The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Finally, we’re here. It is hard to beat the intrigue that comes from the commissioner being at the NFL Draft podium.
I say this every year, but I have no problem missing every pick in my final mock draft because that means it was a chaotic Round 1 — and that always makes for a fun night.
Enjoy the first round, y’all.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
No mystery here — Mendoza will be the first pick in the draft and on his way to Las Vegas shortly after the commissioner announces his name.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
Though the first pick is well known, the second pick is not. Texas Tech edge David Bailey certainly makes sense, especially if the Jets prefer a more “ready out of the box” selection. But Aaron Glenn has also talked about wanting more hybrid looks and front variations in 2026, which could point toward Reese.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
We can debate whether the Cardinals are at the right point in their roster construction to take this type of swing. But on the other side of that coin, they have a chance to add arguably the best player in the draft — and a weapon who would make a greater impact than anyone else they could take here.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
If Love is still on the board, I think he will be the pick here. But if he’s not, the Titans would be thrilled to see Bailey still available. We know Robert Saleh would love to add more pass rushers.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This will be a John Harbaugh pick, which means the Giants could go in multiple directions. Offensive tackle is in play. Or will Reese or Love fall here? If not, Downs could be the option (“positional value” be damned).
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns have undergone an offensive line facelift this offseason but aren’t done with the transformation. Fano is a top-tier athlete with multi-positional versatility, which would give Cleveland options for how to get its best five linemen on the field.
7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Commanders could use reinforcements on defense (it’d be hard to pass on Downs or Sonny Styles), but helping your young quarterback with an outside weapon who can win at all three levels? Jayden Daniels would approve of this pick.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Aside from Chris Olave, the Saints don’t have an established wide receiver who scares opposing defenses on their roster. Tyson would bring the talent to change that.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
The Chiefs could use help at cornerback and wide receiver, but the chance to add a power rusher who’d immediately upgrade the defensive front fits the profile of this team.
10. New York Giants (from CIN): Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami
Should they get an Ohio State defender at No. 5 (as they do here), the offensive line or Tyson would become the Giants’ expected target at No. 10. Mauigoa can start from day one at guard while also being a long-term right tackle option.
11. Miami Dolphins: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Given the needs on Miami’s roster, I don’t think there is a pick here that would be too surprising. Jeff Hafley didn’t coach Styles when he was defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, but he is close with the Ohio State staff, and Miami linebackers coach Al Washington (also a former Buckeyes coach) has known Styles since high school.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Will the Cowboys feel confident about staying put at 12 and getting their guy? That is what happens in this scenario, with Delane still on the board. I’m betting this fit would work out much better than the last time Dallas drafted an LSU defensive back (Morris Claiborne in 2012).
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Based on feedback from other teams, the possibilities for what the Rams might do in Round 1 feel wide open. Taking a wide receiver such as Lemon would give the offense a boost, both today and for the future.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
Ioane to Baltimore has been a chalky pairing throughout the entire draft process. But sometimes the pick that makes the most sense is how it plays out, and that’s what this feels like.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
The Bucs would love to move out of this spot and get a pass rusher later in the first round. If they’re stuck at No. 15, Mesidor might be the best option.
16. New York Jets (from IND): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Jets added a defensive playmaker at pick No. 2 and now land an offensive playmaker with this pick. Cooper can work inside-outside, and he’d complement Garrett Wilson.
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama
Proctor is a Round 1 wild card, but there is a good chance the run on offensive linemen will start early. The Alabama lineman is far from a perfect prospect, but his size and explosiveness make for a rare combination.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
With Harrison Smith no longer under contract, the Vikings will be looking to replace his playmaking ability on the back end. Those are big shoes to fill, but Thieneman has the versatile skill set to make an immediate impact.
19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
With the future of Ickey Ekwonu unsettled and Rasheed Walker on a one-year contract, the Panthers have examined their Round 1 left tackle options. Freeling might have the highest upside of any tackle in the draft class.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
Because of the Cowboys’ shift in scheme under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, Faulk — with his skill set and given what he was asked to do at Auburn — would be a natural fit. He is a high-floor run defender, with ascending pass-rush talent.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
There is plenty of league buzz that the Steelers could be in the tackle market with this pick (or even via a trade-up situation). Most teams view Miller as a high-floor prospect who will come in and lock down an offensive line spot as a rookie.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
The Chargers addressed their guard depth in free agency, but they’re also expected to add starter-level competition early in the draft. Bisontis has the power and movement skills to immediately upgrade the interior.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This pick came down to Sadiq or Max Iheanachor, and I think most would assume the tackle to have the edge. But the Eagles are in the market for a pass-catching weapon for 2026, too, and don’t have a long-term solution at tight end. Sadiq would address both issues.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Browns got ahead of the offensive tackle run earlier in this mock and still have several wide receiver options at No. 24. Concepcion comes with a few question marks, but his dynamic talent is what the Browns are missing on offense.
25. Chicago Bears: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
Zion Young makes sense. Peter Woods would be a nice addition to the Bears’ interior rotation. But I’m going with Parker, who’d bring a well-rounded play style to Chicago’s defensive line.
The Bills could be in the mix for a guard or defensive tackle at this pick, but they also might be looking for more explosiveness off the edge. Lawrence would bring exactly that.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu is a young player with a bright future. And his landing with the 49ers might be ideal for both sides, because Lomu would have a front-row seat to watch Trent Williams play left tackle before eventually taking over the position.
28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald owns the point of attack and consistently makes plays in the run game, which would make him a welcome addition to Houston’s defensive line.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Chiefs traditionally haven’t targeted this style of wide receiver, but a ball-winner with size such as Boston would bring another dimension to Andy Reid’s offense.
30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Johnson shouldn’t fall this far, but the Dolphins wouldn’t be upset about it. Styles and Johnson would make for a great first-round haul as Hafley revamps the defense.
31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
There are several worthy edge rushers still on the board (Young, Cashius Howell), but protecting Drake Maye should be the focus. Iheanachor would be a solid swing tackle as a rookie and could turn into a long-term option at right tackle.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Seahawks are open for business with this pick, and there is a good chance another team moves up here (to take Alabama QB Ty Simpson?). But if Seattle stays put, Hood would be a great fit for its scheme.
