Story by
2026 NFL mock draft: Latest predictions ahead of NFL combine
- Story by
- 2026 NFL mock draft: Latest predictions ahead of NFL combine
The dust has settled on the 2025 NFL season with the Seattle Seahawks earning their second Super Bowl title in franchise history. The final whistle of Super Bowl 60 cleared the way for the NFL to fully look ahead to the offseason.
Up first on the offseason schedule is the NFL scouting combine . Every year, hundreds of draft-eligible players come to Indianapolis for athletic and medical testing, interviews and measurements.
Advertisement
We have a good idea of who will be the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, regardless of how the scouting combine goes. Many of the top players are locks barring a shockingly bad performance in some drills or medical issues.
As always, some players will be standouts during testing and potentially increase their stock ahead of the NFL Draft. Ahead of those potential changes, here's our latest prediction for how the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft will go:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders : QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
This will continue to be the projected pick all the way until Las Vegas is on the clock to open the draft. Mendoza is by far the top quarterback in the group who plays with shades of Joe Burrow . He'll usher in a new era for the Raiders.
Advertisement
2. New York Jets : LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
If you can't get a quarterback, get the best player in the class. Reese can do everything and would immediately be a key contributor for the Jets' defense. He'd be a force multiplier for the unit on the second level.
3. Arizona Cardinals : OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Arizona is one of the toughest teams to predict. After going almost all-in on defense in their last draft class, the Cardinals bolster the offense with Fano, our top offensive lineman prospect. He could be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle.
4. Tennessee Titans : Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Tennessee has one of the best interior duos on the defensive line with Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat. They need help off the edge and get just that with Bailey, the most productive edge rusher in college football in 2025. His smaller frame will raise some run-defense concerns, but you can't argue with his pass-rush production.
Advertisement
5. New York Giants : WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
We're sticking with prior thinking and putting Tate with the Giants once again. He's a contested catch merchant with the route-running chops to be a solid fit opposite Malik Nabers . If Tate is your No. 2 wideout, things are looking pretty good on offense.
6. Cleveland Browns : WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
With Tate off the board, Cleveland chooses the next-best wideout in Tyson (some would argue the No. 1 WR in the class). He consistently separates against coverage and is a touchdown machine. Whoever plays quarterback for Cleveland in 2026 will appreciate that.
Advertisement
7. Washington Commanders : Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
The Commanders' defense needs youth on every level and Bain feels like the powerful presence on the defensive line Dan Quinn would like. His arm length may force him inside, but his power sets him apart in a strong edge-rusher class.
8. New Orleans Saints : RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
New Orleans needs more offensive playmakers around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough and Love is the best offensive prospect in the class. He's the ideal modern back who can take it the distance as a rusher or receiver out of the backfield.
9. Kansas City Chiefs : S Caleb Downs , Ohio State
The Chiefs have more pressing needs than safety but Kansas City can't pass up a chance at one of the best players in the class. Downs is a game-changer in the secondary who reminds many of former Chiefs star Eric Berry .
Advertisement
10. Cincinnati Bengals : CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The top edge rushers are off the board and it feels like a stretch to reach for another. Instead, Cincinnati opts for the best cornerback on the board. Delane was a shutdown technician for LSU in 2025 and is as pro-ready as they get in this class for a team that desperately needs more out of its pass defense.
11. Miami Dolphins : CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
New head coach Jeff Hafley's background is in the secondary and the Dolphins need talent everywhere in the back end. McCoy has the skillset to fit multiple schemes with prototypical size. The only question mark is his health.
Advertisement
12. Dallas Cowboys : LB Sonny Styles , Ohio State
Styles is one of the best athletes in the class which the Cowboys need in the second level of their defense. It is a deep linebacker class but the Cowboys only have two picks in the top 100 and should use a premium asset on a premium talent at a position of need.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta ): OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
As soon as Rob Havenstein announced his retirement, this pick feels more likely. Mauigoa started the last three years at right tackle for the Hurricanes and missed just one snap in that time. His power and anchor will fit what the Rams want to do in the run game.
Advertisement
14. Baltimore Ravens : IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Two of Baltimore's five offensive line starters from last year are hitting free agency, including left guard Daniel Faalele . Ioane is the best pure-interior offensive line prospect in the class and would be a road-grading presence in the middle for the Ravens' run game under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay needs more from its edge rushers and Howell has the track record. He tallied 75 pressures and 16 sacks in his last two seasons with the Aggies. His shorter frame raises questions about run defense but his pass-rush production is undeniably a benefit for the Buccaneers' defense.
Advertisement
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis ): WR Makai Lemon, USC
Who will play quarterback for the Jets next year is far from settled. Whoever it is would love to see Lemon lining up in the slot. The USC product is nearly allergic to drops and has a knack for finding extra yards after the catch.
17. Detroit Lions : OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
This feels like a near-lock. Proctor is an elite athlete for his size and may be best starting out at guard before moving outside with time to develop his immense raw talent. Based on their performance on Thanksgiving alone, Detroit could use more bodies on the interior of the offensive line.
Advertisement
18. Minnesota Vikings : DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Cornerback is a popular pick for the Vikings here at No. 18 but we're trying something a bit different. Banks looks to be fully healed from a foot injury and showed off his talents at the Senior Bowl. At a nimble 6-foot-6 and 334 pounds, he could be a headache for the run games of the NFC North.
19. Carolina Panthers : Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Carolina has several options here. Considering the board, we're opting for the top edge rusher left in the group. Faulk has inside-out versatility thanks to his size and athleticism. He's young as well and can develop alongside Derrick Brown .
Advertisement
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay ): CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
If Dallas stays put at No. 20, it has to address the secondary, specifically at cornerback. Hood shined with teammate McCoy sidelined for all of 2025 and offers ideal size for the outside (6-foot, 195 pounds). He operates best in man coverage or Cover 2 assignments thanks to his burst and leverage.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers : CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Pittsburgh has many needs, but improving the secondary's speed and athleticism has to be high on the priority list. Terrell plays bigger and more aggressively than his 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. He's a turnover machine in both coverage (3 INTs, 17 PBUs) and run defense (8 forced fumbles) in his career.
Advertisement
22. Los Angeles Chargers : OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Los Angeles ' troubles on the interior offensive line are well-documented. Lomu played left tackle for the Utes but should start his career at guard to develop his impressive raw tools. His athleticism should complement new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's run schemes.
23. Philadelphia Eagles : TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Philadelphia usually reserves its top picks for the trenches, wide receiver or secondary. We're making an exception for the top pass-catcher on the board. Sadiq is a dynamic threat at tight end who has plenty of runway to develop and fill free agent Dallas Goedert 's shoes in time.
Advertisement
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville ): OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
All five starters from the Browns ' offensive line in 2025 are free agents. They need help everywhere and Freeling may be the best option at this point. His massive frame at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds and athleticism give him the tools to develop into a starter for Cleveland.
25. Chicago Bears : Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Chicago's defense can't rely on turnovers again in 2026. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's defenses in New Orleans were at their best with long, powerful edge rushers like Parker. He needs to develop beyond his speed-to-power moves but offers a lot even as a rookie for the Bears.
Advertisement
26. Buffalo Bills : WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Buffalo promoted Joe Brady to head coach to continue being a top-five offense in the league. The Bills desperately need more dynamic weapons in the wide receiver room and Concepcion is one of the most explosive in the class. He's a threat in space and will complement the players already in-house for Buffalo.
27. San Francisco 49ers : WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The 49ers need more help at the wide receiver position with Brandon Aiyuk all but certain to play elsewhere in 2026. Boston is a big body (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) who has just five drops on 204 career targets. He wins with physicality and route-running and is a better value on the board at this point for the 49ers' needs.
Advertisement
28. Houston Texans : DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Houston's defense was one of the best in the NFL in 2025 but could use more help along the interior defensive line. Woods looked like a top-five pick coming into the 2025 college football season but underperformed. He's shown flashes and would be in the environment to improve with time.
29. Los Angeles Rams : CB Chris Johnson , San Diego State
The Rams relied on their defensive front to overcome deficiencies in the secondary. Not anymore. Johnson is a small-school riser with the ideal size and impressive production; he's allowed just two touchdowns in three years as a starter and notched six interceptions.
Advertisement
30. Denver Broncos : LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Denver's dominant defense will have some holes to fill in 2026, specifically at linebacker and defensive tackle. We're opting for the former here. Allen lacks the size of the Ohio State duo but stands out versus the run and is a sideline-to-sideline defender.
31. New England Patriots : OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
New England 's offensive line took a beating in the Super Bowl, so the team bolsters the position here with Tiernan. The massive four-year starter for Northwestern has the ideal length and movement skills for pass protection.
32. Seattle Seahawks : CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Seattle will likely lose their long, athletic cornerback Riq Woolen in free agency so they draft his potential successor here. Cisse is one of the best athletes at the position in the class but often gave up too many big plays in college. Seattle could be the right place to mold his skills into a long-term starter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Chiefs get potential star in top 10
