With the NFL Draft this Thursday, it’s time for our official mock draft. The Draft can be the beginning of the next chapter for a franchise, retooling for a championship push, or adding depth to a position of need. This is a “trade-free” mock draft. I will not include any potential trades that any of these teams could make throughout draft night this coming Thursday. Let’s get straight into the NFL Draft!
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza Indiana QB
To the surprise of no one, I have the Raiders selecting Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This has been an essential “lock” since Indiana won the National Championship. Vegas hires Klink Kubiak as their new head coach, and he drafts his quarterback for the future.
2. New York Jets – David Bailey EDGE Texas A&M
Here is where we start to shake up the board. I think the Jets will be drafting the best pure pass rusher in the draft, David Bailey, number two. He’s coming off a dominant season at Texas A&M. Bailey tallied 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks, leading the conference in TFLs and the country in sacks. New York gets their star edge rusher in the next chapter of the team.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese LB Ohio State
I don’t believe the Arizona Cardinals will be able to pass up Micah Parsons 2.0. Arvell Reese has all the tools to be a future defensive player of the year candidate. He can play defensive end, off-ball linebacker, he can cover in space, and rush the passer. A true jack of all trades and one of the best prospects since Parsons.
4. Tennessee Titans – Jeremiah Love RB Notre Dame
The Tennessee Titans need playmakers, and that is exactly what Jeremiah Love is and will provide for this team. Many believe he is the best player, non-quarterback, in the NFL Draft. In his last two seasons at Notre Dame, Love finished with 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Both have led the country these past two years in both categories and yards per carry. The Titans finally get their best running back since Derrick Henry.
5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate WR Ohio State
You draft a quarterback, then you surround him with weapons. The Giants drafted Jaxson Dart last year, and he had an excellent season. John Harbaugh will add Carnell Tate on the opposite side of Malik Nabers, who is coming off a torn ACL. This is a big-time splash play in New York that will make things interesting in the NFC East.
6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (FL)
The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line has been one of the worst in the NFL. Drafting a 6’5″, 330 lb offensive tackle like Francis Mauigoa will help address the issues they have. If Shedeur Sanders is the Browns’ long-term answer, they must protect him. He was a three-year starter at Miami and won the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy.
7. Washington Commanders – Sonny Styles LB Ohio State
Sitting at seven, I don’t believe the Washington Commanders will see the most versatile player in the entire draft on the board and not take a bite at him. Sonny Styles had one of the best combine performances in NFL history, a one-of-one athlete. Now we have seen a player like this before, Isaiah Simmons. I believe Styles will be a more refined version of what Simmons could have been.
8. New Orleans Saints – Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (FL)
The Saints have an older defensive roster that is in need of a monster. Rueben Bain Jr. might end up being the best player in the entire NFL Draft. Having him fall to eight would be a blessing. He finished with 15.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks last year and was a man amongst boys. There were games he single-handedly took over. If he falls, you take him, plain and simple.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane CB LSU
This might be the last time the Chiefs draft this high in the Patrick Mahomes era for the rest of his career. KC was one of the teams that lost most of its talent in the secondary. You lose three DBs; you draft one in the first round. They will draft Mansoor Delane out of LSU. He can get a little handsy, which could lead to penalties, but the talent is undeniable.
10. New York Giants (via Cincinnati Bengals) – Caleb Downs S Ohio State
With the Giants acquiring the 10th pick in the NFL Draft after trading Dexter Lawrence, they will flip that selection into the cleanest player in this class, Caleb Downs. Downs is considered one of the best players in the draft and the best defender in the NCAA last season. Ohio State was built around his skill set. He will be a day-one starter and an All-Pro sooner than later.
11. Miami Dolphins – Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State
The Miami Dolphins traded Jalen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, so they need help on the outside. Selecting Jordyn Tyson is a home run, and getting him at 11 would be a steal. He wasn’t able to participate in the NFL Combine due to injury, but I don’t see that deterring teams from selecting him. Tyson has great size and the ability to play any receiver position on the field.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee
The Dallas Cowboys need help on the defensive side, and they will select the second-best cornerback on the board. They’ve needed to retool this secondary for the past two seasons, and this is a start. He’s got great length, but he missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. His lack of top-end speed will be something to note; however, I don’t believe that it will be enough to deter the Cowboys from drafting him.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon WR USC
The Los Angeles Rams will be foaming at the mouth to draft Puka Nacua 2.0. Makai Lemon’s ability to go across the middle reminds me of his future teammate. Lemon has great hands, excellent ball-tracking skills, and an exceptional feel for open space against zone coverage. He and Stafford should click almost immediately.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane G Penn State
This is the most Baltimore Ravens pick they could ever make. It just so happens that it’s also a position of need. You solve part of the interior of your offensive line and protect your MVP quarterback. When you lose a great center like Tyler Linderbaum, you need someone to help the player replacing him. Ioane is the best guard and will fall into the Ravens’ lap.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will draft one of the more interesting prospects in the NFL Draft. The Bucs have been in search of another dominant pass-rusher since Shaq Barrett. Akheem Mesidor will be 25 years old when he plays his first snap in the NFL. He led the ACC with 12.5 sacks and has been a six-year starter in college. I don’t believe his age will be an issue. He was a productive player in college, who got better every season, and will be just that in the NFL.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr WR Indiana
The New York Jets need another playmaker. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are great, but adding Omar Cooper could make this one of the best skill positions in the NFL within a few seasons. Now “Gang Green” hasn’t been dangerous in some time. However, adding Cooper gives whoever their quarterback is another excellent weapon.
17. Detroits Lions – Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama
The Detroit Lions dominated the NFL with one of the best offensive lines in the league. Over the past two seasons, their O-Line has aged fast, and they need to protect Jared Goff now more than ever. If Kadyn Proctor is there at 17, the Lions will draft the three-year starter from Alabama.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman S Oregon
This is probably Harrison Smith’s last season in the NFL, and it’s time for the Minnesota Vikings to draft his predecessor. Dillon Thieneman can play alongside Smith in his last year and fill the hole Cam Bynum left when he went to the Indianapolis Colts last season. His versatility and ability to cover will translate seamlessly in the NFL.
19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon
With the strides that Bryce Young took last year, get him another weapon. I have the Carolina Panthers drafting Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon with the 19th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Sadiq had one of the best combine performances any tight end has ever had. Giving Young another walking mismatch weapon might be the key to back-to-back NFC South titles.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) – Keldric Faulk EDGE Auburn
The Dallas Cowboys will take Keldric Faulk to finally get someone whose sole purpose is to set the edge and rush the passer. Now, is he coming off his best season? No, absolutely not. However, this is a projection pick. Faulk won’t turn 21 till September. He’s got the size and physical frame to be an impactful player. The Cowboys’ spending their two first-round draft picks will help get their high-flying offense back on the field.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Monroe Freeling OT Georgia
The Pittsburgh Steelers will make a classic Pittsburgh Steelers day one selection and draft an offensive tackle. With Broderick Jones’ status up in the air with his neck injury to begin the season, selecting Monroe Freeling with the 21st pick is a no-brainer. He’s got a large frame and can still put on a little bit of weight. He reminds me a lot of Kolton Miller, just a lot taller.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Denzel Boston WR Washington
One of the NFL’s most underwhelming receiving cores gets help with drafting Denzel Boston out of Washington. He’s coming off his best statistical year with 62 catches, 881 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Justin Herbert gets another big body weapon who will give this offense more opportunities for explosive plays.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Spencer Fano OT Utah
The Philadelphia Eagles will draft Spencer Fano, a talented offensive tackle who can play in place of Lane Johnson if he isn’t ready to start the season. Even if he is ready to begin the 2026 campaign, Fano can learn under Lane, and this could be his last year in the NFL as well.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) – Kevin Conception WR Texas A&M
Kevin Conception, out of Texas A&M, will be a great pickup for the Cleveland Browns. They already addressed their offensive line with the 6th pick in the NFL Draft. With that problem partially solved, let’s add a dynamic slot receiver who gets open immediately off the screen for Shedeur Sanders.
25. Chicago Bears – Blake Miller OT Clemson
What was the key to the Bears’ success last year? Outside of Caleb Williams’ growth, it was their offensive line. Ben Johnson took the head coaching position in Chicago and built a miniature version of the Detroit Lions, featuring a dominant front line. Why not keep adding to it?
26. Buffalo Bills – Kayden McDonald DT Ohio State
The Buffalo Bills drafting Kayden McDonald feels like a no-brainer at 26. You pair him next to Ed Oliver and have this 6’2″ 336 lb defensive tackle absorb double teams and shut down their opponent’s running game. He recorded a career-high nine TFLs last season at Ohio State. I expect him to be a bigger Dexter Lawrence in terms of his defense against the run.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu OT Utah
Despite just extending Trent Williams, the 49ers should draft an offensive tackle. You add depth to a position of need and will be learning under the best offensive lineman of this generation. Caleb Lomu started every game at left tackle these past two seasons. Who better to learn the position than a future Hall of Famer? If San Fran wants him to play right tackle, we’ve seen plenty of tackles swap sides in the NFL.
28. Houston Texans – Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State
It’s no secret that the Houston Texans had one of the worst offensive line performances in the playoffs last season. Drafting Max Iheanachor has experience playing both sides, left and right tackle, as well as making second-team All-Big 12 last year. Drafting a position of need is always an excellent choice.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) – TJ Parker EDGE Clemson
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t been able to generate much of a pass rush these past few seasons. If they are to climb back to the top of the NFL mountain, it starts with their defensive line. Outside of Chris Jones, they don’t have much. Is TJ Parker coming off a great year? No. He put up better numbers in 2024; however, I believe Parker can be a nice player for a Chiefs defense that needs help on the edges.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo
The Miami Dolphins drafting McNeil-Warren at 30 might be one of the steals of the NFL draft. He’s got a great frame and has a knack for playing in the running game. He’s coming off his best season at Toledo. I believe that EMW can be a Rashad Jones-esque type of safety that Miami had in the mid-2010s.
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M
After a Super Bowl loss, the Patriots need to address their defensive line. They ranked 22nd in the NFL last season with only 35 sacks. Howell is coming off his best season with 14 TFLs and 11.5 sacks. His explosiveness off the line will continue to strengthen one of the NFL’s best teams against its biggest weakness.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell CB Clemson
Coming off a dominating Super Bowl win, there isn’t much the Seattle Seahawks need. Losing Tariq Woolen and replacing him with Avieon Terrell is one of the best moves they could make. Doubling down by adding a talented DB to “The Dark Side” is a strength multiplier. They were one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, and this selection ensures that they will continue to be just that.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the best events on the NFL calendar; it’s almost as if the NFL season is right around the corner. What are your thoughts on the draft? Who do you want your team to draft? Lastly, who do you think will be the best player in this draft class?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my NFL Mock Draft! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day and look forward to seeing you again soon.
