One last time, before free agency changes everything, let’s take a look at who might be available and fit the draft needs for each NFL team with a Round 1 pick (or multiple Round 1 picks).
We’ve already seen some major moves in the run-up to this year’s free agency period — moves that can tell us plenty about how clubs feel headed into the draft. The Rams, for example, were one of the league’s most cornerback-needy teams and had a top 15 pick, but rather than use a selection on a rookie corner, they traded it in a package for proven corner Trent McDuffie.
What else is in store? We’ll see. Until then, here’s a look at how the top 32 might unfold today:
(Note: A previous version of this mock draft accidentally omitted Miami’s Francis Mauigoa. He is included in the updated version.)
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The safest quarterback in the class (and the only first-round QB in this mock), Mendoza has the ability to stay consistent no matter what’s going on around him — which will be a great asset as the Raiders begin their rebuild.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
Sonny Styles had the best testing performance of any linebacker in the class, but Reese is still the most dynamic front-seven disruptor in this group. He’s the closest thing to Micah Parsons since Micah Parsons.
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
Athletically, Bailey has no holes in his game. The only hiccup he had entering 2025 was his work against the run, which got much better. Bailey is the most polished pass rusher in this class.
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
A wild card of an athlete at 6 feet 5 inches, 245 pounds, Styles put up a combine workout that’s the new athletic standard for a modern NFL inside linebacker. On the field, he hasn’t scratched the surface of what his impact could be.
5. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
There are length concerns here. As was the case with Will Campbell last season, however, Fano’s athleticism and hand speed are top-notch. Length is important, but (as with the guy at No. 7 in our mock) it’s not everything.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The heartbeat of Miami’s offensive line and one of the best overall big man athletes in this class, Mauigoa has the goods to give Cleveland what it’s needed at tackle for a long time now: a culture-setter.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
I’m not sure I care where Bain lines up in the NFL, because I’m pretty confident he’ll be a productive pass rusher from that spot. If he has to move inside more on third downs, fine. Bain’s violence off the ball defensively is unmatched in the 2026 class.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
If I had a nickel for every time someone at the NFL combine asked me if I thought Love would be available in the late teens, I’d be living unbothered on an undisclosed island somewhere. Not gonna happen.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This would add the most talented member of the Travis Kelce Internship Program yet to the Chiefs’ roster, and it would make for an amazing bridge to the future — or help ease the pain of Kelce’s departure — in Kansas City. There is nothing Sadiq cannot do from the tight end position.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This would be the steal of the top 10, as I believe Downs is the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft. Capable of playing anything in the back end, Downs is also one of this draft’s best run fitters.
11. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Despite the weird energy surrounding his agent’s immediate PR campaign about a disappointing 40 time, my reaction to Tate running a 4.53-second 40 was the same as last year when Tet McMillan ran 4.48: I’m not that surprised, and I don’t really care. Tate is a big, physical weapon who can bend and explode like a smaller one.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
I’ve wondered if Dallas might have any interest in packaging its two firsts this year for a move inside the top 10 — and a shot at Bailey or Styles. CB1 would be a fine consolation prize, and Delane is the top press corner in the class.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Another of the combine’s big winners, Freeling has been an emerging talent on scouting radars since early last fall. He is a gigantic man who moves like a basketball player. He has elite long-term potential at left tackle, even if he’s up and down as a rookie.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (from BAL): Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
One of the youngest players in the class, Faulk has the potential to be a true zero-through-nine-tech weapon up front, for a team that just traded Maxx Crosby. Tackle also could be an option here, as the Raiders (likely) begin their build around Mendoza.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Bucs could go linebacker here, but I’ll instead give them the speedy and smooth man-to-man coverage defender from Clemson. Terrell was one of the few Tigers who didn’t have a disappointing run in 2025.
16. New York Jets (from IND): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Medicals will be a big deal here — Tyson didn’t test at the combine, and his injury history is hardly ideal. If he’s healthy, though, this is the most complete and quarterback-friendly receiver in the draft.
17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Lions are looking for a potential Taylor Decker replacement at left tackle, and the need is more immediate now than it appeared to be a week ago. Lomu is still 20 and could be at least a part-time starter for a contender in year one.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman posted a 40 time (4.35) and jump numbers (41-inch vertical, 10-5 broad) at the combine that were seriously eye-opening. A disciplined back-end ball hawk who isn’t afraid to thump in the box when asked, Thieneman would be a perfect fit in Minnesota. He also could be gone by No. 18.
19. Carolina Panthers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I would have loved to see Lemon run at the combine. That said, a middling 40 time would not have been all that surprising and, as with Tate, I’m not sure it would’ve mattered. For two years now, Lemon has reminded me of fellow former USC star Amon-Ra St. Brown. He’s explosive, fearless and highly skilled.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Ahkeem Mesidor, edge, Miami
Not only are the Cowboys in a good position to trade up if they want, but they also can be flexible with their needs. Corner (or even safety) could be an option here if Dallas wants to take an edge earlier than this.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could be an option here. I’m just not sure he’s a first-round lock at this point, especially if quality receivers the likes of Boston, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. or Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion are on the board.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
The Chargers just dropped Mekhi Becton after a disappointing 2025 campaign, and Jim Harbaugh’s run game is always in need of more hammers. And Ioane (pronounced VENG-uh YO-wahn-ay) is the best interior hammer in the draft. This would be a steal at No. 22.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor’s talent at 6-7, 352 is undeniable. His tape, as a 20-year-old left tackle, is all over the place. He’s very raw and needs to mature. I’m not sure he’s a first-round lock, but if anyone can get a project like this playing consistently, it’s the Eagles.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
After putting together a dynamic season as Mendoza’s most dangerous weapon at Indiana, Cooper had a wonderful combine (4.42 40; 37-inch vertical). The size (6-0, 199) is what it is — Cooper’s a winner.
25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
If his medicals are clear, Banks is a guy I’m betting on. The 6-6, 327-pounder broke his foot in September and fought his tail off to get back for the last two games of the year, on a bad Florida team, before working out at the Senior Bowl and combine. Most players these days in his situation would’ve packed it in.
26. Buffalo Bills: Zion Young, edge, Missouri
The range on Young is pretty wide, especially considering that he was charged with DWI late last year in Missouri. Inside the NFL, though, the rap on Young seems more focused on the fact that he’s gigantic (6-6, 262, 33-inch arms) but moves like he’s not. He’s a very talented player with a ceiling to match.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Iheanachor didn’t play a snap of football until junior college, and there are stretches on his tape when that’s easy to spot. There are also moments in which you see what could be a dominant NFL tackle capable of playing either side. He’d be a potential long-term Trent Williams replacement.
28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
If you need an offensive tackle this year, you’d better act sooner than later — Miller is the sixth first-round tackle in this mock. Though I can see a world in which he and Iheanachor (and maybe even Proctor) slide, the odds of that becoming reality feel smaller by the day.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
If the NFL lets Andy Reid leave the first round with Sadiq and Concepcion — two of the most unique offensive weapons in this draft — then folks had better get their DVRs or VCRs or whatever it is they record stuff on ready. That offense would be a show.
30. Denver Broncos: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald’s evaluation right now is a bit like that of former Buckeye Tyleik Williams’ last year at this time. McDonald’s run-block destruction was outstanding last season, as was his effort out of his area. He may never be an elite pass rusher, but his value against the run will make up for it.
31. New England Patriots: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
McNeil-Warren doesn’t have Thieneman’s gas pedal on the back end, but he’s a true hybrid safety prospect (at 6-3, 201 with 32 1/8-inch arms) and has a fearless willingness to get downhill and attack the run. He’s not a Nick Emmanwori-level athlete, but he can wear similar hats defensively.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy told reporters at the combine he was healthy enough to work out but opted not to anyway. This, from a player who has not lined up for a snap since 2024. He’s a first-round talent, but his situation feels a little like that of Will Johnson’s last year. McCoy could slide.
