A lot has transpired since my first mock in late January, so we need to clean things up a bit. There have been hundreds of signings and trades, with two deals involving first-round picks.
This might not go down as the best draft class of our lifetimes, but it's not nearly as bad as some people seemingly want to make it. The top of the first round might be lighter than normal, but there are good prospects to be found throughout the class -- especially at wide receiver and offensive tackle, plus in the front seven on defense.
I kept looking for trade spots but wasn't compelled enough to pull the trigger on any mock deals. Though I did mix things up and pull in a few names that might be surprises toward the end of Round 1.
NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23-25.
This pick has felt locked in for weeks, if not months. Mendoza needs a stronger supporting cast overall, and it will be fascinating to see how much he can elevate the unit. That said, free-agent signee Tyler Linderbaum appears to be the ideal shepherd at center.
I think the Jets will take Reese here and use him primarily as an edge rusher early on. They've added depth and experience on defense in free agency, which should give Reese a lengthy runway for liftoff. He's still a bit green, with just 16 collegiate starts under his belt, but the sky's the limit.
The Cardinals haven't finished their work on the offensive line, but adding a speed rusher of Bailey's caliber opposite Josh Sweat could make this defense more potent while the offense finds an identity.
With the Titans having refrained from adding a back in free agency, I could see Love being their pick here. Tony Pollard was solid last season, especially late, but Love is a different caliber of playmaker to pair with Cam Ward.
I went back and forth between Ohio State teammates Styles and Caleb Downs here, as both make sense to me. Styles is the more physically gifted of the two and could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate at Will linebacker.
Cleveland's two biggest non-QB needs appear to be at receiver and offensive tackle. Mauigoa is the choice because he moves well for his size (6-foot-5 1/2, 329 pounds), is young (turns 21 in June) and could start at tackle or be tried at guard. The Browns can swing back for a receiver later in Round 1.
The Commanders really need a complement to Terry McLaurin. Tate naturally gains easy separation and generates big pass plays for his size, which is the kind of skill set Jayden Daniels could use.
Bain might not have the arm length of a prototypical pass rusher in coordinator Brandon Staley's system, but he'd be dangerous opposite Chase Young for a defense that needs more pressure sources.
With two of their starting corners heading to the Rams this offseason (Trent McDuffie via trade and Jaylen Watson via free agency), the Chiefs have a tough time passing on the top option here. Delane is a press-man corner who gets physical in the run game, too. That's what coordinator Steve Spagnuolo seeks at the position.
Best defensive player on the board here. Downs and veteran signee Bryan Cook would be a more reliable safety duo than the Bengals have had lately, with the most recent iteration of their defense having missed a ton of tackles while struggling to cover tight ends and allowing 60 pass plays of 20-plus yards.
Wide receiver felt like a big need for the Dolphins even before they dealt Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. Adding a squeeze of Lemon, who is a strong YAC option, should help new QB Malik Willis.
Tennessee's March 31 pro day will be a big one for McCoy, especially if he is to justify a slot this lofty after missing the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. But let's not forget that when the Cowboys drafted Micah Parsons in 2021 -- in the same draft slot, no less -- he'd also just missed an entire college season, due to concerns over COVID-19. Dallas has defensive needs up and down the depth chart, and McCoy could fill a key one.
The Rams haven't drafted a tackle earlier than Round 5 in any of the past three years, but now it's time to plan for the future at the position. Fano would be a solid value here. Yes, his arm length (32 1/8 inches) is on the shorter end, but the Rams don't appear to be turned off by less-lengthy left tackles -- Alaric Jackson isn't exactly a pterodactyl.
The Ravens use one of the picks they held on to after the failed Maxx Crosby deal to add more interior OL help. Pass rush is still a need, even with Trey Hendrickson on board, but Ioane could start from Day 1.
It's unorthodox to spend a top-15 pick on a pass rusher as old as Mesidor (he'll turn 25 in April), but the Bucs have gone with some older prospects in the past. Mesidor fills a need for another disruptor on the edge.
Tyson missed two or more games in each of his four college seasons, which makes him a risky pick, but he's a quality intermediate target for an offense that could use plenty more juice. I could also see Omar Cooper Jr. here.
Freeling could replace Taylor Decker, or the Lions could move Penei Sewell to the left side in Decker's place and ask Freeling to play right tackle. He's a bit green (18 college starts) but has a ton of natural ability. Detroit can still address the edge position in Round 2.
Defensive tackle is a glaring need for the Vikings, who also could stand to add a receiver, but safety looms as a big worry if Harrison Smith retires. Thieneman is smart, athletic and a strong tackler -- a nice schematic fit for coordinator Brian Flores.
Nothing against Tommy Tremble or Ja'Tavion Sanders, but Bryce Young could use a difference-maker at tight end. Sadiq gives the Panthers another explosive, basketball-type athlete for the pass game.
Faulk might not be the blue-chip prospect some thought he'd be a year ago, but new Cowboys DC Christian Parker seeks length, leverage and versatility in his D-linemen, which makes the Auburn product a perfect fit here.
Mike McCarthy loves athletic big men, and this 6-7, 352-pounder can give the Steelers insurance at left tackle after starting there for three years in college. Proctor also could be tried at left guard or right tackle if the Steelers want to shuffle current pieces around.
The offensive line still needs help, but it might be too hard for the Chargers to pass up on a high-energy rusher, short arms be damned. Howell can learn from Khalil Mack and serve as Los Angeles' third pass-rush option as a rookie.
A 54-game starter in college, Miller is a long-framed, athletic blocker who could be Lane Johnson's long-term replacement at right tackle. I also considered wide receiver and edge rusher in this spot.
After taking Miami OT Francis Mauigoa at No. 6 overall, the Browns land a second College Football National Championship Game participant here, selecting the acrobatic, clutch Cooper. They need receivers who can snag passes outside of their frames, and that's the ex-Hoosier's game.
Assuming the Bears don't still make a bigger offseason splash on a veteran, I think an edge rusher could be their Round 1 target. General manager Ryan Poles was camped out by the pass-rush one-on-ones for much of Senior Bowl week, and the long-framed Young stood out to me in Mobile a hair more than Clemson's T.J. Parker.
Even with veteran trade acquisition DJ Moore in the fold, the Bills would surely welcome another multi-tool weapon such as Concepcion. Buffalo also has gone two seasons without returning a punt for a TD -- something Concepcion pulled off twice in 2025. His father, who played at the University of Buffalo, was a Bills fan, and so Concepcion grew up watching the team.
The Niners were dead last in the NFL in sacks (20) last season, with Nick Bosa losing 14 games to a torn ACL. Parker would be good insurance as Bosa returns to action and could team up well with Mykel Williams, making for a big, athletic group up front.
I previously slotted an offensive lineman here for the Texans, but they've since made multiple veteran additions there, so it's time to turn to the other side of the trenches. McDonald could fill a run-stopping void inside immediately and elevate a great defense even higher.
I've been accused of trying to hit too many fairways in past mocks, so here's me whipping out the driver and going for the green. Lawrence has been a hot name in the pre-draft process. With his length, size and explosiveness (40-inch vertical, 10-10 broad jump, 1.59-second 10-yard split), the UCF product fits K.C.'s benchmarks for an edge rusher.
If new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley wants to play press-man defense, he's going to need more CB help. With his length and physicality, Hood has a lot of the traits Miami is looking for and would be a solid second first-round pick with this choice, acquired from the Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle trade.
Maybe this pick ends up as part of a trade package for A.J. Brown, but if not, I could see the Patriots wanting to find someone to groom as Morgan Moses' replacement. Iheanachor is a fascinating specimen whose best ball is ahead of him.
Here's the second Notre Dame back to come off the board in Round 1. I thought about CB Avieon Terrell here, but the Seahawks approach the draft in their own way. If they like Price to pair with Zach Charbonnet (who's coming off a torn ACL), then GM John Schneider won't hesitate.
