2026 NFL First Round Mock Draft For All 32 Picks: 5.0 (Start Of CFB Playoffs)
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
With the College Football Playoff among us and the NFL regular season quickly winding down, it’s time for an updated peek into the crystal ball.
Once again, the draft order here is courtesy of Tankathon. Without further ado, let’s dive into our sixth edition of the 2026 NFL first-round mock draft.
Who are the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft?
1. New York Giants: Rueben Bain Jr.
If the Giants do end up with the No. 1 pick, it’s safe to assume they’d trade it to the highest bidder. They already have their quarterback in Jaxson Dart, after all.
But it’s too soon to project trades, so we have the Giants taking the best defensive prospect here in Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr., because, well, just imagine a front seven of Bain, Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence. That’s how you turn your defense around, baby.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza
With the Geno Smith experiment failing, Vegas has the easy choice to take the best quarterback available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner is a day-one starter who could complement an offense led by Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. Add Mendoza to the mix, and the long-term outlook in Sin City is actually bright for once.
3. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese
The Titans have roster holes everywhere, so it’s anybody’s guess where they’d go with this pick. The defense certainly needs a lot of help, though, so this wouldn’t be the worst starting point.
The Tennessee D has nothing to offer outside of Jeffery Simmons. The pass rush would get a significant boost from this do-it-all Buckeyes star with plenty of big-game experience.
4. Cleveland Browns: Dante Moore
As much fun as Shedeur Sanders has been at times, the Browns would have a heckuva time passing up on Moore if he were available. The Oregon quarterback is a sharp decision-maker with pinpoint accuracy. He’s far less mistake-prone than former Browns QB busts like Johnny Manziel, Brady Quinn, and Tim Couch.
Absolutely worth taking a chance on.
5. New York Jets: Carnell Tate
If Mendoza and Moore are off the board when the Jets pick? It is too soon to take a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. And remember, they have an extra first-rounder in their back pocket.
Regardless of who starts behind center next year, the Jets need more weapons. Garrett Wilson and fellow Buckeye product Carnell Tate would instantly form a top-five receiving tandem and make life that much easier for the new starting QB.
6. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano
It remains to be seen if Arizona will keep Kyler Murray or start afresh behind center. If it’s the latter, they could always explore the trade or free agent market for a potential solution.
For now, let’s assign another bookend to help rising star Paris Johnson Jr. Per Pro Football Focus, Fano didn’t give up a single sack on 382 pass-blocking snaps in the regular season. A Fano-Johnson tandem could set up Arizona’s o-line beautifully for the next decade.
7. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson
Tyler Shough is playing like someone deserving of an extended look behind center, so we don’t see New Orleans reaching for a QB here. Instead, why not add another building block to help Tyson via the 2026 NFL Draft?
The long-term outlook of New Orleans’ offense looks good with Chris Olave and offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. But Olave is better suited as a No. 2 receiver, and Tyson would immediately give New Orleans an All-Pro-caliber pass-catcher they haven’t had since prime Michael Thomas.
8. Washington Commanders: Peter Woods
Yes, Jayden Daniels’ injury woes this year sucked. But let’s not overlook how horrendous Washington’s defense has been this year. Their 2026 first-rounder has to be spent on that side of the ball.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods would immediately shore up the front seven with his elite run defense. This 315-pound beast would be lights-out alongside veteran Daron Payne.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs
The 2025 Bengals only have perhaps the worst defense in NFL history. So yeah, help wanted please.
Downs, the unicorn safety out of Ohio State, has drawn comparisons to Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton. Yeah, Cincy could use a guy who’s excellent in coverage and dangerous as a pass-rusher and run-stopper.
10. Los Angeles Rams (From Atlanta Falcons): Caleb Lomu
The Rams don’t have any pressing weaknesses and have asserted themselves as the NFC’s team to beat. But with a pair of first-round picks, it makes sense to address a solid-but-not-elite offensive line.
Like his fellow Utes’ bookend, Caleb Lomu didn’t allow a single regular-season sack, per PFF. Lomu and veteran Alaric Jackson would solidify the o-line for years to come.
11. Miami Dolphins: Keldric Faulk
Tua Tagovailoa’s contract makes it impossible to move on from him in 2026, so don’t get any crazy ideas for the NFL Draft, Dolphins fans.
The defense stinks more than the QB situation. Jaelan Phillips is gone, and 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson hasn’t developed as hoped. Miami needs edge rushers, and the Auburn product is a plug-and-play guy who can boost this D right away.
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq
For now, we’re operating on the belief that Travis Kelce calls it quits after this season. You don’t replace a Hall of Fame talent like Kelce, but the Chiefs may as well get as much as they can.
Sadiq is the best tight end in this class and could start right away. Even if Kelce returns for another season, it doesn’t hurt to try more two-tight-end sets and have him mentor his eventual successor.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Jermod McCoy
The Vikings’ secondary has been surprisingly strong this year. But they still lack a true shutdown corner, which is a problem with the amount of explosive pass-catchers in their division.
McCoy has the athleticism and skill set to be an elite shutdown guy in man-to-man coverage, something Minny hasn’t had since the peak version of Xavier Rhodes. McCoy would flourish in Brian Flores’ stingy defense alongside veteran stalwart Byron Murphy.
14. Dallas Cowboys: David Bailey
This would certainly be a nice haul for Dallas if they could replace Micah Parsons with both Quinnen Williams and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey via the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bailey is another explosive pass-rusher who would be ready for a starting role, given the lack of star power on Dallas’ defense. Bailey and Williams are a nice way of beefing up the front seven in the post-Parsons era.
15. Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Parker
The Ravens’ pass rush has been nonexistent without Nnamdi Madubuike, whose long-term future is up in the air with a serious neck injury. Just imagine where Baltimore would be in the standings if it invested more in edge rushers in the offseason.
Anyway, it’s not too late to correct a mistake. Clemson’s TJ Parker fits the makeup of the hard-hitting and physical Ravens defense. It wouldn’t take him long to emerge as their new No. 1 pass-rusher.
16. Carolina Panthers: Francis Mauigoa
The Panthers’ operation has slowly but surely come together under second-year head coach Dave Canales. But we still wonder what more Bryce Young could do with better pass protection.
Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa is a certified mauler, with run-blocking serving as his strength. And with the Panthers pounding the rock aplenty in Canales’ offense, this just feels like the perfect fit in every aspect.
17. Detroit Lions: Avieon Terrell
2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold has been a complete bust, and the Lions just don’t have the cornerback depth to take this defense to an “elite” level.
So, GM Brad Holmes dips his feet in the world of stud Clemson cornerbacks. Avieon Terrell is a world-class ball-hawker with 21 pass breakups and eight forced fumbles over his last two seasons. Exactly the piece Dan Campbell needs.
18. New York Jets (From Indianapolis Colts): Ty Simpson
Here’s your quarterback, Jets fans.
There’s a good possibility that the Jets would have to trade up to get the QB they want in the 2026 NFL Draft. But again, that’s totally fine with all the extra draft capital they have. If they’re not ready to start Simpson right away, the Jets can bring in a bridge option and take their time mentoring him.
It’s not like this team has a successful track record with quarterbacks who are thrown into the fire right away. See: Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mansoor Delane
We’ve stressed the Bucs’ need to fix the secondary time and time again. Todd Bowles is supposed to be a defensive guru, right?
This year’s draft has plenty of enticing cornerback prospects. So, unless they add some help in free agency or trade, the day-one draft strategy is easy for Tampa: Sit here and take the best remaining cornerback, which is LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon
Who knows what Pittsburgh will do at QB if Aaron Rodgers retires? But the Steelers’ starting QB of 2026 won’t get much done if DK Metcalf remains the only impactful pass-catcher.
Here’s Pittsburgh’s chance in the 2026 NFL Draft to find a sidekick for Metcalf. Lemon’s a special deep threat and red-zone weapon who can provide a Mike Wallace or Emmanuel Sanders-type role we saw more than a decade ago in Steel City.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Denzel Boston
Allow us to operate on the belief that AJ Brown is a goner after this season. If that’s the case, Howie Roseman can patiently wait until it’s his turn to pick for a hopeful replacement.
The Eagles will surely have a new offensive coordinator next year. Assuming they implement a more pass-happy offense, Washington’s Denzel Boston would be a nice addition here. He’s got Mike Evans-like talents with a 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame and excellent contested catch abilities.
22. Houston Texans: Jeremiyah Love
Love is arguably a top-five prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class. But it’s always difficult to forecast where running backs will go in round one. Nonetheless, he’s the type of hard-nosed runner the Texans need.
Joe Mixon isn’t a long-term answer, given his injury history and the extensive mileage on his body. The Texans need a reset at running back, and Love could help this offense regain its elite form we haven’t seen since CJ Stroud’s 2023 rookie year.
23. Dallas Cowboys (From Green Bay Packers): Matayo Uiagalelei
I mean, why not?
You can never have too many edge rushers in today’s NFL. The Cowboys are practically set on offense. And their secondary will be fine if DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs can just get healthy.
We already like the idea of David Bailey and Quinnen Williams wreaking havoc together. Let’s make it a three-headed monster with the Oregon edge rusher here.
24. Buffalo Bills: Caleb Banks
The Bills could always use more bodies on the defensive line. A healthy Ed Oliver is still one of the game’s better defensive tackles, but imagine if Buffalo paired him with Florida product Caleb Banks.
Buffalo’s run D has been as bad as we’ve ever seen it under head coach Sean McDermott. Adding another run-stopper in the middle of the d-line would be a nice long-term solution.
25. Chicago Bears: Sonny Styles
The Bears still need a couple more game-wreckers on defense if they’re to take that step as an NFC heavyweight. So how about a Swiss Army Knife of a linebacker like Ohio State’s Sonny Styles?
Though listed as a linebacker, Styles also has experience playing safety. Either way, his steady coverage skills would make Styles a valuable addition to a Chicago defense that is currently devoid of real game-changers.
26: Los Angeles Chargers: L.T. Overton
There’s no guarantee that Khalil Mack will return for 2026 even if the Chargers remain a real Super Bowl contender under Jim Harbaugh.
Bottom line is, the Bolts could use additional pass rushers to help Mack and rising star Tuli Tuipulotu. The hulking 6-foot-5, 278-pound Overton would add extra toughness to Harbaugh’s hard-hitting defense.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Chris Bell
Reports indicate that Brandon Aiyuk has played his final snap as a 49er. With Jauan Jennings a strong candidate to leave for greener pastures in free agency, the 49ers could find themselves in need of another explosive pass-catcher via the 2026 NFL Draft.
Let Jennings price himself out, then add Bell on a rookie deal. It would be a nice, tidy piece of business by GM John Lynch.
28. Cleveland Browns (From Jacksonville Jaguars): Germie Bernard
If the Browns use their initial first-round pick on a QB, the next goal is to upgrade the supporting cast. The passing game offers nothing outside of Jerry Jeudy, but running back Quinshon Judkins is a star in the making.
Cleveland could put the final touch on the offensive makeover by pairing the Alabama wideout with Jeudy, another Crimson Tide product who’s better suited as a No. 2 receiver.
29. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell
As a cornerstone of the Patriots’ first dynasty, Mike Vrabel knows the importance of building through the trenches. The Pats defense has taken a major jump in year one under Vrabel, but they could use a little more help on the edges.
Texas A&M stalwart Cashius Howell took a monster leap in 2025 and has asserted himself as a day-one starter. The Pats would love to have this guy chasing Josh Allen around in the AFC East.
30. Seattle Seahawks: Olaivavega Ioane
If there’s one pressing issue on the Seahawks’ otherwise near-flawless roster this year, it’s the interior offensive line. Have you seen the Anthony Bradford film packages lately?
The Penn State guard also didn’t allow a single sack during the 2025 regular season, either. Can’t imagine how much Sam Darnold would appreciate a weapon like that.
31. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood
The Jalen Ramsey trade with Miami in 2023 wound up benefiting the Rams, yes. But they’re still searching for a quality shutdown corner. In an NFL draft loaded with dazzling cornerback prospects, why not roll the dice on Tennessee’s Colton Hood in 2026?
Hood put his name on the map this year after transferring from Colorado. His big-game experience would make him a beautiful fit on a team with a lengthy championship window.
32. Denver Broncos: Chris Brazzell II
Troy Franklin has emerged as a nice No. 2 option behind Courtland Sutton in the passing game. But we can’t help but wonder how much better a Sean Payton and Bo Nix-led offense would be with a player like the 6-foot-5, 200-pound beast out of Tennessee.
Brazzell averaged just over 15 yards per game during his college career. His contested catch skills and status as a red zone nightmare matchup could take this Denver offense to another level.
