NFL · 5 days ago

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for the Top 40 Picks

Grant White

Host · Writer

40. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Cashius Howell
- EDGE
- Texas A&M Aggies
The Chiefs' pass-rush lost some of its edge last season. Bringing in Cashius Howell would expedite their turn around, and help the Chiefs recapture their former glory.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Fernando Mendoza
- QB
- Indiana Hoosiers
It's up to Fernando Mendoza to change the course of the Raiders' franchise. It won't be long before we see if he lives up to the hype.
2. New York Jets (3-14)
- Jeremiyah Love
- RB
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Jets have a choice to make with the second pick in the draft. Many are expecting them to take Arvell Reese, but watch them stun and add Jeremiyah Love into the fold.
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- Francis Mauigoa
- OT
- Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Adding an imposing presence to the offensive line is the right step to take for the Titans. Francis Mauigoa is the best in class.
5. New York Giants (4-13)
- Carnell Tate
- WR
- Ohio State Buckeyes
The Giants will have their pick of any receiver. Carnell Tate has the most upside, and will be a welcome addition in New York.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Makai Lemon
- WR
- USC Trojans
The perpetually rebuilding Browns shouldn't overthink this. They desperately need an elite wideout, and Makai Lemon is loaded with potential.
7. Washington Commanders (5-12)
- Arvell Reese
- LB
- Ohio State Buckeyes
Arvell Reese's fall comes to a satisfying conclusion. The linebacker will help stabilize the Commanders' defense.
8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
- David Bailey
- EDGE
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Saints need an injection of youth into their defensive line. David Bailey brings exactly that, with a potential All-Pro skillset.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Caleb Downs
- S
- Ohio State Buckeyes
The Chiefs tore down their secondary this offseason. Now, they get to rebuild it with one of the top defenders in the draft.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
- Mansoor Delane
- CB
- LSU Tigers
The Bengals don't have a choice, they need to select a premier defender. Mansoor Delane addresses one of their most prominent needs.
11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)
- Rueben Bain Jr.
- EDGE
- Miami (FL) Hurricanes
This is the homecoming Rueben Bain Jr. and the Dolphins deserve. Watch the edge rusher terrorize the AFC East for years to come.
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Sonny Styles
- LB
- Ohio State Buckeyes
Needing to add to their defensive coffers, the Cowboys will watch Sonny Styles fall into their laps in the 12 spot.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
- Monroe Freeling
- OT
- Georgia Bulldogs
The Rams could go a number of ways with this pick. Rather than reaching for a defender, they take the best player on the board with Monroe Freeling.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Olaivavega Ioane
- OG
- Penn State Nittany Lions
With an improved interior offensive line, the Ravens' championship window stays open. Olaivavega Ioane will deliver immediate results.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- Jermod McCoy
- CB
- Tennessee Volunteers
The Bucs have gotten by with an underperforming secondary for the past few years. Jermod McCoy will help Tampa Bay recapture its former glory.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)
- Akheem Mesidor
- EDGE
- Miami (FL) Hurricanes
With their newly minted running back in tow, the Jets will set their sights on improving their defense at 16. Akheem Mesidor could revamp their defensive line.
17. Detroit Lions (9-8)
- Spencer Fano
- OT
- Utah Utes
Detroit will need better protection from its offensive line to protect Jared Goff and make the most of its ground game. Spencer Fano will be tasked with a hefty workload.
18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Kadyn Proctor
- OT
- Alabama Crimson Tide
Irrespective of how things play out in front of them, the Vikings will select the best offensive lineman with their first-round pick. Based on our current projections, it will be Kadyn Proctor.
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
- Kenyon Sadiq
- TE
- Oregon Ducks
Imagine what the Panthers could accomplish with more than Tetairoa McMillan on offense. We'll find out how high their ceiling is with Kenyon Sadiq.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- CB
- Toledo Rockets
Dallas will target another elite defender with the 20th pick. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has seen his draft stock soar, and should be called to the podium.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- Jordyn Tyson
- WR
- Arizona State Sun Devils
The Steelers' offense fell apart without DK Metcalf on the field. Jordyn Tyson will be asked to make an immediate impact in Pittsburgh.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Caleb Lomu
- OT
- Utah Utes
The Chargers are yet another team with offensive line issues. Justin Herbert will be happy to learn of their first-round selection.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Keldric Faulk
- EDGE
- Auburn Tigers
The Eagles subtracted from their defense this offseason. Keldric Faulk will have plenty of room to grow in the City of Brotherly Love.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Denzel Boston
- WR
- Washington Huskies
If the Browns want to get real about winning, they need more than just one receiver on offense. Denzel Boston would be a welcome addition to the Dawg Pound.
25. Chicago Bears (11-6)
- Dillon Thieneman
- S
- Oregon Ducks
The Bears need to fix their secondary in the worst way. They will target several secondary defenders throughout the draft, none of whom will make a bigger impact than Dillon Thieneman.
26. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- Omar Cooper Jr.
- WR
- Indiana Hoosiers
Josh Allen has put the Bills on his back. Omar Cooper Jr. will alleviate some of the burden, becoming the premier target in Western New York.
27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Avieon Terrell
- CB
- Clemson Tigers
San Francisco's defense lost its punch last season. Avieon Terrell should hear his name called when the Niners step to the podium.
28. Houston Texans (12-5)
- Kayden McDonald
- DT
- Ohio State Buckeyes
There aren't many holes in the Texans' defense. Kayden McDonald's presence on the defensive line should free up space for the other premier defenders.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams)
- KC Concepcion
- WR
- Texas A&M Aggies
The Chiefs need to insulate Patrick Mahomes with more pass-catchers. KC Concepcion will be their latest steal.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos)
- Peter Woods
- DT
- Clemson Tigers
Miami will build its next iteration from the defense out. Peter Woods and Rueben Bain Jr. will be the dynamic duo Dolphins fans tell their grandkids about.
31. New England Patriots (14-3)
- Zion Young
- EDGE
- Missouri Tigers
The Patriots may want to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick. But passing up on Zion Young would be a big mistake.
32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
- Colton Hood
- CB
- Tennessee Volunteers
A safety might be a better option with the last pick in the first round. Still, Colton Hood would address an area of need for the Seahawks.
33. New York Jets (3-14)
- Chase Bisontis
- OG
- Texas A&M Aggies
The Jets' path to glory will be built on the backs of unglorified positions. Chase Bisontis will be one of those key figures in their evolution.
34. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Anthony Hill Jr.
- LB
- Texas Longhorns
At this point, the Cardinals are basically starting from scratch. Anthony Hill Jr. would be a formidable addition, helping them reshape their defensive outlook moving forward.
35. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- Eli Stowers
- TE
- Vanderbilt Commodores
The Titans need more offensive weapons if they hope to expedite their rebuild. Eli Stowers is one of the premier tight ends in the class and would help the Titans' offense take off.
36. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Zachariah Branch
- WR
- Georgia Bulldogs
With their franchise quarterback locked up, the Raiders need to start packaging assets around Fernando Mendoza. Zachariah Branch would be a good place to start, giving Mendoza a top weapon from the outset.
37. New York Giants (4-13)
- Caleb Banks
- DT
- Florida Gators
The Giants' competitive window is starting to open up, but they need to make a few more adjustments via the draft. Bolstering their defensive line with Caleb Banks would unburden their secondary and linebackers.
38. Houston Texans (via Washington Commanders)
- Max Iheanachor
- OT
- Arizona State Sun Devils
The Texans significantly improved their offensive line last offseason, but longevity could be an issue with some of their veterans. Max Iheanachor is the long-term upgrade the Texans need.
39. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Brandon Cisse
- CB
- South Carolina Gamecocks
The Browns' secondary was one of their strengths last season. Still, they would be remiss if they didn't add someone of Brandon Cisse's caliber with this pick, restocking their cupboards for years to come.
40. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Cashius Howell
- EDGE
- Texas A&M Aggies
The Chiefs' pass-rush lost some of its edge last season. Bringing in Cashius Howell would expedite their turn around, and help the Chiefs recapture their former glory.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Fernando Mendoza
- QB
- Indiana Hoosiers
It's up to Fernando Mendoza to change the course of the Raiders' franchise. It won't be long before we see if he lives up to the hype.

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for the Top 40 Picks

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