The College Football Playoff began on Friday with Alabama defeating Oklahoma. On Saturday, we saw Miami knock off Texas A&M, Ole Miss eliminate Tulane, and Oregon beat JMU. The 2026 NFL Draft is beginning to take clearer shape with such notable collegiate postseason games underway.

It feels like the opportune time to deliver our latest first-round NFL mock draft. After discussions with scouts and pouring an unfathomable amount of hours into tape study, here’s a first-round projection. With the Senior Bowl and all-star circuit approaching, things will consistently change over the next few months.

2026 NFL Mock Draft

1. Los Angeles Rams*

LAR receives: 1.1, 2027 5th

NYG receives: 1.11, 1.28, 2027 1st, 2027 3rd

The Los Angeles Rams possess the necessary capital to make an aggressive move for Fernando Mendoza. Equipped with the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick, Les Snead packages a bunch of 2026 and 2027 selections to get Matthew Stafford’s successor. Mendoza carries eerie similarities to Jared Goff as a prospect, making L.A. an ideal landing spot.

2. Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders should strongly consider trading this pick and rebuilding the roster before committing to a quarterback, but teams rarely pass up this opportunity. Dante Moore has had an excellent season, showcasing every trait necessary to convince decision-makers that he’s a future franchise signal-caller. The Geno Smith and Pete Carroll era might be short-lived in Vegas, with Moore taking over in 2026.

3. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are in a tough spot here. They missed out on the top QBs, and there isn’t an offensive lineman worth taking this high. Shedeur Sanders has played well enough in a small sample size to consider building around. The offense needs more playmakers, and Jordyn Tyson could be WR1 in this class if his medicals check out.

4. New York Jets

The New York Jets have a ton of needs throughout their roster. With five first-round picks slated for 2026 and 2027, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey don’t have to rush the QB decision. The defense is in total shambles. They just fired DC Steve Wilks and haven’t recorded an interception all season. Caleb Downs is an elite playmaker who can roam the entire field while having an instant impact on this defense.

5. Tennessee Titans

Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

The Tennessee Titans can go with the best pass rusher available despite their win over the Kansas City Chiefs. They desperately need a franchise EDGE to pair with Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat on the defensive line. Arvell Reese has the athletic skill set needed to play EDGE on a full-time basis in the NFL.

6. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals may replace Kyler Murray this offseason, but there’s no QB worth drafting here. Keldric Faulk is well-liked within NFL circles and is heading toward being a top 10 pick. Faulk is still scratching the surface of his potential while playing a versatile and physical brand of football.

7. Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders’ defense is an abomination. They require a total rehaul this offseason, with more playmakers needed at every level. Mansoor Delane is trending toward being CB1, and he could help make up for the Marshon Lattimore disaster.

8. New Orleans Saints

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

David Bailey is arguably the most athletic EDGE in this entire draft with the speed and athleticism needed to consistently threaten the outside shoulder of offensive linemen. Bailey has been incredibly productive this year while entering the top-10 conversation, and the New Orleans Saints need more talented defensive linemen.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

It apparently does not matter who is coordinating the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense. From Lou Anarumo to Al Golden, this unit isn’t terrible due to scheme, but rather due to personnel. It’s only going to get worse with Trey Hendrickson departing this offseason. Enter Peter Woods, a potentially dominant interior defender who could help Shemar Stewart start revamping this line.

10. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are almost certainly going to release Tyreek Hill this offseason. Who knows what’s going to happen with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback after he was benched? If Mike McDaniel is still the head coach, playmakers on offense will be a priority. Carnell Tate is an excellent route-runner for his size, with athleticism, length, and body control rounding out an impressive skill set. 

11. New York Giants

NYG receives: 1.11, 1.28, 2027 1st, 2027 3rd

LAR receives: 1.1, 2027 5th

The New York Giants would use the capital acquired in the Rams deal to surround Jaxson Dart with a stronger supporting cast. Improving the offensive line would be a priority. Spencer Fano would slot in at right tackle to ensure the Giants have long-term building blocks at both tackle positions.

12. Kansas City Chiefs

Who is going to replace Travis Kelce in Kansas City if the Chiefs star mulls retirement? Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL and the Chiefs’ dynasty is at a crossroads. The mistakes made during the past few offseasons have finally caught up. Makai Lemon would be Mahomes’ next QB-friendly target with his high-level understanding of how to quickly uncover. 

13. Dallas Cowboys

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Cornerback has been a huge problem for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Once-star defender Trevon Diggs and the organization appear headed for a split this offseason. Jermod McCoy is a top-10 talent who may be available at a slight discount due to a January torn ACL. He didn’t play this season, but he’ll be roughly 15 months removed from the injury once the draft rolls around.

14. Minnesota Vikings

Where is Jeremiyah Love going to end up? The discussion about his positional value may dominate the pre-draft process. The Minnesota Vikings make sense as a landing spot. Aaron Jones isn’t getting younger, and Kevin O’Connell could install a run-heavy offense to help support a young, struggling quarterback in J.J. McCarthy.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cade Otton is a pending free agent and has a market value above $10 million per season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could replace him with Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq is a dynamic pass catcher at the position who creates mismatches in the open field, and he’s also well-versed enough to play in-line.

16. Baltimore Ravens

Rueben Bain Jr. will be an interesting evaluation. Some believe his arm measurements and lack of explosiveness will promote a move inside to 3-tech. Wherever Bain plays, he’ll be productive and useful, and the Baltimore Ravens love taking advantage of draft-day slides. The Ravens tried to fix their pass rush by trading for Dre’Mont Jones at the deadline, but Jones is a rental who is a pending free agent.

17. Detroit Lions

Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

The Detroit Lions flirted with a Frank Ragnow reunion, but a failed physical prevented it from coming to fruition. The Lions’ interior hasn’t quite been the same since Ragnow retired. Olaivavega Ioane would solve that through sheer physical dominance. Ioane pairs power with heavy hands.

18. New York Jets (via IND)

Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State

Trading away Quinnen Williams left a massive hole on the interior of the Jets’ defensive line. They’re one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the NFL as a result. Kayden MacDonald has a rare combination of size, athleticism, and strength. MacDonald would free up Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson II for more advantageous matchups on the edges.

19. Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young is playing reasonably well and the Carolina Panthers are in contention to win the NFC South. The Panthers are loaded with young pieces on offense, but several offensive linemen are scheduled to reach free agency. Francis Mauigoa has tackle-guard versatility and would fill a spot in Dave Canales’ lineup next season.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Is Ty Simpson going to declare for the draft? It’s not a sure thing at this point. Simpson could make the decision based on how he performs throughout the rest of the College Football Playoff. For now, we’ll slot him with the Pittsburgh Steelers as Aaron Rodgers’ replacement.

21. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Cowboys’ defense is so devoid of talent that it requires a double-down in this draft. Linebacker Sonny Styles thrives in space and possesses the athleticism needed to thrive in coverage at the next level. Styles would immediately be a starting linebacker in Dallas’ lackluster position room.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon

The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line isn’t what it once was. Tyler Steen is inconsistent, and Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson have battled injuries. Emmanuel Pregnon possesses the type of power Howie Roseman prefers from his interior prospects. Pregnon is aggressive with a strong anchor.

23. Houston Texans

A’Mauri Washington, IDL, Oregon

The Houston Texans’ young pieces on offense are starting to come together. That could empower DeMeco Ryans to influence this selection towards the defensive side of the ball. A number of aging defensive linemen are pending free agents and the cupboard needs restocking. A’Mauri Washington possesses incredible quickness for his size (6-foot-3, 330 pounds), allowing him to be disruptive versus the pass and run.

24. Buffalo Bills

KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

The Buffalo Bills do not have enough weapons at wide receiver and it’s looking like they missed on their Keon Coleman evaluation. They may need an immediate do-over. KC Concepcion is a dynamic and electric wideout prospect with serious run-after-catch ability and instant Pro Bowl potential on special teams. Concepcion also beats man coverage at a high level despite being slightly undersized.

25. San Francisco 49ers

Injuries have decimated the San Francisco 49ers’ pass rush this season. GM John Lynch should still be vigilant about the position this offseason, despite drafting Mykel Williams last year. Cashius Howell posted an SEC-high 11.5 sacks this season. Howell converts speed to power at a high level and he’s a threat to win the outside.

26. Los Angeles Chargers

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Donte Jackson isn’t a long-term answer for the Los Angeles Chargers at cornerback. An offensive lineman or defensive back is probably a safe bet for the Chargers’ first-round pick. This scenario goes with corner Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of A.J. Terrell, who has great zone eyes and ball skills/instincts.

27. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)

The Browns double down on offense (they need it) after landing Jordyn Tyson in the top five. Offensive tackle is a need, and Kadyn Proctor possesses overwhelming size. Conditioning and leverage have been recurring issues, and it may take a strong College Football Playoff showing for Proctor to elevate himself to this first-round status.

28. New York Giants*

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

NYG receives: 1.11, 1.28, 2027 1st, 2027 3rd

LAR receives: 1.1, 2027 5th

The Giants have an elite short-to-intermediate weapon in Malik Nabers. Perhaps their next move is to draft a future X-receiver who wins with size and a massive catch radius for Dart on the outside. Denzel Boston is physical with outstanding body control.

29. Chicago Bears

Ben Johnson has the Chicago Bears’ offense humming. More reinforcements on the defensive side would allow Dennis Allen’s unit to play better complementary football. LT Overton is a rugged defensive lineman with inside-outside versatility. Overton would play a rotational role behind Dayo Odeyingbo on early downs, with the possibility to slide inside on third-and-obvious.

30. New England Patriots

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo

Mike Vrabel doesn’t care where you come from if you can play, and make no mistake, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren can flat out play. The New England Patriots can use an infusion of talent at safety. McNeil-Warren is a sideline-to-sideline safety who can roam the entire field with instincts and playmaking ability.

31. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are rolling and appear to have little to no major weaknesses throughout their roster right now.  If we’re nitpicking, they can get younger and more athletic at linebacker. CJ Allen is physical and violent with downhill intentions. Allen is also rangy with sideline-to-sideline ability.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Seattle Seahawks considered trading Riq Woolen near the deadline, but he’s redeemed himself down the stretch. Woolen and Josh Jobe are pending free agents, leaving the corner position in flux. Brandon Cisse recently declared for the draft. Cisse has been excellent in man coverage this season, and he’s a great tackler in run support, too. 

What did you think of the latest version of Justin Melo’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know what you think on Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned next week for the next edition of TDN’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft series.