This is the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s third 2026 NFL mock draft, but the first one since the Miami Dolphins pulled off that massive trade with the Denver Broncos that got them an extra first-round pick in April’s draft as part of the package for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Miami, under general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, now has the No. 11 and No. 30 selections in the first round.
This is also our first mock draft that includes trades, and I’ve included one between Dallas and Tennessee near the top of the draft.
And it’s also the first mock draft since the first wave of free agency additions, which changes the first-round outlook in some cases.
Brace yourselves.
And remember the Waddle trade means a wide receiver now makes sense for the Dolphins in the first round.
On that note, you might note that I have the New Orleans Saints and Miami swapping picks at Nos. 8 and 11 from my first mock draft. As another point of reference, you can also consult David Furones’ first mock draft.
As a reminder, the draft is April 23-25 and is being held in Pittsburgh.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
He’s the best quarterback prospect and the Raiders need a QB.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
Reese is explosive and versatile, which is what the Jets need in the first of two first-round picks.
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge rusher, Texas Tech
Bailey and Reese could flip-flop draft positions. Bailey had 14.5 sacks last season.
4. *Dallas (via Tennessee Titans): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This is a major trade between the Titans and Cowboys, and Dallas, which had two first-round picks, bolsters its offense.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs pairs with Jevon Holland for a nice pair of safeties.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
First UM player off the board; he could shift inside to guard.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Bain is a fierce competitor who should be impactful regardless of his sack total.
8. New Orleans Saints: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane is the best CB in the draft and remains a strong possibility for the Dolphins.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
QB Patrick Mahomes needs protection and Freeling fits the bill.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
If McCoy didn’t miss last season with a knee injury he might be the best CB in the draft.
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson slips by TCU safety Austin Jordan for a touchdown at Mountain America Stadium on Sept. 26 in Tempe, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images/TNS)
11. Miami Dolphins: Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Dolphins begin process of replacing WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle with an athletic talent.
12. *Tennessee (via Dallas Cowboys): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
QB Cam Ward gets his No. 1 target, and a player who is a potential game-changer.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
After trading for CB Trent McDuffie, Rams address their OL with one of the top OTs.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G-T, Penn State
The Ravens always seem to need OL, and this time they go with an interior.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Howell is an accomplished pass rusher, and Tampa Bay’s defense needs pass rushers.
16. New York Jets (from Colts): Sonny Styles, ILB, Ohio State
Jets go defense again. Styles is athletic and impactful, and he’s strong vs. the run and pass.
17. Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Faulk (6-6, 285) is better vs. the run than the pass, but he can get after the QB, too.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This is the replacement for longtime S Harrison Smith, who is 37 years old.
19. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu tightens up one of the Panthers’ biggest concerns – LT.
Miami Hurricanes defensive end Akheem Mesidor works out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami on Feb. 11, 2026. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
20. *Tennessee (via Dallas Cowboys): Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Titans get pass rush help and toughness with their second first-round pick.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon has good hands and gets yards after catch, which makes him a Dolphins candidate at No. 11.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald is a top-notch run stuffer. Chargers need OL help but that could come later.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is big and physical, a good complement to WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Shocker! After drafting two QBs last season the Browns pounce on the “draft a QB every year until you get one” philosophy.
25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
The Bears need pass rush help. Clemson’s T.J. Parker is an option here.
26. Buffalo Bills: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Hunter’s run-stuffing skills are excellent, and Buffalo badly needs a run stuffer.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT-G, Alabama
Proctor helps the 49ers plan for LT Trent Williams’ eventual departure.
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks broke his foot at the combine, sidelining him until June. But he can still stop the run.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Chiefs could go edge rusher here but Cisse is athletic and a willing tackler.
30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell is sticky in man coverage and can play inside or outside. Brother A.J. was a first-round pick for Atlanta in 2020.
31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Miller would be a potential replacement for RT Morgan Moses.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood is long and physical. His attitude fits perfectly with the aggressive Seahawks defense.
* — Dallas trades with Tennessee to move up to No. 4. Dallas receives: Tennessee’s 2026 first-round pick (No. 4) and Tennessee’s 2026 third-round pick (No. 66); Tennessee receives: Dallas’ 2026 first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20).
Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 27. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)