With the College Football Playoff and NFL Playoffs happening simultaneously, the 2026 NFL Draft feels closer than ever. Miami and Indiana will battle for the National Championship in college football, while the NFL postseason will advance to the divisional round next weekend.
The Panini Senior Bowl is roughly three weeks away. It’s officially draft season! We’re celebrating by releasing a brand-new 2026 NFL mock draft. Here’s our latest look at how picks 1-32 may go.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza solidified himself as the No. 1 overall selection in Friday’s win over Oregon. The Las Vegas Raiders must be thrilled, since their Geno Smith gamble backfired so miserably. Mendoza hasn’t put a foot wrong this season, and he’s a clean evaluation with a straightforward path to developing into a top 10 QB in the NFL.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore struggled mightily against Indiana, committing three turnovers in the first half. He should strongly consider returning to Oregon for another year of development. If Moore declares, it’s tough to see the New York Jets passing on his raw talent at No. 2 overall. If the Jets do draft him, they should sit him for a year.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals would love to replace Kyler Murray with a quarterback here, but there’s not one worth taking. GM Monti Ossenfort is in the process of hiring a new head coach. The early focus has centered on defensive-minded candidates. Arvell Reese possesses the most upside of any pass rusher in this class. He’s a projection, but Reese gives scouts some Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter vibes.
4. Tennessee Titans
Rueben Bain Jr. has responded to the criticisms about his arm length and questions about his positional value by putting forth fantastic performances in the College Football Playoff. No matter who the Tennessee Titans hire as head coach, they need a pass rusher to pair with Jeffery Simmons. Bain Jr. would address a huge need at EDGE.
5. New York Giants
The latest Malik Nabers injury update is concerning. He’s recovering from a serious knee injury. The New York Giants need to continue investing in Jaxson Dart’s supporting cast. Carnell Tate can play the X-receiver spot while providing Dart with a QB-friendly target on the boundary.
6. Cleveland Browns
Ty Simpson recently declared for the draft, throwing his name in the hat of the quarterbacks. Shedeur Sanders played admirably down the stretch, but the Cleveland Browns could still be in the market for a quarterback. Simpson struggled late at Alabama, but his first handful of performances highlighted a potential franchise signal-caller who diagnoses pre-snap reads at a high level.
7. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders need a total revamp on defense. Dan Quinn let go of both coordinators, so it’ll largely be a fresh start in 2026. Safety Caleb Downs is a legitimate tone-setter with game-changing potential. Downs is the best overall prospect in the class, but positional value pushes him to the Commanders’ selection.
8. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints had a productive season that taught them a lot about Kellen Moore and Tyler Shough. Mickey Loomis is almost in a position to go with the best available prospect here. They marry that with need, landing an athletic pass rusher in David Bailey who can help replace Cameron Jordan.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Expect Jeremiyah Love to be widely connected to the Kansas City Chiefs throughout the pre-draft process. Andy Reid will hire a new offensive coordinator in 2026 and the entire offense requires reassessing. The dynamic Love would help the Chiefs sort through their run-game issues, though they also need to improve across the offensive line to maximize upside.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a full-blown disaster on defense. Trey Hendrickson is probably departing in free agency. The defensive line needs a lot more talent opposite the raw Shemar Stewart. Clemson’s Peter Woods has the skill set needed to potentially develop into a dominant pass-rushing 3-tech.
11. Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Tyson would be the no-brainer WR1 in this class if not for a lengthy and concerning injury history. Medical checks at the NFL Combine will be critical to determining his actual draft stock. The Miami Dolphins are undergoing a lot of change, but they’ll need to replace Tyreek Hill this offseason.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season. The defense is an abomination, largely thanks to the ill-timed Micah Parsons trade. The linebackers need to get considerably better. Acquiring Logan Wilson and Kenneth Murray via trade wasn’t a solution. Sonny Styles is an excellent athlete with rare movement skills and coverage abilities.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
Francis Mauigoa would be a plug-and-play replacement for Rob Havenstein at right tackle. The Los Angeles Rams could also consider a quarterback here if the opportunity emerges. If not, Mauigoa would help replace a key offensive starter.
14. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens will shockingly have a new head coach next season. No matter who replaces John Harbaugh, addressing the pass rush is a necessity. Keldric Faulk has some untapped potential after failing to reach his performance ceiling at Auburn. Faulk is also versatile, which Eric DeCosta appreciates.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could choose a pass rusher here, but Kenyon Sadiq’s value is too good to pass up. Cade Otton is a pending free agent and could land a lucrative payday on the open market. The Buccaneers are hiring a new offensive coordinator after firing Josh Grizzard, and Sadiq would be a fantastic addition for the next play-caller.
16. New York Jets (via IND)
Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State
The Jets must replace Quinnen Williams at defensive tackle. After choosing Moore earlier in this scenario, they shift attention to a defensive line that requires improvement. Kayden McDonald has a rare combination of size and athleticism. He’s an expert run stopper and is getting better as a pass rusher.
17. Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker is weighing retirement this offseason. The offensive line must be prepared for his potential departure. The offense missed Ben Johnson in 2025. Spencer Fano is a fluid mover in space with short-area athleticism. In this scenario, Fano would transition to left tackle.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Mansoor Delane has been the top cornerback in college football this season. The Minnesota Vikings will undergo some changes in the defensive backfield this offseason, with Brian Flores possibly leaving his defensive coordinator post. Delane is a physical outside cornerback with sticky man-to-man coverage abilities.
19. Carolina Panthers
Caleb Banks, IDL, Florida
Imagine pairing Caleb Banks with Derrick Brown in Carolina. There’s room for this Panthers defensive line to improve in 2026. The Panthers can take this selection in multiple directions, but Banks’ size, strength, and athleticism create opportunities for his teammates to create splash plays.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Cowboys drafted an injured cornerback last year in Shavon Revel Jr., and that decision will eventually pay full dividends. They double down on this strategy here with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who did not play in 2025 due to a January torn ACL. McCoy is an elite corner prospect who would address this disastrous Cowboys secondary.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech
Lee Hunter strikes me as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Mike Tomlin won the division, so he’s allegedly safe another year. Hunter would be a terrific fit on a Steelers defensive line preparing to replace Cameron Heyward.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line is a mess. Getting Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back next season will be a boost, but the interior needs upgrading. Emmanuel Pregnon is the best guard prospect in the draft. Pregnon has a stout build and a nasty demeanor.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
This is all about replacing Lane Johnson. The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t their productive selves on offense throughout the regular season, largely due to a decline on the offensive line. Caleb Lomu should make a comfortable switch to RT in the pros.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
The Browns grabbed their quarterback earlier, and now they get Simpson a go-to target in Makai Lemon. Lemon should get drafted higher than this, but some teams may scout him as a slot-only receiver, potentially impacting his stock. He gives off Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba vibes.
25. Chicago Bears
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The Chicago Bears recorded just 35 sacks in 17 regular-season games. There’s room for upgrades opposite Montez Sweat and behind Dayo Odeyingbo. Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor has improved his pre-draft stock throughout the College Football Playoff. Mesidor is versatile enough to defend the edges on early downs and can reduce inside on occasion. The Ottawa, Ontario, Canada native is tough, big, and long.
26. Buffalo Bills
It feels like the Buffalo Bills have already admitted defeat on the Keon Coleman experiment. A lack of pass-catching weapons has limited the Bills’ upside on offense this season. Denzel Boston possesses prototype size and frame combined with athleticism to project as a difference-maker X receiver.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The San Francisco 49ers need more talent on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback is a weakness, especially in a division that has receivers like Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, is a pro-ready corner with great eyes in zone coverage and a high football IQ.
28. Houston Texans
Christen Miller, IDL, Georgia
The Houston Texans will continue to invest in their defensive identity as long as DeMeco Ryans remains the head coach. Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller is still scratching the surface of his potential, but he has big-time upside. Miller can develop into a mismatch assignment inside while Will Anderson Jr. and Daniel Hunter continue terrorizing offensive tackles.
29. Los Angeles Rams
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Several secondary defenders are on expiring contracts for the Los Angeles Rams, including Roger McCreary, Cobie Durant, and Ahkello Witherspoon. Les Snead should target a cornerback with one of his two first-round picks. Colton Hood is aggressive with excellent recovery speed.
30. New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel is a defensive-minded head coach, and he has a huge influence over the New England Patriots’ personnel decisions. K’Lavon Chaisson is a pending free agent and the Patriots could draft his replacement. T.J. Parker didn’t meet expectations this year, but pairing natural strength with a high motor offers him a high floor as a prospect.
31. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have a complete roster on defense. If there’s a looming hole, it’s at linebacker with the aging Alex Singleton on an expiring deal. CJ Allen is a physical, violent, and rangy linebacker who would thrive in Vance Joseph’s defense, assuming Joseph is still the defensive coordinator in 2026.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Seattle Seahawks have adopted head coach Mike Macdonald’s identity on defense. They have a number of cornerbacks on expiring contracts, so expect them to target the position early. Brandon Cisse can play man coverage, and he’s a really good tackler around the line of scrimmage. That’ll check John Schneider’s boxes.
What did you think of the latest version of Justin Melo’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.
