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2026 NFL mock draft: After combine, a major shake-up throughout first round
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- 2026 NFL mock draft: After combine, a major shake-up throughout first round
INDIANAPOLIS – The 2026 NFL scouting combine concluded over the weekend, when (some) quarterbacks showcased their arms, receivers and running backs displayed their elite explosiveness and coordination, and the offensive linemen reminded us anew what exceptional athletes they are.
"All of it's important," Dolphins rookie GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said of the league's annual job interview. "If it wasn't, we wouldn't be here.
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"(W)hen you get to see how they compete in the drills – obviously the metrics, how they test athletically – and then when you get to sit in a room and interview them and see how they articulate themselves and get a feel for them, ask them what's important to them, what do they want to accomplish when this is all said and done. The things that they say back to you, it allows you to get a look under the hood. What are they prioritizing? Is it winning? Is it things that are more 'me and I' or is it about the team?
"Those are the things that, as we build this out in Miami – we want culture guys. We want guys that prioritize winning football games over individual success, if that makes sense. Those are the things that I'm looking for."
In addition to eye-popping testing numbers and interviews that don't raise red flags, front office executives and coaches are also looking at media interactions and, among other considerations, clean medical reports – perhaps the most critical, if underrated, aspect of any combine.
And while any player's game film is likely to have the most influence on his draft stock, a good (or bad) showing in Indy can certainly move the needle.
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So, with the combine receding into the rear view and pro days coming down the pike, let's get to USA TODAY Sports' latest 2026 first-round mock draft:
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
He didn't work out in Indy. Didn't have to. When you're 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, paced FBS with 41 TD passes, process like a microchip and just led your school to a magical national championship? Heck, there's virtually nothing Mendoza can do at this point to help his football résumé – though interactions with reporters and his fellow combine attendees continued to burnish his reputation as an outstanding person and teammate. The Jets are basically on the clock.
2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Stanford grad came into his own with the Big 12 champion Red Raiders in 2025, tying for first in the FBS with 14½ sacks while leading the field with a 20.2% pressure percentage and mixing in 19½ tackles for losses. Bailey is scheme diverse, which could also be a boon for a team switching to a 3-4 scheme and one that just offloaded DE Jermaine Johnson II , who was optimal for a four-man front.
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3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Arizona is the proverbial team that could be at least a year away from being a year away. And that means GM Monti Ossenfort, who traded out of the opportunity to take future All-Pro DE Will Anderson Jr . in 2023, probably needs to be in the business of accumulating blue-chip players – and Reese projects as one. The Micah Parsons comparisons are obviously premature, but Reese, who turns 21 in August, has plenty of time to develop into a full-time pass rusher and maybe justify the comp one day. And getting to the quarterback is especially important in the NFC West, where the Cards are looking way up at their competition right now.
4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
What's the best way to advance the development of QB Cam Ward , last year's No. 1 overall pick? How about giving him a player perhaps adjacent to Saquon Barkley or Bijan Robinson in terms of game-breaking ability and versatility? Love is an every-down back, one who's averaged 6.9 yards per carry and caught 55 passes over the past two seasons. The Titans could keep his usage in check as a rookie with RB Tony Pollard under contract for one more season. But pairing Love and Ward could potentially create an offense primed to surge ticket sales when the Titans move into their new stadium in 2027.
Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles , Ohio State
Arguably the star of this year's combine given the freakish traits (4.46 40-yard dash, 43½-inch vertical leap) he put on display Thursday, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound converted safety could immediately take over the middle of a front-loaded defense – and new Giants coach John Harbaugh is certainly accustomed to having an athletic and cerebral monster orchestrating that side of the ball.
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6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
A three-year starter for the Hurricanes at right tackle, the 6-foot-6, 329-pound mauler could be the perfect foundation for a team that needs to entirely rebuild its offensive line – which is the primary offseason priority, whether or not GM Andrew Berry and first-year coach Todd Monken revisit the quarterback position. Monken indicated at the combine that improved blocking was paramount in Cleveland, and the team's pending acquisition of Tytus Howard − he's played every O-line position but center in the NFL − doesn't preclude taking Mauigoa.
7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs , Ohio State
Is he the best defender in this draft? Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field? Yep. And Washington could need a leader who can make plays behind the line given the potential departure of LB Bobby Wagner , who will be 36 next season, in free agency.
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8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The latest ready-made wideout product emerging from the Buckeyes' pipeline, he and fellow Ohio Stater Chris Olave would give second-year QB Tyler Shough quite a tandem – and Olave needs the help given Rashid Shaheed was New Orleans ' second-most productive wideout in 2025 … despite getting traded halfway through the season.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Spencer Fano, Utah
QB Patrick Mahomes has suffered the highest sack percentage of his nine-year career over the past two seasons and went down a career-worst six times in K.C.'s Super Bowl 59 loss. As he tries to return in time for this year's regular-season opener, despite rehabbing from a torn ACL , upgrading his protection seems imperative – especially given the upcoming release of RT Jawaan Taylor for performance and compensation reasons, plus the fact that Jaylon Moore didn't wrest a starting OT job in 2025. Fano, who played both tackle spots for the Utes and showed standout athleticism at the combine, could lock down the post opposite 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons while vastly improving the odds Mahomes won't continue running for his life in 2026.
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10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Much has been made about his short arms , but they didn't stop him from being extremely productive – often against NFL-caliber offensive tackles – for the 'Canes. Bain bulled his way to 9½ sacks and 15½ TFLs last season and was a menace during the College Football Playoff. Cincinnati could certainly use pass rush help, especially with DE Trey Hendrickson poised to depart during free agency .
11. Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
A rebuilding team could go in any number of directions, and free agency will certainly further shape Sullivan's roster-altering strategy. But an All-American corner could be made to order – not only because much of Miami's secondary is unsigned, but also because the Dolphins won't avoid four annual games against Josh Allen and Drake Maye.
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12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
A torn ACL cost him the entire 2025 season, but McCoy was practicing by the end of it and will be 20 months removed from the injury by the time Week 1 rolls around. DaRon Bland is the only proven corner on what will be a reimagined Dallas D in 2026 , and McCoy would be a welcome addition – especially given how the board falls in this scenario.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons ) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
LA had the league's No. 1 passing game in 2025 – in large part due to Puka Nacua 's heroics. But Davante Adams , 33, was the only other productive wideout and battled injuries late in the season and is only under contract for one more year. Boston (6-4, 212) is the kind of supersized red-zone target (20 TD catches since 2024) and boundary receiver who could provide an easy transition from Adams while perfectly complementing Nacua.
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14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida
Injuries decimated this team's line in 2025, and the future of Pro Bowler Nnamdi Madubuike very much remains in doubt after he suffered a neck injury early last season. Banks (6-6, 327), who missed much of last fall with a broken foot, is huge and talented with freaky movement skills but also a bit raw. But he is the kind of player who could help new head coach Jesse Minter re-establish Baltimore's historical defensive dominance.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
The first tight end in combine history to record a sub-4.4 40, Sadiq, who also had a 43½-inch vert, certainly made some money over the past few days. He'd not only give QB Baker Mayfield another downfield weapon, this offense might need a partial reload with WR Mike Evans and TE Cade Otton currently unsigned for 2026.
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16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts ) – WR Makai Lemon, USC
With the pick obtained in last year's trade of CB Sauce Gardner , New York must continue to build out an infrastructure and talent base with which to surround its next potential franchise quarterback – who probably won't arrive before 2027. The Jets got very little production from the wideout position in 2025 for a variety of reasons, including Garrett Wilson missing 10 games. Lemon, a run-after-catch dynamo who typically works out of the slot, has been widely compared to fellow Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown , whom the Jets' Aaron Glenn coached alongside in Detroit.
17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
LT Taylor Decker plans to return for his 11th season in Motown, but it's time to lay the groundwork for a succession plan. Freeling, who's 21, may be the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft, and his potential was evident in Sunday's drills. But with only 16 college starts, replacing retired Dan Skipper as the swing tackle while apprenticing behind Decker would make sense. And, don't forget, the Lions plucked starting RG Tate Ratledge out of Athens a year ago.
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18. Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Similar situation in the Twin Cities, where mainstay S Harrison Smith , 37, may or may not return for a 15th NFL campaign. But even if Smith comes back, McNeil-Warren would represent a much better wingman – and one with a comparable skill set to Smith's given his penchant for big hits and finding the ball.
19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson
A gifted player who has yet to approach his maximum potential, something of a microcosm of the NFC South champions. Woods would certainly upgrade a D-line anchored by Derrick Brown , whose own ability and leadership could also help to fully unlock the All-ACC performer.
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20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers ) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Dallas is transitioning to a 3-4 front this year under new coordinator Christian Parker but only has two notable edge rushers, 2025 second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston , under contract going into next season – and no second-round pick in this year's draft. T.J. Parker's production dipped from 2024 to '25, but he's got more heft than Ezeiruaku and could be a nice complement with plenty of runway to become a really good one.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Could the draft's host team take a young quarterback to build around in the future? Sure. Is it the best move in a seemingly weaker QB class – especially if the Steelers want to give Aaron Rodgers , assuming he returns, the best chance to take this organization further in 2026? Of course not. The lack of receiving depth behind DK Metcalf was apparent last season but especially so during his late-season suspension. Tyson, a two-time All-Big 12 choice, is a complete package – and one who was coached at ASU by Steelers legend Hines Ward.
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22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Arguably the best blocker in this draft, why wouldn't the 6-foot-4, 320-pound road grader – one with high RPMs who lined up at tight end in some packages – be coveted by a team that so values its offensive line? And that could be particularly true at a time when the Bolts might need three new starters between the tackles.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor , Miami (Fla.)
They didn't generate nearly the same level of pressure in 2025 as they did during their Super Bowl run the year before. Jalyx Hunt was the only consistent edge rusher last year, which is why GM Howie Roseman rolled the dice on a midseason trade for pending free agent Jaelan Phillips . Mesidor will be 25 by draft night but could provide instant production – for a team that should be an instant contender – after leading the ACC with 12½ sacks in 2025, including 5½ in the CFP.
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24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars ) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Monken's offense needs more than an overhauled O-line. If QB Shedeur Sanders is to have any shot at developing into a long-term starter here, he not only needs better protection but also more weaponry in the passing game. Cooper was Mendoza's leading receiver for the Hoosiers last year, and his ability to give Sanders a reliable target out of the slot would be potentially be quite beneficial to Cleveland.
25. Chicago Bears – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
A rangy, playmaking safety could be just what Chicago's D needs ... given rangy, playmaking All-Pro Kevin Byard seems headed for the open market.
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26. Buffalo Bills – WR Malachi Fields , Notre Dame
A team which primarily needs help at receiver, interior O-line and pass rusher might be in a no man's land that forces GM Brandon Beane to trade up to better fill one of those voids. Fields, who ran a pedestrian 4.6 40, would still be a nice fit for Buffalo's offense given his size (6-5, 218) should make him a nice red-zone weapon. But Beane could probably deal back into the early part of the second round and get him or a similar player − like Louisville's Chris Bell, a compelling talent coming off a torn ACL, or Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II.
27. San Francisco 49ers – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
GM John Lynch admitted last week that he and Trent Williams , 37, are trying to find a financial compromise that keeps the legendary left tackle on the roster in 2026. But even if Williams plays another season, the Niners might be wise to get a replacement in house and – in Lomu's case – a year to strengthen his 6-foot-6, 313-pound frame might be helpful.
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28. Houston Texans – OT Blake Miller , Clemson
The All-ACC right tackle could solidify the protection in front of QB C.J. Stroud by becoming a long-term answer on an O-line that's been in a state of flux for some time − and is now exporting Howard. Durable, Miller averaged better than 900 snaps during three seasons for the Tigers and can play on the left side in a pinch.
29. Rams – QB Ty Simpson , Alabama
An organization that hasn't had multiple first-round picks since 2014 is in the enviable position of bolstering the roster around QB Matthew Stafford in a bid to make up just a bit of ground on the Super Bowl champion Seahawks … or maybe use some of that capital on a successor for Stafford. Simpson might be that guy even though injuries and inconsistency – including an atypically weaker Crimson Tide roster – caused him to tail off after a strong start in 2025. With only 15 college starts, landing in a spot where he could sit and watch for a year or two – or three – while absorbing first-class tutelage would be hugely beneficial.
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30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
He has average size (6-0, 196) but elite short-area burst and quickness that could make him an ideal complement to Courtland Sutton in Denver's passing game.
31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Generating pressure wasn't a strength in 2025 of the AFC champs, who only got Seattle's Sam Darnold on the ground once in their Super Bowl 60 loss. Faulk is a gem in need of some polish but should be a three-down player who can kick inside on passing downs.
32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
While they'd certainly like to keep Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III , it also didn't sound at the combine like the reigning champs were going to pull out all the financial stops in order to keep him at the expense of other priorities. But Seattle doesn't have the luxury of standing pat in the run game, either, given RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January. Price is a slasher who starred in a timeshare with Love at Notre Dame and could nicely fill Walker's role – maybe Shaheed's, too, if the Seahawks' can't re-sign their pivotal return ace, either.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Combine shakes up entire first-round projection
