Eric Edholm 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0: Two receivers in top five; Patriots, Seahawks bolster elite defenses

We don’t yet know who the Raiders’ coach will be, yet this pick feels about as locked as it could be. Mendoza might never be a superstar, but his toughness, poise and accuracy could make this offense go, along with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. 

Reese is far from a finished product, and there will be pressure on the Jets to weaponize him early, but if they’re patient, he could become a forceful pressure player and eventual game-changer. 

I don’t think Fano would be a top-five pick in most years, and there’s a long way to go until the Cardinals have to make a call here. But the Utah product would help fortify an offensive line that struggled to pass block last season.

Tate offers very good length, athleticism and ball-tracking ability, with the body control to be an eventual WR1 for Cam Ward. The Titans struck gold with Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike and Gunnar Helm in Round 4 last year, and Tate could round this off into a quality group of pass catchers.

Don’t rule out an offensive lineman here, but Lemon and Malik Nabers could be an excellent duo for Jaxson Dart and a new Giants offense. Lemon is a tough, competitive, yards-after-catch specialist who’ll fit a hard-nosed John Harbaugh team.

The massive Samoan lineman has held up pretty well in pass protection, and he could be a dominant run blocker at either right guard or right tackle. Plus, he doesn’t turn 21 until June, and the Browns love younger prospects.

Washington didn’t do enough to address its defensive needs last year, especially its dormant pass rush. Bailey isn’t a complete edge just yet, but his explosive get-off and pass-rush juice would help upgrade the Commanders' front quickly.

The Saints don’t need to splurge for a back this early, but Love might be too good to pass up. Kellen Moore thrived with a balanced Eagles attack in 2024, and he could add a terrific playmaker to a budding offense behind Tyler Shough. Imagine Love’s spin moves on the Superdome turf -- it could be electric.

An almost-perfect fit -- style- and needs-wise -- Bain would add another much-needed disruptor up front in Kansas City. The Chiefs just couldn’t rush the passer effectively by season’s end, and Bain can help that cause.

Downs isn’t an elite physical specimen, but his instincts, coverage feel and quick trigger all would upgrade a Bengals secondary in need of more reliable players.

It will be interesting to see what the new Dolphins regime does with this pick, but I could see Miami wanting to add an offensive chess piece such as Sadiq, even if this is a little higher than I currently envision him going.

It won’t shock me if Styles ends up going higher than this come April, even if off-ball linebackers don’t tend to come off the board in the top 10 very often in this era. Styles is a prospect bursting with upside and potential -- and one of my favorite players in the entire class.

Watching the NFC Championship Game, it was clear the Rams needed an upgrade at cornerback. Delane is coming off a season in which he proved to be one of the best all-around corners in college football, able to handle virtually any assignment.

A classic Ravens pick, Ioane profiles as a future Pro Bowl guard. He’s physically ready for trench duty inside and would be a Day 1 starter in Baltimore.

I could see the Bucs targeting some front-seven needs here, but they also can’t ignore the secondary, even after using a pair of Day 2 selections on it last year. Coming off a torn ACL, McCoy could have been a top-10 pick with a healthy 2025 season, projecting as a complete corner.

The Jets probably can’t afford to get out of Round 1 without some offensive firepower, and Tyson brings it. He’s a splash-play machine and a deep threat, although his injury history could be a limiting factor.

Terrell projects inside, and his play style fits what the Lions seek in defenders. Even with Brian Branch already in house, he's coming off a torn Achilles. The Lions must accumulate defensive depth and talent. 

We don’t yet know if Harrison Smith will return for another season, but either way, the Vikings must upgrade at safety. I’ll bet Brian Flores will love watching the highly impactful McNeil-Warren meet ball-carriers and make plays all over the field.

General manager Dan Morgan mentioned wanting to upgrade the pass rush at his season-ending press conference, and Faulk can do that as a 5-technique to pair with the two edge rushers (Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen) Carolina drafted last year.

Additional help for a defense that finished near the bottom of most rankings wouldn’t be a shock. Cisse is a young, ascending defender who will give up some space in coverage, but he has the twitchiness and makeup speed to close fast.

A quarterback wouldn’t shock me here, but for now, I’m giving Pittsburgh a big play waiting to happen in the fascinating Concepcion. His concentration drops are frustrating, but he could be a faster version of Randall Cobb for new head coach Mike McCarthy.

The Chargers don’t mind pass rushers with atypical measurements, and Howell matches the temperament they are looking for, with a violent, urgent play style. This feels like a great match to protect against Khalil Mack’s potential departure/retirement.

The Eagles tried multiple players opposite Quinyon Mitchell without success, and the ascending Hood could be a good option for them. If he can run well at the NFL Scouting Combine, a first-round landing spot would make sense.

The Browns need to add more offensive firepower, and Boston is the type of bigger-framed vertical threat they currently lack. There’s no clarity yet at quarterback, but Boston could thrive with just about any type of passer.

Parker's declined production in 2025 could keep him out of Round 1, but he checks a lot of boxes for the type of edge the Bears seek, with his long-arm rush a difference-making move.

If there’s a receiver worth taking here, I could see that happening, but the Bills also need help at linebacker. Allen is a well-rounded, high-energy defender who could emerge as the captain of a defense in time.

He’s not a physically dominant blocker, but Lomu has the strong technique and good balance to be a starting left or right tackle. The 49ers won’t have Trent Williams forever.

'Bama’s left tackle is a complex evaluation and didn’t have a first-round type of season in 2025, but he’s a gifted mauler who could find a better home inside. The Texans still must upgrade the offensive front and might be the perfect team to gamble on his talent.

It remains to be seen whether a second quarterback will land in Round 1, but the Rams have a unique opportunity to draft Matthew Stafford's replacement with the extra first-rounder, whether or not Stafford returns in 2026. Watch the first half of Simpson’s 2025 season -- before he got beaten up badly -- to imagine his true potential.

Golday could sneak into Round 1 if he tests well at the combine. He's a do-it-all linebacker with range, hustle and instincts, and the Broncos could use one more three-down difference-maker up front, even as good as their defense already is.

The Patriots' first four picks a year ago were on offense, and though they could continue helping Drake Maye, a pass rusher also makes sense. Mesidor fits their needs, assuming his age and injury history are not overly concerning to New England decision-makers. 

This might depend on how well Thomas tests, and the Seahawks certainly could look for IOL or CB help here. But Thomas is a high-energy rusher who fits the Seahawks’ profile and could give them another dog up front.