NFL · 3 weeks ago

2026 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Nation’s Expert Picks for Each Team

Sammy Jacobs

Host · Writer

Pick 32: Seattle Seahawks
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

"With a league-low four selections, the Seahawks probably will look to trade back. But in this scenario, they go with a replacement for Riq Woolen by taking Johnson." -- Brady Henderson

After winning it all in 2025, the Seahawks have several needs, but not a whole lot of picks. I think they trade back and take the extra picks to reload.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. NFL Nation's final mock draft is in and ready to be broken down. Take a look a picks 1-32 and how it may pan out.
Pick 1: Las Vegas Raiders
QB, Fernando Mendoza, Indiana.

"Mendoza's accuracy and decision-making will mesh well with Kubiak's system. More importantly, the coach wants winners on his team, and Mendoza is fresh off leading Indiana to the national championship." - Ryan McFadden

There should be no drama with the number one pick. Mendoza has 'it' and showed it numerous times when he bounced back to lead the Hoosiers to wins after devastating interceptions.

His preparation is the stuff of legend and has the physical tools as well.
Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals
Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

"The Cardinals have other needs they can address, but with so much uncertainty about the future of the quarterback position, Reese makes sense because of his ability to be not only an impact player but someone who can transition to the NFL seamlessly." -- Josh Weinfuss

Much like the Jets, the Cardinals need a quarterback, but there are not any worthy of a top three pick. Reese can be an instant impact player and give the Cardinals a really solid defensive front.
Pick 4: Tennessee Titans
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

"Middle linebacker is a premium position for Robert Saleh's defense. Now Saleh gets a player often compared to 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who ascended under Saleh to become one of the league's top defensive players." --Turron Davenport

Styles is the best linebacker in the draft. He tested out of this world at the combine and his experience playing safety early in his career will only help him at the next level.
Pick 5: New York Giants
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

"The idea of a versatile playmaker who can create mismatches with opposing defense is enticing. It's why general manager Joe Schoen recently said Love is more than a running back. He's an offensive weapon. The Giants need more of those." -- Jordan Raanan

Pairing Love and Cam Skattebo could be intriguing. Love is a home run hitter who can strike from anywhere on the field. The biggest question is, does Love fall to five?
Pick 6: Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

"With two first-rounders, the Browns could add a tackle or wide receiver here. The natural left tackle options might be too rich, and a similar argument could be made for wide receiver; a trade back would be ideal. Mauigoa plays right tackle, but GM Andrew Berry said he wouldn't typecast tackle prospects by their college position." -- Daniel Oyefusi

It came out recently that Mauigoa is dealing with a back injury. Will that play into Cleveland's plans here. When healthy, Mauigoa is a bear on the offensive line.
Pick 7: Washington Commanders
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

"Last season, they ranked 31st in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6) as well as in opposing QBR (52.9). Delane's versatility -- he can play man or zone -- would allow new coordinator Daronte Jones to better disguise coverages." -- John Kiem

Delane is an elite corner who can give teams the security on the outside they need to be more disruptive up front without worrying about the passing game.
Pick 8: New Orleans Saints
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

"This selection would give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough an immediate upgrade to an offense that lacked receiver depth at the end of last season."-- Katherine Terrell

Tate is the next great Ohio State wide receiver for the NFL. He was overshadowed by Jeremiah Smith, but Tate is the best receiver in the draft class.
Pick 9: Kansas City Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

"The Chiefs need a new starter on the opposite side of George Karlaftis, and Bain has the talent to quickly develop in such a role for coordinator Steve Spagnuolo." -- Nate Taylor

A lot has been made of Bain's arm length or lack their of. On the field he is an absolute menace.
Pick 10: New York Giants (Via Cincinnati)
Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State

"He's one of the best defensive players and safest prospects in this draft. The Ohio State standout can be the Kyle Hamilton or Ed Reed for Harbaugh." -- Jordan Radaan

Downs was the brains of the Ohio State defense on the field. He erases mistakes and has the athletic ability to be a game changing punt returner as well.
Pick 11: Miami Dolphins
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

"He can play right tackle or guard, and the Dolphins probably would need him to man the guard spot for at least a year." -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

The Dolphins have a massive rebuild that may take multiple drafts to complete. Fano is a good building block for the offensive line.
Pick 12: Dallas Cowboys
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

"if they remain at 12, Tyson becomes an interesting name to watch. What about George Pickens? All the Cowboys are guaranteed with Pickens at the moment is one more. " -- Todd Archer

If Tyson is still on the board, this could be a steal. The Cowboys have a lot of issues to solve on the defensive side of the ball, but Tyson is too good to pass up.
Pick 13: Los Angeles Rams
Makai Lemon, WR, USC

"By drafting Lemon, the Rams add a third receiver behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Adams has only one season left on his contract, so by taking a receiver at No. 13, the Rams are also preparing for the future." -- Sarah Barshop
Pick 14: Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

"With Baltimore looking to improve the pass protection for Lamar Jackson, this decision was a no-brainer. The Ravens select the best interior lineman in this year's draft in Ioane, who didn't give up a sack in his past two seasons." -- Jamison Hensley

Keeping Lamar Jackson upright is the most important thing for the Ravens who will be breaking in a new coaching staff. Ioane gives them a rock in the interior of the offensive line.
Pick 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

"Mesidor gives them the production they've needed -- 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles in his final college season -- and coach Todd Bowles indicated he would not have a problem selecting a player who is 25 years old." -- Jenna Laine

Mesidor was just as or more impressive than his running mate Rueben Bain. He's an elite pass rusher. The hope is he's ready to play right away since he is 25. The upside is you will get his prime years on a rookie deal.
Pick 16: New York Jets
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

"Cooper's run-after-catch ability will help an offense that lacked explosive plays last season." -- Rich Cimini

Cooper is a beast after the catch and has elite body control. Pairing him with Garrett Wilson could be fun.
Pick 17: Detroit Lions
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" Freeling, who has a prototypical frame for an offensive tackle at 6-7, 315 pounds, could improve the pass protection around quarterback Jared Goff. Freeling's experience at Georgia was primarily at left tackle." -- Eric Woodyard

The Lions need help on the offensive line. No. 17 is a little late to get the best lineman on the board, but Freeling has a lot of upside.
Pick 18: Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon

"Thieneman is too good and versatile of a prospect to pass over. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski has made clear that he won't overthink draft decisions. This one is obvious to many." -- Kevin Seifert

Thieneman is a no-brainer here, but he does struggle when things get too physical.
Pick 19: Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

"The best safeties in the draft were gone, so Carolina gets the elite tight end it hasn't had since Greg Olsen almost a decade ago." -- David Newton

Sadiq is a physical specimen. His numbers should have been better, but he has all the tools to be a weapon at the next level.
Pick 20: Dallas Cowboys
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

"Hood was only a full-time starter for one year, but it was a highly productive year at his third school in three years. It came against top-notch competition." -- Todd Archer

Hood could be hitting his stride at the right time. The Cowboys need a playmaker in the secondary and Hood could provide that in the middle of the first round.
Pick 21: Pittsburgh Steelers
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

"Concepcion also adds versatility, with a speedy skill set that complements Metcalf and Pittman. Coach Mike McCarthy says he values wide receivers who can do more than one thing, and Concepcion's prowess as a dynamic returner checks that box." -- Brooke Pryor

Concepcion could go earlier as well, but the Steelers would be getting a big-time playmaker to get the ball to.
Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

"A right ACL tear probably would be the reason for McCoy dropping to 22, but he is still one of the best players in this year's draft. Cornerback isn't one of the Chargers' top needs, but he's the kind of talent L.A. wouldn't just pass on despite having holes elsewhere." -- Kris Rhim

If McCoy is healthy the Chargers may have gotten a first round steal. If not, they wasted a pick when they have bigger needs.
Pick 23: Philadelphia Eagles
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

"With trade winds swirling around A.J. Brown all offseason, the Eagles are likely to be moving on, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, from one of the greatest receivers in franchise history." -- Tim McManus

Boston may have gotten lost in the Big Ten. He was one of the best receivers in the league for the last couple of seasons.
Pick 24: Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Safety, Toledo

"Cleveland has used three-safety lineups at a high rate, so McNeil-Warren could slot immediately into an interchangeable and versatile role alongside Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman, neither of whom is signed past the 2026 season." -- Daniel Oyefusi

The first G5 player taken is a good one. McNeil-Warren can be the future at the position with a year of development and maybe some spot duty.
Pick 25: Chicago Bears
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" Chicago had the best pass-blocking unit last season, but there's uncertainty at left tackle because of Ozzy Trapilo's knee injury. Despite being a rookie, Proctor would shoot to the top of the list of options to start day one." -- Courtney Cronin

Proctor going at 25 may be a disappointment for him, but a great grab for the Bears. He is super athletic as Alabama used him to run the ball at times. However, the Tide's run blocking was not great and he was part of the problem.
Pick 26: Buffalo Bills
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

"Howell represents a pass rusher for the future under new coordinator Jim Leonhard. Though his short arm length is a concern at 30¼ inches, Howell brings the speed -- 14.52 mph while rounding the corner in a pass-rush drill at the combine." -- Alaina Getzenberg

The Bills need to build their defense with a playmaker. Howell can do that. He can come off the edge quickly and his speed negates his short arms.
Pick 27: San Francisco 49ers
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

"In a close call, Lomu gets the nod ahead of Arizona State's Max Iheanachor because of Lomu's safer floor versus Iheanachor's higher ceiling. His experience on the left side would make him a logical heir to Trent Williams" -- Nick Wagoner

The 49ers will eventually need to back fill the offensive line and Lomu can be that piece. He will have time to grow into a starting role.
Pick 28: Houston Texans
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

"McDonald can develop into how coach DeMeco Ryans envisions the structure of his defense in 2026: playing more light boxes." -- DJ Bien-Aime

McDonald is a nightmare to block. He's big, fast and mean. He can stuff the run and eat up blocks, but struggles getting after the quarterback.
Pick 29: Kansas City Chiefs (Via LA Rams)
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

"The Chiefs need depth behind Chris Jones and Omarr Norman-Lott. Woods is an intriguing prospect who should be more than capable of contributing in a rotational role." -- Nate Taylor

The Chiefs are trying to build up their defensive line and Woods would be a wise pick if he is available. He was one of the best defensive linemen in Clemson history.
Pick 30: Miami Dolphins (Via Denver)
Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

"With most of the wide receivers off the board, the former Auburn Tiger is the pick here. Faulk is a high-character player who should be able to defend the run right away considering his strength and size (6-6, 275 pounds)." -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Again, the Dolphins have a long rebuild ahead of them. Starting with the lines is logical.
Pick 31: New England Patriots
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

"The 6-6, 317-pound Miller could fill an immediate void as the swing tackle while developing as Moses' potential future replacement." -- Mike Reiss

The Patriots offensive line was exposed in the Super Bowl and Miller should help the depth there.
Pick 32: Seattle Seahawks
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

"With a league-low four selections, the Seahawks probably will look to trade back. But in this scenario, they go with a replacement for Riq Woolen by taking Johnson." -- Brady Henderson

After winning it all in 2025, the Seahawks have several needs, but not a whole lot of picks. I think they trade back and take the extra picks to reload.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. NFL Nation's final mock draft is in and ready to be broken down. Take a look a picks 1-32 and how it may pan out.

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Nation’s Expert Picks for Each Team

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