NFL · 3 weeks ago

Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions on Draft Day!

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

The NFL Draft begins in Pittsburgh today
Mock drafts look clean on paper. In reality, they’re anything but.

According to data cited from FantasyPros roughly 145 media mock drafts were tracked last year. The average result? Just six correct picks per mock. That’s not six players that’s six player-to-team matches. One mock managed 12 correct selections, which still meant 63 percent of the picks were wrong.

That’s the reality of trying to predict 32 independent decisions, each shaped by internal grades, medicals, interviews, ownership influence, and last-second trades.

What looks like an obvious team need on the outside often doesn’t align with how a front office stacks its board. Teams don’t draft for headlines they draft off their board, and that board rarely mirrors consensus.

Mock drafts are often the most frustrating pieces to put together. They’re built on educated guesses, and even the most apparent team needs are often ignored when the pick is made. That’s why the unpredictability of it all makes it so much fun especially in this year’s class, where the talent spread between picks 1 through 10 feels wide open.

Word around the league is that teams have roughly 12 true blue-chip prospects in this class. That’s leaner than in previous years, when that number could climb to 16 or 17. That drop-off matters.

It makes moving up far more difficult, because once you’re outside that tier, the cost to climb back into it becomes steep.

Expect the unexpected. That’s the beauty of the NFL Draft.

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Pick 1 - Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana

Big-bodied passer with a calm, controlled presence in the pocket. Wins with timing, touch, and rhythm more than raw arm strength. Shows functional mobility to extend plays but is not a true off-script creator. Projects as a system-friendly quarterback whose ceiling depends on anticipation and decision-making consistency.

His hips are aligned with his throws. Mechanically, I think he is very poised and repeats his motion with extreme consistency. He whips that right foot out upon release, almost like a unique batter’s swing. Fluid from top to bottom. He is often clean in the pocket and allowed time to step into throws.

He is a leader with toughness. Gains tough yards and is not afraid to lay his body on the line. Appears calm at the height of chaos, remains flatlined and fluid. He runs with a bit of a hunched-over approach and while it is not attractive, it is effective. If he misfires, it is usually over the head; nothing falls short. Makes tough throws that only his receivers can make. We have seen times when his wideouts have made spectacular catches, and that coincides with his confidence to put the ball in tight spots.

His demeanor and winning attitude are nothing short of top notch. However, there is slight concern when watching the pocket he often had at Indiana and his ability to consistently step into throws. I think that could hinder his game at the next level.
Pick 2 - New York Giants via NJY
Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame

Explosive, one-cut runner with elite acceleration and instant burst. Hits creases with urgency and can erase pursuit angles in the open field. True home-run threat who stresses defenses horizontally and vertically. Still refining vision between the tackles, but the speed profile is game-changing.

Let’s begin here with his performance against Pitt, which I was covering. Jeremiyah Love showed instantly why he is considered the best running back in college football. With patience, sharp vision, and a devastating spin move, he sliced through the Panthers defense on a touchdown run that made it 7-0 with 8:16 left in the first quarter. The Heisman hopeful finished with 158 rushing yards on 23 carries and added two catches for 20 yards for good measure.

Thick hips and legs, and he knows how to use them in pass protection. Watch him against Texas A&M’s Taurean York in the second quarter. He delivers one hell of a blow to York, then stares him down afterward. That is a mental way to block, not just an assignment. He gets after it. Plays with leverage and provides pop in his blocking.

Terrific with the ball in his hands. He provides all the cliché qualities of an upper-tier prospect at his position. Effortlessly seizes the gap, finds the hole, can maneuver through traffic, spin, remain balanced, and churn his legs for tough yards. I would be surprised if he does not become a contributor quickly at the next level.

He dazzled everyone with his athleticism during the drills at the NFL Combine, and it is not out of the question for him to go as high as No. 2 to the Jets. He is a clear-cut elite talent at running back. Even the receivers in this class are strong, but not elite like Love. His 4.36 forty was another block in the solid foundation of his overall game.
Pick 4 - Tennessee Titans
David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech

Explosive edge defender with a quick first step and the ability to stress tackles off the snap. Wins early with burst and speed-to-power flashes. Still developing a full pass-rush arsenal, but the traits and motor give him disruptive upside. When he strings moves together, he can take over reps.

Good length. Has some bulk to him. Rushes from the right or left side. Displays a variety of tricks to get to the quarterback. Constant pressure. Seldom takes plays off. Ability to detach quickly from his blocker is a great trait he possesses. One step and he is into his rhythm a dip-and-rip or spinning his way toward the ball.

Active feet and clean through traffic. You will not see him on the ground often. He is able to avoid the chaos and pursue. There is a subtle bend in his gait when rushing, a slight dip in the hips, and off he goes.

His one-armed bull rush on Kent State’s Garrett Masterson was impressive. He simply knocked the 6’6”, 315-pound tackle off his feet. Watching him stumble backward as Bailey accelerates toward the quarterback is impressive. That forearm is another tool he uses very well.
Pick 5 - New York Jets via NYG
Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State

Hybrid defender with a safety background and linebacker body. Fluid mover in space with coverage ability that stands out immediately. Plays downhill with physicality but is still refining how he stacks, sheds, and diagnoses inside. Scheme-versatile chess piece with modern three-down upside.

His dynamic performance at the NFL Combine was nothing short of spectacular. His size (6'5" 244) and athleticism are elite. Running 4.46 and jumping 43.5" on his vertical. Remember, he arrived at Ohio State as a 5-star recruit and was rated as the No. 1 overall safety prospect in the country by 247Sports.

I feel his awareness and patience to attack a crease and get to the football are solid. It is a consistent feeling you get watching him. His ability to close in space is special. When the combination of awareness and speed merges, it is a lethal combination.

Love the way he latches onto the ball carrier and drags his prey to the ground. He mirrors a big cat on the safari every time I watch him. Against Texas in Week 1 of this past season, I see a couple plays that stick in my mind with a lack of real pursuit on one play and another where offensive tackle Brandon Baker pancakes Styles to the ground.

I mention the Baker play again because it is part of the nonnegotiable mindset of Styles to take on blockers and apply his strength at the point of attack. Sometimes you lose and sometimes you win. He is not going to back down. That demeanor, along with his athleticism, could create one incredible of a prospect.
Pick 6 - Kansas City Chiefs via CLE
Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State

Explosive receiver with vertical juice and easy separation ability. Accelerates quickly and tracks the deep ball naturally. Lean frame but wins with speed and suddenness. Big-play threat every time he touches the field.

Good size and has some bulk. I like his phone-booth ability and knack for quick-twitch freedom for an extra yard or two. Plays with an edge. Has some fight in his game. Would like to see better control and care of the football.

Stems vertically and keeps his hips hidden before breaking. Arizona State used a lot of smoke routes with him. He is a determined runner with the ball in his hands. He will put his head down and try to carve out yards. I like that.

Field awareness. Will battle for the ball. One of his best traits is simply getting upfield immediately and wasting zero movement. His fourth quarter catch against Arizona seals the deal. Over the shoulder, corner of the end zone, and he makes the catch. The Sun Devils used him all over and that suits his skill set. He is a player who can be used in a variety of ways and counted on.
Pick 7 - Washington Commanders
Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami (FL)

Powerful, high-motor edge defender who plays with violence and urgency. Generates push with strong hands and converts speed to power effectively. Not overly flashy, but consistently disruptive. Sets a firm edge and brings physicality every snap tone-setter type.

The first prospect I truly liked right off the bat. Thick midsection provides lower-body power. At 6’3”, along with his base and athletic ability, Bain is explosive off the ball and has the power needed to be very effective.

Uses the rip move naturally. Wins with pad level and leverage. Does a good job lowering that inside shoulder to reduce the strike zone on the tackle. Stays tight on his arc toward the quarterback. Hustles and pursues the play to the whistle.

Bain is that battering ram off the edge. I’d like to think after the game, whatever left tackle he faced felt exhausted and defeated. He is hustle, brute force, and explosiveness.
Pick 8 - New Orleans Saints via KC
Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State

Elite instinct player with natural range and anticipation. Plays fast because he sees it early. Comfortable in deep coverage, downhill support, and creating turnovers. True tone-setter on the backend with high football IQ and playmaking consistency.

Solid frame. Not overly muscled up but looks the part. His angle to the ball is one of his best traits. It is sort of the foundation for all the other qualities that come into play when watching Downs. Read and reaction, again with quick point-to-point attack radius. Better tackle-for-loss ability is needed to fully capitalize on his playmaking skills. However, he is a disciplined open-field wrap-up tackler. While not a punisher, he will make the contact to allow others to join in for the tackle.

Times blitzes well. Fluid, natural athlete in the secondary. Consistency and awareness are part of his football IQ. Sound in all areas. Coverage abilities are very good. He can tuck into a receiver tightly and deflect the pass. Rarely out of position to make a play. His run-game prowess is a huge asset to his game.
Pick 9 - Cleveland Browns via KC
FRANCIS MAUIGOA | OT | MIAMI (FL)

He plays right tackle. The size and frame are ideal. He possesses that wide hip section along with thick thighs to leverage with success consistently. Definitely can move the pile and seal the edge, providing an open path for the ball carrier.

However, there were a couple plays in the title game that stood out. Indiana’s Mikail Kamara jukes him off the snap and goes basically untouched. On another play, two defenders come at him while the ball is being rushed off the left side, and he is indecisive, using half-hearted arm blocks. Once again, it is Kamara making a tackle for loss from the right side of the line all the way to the left side of the play.

A much wiser man once told me the worst offensive lineman plays right tackle because there is no speed rusher on the right. Now that can be debated, but it does make me pause for a second when I see him ranked so high. With 42 consecutive starts at Miami at right tackle, he has proven durability.

He is authoritative in pass blocking. Again, this is where that quickness allows him to direct defenders off the ball or repeatedly use his hands to stymie them into submission. I think Mauigoa’s ability in key areas like balance, lateral movement, hand usage, pass blocking, and overall control are all very strong traits.
Pick 10 - New York Jets via NYG via CIN
Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU

Fluid, smooth-moving corner with natural coverage ability. Stays connected through routes and competes at the catch point. Length and athleticism allow him to match up across different receiver types. Still refining technique, but tools are evident.

Durable, athletic-looking body. Looks the part of a high-end NFL defensive back and can Velcro himself to the target. His intricate ability to conduct himself in a manner where the light but consistent contact in coverage is not noticeable is outstanding.

Plays with great intensity. Appears to have eyes for the quarterback’s eyes and can track potential passes to his man or another. Watch the Clemson tape in the third quarter at 8:21 and you will see his awareness in the secondary to drop off his coverage, break, and get the interception.

Shows a knack for dislodging the ball at the point of contact. The ball looks secured, however he will work his way into turning what looked like a catch into a drop. Head turned, eyes on the pocket, rarely is he running aimlessly and blinded by what is going on at the line of scrimmage.

With the rich history of LSU stars leaving Baton Rouge for the NFL, Delane is likely to take the baton.
Pick 11 - Miami Dolphins
Olaivavega Ioane | OG | Penn State

Combination of girth and mobility makes Ioane very attractive. There is an eagerness to fire off every snap. You sense that he is built from a different blueprint. Plays beyond the whistle.

Much more agile than he is given credit for, or what people would assume he can do athletically. Plays with poise and consistently moves defenders off the ball. Getting his shoulders square can be improved.

There is a lot to like about Ioane. You can sense his excitement after a first down or touchdown. He is committed to the cause and cares. Power and poise at a high level. I would be surprised if he doesn’t become a coveted player for years to come at the guard position in the NFL.
Pick 12 - Dallas Cowboys
Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee

Fluid athlete who does those little things well, like plucking the ball off the turf without slowing down while others might fumble it around. Hood is controlled.

His demeanor in coverage is intense. He is able to stick with receivers and follow tightly in and out of their cuts. Even off the line of scrimmage he is able to duplicate the precision of the receiver. If the wideout is two steps, stop, turn, Hood is there to intervene.

His run-game prowess leaves something to be desired, as a tackler. He flies to the ball, but he is more of a lunger than a wrap-up tackler.

Second only to Delane among the defensive backs in my opinion.
Pick 13 - Los Angeles Rams via ATL
Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia

Long, athletic tackle with prototypical size and movement skills. Shows ability to mirror edge rushers and operate in space. Still developing play strength and anchor consistency, but the frame and footwork give him a high developmental ceiling.

Size and proportion are good. He looks like an oversized tight end—well, a massively oversized tight end. On the ground more than I like to see. I do not see a dominator at the position. I was searching a bit to find the ingredients that make him rated as highly as he is in this draft class.

Athleticism shows overall. He can move and extend himself upfield with ease, however he does not appear to have that attacker mode in him. That seek-and-destroy mindset when the opportunity arises. That is where I notice the late hands.

He definitely drives his assignment off the snap and wins the play. I also think it is his body language that throws me off a bit, however I tend to think it is his superior talent that makes the difficult work look routine. Maybe he makes it look easy. He is a consistent and steady presence. I get caught up in the overture of offensive linemen with that demolish-mindset. Freeling is technique, and technique wins.
Pick 14 - Baltimore Ravens
Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State

Great size. Fluid build from top to bottom. Has a body that can be developed. Engages in the run game with tenacity and is a real asset there. Plays in control and looks natural doing the hard things. Contested catches and toe-tapping in bounds are all smooth. Quick release. Lacks great ability after the catch. He is good, but not elite. Can make a man miss, but often first contact brings him down.

Ohio State has been a powerhouse in the development of the NFL’s best at the position, and it appears Tate is next up.
Pick 15 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami (FL)

Length and burst off the edge with flashes of high-end pass-rush ability. Can win with speed or convert to power. Needs consistency, but traits give him real upside.

Decent size. Has that bulk around the midsection that provides lower-body power. Lumbers when he runs. Use of his hands is above par by a great measure and I feel it is one of the key components to his overall package at the position.

He is a disruptor rather than a playmaker. Consistent hassler behind the line of scrimmage. He provides chaos to help derail the offense. Works his release off blocks with success time and time again.

The repetitive wording is all I can come up with for Mesidor. A disruptive player who wins early and lacks creativity getting to the ball. Bull rush, really good hands, and consistency keep him in the play. That is his strength to be relevant play after play.
Pick 16 - New York Giants via NYJ
Makai Lemon | WR | USC

Quick-twitch playmaker with sudden movements and short-area burst. Creates separation with ease and is dangerous after the catch. Can line up in multiple spots and produce.

I feel there is some toughness in the way he plays. Not the biggest guy, and he does not possess anything size-wise that would make you think he is intimidating but watch him and he is a tough out.

Dedicated blocker in the run game. He is an asset there. Shows awareness to come back to the ball and create a new target area once the play is exhausted from its original design. Smooth catching the ball, and when you watch him, you get the sense he is thinking ahead. Prior to the catch, he is already eyeing where he can take the ball up field.

Plays with that little extra and adds that little extra to everything he does. He makes the catch, absorbs a hit, remains standing, and adds yards to the play. I would like to see a crisper cut at the stem of his routes. It is not bad, but if the technique improves, it could boost his overall game. His run-after-catch touchdown against Georgia Southern is worth mentioning. Forget the comparison of teams. He sells the go or seam on the comeback, breaks a tackle, then jukes another defender to his knees in route to the end zone.
Pick 17 - Detroit Lions
Kayden McDonald | DT | Ohio State

Heart of the interior for a star-studded defensive unit at Ohio State. McDonald was the space eating front man allowing Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles to excel aided by both their incredible abilities.

Powerful interior presence with the ability to collapse the pocket. Plays with leverage and strength, eating space and forcing disruption inside. Not a polished pass rusher yet but brings physicality and push.

Guys his size doing what he is able to do are hard to come by and I feel this is why he sneaks up higher than most might.
Pick 18 - Los Angeles Chargers via MINN
Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon

Ball-hawking safety with range and instincts. Reads quarterbacks well and attacks the football. Playmaker on the backend who can change games with turnovers.

The Ducks are known for their offensive prowess, but defensively they have been a sneaky pipeline of top-tier NFL talent. In the secondary over the last several years, guys like Jevon Holland, Deommodore Lenoir, and Christian Gonzalez come to mind.

Thieneman is the next man up. His combine performance was silly good, with a 4.35 forty, 41-inch vertical, and an 11’5” broad jump adding sizzle to how high he can go. Watching him, you do not need to talk to anyone on the Oregon coaching staff to know he possesses a high football IQ.

His awareness on the field is top notch. Diagnoses plays and reacts on the spot. I think his intelligence allows him to methodically creep into the box while keeping tabs on his surroundings. His shoestring tackling on occasion is so-so. He is not a thumper, but he provides the initial contact that slows the play’s progress.
Pick 19 - Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon

Athletic mismatch tight end with receiving upside. Fluid in routes and can stretch the seam. Still developing as a blocker but offers clear value as a pass-catching option.

Sadiq blew up the NFL Combine, running a 4.39 forty, jumping 43.5 inches in the vertical, and posting an 11’1” broad jump. Amazing athlete.

Those numbers may lead you to believe he is an oversized wideout who is soft in the dirty work of tight end. Far from it. Against Montana State, he takes on Hunter Parsons and drives him eight yards back and eventually onto his back.

That is a mindset. That is a football player. He can get hit after the catch, remain standing, and progress up field. It is those types of plays where he shows toughness, and then you add in his immense athleticism and there is really something special about Sadiq.

I was not expecting to leave his tape with such a positive impression.
Pick 20 - Dallas Cowboys via GB
Spencer Fano | OT | Utah

A steady presence. Sound technique. Great length. Can get movement on the hip. Shows good initial quickness. Excellent placement. Directs defenders off the point of attack. I feel that is one of his best qualities. Mirrors his man and sustains the block.

Once he locks in, he rarely loses a battle. Seldom gets pushed back. Lower-body technique helps his upper body subdue defenders. I do not see an overly athletic right tackle; however, his discipline and technique are dynamic. Carbon copy of dominant plays repeatedly.

Feel he should be the top tackle off the board on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Pick 21 - Pittsburgh Steelers
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana

Quick and speedy receiver who wins in contested situations. Strong hands and physical at the catch point. Not a pure separator but thrives in traffic and red-zone situations.

Good-looking frame. Muscled up. Not thick but looks sturdy. Might be a flattering way to describe Cooper Jr., but there is a lot of grit in his game. Meat-and-potatoes type guy. Possesses many qualities, however I do not think there is one that truly sets him apart from others.

However, his ability to lull a defensive back before the double move on an out-and-up route begins the trajectory upward. Willing blocker without question. Puts a hat on a helmet. After the catch he is committed to making people miss and inviting contact with the defender. Will not shy away from contact. Indiana distributed the ball to him in a variety of ways, which speaks to his versatility at the position.

Cooper Jr. is a versatile, physical wide receiver. He led the Hoosiers in catches with 69 and yards with 937. He was second on the team with 13 receiving touchdowns and had 1,011 yards from scrimmage.
Pick 22 - Minnesota Vikings via LAC
Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn

Impressive 35-inch vertical at the NFL Combine and a 9’9” broad jump. Immediately you know he possesses power. Able to generate it from his hips and coils to strike his opponent. Faulk does not have a flashy style. It is a subtle nudge and dip of his shoulder and bam, he is locked onto the ball carrier.

Excels early and remains clean through traffic and getting quickly to the ball. Wins early and possesses the strength to have a tackle out of whack with balance and weak feet. Reminds me of a Cam Heyward type of guy. Nothing flashy, but the body of work is impressive.

Meat-and-potatoes type of player. Going back to the beginning, he is not some trendy blend of food styles, he is the best of the basics, hence the meat-and-potatoes reference. I mean it as admiration for his play. I was very impressed.
Pick 23 - Philadelphia Eagles
Denzel Boston | WR | Washington

Size-speed combo with the ability to win downfield and in contested catches. Uses body well and tracks the ball naturally. Physical receiver who can stretch defenses.

Long-framed, big-bodied receiver who presents a natural catch radius and plays above the rim. Wins in contested situations with strong hands and body positioning, consistently shielding defenders at the point of attack. Tracks the ball well downfield and shows the ability to adjust mid-flight. Not a sudden separator but builds speed through his stride and can threaten vertically when given a runway. Uses his frame effectively on slants, fades, and back-shoulder throws. Functional route runner who understands spacing, though not overly dynamic at the top of his routes.
After the catch, he’s more of a build-up runner than a twitch-and-make-you-miss type. Will lower his shoulder and finish runs, embracing contact rather than avoiding it. Competes as a blocker and brings effort in the run game. Needs refinement in his release package and creating early separation against press, but he compensates with physicality and ball skills. Overall, Boston could be the steal of the first round amongst the wideouts.
Pick 24 - Cleveland Browns via JAX
Emmanuel Pregnon | OG | Oregon

Versatile interior lineman with good balance and control. Moves well in space and handles assignments cleanly. Reliable presence with positional flexibility.

A plump midsection provides the offense with an immovable object. Fires off the snap with refined technique and poise.

Wins with leverage early. His hand is barely off the ground, and he is already squared up on the defender, ready to engage. Carries through with the ability to push defenders off the ball and drive them backward.

I would be shocked if he is not a Round 1 selection purely off upside and tape. His lateral quickness and awareness are always on. Favorite lineman in the draft.
Pick 25 - Chicago Bears
Zion Young | EDGE | Missouri

High-motor edge defender who plays with relentless effort. Not elite traits but competes every snap and finds ways to disrupt. Energy and toughness stand out.

This is one guy who brings it every play. Wins with unorthodox body movements—hard to explain, but that dip and sudden cut to avoid blockers feels second nature to him.

You can see it in his stance—he’s amped up and ready to fire off the snap. He doesn’t sponge into blockers; his hands and arms are positioned to disengage quickly and get free.

We talk about running backs playing with forward lean—he does that toward the ball carrier. In the trenches, his body is consistently positioned to work through contact and find his way to the tackle.

Moves and plays with urgency. Another prospect who could sneak into the top 25.
Pick 26 - Buffalo Bills
CJ Allen | LB | Georgia

Allen reportedly ran a 4.47 during his Pro Day at Georgia. Coming off a knee injury he wasn't able to run at the NFL Combine. The days of Matt Milano days are over in Buffalo and Allen fits the script.

Patience is top notch. Once you begin the process of breaking Allen down, his consistent approach to attacking the ball shows a premeditated pause before dialing in on the ball carrier. Power through the hips when he tackles. While not a devastating hitter, his efficient style ensures the tackle.

His eyes and angle to the ball are aligned. Football IQ helps him diagnose what he sees, and he is reacting before the play fully develops. That split second to react is a key trait to his success at the position.

His consistency and football IQ appear to be a cut above. Add that to his physical traits and it is hard to diminish the idea that he can be a productive, high-level linebacker at the next level.
Pick 27 - San Francisco 49ers
Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama

Massive, powerful tackle with rare size and strength. Overwhelms defenders with physicality but is still refining technique and consistency. High ceiling, boom-or-bust profile depending on development.

Impressive size, and his forty time of 5.21 is something that galvanizes the brain into Proctor’s potential.

The 49ers have time to develop Proctor and hope he can eventually replace 12-time Pro Bowl selection Trent Williams, who will be 38 years of age when the 2026 NFL season kickoffs.
Pick 28 - Houston Texans
Caleb Banks | DT | Florida

Via Pete Thamel of ESPN, former DT Caleb Banks – who suffered a broken foot at the scouting combine sent a letter to NFL teams Wednesday (April 21^st) informing them that he is on pace to be fully cleared for full football activities in early June.

The Texans defensive arsenal is already scary and this is where that suffocating interior presence of Banks could pay huge dividends for Houston.

His feet are amazing for his 6-foot-6-and-327-pound frame. His wiggle off the snap and ability to be a disruptive force on such a consistent level is again a massive accomplishment for a massive man his size. That stamina doesn’t go unnoticed.

Long, rangy interior defender with a broad frame and natural power at the point of attack. Flashes the ability to win early with length and leverage, using heavy hands to shock blockers and control gaps. Shows good initial get-off for his size and can collapse the pocket when he keeps his pad level down. More of a disruption piece than a polished finisher right now

he’ll muddy the pocket, force movement, and create opportunities for others. Needs to play with more consistent urgency and refine his pass-rush plan, but the physical traits are evident. When his motor is running and technique is synced up, he looks like a rotational interior lineman with upside to grow into a reliable every-down presence.
Pick 29 - Kansas City Chiefs via LAR
Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee

Rumors of a recent setback have once again brought the health of McCoy to the forefront of the draft. When healthy it's not out of the question to be considered near the top ten.

Kansas City no longer has Trent McDuffie or L'Jarius Sneed amongst a laundry list of other secondary players. McCoy is a high risk and high yield selection.

Sometimes you just got to gamble on greatness.
Pick 30 - Miami Dolphins via DEN
KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M

One of the few guys who popped immediately. He plays with purpose and energy. He exemplifies maximizing every play. Almost like he commands one more yard as a badge of honor.

Exceptional hands make the difficult catch routine. Low to the ground or plucking it out of the air quickly, it is consistently natural. Open-field elusiveness. It is more of a smooth gliding transition of people not being able to get him rather than a player who possesses extreme twitch.

He once caught a wide-open touchdown uncovered but ran out of bounds. Minor to the overall package he brings to the table, but nonetheless it is a reminder that the pursuit of perfection is what makes you perfect.

Makai Lemon was my top wideout in the class until I delved into Concepcion. He reminds me of a bigger Zay Flowers, someone who plays with a certain amount of urgency on every snap. Aggressive in attacking every play.
Pick 31 - Arizona Cardinals via NE
Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama

Not ideal NFL size at 6'1 and 211 pounds. Not frail, but nothing that exudes physical dominance. Pats the ball before release. Throws well on the run. Everything is fast. He plays fast, moves fast, and does a good job with accuracy on the run. I feel his anticipation of pressure in the pocket is a strong suit, plus he is quick enough to elude the first man and gain yards. Reminds me a bit of Baker Mayfield in his style of play.

I do not find him particularly alluring to watch throwing the football. Watching what I did, I did not see a guy firing into tight places with a cannon. More often than not, it is one-speed ball regardless of distance. However, there are times when he dials up a beauty and the intended target dropped it. Watch the Wisconsin game at 14:05 of the fourth quarter.

A competitor. A gamer for sure. Has that fight in him. Led the SEC in passing attempts with 473 and completions with 305. His 64.5 completion percentage ranked outside the top 20 FBS quarterbacks, like Ohio State’s Julian Sayin was No. 1 at 77 percent, along with 28 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
Pick 32 - Seattle Seahawks
T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson

Good size and brings a thumping style to his game. Aware of his surroundings and quick off the snap. He wastes little motion getting from point A to point B, which allows him to play fast and stay efficient through the rep.

His feel for the smallest openings is one of the better aspects of his game. Those quick, twitchy reactions stand out—he sees it and goes without hesitation. Another positive is his power. Watch the LSU game in Week 1 of the 2025 season—right tackle Weston Davis gets overwhelmed as Parker comes off the edge and drives him straight back.

Physical, urgent, and instinctive. With Boye Mafe leaving in free agency, the defending champions could look to a player like Parker an upside edge with power and awareness to develop into a disruptive presence.
The NFL Draft begins in Pittsburgh today
Mock drafts look clean on paper. In reality, they’re anything but.

According to data cited from FantasyPros roughly 145 media mock drafts were tracked last year. The average result? Just six correct picks per mock. That’s not six players that’s six player-to-team matches. One mock managed 12 correct selections, which still meant 63 percent of the picks were wrong.

That’s the reality of trying to predict 32 independent decisions, each shaped by internal grades, medicals, interviews, ownership influence, and last-second trades.

What looks like an obvious team need on the outside often doesn’t align with how a front office stacks its board. Teams don’t draft for headlines they draft off their board, and that board rarely mirrors consensus.

Mock drafts are often the most frustrating pieces to put together. They’re built on educated guesses, and even the most apparent team needs are often ignored when the pick is made. That’s why the unpredictability of it all makes it so much fun especially in this year’s class, where the talent spread between picks 1 through 10 feels wide open.

Word around the league is that teams have roughly 12 true blue-chip prospects in this class. That’s leaner than in previous years, when that number could climb to 16 or 17. That drop-off matters.

It makes moving up far more difficult, because once you’re outside that tier, the cost to climb back into it becomes steep.

Expect the unexpected. That’s the beauty of the NFL Draft.

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Pick 1 - Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana

Big-bodied passer with a calm, controlled presence in the pocket. Wins with timing, touch, and rhythm more than raw arm strength. Shows functional mobility to extend plays but is not a true off-script creator. Projects as a system-friendly quarterback whose ceiling depends on anticipation and decision-making consistency.

His hips are aligned with his throws. Mechanically, I think he is very poised and repeats his motion with extreme consistency. He whips that right foot out upon release, almost like a unique batter’s swing. Fluid from top to bottom. He is often clean in the pocket and allowed time to step into throws.

He is a leader with toughness. Gains tough yards and is not afraid to lay his body on the line. Appears calm at the height of chaos, remains flatlined and fluid. He runs with a bit of a hunched-over approach and while it is not attractive, it is effective. If he misfires, it is usually over the head; nothing falls short. Makes tough throws that only his receivers can make. We have seen times when his wideouts have made spectacular catches, and that coincides with his confidence to put the ball in tight spots.

His demeanor and winning attitude are nothing short of top notch. However, there is slight concern when watching the pocket he often had at Indiana and his ability to consistently step into throws. I think that could hinder his game at the next level.

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Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions on Draft Day!

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