2026 NFL First Round Mock Draft For All 32 Picks: 4.0 (End Of College Football Regular Season Edition)
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The college football regular season is officially in the books, and for the nation’s top 2026 NFL Draft prospects, every snap from here on out carries even more weight. With bowl games, all-star showcases, and the NFL Scouting Combine quickly approaching, draft stocks are about to rise, fall, and reshape the first-round landscape in dramatic fashion.
That means it’s the perfect time to dive into an updated edition of our 2026 NFL first-round mock draft.
Just a note that draft order is courtesy of Tankathon. Now let’s get to it.
Who are the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft?
1. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans wound up dealing their 2026 NFLfirst-round pick to a quarterback-needy team for additional draft picks, but it’s a little too early to project trades.
If the draft were held today, the Titans would surely want to take the No. 1 defensive player on their board. They have one of the league’s best defensive tackles in Jeffery Simmons, so adding an explosive edge rusher like Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. would immediately give them one of the league’s best front sevens.
2. New York Giants: Peter Woods
Having already secured their new franchise QB in Jaxson Dart, the Giants would also be a prime trade-down candidate. But in this exercise, they waste no time turning in the card for Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.
Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence are already as dangerous a pass-rushing trio as it gets. Add Woods to the mix, and you have something reminiscent of the Giants’ four Super Bowl championship-winning teams whose unblockable front sevens paved the way to title glory.
3. New Orleans Saints: Fernando Mendoza
For the Saints, the No. 1 objective is obvious: Take the best quarterback available in 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough obviously ain’t it. This team finally has the required franchise-changing pick to get a real signal-caller, and Mendoza would join a young nucleus led by Chris Olave, Taliese Fuaga, and Kelvin Banks Jr. Adding Mendoza would finally bring new hope to New Orleans.
4. New York Jets: Dante Moore
Same idea here as the Saints: Take the best signal-caller on the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Moore displays pinpoint accuracy and excellent decision-making that the Jets haven’t had since…ever? We know they have a bad history of swinging and missing on highly-touted QBs, but Moore is worth the risk, especially if Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are his go-to playmakers.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Ty Simpson
The QB run continues with the Raiders taking the Alabama signal-caller. Assuming Mark Davis and Tom Brady retain Pete Carroll, the veteran coach will love the chance to work with a big-game player with excellent ball security and accuracy.
The Raiders stink this year. But adding Simpson to an offense with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty would set up the Silver and Black beautifully long-term.
6. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson
Depending on how Shedeur Sanders plays, the Browns may end up playing themselves out of prime-QB-prospect territory here. If Sanders isn’t the guy, they always have the option to trade up later in round one.
But one thing’s for certain: Cleveland needs more weapons. Jerry Jeudy is better suited as a No. 2 receiver. Tyson, a 6-foot-2 speed-burner out of Arizona State, is a tremendous deep threat and TD machine who would give the Browns their best receiver since prime Josh Gordon.
7. Washington Commanders: Keldric Faulk
Jayden Daniels’ rash of injuries has derailed the Commanders’ 2025 season, but they also have a horrific defense that needs a major youth injection. That can start in a NFL draft loaded with quality pass rushers.
Auburn’s Keldric Faulk is a hulking 6-foot-6 menace with excellent run defense to go along with his pass-rushing motor. An absolute must-have for Dan Quinn’s defense in the 2026 NFL Draft.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: Francis Mauigoa
Yes, the Bengals need a lot of help on defense. But Joe Burrow isn’t going to last long if the Bengals run it back with this same pathetic unit of an offensive line in 2026.
2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims still hasn’t come around as hoped, which means it’s back to the drawing board. The Miami product is a plug-and-play guy capable of serving as Burrow’s blindside protector for the rest of his prime.
9. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese
The long-term outlook on the Cardinals’ defense is promising with veterans Budda Baker and Josh Sweat, plus rookie standouts Walter Nolen and Will Johnson. Adding Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese to the mix could be the final touch to turn Jonathan Gannon’s defense into the type of unit he oversaw as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2022.
10. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano
With the way Tua Tagovailoa’s contract is structured, the Dolphins can’t realistically trade or cut him next year. So, they may as well try retooling the offensive line and receiver room to see if an upgraded supporting cast can help him bounce back after a tough rookie year.
Utah’s Spencer Fano is excellent in pass protection, but it’s his run-blocking that sets Fano apart from most other 2026 linemen prospects. If Miami wants to better establish the run behind De’Von Achane, Fano is the perfect solution here.
11. Los Angeles Rams (From Atlanta Falcons): Jermod McCoy
If there’s one area the NFC’s top team could upgrade at, it’s the cornerback position via the 2026 NFL Draft. Fortunately, the Atlanta Falcons’ ill-fated move to trade up for James Pearce Jr. gives LA an early day-one pick to take this elite shutdown corner.
McCoy is lights-out in coverage and would give the Rams their first true shutdown corner since Jalen Ramsey. And you need that with Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the 49ers’ explosive group of pass-catchers in your division.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Downs
If Harrison Smith ends up retiring, as many expect, this will set up the Vikings nicely to grab an immediate succession plan.
The Vikings’ secondary has been a weakness for a while. They can start the long-term upgrades by adding a do-it-all safety and national champion like Downs to lead the defensive backs.
13. Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Parker
The Cowboys need help on the edges after trading superstar Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. They used one of the first-round picks obtained from Green Bay to land All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but let’s not stop there.
Parker, who had 11 sacks last year, could start right away and assert himself as the new alpha pass-rusher on the Clemson defense.
14. Carolina Panthers: David Bailey
Like the Cowboys, Carolina traded away its best pass rusher — in this case, Brian Burns – and has yet to fill the void. Now that their young offense is coming together, the call should be easy to take a defensive player here.
Texas Tech star David Bailey has shot up the 2026 NFL draft rankings with a monster year after transferring from Stanford. He would fill the shoes left by Burns and immediately give Carolina the best edge rusher in the weak NFC South.
15. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love
We know they always find ways to win with a lackluster rushing game, but we still wonder how much better the Chiefs’ offense would be with a true bellcow running back.
If the Chiefs miss the playoffs, and if Love is on the board here, this should be an easy decision for GM Brett Veach. An offense featuring Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Love is pure nightmare fuel.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: LaNorris Sellers
Even if the Steelers re-sign Aaron Rodgers or bring in a different veteran as a short-term option, this just makes too much sense. Sellers brings a dynamic dual-threat ability that would perfectly suit the rush-heavy offense Arthur Smith wants to implement.
Pittsburgh can draft Norris and have him sit for a year if he’s not ready, then take on the reins in 2027. Hey, is it better than signing past-their-prime veterans to be short-term solutions?
17. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu
CJ Stroud still hasn’t experienced life in the NFL behind a not-so-horrible offensive line. If Houston is too committed to protecting its starting QB long-term, they oughta address the o-line in the early rounds.
Like Utes teammate Spencer Fano, Lomu is tough and nasty in the trenches. Another plug-and-play guy who can fill the void left by Laremy Tunsil.
18. Detroit Lions: Mansoor Delane
2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold still hasn’t developed into a capable starting cornerback. And with an onslaught of dynamic pass-catchers in the NFC North, the Lions have to seek improvements.
LSU’s Mansoor Delane is a potent ball-hawker who would add more stability to a secondary that’s too reliant on Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.
19. Baltimore Ravens: Matayo Uiagalelei
Nnamdi Madubuike’s season-ending injury has exposed the lack of pass-rushing depth on Baltimore’s defense. With no other significant weaknesses on the roster, it’d be a surprise if they didn’t address the front seven here in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Few teams are better at developing and thrusting their rookies into key starting roles like Baltimore. Uiagalelei is NFL-ready and would form a terrifying tandem with Madubuike in 2026 and beyond.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Avieon Terrell
Todd Bowles has the reputation of being a defensive guru, but boy, oh boy, has the Bucs’ secondary been a mess over the last three years. At some point, you gotta think they’ll take the hint, right?
Luckily, the 2026 draft class has plenty of quality cornerback prospects. Clemson’s Avieon Terrell can immediately step in and become their new “hopeful” shutdown corner.
21. Buffalo Bills: Carnell Tate
The Bills continue to search for a real No. 1 receiver in the post-Stefon Diggs era. We already know Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman aren’t solutions, so they oughta try again at the draft table.
As a dynamic receiver averaging around 18 yards per reception, the Ohio State product would be the perfect field-stretcher to complement Josh Allen’s arm and ability to extend plays, allowing Shakir to move into a necessary WR2 role.
22. Cleveland Browns (From Jacksonville Jaguars): Kadyn Proctor
We hate to remind Browns fans that their three best offensive linemen, Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, and Jack Conklin, are all pending free agents. And all three are on the wrong side of 30, meaning it’s time to rebuild in the trenches.
With an additional first-round pick via the Jaguars, the Browns can beef up here in the 2026 NFL draft with the hulking Alabama product.
23. San Francisco 49ers: Makai Lemon
Following a new bombshell report that Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers are headed for a divorce, it’s safe to say GM John Lynch will be in the market for more receiving help in 2026.
We know pass-catching is far from the 49ers’ biggest need here, but this electrifying deep threat and red zone weapon could actually be an upgrade over the All-Pro version of Aiyuk. And you can’t have too many playmakers in today’s NFL.
24. Dallas Cowboys (From Green Bay Packers): Sonny Styles
I mean, why stop? Keep adding on defense, baby. You need it.
If the Cowboys could swap out Parsons for Quinnen Williams, TJ Parker, AND Sonny Styles? Whoa, mama, now Jerry suddenly looks like a genius. And that’s a front-seven that can really challenge the NFL’s best o-lines.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Young
Khalil Mack considered retirement before returning for his age-34 season. If he decides to walk away for good, the Chargers will surely attack the defensive line quickly via the 2026 NFL Draft.
At this phase, Missouri’s Zion Young is the best remaining edge rusher. Jim Harbaugh loves resilient and menacing guys to dominate the trenches so that Young would flourish in a starting role right off the bat.
26. Chicago Bears: LT Overton
Outside of veteran stalwart Montez Sweat, the Bears’ defense doesn’t have any pass rushers who are scaring opposing offensive coordinators.
More help is needed on the defensive line, and this 6-foot-5, 278-pound beast, working alongside Sweat, would give Chicago a top-flight edge rushing tandem.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Kenyon Sadiq
Seattle hasn’t had a real stud tight end since Jimmy Graham last played here in 2017. Free agent signing Cooper Kupp hasn’t been an impactful player whatsoever, leaving the Seahawks’ passing game entirely reliant on Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
So, Seattle looks for its No. 2 pass-catcher here by taking Sadiq, the star Oregon tight end, another miserable one-on-one matchup nightmare.
28. New York Jets (From Indianapolis Colts): Denzel Boston
The Jets already have a borderline top-10 receiver in Garrett Wilson, but not a whole lot else in the passing game otherwise.
If they take a QB with their own first-round pick, GM Darren Mougey should double up on offense by adding the Washington Huskies star. The Jets’ next QB would be in a great position to succeed with Wilson, Boston, and Breece Hall.
29. Philadelphia Eagles: Trevor Goosby
With Lane Johnson getting close to retirement, this would be a golden opportunity for Philly to draft and develop his successor via the 2026 NFL Draft. Just look at how they mastered the Cam Jurgens-Jason Kelce succession plan, folks.
Goosby can learn behind Johnson for a year or two before taking over at the other bookend spot opposite Jordan Mailata.
30. Denver Broncos: Germie Bernard
As great as the Broncos have been on defense this season, Bo Nix’s limitations have been exposed more often than Sean Payton would like. Of course, there’s not a lot of receiving help outside of veteran star Courtland Sutton, so the Broncos should use this receiver-heavy draft to get another weapon for Nix.
Bernard has emerged as a stud playmaker and serious threat since transferring to Alabama in 2024. His ability to work the middle of the field and open up room for other receivers makes Bernard a fascinating fit in the offense.
31. Los Angeles Rams: C.J. Allen
News Joshua L Jones
Allen is a workhorse who does it all across the field. He’s one of the best run-stoppers in this class, but also explodes off the edge as an occasional pass rusher. The perfect wreaker-of-havoc to complement the potent tandem of Jared Verse and Kobie Turner
32. New England Patriots: Chris Bell
If we’re nitpicking on the surprising Patriots here, they could certainly use another receiver to complement veteran Stefon Diggs. Even at this phase of his career, Diggs isn’t exactly an All-Pro-caliber weapon anymore.
Bell’s great combination of size, speed, and ability to win those contested catch battles would go hand-in-hand with Drake Maye’s rocket arm.
