Mock Draft 1.0 26'

You may be wondering why I only did two positions and then jumped straight into the mock drafts. Well, unfortunately, I have been busy this draft season with school and various 'life things.' I haven't had the time to flesh out and do the scouting + the website post + the graphics being made for the Instagram and TikTok. However, scouting was still done, albeit with slightly fewer total players scouted.  Now, as for the mock draft, this is done without trades. I expect there will be trades on draft day. As a little bonus, as an apology for not getting the full position rankings done, I will give my pro comp for each player in this mock draft.

1..Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

This pick is fairly obvious. Mendoza is the consensus best quarterback in the class, and the Raiders need a true signal-caller. Any doubts about this not being the number one overall pick went away when Las Vegas sent Geno Smith to the Jets. I still expect the Raiders to add a veteran QB to help mentor Mendoza, and potentially start the season, but I think it's as close to 100% of a lock as a draft pick can be. My pro-comp is still Matt Ryan.

2. New York Jets

Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

This is where the real draft begins. The Jets have a lot of capital to acquire talent this draft, and I think with that in mind, they will lean towards the best player on the board. Not counting Love, the two best choices here for the Jets are realistically Reese or Bailey, but for this mock, I will go with Reese. He projects as a pass rusher at the NFL level, but don't let that fool you, as Reese can be a chess piece for any defense. In his time as a Buckeye, he was used to guard running backs and tight ends, did some QB spying, and even played off the ball. I think he is a good fit for this Jets defense, which has a lot of holes on that side of the ball. He reminds me of Jalon Walker and Abdul Carter as a prospect.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Cardinals can go a number of ways here at pick 3, but I have them bolstering their line with Mauigoa. I personally find this a pretty solid place to trade back in this year's draft, but getting the consensus best offensive lineman of this class will help whoever lines up under center for the Cards. (I unfortunately don't do offensive lineman pro-comps)

4. Tennessee Titans

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

This is the spot where many expect Love to go, and I can see it, but I'm leaning towards David Bailey as the pick here. I feel like this is the kind of player that Saleh will want to build his defense around. The case to add to the supporting cast for Ward makes sense, but you can also help a young QB by having a good defense, too. Bailey is probably the most explosive edge rusher in this class, so my comparison for him is Nik Bonnito.

5. New York Giants

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Sonny Styles might be one of the more exciting prospects in this entire class. Styles is a stud off the ball linebacker who has very impressive coverage and run-stopping skills. He feels like the kind of pick that this Giants team would make, as he would be an animal behind that defensive line. I think there is certainly a reality where this is an offensive lineman drafted at 5, but I feel Styles' stock rises higher and higher by the day. It's hard not to see him have the same impact that Devin Lloyd had on the Jaguars last season.

6. Cleveland Browns

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

I don't expect the Browns to draft a QB in the first round, and certainly not here at 6. They have holes on the offensive line, at WR, and in their secondary, so I see the best value here as Fano. Having two first-round picks lets them get a little more daring if they want, but I think Fano will be a nice player.

7. Washington Commanders

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

This is perhaps the most common spot where love is mocked, and for good reason. The Commanders just cleaned out their running back room, and this is about as perfect a value you can draft Love at. I think Love is a great player and will have an immediate impact on whatever team drafts him, but I also feel like his stock is so high because the running back class as a whole is very weak. That's not to knock him; in fact, I don't see him falling past 10, as someone will move up and grab him, especially if they see him as a missing piece to an offense. I think he will have an impact in Washington similar to Jahmyr Gibbs, but I think he projects more as a Jonathan Taylor-type player.

8. New Orleans Saints

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Towards the end of the year, even fans who are very familiar with all the players in the league had no idea who Shough was throwing the ball to at the end of the season. Carnell Tate would complement Olave very well and add a vertical aspect to the Saints' passing game. He is the best pass catcher in this class, with the highest ceiling as well. I think as a prospect, he reminds me of Calvin Ridley, but I think his ceiling as a player could be as dominant as Davante Adams.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Chiefs have two first-round picks, with one of them in the top 10, something they haven't been used to for a while. While I could absolutely see them moving up for Tate or another receiver, I think sitting put and filling a glaring need at corner also makes sense. They lost 3 starters in the secondary this offseason, and even then, it was a weak secondary last season anyway, so upgrades were needed regardless. Delane is the best corner in this class and can essentially guard any type of receiver. When I watch his tape, he reminds me of Quinyon Mitchell in his length and ability to be a true CB1 and guard the other team's best guy. Not only would this be filling a need, but it would also be a massive upgrade.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Caleb Downs feels like the safest player any team can draft this year, and that is a good and bad thing. On the plus side, he would make this Bengals defense instantly a lot better on the back end and would improve one of the worst defenses in the league. Downs is safe, but he also doesn't have any standout traits, which certainly is fine, and I could see him still being the best safety in this class, but I could also just as easily see a different safety with a higher ceiling be the best. For the Bengals, they can't afford to roll the dice, so a player that reminds me of Jalen Pitre would be a solid addition.

11. Miami Dolphins

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

On paper, the Dolphins have the most holes on their roster, but after signing Malik Willis to a massive payday, I think it's only fair to let him have someone to throw the ball to. Lemon is a true X receiver and will instantly be the top option in that Miami offense in terms of pass catchers. Lemon reminds me of Robert Woods, who was a valuable pass catcher in the NFL for almost a decade.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami

This would be a dream come true for Cowboys fans, although I won't lie, if Bain were to fall like this, someone would likely trade up and snag him. That being said, for this exercise, the Cowboys get a massive win and an energy bolt added to their defensive front. After letting Parsons go a season ago, this would feel like the true replacement. Many are polarized by the arm length on Bain, but I think if that isn't a factor and Bain lives up to his ceiling, I could see him putting up production similar to Aidan Hutchinson.

13. Los Angeles Rams

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The Rams have invested quite a bit into their young defense, so I would expect them to try to get 17 games out of Stafford. The best way to do that is to get a new right tackle, and I feel like Blake Miller fits the build pretty well. I will note that this is the Rams, and I could see them trading this pick, but as for now, I think this makes the most sense.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

This is the most Ravens pick the Ravens could make. They lose Linderbaum in the offseason, and they get an instant replacement. As simple as that.

15. Tampa Bay Bucs

Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

In this mock, I have Mesidor staying in the state of Florida. Tampa needs to address its defense, as Bowles' time to prove himself is running short. Mesidor would be the best available defender that fits this scheme. Mesidor reminds me of Byron Young, and I believe that he will have a solid impact on a Tampa defensive line that could use some consistency.

16. New York Jets

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

I won't spend long here since I already talked about the Jets, but adding a solid pass catcher to pair with Garrett Wilson is a viable way to get more production out of the passing offense, something that was essentially dead last in the NFL. There are plenty of holes to fill with the Jets, but I believe Tyson's ability on the field will also help them sell tickets as well. He feels like he would serve a Jakobi Meyers role in that offense, which would certainly be a help to Geno Smith.

17. Detroit Lions

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Left tackle is a massive need for this Lions team that is looking to keep their Super Bowl window alive. There are talks of moving Sewell over to left tackle, but regardless, a tackle is needed, and Freeling can fill in that hole. He battled some injuries in 2025, but if he can stay healthy, he can certainly be a starting tackle in the NFL.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Vikings will need to replace some holes that were created this free agency, like Javon Hargrave and Jalen Nailor, but I think they will look to replace Harrison Smith with this pick. Theineman is another player a part of the brand of 'positionless' players that can be used, however, in Brian Flores's defense. As I mentioned in my safeties rankings, I think he has Kevin Byard upside.

19. Carolina Panthers

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

The Panthers seem to keep getting better and better each season, yet the weapons on offense still seem to be a little dry, even with the addition of McMillan last season. Cooper Jr would make an okay passing offense even more dynamic with Cooper's ability to stretch the field. Cooper is a fun and dynamic player, and he reminds me of a mix of Deebo Samuel & Jarvis Landry, which, if that is the case, then I would expect any offense to get better with his addition.

20. Dallas Cowboys

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Although it seems unlikely that McCoy falls, I feel like we see it with corners every year, and in Dallas's position, I would expect them to be all over this. McCoy missed all of 2025, but he has the speed, ball skills, and hip movement to be a potential CB1. I don't have a direct pro comp for McCoy, but I see a little Darius Slay in his film from 2024.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

This could hypothetically be a good spot for Ty Simpson, but the Steelers don't feel like the team to pull the trigger on a fringe round 1 QB again, although I think this time it would be different. Instead, I have them filling a hole on their offensive line with Caleb Lomu, who has the measurables and frame to absolutely be a starting tackle.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Another year, another Chargers team that needs to improve its offensive line. They are expecting key players back from injury, but adding elite talent in Proctor would be a good idea, even if it is just for insurance purposes. Proctor might be the biggest player in the whole draft, so his sticking at tackle wouldn't be mandatory, as they could slide him inside to guard.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

McNeil-Warren is one of my favorite players in the whole draft. The Eagles need a new safety after letting Reed Blankenship go, a player who did more for that defense than many realize. McNeil-Warren can step in and immediately add more talent to that secondary. We saw how much of a game-changer Nick Emmanwori was in Seattle last season, and I believe that he has that kind of upside.

24. Cleveland Browns

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Browns look to give whoever is lining up under center a little more of a chance with a solid X receiver in Boston. He is a physical receiver that can succeed at all three levels of the field, and I agree with Daniel Jeremiah's pro comp being Courtland Sutton. I think a pass catcher is what this team needs for there to be any resemblance of a passing game is somebody like Boston.

25. Chicago Bears

T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

This one could be a stretch, but I think this team needs to get better on defense, and Parker is a good fit to play anywhere on that defensive line. He had a very impressive Senior Bowl week. The production the Bears defense had last season was unsustainable, but I think Parker is certainly worth the gamble here at pick 25. I see some shades of, and a true ceiling of, Cameron Jordan.

26. Buffalo Bills

Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

I think the direction the Bills should go in this draft is to improve the defense. I think you can trust Josh Allen with the offense, and now that you don't have a defensive head coach, you may need some good ball players on that side, and Howell is one. He may lack some measurements, but his production and twitch were undeniable at Texas A&M. Many will point to his short arms as a reason he can't succeed at the NFL level, but that never stopped Kyle Van Noy. 

27. San Francisco 49ers

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

I know they have George Kittle, but they won't have him for a while this year, as he's recovering from injury. Sadiq can fill a hole in his absence, while also finding a place in the offense once Kittle is back. There is nothing wrong with having two great tight ends, and Sadiq is the type of player that you can line up out wide or even in the backfield. My pro comp for Sadiq is a more well-rounded Evan Engram, and could you imagine Kyle Shanahan using him as an H-back?

28. Houston Texans

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Ideally, I would think Houston would want to grab an offensive lineman here, despite the additions in free agency, but with none worth the value here, and no trades in this mock, I have them filling a slight hole at linebacker. CJ Allen is an explosive playmaker and an excellent run-stopper. The most popular pro comp is Zaire Franklin, and I'd have to agree.

29. Kansas City Chiefs

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

I get that it seems out there to double-dip in the first round, but look at the Falcons last year. They had a pass rush problem, then drafted two edge rushers. Their pass rush in 2025 was very good. Personally, I thought the Chiefs' secondary was weak prior to their guys leaving in free agency, so I like adding two here, but this time, with more of a slot corner in Terrell. He can start in the nickel on day one. He reminds me of his Clemson teammate Nate Wiggins.

30. Miami Dolphins

Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Dolphins will simply be looking at best available, although receiver could be in play here. I like Faulk to bolster the defense after losing Bradley Chubb. The Dolphins would be getting good versatility with a player like Faulk, who can line up anywhere on the defensive front. I like the Carlos Dunlap pro comp that has been floated around for Faulk.

31. New England Patriots

Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

The Patriots could look to improve the defensive front and make it a feared unit, and I think McDonald would be an excellent step in the right direction. He is a terrific run stopper, and I think that is something they could use after Kenneth Walker had a field day in the biggest game of the year. I see Kenny Clark as a pro comp.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M

The one hole the Seahawks had all year was right guard, and this would fill that need. Sure, they lost some pieces in the offseason, but I think those are holes they can fill later in the draft or just simply with the depth they already have.