2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Early First-Round Predictions & Updated Order

With the Super Bowl matchup set, 30 fanbases have turned their attention to the offseason, and my 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0 breaks down first-round predictions based on NFL offseason needs ahead of the draft (April 23 to 25).

Following conference championships, 30 of 32 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft order are locked in, and my mock draft highlights the top prospects and where they could land when the draft gets underway in Pittsburgh this April.

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🏈 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Don't miss our our experts' NFL picks for Super Bowl 60 based on the latest 2026 Super Bowl odds.

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

• Key stats: Led country in QBR (90.3) and TD passes (41)

The Las Vegas Raiders don't have a head coach yet, but regardless of the hire, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the pick (-8000 odds to go No. 1). Mendoza won the Heisman and led the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship behind one of the most efficient passing seasons in recent memory.

✈️ 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

• Key stats: 27 pressures, 10 TFLs, 6.5 sacks

With Oregon's Dante Moore opting to return to Oregon, there is no QB for the New York Jets to take here. Instead, they select the most freakish defensive player in the draft. Arvell Reese is just as scary rushing the passer as he is playing off-ball as a spy.

🌵 3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

• Key stats: 2 sacks, 15 pressures allowed

Regardless of who the Arizona Cardinals hire as head coach, they just need safe bets. There may be no higher floor player in the class than Francis Mauigoa. The road grading Miami star can plug-and-play at right tackle or guard.

⚔️ 4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• Key stats: Top 10 in the country in contested catch rate (85.7) and yards per route run (3.02)

Despite hiring a defensive head coach in Robert Saleh, the Tennessee Titans' main focus needs to be on developing Cam Ward. Selecting a big-play threat like Carnell Tate is ideal for Ward's downfield passing ability.

🗽 5. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• Key stats: 0 sacks, 5 pressures allowed

It's a new era for the New York Giants with John Harbaugh taking over, and step one needs to be keeping the future of the franchise, Jaxson Dart, healthy. Spencer Fano gives New York a right tackle with plenty of upside opposite Andrew Thomas. 

🐶 6. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona

• Key stats: 1,812 receiving yards and 19 TDs in last 21 games

It would be the best case for the Cleveland Browns to land an offensive tackle or wide receiver, in hopes of drafting their franchise QB next season. Jordyn Tyson is the most well-rounded of the top receivers in the draft and can be a trusted chain mover.

🎖️ 7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

• Key stats: Led country in sacks (14.5) and No. 2 in pressures (81)

If Dan Quinn is going to get the Washington Commanders back to the playoffs, his defense needs more juice. No pass rusher in the draft has as much juice as David Bailey, who's lightning quick first step makes him a terror off the edge.

⚜️ 8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami

• Key stats: Led country in pressures (83) and top 10 in pass rush win rate (23.5%)

With Cameron Jordan potentially retiring, Rueben Bain Jr. can take the torch from him as the face of the New Orleans Saints defense. Bain is a relentless player who makes up for his short arms with violent hands. He had eight TFLs and five sacks in the College Football Playoff.

🔴 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

• Key stats: Top 10 in the country in rushing yards after contact (896) and 15-plus-yard runs (23)

The Kansas City Chiefs have to get Patrick Mahomes more help as he returns from a torn ACL. Who better to get than the best running back in the draft, Jeremiyah Love? Love is a home run threat on every touch and can be a productive piece of the passing game, too.

🐯 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State

• Key stats: Allowed a 54.5 NFL QB rating in coverage

In a perfect scenario, the Cincinnati Bengals can stay in-state with their first-round pick and select arguably the best player in the draft. Caleb Downs plays an undervalued position, but he's got All-Pro written all over him as a versatile chess piece on the backend. 

🐬 11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• Key stats: Allowed a 27.5 NFL QB rating in coverage, 11 forced incompletions

The Miami Dolphins are going in a new direction with Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley at the helm. It would make plenty of sense for them to target a defensive back, given Hafley's background. Mansoor Delane is a technician with top-notch cover instincts. 

⭐️ 12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• Key stats: 82 tackles, 2.2% missed tackle rate

There's a massive hole at linebacker on the Dallas Cowboys' defense, and if Sonny Styles falls to them at No. 12, Jerry Jones should throw a party. Styles has rare size (6-foot-5, 243 pounds) and athleticism for the position.

🐏 13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• Key stats: Top 15 in the country in forced incompletions in 2024 (12)

Since Les Snead hired Sean McVay as the Los Angeles Rams' head coach, the pair has avoided spending draft capital on corners. However, it's a massive need, and Jermod McCoy was trending toward being a top 10 pick before missing this past season with a torn ACL.

🐦‍⬛ 14. Baltimore Raves: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

• Key stats: 30 pressures, 5 TFLs

Harbaugh may be gone, but this is still the Baltimore Ravens, and Keldric Faulk is the exact type of player they love. Faulk is massive (6-foot-6, 290), versatile, and athletic. He gives new head coach Jesse Minter a building block up front.

⛵️ 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

• Key stats: Top 10 in the country in sacks (11.5)

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers running it back with Todd Bowles, they need to add more pass rush to their head coach's defense. While Cashius Howell is undersized, he's one of the twitchiest and bendiest rushers in the class.

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

Key stats: Top 10 in the country in yards per route run (3.13) and 1st down receptions (50)

Assuming the Jets spend their No. 2 overall pick on a defender, GM Darren Mougey would be smart to add a playmaker here. Outside of Garrett Wilson, New York lacks receivers, and Makai Lemon is one of the best route runners in the draft.

🦁 17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• Key stats: 0 sacks, 8 pressures allowed

There's a chance Detroit Lions longtime left tackle Taylor Decker retires, and if that's the case, GM Brad Holmes needs to get Dan Campbell a replacement. Caleb Lomu is raw, but he's a fluid mover in space who isn't afraid to bite some kneecaps in the run game.

🟣 18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

• Key stats: 9 PBUs, 5 forced fumbles

It wouldn't be a bad approach for the Minnesota Vikings to take the best defensive back available at pick No. 18. Avieon Terrell is capable of playing outside or inside at nickel. He's one of the most aggressive corners in the draft, which Brian Flores will love.

🐾 19. Carolina Panthers: Peter Woods, IDL, Clemson

• Key stats: 19 run stops, 14 pressures

Coming into the season, Peter Woods was viewed as a potential top 10 pick. Despite not living up to the hype, he does have tantalizing athletic tools that could keep him in the first round. Sticking him next to Derrick Brown on the Carolina Panthers would be a strong fit.

⭐️ 20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee 

• Key stats: Allowed a 69.5 NFL QB rating in coverage

The Cowboys need to spend their first-round picks on defenders, and getting a cornerback after taking Styles No. 12 would be a strong outcome. Colton Hood is a rising prospect thanks to his athletic upside and ability to diagnose routes.

🏗️ 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M 

• Key stats: Top 20 in the country in 1st down receptions (48), 2 punt return TDs

It's a new era for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Mike McCarthy taking over, so maybe GM Omar Khan will opt to finally take a receiver in the first round. KC Concepcion is one of the best after-the-catch receivers in the draft and would complement DK Metcalf well. 

⚡️ 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

• Key stats: 0 sacks, 4 pressures allowed

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to deal with issues along their offensive line, and Vega Ioane would be a perfect fit inside. He's a mauler in the run game and the type of player Jim Harbaugh would love. Ioane is also a strong fit for new OC Mike McDaniel's scheme.

🦅 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon 

• Key stats: Top five in the country in 1st down receptions among tight ends (30)

It's clear the Philadelphia Eagles need an offensive makeover, and with Dallas Goedert set to be a free agent, GM Howie Roseman can take a top 15 value in the 20s. Kenyon Sadiq is a freak of an athlete and as physical a blocker as he is explosive a pass catcher.

🐶 24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama 

• Key stats: 2 sacks, 21 pressures allowed

If the Browns go receiver with their first first-round pick, they'll likely have a few different offensive line options at No. 24. Though Kadyn Proctor is a polarizing prospect, the 6-foot-7, 360-plus-pounder has eye-popping athleticism at his size. 

🐻 25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State 

• Key stats: Top 10 in the country in run stop rate (13.8%)

Last year, GM Ryan Poles loaded up head coach Ben Johnson with offensive talent. This year, Poles could get him the best interior run defender in the draft. Kayden McDonald can anchor the line of scrimmage and adds enough value as a pass-rusher to go this early.

🦬 26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington 

• Key stats: 20 receiving TDs last two seasons

Sean McDermott is out, Joe Brady is in ... does that mean Brandon Beane will finally draft Josh Allen a wide receiver in the first round? Denzel Boston would be a fun fit for the Buffalo Bills. He's a ball-winning X-receiver that has surprising fluidity at 6-foot-4.

⛏️ 27. San Francisco 49ers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami 

• Key stats: Top five in the country in sacks (12.5) and pressures (67)

Whether it's the O-line or D-line, investing further in the trenches might be the best move for the San Francisco 49ers. And if Akheem Mesidor is here, he might be hard to pass on. An older prospect (25), the Canadian has one of the best pass-rush repertoires in the class.

🐂 28. Houston Texans: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 

• Key stats: 3 sacks, 9 pressures allowed

If the Houston Texans expect CJ Stroud to become a top 10 QB, they need to protect him. With last year's second-round pick Aireontae Ersery playing well at left tackle, Monroe Freeling can plug in on the right side. Freeling improved with each game this season.

🐏 29. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 

• Key stats: Top 20 in the country in QBR (76.0) and TD passes (28)

There's a reasonable shot that Mendoza is the only first-round QB this year. If any other passer goes on Day 1, it will be Ty Simpson. Could Snead and McVay get their QB of the future with their second first-round pick? Simpson getting to sit would be best for him.

🐎 30. Denver Broncos: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo 

• Key stats: Allowed a 50.3 NFL QB rating in coverage

The rich get richer in this scenario, with Sean Payton and Vance Joseph adding one of the best players in the draft at No. 30. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would give the Denver Broncos a safety who can thrive playing deep or around the line of scrimmage as an enforcer.

🪖 31/32. New England Patriots: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 

• Key stats: 88 tackles, 8 TFLs

If one of the top offensive tackles falls to the New England Patriots, that should be the pick. In this scenario, though, Mike Vrabel gets an immediate impact linebacker in CJ Allen. Allen's IQ, instincts, and physicality fit the Patriots' defense well. 

🟢 31/32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• Key stats: 8 forced incompletions

The Seattle Seahawks could lose multiple cornerbacks to free agency this offseason, and Mike Macdonald will need a replacement to continue leading a top-10 defense. Brandon Cisse is one of the most explosive corners in the draft and a smooth mover in coverage.

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🗓️ Key dates for the NFL draft

• NFL draft declaration deadline: Jan. 14/Jan 23 for players who played in national championship
• East-West Shrine Bowl week: Jan. 23 to Jan. 27
• Senior Bowl week: Jan. 27 to Jan. 31
• NFL Scouting Combine: Feb. 23 to March 2
• NFL free agency: March 11 (legal tampering period begins March 9)
• NFL draft: April 23 to 25

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