Final

Apr 22, 2026 · 32 picks

2026 · Mock Draft

By·Kent Weyrauch

Round 1 in full. Every pick, every team, a short case for why the name lands where it does. Consensus locks, beat-writer calls, and a couple of dark horses flagged below.

Raiders

Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders have been hunting for a long-term answer at quarterback, and Mendoza, the consensus top passer in this class, locks the franchise in at No. 1.

High

Cons #1

Jets

Arvell Reese

Reports had the Jets 'down to Reese and Bailey' at No. 2. They go with the versatile every-down linebacker who can anchor the defense for a decade.

High

Cons #2

Cardinals

EDGE

David Bailey

Arizona has reportedly wanted Bailey the entire draft cycle. His high-floor pass rush is exactly what a thin Cardinals front has been missing.

High

Cons #3

Titans

Jeremiyah Love

Tennessee grades Love as the top overall player in the class. The Titans can't pass on a true difference-making back to reshape the offense.

High

Cons #4

Giants

Sonny Styles

With two first-round picks after trading Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati, the Giants start with Styles, a rangy and athletic linebacker who gives the defense an every-down piece.

High

Cons #5

Browns

Francis Mauigoa

Cleveland needs a franchise-caliber tackle, and Mauigoa carries the highest floor of any offensive lineman in this draft.

Med-Hi

Cons #6

Commanders

Carnell Tate

Washington keeps building around Jayden Daniels by adding Tate, a polished route-runner who can start Day 1 opposite Terry McLaurin.

High

Cons #8(+1)

Saints

EDGE

Rueben Bain

After losing major pass-rush production last offseason, New Orleans finds a clean fit in Bain, whose scheme-flexible style slots neatly into the Saints' front.

High

Cons #9(+1)

Chiefs

Jordyn Tyson

Kansas City has had Tyson atop its receiver board all cycle. His deep speed gives Patrick Mahomes the field-stretcher this offense has been missing.

High

Cons #12(+3)

Giants

Caleb Downs

The Giants pair their first pick with Downs, reuniting the Ohio State teammates and installing one of the best defensive backs in the draft as a long-term safety.

High

Cons #7(-3)

Dolphins

Mansoor Delane

Miami hosted Delane on a pre-draft visit and has been telegraphing this fit for weeks. He immediately upgrades a cornerback room that needs young talent.

High

Cons #10(-1)

Cowboys

Omar Cooper Jr.

Dallas invests heavily in Dak Prescott's supporting cast. Cooper projects as a high-volume X-receiver who can command targets in a loaded route tree.

High

Cons #22(+10)

Rams

Spencer Fano

Los Angeles solves a long-term tackle question by taking Fano, a polished technician whose pass-protection floor fits Sean McVay's timing-based offense.

High

Cons #23(+10)

Ravens

IOL

Olaivavega Ioane

Baltimore keeps investing in the trenches to protect Lamar Jackson. Ioane's power and balance at guard fit the Ravens' gap-scheme run identity.

Medium

Cons #13(-1)

Buccaneers

EDGE

Akheem Mesidor

Tampa Bay adds a scheme-flexible edge in Mesidor, whose ability to kick inside on passing downs gives Todd Bowles another chess piece up front.

Medium

Cons #21(+6)

Jets

Makai Lemon

The Jets finally get their receiver. With Tate, Tyson, and Cooper gone, Lemon brings separation quickness and polished route running to pair with the young passing game.

Medium

Cons #20(+4)

Lions

Monroe Freeling

Detroit continues its Sewell-era pattern of investing first-round capital in the offensive line. Freeling profiles as a long-term tackle for the run game.

High

Cons #14(-3)

Vikings

Kenyon Sadiq

Minnesota gives Kyler Murray a mismatch weapon in Sadiq, a big-bodied move tight end built for the Kevin O'Connell passing attack.

High

Cons #17(-1)

Panthers

Dillon Thieneman

Carolina reportedly views Thieneman as its pick if available here. He brings instant-starter ability and a physical edge to the Panthers' secondary.

High

Cons #18(-1)

Cowboys

Kadyn Proctor

With their second first-round pick, Dallas keeps building the front. Proctor is a mauling tackle with the length and power to anchor the Cowboys' line for a decade.

Medium

Cons #19(-1)

Steelers

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Pittsburgh finds a physical, downhill safety in McNeil-Warren, whose run-support profile fits cleanly in the Steelers' secondary.

Medium

Cons #24(+3)

Chargers

Peter Woods

The Chargers address the interior defensive line with Woods, who flashed first-round talent at Clemson and fits the Chargers' multiple fronts.

Med-Hi

Cons #28(+6)

Eagles

Blake Miller

With Lane Johnson aging, Philadelphia faces a long-term succession question at right tackle. Miller fits the Eagles' value-first offensive-line philosophy.

Med-Hi

Cons #27(+4)

Browns

KC Concepcion

Cleveland finally addresses the receiver room. Concepcion is a polished slot-flex weapon who gives the Browns a legitimate target in the passing game.

Medium

Cons #11(-13)

Bears

EDGE

Keldric Faulk

Chicago catches Faulk on a slide and adds a high-upside edge to a young front. His length and power give the Bears another piece to rotate into the pass-rush mix.

Medium

Cons #20(-5)

Bills

Treydan Stukes

Buffalo reinforces its secondary with Stukes, a defensive back some scouts have publicly praised as one of the most NFL-ready players in this class.

Medium

Cons #54(+28)

49ers

Caleb Lomu

San Francisco takes the long view at tackle. Lomu has the traits to grow into Trent Williams's eventual successor on the 49ers' left side, but could play inside.

Med-Hi

Cons #26(-1)

Texans

Kayden McDonald

Houston adds interior help for a front that likes to rotate fresh bodies. McDonald is widely considered the first true defensive tackle off the board.

Medium

Cons #29(+1)

Chiefs

EDGE

Cashius Howell

Kansas City's second first-round pick adds edge depth. Howell's 11.5 sacks at Texas A&M give Steve Spagnuolo an immediate rotational piece.

Med-Hi

Cons #35(+6)

Dolphins

Denzel Boston

Miami adds a big-bodied receiver to a speed-heavy room, giving the Dolphins a legitimate red-zone and contested-catch option.

Medium

Cons #25(-5)

Patriots

Max Iheanachor

New England continues rebuilding the offensive line around Drake Maye. Iheanachor is a long, athletic tackle who can settle in at either side of the front.

Medium

Cons #30(-1)

Seahawks

Colton Hood

Seattle closes the round with a long, physical corner. Hood's size and ball skills give Mike Macdonald's defense another developmental piece on the outside.

Medium

Cons #33(+1)