2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks and Predictions (Pre-Combine Edition)

February 25, 2026

Chris' 2026 NFL mock draft with expert predictions, top prospects, and team selections for the upcoming draft, featuring Fernando Mendoza, Carnell Tate, Jeremiyah Love, and more.

The NFL Combine is this week, meaning that we are about to get a lot of information on incoming rookies that could impact their eventual place in the NFL Draft. However, contrary to popular opinion, the Combine is no longer "must-see" viewing, as the numbers can be seen online soon after. Additionally, remember that film still matters more than these numbers.

With that in mind, the following mock will occur before the Combine. There are multiple players in this mock, and outside of it, whose stock will be influenced heavily by the Combine, though. Those players could benefit greatly, or be hurt, by the medical results, testing numbers, and drills that are held in Indy.

Particular prospect stocks that could swing greatly at the Combine include Brandon Cisse, Monroe Freeling, Chris Bell, and Jordyn Tyson. For Bell and Tyson, medicals will mean almost as much as they did for Josh Simmons last year. Meanwhile, Cisse and Freeling could top their position groups in multiple metrics if they work out, thus there is money to be made.

2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks (Pre-Combine)

1. Las Vegas Raiders- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Unless the Raiders are offered an obscene haul for this draft pick (aka #2 overall plus multiple 2027 firsts from the Jets), you should write Mendoza to Vegas down in concrete and let it dry. Tom Brady will fall in love with the Heisman winner's mental game, preparation, and pre-snap recognition.

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

Reese continues to be the projection here. He has the most projectable upside of any potential edge in this class... and yes, we project him as an edge. While the Buckeye has the skillset to be an interior linebacker hybrid, odds are whoever drafts him will want to unleash him on the outside of a 3-4 scheme.

3. Arizona Cardinals- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

It's impossible not to notice the similarities between Bailey and Byron Young as undersized but twitched up speed rushers when they came out of college, and Mike LaFleur saw the difference Young can make. While offensive tackle makes sense here, Arizona could target tackle in the second round and draft the top talent on the board in Bailey.

4. Tennessee Titans- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

This year's free agent class is deeper at edge rusher and offensive tackle than it is receiver. While some are projecting Alec Pierce to the Titans, Pierce has just a half-season of strong production under his belt while Tate profiles as the kind of receiver that can help Cam Ward take the next step.

5. New York Giants- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Caleb Downs is an increasingly popular pick for the Giants, but they have to continue putting pieces around Jaxson Dart and the right side of their offensive line is headed for free agency. Fano would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle and help Dart stay as healthy as he can.

6. Cleveland Browns- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

Cleveland's entire offensive line is headed for free agency and it wasn't particularly good to begin with. Mauigoa would be a strong way to begin getting younger, stronger, and nastier on the offensive line. The Browns must protect whatever passer they draft in 2027.

7. Washington Commanders- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Commanders could look at Rueben Bain Jr. if he is available here, but they have one running back on their roster going into free agency and must do more to protect and help Jayden Daniels. Love would give Daniels an explosive dumpoff option and force safeties into the box.

8. New Orleans Saints- Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (FL)

The Saints must begin planning for the retirement of Cameron Jordan and Bain would make for a fine heir. The Miami product is already strong against the run and plays with a relentless motor, but he could become even more dangerous under Jordan's tutelage.

9. Kansas City Chiefs- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Chiefs do not have a screaming need in the secondary, but Downs is easily the best player on the board and would be an improvement over Chamarri Conner as their hybrid slot/box safety weapon. Downs landing in Kansas City would be a luxury pick, but one they can afford.

10. Cincinnati Bengals-Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

This is the worst case scenario for the Bengals, with Downs and the top three edge rushers all off the board before they pick. Thus they are forced to pivot and take the top corner on most boards, even though DJ Turner II's ascension lessens the overall need at the position.

11. Miami Dolphins- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Dolphins need defensive help, as well as a quarterback and more blocking, but Tyson is easily the best value left on this mock draft board. The Sun Devil is a top ten talent with the YAC skills and route running to eventually become the #1 receiver for Malik Willis... when he inevitably signs in Miami.

12. Dallas Cowboys- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

With multiple edge rushers likely to go ahead of the Cowboys on draft day, Sonny Styles feels like an inevitability for Dallas. He is a rangy former safety who can neutralize tight ends, rush from the interior, and stifle the run for a Cowboys team in need of interior linebacker help.

13. Los Angeles Rams- Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon has been our pick for the Rams for two months. This pick is simply too rich for Ty Simpson, especially for a Rams regime that traded a game manager for a gunslinger already. Lemon has the skillset to be a scary slot as a rookie before he eventually replaces Davante Adams.

14. Baltimore Ravens- Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

The Ravens' offseason coaching decisions indicate they clearly want to continue to be a run-first defensive team, but both of their starting guards earned atrocious run metrics last year and their starting center is a free agent. Ioane would fill an immediate glaring need for interior power.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Value and need are not likely to converge for Tampa's first pick, so do not be surprised if they follow the best player available model that netted them Emeka Egbuka. McCoy would fit that model as an athletic ballhawk who would improve Tampa's defensive ball production.

16. New York Jets- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The needle is pointing up on Boston. The former Husky has elite size, good hands, strong contested catch skills, and he is a quality blocker. The Jets should use this draft to build around the quarterback position, so that their choice in the 2027 Draft is set up to succeed.

17. Detroit Lions- Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama

This is a reach for Proctor, who struggled with speed and interior pass rush moves at Alabama. However, he profiles as a quality guard with the physical tools to grow into a tackle for a Detroit team that has  a need at interior o-line and could lose Taylor Decker to retirement.

18. TRADE: San Francisco 49ers- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The 49ers could lose Jauan Jennings in free agency and George Kittle may never be the same after a torn Achilles, so they have to consider adding another playmaker on offense. Sadiq is easily the best option available, so they give the Vikings a capable quarterback (Mac Jones) to move up and snag the Oregon product.

Trade Compensation:

San Francisco Receives: Pick #18

Minnesota Receives: Pick #27 and Mac Jones

19. Carolina Panthers- Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

The Panthers could use a speed rusher and more help at receiver, but the value isn't there in this spot. Faulk is a big and powerful edge who would fit well as a 5-tech in Carolina's rotation, further strengthening their run defense and helping Derrick Brown occupy blockers.

20. Dallas Cowboys- Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (FL)

Mesidor is an older prospect, but a team in "win now" mode will love his powerful hands that he uses to deliver pop and polish. The Cowboys clearly view themselves in "win now" mode and they will welcome the most pro-ready pass rusher left on the board.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Pittsburgh is stubbornly committed to "contending" and not rebuilding, thus Aaron Rodgers is their presumptive starter next year. Rodgers' presence means the Steelers could look to improve on Broderick Jones' poor pass blocking with Lomu, who surrendered zero sacks last year.

22. Los Angeles Chargers- Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

The Chargers could look at someone like Monroe Freeling to push in to guard, since he would offer elite upside as a swing tackle in the event of an injury. However, their most immediate need is at guard and Pregnon plays with the kind of power and attitude Harbaugh will love.

23. Philadelphia Eagles- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

If the Eagles lose the right side of their offensive line to retirement, as is rumored, then blockers will become Philly's top priority. While Peter Woods will entice Howie Roseman, Freeling's length and movement skills could be a necessary replacement for a retired Lane Johnson.

24. Cleveland Browns- Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

The Browns could use more offensive line help, but the value isn't there with this pick. Instead they draft Fields, whose stock is on the rise after he was arguably the best receiver at the Senior Bowl. He showed the ability to box out defensive backs, haul in contested catches, and block at Notre Dame.

25. Chicago Bears- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Bears need to improve their interior run defense, so selecting the best run-stopping defensive tackle in college football is a good start. McDonald is nearly impossible to move off the point and he will chase ball carriers down the line and past the yard to gain marker.

26. TRADE: Jacksonville Jaguars- Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Jaguars may hesitate trading Brian Thomas Jr. to an AFC rival, but Buffalo could be the only team whose need (cap and position wise) drives them to give a first rounder for BTJ. Jacksonville should love adding Woods' upside and run defense to their aging interior.

Trade Compensation:

Jacksonville Receives: Pick #26

Buffalo Receives: Brian Thomas Jr.

27. Minnesota Vikings- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Vikings lost Cam Bynum to free agency last year and Harrison Smith is a retirement candidate this offseason, so the need for safety help is there for Minnesota. McNeil-Warren is a versatile and long safety who attacks the ball, plays the run, and flashes serious range.

28. Houston Texans- Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Iheanachor is raw but is a plus athlete for the offensive line and improved throughout the 2025 campaign, culminating in a Senior Bowl where he was the best blocker in Mobile. The Texans could reach a little to get more protection for their quarterback.

29. Los Angeles Rams- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Seattle exposed the Rams' secondary in the NFC Championship, so expect Los Angeles to target cornerback with one of their first two picks. That is especially true when you consider Ty Simpson isn't a Matthew Stafford-style passer. Terrell is an experienced corner and good athlete.

30. Denver Broncos- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Broncos do not have a screaming need for more edge rushers, but they could be enticed by Howell's production and speed off the edge if he falls here. Howell has a lot of the same traits that Nik Bonitto did coming out of Oklahoma and could give Denver a deep rotation at edge.

31. New England Patriots- R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

The Patriots could use more speed and youth in their pass rush rotation and Mason Thomas is an ideal fit. The Sooner has the speed and build of a 3-4 edge rusher and his tenacity would make him a Mike Vrabel favorite. Thomas is lower on many boards than T.J. Parker, but would be a better fit in New England.

32. Seattle Seahawks- Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Seahawks love long corners capable of being bullies in press coverage and Cisse is just such a corner. With Tariq Woolen possibly on his way out and Josh Jobe a less than ideal starting option, Cisse could be a strong replacement.

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