After endless debates during the last few months over when the top prospects will be taken off the board, the time all 32 teams and their fans have been awaiting is now just one day away.
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza is presumably the No. 1 overall pick, but could there be another passer who goes in the first round? Which edge rusher will go first? And which team will decide to take running back Jeremiyah Love, who is arguably the most compelling player in the draft?
Our beat writers here at The Athletic get one final crack at making choices for their respective teams as the NFL Draft officially gets underway on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Surprisingly, I fielded minimal offers for the top selection. That’s likely because our staff knows what the rest of the league knows: the Raiders aren’t trading the pick, and Las Vegas is set on taking Mendoza first overall. The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion will be the franchise’s first quarterback selected in the first round since JaMarcus Russell in 2007. That comes with good reason, as Mendoza’s skills and poise are enough to bring some stability to this ever-turbulent organization. — Sam Warren
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
Even as all the smoke has been around David Bailey leading up to the draft, I’ve remained steadfast in my belief that the Jets will, and should, pick Reese. It’s said that Bailey is more ready to contribute right away as a pass rusher, and broadly, that’s true. But I personally believe Reese might actually be more impactful in 2026 — especially for this team. Bailey is not considered good against the run, while Reese will have the ability to play every down and at multiple spots.
Beyond the immediate impact factor, Reese might have the highest ceiling of anyone in this draft — and the Jets should be taking a swing on someone with that potential. — Zack Rosenblatt
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Love is a popular option here — and also a reason Arizona may trade back — but the Cardinals need to do the right thing and take the best offensive lineman in the draft. The Cardinals could not run the football last season, and they struggled to protect the quarterback. They addressed this in free agency, but a long-term solution is needed. If GM Monti Ossenfort can trade back a few spots and still pick Mauigoa, fine. But a quick reversal won’t happen until the team’s biggest issue is addressed. — Doug Haller
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Some Titans fans — OK, a lot of Titans fans — will not be happy with the bypassing of Notre Dame’s Love. “Why can’t we have an exciting offensive player to watch?” “Don’t you want to help Cam Ward at all?” “Does Robert Saleh realize there’s more to a football team than its defense?” The appropriate response is another question: “How many elite edges are ever available in free agency?” This is the place, the top of the first round, to get them. Super Bowl MVP running backs, on the other hand, find their way to the market. Bailey should be a consistent double-digit sack-getter for years in Nashville. — Joe Rexrode
5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Woah! I didn’t expect Love, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs to all be available to the Giants at No. 5. While the team was open to offers for the fifth pick, having all three players, even if one wasn’t an edge, still on the board required any offer to be high. That didn’t materialize, setting up a tough choice between three really good players. But the Giants are happy with having an offensive star and one of, if not the, top-rated prospects in this draft. And we know the Giants view Love as more than just a running back.
This is a player who can help quarterback Jaxson Dart as he enters his second season and help form a strong offense with Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo. — Charlotte Carroll
6. Los Angeles Rams (from Browns): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Rams acquire the No. 6 pick from the Browns for pick Nos. 13, 61 and a 2027 fifth-rounder
The Rams are often trying to trade up into the top 10, but too often have to go too far to pull it off. This year is different. They move from No. 13 to No. 6 to get ahead of a potential receiver run. Tate is the one option in this draft who projects as a future No. 1 without injury concerns. And that matters if the Rams are unsure about paying Puka Nacua. I might not have done this if I knew Makai Lemon would be available at 13, but this trade lands them a future past Davante Adams and potentially Nacua, if needed. That security was worth parting with a second-rounder this year and a fifth-rounder next year. — Nate Atkins
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Commanders have devoted much of the offseason to rebuilding their defense, and now they get their centerpiece: the draft’s top linebacker and one of its finest players overall. Styles has the coveted size for his position and freakish athleticism that he put on display at the NFL combine. He can quickly diagnose and react, using his elite speed to cut off running angles and his coverage skills as a former safety to play in space. He’s also a powerful blitzer, allowing Washington to use him in multiple ways.
After moving on from Bobby Wagner, the Commanders needed a defensive leader who sets the standard on and off the field. They got a good one in Styles.— Nicki Jhabvala
8. New York Jets (from Saints): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Jets acquire the No. 8 pick from the Saints for pick Nos. 16, 44 and 140
The Jets need to come out of this draft with a starting wide receiver. It’s their biggest hole on the roster (discounting edge rusher, which they address at No. 2). They own the 16th pick — but the way the wind is blowing, it feels increasingly unlikely one of the top two receivers (Tate or Tyson) makes it that far.
Jumping to No. 8 was an easy decision since the Jets have an extra second-rounder to spare — and this was a perfect spot to grab Tyson ahead of the Chiefs, Giants and Dolphins, who all might be targeting a wideout. Tyson feels like a perfect complement to Garrett Wilson as a big-bodied, athletic outside receiver who should step in right away as the No. 2 on the depth chart. — Rosenblatt
Jordyn Tyson scored 19 total touchdowns over his final two college seasons. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
The Chiefs should be shopping for a pass rusher or receiver here at No. 9, so after wideouts Tate and Tyson went off the board, they’d likely be thrilled if Bain remained available. Bain doesn’t fit the normal size profile for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s edge rushers with his shorter arm length, but that should be easier to overlook given the Miami star’s high football IQ and inside-outside versatility. — Jesse Newell
10. New York Giants (from Bengals): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
It’s actually very fun to make one top-10 selection, and then get to take another just a few picks later. Who would’ve thought? And to end up with a player who has been in contention at No. 5? Well, that’s even better. Downs is a surefire NFL starter, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, and one who will help make the Giants’ defense stronger. — Carroll
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins should be in the business of taking the best player available, and Brugler’s sixth-ranked prospect surely fits that bill. Delane lacks ideal length, but coaches don’t seem overly concerned because of his fluid movement, good instincts and vision. He’ll start immediately for coach Jeff Hafley’s defense. — Jeff Howe
12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
This one hurts. With the top six picks off the board, four top defenders were still available. That seemed like an ideal scenario for a team like Dallas that desperately needs defensive help. But all four went over the next five picks, leaving the Cowboys with the decision to trade back or take the best available defender. Faulk is a solid option with upside, but he’s not Styles, Bain, Downs or Delane. Faulk would give new defensive coordinator Christian Parker a versatile pass-rushing option to work into the mix with Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku. — Jon Machota
13. Cleveland Browns (from Rams, via Falcons): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Browns have some obvious needs on offense, but in a wide receiver class viewed as more deep than top-heavy, they passed on the chance to take Tate. Instead, Cleveland traded down and selected Proctor, who has left tackle ability but the athleticism and power to play inside while further adjusting to the NFL game. The Browns chose to continue their offensive line rebuild by accepting pick Nos. 13 and 61 and a 2027 fifth-rounder to make the deal.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry has a track record of acquiring future fifth-round picks to use in trades, so the deal fit real-life parameters. If Proctor can manage his weight and become more technically sound, he can become a Pro Bowl lineman. — Zac Jackson
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
Either USC’s Lemon or Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq would have been nice additions, but the Ravens’ priority should be adding a bigger receiver to an already small group — and they’ve consistently found quality tight ends in the middle rounds. Their offensive line, meanwhile, remains under construction, and adding a talent like Ioane, whose size, athleticism and nasty demeanor fit the Ravens really well, is a huge step toward solidifying that group.
Utah’s Spencer Fano would also work here, but I’ll take the natural guard over a player who may or may not be best suited to move inside at the next level. — Jeff Zrebiec
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
If the Bucs draft what they need most, they will take a pass rusher. And the possibility of them taking one should not be ruled out — perhaps in trading down. But when Jason Licht says he will be true to his board, he means it. Sadiq looks like a great value at 15. And let’s not forget they had offensive issues last year, too, and that was before the departure of Mike Evans. Sadiq is a unique weapon who can help Baker Mayfield, the young wide receivers and the running game. — Dan Pompei
16. New Orleans Saints (from Jets, via Colts): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Honestly, Jets writer Zack Rosenblatt may have caught me in a moment of weakness. I expressed to our NFL mock draft Slack channel that this trade “will never happen in real life.” That’s because the Saints never trade back in Round 1. But this turned out to be worth the gamble, with the Saints gaining extra picks and landing the reliable Lemon.
It’s hard to ignore the comparisons from Brugler and other draft pundits to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Adding Lemon with Tyler Shough to complement Chris Olave, and the Saints could have a good one here. — Larry Holder
17. Detroit Lions: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
This was a pretty favorable board for the Lions. While Faulk and Ioane would’ve been strong fits, getting an athletic, polished offensive lineman like Fano with tackle/guard flexibility could end up being an excellent outcome for the Lions, who likely wouldn’t be scared by Fano’s arm length. The weakest links along Detroit’s offensive line are at left guard and right tackle, assuming Penei Sewell moves to left tackle. Fano can play both, which would give the Lions options.
They could start Fano over Christian Mahogany or Larry Borom. It would create the sort of competition Dan Campbell has desired this offseason and improve the depth in the event of an injury. This almost felt too good to be true. — Colton Pouncy
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Vikings might think No. 18 is too rich for Thieneman. They need a safety, whether potential Hall of Famer Harrison Smith returns for 2026 or not. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are committed to using their first-rounder on the position. Thieneman’s versatility offers intrigue, and he tore it up athletically at the NFL combine. Oregon coaches rave about his work habits.
This makes him a safer pick, but one that could be more palatable for Minnesota via a trade back. Struggles to find a trade partner — and Tampa Bay’s plucking of Sadiq — forced this selection. — Alec Lewis
19. Carolina Panthers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Had the Vikings not taken Thieneman one spot ahead of the Panthers, he would have been the pick. Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling was tempting. But Dan Morgan has been emphasizing the need for playmakers, which created a Concepcion-Omar Cooper Jr. dilemma. Both are speedsters with the ability to make yards after the catch, a nice complement to Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette.
Concepcion’s experience in the run and return games gave the Charlotte native a slight edge, although his drops could lead the Panthers to make the safer choice in Cooper in this scenario. — Joseph Person
20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cowboys, via Packers): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Eagles acquire pick Nos. 20 and 177 from the Cowboys for pick Nos. 23 and 98
With offensive tackle a long-term need for the Eagles, general manager Howie Roseman attempts what he’s done multiple times in his career and plans ahead by investing in a premium position even if there’s not an immediate route to playing time. Freeling, Brugler’s 17th-ranked player, will leave Roseman repeating his phrase, “tools in the body.” He’s 6-foot-7, 315 pounds with 34 3/4-inch arms and a 40-yard dash that’s in the 95th percentile for his position and a vertical jump that’s in the 93rd percentile. That’s almost Lane Johnson-ish, which is a good place to start for his potential replacement. The movement skills at that size will be especially appealing.
Roseman’s on record saying he views the first round as his chance to land a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Freeling fits the description. It would be worth a slight trade-up given how the board fell in this first round. It also helps that Freeling went to Georgia, which produced three of the Eagles’ past five first-round picks. They feel comfortable with the intel they get from that coaching staff. — Zach Berman and Brooks Kubena
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr., wide receiver remains a priority. Of the six pre-draft visitors the Steelers hosted with grades touching the first round, two were receivers. While Cooper didn’t visit, the Steelers’ new wide receivers coach, Adam Henry, worked with him at Indiana in 2022.
Stylistically, Cooper brings yards-after-catch potential to fit Mike McCarthy’s scheme. The first-round receiver rounds out the room well, bringing slot potential but also the versatility to play a variety of roles the way the coach wants. — Mike DeFabo
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy missed all of 2025 because of a torn ACL, and that injury caused him to fall in this mock draft. Ultimately, the value here was too much to pass up. The Chargers have solid pieces in their cornerback room between Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. But they do not have a true difference-maker on the outside.
Based on his 2024 tape, McCoy has a chance to be that type of player, particularly as a press-man defender. In a draft lacking top-end talent, I’m comfortable taking on this risk in the late first. — Daniel Popper
23. Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
McCoy was an obvious possibility at No. 20. But when the Eagles called, offering picks 23 and 98 for 20 and 177, it was too good to pass up, especially for a Cowboys team that needs so much defensive help. No. 23 came down to McNeil-Warren and the top remaining cornerbacks, Chris Johnson, Avieon Terrell and Colton Hood. In this scenario, the Cowboys get a high-upside versatile defensive back for Parker to move around.
The Eagles drafted Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick in 2024 when Parker was Philadelphia’s defensive backs coach. This trade also gives Dallas another top 100 pick to potentially improve what was arguably the worst defense in franchise history. — Machota
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
There’s a trend here in these mocked Cleveland selections, and it involves mixing athleticism with flexibility and upside. Iheanachor is still relatively new to the game, but he has the athleticism to continue to ascend. He’s become a borderline first-round prospect after just three seasons of major college football, and he has the size and power to play inside at first while he refines his game.
The Browns are absolutely going to draft at least two offensive linemen, and though the run on receivers in this mock pushed them to make two first-round selections on the line, that’s a realistic possibility come Thursday night — especially if the Browns zero in on players like Iheanachor and Proctor, both of whom are still developing. — Jackson
25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
The Bears are in win-now mode, so I’m not too concerned about Mesidor’s age (25), especially considering his prolific production in college — 12.5 sacks last season and 35.5 in his career. With Dayo Odeyingbo coming off an Achilles injury and Shemar Turner recovering from an ACL tear, the Bears — who finished 21st in sacks per pass last season — could use a force off the edge.
Mesidor “plays with his hair on fire — menacing demeanor gives blockers fits,” Brugler wrote, and that’ll be music to the ears of coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The Bears were also among the worst teams in stopping the run last season. Enter Mesidor, who “sets a sturdy edge to restrict outside runs.” Mesidor could join Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Odeyingbo and Turner in giving Allen a deeper rotation of edge rushers. — Kevin Fishbain
26. Houston Texans (from Bills): Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
The Texans acquire pick Nos. 26 and 182 from the Bills for pick Nos. 28 and 106
The Texans met several key needs along their offensive line with veteran free-agent signings such as guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Braden Smith. They feel like they could improve in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball, however. They have their bookends in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, and Sheldon Rankins is a reliable and disruptive veteran interior lineman. Pairing the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Miller with him would help further fortify the Houston defensive front. — Mike Jones
27. San Francisco 49ers: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The 49ers did a lot of pre-draft work on 250-pound edge rushers who can drop into coverage, a type of player they don’t have on the current roster. That fits Howell to a tee — he had 11 sacks in the SEC last year and seemed comfortable when asked to help out with coverage. Howell could serve as an edge rusher in the team’s “turbo” pass-rush package as well as a fifth defensive lineman, an alignment the team plans to use more heavily under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. — Matt Barrows
28. Arizona Cardinals (from Bills, via Texans): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Cardinals acquire pick Nos. 28 and 91 from the Bills for pick Nos. 34 and 65
Trading up to take Simpson might be risky, but it’s worth it for the Cardinals, especially this late in the first round. The biggest knock on Simpson is his lack of college starting experience, but new coach Mike LaFleur doesn’t have to rush. He can lean on vets Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew for half the season or longer, letting the rookie develop. — Haller
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
After checking off an edge rusher at No. 9 (Bain), the Chiefs move to their second biggest need at receiver in selecting Boston, who ranks 26th on Brugler’s big board. Kansas City could use some diversity at wideout after years of mostly acquiring speedy guys, and Boston would give the team a true outside threat and ball-winner at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds. I’m also of a similar mind as Brugler, who gave the Chiefs this exact same Bain/Boston combo at No. 9 and No. 29 in his mock draft released last week. — Newell
30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu has to improve his playing strength while he refines his game, but he could be a long-time starting left tackle. The Dolphins are desperate for help up front with the inexperienced Malik Willis taking over at quarterback, and the durable 6-foot-6, 313-pounder is worth the shot at development. — Howe
31. New England Patriots: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
The Patriots had a few options here for an edge rusher, but we go with Lawrence because of how different he is from what they already have. They signed Dre’Mont Jones this offseason, but he’s a bulked-up edge rusher who plays well against the rush. Lawrence is more of a pure pass rusher with a quick first step (he ran the quickest 10-yard split of any edge rusher expected to be drafted in the first two days) who can immediately bolster the Patriots’ ability to get after the quarterback. — Chad Graff
32. Seattle Seahawks: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl behind one of the league’s best defensive fronts. Even though they’re bringing everyone back, there’s no harm in making a strong position group even stronger. Because Seattle doesn’t have an urgent need at the position, McDonald, a stout run defender with pass-rush upside, would be able to learn from veterans like Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed before stepping into a bigger role down the line. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
Round 2 (teams without a first-rounder)
34. Buffalo Bills (from Cardinals): T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Bills are without a second-round pick due to the DJ Moore trade, and with several edge rushers available who would fit Buffalo, it became time to recoup some picks and set the team up with chances at multiple starters. The Bills now have pick Nos. 65, 106, 126, 165, 168 and 220 to go along with this one. The Bills need depth at outside linebacker and a young player who can eventually become their starter, preferably one with some explosiveness and the usual thresholds they look for.
While Lawrence would have been the pick had he been there, Parker and two big jumps with picks are an excellent consolation prize. Parker has the skills to eventually become a three-down player for the Bills, while immediately offering rotational and passing down upside to give them just a bit more juice off the edge. — Joe Buscaglia
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Dexter Lawrence’s arrival at the expense of the 10th overall pick squeezes the needs of the Bengals on Day 2. Linebacker and cornerback are chief among them on defense. This ends up as the ideal match of need with talent. Cincinnati desperately needs competition for 2025 fourth-rounder Barrett Carter and depth at a position that surprisingly wasn’t added to in free agency.
Rodriguez would thrust into the middle of the competition, hoping his instincts and savvy, evident after one of the most productive seasons by a linebacker in college football history, would translate to the next level. — Paul Dehner Jr.
47. Indianapolis Colts: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
The Colts need to upgrade their pass rush opposite of 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu, and Young would be a good piece to start with. The 6-foot-6, 257-pounder totaled 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles en route to a 2025 first-team All-SEC nod. Young will need to improve his pass-rush plans at the next level, as well as his base, so he’s not so easily displaced. But the 22-year-old has also proven himself as a solid run-stopper and has all of the physical tools to become an every-down catalyst in the NFL. — James Boyd
48. Atlanta Falcons: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
This is not a position of immediate need for Atlanta. The Falcons have the NFL’s reigning ironman, Jake Matthews, on the left side and just signed seven-year veteran Jawaan Taylor to man the right side for 2026. But Miller is too good to pass up here. The 6-foot-7, 317-pounder is Brugler’s No. 29 overall player and No. 6 offensive tackle. A four-year collegiate starter with an 84-inch wingspan, Miller is the type of high-character, high-floor player first-year Falcons GM Ian Cunningham can feel very good about making his first draft pick with the team.
It was tough to leave cornerback Chris Johnson and wide receiver Germie Bernard on the board here, but Atlanta believes wide receiver is one of this year’s deepest positions, so it can grab a good one in the third round. — Josh Kendall
52. Green Bay Packers: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
The Packers need cornerback help both now and in the future. Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine don’t look like a top-two fit for a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and both are entering contract years, anyway. Brian Gutekunst has expressed his confidence in them this offseason, but hook him up to a lie detector test, and it would probably reveal the GM thinks that room could do better.
Johnson is Brugler’s third-best cornerback in the class, the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and a well-rounded corner who can help the Packers right away or develop into a more polished starter later this coming season or next one. — Matt Schneidman
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
The Jags are well-stocked with starting edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, but they need more juice to close out games. Thomas is undersized at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds, but he’s strong, compact and uses leverage to his advantage. He should help immediately as a rotational rusher. — Howe
62. Denver Broncos: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Surely, we can add another inch to Stowers’ 45 1/2-inch vertical leap — a combine record for a tight end — when he’s skying for passes in Denver’s thin air, right? Stowers may not ever be the kind of tight end who drops his hand into the NFL dirt and is asked to block consistently. He is wearing a tight end tag in this draft, but he is probably better described as a jumbo slot.
Still, the Broncos could use more weapons around Bo Nix, especially with Evan Engram entering the last year of his deal. Stowers could add juice to a passing attack that has already added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle this offseason. — Nick Kosmider
