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2026 NFL mock draft: Titans, Giants take defensive stars in top two ahead of QBs
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- 2026 NFL mock draft: Titans, Giants take defensive stars in top two ahead of QBs
Week 11 action in the NFL didn't provide too many surprises. Most of the favorites or teams with better records won their matchups on Sunday; the lone surprises came with Jacksonville's domination of Los Angeles and Denver beating Kansas City .
Tennessee couldn't pull off a win over AFC South foe Houston thanks to a field goal as time expired . That means the Titans remain the lone one-win team league-wide and are in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If they secure that top pick, they'd be the first team to draft No. 1 overall two years in a row since the Jaguars did it in 2021 and 2022.
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The 2026 NFL Draft class has seen some changes from initial thoughts entering the college football season. Offensive tackle and quarterback were viewed as two of the top positions in the group but both have failed to live up to expectations. The linebacker and wide receiver classes have both stepped up.
Many of the top prospects aren't at premium positions and that offers an interesting choice for Tennessee at No. 1. Defensive line seems to be the most likely scenario there but which edge rusher they take is up for debate. It's often been Miami 's Rueben Bain Jr. We went in a different direction for our latest mock draft prediction:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Tennessee Titans : Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Bain is the popular choice and a safe bet thanks to his mix of power and productivity. But Faulk presents the kind of player teams take a risk on with the No. 1 overall pick. He's one of the youngest players in the class and offers positional versatility in his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame. With time, he could develop into a building block on a defensive line alongside Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat.
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2. New York Giants : LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Reese entered the season as the No. 2 linebacker on his own team but he's separated himself with an outstanding 2025 season. He offers elite athleticism in a 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame with the football IQ to be used in myriad ways. He can rush the passer off the edge thanks to his length. He can cover tight ends, wide receivers or running backs with his awareness and speed. He can spy a mobile quarterback. He can shore up run defense with his violence and sure tackling. He'd be a force multiplier for the Giants ' defense.
3. Cleveland Browns : QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders haven't been good enough for the Browns to ignore quarterback at No. 3. Mendoza has a high floor as a passer thanks to his quick release, timing, accuracy and football IQ. His ceiling may ultimately not be a top-10 quarterback but he's shown enough to be a top-15 passer in the NFL. That'd be a welcome sight in Cleveland.
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4. New Orleans Saints : Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
New York has an embarrassment of riches on the defensive line and that leaves Bain to drop to the Saints at No. 4. He's the best edge rusher available at this spot and the Saints could use more help at that spot. New Orleans ranks in the bottom 10 league-wide in pressure rate and time to pass allowed, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Bain's power off the edge should help.
5. New York Jets : QB Ty Simpson , Alabama
New York has more high-end draft capital than any other team in the league over the next two seasons. They also have two building blocks on the offensive line that should make things easier for a rookie quarterback. Simpson's rise in 2025 stems from his stellar play in his first season as a starter. He offers an impressive mix of pocket awareness, accuracy, arm strength, timing and mobility to extend plays.
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6. Las Vegas Raiders : S Caleb Downs , Ohio State
We rate Downs as the best player in the draft class but he happens to play a position that's devalued in the modern NFL, especially in the draft. His elite mix of athleticism, football IQ, and toughness has drawn comparisons to Troy Polamalu . At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Downs' limitations are on the defensive play caller and Patrick Graham is one of the more underrated defensive minds in the league.
7. Washington Commanders : WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Washington has built a promising offensive line in front of Jayden Daniels , and now the franchise needs to get him some weapons in the passing game. Tyson entered the year as the No. 1 wideout in the class and that hasn't changed. He's not a burner, but he's a consistent separator on the outside thanks to his route-running and sure hands.
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8. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons ): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Los Angeles has one of the best defenses in the league this season, especially against the run, thanks to coordinator Chris Shula. They're getting by with solid play in the secondary without any top talent. McCoy changes that calculus. The Tennessee product hasn't seen the field this year due to an ACL tear in the offseason but his tape shows a prototypical outside cornerback who can handle zone or man coverage assignments.
9. Cincinnati Bengals : Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Bengals need a lot of help on defense and would've loved to see Downs fall to them here. Bailey's not a bad consolation prize, though. He's one of the most productive edge rushers in the country this year and would have a more immediate impact than 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart.
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10. Arizona Cardinals : WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
This wide receiver class lacks a vertical threat but Tate is one of the best downfield wideouts in the group. He's a contested catch merchant who would reunite with his old Buckeyes teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. His arrival would allow Harrison to step into a better role on offense, similar to what Tyler Warren has done for the pass-catching group in Indianapolis this season.
11. Miami Dolphins : OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Fano's the top tackle in the class and the most pro-ready of the bunch thanks to a great mix of body control, bend and athleticism. There are concerns about his lean frame (6-foot-5 and 305 pounds) that may necessitate a move inside to guard long-term. But he's a tackle until he's not and would be a valuable asset to drop into this offense.
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12. Dallas Cowboys : RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love is one of the best players in this draft class, period. He's what NFL teams are looking for in a modern running back. Good size (6-foot, 214 pounds) with breakaway speed, vision to run between the tackles and proven receiving abilities. Coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams built one of the more effective rushing attacks in the league with Javonte Williams as the lead back. Love would level up the whole offense.
13. Minnesota Vikings : CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Delane is in the conversation for the best cornerback in the draft class. His leaner frame (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) raises concerns about his run defense at the NFL level. You can't say the same for his technique and coverage savvy. Quarterbacks in the SEC are avoiding him altogether in 2025. He's been targeted just 34 times in 10 games and given up just 13 catches on those targets for 167 yards, per Pro Football Focus (PFF) data .
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14. Baltimore Ravens : TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
All three of the Ravens ' tight ends on their active roster are hitting free agency in 2026. It'd be a shock if all three came back. Baltimore may opt to spend its cap space on retaining defensive players instead. In that case, they're free to take by far the No. 1 tight end in the class in Sadiq. The Ducks' tight end is a mismatch thanks to his athleticism in a 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame. He's a very young prospect with room to develop his game.
15. Kansas City Chiefs : DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Chris Jones powers the Chiefs' defensive line but he'll be 32 by the start of next season. It's time to start thinking ahead for the Chiefs' defense. Woods has underperformed this year at Clemson, as has much of the Tigers' talented defense. Still, Kansas City would be an ideal place to iron out his inconsistencies and bring out his flashes of dominance on the interior.
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16. Houston Texans : OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Houston's offensive line is one of the worst in the league this season with help needed at multiple spots. Mauigoa offers ideal size (6-foot-6, 325 pounds) and started multiple years at right tackle in Coral Gables. He could fit in there or move inside to guard for the Texans' front if they'd rather use him there. In either case, his powerful hands and strong base will ensure he lasts in the NFL.
17. Carolina Panthers : CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Terrell would join his brother A.J. in the NFC South in this scenario. Carolina paid top cornerback Jaycee Horn to be a long-term starter, and now they find him a running mate on the outside in Terrell. The Clemson cornerback is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds but his competitiveness, athleticism and ball production make him a first-round prospect.
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18. Detroit Lions : OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
This almost doesn't seem fair. You can't tell us Dan Campbell saw the Crimson Tide use the 6-foot-7, 360-pound Proctor as a receiver on a few screen passes and didn't get visions of doing the same with him next year. Proctor is an outlier athlete for his size but needs some improvement in his consistency and hand usage. There are few better places for him to learn and develop than Detroit.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Parker has taken a step back production-wise as a pass rusher in 2025 compared to his 2024 totals. But he's improved as a run defender in his 6-foot-3, 260-pound body. Tampa Bay could use more talent off the edge with multiple key rushers hitting free agency. Todd Bowles and company could get close to the most out of him to bolster their pass rush.
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20. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars ): IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Most of Cleveland's once-heralded offensive line is hitting free agency in the next two seasons. In 2026, all three interior starters are hitting the open market. Ioane is one of the surest things in this class. At 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds with impressive strength and mobility, he's the top pure-guard prospect. He'd be a day one starter for the Browns at a position of need on offense to protect Mendoza.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers : QB Dante Moore , Oregon
There's a chance Moore doesn't last this long come April but there are question marks about whether he'll declare or head back to Eugene for another run with the Ducks. His mobility, arm strength and deep passing accuracy have been his strong suits in 2025. The Indiana game did expose some of his limitations in diagnosing defenses pre- and post-snap but that'll come with time to develop.
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22. Los Angeles Chargers : OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Lomu may return to school for another year, but the Chargers would be happy to have him in Southern California instead. Los Angeles' struggles on the offensive line with top tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt injured are well-documented. Lomu's lean frame may ultimately mean he kicks inside to guard at the NFL level and that'd be more than fine for Los Angeles. He'd upgrade the interior with tackle versatility in case of injury.
23. San Francisco 49ers : CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
San Francisco' revamp on defense continues in the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting the speedy Cisse from South Carolina. The Gamecocks' cornerback boasts solid size (6-foot, 190 pounds) to line up outside opposite Deommodore Lenoir . He can stick in man coverage assignments thanks to his athleticism and would be in a great environment to develop in zone coverage.
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24. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers ): Edge Zion Young, Missouri
Quinnen Williams ' arrival looks to have leveled up the Cowboys' front. With so much money tied to starting cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland , Dallas decides to address the porous pass defense with more edge help. Young has solid size (6-foot-5, 255 pounds), ideal productivity and physicality to attack opposing offensive lines.
25. Chicago Bears : Edge Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Chicago's properly in the running for the NFC North crown thanks to an improving offense that runs the ball effectively and doesn't commit turnovers. The defense needs to take a step to keep up. Uiagalelei brings a high floor as a run defender with a 6-foot-5, 270-pound frame that fits what coordinator Dennis Allen likes on the edge. He has the tools to develop as a pass rusher as well.
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26. Buffalo Bills : LB C.J. Allen, Georgia
Buffalo's defense could use more athleticism, and it is facing some question marks at linebacker with Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson hitting free agency. Allen's outstanding athleticism and sure tackling make him a solid fit for the Bills' system. Buffalo's recent loss to Miami showed some deficiencies in run defense and Allen would be a welcome help.
27. Seattle Seahawks : WR Makai Lemon, USC
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has ascended to one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and is by far the Seahawks' top threat in the passing game. Lemon would be an ideal fit as the offense's No. 2 option. He's as sure a thing in the slot as there is in the class with a very high floor. He'd fit in and exploit defenses paying too much attention to Smith-Njigba.
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28. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts ): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
New York gets their rookie quarterback a top target in the passing game to offer a different option to Garrett Wilson . Boston offers an ideal size on the outside at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, with great route-running and impressive contested-catch acumen. He's not a burner but more of a fluid athlete in the mold of a Tee Higgins .
29. Los Angeles Rams : OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
Rob Havenstein hits free agency in 2026 and will be 34 by the start of next season. If the Rams want to move forward without him, Tiernan could be a high-floor option to replace him. Tiernan's size (6-foot-7, 320 pounds) and footwork mean he will be a solid pass protector sooner rather than later.
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30. New England Patriots : DT Kaydon McDonald, Ohio State
New England 's defense has been one of the surprises of the season. They boast the top run defense and build on that with McDonald here. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound interior force has a high floor thanks to his run defense abilities and can line up over multiple gaps. He's a sure thing to take over for Khyiris Tonga if the Patriots don't re-sign him.
31. Philadelphia Eagles : DT A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
Philadelphia makes it back-to-back interior defenders with the rising Washington. He's shown flashes as a dominant nose tackle at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, with rare athleticism for his size. He could grow into the successor for Jordan Davis alongside star Jalen Carter for the Eagles in the future.
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32. Denver Broncos : LB Sonny Styles , Ohio State
Besides Dre Greenlaw , the rest of the Broncos' linebackers are hitting free agency in 2026. Styles entered the year ranked ahead of Reese and it's no fault of his own he's dropped from that top spot. Styles has an ideal size of 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds and is similarly athletic to Reese. He's one of the youngest prospects and could grow into a versatile difference-maker for Vance Joseph's scheme.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Titans take new edge rusher with No. 1 pick
