Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Round 1 With Trades

Story by

Story by
Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Round 1 With Trades

Andrew Buller-Russ · Sportsnaut

Wed, Apr 22, 2026 ·

13 min read

About Our Ads

With less than 48 hours to go before the three-day event kicks off, it’s time for our final take at Sportsnaut ’s 2026 NFL mock draft, projecting each pick from 1-32. While starters and impact role players will be found later on, the first round is where stars are born. Here’s who we think could hear their names selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

1. Las Vegas Raiders : Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Building the rest of the foundation will be key, but the Raiders don’t hesitate to take a chance on Fernando Mendoza developing into their next franchise QB. Kirk Cousins is an incredible addition who will show the rookie how to prepare his mind and body for a full 17-game season.

2. New York Jets : David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

NCAA Football: Oklahoma State at Texas Tech — Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

After winning just three games last season, the Jets really can’t afford to fail. While Arvell Reese has more upside, Bailey has a higher floor, and a better chance to make an immediate impact. With Bailey, the Jets will have a star pass-rusher again, and the T’Vondre Sweat trade should help take attention away from Bailey early on.

3. Kansas City Chiefs * (Trade w/AZ): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl-Miami at Ohio State — Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Chiefs trade: No. 9 + No. 29

Cardinals trade: No. 3

Aggressively moving up the board to land who many have ranked as the best prospect in the draft class, the Chiefs are taking a chance on Reese’s superstar potential. Kansas City can afford a miss or two, but if Reese can put it all together at the next level, they’ll have an annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate, which is scary considering they still have Patrick Mahomes to lead the offense.

4. Tennessee Titans : Sonny Styles , LB, Ohio State

Jeremiyah Love is a very realistic option here. Yet, first-year head coach Robert Saleh may pound the table for the freak 6-foot-5 linebacker instead. Styles is one of, if not the best, linebacker prospects the NFL has seen since Patrick Willis , and he’s worth taking a chance on for a team still searching for their defensive identity.

5. New York Giants : Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Let’s do this. By adding Love, the Giants are building a super backfield with Jaxson Dart , Cam Skattebo , and Tyrone Tracy. Love gives the Giants’ franchise QB a safety valve out of the backfield, while also bringing true home run potential to New York. Who wouldn’t want to add an MVP candidate at No. 5? The irony here is that the Giants did recently have an MVP-caliber running back, but their GM let him sign with a division rival, essentially handing them a Super Bowl in the process.

6. Cleveland Browns : Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

NCAA Football: Colorado at Utah — Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Francis Mauigoa had been projected here, but a recent back flare-up could cause concern. Meanwhile, Spencer Fano has experience at tackle, and if for some reason he can’t stick there, he’d be willing to play literally any other position along the line. With the Browns needing long-term help at multiple spots, Fano seems like the perfect fit in Cleveland.

7. Washington Commanders : Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Commanders can’t afford not to get Jayden Daniels some more help. So, they cross off their checklist early with the best receiver prospect in the draft. Tate clocked a 4.4. 40-yard dash, and he’s extremely polished after a college career at Ohio State, which has been producing some of the best pass-catchers in the nation.

8. New Orleans Saints : Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

Since Tate is gone, the Saints turn to the best player available, and that unquestionably leads them to Rueben Bain Jr. The short-armed pass-rusher is uber-productive, and New Orleans can’t afford to overlook superstar potential.

9. Arizona Cardinals * (Trade w/KC): Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)

Cardinals trade: No. 3

Chiefs trade: No. 9 + No. 29

The Cardinals win here by adding the late-first-round pick needed to also secure their potential franchise quarterback. For now, they boost their foundation with Mauigoa, who had been viewed as the best lineman in the class before a recent medical check turned up a potential back issue. But the Cardinals are in this for the long haul, not to compete in 2026.

10. New York Giants (via CIN): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

NCAA Football: Texas Tech at Arizona State — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Giants would have to feel great about their first-round haul, boosting their rushing attack, and now adding a game-changing weapon to pair with Malik Nabers . Tyson is a large, explosive option, and a big play waiting to happen. He, along with Love, would drastically upgrade this offense’s scoring potential.

11. Miami Dolphins : Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Oklahoma — Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dolphins have several needs, but they can’t overlook a prospect with shutdown cornerback potential. Mansoor Delane is widely considered the best CB in the draft class, and he’d bring quickness and physicality to Miami’s secondary.

12. Dallas Cowboys : Caleb Downs , S, Ohio State

A dream scenario plays out for a Cowboys team that’s open to moving up for a blue-chip prospect. The Cowboys may have other needs that are greater, but getting a top-10 talent at 12 is a big win. Plus, Caleb Downs is the type of football mind who will quickly develop into a team captain and defensive leader.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

NCAA Football: Peach Bowl-Oregon vs Indiana — Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

I just love the idea of further weaponizing Sean McVay’s offense. That could be done with a receiver, but why not give the offense that uses the most tight ends an elite option who will be a mismatch nightmare on any given snap? Good luck stopping the fastest tight end in combine history, plus Puka Nacua , Davante Adams , and Matthew Stafford .

14. Baltimore Ravens : Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Penn State at Boise State — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Maybe it’s a bit early to pluck a guard, but that can be said about a lot of prospects/positions in this draft class. Olaivavega Ioane will be coming off the draft board in the teens (if not higher), and the Ravens ensure their woeful interior offensive line gets a significant upgrade.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser — Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Buccaneers would likely prefer to stabilize their offensive line, but it never hurts to reinforce the defensive trenches either. Keldric Faulk will be a defensive coordinator’s dream, capable of rushing off the edge or occasionally as a down lineman with his 6-foot-5, 275-pound frame.

16. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

NCAA Football: UCLA at Southern California — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Omar Cooper Jr. is reportedly high on the Jets’ draft board, but New York may not have expected Makai Lemon to slip this far. The 6-foot-2 receiver is a matchup nightmare in the slot, and he’ll make life easier on Jets QBs for years to come.

17. Detroit Lions : Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

NFL: Scouting Combine — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-7 Kadyn Proctor is the exact type of prospect that Dan Campbell loves. He plays with grit, bringing a unique level of physicality to the trenches. Projected to be the Lions’ starting right tackle, Proctor may even be able to switch to guard if life as a tackle doesn’t work out, but he has All-Pro potential at either spot.

18. Minnesota Vikings : Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

NCAA Football: Oklahoma State at Oregon — Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

It’s a common scenario that’s been overplayed in mock drafts, but there’s a reason Dillon Thieneman is so commonly projected to land in Minnesota. Brian Flores loves to employ three safeties, and the Vikings only have one starter at the position right now. Thieneman will be more athletic than Harrison Smith was, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some growing pains in coverage.

19. Carolina Panthers : Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Miami vs Indiana — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Carolina isn’t afraid to draft a wide receiver in the first round three years in a row. They wouldn’t have to if Xavier Legette developed properly. Yet, there’s a strong belief that Omar Cooper can make life easier on Bryce Young , taking short passes for long gains on a regular basis.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Akheem Mesidor , EDGE, Miami (FL)

Upgrading the secondary while boosting the pass-rush? That checks off two important boxes for the Dallas defense. They’ll have to get a middle linebacker later, but getting a potential star pass-rusher is more important for a defense that won’t ever replace Micah Parsons ’ production.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers : Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

NCAA Football: Georgia at Mississippi — Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Broderick Jones has not only not been good enough at left tackle, but he also went down with a serious neck injury late last season, and there have been questions about how quickly he’ll be ready for 2026. Monroe Freeling would allow Jones to compete at right tackle, possibly moving Troy Fautanu to guard to strengthen Pittsburgh’s trenches as a whole.

22. Los Angeles Chargers : Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

NCAA Football: Toledo at Washington State — James Snook-Imagn Images

Derwin James is elite, but the Chargers tend to employ him as a nickelback. Meanwhile, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would get a crash course from one of the NFL’s best safeties, and the 6-foot-3 presence brings a similar skillset that the Chargers could certainly utilize.

23. Philadelphia Eagles : Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

NCAA Football: Arizona State at Baylor — Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Howie Roseman is always a year ahead. Here, the Eagles land their right tackle of the future in Max Iheanachor, who has only been playing football for four years. Yet, he has great feet and a tough mentality that won’t get him bullied in the trenches. He could develop into the best tackle in the class.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

NCAA Football: CFP National Playoff First Round-Game 2-Miami at Texas A&M — Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The Browns upgraded their offensive line early; now they need to give their quarterbacks a fighting chance by adding a weapon. KC Concepcion is a matchup nightmare, burning defenders with ease and making them look silly with his moves after the catch. He’ll be a godsend for a Cleveland team that needs more playmakers.

25. Chicago Bears : Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch — Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kayden McDonald is not a three-down player for now. But he’s the best run-stopper in the draft class, and you can bet the Bears will find a way to get him on the field for early downs. He’ll be a significant upgrade for this defensive front.

26. Buffalo Bills : CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

NCAA Football: Georgia at Georgia Tech — Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Bills have done an insane amount of work on inside linebacker prospects this year. With only two selections in the top 100 picks, they address one of their most urgent needs without having to worry about how the draft board falls later.

27. San Francisco 49ers : Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

NCAA Football: Tennessee at Vanderbilt — Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The 49ers benefit from Jermod McCoy’s medical check coming back with red flags. Coming off a torn ACL, some docs believe McCoy has a degenerative knee condition , but the 49ers can afford to take a chance on a prospect with CB1 potential at the end of the first round.

28. Houston Texans : Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Texans don’t have many immediate needs. They could trade down and collect more draft capital. Trading up could also be an option for a team with eight picks and four in the top 100. If they stick and pick, a defensive tackle could be in play, and Woods offers star potential; he just needs more consistency. But he’d have a better chance to succeed playing next to Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter .

29. Arizona Cardinals* (via KC): Ty Simpson , QB, Alabama

NCAA Football: UL Monroe at Alabama — David Leong-Imagn Images

Cardinals trade: No. 3

Chiefs trade: No. 9 + No. 29

There’s been a lot of smoke connecting Ty Simpson to the Cardinals, especially near the end of the first round. We’d prefer Simpson in the second, but we also understand the importance of securing a QB for a team without one. Of the QBs left, Simpson has the best chance to produce early on.

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Now the Dolphins have added a potential CB1 and WR1. The 6-foot-4 Denzel Boston gives Malik Willis a huge, sure-handed target near the red zone. He’s even handled some punt returns and will be a willing blocker.

31. New England Patriots : Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

With Morgan Moses recently turning 35, the Patriots need to start thinking about the long-term upside of their offensive line. Caleb Lomu may need a year of seasoning before he’s ready to thrive, yet the Patriots will be pleased with his athletic ability early on.

32. Seattle Seahawks : Chris Johnson , CB, San Diego State

With just four selections across three days, the Seahawks will be desperate to trade down. If they’re forced to stick and pick, don’t be surprised if they target a cornerback with upside. Chris Johnson may be a small-school prospect, but the 6-foot-1 cornerback is uber-instinctive, and he isn’t afraid to show up in run defense either.

Related Headlines

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: