The 2025-26 NFL season is in the rearview mirror, and the focus turns to the NFL Draft. Here is a look at my 2026 first-round NFL Mock Draft and some related draft props at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Currently, Heisman Trophy winner and national champion out of Indiana, Fernando Mendoza, is -10000 to be the No. 1 overall pick.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana
What else can be said about Fernando Mendoza? He set the college football world on fire from start to finish last season. After winning a Heisman Trophy and a national title, Mendoza is bound for the No. 1 overall pick. The last three quarterbacks to win a Heisman and a national title in the same season, Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston and Cam Newton, all went No. 1 overall.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Jets need help at basically every position on the field, except the offensive line. Therefore, they can forego the elite offensive tackles at the top of the draft and just take the best defensive player available. Arvell Reese is a freak athlete and only 20 years old. Aaron Glenn would love to add a pass rusher like that to his arsenal as he looks to turn the Jets around.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Frances Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Cardinals are another team with many needs, but all great franchises build out from the offensive line. The right tackle was a phenomenal player for Miami the last several years, blocking for Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Mauigoa would do an impressive job for Kyler Murray or whoever else is playing QB in Arizona next season.
4. Tennessee Titans: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Speaking of Cam Ward, the Titans need to bolster the offensive line to protect their franchise quarterback. Spencer Fano has experience at both tackle positions, making him more valuable. Tennessee can’t go wrong with this pick.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is arguably the most talented player in the draft. He has been a sensation for Ohio State the last couple of seasons and is ready for the next level. The Giants are building a solid young core with Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo and Abdul Carter. What that group is missing is help in the secondary. Downs should step in and start from day one as the Giants rebuild the backend of their defense.
6. Cleveland Browns: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane is the top cornerback in the draft. The Browns have some exciting young talent on offense, mainly Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr. They need some young talent on defense, specifically on the backend. Delane, paired with Denzel Ward, will make this a dangerous secondary.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Commanders will get a chance to reset next season after a lost 2025-26 campaign. If Jayden Daniels gets healthy, the offense should be fine. The defense, however, had serious issues last season. David Bailey is an elite pass rusher who can step in and be a difference-maker right away.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Saints hope they have found their franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough. Now it’s time to get Shough some help. Chris Olave has had serious injury issues the past couple of seasons and the Saints need to get more pass-catchers to help out Shough. Carnell Tate is the ideal pick as the first receiver off the board. He has thrived at Ohio State the last few seasons but really took his game to the next level last season.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the most talked-about players in this draft. There is a case he could go as high as No. 2 to the Jets, but NFL evaluators prefer the likes of Arvell Reese. Bain is an elite pass rusher with off-the-charts production over the last two seasons. The Chiefs are looking to retool for another Super Bowl run, and a player who can get after the quarterback like Bain is a great piece to add.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Bengals desperately need help in their secondary. If Joe Burrow is healthy, the offense will be fine. However, last season, they had one of the worst pass defenses in football. Jermod McCoy is the exact type of player the Bengals need as a shutdown cover corner.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Once Carnell Tate goes off the board, there could be a small run on wide receivers. Tyreek Hill’s future in Miami is unclear, and he might not be back next season. Pairing Jordyn Tyson with Jaylen Waddle would make for one of the most exciting wide receiver duos in the NFL.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Many thought the Cowboys were interested in Ashton Jeanty last year, but the Raiders took him off the board before Jerry Jones had a chance. It’s rare to have back-to-back years with running back prospects as elite as Jeanty and Jeremiyah Love. Jerry Jones won’t miss out again and will grab Love to add to his electric offense.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Rams are one of the best teams in the league and are running it back one more time with Matthew Stafford. They need to just pick the best players available, who could help them win a Super Bowl next season. Sonny Styles is that guy. He is a former safety that is great in coverage as a linebacker. He is also a good athlete who can defend the run and get after the quarterback.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Ravens have moved on from John Harbaugh and need to try to win with Lamar Jackson before it’s too late. The Ravens’ pass-catchers have never been up to par with Jackson at the helm. If teams can stop Zay Flowers, they can slow down the Baltimore offense. Makai Lemon has elite hands and is a great route-runner. Adding him to this Baltimore offense could get Jackson back to MVP levels next season.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay has a lot of offensive talent, but needs to add to the defense. Cashius Howell, out of Texas A&M, is an ideal pick for the Buccaneers. Howell is a great athlete and racked up 11.5 sacks last season.
16. New York Jets: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Jets went with a pass-rusher with the No. 2 overall pick, and now can pair a cornerback with Arvell Reese. In the post-Sauce Gardner era, the Jets need help in the secondary. Cisse is a rising name in the 2026 NFL Draft. South Carolina has generated great players in the secondary the last few years, most recently Super Bowl winner Nick Emmanwori. Cisse is a great athlete with high upside and is worth a shot here for the Jets.
17. Detroit Lions: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Lions built a winner by creating the NFL’s best offensive line. This was a down season for Detroit, partially due to its aging offensive line. It is time for Dan Campbell to reinvest in that unit. Olaivavega Ioane is arguably the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. He can pass protect well and is a beast in the power run game, perfectly fitting this need for Detroit.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Vikings have a young quarterback and one of the league’s best wide receivers. They need to continue to invest in the defense to support J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota was lucky to bring back Brian Flores, one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Flores will love Colton Hood, the second Tennessee cornerback off the board in this draft.
19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. got all the headlines for Miami on its run to the national title, but fellow EDGE Akheem Mesidor is also a first-round talent. Mesidor ranked third in the nation with 12.5 sacks last season. He is a freak athlete who can help build up this Carolina defense. The Panthers made massive strides forward on offense last season. Now, they need a defense that can match it. Mesidor is a big step in the right direction if Carolina can get him.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
This is a great EDGE class, and the Cowboys want one next. Dallas added to the offense with Jeremiyah Love at No. 12; now it needs to invest in the defense. Dallas got the great Quinnen Williams at DT last season; now it needs a great EDGE to complement him. Keldric Faulk is the ideal guy for Dallas in this spot.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Steelers look like they might be bringing back Aaron Rodgers for one last ride with his old (and new) head coach, Mike McCarthy. However, the Steelers also need to look to the future. This is a reasonable spot for the second quarterback in the draft to go off the board. Pittsburgh can have Simpson, who needs more time to develop, learn behind one of the best of all time, before getting the chance to start himself.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Chargers desperately need help on the offensive line. They were embarrassed in the postseason against New England. Justin Herbert had absolutely no time to throw and if the Chargers want him alive, they need to invest in the line. Monroe Freeling is a solid, experienced tackle out of a winning program. He is the ideal guy to throw in to protect Herbert.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
The Eagles also need to invest in the offensive line. They massively struggled whenever Lane Johnson missed time with injuries last season. As Johnson continues to age, they must invest in the future. Max Iheanachor had a strong Senior Bowl, which has elevated him to a first-round grade.
24. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Browns invested in their defense with their first pick. They also need to get some pass-catchers. Shedeur Sanders did not have a great rookie campaign, but he might be getting another shot next season. The Browns’ best chance is surrounding him with elite offensive talent. Denzel Boston could step in and be the immediate WR1 in Cleveland.
25. Chicago Bears: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The Bears are close to being an elite team. They have a few places they could strengthen to get there, and one of those is the interior of the defensive line. Lee Hunter is a high-end defensive tackle, who contributed to Texas Tech’s elite defense last season. At 320 pounds, Hunter is a force at nose tackle both against the run and the pass.
26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Josh Allen needs more pass-catchers. In the postseason, Allen was throwing to Joshua Palmer and Brandin Cooks. Keon Coleman seems like a lost cause in Buffalo, so Joe Brady needs someone to pair with Khalil Shakir to help his quarterback. KC Concepcion is an ideal guy for Josh Allen’s offense. Concepcion is a great route-runner who can take a crossing route for a long score.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The 49ers need to bolster the defensive line. DT Caleb Banks is the perfect candidate to help with that. At 6’6, 335 pounds, he is physically ready for the NFL. He needs good coaching to get his technique to match his elite body. Raheem Morris, the new 49ers DC, is the right guy to get Banks into a good NFL player.
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Texans need offensive linemen. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL and a stable of young playmakers. They just need to help out their quarterback by giving him better protection. Caleb Lomu is a great candidate to step in and start right away for Houston. He is a good pass protector, and DeMeco Ryans can add some weight to his frame to make him a great run-blocker as well.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor is one of the unique prospects in this draft. Proctor has arguably the best body of any tackle in this draft, and several years ago he would have been considered a potential future top-five pick. However, his production was not up to par the last two seasons. At 6’7, 366 pounds, he is an athletic marvel who can also slide inside and play guard. The Rams invested in defensive line depth with their first pick, and should add offensive line depth with this pick.
30. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is the clear TE1 in this draft. He has a big frame to go along with good hands and football instincts. Sadiq could be a fantastic weapon for Bo Nix next season. Denver needs more game-changers on offense, and Sadiq could be that guy as a rookie and beyond.
31. New England Patriots: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
There aren’t many holes on the New England roster. However, one place they could improve is the back end of the defense. Christian Gonzales single-handedly kept New England alive in the first half of the Super Bowl. New England needs better safety help to cover the side of the field that Gonzales isn’t on. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, out of Toledo, is a rising name at safety. He has great length and has a knack for forcing turnovers, something Mike Vrabel loves.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Seahawks have the best roster in the NFL. With no clear position of need, when in doubt, go offensive line. Blake Miller is an experienced starter at right tackle, but he has the body to play multiple places on the offensive line. Investing in offensive line depth is never a bad idea, so the world champions should play it safe with the last pick of the first round.
