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2026 NFL mock draft with trades: Jets get more picks, Chargers fill need
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- 2026 NFL mock draft with trades: Jets get more picks, Chargers fill need
It's mock draft season as the 2026 NFL draft is fast approaching.
Pittsburgh is the host city of the 91stedition of the NFL draft. It's the first time the Steel City's hosted the draft since 1948.
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Indiana product and Heisman Trophy recipient, Fernando Mendoza, is the surefire No. 1 pick after a national championship winning season. But this year's draft is a mystery after the Las Vegas Raiders presumably get their quarterback with the top overall selection.
A total of 257 players will be selected throughout the three-day event. USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon makes some draft predictions in his 2026 first round mock draft:
1. Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza is one of the biggest locks at No. 1 in recent memory. The only question is how many games Mendoza will start as a rookie now that the Raiders signed a bridge QB and mentor Kirk Cousins . Mendoza is a polished quarterback, accurate passer and a good processor.
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2. New York Jets – Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Reese has the versality to play on the line of scrimmage or off the ball. At 6-foot-4, he has the length, athleticism and quickness to be a standout edge rusher. Reese would be an ideal fit in New York's 3-4 defense.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Cardinals have a plethora of holes – as do most teams at the top of the draft. Arizona could target an offensive tackle with an offensive-minded first-year head coach in Mike LaFleur. But Bailey is too intriguing of a prospect to pass up. Bailey is explosive at the line of scrimmage with multiple go-to moves.
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4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Titans have to supply second-year QB Cam Ward with more weapons. Who better than the best running back in this year's draft? Many scouts believe Love is the top offensive player in this year's class. The Titans had the 30thranked run offense in the NFL in 2025.
5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles , Ohio State
The Giants already have a stout front seven. Plugging in Styles at linebacker alongside Tremaine Edmunds would only bolster the unit. New York could also pivot and target an offensive player, but Styles is an elite tackler and boasts the athleticism that will immediately translate to the NFL.
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6. Cleveland Browns – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Tate possesses good agility and body control, which helps him run the route tree. Jerry Jeudy was Cleveland's only wide receiver with over 25 receptions last season. Tate would be a nice complement to Jeudy – and aid whoever starts at QB .
7. Washington Commanders - S Caleb Downs , Ohio State
The run of Ohio State players continues as Downs is the fourth Buckeye selected in the first seven picks. Downs is a playmaker in the defensive backfield. He possesses good ball skills. He can play in the box and line up at nickel corner. Plus, he has the IQ to be an anchor in Washington's secondary.
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8. New Orleans Saints – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
New Orleans ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in total offense last season. Chris Olave , who is routinely on the trading block, is entering the final year of his contract. Tyson will give the Saints necessary insurance if Olave leaves or would create a solid one-two punch on the outside for promising young QB Tyler Shough .
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
The Chiefs need a disruptive playmaker other than Chris Jones on their defensive line. Plenty has been made of Bain's arm length , but he's the most polished edge rusher in this year's class. He has explosive hands plus an assortment of moves to shed blocks.
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10. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Bengals had the worst total defense in the AFC last season. Cincinnati needs to upgrade multiple spots on defense. Delane is a physical corner who plays well in press coverage. He was consistent in coverage throughout his college career.
11. Miami Dolphins – WR Makai Lemon, USC
Someone has to catch passes in Miami after the rebuilding Dolphins released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle . Lemon has sure hands and produces. The 5-foot-11 WR is best suited in the slot in the NFL.
12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Dallas finished 2025 with the NFL's worst pass defense. The Cowboys' inability to get after the QB and shortcomings at cornerback both played a role in the team's poor pass defense. Many believe McCoy would've been the best corner in this year's draft before a torn ACL cost him the entire 2025 season.
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13. Los Angeles Rams – OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
There's certainly a possibility Mauigoa gets drafted within the top 10. But if he's available at No. 13, it's hard to believe the Rams pass on him. Mauigoa can start right away at right tackle. He's the top tackle in this year's draft.
14. Baltimore Ravens – OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Ravens must beef up their interior, especially after losing center Tyler Linderbaum . Ioane is the top-rated guard in this year's draft. He's a tough mauler of a guard who can help pave the way for more rushing lanes for Derrick Henry .
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Edge Akheem Mesidor , Miami
Tampa Bay has needed more pass rush juice for a while. Mesidor is a physical edge rusher who plays with a high motor. The Bucs saw what Mesidor can do as an edge rusher right down the road in the Sunshine State.
16. Trade: New York Jets trade pick to Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
With Sadiq slipping a little bit, the Panthers trade up to select the top tight end in the draft. The Panthers need more firepower on offense – Carolina didn't have a tight end produce more than 30 catches in 2025 – and Sadiq can line up all over the field. He's athletic and can keep the chains moving. The rebuilding Jets get additional draft capital in exchange to add to their nine total draft picks.
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17. Detroit Lions – OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Fano seems like a quintessential Lions pick. The Utah product is the top offensive linemen available and has position flexibility. He can play guard or tackle. Detroit's O-line ranked 31stin pass block win rate last year, per ESPN .
18. Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Replacing long-time veteran Harrison Smith with Thieneman would be a seamless transition. Thieneman is a center fielder at safety with good speed and size.
19. Trade: Carolina Panthers trade pick to New York Jets – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
With multiple needs on both sides of the football, it makes sense for the Jets to trade down in an attempt to gain more assets. The Jets don't have an adequate replacement after they shipped CB Sauce Gardner to Indy. Terrell is a smart instinctive cornerback with good football bloodlines. His brother, A.J., is the Falcons' top cornerback. Opposing QBs had a league best 110.9 passer rating versus the Jets defense.
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20. Dallas Cowboys – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
McNeil-Warren can line up close to the line of scrimmage or play center fielder in Dallas' defensive backfield. The Cowboys have an opportunity to help their poorest secondary in a big way in the first round.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Freeling has good length and athletic ability at tackle. OT Broderick Jones suffered a season-ending neck injury last season and hasn't proved to be the long-term solution at the position.
22. Trade: Los Angeles Chargers trade pick to Cleveland Browns – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
The Browns move up as the top tackles continue to come off the board. The Browns have revamped their offensive line this offseason, and the Lomu addition continues those efforts. The Chargers are prime candidates to trade down because they own just five total picks in this year's draft. The Chargers could fill a need at edge or guard later in the first or second round.
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23. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Blake Miller , Clemson
Standout right tackle Lane Johnson isn't getting any younger. Miller is a potential replacement. He's a natural right tackle with impressive fundamentals at the position.
24. Trade: Cleveland Browns trade pick to Los Angeles Chargers – Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Clemson players go back-to-back. The Chargers lost Odafe Oweh , who thrived as their third edge rusher, in free agency. Los Angeles needs to find a long-term replacement for Khalil Mack . The Chargers traded a couple picks down and got a player who fills an area of need. Parker is a powerful edge rusher and stout run defender with impressive size.
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25. Chicago Bears – Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
The Bears have a glaring hole at edge rusher. Chicago ranked 31stin pass rush win rate, per ESPN . Faulk is a little raw as a pass rusher, but he has good traits and moves well.
26. Buffalo Bills – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
After acquiring DJ Moore via trade , the Bills add more firepower to their wide receiver room. Concepcion showed good separation skills in college. He's at his best in short and intermediate routes.
27. San Francisco 49ers – CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
The 49ers could draft an edge rusher here to pair with Nick Bosa , but a cornerback room with Deommodore Lenoir and Cisse is intriguing. The 6-foot corner has the length and athleticism to play outside corner.
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28. Houston Texans – OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Fixing the offensive line is top priority for the Texans this offseason. Houston ranked had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last year. Bisontis can start at guard as a rookie.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Cornerback is a glaring need for the Chiefs. It's going to be tough to replace cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson , but Hood is a good start. Hood is a polished corner who plays with a physical style.
30. Miami Dolphins – OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor was one of the best tackles in college football last season. The behemoth offensive lineman is a bulldozer. There's also talk that he could slide inside and play guard.
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31. New England Patriots – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
The Patriots would love to see a player like Cooper fall to them. Cooper was Fernando Mendoza's top target at Indiana last season. Cooper can play outside or inside. His ability to make catches in traffic is impressive.
32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Price is a smooth runner with good instincts and vision. He made a name for himself in his own right playing with Notre Dame teammate Jeremiyah Love. The Seahawks lost Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency and Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a knee injury.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Draft 2026: First round mock includes two trade predictions
