- The Raiders reset at the quarterback position: Fernando Mendoza capped off his incredible Heisman-winning campaign with a national championship victory over the Miami Hurricanes. He finished the 2025 college season with a 90.7 passing grade that ties him for second among qualified FBS quarterbacks.
- With no other quarterback warranting a selection at No. 2, the Jets add a dominant defensive presence: Rueben Bain Jr. finished his final college season with a 92.8 PFF grade that ranked second among Power Four edge defenders, trailing only Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
With the 2025 college football season officially in the books and NFL conference championship weekend behind us, the 2026 NFL Draft picture is beginning to come into focus. While free agency and the pre-draft process will ultimately reshape team priorities, this early first-round projection leans on what we know right now: roster deficiencies, positional value and how prospects actually performed on the field.
Each selection below is grounded in PFF grades and role-based production, highlighting players who consistently impacted games rather than flashing for a single season. From Las Vegas resetting at quarterback with a Heisman Trophy winner to multiple teams reinforcing the trenches and back seven, this mock offers a data-backed snapshot of how the opening round could unfold if teams draft with both need and performance in mind.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Las Vegas resets at the quarterback position by selecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza capped off his incredible Heisman-winning campaign with a national championship victory over the Miami Hurricanes. He finished the 2025 college season with a 90.7 passing grade that ties him for second among qualified FBS quarterbacks.
2. New York Jets: ED Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
With no other quarterback warranting a selection this high, the Jets opt to add a dominant defensive presence in Rueben Bain Jr. to their defensive line. After nearly leading Miami to a national championship, Bain finished his final college season with a 92.8 PFF grade that ranked second among Power Four edge defenders, trailing only Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
3. Arizona Cardinals: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The Cardinals’ defense severely underwhelmed this season despite possessing a decent amount of talent. Josh Sweat was the only edge defender on the roster to earn at least a 70.0 pass-rush grade, and the linebacker unit ranked 23rd in the NFL in PFF grade. Reese could help at either position after posting an 86.5 run-defense grade and tallying 27 pressures in his final season at Ohio State.
4. Tennessee Titans: ED David Bailey, Texas Tech
Tennessee is set on the interior defensive line with stars like Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat, but the Titans still need more explosiveness off the edge. David Bailey would provide that in spades. Bailey has led all qualified FBS edge defenders in pass-rush grade in each of the past two seasons. He would add instant credibility to Tennessee’s pass rush, something new head coach Robert Saleh will value highly.
5. New York Giants: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Wan’Dale Robinson is slated to hit free agency after recording his first 1,000-yard season, leaving the Giants in need of another dynamic weapon to pair with Malik Nabers on the outside. Jordyn Tyson brings some injury concerns, but he has posted a receiving grade of at least 83.0 in each of his past two seasons at Arizona State.
6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Cleveland needs to rebuild its receiving corps and offensive line this offseason. A team that ranked 31st in the NFL in receiving grade looks to address that issue here by selecting Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Tate ranked fifth in the FBS in receiving grade (89.0) this season and secured 12 of his 14 contested targets.
7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Commanders need defensive playmakers, and Caleb Downs fits that profile. He currently sits atop PFF’s Big Board after earning a PFF grade of at least 85.0 in each of his three collegiate seasons while helping lead Alabama and Ohio State to the College Football Playoff. Downs’ instincts and consistency would provide an immediate boost to Washington’s secondary.
8. New Orleans Saints: HB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Saints ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing grade this season, and Alvin Kamara is entering his age-31 season in the final year of his contract. Jeremiyah Love would give New Orleans an explosive backfield option to help jumpstart Kellen Moore’s run game. Love ranked second in the FBS in rushing grade (93.7) and fourth in explosive runs (39).
9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The Chiefs are facing a difficult salary cap situation this offseason, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor could emerge as a cap casualty with no guaranteed salary remaining on his contract. With or without Taylor, Kansas City needs to upgrade its offensive line. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa would add a physical presence in the run game and is coming off a 2025 season in which he led all qualified right tackles in pass-blocking grade (87.0).
10. Cincinnati Bengals: DI Peter Woods, Clemson
Cincinnati needs to rebuild its defensive front, and that work could begin on the interior with a player like Peter Woods. Woods experienced a down season in 2025, but he earned PFF grades above 83.0 in each of the two prior years. At a minimum, he would provide an immediate upgrade to a run defense that ranked 30th in the NFL in PFF run-defense grade this season.
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11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Miami has a wide range of needs, but the cornerback unit in particular lacks high-end talent. LSU’s Mansoor Delane finished the season with the third-best coverage grade among qualified FBS cornerbacks and also ranked third in man-coverage grade. That skill set should appeal to Jeff Hafley’s aggressive defensive approach.
12. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Dallas needs to rebuild its back seven, starting with an infusion of talent at linebacker after the unit ranked 31st in the NFL in PFF grade this season. Pairing Ohio State’s Sonny Styles with a healthy DeMarvion Overshown would be a strong first step. Styles’ 88.5 PFF grade ranked seventh among qualified FBS linebackers this season, and he missed just two tackles all year.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Armed with two first-round picks, the Rams have ample opportunity to add to an already loaded roster this year. Cornerback should be a priority given the team’s recent struggles in coverage. Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy did not play this season due to a knee injury, but he delivered a standout 2024 campaign in which he ranked ninth among qualified cornerbacks in coverage grade (89.6).
14. Baltimore Ravens: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Ravens need to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball, including at offensive guard, where Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane fits the bill. Ioane posted an 80.0 PFF grade that ranked 11th among qualified FBS guards this season. He has experience at both guard spots and has not allowed a sack over the past two seasons.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ED Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay struggled to generate pressure without blitzing this season and needs another dynamic edge rusher to complement Yaya Diaby. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell may be undersized, but he has earned a PFF pass-rush grade above 90.0 in each of the past three seasons. The final two of those seasons came in the SEC, and he led the conference with 12 sacks this year.
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16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Jets need to continue adding offensive weapons alongside Garrett Wilson, and this year’s Biletnikoff Award winner, Makai Lemon, fits that need. Lemon led the FBS in receiving grade (91.4) this season, consistently showcasing his efficiency, toughness and yards-after-catch ability. While questions about his size will persist, he has repeatedly proven capable of being the best player on the field.
17. Detroit Lions: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Left tackle Taylor Decker could be either a cap casualty or a retirement candidate this offseason. Even if Decker returns for another year, the Lions would benefit from adding a talent like Utah’s Spencer Fano. An athletic offensive lineman capable of fitting into any scheme, Fano is also the only qualified FBS tackle to earn a top-10 PFF grade in each of the past two seasons.
18. Minnesota Vikings: DI Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Minnesota features several veteran interior pass rushers, but Jalen Redmond was the only defensive tackle on the roster to post at least a 60.0 run-defense grade this season. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald would provide immediate value on early downs after leading all interior defenders in run-defense grade (91.2) and run stops (30) this year.
19. Carolina Panthers: ED Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Faulk remains a work in progress as a pass rusher, but his strength and stout run defense would be an asset to Carolina’s defensive front. His 85.5 run-defense grade ranked 12th among qualified FBS edge defenders this season, while the Panthers’ edge unit ranked 22nd in the NFL in run-defense grade. Faulk’s addition would give Carolina an intriguing young group of edge rushers to develop.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): CB Aveion Terrell, Clemson
Dallas makes another defensive addition here with Aveion Terrell. An aggressive playmaker, Terrell has totaled eight forced fumbles, four sacks, two interceptions and 15 pass breakups over the past two seasons, production that has helped him earn PFF grades of at least 82.0 during that span. He would be a welcome addition to a Dallas defense that ranks last in the NFL in coverage grade this season.
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Pittsburgh’s recent hiring of Mike McCarthy will inevitably fuel speculation about a potential Aaron Rodgers return. Even if Rodgers does return, the Steelers still need to identify a long-term solution at quarterback. Opinions on Alabama’s Ty Simpson vary, but he posted an 81.4 PFF passing grade while leading the FBS with 30 big-time throws in his lone season as the Crimson Tide’s starter.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater should return to full strength in time for next season, but the Chargers still need to add help along the interior offensive line this offseason. One potential immediate starter is Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon. Pregnon led all qualified Power Four guards in PFF grade (86.5) while allowing just one sack this season.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Philadelphia may allow Dallas Goedert to leave in free agency, creating a significant void at tight end. The Eagles could look to fill that need with the uber-athletic Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq’s 560 receiving yards ranked eighth among FBS tight ends this season, and he led the position with eight touchdown receptions.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
The Browns’ offensive line rebuild could start with Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. A mammoth prospect, Proctor ranked fourth among qualified FBS tackles in PFF grade (85.9) this season. He was one of just seven players at the position to earn grades of at least 80.0 as both a pass protector and run blocker.
25. Chicago Bears: DI Caleb Banks, Florida
Chicago’s path to true championship contention will require significant defensive improvement, starting with the pass rush after the team ranked 25th in the NFL in PFF pass-rush grade this season. While he saw limited playing time this year, Florida’s Caleb Banks offers a high-upside edge rusher after generating more than 50 pressures across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
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26. Buffalo Bills: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Buffalo’s linebacker unit ranked 22nd in PFF grade this season, and veteran Matt Milano’s contract voids this offseason. With limited options alongside Terrel Bernard, the Bills could turn to Georgia’s CJ Allen with this pick. While Allen still needs to improve in coverage, he profiles as one of the most instinctive run defenders in the class, backed by an 88.6 run-defense grade this season.
27. San Francisco 49ers: ED Akheem Mesidor, Miami
San Francisco’s injury-ravaged defensive line needs reinforcements, even with the eventual return of its stars. Miami’s Akheem Mesidor is an older prospect, but he delivered an excellent final college season that helped the Hurricanes make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. His 92.5 PFF grade tied for fourth among qualified FBS edge defenders, one spot behind fellow Hurricane Rueben Bain Jr.
28. Houston Texans: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Tytus Howard’s versatility at both guard and tackle gives Houston the flexibility to draft the best offensive lineman available. That player could be Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, who has been climbing draft boards after a major leap in pass protection this season. His 85.7 pass-blocking grade ranked seventh among qualified tackles, and he allowed just three sacks on the year.
29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Philadelphia drafted cornerbacks with its first two picks in 2024, a move that paid off with a championship. The Rams could look to follow a similar blueprint to address their biggest weakness. Arizona State’s Keith Abney II is coming off an outstanding final season in which he ranked among the top 15 qualified FBS cornerbacks with an 85.3 coverage grade while recording two interceptions and nine pass breakups.
30. Denver Broncos: LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both scheduled to become free agents this offseason, which could leave Denver searching for a linebacker to pair with Dre Greenlaw. Anthony Hill Jr. offers an athletic option who could help usher in a new era at the position. Hill has earned run-defense grades of 80.1 and 79.7 over the past two seasons and showed significant improvement as a tackler in 2025, missing just three tackles all year.
31. New England Patriots: ED T.J. Parker, Clemson
New England could use a young edge rusher to continue building its improving defense. Clemson’s T.J. Parker fits that profile as a consistently violent player who has totaled 24 sacks over the past three seasons. He is also a productive run defender, a combination that has helped him earn PFF grades of at least 80.0 in each of the past two seasons.
32. Seattle Seahawks: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Seattle adds another explosive weapon for Sam Darnold to work with in KC Concepcion. While Concepcion profiles similarly to Rashid Shaheed, the veteran is set to become a free agent at season’s end. Concepcion earned a 79.7 PFF receiving grade in his lone season at Texas A&M while averaging more than 15 yards per reception, and he enters the draft as one of the most dangerous return men in the class.
