2026 NFL Mock Draft - Edition 1

I'm a little late to the party on this one. I meant to do this in the preseason, but work and school got me busy to the point that I haven't been able to write. Luckily, I've found the time this weekend to write and decided to put a mock together following Week 2 of the NFL season. A lot of this is projection, and the order is just what it would be right now, so don't put too much stock into it. Let's have some fun with this.

2026 NFL MOCK DRAFT - VERSION 1

[1] New York Jets - John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

For the second straight year, a former Washington State QB goes #1 as the Jets select their franchise guy. John Mateer has looked the part of a franchise guy at Oklahoma, passing for over 300 yards a game on average while totaling 9 touchdowns against 3 interceptions. He put up excellent numbers for Washington State after replacing Cam Ward, and is starting to prove himself in Oklahoma, leading to their 3-0 start. He has nice arm talent, processes well, and shows versatility as a runner. His combination of running and passing ability should be intriguing for head coach Aaron Glenn, who brought in Justin Fields as a bridge QB this season.

[2] New Orleans Saints - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

New Orleans needs basically everything, but a new QB could help provide some cohesiveness if Spencer Rattler doesn’t work out. Fernando Mendoza, who has played in 3 different conferences in his 3-year career, has shown some tremendous improvement at Indiana through 3 games, including a game against a pretty good Old Dominion team. He’s got some great ball placement, accuracy, and arm strengths, but the concerns with him are that he takes sacks pretty often. Maybe that has to do with poor quality lines at Cal, considering he’s only been sacked 1 time through 3 games, but we’ll see if that changes when Big Ten play comes around. He’s got prototypical size and athleticism, and his shown improvement could lead to him becoming one of the top QBs this year.

[3] Miami Dolphins - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

With injury issues causing starting tackle Austin Jackson to miss time, it may be smart for Miami to look for a future replacement. Spencer Fano is a versatile athlete with great movement ability and power that gives him immediate upside. Jackson hasn’t been bad, per se, but adding a guy like Fano gives you an instant upgrade with much higher potential. Fano is also one of the smartest tackles in the class, being a good leader on this O-line. If Mike McDaniel is gone and they pick this high, look for the new coach to want to bring in some trenches to help protect Tua.

[4] Cleveland Browns - Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor

I don’t think any QB has enhanced their stock this year more than Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, who has put up some insane stats in his first few games against SEC competition and a playoff team from last year. He’s got a good arm and decent mobility, which adds a lot of intrigue to his game. With how chaotic Cleveland’s QB room has been this season, it’d be good for the Browns to get an actual answer before entering next season. We don’t know if Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders will be anything, but if they’re picking this high, they likely experimented and saw nothing. Stefanski needs to find his franchise guy soon, because I doubt the front office is going to be patient for much longer. 

[5] Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Tennessee has almost nothing in their pass rushing department after the departure of Harold Landry last season, so it’s important that they bring some more help alongside 2025 2nd-rounder Femi Oladejo. Bain has the potential to be an elite pass-rusher at the NFL level, with exceptional speed and technique that you rarely see in the collegiate ranks. He’s been a game-wrecker for the Hurricanes and has elevated their defense to a level that they could’ve really used last year. Giving the Titans some help on defense would be an excellent move, especially considering how this season has started. 

[6] Chicago Bears - Isaiah World, OT, Oregon 

Braxton Jones’ contract expires in the offseason, and it may be smart for the Bears to draft a replacement instead of re-signing him. They did grab Ozzy Trapilo last year, but listing him as the backup right tackle instead of the left tackle makes me wonder how they view him position-wise. Isaiah World was the top transfer in the market this offseason, and joined Oregon to replace 2025 first-rounder Josh Conerly after not allowing a single sack for Nevada in 2024. His potential is through the roof, with good power, agility, and balance, and is expected to improve at Oregon. If he meets this potential, he could be a blind-side blocker for Caleb Williams for a long time. 

[7] New York Giants - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Imagine this DT duo. New York already has one of the best defensive tackles in the game in Dexter Lawrence II, and adding Peter Woods would create a very intriguing force on the interior that may very well be unstoppable. Woods’ athleticism and versatility adds a nice mix to the Giants’ front that Brian Daboll very well could scheme around and give teams in the East some trouble. Woods has excellent explosiveness that makes me think he’s going to be a game-wrecker in the NFL, and his potential has me very excited for what could be in New York.

[8] Kansas City Chiefs - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Another impactful transfer from this offseason comes off the board as David Bailey is heading to Kansas City to help across from George Karlaftis and Chris Jones. Bailey is a tremendous athlete with elite explosiveness and speed, as well as the strength to back all of it up. He’s a freak of nature, and his talents would be very intriguing for the Chiefs, who tried to address the edge with Felix Anudike-Uzomah a few years ago but haven’t seen results. He’s also got surprising versatility, being able to play in both a 3-4 and a 4-3. He’d be an excellent fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

[9] Carolina Panthers - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Carolina drafted Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom in the fourth this past draft, and now they pair him with his college teammate in one of the most intelligent, lethal Ohio State defenders in recent memory. He’s arguably the best defensive player in the class, even if his positional value isn’t that high. He’s an intelligent defensive leader who shows great athletic ability and leadership. He makes clutch plays when needed and is an excellent tackler. Carolina is currently starting Nick Scott at free safety, so… yeah. This is a dire need. Downs would be an excellent fit, especially considering the chemistry with Ransom.

[10] Houston Texans - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

C.J. Stroud has been one of the most sacked QBs over the past few seasons. Houston desperately needs to give him more protection. Tytus Howard’s contract expires in 2026, and he’s not getting any younger. Getting a younger, higher-upside tackle to protect Stroud’s right side would be a smart move. Mauigoa has played really well for the Hurricanes these past few seasons, and has freakish athleticism as well as skill. His anchor and strength are great, and he’s been a pretty balanced guy as far as pass versus run-blocking goes. If they want to avoid Stroud becoming the next David Carr, they need to find someone in the draft. Mauigoa could very well be that guy. 

[11] New England Patriots - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

New England doesn’t have a true WR1 on the roster, even if Stefon Diggs did just sign a big contract. I personally think it would be a smart move for them to get a guy who’s been absolutely awesome in college. I know they don’t have the best history with Arizona State wide receivers (see N’Keal Harry for more details), but this feels different. For one, they have a different head coach. Second, they have a high-upside QB who needs a wideout to hit. After trading Ja’Lynn Polk to the Saints, it’s important that New England finds a replacement. Tyson is a physical receiver who creates separation and has good hands in traffic. He’d be perfect as the #1 for Drake Maye.

[12] Baltimore Ravens - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

I doubt the Ravens pick this high in real life, but that’s where they’re situated right now. Outside of Nate Wiggins and an aging Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens don’t really have anything at the cornerback position - to the point where they’re starting past-their-prime guys in Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander. Getting a younger guy at the position could create a nice tandem with Wiggins for the foreseeable future. McCoy has been out for the beginning of Tennessee’s 2025 season, but he had a great season in 2024 with 4 picks and 7 pass deflections as a shutdown corner for the Vols. The injury concern is there with the torn ACL, but the upside is legitimate considering his instinct and ability to track the ball in mid-air. 

[13] Dallas Cowboys - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

I feel like the reason for this pick is obvious. The Micah Parsons trade took the entirety of the sports world off guard with a similar impact to the earlier Luka Doncic trade. The Cowboys need to find a guy to replace Micah as their main edge rusher, and Keldric Faulk is the best guy on the board. Faulk is one of the most physically gifted edge rushers in the class, and his ability to both pass rush and run stop makes him very dangerous. He’s a 6’6, 288-pounder with great speed, burst, and explosiveness. He’s a high-floor, high-ceiling player who would give Dallas a potential defensive cornerstone if all works out. 

[14] Washington Commanders - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Watching Ohio State’s defense this year, I honestly think it might be better than the one from 2024. Ohio State lost Cody Simon to the NFL draft this past year, and they seem to have upgraded with Arvell Reese being elevated to the starting lineup. The Commanders need some LB talent for when Bobby Wagner inevitably retires, and Reese is a guy who’s shown great athleticism and tackling ability. I know a lot of people are going to want Sonny Styles selected over him, but Reese is the guy that I think has the potential to be an All-Pro LB in the near future. Adding him to learn from Wagner for a season before taking the reins next to Frankie Luvu could be a very intriguing move for Dan Quinn’s defense. 

[15] Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) - Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

One interesting thing about the offense for Georgia this year is that their wide receivers actually seem to be able to catch the ball. Zachariah Branch, alongside his brother Zion, transferred in from USC to the Bulldogs this offseason, and he has been a big reason why the Dawgs are 3-0. He’s a little undersized, but his speed and acceleration ability more than make up for it. He’s one of the most dynamic players in college football, with good agility and hands that were much needed for a Bulldogs team that struggled catching the ball in 2024. Branch would join Jerry Jeudy in a wide receiver room that really needs some help. I suppose Cleveland could also go tackle here, but there’s plenty of guys in the 2nd and 3rd round that I like, and grabbing a potentially elite weapon like Branch to help Sawyer Robinson could be useful.

[16] Detroit Lions - Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

Paired next to Abdul Carter last season, it was hard to see how good of a player Dani Dennis-Sutton was, but he’s legit. He put up 8.5 sacks on an elite Penn State defense last year, and is already making an impact again this year. Adding a #2 edge rusher next to Aidan Hutchinson is a step in the right direction towards retooling the Lions defense following the departure of Aaron Glenn. Dennis-Sutton is a long, physical rusher with good power and hands at the position. He’s not the most consistent, but the upside is immense, and he plays his best football at the biggest moments, showing flashes of truly elite play. Adding him into a Lions roster that is in desperate need for more pass rush is a good move. 

[17] Minnesota Vikings - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Minnesota’s already got an elite defense, but adding more help in the secondary couldn’t hurt, especially considering the lack of depth. The Virginia Tech transfer DB has made an impact for LSU this season, being one of the best parts of an elite defensive unit. He’s good at reading the routes of wide receivers, and his instincts and quickness are at a great level. There are some concerns about his frame, which brings reminders of Emmanuel Forbes, but I don’t think it’s too worrisome. Good coaching from a defensive guru like Brian Flores could give him the edge he needs to be a great corner at the NFL level.

[18] Seattle Seahawks - Connor Lew, C, Auburn

After addressing the interior offensive line with Grey Zabel last draft, it’d probably be a good idea to address it further. Former Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi hasn’t worked out, and Jalen Sundell isn’t much better. Adding an elite pass protector like Connor Lew would be a smart move to improve the offensive line further and help Sam Darnold out. Lew has good quickness for a center and is an extremely intelligent player, with his awareness being next-level. The 3-year starter has the potential to come in right away and improve this offensive line if the Seahawks choose to address it. One of the biggest concerns, however, is his smaller frame, but his experience against SEC competition should more than make up for it.

[19] Las Vegas Raiders - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Raiders are currently starting Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, and Devin White at their linebacker spots. While those guys aren’t necessarily bad (outside of Pratt), they are older and aren’t going to be the long-term answer. The son of Super Bowl champion Lorenzo Styles Sr., Sonny Styles started out at safety, leading to a linebacker with the athleticism of a defensive back but the skills of an all-around Swiss army knife. Styles is the real deal. He along with Arvell Reese has formed one of the best LB duos I’ve seen in my time watching college football, and they have the potential to completely break an offense. Styles is a big part of that, with his coverage skills being some of the best at the position in this class. I’m very interested to see how a team like the Raiders would want to use him in the league.

[20] Denver Broncos - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The trend of “the 2nd best receiver at Ohio State gets picked in the first round” continues as Carnell Tate heads to Denver to catch passes from Bo Nix. Tate is a route-running specialist who gives me shades of both Chris Olave and Emeka Egbuka - if you know me, you know that’s very, very high praise. He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but his ball skills and body control give him the potential to be an elite option at the NFL level. Denver added Pat Bryant last draft, but adding Tate gives them even more options for Sean Payton’s offense, which he would love. 

[21] Pittsburgh Steelers - Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Pittsburgh could take a QB here, but I think there’s a pretty good chance they give Will Howard a shot to start in 2026 after he learns from Rodgers this year. Instead, the Steelers grab an offensive weapon to help their offense keep evolving. Adding D.K. Metcalf was already a good move, but Calvin Austin and the ghost of Roman Wilson aren’t going to cut it at WR2 long-term, so Germie Bernard seems like a good fit. He’s got good hands and is excellent when thrown the deep ball, although his speed isn’t the greatest thing ever. He’s broken out this season for the Tide, catching for almost 300 yards and 3 TDs in the first 3 games. Perhaps he’d be a good weapon for whatever QB starts for the Steelers next season.

[22] Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) - LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

I know I didn’t give the Steelers a quarterback, but Sellers is the last first-round level guy in my opinion and he’s a project, which I don’t think the Steelers would be looking for. Instead, the Rams take him to learn behind Matthew Stafford for a season or two. Sellers has been one of the most electric dual-threat QBs in the country for the past couple seasons, and his arm talent backs up that ability. He’s got good speed and mobility while also being able to fling a ball 60 yards down the field. He’s only played one full season as a starter, though, and suffered an injury against Vanderbilt. I don’t think he’s going to be an immediate starter, but as a project for a team with a vet QB like the Rams? Yes, please.

[23] Los Angeles Rams - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

One of the highest-ranked recruits from the past few seasons, Proctor has been a mainstay on the Alabama offensive line even with that weird Iowa transfer thing. He’s got an insane frame with a ton of explosiveness and power that has scouts very intrigued, but conditioning issues lead to his fall here. However, this isn’t a spot where he would be expected to immediately start considering that Rob Havenstein is still on the team, and he could learn for a season before starting the year after. This would also give him time to get his conditioning in check and work with coaches to really unlock his potential. Proctor would be the blind-side protector for the left-handed LaNorris Sellers in 2026 and beyond. 

[24] Arizona Cardinals - Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

Following the selection of both Kelvin Banks and Cameron Williams in the 2025 NFL draft, Goosby was slotted in as the starter. We already knew he had upside considering his performances when those guys were out, and his ceiling is immense. He’s got a good frame for the position at 314 pounds and 6’7”. He’s got work to do, but what he’s shown so far leads me to believe he’s got the potential to be a very good starting tackle at the NFL level. For Arizona specifically, they’re expected to lose Jonah Williams this offseason, so adding a right tackle will be a need. Goosby would fill that spot and help protect Kyler Murray… if they continue to roll with him.

[25] Buffalo Bills - Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern

Buffalo doesn’t have many needs, but getting another edge rusher wouldn’t hurt. Anto Saka is an explosive athlete with good movement skills and strength, although his frame isn’t quite as big as you would hope for. He’s not a bad run defender, and his pass rushing ability is there, but he’s a developmental guy. With guys like Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa still there in Buffalo, he could get the time he needs to develop into a star defensive end. The tandem with Greg Rousseau could be elite if Saka reaches his potential.

[26] Los Angeles Chargers - Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon

The successful Uiagalelei brother goes to the same place his brother somehow ended up - the Los Angeles Chargers. Matayo is a versatile player with explosiveness and pass-rushing ability to boot. The Chargers need someone to eventually replace Khalil Mack/Bud Dupree, and Matayo very well could be that guy. He has improved so much over his career, and is already off to a fast start in 2025. An already elite defense like LAC’s could use more help on the edge to create an even deadlier front seven. Jim Harbaugh would be licking his chops if Uiagalelei was available to him here.

[27] Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

The team I picked to win the Super Bowl (and that I think still will) finds their future replacement for an aging Lavonte David in Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. The former five-star recruit from Denton, Texas has lived up to the hype and more for the Longhorns, and would be an excellent fit in the Bucs defense. Hill is a great tackler who works best as a run-stopper, but he also has decent coverage ability. He’s got good sideline-to-sideline range and continues to be the key piece behind the Texas defense. Adding him to replace Lavonte David after he inevitably retires would be a good move. Todd Bowles’ defense has always been pretty good, and adding Hill would not make it worse.

[28] San Francisco 49ers - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The 49ers could use some more offensive weapons to help Brock Purdy and/or Mac Jones out. Brandon Aiyuk has had a bunch of injury concerns, and it might be time to move on. Denzel Boston is a separator who succeeds in contested catch situations. He uses his frame to box out defenders and win in the catch. He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but his route-running and ball skills should make him an immediate impact in the passing game. Hopefully the 49ers can learn not to consistently keep getting hurt so they can actually reap the benefits a guy like Boston would show.

[29] Cincinnati Bengals - Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

It’s a joke how bad the Bengals’ defense has been the past few seasons, although they got stops when they needed to against the Jaguars and Browns. The brother of Falcons corner A.J. Terrell, he’s already got the pedigree within his family. Aveion’s got exceptional agility and ball-tracking skills that help him in press-man situations. While his frame is a bit undersized, he more than makes up for it in his physicality. Terrell is a huge piece of an excellent Clemson defense that has been let down more times by their offense than needed. His speed is also something that is heavily appreciated, as it helps him recover. Al Golden’s defense could use a guy like this to help shape it.

[30] Philadelphia Eagles - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Do the Eagles actually have needs? They won the Super Bowl this past year and look like they’re gonna do really well again this season, but part of me wonders what they’re really looking for. I guess we’ll just go with the generic edge rusher pick they seem to like. A preseason top-ten pick, T.J. Parker hasn’t quite played as well as his billing, but he still shows the potential to be a first-round pick and good edge rusher at the NFL level. His hand usage is excellent, and his football IQ is pretty immaculate. Parker’s potential outshines his current ability, but a team like Philly is probably looking for more potential than immediate impact considering how good their roster already is.

[31] Indianapolis Colts - Jermaine Matthews Jr., CB, Ohio State

Outside of Charvarius Ward, the Colts secondary is held together by duct tape and toilet paper at the moment. It did not help that their 2025 3rd-rounder, Justin Walley, is missing the entire season due to injury. They could use young talent to help that unit out. I’ve seen a lot of people suggesting that Ohio State corner Davison Igbinosun could be a first-rounder, but Jermaine Matthews is the guy in the secondary I’ve been most impressed with outside of Caleb Downs. He shows elite speed, physicality, and ball skills that make him one of the most dangerous corners to throw against in college football at the moment. I could see him going a lot higher if he keeps his current production up.

[32] Dallas Cowboys - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

While Javonte Williams is putting up a good year so far, he’s still older than most running backs in the league. Jeremiyah Love has been an elite player for Notre Dame, but he’s struggled through the first few games of this season against Texas A&M and Miami. His performance against Indiana in the College Football Playoff last season is the upside I see from him, though - the potential to have game-changing plays from anywhere on the field. Love would be an excellent fit in Dallas, who’s struggled with their running game the past few years while trying to replace Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. 

Thank you all for reading. Sorry if this isn't up to par with my usual stuff, but I'm just glad I was able to put something out. I appreciate all of you. Have a good day.