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2026 NFL mock draft: QBs go 1-2-3 in latest postseason mock
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- 2026 NFL mock draft: QBs go 1-2-3 in latest postseason mock
And then there were 14.
The NFL playoff field is set and it's time to advance to the most exciting time of the year. Legacies will be shaped by what occurs over the next five weeks on the road to Levi's Stadium and Super Bowl 60.
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But for a majority of NFL fans, it's on to the offseason. There's a lot of turnover in coaching; at the time of publishing, there are seven vacancies: Arizona , Atlanta , Baltimore , Cleveland , Las Vegas , Tennessee and the New York Giants .
Each of those teams has time to interview and select the best candidates for their future plans to get back to contention. Those hires will have a quick turnaround before arguably the biggest way for their new franchises to improve: the NFL Draft.
NFL coaching moves live updates: Latest rumors, news on teams' searches
Postseason stage is set: Road to Super Bowl 60 rife with pitfalls, potholes and yes, potential
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An influx of young talent in combination with a new coaching staff can make a huge difference on the field - just ask the New England Patriots . They went from picking in the top five of the 2025 NFL Draft to the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs with a new coach and some key additions at left tackle ( Will Campbell ) and running back ( TreVeyon Henderson ) via the draft.
This year's class looks to offer a lot of options for teams looking for help on the defensive line, interior offensive line, wide receiver and linebacker. The quarterback class includes a trio of likely first-rounders and a few options on Day 2.
Where will that trio end up? Here's our latest predictions for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft now that the first 18 picks are set:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders : QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
There's going to be a new coach in Las Vegas in 2026 and we figure a new quarterback will come with him, too. Of the top two options at quarterback, Mendoza provides the higher floor but a lower ceiling. Mendoza's football IQ, processing, accuracy, size and NFL-caliber arm mean he should fit in the league. Can he be a top 10 quarterback? Maybe, maybe not. But the Raiders need an answer for the future, even with questions all over the roster.
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2. New York Jets : QB Dante Moore , Oregon
New York has more top-100 draft capital than any other team in the next two years. Given how bad the passing offense looked with Brady Cook to end the season, Moore will be a welcome change. He's young and may return to Eugene but if not, New York would be a good fit. The Jets' offensive line is promising and would fit the best pure passer in this class. Moore needs time to develop as a processor but the tools are there.
3. Arizona Cardinals : QB Ty Simpson , Alabama
This is likely a reach but Simpson could break into the top three if the new coaching staff opts to move on from Kyler Murray . Simpson, like Moore, has just one year of starting experience in college. He showed impressive flashes throughout that one season, though, with ideal accuracy, pocket presence, timing and good mobility.
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4. Tennessee Titans : LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Tennessee stays put and gets the best prospect in the draft in Reese. He's an outlier athlete at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds who could legitimately rush the passer off the edge, spy opposing quarterbacks, handle tight ends or running backs in coverage and hit the hole hard in run defense. He's the crown jewel in a stacked linebacker class.
5. New York Giants : WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Thanks to their win over the Cowboys , New York's played themselves out of position to get a bevy of picks for their top-five selection. No problem; they'll get a solid running mate for star Malik Nabers to make life easier for Jaxson Dart . Tate is a contested catch merchant with some of the surest hands in the class. He'd be a vertical threat despite his lack of elite speed to complement Nabers' dynamic abilities in space.
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6. Cleveland Browns : OT Spencer Fano, Utah
This may be a slight reach but much of the Browns ' offensive line is hitting free agency this coming offseason. The defense is ready to contend and the Browns can't waste much more time. We reckon they stick with a veteran option and shore up the front with the best available offensive lineman. Fano's a standout right tackle thanks to his athleticism and hand usage. His leaner frame may keep him at guard long-term but either option would help Cleveland .
7. Washington Commanders : Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Washington has relied too much on aging veterans off the edge on defense. No more. Dan Quinn gets a powerful, productive edge in Bain. His arm length may force him inside long-term but his production is too good to ignore. His game is reminiscent of George Karlaftis and he'd immediately help a needy pass rush room.
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8. New Orleans Saints : WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyler Shough 's played his way into a starting role in 2026, throwing to the likes of Dante Pettis , Kevin Austin and Audric Estime in Week 18. Let's give him some better weapons. Tyson is the top wide receiver in the class, but may drop in the first round due to injury history. When healthy, he's an impressive route-runner with alignment versatility who can separate at will against coverage.
9. Kansas City Chiefs : Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
The Chiefs find themselves in the top 10 of the draft for the first time since 2017, when they traded up for Patrick Mahomes . It's very tempting to give Mahomes another weapon on offense, but instead, we're taking the long view for the defense. Faulk is a toolsy pass rusher with great size (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) and one of the younger prospects in the class with lots of room for development. His inside-outside versatility would fit well alongside Karlaftis in the future for Kansas City.
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10. Cincinnati Bengals : S Caleb Downs , Ohio State
Cincinnati needs a lot of help on defense after being one of the worst units in the league. They go for value here with one of the best players in the class, regardless of position. Downs is a force multiplier in the secondary with ideal size (6-foot, 205 pounds), athleticism, coverage skills and run defense presence. His football IQ sets him apart from prior safeties. Safety is not a flashy position but he could raise the level of the secondary as a whole.
11. Miami Dolphins : CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy didn't play at all in 2025 due to an ACL injury suffered in January but his ranking as the top cornerback in the class reflects his promising tools. He has ideal size for outside corner at 6-foot and 195 pounds and would be absolutely welcome in a needy secondary room. That need may increase if the Dolphins lose coordinator Anthony Weaver in this hiring cycle.
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12. Dallas Cowboys : RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love is the most dynamic offensive weapon in this draft and cannot fall farther than the Cowboys. He's the ideal back for the modern NFL with solid size (6-foot, 214 pounds), game-changing speed and proven ability as a receiver out of the backfield. The Cowboys had one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2025 with Javonte Williams at running back. Adding Love in could make them terrifying for opponents.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta ): CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
If Delane is available at this spot, it's hard to imagine the Rams passing on him. Los Angeles ' strength on defense lies in its front; when the front four isn't generating pressure, talent deficiencies on the back end can crop up. Delane was arguably the best cornerback in college football in 2025 thanks to his technician-like abilities in coverage. He's not a top athlete like McCoy but relies on his football IQ to shut down opposing receivers. Quarterbacks just didn't throw at him: he faced only 35 targets in 11 games.
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14. Baltimore Ravens : Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Baltimore finished the season 29th in pressure rate, per NFL Next Gen Stats, and needs immediate help off the edge. Bailey could fit that bill as he was the best edge rusher in college football in 2025. He led the FBS in pressures, sacks and quarterback hits. His size (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) raises some questions about his run defense, but he's such a good pass rusher that he'd have a ton of value as a rookie.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Tampa Bay 's defense has regressed over the last two years and finished the 2025 regular season 20th in points allowed. They spent a lot of draft capital on promising defensive backs last year and it was between edge rusher and linebacker at this spot. We ultimately went with the toolsy Parker who could grow into a better player in the NFL after a disappointing 2025 campaign for the Tigers. He has the ideal size (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) with great physicality that could complement the team's speedier edge rushers.
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16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis ): WR Makai Lemon, USC
New York bolsters the passing game even more with this year's version of Emeka Egbuka . Lemon won't test off the charts but the tape shows a reliable slot receiver with dependable hands who has a knack for finding holes in zone coverage. He rarely loses yardage in his routes and could be a chain-mover for the offense sooner than later.
17. Detroit Lions : OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor is the choice here with his background at left tackle for the Crimson Tide. He is an outlier athlete at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds but needs to improve his consistency. In Detroit , he could realistically start out at one of the guard positions before moving over to left tackle long-term as the future replacement for Taylor Decker , who missed time with an injury in 2025 and will be 33 next season.
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18. Minnesota Vikings : CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The final of the non-playoff teams gets much-needed help in the secondary here. Minnesota shelled out to keep Byron Murphy Jr. last offseason, but it needs young talent in the secondary. Terrell is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds but he plays with a tenacity that should fit in the NFC North. He's an ideal fit for the zone schemes Brian Flores deploys creatively for the Vikings. There's also the NFL bloodlines part of his evaluation. Terrell's older brother, A.J., has been a longtime starter for the Falcons .
19. Carolina Panthers : TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
This came down to a skill position player on offense or defensive line help. We went with the former and the most dynamic tight end in this class. Sadiq is a vertical threat in a 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame. He's one of the younger prospects in the class and will have plenty of runway to grow into a long-term difference maker. He's a willing blocker as well, which will fit in the Panthers' strengths on offense.
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20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay ): LB Sonny Styles , Ohio State
Dallas is disappointed with where this pick falls, as it's too late for one of the top three cornerbacks. It's their last pick until the fourth round, so they address the second-biggest need on defense with Styles. He was the top prospect at the position entering 2025; his drop in status to No. 2 is all due to Reese's rise. Styles is another 6-foot-4, 240-pound elite athlete who can handle myriad assignments on defense.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers : WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Steelers' offense struggled with D.K. Metcalf out of the lineup and they need another reliable pass-catcher for whoever plays quarterback next season. Boston is a big-bodied receiver who wins at the catch point with physicality. His burst and 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame will make him a red zone threat sooner than later. His run-blocking chops will also fit in Pittsburgh under coordinator Arthur Smith.
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22. Los Angeles Chargers : OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
This may be a dream scenario for Jim Harbaugh. Mauigoa falls out of the top 20 and gives the Chargers ideal value for a needy offensive line. He's spent his college career in Miami at right tackle but could have a higher ceiling at guard in the NFL. His mauling, powerful presence at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds would be an immediate upgrade for the interior in Los Angeles. And, if need be, he could kick out to tackle in a pinch.
23. Philadelphia Eagles : CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Philadelphia has a few needs on the roster but No. 2 cornerback may be the most glaring. The Jaire Alexander experiment did not work and the team needs an option long-term. Cisse is an outstanding athlete with great size at 6-foot and 190 pounds. His lone season in South Carolina was solid with just 18 catches allowed on 38 targets. He'll need to improve his discipline, though. Those 18 catches averaged 20.1 yards.
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24. Buffalo Bills : LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Allen would be the top linebacker in many classes but the Ohio State duo of Reese and Styles changes that. He's a consistent tackler with good athleticism in a 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame to handle covering tight ends and running backs. His stout run defense will be welcome for a Bills unit that's regressed in 2025.
25. Chicago Bears : DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Woods entered the season as one of the top prospects in the class with impressive tools in a 6-foot-3, 315-pound frame. But consistency issues have kept him from reaching that potential in a down 2025 season. Still, his flashes show a player with Pro Bowl upside in run defense and pass rush scenarios. The Bears get a difference-maker in the trenches to improve their defense going forward.
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26. San Francisco 49ers : Edge LT Overton , Alabama
The 49ers' defense generated the second-lowest pressure rate in the regular season as injuries decimated the defense. Overton could be the kind of tweener they'd welcome on the defensive line to bolster the trenches again in the first round. At 6-foot-5 and 278 pounds, he offers the kind of length the team likes at the position. He took a step back in total pressures in 2025 compared to 2024 (25 to 34) but was more efficient (five sacks in 2025 to three in 2024).
27. Houston Texans : OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Houston continues rebuilding the offensive line with the top interior offensive line prospect in the class. Ioane is a mover at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds with a mean streak in run blocking. His strong anchor will pay off against interior pressure in pass protection as well.
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28. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville ): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
We opted against going two-for-two on the offensive line here. Instead, the Browns get a dynamic weapon on the outside for what was one of the worst passing offenses in the league in 2025. Concepcion is a threat to take it the distance at any point when he gets the ball in space. He'd open things up for Jerry Jeudy and promising rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and offer immediate value as a returner as well.
29. Los Angeles Rams : WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
The Rams have an extension looming for Puka Nacua and Davante Adams has one year left on his current deal. Los Angeles has to be thinking ahead for the future at the position and Brazzell's skillset is intriguing. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound wideout took a step in 2025 thanks to his burst off the line and improvement in underneath routes. He still is a contested catch target thanks to his size and improved greatly on his drops in 2025 (only two on 87 targets).
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30. New England Patriots : OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
New England needs to prioritize protecting Drake Maye in addition to getting him more weapons. We figure there will be pass-catchers available in Round 2, so we opt for the top tackle on the board in Tiernan. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle hasn't missed a snap in four years for the Wildcats and has the length to be a solid pass protector from Day 1.
31. Denver Broncos : DT A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
Washington's been a riser all year thanks to a strong season in Eugene and could rise higher with more tape from the College Football Playoff (CFP). His elite quickness for a player at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds sets him apart from others in the class. His ideal strength shows up in run defense as well. He'd help ease some concerns over potentially losing John Franklin-Myers in free agency.
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32. Seattle Seahawks : OL Caleb Lomu, Utah
The Seahawks' offensive line could use some help on the interior, so we bring in the longtime Utes left tackle Lomu. Like his Utah teammate Fano, he played tackle in college but could end up at guard long-term because of his leaner frame (6-foot-6, 308 pounds). He's a young prospect with plenty of room for development, given his ideal tools and solid feel for the game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Cardinals make it three QBs at top of the order
