The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and NFL teams are busy finalizing their draft plans ahead of the big event in Pittsburgh. Some would argue that late April or the entire NFL Draft process is the best part of the whole offseason. Each draft is different, with different personalities and different skill groups dominating the class.
This draft is different, defensive-heavy class, from the interior defensive line to edge rusher, secondary, and the offense comes in waves. Wide receivers are the dominant part of the class along with offensive linemen, but the first pick will once again be a Heisman Trophy winner.
Here is my first mock draft, a week away from the big day in Pittsburgh.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This pick is a lock – the Raiders have already done everything to surround their future franchise quarterback Fernando Mendoza by signing center Tyler Linderbaum to the richest deal for an interior offensive lineman and hiring Klint Kubiak, an offensive-minded head coach fresh off a Super Bowl win.
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Jets had just 26 sacks last season, the second least in the league. David Bailey is the most productive edge rusher – he had 14.5 sacks in 2025 with 81 pressures that led the country. Arvell Reese is the other conversation at No. 2 for the Jets because he brings versatility, being able to line up at linebacker and edge rusher.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Cardinals, if they are content on passing up on Arvell Reese, could trade back – because QB is the No. 1 need and I don’t see Ty Simpson worthy enough to be a top-three pick. Reese has the best potential in the class, but his lack of playing time does show at times. Arizona is in no rush and could take a high upside “risk.” This mock is without trades, but a trade back here to acquire capital next season with a better QB class and Jeremiah Smith, this could be the first trade of the night.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
With Cam Ward and Brian Daboll pairing, Jeremiyah Love brings an immediate three-down back who has the size, speed, pass-catching ability, and has improved as a pass blocker. This is a home run pick.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is a field general who plays better in the box at the line of scrimmage. From his days at Alabama and Ohio State, he was a three-year starter, and the Giants, with John Harbaugh, who had Kyle Hamilton, will now have Downs.
6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
With 739 snaps played at left tackle during the 2025 season, Monroe Freeling is the best offensive line tackle in the draft. His athleticism, long length, and quickness give him all the traits he needs. He needs more technique work, which will come with reps, but Cleveland NEEDS either an offensive tackle or a wide receiver – they can get their wide receiver at pick No. 24.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
The slide for Rueben Bain ends, if there ever was one. Bain packs a punch and has good bend. He can shove tackles off, has good hand and feet alignment. The short arm conversation will continue until Bain debunks it with his play. Commanders did sign Odafe Oweh, but a defense that was poorest last season, this is a need.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
It seems the Saints truly believe in Tyler Shough, so why not pair up another OSU receiver aside from Chris Olave? Carnell Tate’s 40-yard dash time might be concerning, but his contested catch, route running fluidity, and lack of wasted movement are not. He would benefit from an offense that doesn’t feature him right away or has someone else to draw attention away from him.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mandoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs traded away Trent McDuffie, but they replace him with the top corner in the class in Mandoor Delane, who is on a rookie deal to fill the void. Kansas City could go best available and take an offensive lineman as well.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
No question this pick needs to be defense, and Sonny Styles, who started as a safety, has played linebacker since 2024 and diagnoses plays better than anyone. It would be a big get for the Bengals defense.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Being coached by Hines Ward helped unlock Jordyn Tyson’s potential as a better route runner, with suddenness and quickness. He did have drop issues in the past, but cleaned it up in 2025. Malik Willis needs a new No. 1, and Tyson is that guy.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
In my mock, the Cowboys get a cornerback, Jermod McCoy, because Delane goes to the Chiefs earlier. McCoy missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL, and that doesn’t sit right with me that Jerry Jones drafts another cornerback coming off a serious injury. Last year, Shavon Revel was in the third round. I can see Dallas trading up if they feel Delane could go higher.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Francis Maugioa, OT, Miami(FL)
After Rob Havenstein’s retirement, the Rams need another left tackle, and the Rams get the best one in the draft in Francis Maugioa.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Interior offensive line is a need, and the Ravens have a golden opportunity to possibly get a steal of a first-round player in Olaivavega Ioane. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called Ioane a Pro Bowl player in his rookie season.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
You can complain Akheem Mesidor is already 25 years old, but this could mean he’s NFL-ready, and a day one starter. Some teams value his maturity, leadership, and readiness, and might risk future draft capital for him. But for the Buccaneers, he’s the right fit.
16. New York Jets: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
This might be the surprise of the first round. The Jets have three first-round picks next season in a much deeper first-round QB class, so they can pass on Ty Simpson. KC Concepcion is a player I feel is rising, and with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, Concepcion is the perfect complement to both, as he brings a burst of speed and separation in space.
17. Detroit Lions: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Experience playing the left and right side, the Lions finds themselves with their future Pro-Bowl left tackle in Spencer Fano protecting Jared Goff’s blindside.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
What a perfect way to replace Harrison Smith, whether he hangs up the cleats this year or not. Dillon Thieneman tested out of the water at the combine and is a field general.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This is Bryce Young’s final year to prove he’s the future, worthy of an extension. A top offensive line, a run game, a No. 1 wide receiver, and now Kenyon Sadiq, a freak athlete – it’s now or never, Bryce.
20. Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary this offseason, and with this pick might be reaching for the high upside with T.J. Parker, but could easily pay off by adding much more depth to the front four.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The slide for Makai Lemon ends, and the Biletnikoff winner jumps into a Steelers offense with DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, and potentially Aaron Rodgers.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
If Ioane is available at No. 22, this is a no-brainer for the Chargers, but if not, they pivot and add the most athletic and versatile defensive tackle in the draft in Peter Woods.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Howie Roseman is a man who feels you can never have enough of one position, and here he finds his Lane Johnson replacement in Kadyn Proctor.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Browns needed the other at No. 6, and here at No. 24, they get an NFL-ready receiver who has only risen on the draft boards in Omar Cooper Jr.
25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
The Bears need to build the trenches, and opposite Montez Sweat, they give him some help and depth alongside Austin Booker. If Emmuanel McNeil-Warren is available, this could also be the selection, but something tells me offensive tackle isn’t out of the question, especially with Ryan Poles’ background.
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
This seriously seems like a spot Buffalo could trade back into to get back some second-round capital and wait for guys like Gabe Jacas or Malachi Lawrence, but here they take Denzel Boston. Elite when guarded, and sure, he isn’t the fastest, but when has that stopped really been an issue? Bills fans might be booing this pick, but he could make up for Keon Coleman.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
As much as the 49ers may want him to, Trent Williams can’t play forever, and at No. 27, Caleb Lomu can sit a season and develop behind one of the NFL’s best.
28. Houston Texans: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
CJ Allen is a leader who can wear the green dot, and I’m sure DeMeco Ryans is liking what he’ll get from Allen.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Esa Pole has filled his role well, but with Blake Miller sitting available, I can see the Chiefs making some competition over the summer at left tackle.
30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Dolphins needs secondary help, and new head coach Jeff Hafley makes his first selection of the defensive side of the ball with a ballhawk safety in Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
I feel the plan in the coming future for the Patriots is to move Will Campbell to guard, and Max Iheanachor is in good hands with Mike Vrabel.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Both Fighting Irish running backs end up in the first round, and in this case, after letting Kenneth Walker go, the Seahawks get Jadarian Price for much cheaper.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Jets land impact EDGE, Chiefs find CB replacement
Reporting by Preston Zbroszczyk , Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
