Evan Starr’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Mock Drafting the 2026 NFL Draft First Round

Photo by Blair Bayliss / Maclay Andalusian

As Thursday, April 23, approaches, many fans and analysts are putting in their final guesses for who will be taken with each pick. Though there will likely be trades during this year’s draft, this mock draft contains no mock trades and includes the teams that currently own that specific pick. For each of the top 10 picks there will be a more detailed explanation, while the rest of the first round will have a few quick notes regarding them.

1. Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mendoza is the perfect selection for the Raiders, whose biggest need is quarterback. They cannot afford to wait an extra year for a stronger quarterback class. Mendoza is a great fit because he is the most well-rounded quarterback in this draft class. Mendoza’s frame of 6’5 and 225 lbs will also help him early on as he already has the NFL ready build. The only reason Mendoza would not end up with the Raiders would be if the team gets cold feet before the selection.

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

For a Jets team needing help in multiple positions, Reese is the best fit for them. Though the Jets desperately need a quarterback, there is no one else in this draft class worth taking this high. Reese gives the Jets the highest defensive upside of anyone in this draft and will make an immediate impact. The only flaw with Reese is that he is not fully decided on one position, much like Isaiah Simmons in 2020, who was a linebacker/safety hybrid and turned out to be a bust.

3. Arizona Cardinals - OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Cardinals are in the beginning of a rebuild and, like the Jets, have a lot of positions they need filled. The Cardinals will likely go with the best player available who will make an immediate impact, and that is exactly what Mauigoa will do. Pairing Mauigoa with Paris Johnson Jr. on the other side allows the Cardinals to prepare for the future by giving their future quarterback some protection.

4. Tennessee Titans - WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

With the Titans entering the Cam Ward and Robert Saleh era, the team is looking to start making strides at becoming a contender. Why not go with the player who can help your quarterback out the most, the wide receiver from Ohio State. Tate is the best receiver in the draft and will give Ward a main target to throw passes to. This fit seems perfect, especially because the Titans traded for EDGE rusher Jermaine Johnson II, who Saleh drafted during his time with the Jets.

5. New York Giants - LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

This pick took the longest to make a conclusive decision on who to draft. The Giants have the opportunity to draft multiple players who fit new coach Jon Harbaugh’s coaching style. However, Harbaugh has emphasized that linebacker particularly is one of the most important positions on defense, so why not get the guy who had one of the best combines ever and rarely misses at that position.

6. Cleveland Browns - OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Fano is arguably the best tackle in this draft. Though I have Mauigoa above him, Fanu has many strengths that will make him a key piece for any team drafting this high. The Browns need an Offensive Tackle after losing Jedrick Wills in free agency to the Chicago Bears. The best fit for them would be getting Fano to help protect their quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

7. Washington Commanders - EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

This is an absolute steal for the Commanders at pick seven. Bailey had a tremendous season for the Red Raiders and absolutely flew up draft boards. Bailey will make an instant impact for the Commanders pass rush and will allow the team to get better.

8. New Orleans Saints - RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Love is likely the most talented player in this class and one of the best running back prospects in recent history. Love is able to push off big defenders while also being elusive enough to escape tight scenarios. This is a match made in heaven for the young Saints offense and will make this offense very scary in the years to come.

9. Kansas City Chiefs - EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Bain is persistent and unstoppable, and that has been shown at every level. What he was able to do at Miami was unbelievable and he would provide an immediate boost for the Chiefs who are in need of a pass rusher. The Chiefs are looking to contend and drafting Bain would help keep them at a high level defensively. The main issue with Bain is that he has short arms and also was recently linked to a much larger off-the-field issue regarding a fatal accident.

10. New York Giants (via CIN) - S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Downs is the most polished player in the draft. He is a three-year full time starter, national champion and a three-time All-American. If Downs is not taken at pick five by the Giants and ends up falling to pick 10. He will become an immediate impact player and will make the Giants defense unbelievable.

11. Miami Dolphins - WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Dolphins are in immediate need of a wide receiver after cutting Tyreek Hill and trading away Jaylen Waddle. Tyson offers a higher upside than Makai Lemon will be a true wide receiver one so drafting him here would be best.

12. Dallas Cowboys - CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Cowboys secondary is weak and it showed last year. Drafting Delane solves this problem by putting him on the opposite side of Daron Bland which gives the team less holes defensively.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - WR Makai Lemon, USC

The Rams need a pass catcher who can help Puka Nacua carry the load. Lemon is the best fit for them as his quick route running ability will help get Nacua open deep.

14. Baltimore Ravens - TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

After the loss of Isaiah Likely, and the Ravens running a two-tight-end system, Sadiq is the perfect fit and will eventually become the lead tight end as Mark Andrews continues to regress into his eventual retirement.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

A cornerback who has all the raw skills and will be a lockdown corner on any team is good for the Buccaneers. The biggest issue with McCoy are his injury concerns as he is coming off of a Torn ACL, however, if he stayed healthy he could have been the first corner off of the board.

16. New York Jets (via IND) - WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Jets need a receiver to go across from Garret Wilson. Densel Boston is 6'4 and 212 pounds and will be a great complement for Wilson as he can make contested catches at an extremely high rate.

17. Detroit Lions - OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Between Freeling and the other offensive lineman available, Freeling is the most likely to be amazing. His pure size and talent offers the highest floor and he has a chance to be a long-time starter for the Lions.

18. Minnesota Vikings - S Emmanual McNeil-Warren, Toledo

A six foot four safety that has speed and is aggressive, McNeil-Warren is a perfect fit for the Vikings who have an aging safety of Harrison Smith approaching retirement.

19. Carolina Panthers - WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Cooper has been flying up draft boards, his performance in the college football playoff was unreal and his ability to make tough catches is impressive. This is also a nice fit for the Panthers as Bryce Young now has three reliable targets.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB) - OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Proctor has been NFL ready since high school, however, after a little disappointing year he has fallen a little. Proctor has an extremely high upside, and that upside is what the Cowboys will be banking on with Proctor.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

The Steelers have many opportunities to help grow their team. Ioane will help secure the inside as the Steelers will wait a year for their quarterback of the future.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

The Chargers biggest need is a defensive tackle. McDonald is bigger than Peter Woods and has more accolades, so the Chargers will prefer McDonald.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

With the loss of Jaelen Phillips and his success, the Eagles will likely draft an edge rusher. Mesidor will have the highest floor of the remaining players and will be a great fit for the Eagles.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) - WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

The Browns are in a clear need of receivers, as their current wide receiver one is coming off of the worst season of his career. Drafting Concepcion gives Sanders another option to help the Browns.

25. Chicago Bears - S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

The Bears are in a clear need of a safety especially because they have one of the weakest of the contending NFL teams. Drafting Thieneman gives the secondary a leader and may allow the Bears to make a deeper playoff run.

26. Buffalo Bills - EDGE Keldic Faulk, Auburn

The Bills can either buff up a mediocre defensive line or get a receiver for Josh Allen. At this point in the draft there is not a receiver worth drafting here, so the Bills will opt to make their defense better.

27. San Francisco 49ers - OT Blake Miller, Clemson

With the possibility of star tackle Trent Williams not being with the 49ers next year, tackle will become a position of need. Along with that the other tackle spot is weak, so Miller will be able to make an impact quickly and could be the extra piece the 49ers need if they can retain Williams.

28. Houston Texans - OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Lomu is a draft pick that will still have a lot to prove, yet, his skill and size still keeps him at a first round grade. This pick could be like the Kenyon Green pick, however, the Texans will hope this works out in their favor

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) - CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

After trading away Trent McDuffie to acquire more draft capital, the Chiefs have a need at corner. Drafting Terrell who is a lockdown corner will be a great fit, and he has the opportunity to be the best corner from this draft.

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN)- EDGE R Mason Thomas- Oklahoma

The Dolphins with multiple needs can attempt to upgrade any position on defense. After the loss of Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins need a new dominant EDGE rusher. Grabbing Thomas here allows the Dolphins to get an elite pass rusher with proven talent.

31. New England Patriots - EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

The Patriots showed that they are in it to win it with their past season, however, the team did lose EDGE rusher K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency. Drafting Howell allows the Patriots to fill a team need and have a player who could be dominant for a guarantee of five seasons at a discounted price.

32. Seattle Seahawks - CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks have more holes than expected after free agency. This is especially true at corner with veteran Tariq Woolen leaving in free agency. Drafting Hood here allows the Seahawks to grab a young corner who can play right away.