Feb. 28, 2026, 8:08 a.m. ET

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will wrap up after this weekend, and that means only one thing… NFL teams will have a better idea of whom to target in the 2026 NFL Draft. Notepads are filled, phone storage is maxed out, all in an effort to find the next gem. Let’s look at the USA Today (Touchdown Wire) full round one (projected) mock draft. It is worth noting that not all positions have worked out and/or measured at the combine.

Round 1 Pick 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, (QB) Indiana

The Geno Smith era of the Raiders didn’t go quite as planned, but the team is primed to select Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. At the combine, Mendoza has been engaged in study and technique, as well as carrying himself professionally. Don’t let his smile fool you; he could very well be a franchise QB in the NFL.

Round 1 Pick 2: New York Jets – Rueben Bain Jr., (Edge) Miami

The Jets need a pass rush, and Rueben Bain Jr. is a monster, short arms or not. He will excel at the position in the NFL due to his burst and low center of gravity. He is an absolute pass disruptor.

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Round 1 Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Downs, (Safety) Ohio State

I am not sure if Ty Simpson would make sense here, or if the Cardinals would even pull the trigger on a QB this early. Downs is the better option and the safest choice with the third pick. He will do everything on day one.

Round 1 Pick 4: Tennessee Titans – Arvell Reese, (LB-EDGE) Ohio State

It wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve seen Buckeyes taken back-to-back. Reese would help give defensive-minded coach Robert Saleh just what he needs in Tennessee. He also has a very wide range and base.

Round 1 Pick 5: New York Giants – Carnell Tate, (WR) Ohio State

Tate could help space the field and help keep Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson healthy. He would also provide Jaxson Dart another weapon to dump the ball off to, to try and keep him in the pocket longer and provide more of a security blanket. This pick could go one of several ways, so taking a WR here isn’t a given.

Round 1 Pick 6: Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, (OL) Miami

Picks five and six could easily be flipped, and the Browns could take Carnell Tate, but the Browns have no clue who the QB will be, which could provide a bit of conflict for a receiver of Tate’s caliber. If they do go the Francis Mauigoa route, depending on who the QB is, he will be better protected regardless.

Round 1 Pick 7: Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, (RB) Notre Dame

Love is the ideal pick for the Commanders, who really need a name at RB and a workhorse back due to all of the injuries that the team has suffered at the position. The more weapons, the better, but Love would get the start immediately.

Round 1 Pick 8: New Orleans Saints – David Bailey, (LB-EDGE) Texas Tech

Bailey can cover and is great at getting to the QB, and the Saints need just that. They lack a consistent player-maker who makes opposing QBs miserable.

Round 1 Pick 9: Kansas City Chiefs – Jordyn Tyson, (WR) Arizona State

Jordyn Tyson would be a great addition as a WR1, WR2, WR3, or WR4. The outside is still up in the air a bit with the Chiefs due to Rashee Rice’s legal issues, injuries, and Travis Kelce’s impending retirement decision.

Round 1 Pick 10: Cincinnati Bengals – Sonny Styles, (LB) Ohio State

Styles may not have to go far from Columbus to Cincy, but this pick is up in the air as well. Styles has had a great combine, but the Bengals may also be looking to select an edge rusher here to replace Trey Hendrickson, possibly. I think in this instance, that will be filled with a free-agent (veteran) pickup. Styles has excellent size for a LB at 6-foot-4.

Round 1 Pick 11: Miami Dolphins – Avieon Terrell, (CB) Clemson

After Jalen Ramsey’s departure, the Dolphins will be on the lookout for a defensive presence in the secondary with size, coverage, and athleticism. Terrell is better at man coverage than his brother, A.J. Terrell of the Atlanta Falcons.

Round 1 Pick 12: Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, (CB) Tennessee

The Cowboys are looking to replace Trevon Diggs and haven’t necessarily found a replacement yet. McCoy has size and is very strong while playing man coverage.

Round 1 Pick 13: Los Angeles Rams – Mansoor Delane, (CB) LSU

The Rams could be looking at a few roster upgrades during the free agency period. In this instance, it would make sense to use a top draft pick on an immediate impact starter such as Delane.

Round 1 Pick 14: Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, (DT) Clemson

Peter Woods is as explosive as it gets in this draft when it comes to defensive linemen. He is versatile for being around 320 pounds.

Round 1 Pick 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – T.J. Parker, (EDGE) Clemson

We could see back-to-back Clemson Tigers taken in this spot. The Bucs need to get more violent up front on defense, and Parker fits into that mold of an old-school type of rusher who can easily get to the QB with momentum. He would fit well in the NFC South.

Round 1 Pick 16: New York Jets (From the Colts) – Makai Lemon, (WR) USC

Makai Lemon has displayed some odd behavior at the draft and may need guidance on carrying himself more professionally, according to reports. With the NFL, this pick may not come to fruition, and Lemon could slip down the board. It doesn’t take much for NFL teams to fall out of love with a prospect. But Garrett Wilson needs all the help that he can get opposite him.

Round 1 Pick 17: Detroit Lions – Cashius Howell, (EDGE) Texas A&M

Howell could be a great compliment to Aidan Hutchinson. He can also impact the game immediately during training camp, and make it hard not to plug him in Week One.

Round 1 Pick 18: Minnesota Vikings – Kayden McDonald, (DT) Ohio State

Many positions on defense could be addressed for Brian Flores, but a run-stuffer of McDonald’s caliber would be too hard to pass up here.

Round 1 Pick 19: Carolina Panthers – Olaivavega Ioane, (OL) Penn State

Bryce Young was much improved in 2025, and the Panthers would like to keep his decision-making and playmaking intact, which should start up front with better protection. The interior line could definitely be better in Carolina.

Round 1 Pick 20: Dallas Cowboys (From the Packers) – R Mason Thomas, (EDGE) Oklahoma

Thomas has a smaller frame for an edge rusher, but he packs the punch needed, thanks to a low center of gravity and great balance. This could be a first-round steal for the Cowboys.

Round 1 Pick 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Spencer Fano, (OT) Utah

If Fano falls down the board and into the Steelers’ lap, they must pull the trigger. Fano is one of the most talked-about offensive lineman prospects in the 2026 draft. Fano is 6-foot-6, very quick and agile, and would bode well for any QB in Pittsburgh, especially Aaron Rodgers.

Round 1 Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers – Kadyn Proctor, (OT) Alabama

A sheer mountain of a man, and paired with Joe Alt when he returns from injury, would be like trying to break through a brick wall to get to Justin Herbert. As much as Herbert has been sacked, some protection would be appreciated. A physical force that could also open up the run lanes. It’s a matter of whether he will be available here.

Round 1 Pick 23: Philadelphia Eagles – Kenyon Sadiq, (TE) Oregon

A tight end in the first round doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, the team better have its ducks in a row on justifying the pick. Sadiq could pair well with an aging Dallas Goedert and Devonta Smith, but probably not with AJ Brown; he may be headed elsewhere.

Round 1 Pick 24: Cleveland Browns (From the Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, (WR) Michigan

At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Boston can high-point the football, but with the QB situation in limbo, take this pick with a grain of salt.

Round 1 Pick 25: Chicago Bears – Monroe Freeling, (OL) Georgia

Bears QB Caleb Williams needs more protection, as does any quarterback, but another massive human being in Monroe Freeling makes this Bears pick feel like the right one. An old-school mentality, and ready to “bear down” in Chicago. Freeling can dominate his side of the line.

Round 1 Pick 26: Buffalo Bills – Chris Bell, (WR) Louisville

Josh Allen needs better protection, but he needs more weapons on the outside. Bell is a burner running at 4.4 40-yard dash. He has the true look and feel of a first-round (X) WR.

Round 1 Pick 27: San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, (WR) Texas A&M

The 49ers have some lingering questions at the wide receiver position, but the addition of Concepcion could help ease some of that concern due to his playmaking ability and his incoming deep threat for Brock Purdy and the Niners offense.

Round 1 Pick 28: Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon, (G) Oregon

Pregnon moves very well for his 6-foot-5 frame, and let’s face it. The Texans’ offensive line is just not that good, and definitely doesn’t match the vibe of the defense.

Round 1 Pick 29: Los Angeles Rams – Ty Simpson, (QB) Alabama

The Rams have an earlier pick and may try to snag a QB to replace Matthew Stafford down the line. The good thing is that whoever the Rams bring in at QB will gain valuable knowledge, as other great QBs did, by sitting behind the veteran and learning for a bit.

Round 1 Pick 30: Denver Broncos – C.J. Allen, (LB) Georgia

Allen is equally good in both the run game and the pass game, and the Broncos could use another second-level defender.

Round 1 Pick 31: New England Patriots – Caleb Lomu, (OT) Utah

I do not expect Spencer Fano to be available here, but if her were to be, that would be the pick. Still, the left side of the Patriots’ offensive line during the Super Bowl was a liability all night long. Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson, and Will Campbell did not get the job done. If it is an upgrade, Mike Vrabel will explore it.

Round 1 Pick 32: Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, (CB) Tennessee

Riq Woolen will hit the free-agent market for the Seahawks, and Hood is physical and has the mentality of the old-school “Legion of Boom” in Seattle. He would fit in quite well.