With the NFL spring conferences this week in Phoenix, group homeowners, coaches and normal managers are assembly with media to supply updates on offseason information. That contains answering questions in regards to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here’s our greatest try at sifting by the noise and matching gamers to wants for all 32 first-round picks.
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In this mock draft, Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald makes the odd-numbered picks, and Nate Tice makes the even.
More 2026 NFL mock drafts: 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0
1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders not too long ago traded Geno Smith to the Jets, which implies there’s actually nothing I can say right here that hasn’t been written 100 instances earlier than. This is finished, and let’s hope for Klint Kubiak’s sake it really works. Onto the following.
2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State
The Jets had been lively in bringing in vet after vet to shore up their protection. They now drop in an explosive weapon in Reese to proceed to reinvent this facet of the ball. Reese’s greatest spot will doubtless be on the road of scrimmage, the place he flashes as a high-end go rusher and already exhibits the power to maintain the sting within the run sport. His versatility to play off-ball is a bonus if the Jets need to get artistic in getting all of their go rushers on the sphere.
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3. Arizona Cardinals — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
A top-three choose feels excessive for an off-ball linebacker, however Styles has the prospect to be a transformative expertise on the place in a league that has nearly no elite linebackers. Styles has the scale and velocity to assault all areas of the sphere, performed nicely in protection and has use as a blitzer. Styles would instantly slide in as the highest canine on the Cardinals’ protection and be an attention-grabbing case research (irrespective of the place he’s drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no different groups have (a wholesome) one.
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4. Tennessee Titans — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
There’s smoke with the Titans taking Jeremiyah Love, and the Titans nonetheless want extra playmakers round Cam Ward even after splurging on Wan’Dale Robinson in free company. I’d moderately have the rebuilding Titans proceed to add to their trenches moderately than a working again at this level of their course of. Robert Saleh loves investing closely into his defensive traces, and Bailey would give him a flamethrower to rush the passer and a special taste than their present set of maulers. And there’s the additional advantage that the remaining of the Titans’ line will assist insulate Bailey within the run sport. Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers, and Bailey is so much of warmth to throw at offenses once they attempt to throw the ball.
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5. New York Giants — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This choose may be a shocker, however there’s a strand of logic to observe right here: specifically, John Harbaugh and Greg Roman getting again collectively in New York. Matt Nagy will likely be calling performs, however Roman is with the Giants as a senior offensive assistant and Harbaugh has totally demonstrated a want to be a very good working group by nearly his total Baltimore tenure. The Giants could view a game-breaking working again as the final piece contemplating the offensive line isn’t in speedy want of an improve and so they threw some our bodies at extensive receiver. There’s no telling how Cam Skattebo will look when he will get again on a area after recovering from a leg damage, however Love is a vastly superior prospect who brings some velocity to the Giants’ backfield.
(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)
6. Cleveland Browns — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns wanted to utterly rebuild their offensive line this offseason. They’ve began the method in free company, signing a number of veterans, however may nonetheless use an additional injection of expertise. Especially on the sort out place. Enter Freeling, a riser all through the 2025 season who’s now firmly in my high 10 general for this class. Freeling has upside as a real blindside protector for whoever is throwing passes in Cleveland sooner or later.
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7. Washington Commanders — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Positional worth is the one motive that Downs is on the board right here. He’s arguably the most effective participant within the draft and has been an elite defensive again prospect since his first season at Alabama. He’s the “can’t-miss” caliber participant the Commanders may use of their secondary and has the abilities to play deep security and the slot in Dan Quinn’s protection, which desperately wants to bounce again in 2026.
8. New Orleans Saints — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
It’s tempting to add one other go catcher in New Orleans. Instead, the Saints tab Delane to drive on over from Baton Rouge. The Saints’ protection was higher than anticipated final season below Brandon Staley. They may look to add to their line, however Delane is a brilliant participant who matches into Staley’s zone-heavy scheme and inventive passing down seems. He can be an improve for the cornerback room and provides the Saints a defender who can be snug straight away within the scheme and will influence the sport greater than what they at present have on the roster.
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9. Kansas City Chiefs — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Kansas City takes 5 seconds to flip this choose in. By the luck of the draw, one of probably the most disruptive defensive ends in school soccer falls into the Chiefs’ lap as they struggle to re-infuse premier expertise into their protection. Bain can be an ideal slot in Steve Spagnuolo’s protection and kind a productive trio alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.
10. Cincinnati Bengals — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
This can be a bit of a nightmare state of affairs for the Bengals. Defensive participant after defensive participant snatched up earlier than they choose at No. 10. Keldric Faulk is an possibility, however the Bengals would possibly dread deciding on two undertaking sort edge defenders in two straight drafts (they chose Shemar Stewart final 12 months). They nonetheless find yourself getting a supremely gifted participant in McCoy. He didn’t play final season, however he’s nonetheless checked out as a high-end cornerback prospect as a result of of what he placed on movie earlier than his damage in January 2025. He has the potential to be an actual needle mover on the skin for the Bengals who may permit the Bengals to kick Dax Hill inside extra typically.
11. Miami Dolphins — Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
The Dolphins are formally rebuilding once more, leaving them with a plethora of holes they’ll try to fill with their first-round choose this 12 months. Here, they keep native and seize Mauigoa, who has the abilities to slide in as a long-term starter at proper sort out or guard. Rome wasn’t inbuilt a day, but when Patrick Paul and Jonah Savaiinaea develop, that’s a pleasant little core up entrance to try to construct round.
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12. Dallas Cowboys — Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
I favored the Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant signings for the Cowboys to assist shore up their defensive backfield, however they want to proceed to add expertise on that facet of the ball. Caught in between tiers with cornerback and linebacker prospects, the Cowboys add the intriguing Faulk to their defensive position. He continues to be a piece in progress dashing the passer, however he’s younger, has high-end traits, performs laborious and can enter the league already as a plus run defender. He would complement what the Cowboys have already got and his pocket-pushing rush type would really match completely with the mauling potential of Quinnen Williams on the within. Faulk may play a number of spots in Christian Parker’s Fangio scheme, one thing he already did at Auburn. It’s a match I like extra as I’ve marinated on it.
13. Los Angeles Rams (by way of Falcons) — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
With longtime proper sort out Rob Havenstein retiring, the Rams have a giant gap on the precise facet of their offensive line. Luckily, they’ll discover the right substitute right here. Lomu hasn’t gotten as a lot adoration as his teammate Spencer Fano, however Lomu may be a cleaner match right here contemplating he was already enjoying proper sort out at Utah. Lomu’s nasty streak, explosiveness and general athleticism give him the prospect to develop right into a lockdown proper sort out.
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14. Baltimore Ravens — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The first extensive receiver chosen! While I’d love for the Ravens to pair Lamar Jackson with a WR with actual dimension, Tate is simply such a gentle participant who performs larger than his dimension as a result of of his catching vary and ball expertise. He’s a wise participant who’s efficient in any respect three ranges as a route runner, and his really feel in opposition to zone can be highlighted throughout Jackson’s scramble drills. The Ravens may look to bolster their offensive line right here, however I believe dipping into the first-round extensive receiver nicely (once more) with Tate would give the Ravens a special taste of go catcher than they’ve.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
A group can by no means have too many corners, so Tampa Bay grabs a gentle participant in Terrell close to the midpoint of the primary spherical. Terrell isn’t probably the most explosive cornerback, however he’s fluid and performs the ball nicely — similar to his older brother A.J. on the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa Bay would’ve favored to seize a defensive lineman with the potential to play on the top, however with Faulk going a couple of picks earlier, they go elsewhere with the choose right here.
16. New York Jets (by way of Colts) — Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
After dropping John Simpson and former first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker in free company, the Jets look to reinforce their offensive line with one other first-round choice. Ioane has good dimension and is snug in house. He confirmed off good consciousness as a participant this previous season, which is encouraging for him to hit the sphere early within the professionals. The Jets may go in a couple of instructions with this choose, however I believe they defer to the trenches (once more) right here.
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17. Detroit Lions — Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
This choose does not want far more rationalization apart from the truth that the Lions don’t have many go rushers on their roster proper now. They are razor skinny at defensive finish exterior of Aidan Hutchinson, nearly to the purpose the place they’ve to take an edge rusher with this choose. Mesidor is a bit hit-or-miss on a down-to-down foundation and turns 25 earlier than the draft, however he has an opportunity to be a contributor within the NFL or perhaps a respectable, constant risk off the sting if he hits the bottom working. The Lions have to attempt one thing.
18. Minnesota Vikings — Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Vikings have a couple of flavors of prospects they might go after with their first-round choose. There are a pair of attention-grabbing security choices, they might look to discover the T.J. Hockenson substitute in Kenyon Sadiq, or they might add some tangible beef to their defensive position. Brian Flores goes to scheme pressures and large performs for his protection, however the Vikings may use somebody to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the soccer. McDonald isn’t the sexiest prospect, however his potential to maintain up in opposition to the run is his calling card, whereas additionally having mild sufficient ft to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves a lot. McDonald is principally the defensive model of the road of considering that led to the Donovan Jackson choice final 12 months at offensive guard: a tangible trench expertise who can let the artistic coaches be artistic.
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19. Carolina Panthers — Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Carolina provides some critical dimension to its defensive position right here with the addition of Banks. He is a behemoth sort out with elite athleticism and sound method to diagnose and defeat blocks — he simply can’t sort out. Now, that’s regarding, however his different traits are so dynamic and overwhelming that even marginal enchancment in that problematic space would make him a plus starter within the NFL. Banks reportedly broke his foot at the NFL combine and is projected to be sidelined till June, which ought to give him loads of time to be wholesome by coaching camp.
20. Dallas Cowboys (by way of Packers) — Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
This may be a attain however this level of the primary spherical goes to be extensive open with the dearth of consensus with this class. I used to be excessive on Hill to begin the season (he was my LB1), cooled on him barely, and now have warmed again up. He’s a very good athlete with sideline-to-sideline vary. He exhibits off good consciousness and play recognition, and would match the Cowboys’ new defensive scheme nicely as a result of of his dynamic blitzing potential. The Cowboys have achieved a superb job of rebuilding their protection, and Hill would give Dallas its most gifted man within the center since Leighton Vander Esch.
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Steelers have one extensive receiver spot set with DK Metcalf, however they’re nonetheless severely missing choices past him. They get a possible blessing with Tyson falling to the decrease portion of the primary spherical. At his greatest, and healthiest, Tyson is a bully when the ball is within the air. He exhibits actual upside to develop into an NFL WR1. Who will likely be throwing the ball for Pittsburgh still needs to be settled, but that’s nothing new for a Steelers offseason.
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
This can be a boon for the Chargers. Fano is a superb athlete who’s explosive as a run blocker and is a straightforward mover in house. The Chargers didn’t actually make a giant splash at their guard positions this offseason, however Fano would match proper in with Mike McDaniel’s scheme. I’ve some reservations of how Fano will maintain up at sort out on the subsequent stage and suppose Fano’s greatest spot is at guard and even middle. That’s not as a lot of a priority in Los Angeles with the Chargers’ gifted sort out duo. It is good that Fano has the positional versatility to present depth if the Chargers ever want it (they are going to want it).
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23. Philadelphia Eagles — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Philadelphia lastly agreed on a one-year cope with longtime tight finish Dallas Goedert, however at 31 years outdated his long-term future with the group is murky. The Eagles may land an unimaginable long-term substitute for Goedert right here with the über-athletic Sadiq. He is a freak athlete who ought to instantly discover a function as a pass-catching possibility early in his profession. He’s efficient simply sufficient as a blocker the place he no less than has a baseline to construct from within the NFL.
24. Cleveland Browns (by way of Jaguars) — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
It’s tempting to preserve including to the Browns’ offensive line, and there are some gifted gamers out there right here (albeit extra tackles than inside gamers). Instead, let’s have the Browns add dimension to their pass-catching room. Jerry Jeudy is greatest used as a secondary possibility, and Harold Fannin Jr. is an thrilling younger tight finish. Boston would complement each as an out of doors ball winner who can win together with his catching expertise and dimension. He’s a gentle participant who can win within the purple zone and provides the Browns quarterback, whoever that’s, a dependable large goal in powerful conditions.
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25. Chicago Bears — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods’ draft day slide stops right here with the Bears including an actual dwelling run swing at a place of determined want. Chicago’s defensive position was not stout sufficient final season and, at his greatest, Woods will be an influence defender at a number of alignments alongside the inside. The Bears have tried their hand at a couple of defensive sort out prospects over the previous few years, however Woods has a better ground than their current Day 2 ventures.
26. Buffalo Bills — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Linebacker was tempting right here with CJ Allen nonetheless out there. Instead, the Bills bolster their backbone on the security spot. Even after signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, I believe the Bills may use one other centrally situated long-term possibility that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard may weaponize. McNeil-Warren is such a enjoyable participant. He is a fast diagnoser and loves to match the run. He can be an awesome match for Leonhard’s protection that asks so much out of its safeties.
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27. San Francisco 49ers — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
The 49ers want a giant infusion of younger expertise alongside the offensive line and might try this right here with Iheanachor. He is a redshirt senior, however began enjoying soccer just a few years in the past in JUCO. Never wager in opposition to somebody who began enjoying soccer in JUCO and didn’t give up instantly.
28. Houston Texans — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
General supervisor Nick Caserio loves his large college gamers. And Proctor is the literal greatest of large college gamers on this 12 months’s draft class. Yes, the Texans signed offensive sort out Braden Smith to a two-year deal, however Smith has missed time basically each season of his profession. Proctor can be gigantic on the place, however he may begin his profession at guard and supply depth at sort out earlier than kicking out down the highway. The Texans ought to preserve addressing their offensive line, and whereas a guard or middle possibility can be preferable, including beef of some type, even when there may be not a clear path straight away, mustn’t cease the Texans from including a gifted participant at offensive line.
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29. Kansas City Chiefs (by way of Rams) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
With Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie off to the Rams, cornerback has turn out to be a extreme, speedy want for the Chiefs. Here they’ll take a cube roll on the gifted Hood, who would have loads of probabilities to make performs on the ball with Chris Jones and the beforehand mock-drafted Rueben Bain Jr. getting after the quarterback.
30. Miami Dolphins (by way of Broncos) — KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Here’s the large piece in return for the Jaylen Waddle trade: one other first-round wideout for Miami. Concepcion can carry the identical sort of explosive performs that Waddle did when he was catching balls from Tua Tagovailoa. His coaches at A&M and NC State had been continuously determining methods to get Concepcion the ball, together with on particular groups. Concepcion’s wideout expertise have advanced however he nonetheless wants to present enchancment in route working and consistency in catching the soccer.
31. New England Patriots — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
As they confirmed all through the playoffs, the Patriots’ offense nonetheless has a methods to go in phrases of expertise acquisition to stand tall in opposition to the most effective defenses within the league. To be truthful, the Patriots had a top-five draft choose in the identical season they made the Super Bowl, which highlights the general lack of high-end expertise, significantly on the offensive line. They can begin to repair that with the choice of Miller, one other gigantic, athletic sort out on this draft class.
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32. Seattle Seahawks — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
I began on the out there offensive guards at this spot for therefore lengthy. There are additionally a couple of intriguing defensive position and extensive receiver prospects right here. Even after the investments made at each spots, I wouldn’t rule out the Seahawks persevering with to bolster each positions. Instead, the Seahawks get the versatile Thieneman from the state simply south of them. Thieneman can be a wonderful slot in Mike Macdonald’s two-high scheme, unlocking his two-way potential as a run defender and in protection, whereas additionally permitting him to play from a excessive place to take benefit of his potential to learn and shut on the soccer. Thieneman would permit the Seahawks to reside of their 5 and 6 defensive again seems and unlock the remaining of Seattle’s gifted protection.