pressure, they decide to draft OT Spencer Fano. Fano is an athletic offensive lineman who thrives in pass protection, which is exactly what the Bengals and Burrow need.
11. Miami Dolphins
GM Chris Grier is out, Tua Tagovailoa is benched, and it appears that HC Mike McDaniel will be the last man standing in this situation. But the Dolphins still need a quarterback moving forward. Ty Simpson had an inconsistent finish to his season, but I believe there are many different factors that played a part in that. Simpson, with a talented offensive play-caller like McDaniel, could have some early success and give the Dolphins their guy for the next decade.
12. Dallas Cowboys
One thing we know about Jerry Jones is that he likes to win the media game. For the first time in years, it appears he conclusively lost the battle with Micah Parsons in the media—and he lost it on the field as well, as this defense is significantly worse without him. To turn the tide in the right direction, Jones attempts to draft Parsons’ replacement in Caśhius Howell. Howell plays with the same reckless abandon that Parsons played with and should be a great asset to this defense.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
GM Les Snead has put on a masterclass at drafting in the trenches over the past couple of years, and he is a key reason why the Los Angeles Rams are in a position to be a major Super Bowl contender. The one part of this defense that still needs improvement is the secondary. In this spot, the Rams draft LSU CB Mansoor Delane. Delane is a scheme-versatile corner who plays with a violent temperament, something that should fit right in with the culture of this Rams defense.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
A lot of the attention for the Baltimore Ravens’ lack of success has been placed right at the feet of Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh. But looking at this offensive unit with an objective eye, I see issues upfront—particularly the interior offensive line. The Ravens, since being in Baltimore, have always been a team that wanted to run the football and be physically dominant. So, in this spot, they aim to improve the O-line and draft Penn State IOL Olaivavega Ioane.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense has lacked a true “go-to guy” at the pass rusher position for years now, and I think it impacts them in big-time matchups against talented quarterbacks. David Bailey has proven that he knows how to get home to the quarterback and should immediately upgrade this pass-rush group for the Buccaneers.
16. New York Jets (via IND)
The New York Jets, with their first pick, grabbed their future signal-caller in Oregon QB Dante Moore. In this spot, they have to address the defensive side of the football, as they let go of both of their top players in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. Matayo Uiagalelei flashes the ability to wreck games and has great size at the defensive end position, two things that could lead to him being a very intriguing piece for the New York Jets.
17. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions found out this year that it is tough to have sustained success; if you’re not getting better every offseason, you’re getting worse. I don’t think it’s time to panic in Detroit—it’s just time to tweak and retool. One of those retooling actions that could happen is improving this defense in the trenches. Peter Woods is one of the best players in this entire draft and has the upside to be an impact player early on for the Lions’ defense, serving as a nice one-two punch with Aidan Hutchinson.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Minnesota Vikings will look at the 2025 season and say it was a rebuilding year, as it was J.J. McCarthy’s first year as “the guy.” That experience came with ups and downs, but I ultimately believe in McCarthy and Kevin O’Connell. This Vikings defense could use some upgrades at the defensive back position. Avieon Terrell is a versatile CB who can play on the outside and in the nickel. If DC Brian Flores is back next year, he should be a welcome addition to this scheme.
19. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have made significant strides forward this year and have made the playoffs. The recipe of surrounding Bryce Young with talent is paying off. Sticking to that plan, the Panthers go after TE Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq has the opportunity to be physically dominant at the TE position and adds another big-bodied, explosive target for Young.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
One of the biggest storylines of the offseason will be monitoring whether the Cowboys re-sign George Pickens or not. The details will matter: what is the asking price for Pickens, and do the Cowboys have the money to pay him while still filling out a competitive roster? Drafting Malachi Fields gives the Cowboys leverage and ensures they still have a playmaker to complement CeeDee Lamb if the Pickens saga drags on.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a future franchise quarterback, but they have once again won enough games to put themselves out of striking distance of drafting one. With that not being a possibility, the Steelers turn to addressing another offensive position of need: wide receiver. This year has shown that D.K. Metcalf is not enough to put the Steelers’ offense in the top tier of the NFL.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Los Angeles Chargers have withstood injury after injury on the offensive side of the football and are still in a good position moving forward. On the defensive side of the ball, they could use an injection of playmakers, especially in the front seven. Sonny Styles is a versatile defender who can roam sideline to sideline and has the ability to rush the quarterback.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense has failed to find its stride the entire season, and A.J. Brown has been vocal about how unhappy he is with the situation. After the season, I believe both sides will decide to go their separate ways, which means the Eagles will have to find a new top receiver to pair with DeVonta Smith.
24. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills need to add pieces defensively to help stop the run. C.J. Allen is a downhill thumper who plays sideline to sideline and brings physicality. A player like Allen should help start the redirect for this Bills defense, allowing them to become more dominant and better at stopping the run.
25. Chicago Bears
Everyone attributes the Chicago Bears’ success to Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams getting things solidified offensively. But this defense has played a key part in this team’s success, as they have made timely plays and the secondary has been opportunistic in creating turnovers. With this pick, they decide to continue to add to this defense with electric EDGE Romello Height. Height could come in and immediately have a key role within this defense, applying pressure up front.
26. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers win the award for the team that overcame the most in regard to injuries while still playing at a high level. But outside of injuries, they have to acknowledge that this team is getting older in key areas, specifically on the offensive line with Trent Williams. The 49ers have a good quarterback in Brock Purdy, but they are going to need to keep him well-protected. In this spot, the 49ers draft for the future with Utah OT Caleb Lomu.
27. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are one of the hottest teams in the NFL entering the playoffs, but a large responsibility for that can be assigned to the dominance of the defense and not the offense. I believe this offense won’t hit on all cylinders until they truly address the O-line issue, and the Texans do that in this draft with Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor.
28. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
The Cleveland Browns, in this draft, do the rare “double dip” and draft another receiver in the first round—this time, it’s the “do-it-all” playmaker KC Concepcion. For many of the same reasons they drafted Carnell Tate, they decide to double down and try to hit the ground running offensively with their young receiver duo.
29. Los Angeles Rams
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Surprise pick of the first round! Regardless of how the CFP plays out, Trinidad Chambliss has shown he is a winner, and he has the physical tools to play in the NFL. With one of the best signal-callers and play designers in the league, he should thrive in this situation. From the Rams’ perspective, they get a young quarterback who can be groomed under Stafford until Stafford decides to retire.
30. New England Patriots
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
The New England Patriots, since the time Mike Vrabel was a player, have always thrived with versatile front-seven players, and Zion Young is exactly that. Young is a versatile defensive lineman who can play in multiple positions and should serve as a great complementary piece to a defensive front that already plays at a high level.
31. Denver Broncos
Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State
There aren’t many holes defensively for the Denver Broncos, as they are one of the best teams in almost every statistic possible for a defense. However, they could use some help in the trenches. With this pick, they go with Ohio State IDL Kayden McDonald.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Seattle Seahawks are a really good football team both offensively and defensively. But at the CB position, this unit could use an injection of youth and talent. So, with the last pick of the first round, the Seahawks upgrade the secondary and draft Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy.
What did you think of the latest version of Keith Sanchez’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know what you think on Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned next week for the next edition of TDN’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft series.
