The college football season is behind us, and the Super Bowl is only two weeks away, which means 30 teams are in full-on draft mode. The old cliché remains true for the NFL: if you aren’t getting better, you’re getting worse. That means every team is looking to improve its roster. 

Check out my latest 2026 NFL mock draft and see how I have all 32 first-round picks going. Don’t forget to comment and let me know what you think!

2026 NFL Mock Draft

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza capped off the Cinderella story with a national championship, and it also appeared that he locked up the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. All signs are pointing to the Las Vegas Raiders drafting Mendoza and him becoming the new future franchise signal-caller.

2. New York Jets

The New York Jets sit at the No. 2 pick and flat out need to address the quarterback position for the future. Ty Simpson finished the season with some inconsistencies, but I believe the upside is good enough to make the Jets buy into him. That upside, plus Simpson’s display of toughness, grit, and maturity, is exactly what the Jets franchise needs at this time.

3. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have plenty of holes throughout the roster and could go in a multitude of directions with the No. 3 pick. The most logical pick for the Cardinals that could have an instant positive impact on this team would be to draft Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa is a versatile offensive lineman and an immediate plug-and-play starter. The quarterback position for the Cardinals may be a question, but whoever is under center in 2026 will need strong protection up front.

4. Tennessee Titans

Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

The Tennessee Titans have their new head coach in Robert Saleh. Saleh, a defensive-minded head coach, understands the importance of having a good front seven. So with this pick, the Titans draft versatile front-seven defender Arvell Reese. Reese rushing the quarterback while Jeffery Simmons provides interior pressure could be a great one-two punch for the Titans.

5. New York Giants

The New York Giants drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round last year, and as a rookie, he showed some promise that should have the front office optimistic about what he could develop into. But if they want Dart to take the same steps that Caleb Williams and Drake Maye took in their sophomore years, they are going to need to upgrade the receiver room and give him another weapon, especially with Malik Nabers recovering from an ACL injury. So in this spot, the Giants decide to go with Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson.

6. Cleveland Browns

All signs are pointing to the Cleveland Browns entering the 2026 season with Shedeur Sanders as their full-time starter after a few starts by Sanders during the 2025 season. But the one thing that was clear from Sanders’ rookie year is that this receiver corps needs an upgrade. The Browns decide to give Sanders a quarterback-friendly target in the big-bodied, sure-handed Carnell Tate and keep the Ohio State Buckeye in-state.

7. Washington Commanders

The perception is that the Washington Commanders severely underperformed compared to expectations. But in my opinion, the Commanders’ roster deficiencies really showed during the 2026 season. One of those deficiencies is the secondary. So while the Commanders could address a need on offense, I think they go defense and draft do-it-all defender Caleb Downs to help boost this secondary.

8. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints may have struck gold with their second-round pick, QB Tyler Shough. But they need to continue to improve the defensive side of the football as well, especially at edge rusher. It’s time the Saints finally find a successor to Cam Jordan. Reuben Bain Jr. is a physical tone-setter who could be a consistent double-digit sack player for the Saints for the next decade.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten away with stitching together their running back room over the last few years and have still been able to find success. But after last year’s offensive failures, it’s clear they need to change their approach and invest real capital into the running back room. With this pick, the Chiefs select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, an explosive back with home-run-hitting speed who can also be an impact player in the passing game. He’ll give the Chiefs a true weapon out of the backfield.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals’ season will once again be defined by a Joe Burrow injury. And if the Bengals ever want to prevent that from being the outcome, they need to invest in protecting Joe Burrow along the offensive line. This year, they draft OT Spencer Fano, who I believe can play multiple positions along the offensive line and upgrade this unit.

11. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are one of those teams in the draft that can go in a multitude of directions in terms of positions to upgrade. But with a new head coach who has a defensive background, I believe the Dolphins choose to address the CB position. Mansoor Delane is a sticky-cover corner who is also great in run support.

12. Dallas Cowboys

When the Dallas Cowboys traded for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson at the trade deadline, everyone thought that would immediately fix the issues with the Cowboys’ defense. But after a few weeks, it became clear that this defense still has plenty of problems that need to be addressed. So in this spot, the Cowboys choose to draft Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell to be an important part of a true defensive rebuild.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)

The Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks and two position groups that need to be upgraded immediately: the offensive line and the defensive secondary. With this pick, the Rams choose to go with Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor, a massive offensive lineman who immediately improves the OL unit and helps solidify a position that needs an anchor for the next decade.

14. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens’ defense has struggled over the past few years, and a lot of that can be directly linked to not finding an answer at the edge rusher position. With a new head coach who has a defensive mind, I believe this will be a top priority for Jesse Minter and his staff. So in this spot, the Ravens draft Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, an edge rusher who has proven in college that he knows how to get to the quarterback.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the season as one of the best teams in the NFC and then quickly lost a lot of steam down the back end. This was due to a few different issues, and one of those issues was the defense. This defense needs an injection of young playmakers at all levels. Todd Bowles, as a coach who likes to bring pressure and needs good athletes in his defense, decides to go with Sonny Styles. Styles is a versatile second-level defender who started his collegiate career playing safety, then transitioned to linebacker, and also has upside as a pass rusher. This could be just the versatile piece that Bowles needs within this defense.

16. New York Jets (via IND)

After offloading Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys right before the trade deadline, the Jets quickly created a hole at the interior defensive line position. In efforts to fill that need, they draft Clemson IDL Peter Woods. Woods offers pass-rush upside but appears to be a better run defender, which could be a potential upgrade for New York.

17. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions defensively are too dependent on Aidan Hutchinson for sack production, which is a roster issue. In the past, GM Brad Holmes has always directly addressed roster issues in the draft and has done so with a high success rate. With this pick, I believe Holmes goes after Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, a power rusher who should be a great complementary piece to Hutchinson.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

It seems that the Minnesota Vikings always need to improve their DB room over the past 5-10 years, and that need remains this offseason. With their first-round pick, the Vikings go after versatile DB Avieon Terrell. Terrell can play the outside CB position and also kick inside to nickel.

19. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have done well by taking the approach of surrounding Bryce Young with offensive weapons, and it has paid off, as the Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Keeping that same approach, the position group they can upgrade offensively is the TE spot. Kenyon Sadiq is an explosive athlete at tight end and gives Bryce Young another big-bodied target in the middle of the field to throw the football to.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)

The Cowboys hit the offseason with the main talking point about whether they will extend George Pickens or not. If Dallas and Jerry Jones hold true to their usual method of negotiating, this discussion could drag deep into the offseason. With that being the case, the Cowboys need to draft an insurance plan at the WR position. So in this spot, I believe the Cowboys should go with Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields. Fields is a big-bodied, explosive receiver who thrives on 50/50 balls and could play the X position in this offense.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Even if the Pittsburgh Steelers convince Aaron Rodgers to come back, they still need to improve this WR room—their issues showed over the last few weeks of the season. So in an effort to do that, the Steelers go with Washington WR Denzel Boston. Boston is a big-bodied receiver who is dominant at the catch point and physical with the ball in his hands after the catch.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Although the Los Angeles Chargers parted ways with Joey Bosa, they were still able to finish inside the top 10 in many important defensive metrics. With that said, the Chargers still need to add talent along this defensive front. Zion Young is an ideal base edge who has alignment flexibility and has shown he can play at a high level against the run while also rushing the quarterback.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

It appears inevitable that the Philadelphia Eagles and A.J. Brown are parting ways at some point during the offseason. And if that’s the case, the Eagles will have to try to fill that void in some capacity. KC Concepcion is a versatile-alignment receiver who can work all three levels of the field. Although he has a different body profile, he brings electric playmaking ability to his game and should pair well with DeVonta Smith.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)

With their first pick in the first round, the Browns chose Carnell Tate to help bolster the receiver room. With their second pick in the first round, the Browns decide to go with OT Caleb Lomu. Lomu has plug-and-play upside, and by drafting him, the Browns address two of their biggest team needs while also protecting their young quarterback.

25. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears appear to be ahead of schedule offensively, which is a great sign for the future of the franchise. But defensively, they still need to improve. They survived last year by forcing turnovers, but they need to add more to this pass rush. So with this pick, the Chicago Bears opt for Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore to help bolster the pass rush in 2026.

26. Buffalo Bills

Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

The Buffalo Bills’ WR issues have been well-documented during the season and have only been highlighted further by the owner. So it appears that all signs point to the Bills drafting a receiver. Chris Brazzell II is an explosive vertical threat who can take the top off a defense, but he can also make 50/50 catches. Brazzell should be a good addition to the Bills’ receiver room.

27. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers showcased how mentally tough they were, surviving injury after injury and still making it to the playoffs. But believing the 49ers can repeat that performance as currently constructed is not realistic. With Brandon Aiyuk appearing to be on his way out, the 49ers have to continue adding young talent to this receiver room, which is why they decide to draft Makai Lemon.

28. Houston Texans

Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

The Houston Texans appear to have one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL, one that should rank among some of the best ever constructed. But offensively, their offense has struggled and at times has looked like one of the worst units in the league. While some of that blame could be pointed directly at the quarterback, another position group that clearly needs improvement is the offensive line. Insert Penn State OL Olaivavega Ioane, and the Texans will have addressed one of their biggest offensive needs, which should hopefully lead to better results on offense.

29. Los Angeles Rams

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Rams over the past few years have hit home runs with their drafting of front-seven defenders (Jared Verse, Byron Young, Braden Fiske). But the position group that needs improvement defensively is the secondary. With this pick, the Los Angeles Rams select Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, who should immediately step in and start.

30. Denver Broncos

Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State

The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, so the selection of Kayden McDonald is all about the importance of having great depth in the trenches. McDonald is a physical run-stopper who also has good first-step quickness to be disruptive.

31. New England Patriots

Since 2000, the New England Patriots have always had productive hybrid second-level defenders. Under Mike Vrabel, I believe they will continue to emphasize that. In this spot, the Patriots go with Texas Tech LB/EDGE Romello Height. Height can play the traditional stack linebacker position, but when lined up as an edge rusher, he showcases an elite first step to get to the quarterback.

32. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks potentially have the most well-rounded team in the NFL. And with that being the case, they can afford to take some swings on players. Zachariah Branch is exactly that. Branch is an athletic playmaker who is a great run-after-the-catch receiver and makes this offense even more dangerous.

What did you think of the latest version of Keith Sanchez’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know what you think on Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned next week for the next edition of TDN’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft series.