Now that the final deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft has passed, it's officially Mock Draft Season!
After getting a chance to dig into the game tape, I feel that there are some highly enticing players at the top of the draft. The group might not have quite as many blue-chip prospects as some other recent classes, but there's great depth at edge rusher and a talented collection of receivers. Also, there is an overwhelming need for offensive linemen around the league, which could push some blockers up the board a bit.
We are very early in the process, though. With more film study, all-star games, the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency still to come, a lot will change between now and the draft.
I tend to base my mock drafts on what I'm hearing around the league, whereas my Top 50 prospect rankings reflect what I'm seeing during my own evaluations. Keep an eye out for those rankings on Tuesday, but for now, here is my first look at how the top 32 selections could play out when the draft gets underway on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
NOTES:
- Pick Nos. 31 and 32 will be determined by the outcome of Super Bowl LX.
- Tune in for live coverage of Panini Senior Bowl practice Jan. 27-29 beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+.
- NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the East-West Shrine Bowl beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 27.
- NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the Senior Bowl game beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 31.
Mendoza clearly distanced himself from the rest of the field at quarterback this past season, culminating in Indiana’s first ever national title. With 39 touchdowns and no interceptions in the red zone since 2024, the Heisman Trophy winner offers the kind of rare production the Raiders can’t pass up.
The Jets have needs all over their defense. Reese is versatile and athletic. I think he’ll benefit from working off the edge full time after also playing off-ball linebacker during his Buckeyes career.
The big question is who will be playing quarterback for the Cardinals in 2026, but there’s no clear QB answer for them at this point in the draft. They make a selection that will benefit whoever ends up under center. Fano has the versatility to play four different spots on the O-line (all but center) if needed.
This offseason is about helping Cam Ward take the next step, and that starts with doing a better job of protecting him. Mauigoa has excellent size/strength and still has room to develop.
The Giants could add a receiver later in the draft -- it's a deep class at the position -- but Delane would immediately be their most talented cornerback.
Cleveland should take the best player available here. A receiver could also be in play, but Bailey has the best get-off of any pass rusher in the draft. Alex Wright is a solid edge who signed a contract extension in November, but Bailey is a different caliber of player. Myles Garrett would have some talented running mates up front.
Styles reminds me of Fred Warner, who was drafted by the 49ers when current Commanders GM Adam Peters was an executive in San Francisco’s front office. Keep in mind that Bobby Wagner is 35 and headed for free agency.
I love -- no pun intended -- the idea of pairing Tyler Shough with the most electric playmaker in the draft.
Bain is my favorite fit for the Chiefs. Andy Reid has always had an appreciation for players with a junkyard-dog mentality like Bain possesses, having coached Trent Cole and Brandon Graham in Philadelphia.
Cincinnati needs help all over the field on defense. McCoy missed the 2025 season due to an ACL injury, but his 2024 tape was outstanding. He’s squarely in the mix to be the top CB in the draft.
Downs has the versatility to play multiple spots, much like his teammate -- in this scenario -- Minkah Fitzpatrick. Downs’ football intelligence and leadership are off the charts. Miami has to improve a defense that ranked 24th in scoring and 32nd in opponent completion percentage.
I expect Dallas to draft an edge rusher in Round 1 (SEE: Pick No. 20 in this mock), but I’d like to see the Cowboys upgrade the secondary, too. Hood would be a plug-and-play starter for them.
The Rams value tough, rugged receivers who are also playmakers. It would almost be unfair to add Lemon to an offense that already includes Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
The Ravens need to upgrade at guard, and center Tyler Linderbaum is due to reach free agency in March. Ioane has a strong case to be considered the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft.
One of my favorite players to study, Howell plays 100 mph at all times and has the production to back it up (27 career sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss).
This would be a value pick, but we see talented receivers go in this area of the draft year after year (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, Justin Jefferson). The Jets pair former Ohio State star Garrett Wilson with a fellow Buckeye.
Mesidor would thrive opposite Aidan Hutchinson, going from one dynamic pass-rush duo (with Bain at Miami) to another.
I’m higher on McNeil-Warren than some other people around the league, but I love his combination of size and explosive playmaking ability. He could help replace Harrison Smith if the soon-to-be 37-year-old does indeed retire.
The Panthers have a stud in Tetairoa McMillan, and I like what I saw from Jalen Coker at the end of the season, but choosing Tyson would complete the WR room.
Faulk is a tough evaluation. He has great size and is a smooth athlete, but I’d like to see him play with a little more urgency. The upside is tremendous.
The Steelers must find someone to complement DK Metcalf. Boston is another big, physical receiver to play opposite the two-time Pro Bowler.
Hunter is one of my early draft crushes. He has outstanding size, quickness and the ability to disrupt. With Teair Tart due to become a free agent, Hunter would provide some insurance.
EDITOR'S UPDATE: After publishing on Monday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Teair Tart has agreed to terms with the Chargers on a three-year extension worth up to $37.5 million.
Terrell teams up with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell to give the Eagles the best young secondary in the NFL. The former Clemson Tiger can play inside or outside.
Proctor is an enormous human. If the Browns can keep Dawand Jones healthy, they would have a massive duo at tackle.
The Bears figure to be in the safety market with the contracts expiring for Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Thieneman can play both safety spots and could cover in the slot if needed.
Linebacker could be a need for Buffalo with Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson ticketed for free agency. Allen can run and hit, but he also has the intangibles you want at the position. The Bills need to improve a defense that ranked 28th against the run.
Sadiq could go much higher than 27th overall. He’s undersized, but he has outstanding speed and is a competitive blocker. He would be the ultimate chess piece for Kyle Shanahan, giving the coach a hybrid of George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk.
The Texans did a nice job of maneuvering to land Aireontae Ersery in last year’s draft. Now they get another young tackle to pair with him. Freeling is just scratching the surface of his potential.
He’s flying a bit under the radar now, but you’ll hear a lot more about Miller as we go through the draft process. The former high school wrestler made 54 starts at Clemson. He’s a tough, competitive right tackle.
Folks around the league are split on Woods’ evaluation. Some don’t view him as a first-round pick, but he has the quickness to add to the league’s best pass-rush group as an inside rusher.
With Morgan Moses set to turn 35 in March, the Patriots land another young tackle to help protect Drake Maye.
Cisse will put on a show once we get to the testing portion of the offseason. He can fill a void if the Seahawks lose any of their soon-to-be free agents at cornerback (Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe).
