2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 With Trades (2/24) By J.P. Davidson
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
Pick: 1st Overall
Position: Quarterback
College: Indiana
The Raiders aren’t planning on trading the 1st overall pick this year. If you haven’t figured that out yet, it’s because the Heisman is on the board. Fernando Mendoza projects as the next quarterback for Las Vegas but will need the Raiders to be aggressive in free agency to give him the best chance to succeed early at the NFL level.
2. New York Jets – Rueben Bain (DE, Miami FL)
Pick: 2nd Overall
Position: Defensive End
College: Miami (FL)
The Jets are in need of a blue-chip defensive prospect, and it comes down to Bain or Arvell Reese. Bain is a three-down defender with high-end athletic traits. While arm length is a concern, his upside and versatility make him an ideal fit in the Jets’ defensive system as they continue building toward contention.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese (OLB, Ohio State)
Pick: 3rd Overall
Position: Outside Linebacker
College: Ohio State
The Cardinals land a perfect fit. Reese has shown pass-rush ability as a 5-tech but projects best as a Mike linebacker, a major position of need for Arizona. With his versatility and leadership, Reese can help set a new defensive culture for the Cardinals.
4. Tennessee Titans – David Bailey (DE, Texas Tech)
Pick: 4th Overall
Position: Defensive End
College: Texas Tech
The Titans struggled mightily to generate edge pressure, finishing near the bottom of the league in pass defense. Bailey is a three-down edge defender with strong gap discipline and upside as a pass rusher. Tennessee gets arguably the best edge defender in the class here.
5. New York Giants – Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
Pick: 5th Overall
Position: Safety
College: Ohio State
Drafting a safety in the top five is unconventional, but modern NFL defenses demand elite box safeties. Downs fits that mold perfectly. With his experience under Nick Saban and elite instincts, he gives the Giants a cornerstone defender to build around.
6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
Pick: 6th Overall
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Ohio State
With uncertainty at quarterback, the Browns choose to build around the position by adding the most pro-ready receiver in the draft. Tate is polished, explosive, and carries legitimate Pro Bowl upside from day one.
7. Washington Commanders – Sonny Styles (ILB, Ohio State)
Pick: 7th Overall
Position: Inside Linebacker
College: Ohio State
Styles is an aggressive, instinctive linebacker with elite athleticism from his early days at safety. Washington needs a defensive leader, and Styles brings All-Pro potential to the heart of the Commanders defense.
8. Los Angeles Rams (via Saints) – Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Pick: 8th Overall
Position: Cornerback
College: LSU
The Rams trade up to secure arguably the best corner in the draft. Delane thrives in man coverage and brings sticky, physical coverage ability to a secondary that desperately needs help.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
Pick: 9th Overall
Position: Running Back
College: Notre Dame
Love is the most pro-ready offensive weapon in the draft. With Isiah Pacheco’s workload increasing and production tapering, Love gives Kansas City another dynamic playmaker to keep the offense elite.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jerrod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
Pick: 10th Overall
Position: Cornerback
College: Tennessee
Despite missing the 2025 season with an ACL injury, McCoy’s ball skills and upside make him worth the risk. Cincinnati needs defensive help badly, and McCoy can be a Day 1 difference-maker if healthy.
11. Miami Dolphins – Jordan Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
Pick: 11th Overall
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Arizona State
With Tyreek Hill no longer on the roster, Miami desperately needs a true WR1. Tyson is a 6’2 playmaker with elite route running and strong hands. Injury history will scare some teams away, but the upside is undeniable. If healthy, he can step in immediately and become Tua’s top target.
12. Detroit Lions (via Cowboys) – Francis Mauigoa (OL, Miami FL)
Pick: 12th Overall
Position: Offensive Lineman
College: Miami (FL)
Detroit trades up to land the best offensive tackle in the class. Mauigoa brings power, versatility, and a nasty demeanor up front. Whether at tackle or guard, he instantly upgrades a Lions offensive line looking to dominate the trenches.
13. New Orleans Saints (via Rams) – Keldric Faulk (DE/DT, Auburn)
Pick: 13th Overall
Position: Defensive Line
College: Auburn
Faulk is a rare defensive lineman who can win inside or outside. With Cameron Jordan nearing the end of his career, Faulk projects as his long-term replacement. His length, athleticism, and run defense make him a perfect fit for New Orleans.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
Pick: 14th Overall
Position: Wide Receiver
College: USC
The Ravens capitalize on incredible value by landing the Biletnikoff winner. Lemon adds elite playmaking ability to an offense already featuring Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. If Baltimore doesn’t address guard here, this pick becomes a luxury with massive upside.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
Pick: 15th Overall
Position: Tight End
College: Oregon
With Cade Otton approaching free agency, Tampa Bay secures a dynamic tight end. Sadiq offers elite athleticism, reliable hands, and strong blocking ability. He gives Baker Mayfield a dangerous new weapon, especially with Mike Evans’ future uncertain.
16. New York Jets (via Colts) – Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Pick: 16th Overall
Position: Cornerback
College: Clemson
After moving Sauce Gardner, the Jets reload with Terrell. More than just A.J.’s brother, Avieon is a lockdown corner with elite mirroring skills. He can play inside or outside and becomes a foundational piece of the Jets’ rebuild.
17. Dallas Cowboys (via Lions) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
Pick: 17th Overall
Position: Safety
College: Toledo
The Cowboys trade down and still land their guy. McNeil-Warren is the top Group of Five prospect in the draft, controlling the middle of the field with elite range. Dallas finally secures the star safety they’ve been missing.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
Pick: 18th Overall
Position: Safety
College: Oregon
With Harrison Smith likely gone, Thieneman steps in as his successor. He excels in zone coverage, plays downhill in the run game, and brings leadership to a struggling Vikings secondary.
19. Carolina Panthers – T.J. Parker (DE, Clemson)
Pick: 19th Overall
Position: Defensive End
College: Clemson
Once considered the top edge defender in college football, Parker rebounds after a strong Senior Bowl showing. He’s a three-down defender with upside as a run stopper and pass rusher, fitting perfectly into Carolina’s young edge rotation.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) – C.J. Allen (ILB, Georgia)
Pick: 20th Overall
Position: Inside Linebacker
College: Georgia
Dallas cannot leave the first round without a linebacker. Allen is physical, instinctive, and dangerous as a blitzer. He immediately upgrades one of the weakest linebacker units in the NFL.
21. Cleveland Browns (via Steelers) – Spencer Fano (OL, Utah)
Pick: 21st Overall
Position: Offensive Lineman
College: Utah
Cleveland trades up to secure Fano, a powerful run blocker with positional flexibility. While size concerns push him down the board, his strength and technique give him high-level starter potential.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Olaivavega Ioane (OG, Penn State)
Pick: 22nd Overall
Position: Offensive Guard
College: Penn State
The Chargers address their biggest weakness by selecting the top guard in the draft. Ioane brings stability and power to an interior offensive line that held the offense back all season.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Blake Miller (OT, Clemson)
Pick: 23rd Overall
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Clemson
With Lane Johnson nearing retirement, the Eagles plan ahead. Miller is one of the most athletic linemen in the class and fits perfectly as a long-term solution at right tackle.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Browns) – Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
Pick: 24th Overall
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Washington
Boston adds size and route-running polish to a thin Steelers receiver room. Pairing him with DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin opens up Pittsburgh’s offense and maximizes their 12-personnel attack.
25. Chicago Bears – Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
Pick: 25th Overall
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Clemson
Chicago lands a steal. Woods is a disruptive interior defender with elite block-shedding ability and scheme versatility. He solidifies an already dangerous Bears defensive front.
26. Buffalo Bills – Zion Young (DE, Missouri)
Pick: 26th Overall
Position: Defensive End
College: Missouri
Buffalo looks to the future by selecting Young, a violent and physical edge defender. After a breakout Senior Bowl, he shows the tools to replace an aging Joey Bosa and anchor the Bills pass rush.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia)
Pick: 27th Overall
Position: Offensive Tackle
College: Georgia
With Trent Williams nearing the end, Freeling becomes the heir apparent. He’s pro-ready, dominant in the run game, and dependable in pass protection—exactly what San Francisco needs.
28. Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregdon (OG, Oregon)
Pick: 28th Overall
Position: Offensive Guard
College: Oregon
Houston’s only weakness is its offensive line. Pregdon’s pass protection ability stands out, and he can make an immediate impact for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
29. Los Angeles Rams – Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
Pick: 29th Overall
Position: Quarterback
College: Alabama
With the future at quarterback uncertain, the Rams invest in Simpson. He’ll benefit from sitting and developing, and if given time, has the tools to become a franchise quarterback.
30. Denver Broncos – Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
Pick: 30th Overall
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Florida
Banks missed much of 2025 due to injury but flashed elite pass-rush ability at the Senior Bowl. Denver adds a high-upside interior defender to an already talented roster.
31. New England Patriots – Ahkeem Mesidor (DL, Miami FL)
Pick: 31st Overall
Position: Defensive Line
College: Miami (FL)
Mesidor brings versatility and aggression to a Patriots defensive front in need of reinforcements. He can rush off the edge or slide inside, giving New England flexibility up front.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
Pick: 32nd Overall
Position: Cornerback
College: South Carolina
The Super Bowl champions close out the first round by addressing the secondary. Cisse thrives in both man and zone coverage and offers Day 1 upside if Seattle loses key pieces in free agency.