{"id":622344,"date":"2026-02-24T17:52:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T17:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/622344\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T17:52:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T17:52:20","slug":"2026-nfl-mock-draft-college-football-experts-predict-the-first-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/622344\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Mock Draft: College football experts predict the first round"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Combine.<\/a><\/p>\n

More than 300 prospects head to Indianapolis this week for interviews and testing at the NFL combine, but 40 times and arm lengths only begin to tell their stories. There\u2019s no better group to discuss their talents and intangibles than the writers who covered them as college stars.<\/p>\n

Nine members of The Athletic\u2019s college football<\/a> staff made selections for 2026\u2019s first round and offered their insights in this NFL mock draft. No trades were allowed in this exercise.<\/p>\n

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/p>\n

To turn around a once-great franchise toiling in obscurity, you just have to draft the dude who would take notes at the dinner table<\/a>. No ifs, ands or buts. Mendoza is that guy \u2014 the obsessive, detail-oriented mind whose next-level processing time matches his physical attributes and leadership qualities. Can\u2019t wait for Harry Reid International Airport to have Mendoza welcome visitors over the intercom: \u201cWELCOME TO LAS VEGAS, THE GREATEST PLACE TO HAVE FUN!\u201d \u2014 Chris Kamrani<\/p>\n

2. New York Jets: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami<\/p>\n

Scouts are worried about his short arms and less-than-ideal build for an edge rusher, but Bain was a force against top competition all season and did not slow down at all in the College Football Playoff. Bain was one of the nation\u2019s top freshmen in 2023 before his sophomore season was undercut by injuries, so it\u2019s not as if he just popped in his final season. A higher sack total (9.5 in 16 games) would be nice to see, but five of those came during the Hurricanes\u2019 four-game CFP run. Miami coaches rave about Bain\u2019s professionalism. \u2014 Ralph D. Russo<\/p>\n

3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah<\/p>\n

Arizona\u2019s future at quarterback is uncertain, but what is certain is it needs help up front. Fano is the best offensive lineman in this draft and was the cornerstone of one of the best offensive lines in college football. He\u2019s a prototype with three years of starting experience. \u2014 David Ubben<\/p>\n

4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State<\/p>\n

The most talented non-quarterback on the board slipping to No. 4? New head coach Robert Saleh won\u2019t need to think twice about this pick. Reese did everything for Ohio State\u2019s defense, basically havoc rate in human form, while working at both middle linebacker and edge rusher. Now, Tennessee gets to choose how to best turn him loose. \u2014 Pete Sampson<\/p>\n

5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Downs, who spent three college seasons playing at an All-America level for Alabama (one) and Ohio State (two), will reignite the debate over positional value. The last safety to be picked in the top 10 was Jamal Adams by the Jets at No. 6 in 2017. Since then, Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 11 to the Dolphins in 2018) and Kyle Hamilton (No. 14 to the Ravens in 2022) are the only safeties selected in the top 15. Downs (6-feet, 205 pounds) is not as big as the 6-4 Hamilton and hasn\u2019t shown the slot corner skills that Fitzpatrick flashed during a brilliant career at Alabama. But we\u2019ll stick with the high-floor approach and give the Giants a player who, at worst, can be the leader of a secondary for a long time. \u2014 Ralph D. Russo<\/p>\n

\"Ohio<\/p>\n

\n Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese went back-to-back as part of a run of three straight Buckeyes in our writers\u2019 mock, with more Ohio State products to come. (Adam Cairns \/ Columbus Dispatch \/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Cleveland needs help everywhere on offense, so it\u2019s hard to pass on the best receiver in the class, according to the latest consensus rankings<\/a>. The Chicago native and Buckeyes star led the Big Ten with nine catches over 40 yards. He finished 2025 with 875 yards and nine touchdowns alongside 2027 first-rounder-to-be Jeremiah Smith, despite missing multiple games during the regular season. Tate tracks the ball well and has underrated speed, which should make him a strong playmaker for new Browns head coach Todd Monken. \u2014 Cameron Teague Robinson<\/p>\n

7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

Edge rusher is one of Washington\u2019s biggest weaknesses. Bailey is the best on the board. His 14.5 sacks were tied for No. 1 nationally, and his 19.5 tackles for loss were second. As impressive as linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was, I thought Bailey was the better player on the Red Raiders\u2019 defense and strongly considered putting him on my Heisman ballot (Rodriguez finished fifth in the voting). This was a pretty easy pick. \u2014 Matt Baker<\/p>\n

8. New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

With Tyler Shough solving its quarterback problem, New Orleans can get a plug-and-play replacement for Alvin Kamara in Love. Some would call taking a running back here a reach, but Love is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He found the end zone 40 times the past two seasons, including two scores of 90-plus yards. Love also has a lot of tread left on the tires after just 433 career carries at Notre Dame, compared to 750 at Boise State for Ashton Jeanty, last year\u2019s No. 6 pick. \u2014 Pete Sampson<\/p>\n

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami<\/p>\n

Kansas City faces the first rebuild of the Patrick Mahomes era, and the best way to help out a future Hall of Fame quarterback is to protect him. Mauigoa allowed only two sacks (none after Week 4) and only three QB hits all season, according to Pro Football Focus. A consensus All-America left tackle for the CFP runner-up, Mauigoa could join Josh Simmons to bookend the Chiefs\u2019 offensive line. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n

McCoy did not play in 2025 due to a torn ACL but was so good for the Vols as a transfer from Oregon State in 2024 that he\u2019s worth the top-10 pick for a Cincinnati team that needs help all over its defense. He can play in man coverage but also bait passers in zone coverage. This pick also assumes that McCoy, who had four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2024, can show NFL teams a promising medical report. \u2014 Cameron Teague Robinson<\/p>\n

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU<\/p>\n

I was tempted to go with an edge rusher here after the Dolphins traded Jaelan Phillips last season, but it made more sense to take one of the top two corners in the draft. Delane is an elite, scheme-versatile playmaker who did not blink against SEC competition after three years at Virginia Tech. \u2014 Manny Navarro<\/p>\n

12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn<\/p>\n

The Cowboys are looking to address a Micah Parsons-shaped hole in their defense. Dallas finished 26th in yards allowed per carry (4.7), and Faulk can not only get after the quarterback (45 pressures, 7 sacks in 2024) but also set the edge. He was dominant against the run in his final college game against Alabama. \u2014 Manny Navarro<\/p>\n

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC<\/p>\n

Corner is a significant need for the Rams, but the top two at the position went right before this pick. On paper, receiver might not seem like a pressing priority, but Davante Adams is 33 and under contract for just one more season, and Puka Nacua plays a very physical style. Lemon, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding receiver in college football in 2025, is a tremendous technician who plays bigger than his frame and can win from the outside or in the slot. He could also provide a boost in the return game. \u2014 Antonio Morales<\/p>\n

14. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n

This is probably a reach and definitely a cliched selection: an incoming defensive-minded head coach taking a high-upside defensive lineman. At Clemson, the 6-3, 310-pound Woods was athletic enough to play fullback but posted only five career sacks and 14.5 TFLs over three seasons as the Tigers slid from the ranks of perennial title contenders. Baltimore is coming off a woeful defensive season and has to upgrade on this side of the ball. Woods is a risk, but the Ravens probably need to take one. \u2014 Pete Sampson<\/p>\n

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Even if Lavonte David returns, the Bucs\u2019 linebacking corps needs help. Styles, a former safety, is a great athlete with plenty of college production; he was the Buckeyes\u2019 second-leading tackler during the 2024 national championship season and No. 1 last fall. \u2014 Matt Baker<\/p>\n

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State<\/p>\n

This might be dooming Tyson to a Garrett Wilson-esque career, stuck in a dysfunctional organization that can\u2019t develop a quarterback. New York figures to be bad again next season and has a lot of draft capital stored up, so it can address QB with another likely top-five-ish pick in 2027. For now, here\u2019s another receiver to go with Wilson (who is under contract through 2030) or a potential WR1 if the Jets decide to move on from Wilson in the next year or so. \u2014 Ralph D. Russo<\/p>\n

17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 offensive line has some aging pieces and requires some attention. Lomu, who formed the nation\u2019s top tackle tandem with Fano, played 800 snaps at left tackle last season and allowed only two quarterback hits, according to PFF. That\u2019s the type of stat that will make Jared Goff smile. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n

18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n

Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, didn\u2019t record an interception last season because opponents smartly stayed away from him, but he broke up nine passes and forced five fumbles. He makes some plays that are reminiscent of former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu, only Terrell can do it at corner. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n

19. Carolina Panthers: Zion Young, edge, Missouri<\/p>\n

The Panthers were one of the NFL\u2019s worst teams in forcing tackles for loss last season, and Young can immediately help fix that. He racked up 16.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks in his final season, as well as 14 quarterback hurries. \u2014 David Ubben<\/p>\n

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina<\/p>\n

Cisse, a speedy 6-foot corner with press-man skills, addresses the Cowboys\u2019 other urgent need in this draft. He allowed opponents to complete only 47.4 percent of the passes thrown his way in coverage and is solid in run defense. Once DaRon Bland fully recovers from January surgery on his left foot, he and Cisse could form a dangerous 1-2 punch in coverage. \u2014 Manny Navarro<\/p>\n

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

The Steelers need a young quarterback, but I don\u2019t trust Ty Simpson enough to reach for him here. I\u2019d rather fill another hole by adding a versatile playmaker who shined at NC State and in College Station, where he caught nine touchdowns, rushed for another and scored on a pair of punt returns for a Playoff team. I\u2019ll take that ability over someone with better measurables (such as Washington\u2019s Denzel Boston). \u2014 Matt Baker<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

\n KC Concepcion was a pricey transfer from NC State, but he paid dividends immediately for the Aggies\u2019 offense. (Jay Biggerstaff \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State<\/p>\n

The Chargers\u2019 inability to protect Justin Herbert has been exposed in the postseason two years in a row. They are set at tackle when Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are healthy, but the interior offensive line needs dramatic upgrades. Ioane was a first-team All-Big Ten performer in 2025 and didn\u2019t allow a sack over his final two seasons with the Nittany Lions. Jim Harbaugh rarely turns down an opportunity to bolster the trenches. \u2014 Antonio Morales<\/p>\n

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon<\/p>\n

Sadiq would make the potential loss of Dallas Goedert far easier to stomach. He\u2019s a big-time blocker and a good route runner who is tough to tackle in space. He\u2019s also fast enough to run away from plenty of linebackers. He had a team-high eight touchdown catches for the Ducks in his final season, despite playing through some injuries. \u2014 David Ubben<\/p>\n

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama<\/p>\n

After passing on an offensive tackle with their first pick, the Browns had to go for it here. Proctor might not be the sure thing that Fano or Mauigoa are, but his athleticism is obvious. He doesn\u2019t move like he is 360 pounds but when you see how he carries that weight on his 6-7 frame, you understand why he\u2019s garnered a lot of interest from scouts. His technique will need some fine tuning, but he\u2019s a good pass blocker with a high ceiling. \u2014 Cameron Teague Robinson<\/p>\n

25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State<\/p>\n

The up-and-coming Bears need multiple pieces along the defensive line, and McDonald would help immediately. He\u2019s not quite ready to elevate the pass rush, but McDonald excels against the run and can free up his linemates by eating up blockers. He was the key cog in Ohio State\u2019s elite defense. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n

26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington<\/p>\n

It felt like new head coach Joe Brady owed it to Josh Allen to get him a true No. 1 receiver. Boston\u2019s large catch radius and proficiency in traffic will help Allen in the red zone. He produced at least 60 catches and 800 yards in each of the last two seasons and caught 20 touchdowns over that span. \u2014 Manny Navarro<\/p>\n

27. San Francisco 49ers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami<\/p>\n

San Francisco would probably prefer a receiver or offensive tackle, but I don\u2019t love the options on the board. Instead, we\u2019ll address a defense that had the fewest sacks (20) in the league with the Hurricanes\u2019 other elite defensive prospect. Mesidor had 5.5 sacks during Miami\u2019s Playoff run, and his four forced fumbles were tied for sixth nationally. He\u2019s disruptive and powerful, and the fact that he\u2019s versatile enough to line up inside is a bonus. \u2014 Matt Baker<\/p>\n

28. Houston Texans: Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia<\/p>\n

Can somebody please protect C.J. Stroud? It\u2019s step one in reclaiming his breakout rookie season. Freeling is a good start. He lived at right tackle for the Bulldogs and can still add some weight but played his way into the first-round conversation over just 16 career starts. He can grow as a run blocker, but he\u2019d give the Texans some needed help on the edge. \u2014 David Ubben<\/p>\n

29. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n

Hood is strong in man coverage and not afraid to mix it up in the run game. He\u2019s a solid tackler, too. The Rams need more players who could make things competitive on the perimeter. \u2014 Antonio Morales<\/p>\n

30. Denver Broncos: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia<\/p>\n

What was already one of the best defenses in the league gets another building block in Allen. He could be the new signal caller for a defense that can once again be one of the most stifling groups in the NFL. He might not have the measurables of recent star Georgia linebackers, but Allen is the perfect glue to connect a dominant front line with an elite secondary. Allen led the Bulldogs with 88 tackles in 2025 and was solid in pass coverage, too. The Broncos have nailed the defensive side of the draft in recent years and would continue that trend here. \u2014 Chris Kamrani<\/p>\n

31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

The Patriots produced only 35 sacks last season, putting them in the bottom third of the NFL. Howell comes off the line with big-time speed and quickness, though at 6-2 and 250 pounds, he will need to develop as a run defender. The Bowling Green transfer blew up last season after serving in a rotational role at A&M in 2024, becoming one of the best pass rushers in the country with 11.5 sacks in 13 games. \u2014 Ralph D. Russo<\/p>\n

32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n

Fresh off their suffocating performance in the Super Bowl, the reigning champs add a rangy safety who can extend Toledo\u2019s strong recent NFL track record<\/a> and be another wild card in Mike Macdonald\u2019s defense. With safety Coby Bryant hitting unrestricted free agency, McNeil-Warren can step in and be a back-end force who can play anywhere and everywhere, making life for the opposing quarterback even more of a living hell. \u2014 Chris Kamrani<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Combine. More than 300 prospects head to Indianapolis this…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":622345,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7998,15482,11976,11254,1398,2018,7,2017,20670,6546,34687,7150,4132,5486,4930,2863,2019,6721,5496,29332,6523,15733,13270,1638,23121,14288,3600,4253,4249,14569,5497,5183,6,12,6547,7133,7558,9622,9,783,9449,1825,8628,2016,13371,1959,9722,4252,10167,694,1797,1153,1640,19780,849,21913,10293,13650],"class_list":["post-622344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba-draft","tag-alabama-crimson-tide","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-arizona-state-sun-devils","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-auburn-tigers","tag-baltimore-ravens","tag-basketball","tag-buffalo-bills","tag-carolina-panthers","tag-chicago-bears","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-clemson-tigers","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-college-football","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-denver-broncos","tag-detroit-lions","tag-georgia-bulldogs","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-houston-texans","tag-indiana-hoosiers","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-las-vegas-raiders","tag-los-angeles-chargers","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-lsu-tigers","tag-miami-dolphins","tag-miami-hurricanes","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-missouri-tigers","tag-nba","tag-nba-draft","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-orleans-saints","tag-new-york-giants","tag-new-york-jets","tag-nfl","tag-notre-dame-fighting-irish","tag-ohio-state-buckeyes","tag-oregon-ducks","tag-penn-state-nittany-lions","tag-philadelphia-eagles","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-san-francisco-49ers","tag-seattle-seahawks","tag-south-carolina-gamecocks","tag-tampa-bay-buccaneers","tag-tennessee-titans","tag-tennessee-volunteers","tag-texas-am-aggies","tag-texas-tech-red-raiders","tag-toledo-rockets","tag-usc-trojans","tag-utah-utes","tag-washington-commanders","tag-washington-huskies"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=622344"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622344\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/622345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=622344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=622344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=622344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}