2026 NFL mock draft 7.1: Jeremiyah Love, pair of Buckeyes go top-5 as attention turns to April

With the NFL spring meetings this week in Phoenix, team owners, coaches and general managers are meeting with media to offer updates on offseason news. That includes answering questions about the 2026 NFL Draft.

Here’s our best attempt at sifting through the noise and matching players to needs for all 32 first-round picks.

In this mock draft, Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald makes the odd-numbered picks, and Nate Tice makes the even.

More 2026 NFL mock drafts: 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0

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

The Raiders recently traded Geno Smith to the Jets, which means there’s really nothing I can say here that hasn’t been written 100 times before. This is done, and let’s hope for Klint Kubiak’s sake it works. Onto the next.

2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State

The Jets were active in bringing in vet after vet to shore up their defense. They now drop in an explosive weapon in Reese to continue to reinvent this side of the ball. Reese’s best spot will likely be on the line of scrimmage, where he flashes as a high-end pass rusher and already shows the ability to hold the edge in the run game. His versatility to play off-ball is a bonus if the Jets want to get creative in getting all of their pass rushers on the field.

3. Arizona Cardinals — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals’ defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he’s drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one.

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4. Tennessee Titans — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

There’s smoke with the Titans taking Jeremiyah Love, and the Titans still need more playmakers around Cam Ward even after splurging on Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency. I would rather have the rebuilding Titans continue to add to their trenches rather than a running back at this point in their process. Robert Saleh loves investing heavily into his defensive lines, and Bailey would give him a flamethrower to rush the passer and a different flavor than their current set of maulers. And there’s the added benefit that the rest of the Titans’ line will help insulate Bailey in the run game. Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers, and Bailey is a lot of heat to throw at offenses when they try to throw the ball.

5. New York Giants — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

This pick might be a shocker, but there is a strand of logic to follow here: namely, John Harbaugh and Greg Roman getting back together in New York. Matt Nagy will be calling plays, but Roman is with the Giants as a senior offensive assistant and Harbaugh has thoroughly demonstrated a desire to be a good running team through almost his entire Baltimore tenure. The Giants may view a game-breaking running back as the last piece considering the offensive line isn’t in immediate need of an upgrade and they threw some bodies at wide receiver. There’s no telling how Cam Skattebo will look when he gets back on a field after recovering from a leg injury, but Love is a vastly superior prospect who brings some speed to the Giants’ backfield.

(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)

6. Cleveland Browns — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Browns needed to completely rebuild their offensive line this offseason. They’ve started the process in free agency, signing several veterans, but could still use a further injection of talent. Especially at the tackle position. Enter Freeling, a riser throughout the 2025 season who is now firmly in my top 10 overall for this class. Freeling has upside as a true blindside protector for whoever is throwing passes in Cleveland in the future.

7. Washington Commanders — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Positional value is the only reason that Downs is on the board here. He’s arguably the best player in the draft and has been an elite defensive back prospect since his first season at Alabama. He’s the “can’t-miss” caliber player the Commanders could use in their secondary and has the skills to play deep safety and the slot in Dan Quinn’s defense, which desperately needs to bounce back in 2026.

8. New Orleans Saints — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

It’s tempting to add another pass catcher in New Orleans. Instead, the Saints tab Delane to drive on over from Baton Rouge. The Saints’ defense was better than expected last season under Brandon Staley. They could look to add to their line, but Delane is a smart player who fits into Staley’s zone-heavy scheme and creative passing down looks. He would be an upgrade for the cornerback room and give the Saints a defender who would be comfortable right away in the scheme and could impact the game more than what they currently have on the roster.

9. Kansas City Chiefs — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

Kansas City takes five seconds to turn this pick in. By the luck of the draw, one of the most disruptive defensive ends in college football falls into the Chiefs’ lap as they try to re-infuse premier talent into their defense. Bain would be a perfect fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and form a productive trio alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.

10. Cincinnati Bengals — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

This would be a bit of a nightmare scenario for the Bengals. Defensive player after defensive player snatched up before they pick at No. 10. Keldric Faulk is an option, but the Bengals might dread selecting two project type edge defenders in two straight drafts (they selected Shemar Stewart last year). They still end up getting a supremely talented player in McCoy. He did not play last season, but he’s still looked at as a high-end cornerback prospect because of what he put on film before his injury in January 2025. He has the potential to be a real needle mover on the outside for the Bengals who could allow the Bengals to kick Dax Hill inside more often.

11. Miami Dolphins — Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

The Dolphins are officially rebuilding again, leaving them with a plethora of holes they can attempt to fill with their first-round pick this year. Here, they stay local and grab Mauigoa, who has the skills to slide in as a long-term starter at right tackle or guard. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but if Patrick Paul and Jonah Savaiinaea develop, that’s a nice little core up front to try and build around.

12. Dallas Cowboys — Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

I liked the Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant signings for the Cowboys to help shore up their defensive backfield, but they need to continue to add talent on that side of the ball. Caught in between tiers with cornerback and linebacker prospects, the Cowboys add the intriguing Faulk to their defensive line. He is still a work in progress rushing the passer, but he’s young, has high-end traits, plays hard and will enter the league already as a plus run defender. He would complement what the Cowboys already have and his pocket-pushing rush style would actually fit perfectly with the mauling ability of Quinnen Williams on the inside. Faulk could play several spots in Christian Parker’s Fangio scheme, something he already did at Auburn. It’s a fit I like more as I’ve marinated on it.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons) — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

With longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein retiring, the Rams have a big hole on the right side of their offensive line. Luckily, they can find the perfect replacement here. Lomu hasn’t gotten as much adoration as his teammate Spencer Fano, but Lomu might be a cleaner fit here considering he was already playing right tackle at Utah. Lomu’s nasty streak, explosiveness and overall athleticism give him the chance to develop into a lockdown right tackle.

14. Baltimore Ravens — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The first wide receiver selected! While I would love for the Ravens to pair Lamar Jackson with a WR with real size, Tate is just such a steady player who plays bigger than his size because of his catching range and ball skills. He’s a smart player who is effective at all three levels as a route runner, and his feel against zone would be highlighted during Jackson’s scramble drills. The Ravens could look to bolster their offensive line here, but I think dipping into the first-round wide receiver well (again) with Tate would give the Ravens a different flavor of pass catcher than they have.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

A team can never have too many corners, so Tampa Bay grabs a steady player in Terrell near the midpoint of the first round. Terrell isn’t the most explosive cornerback, but he’s fluid and plays the ball well — just like his older brother A.J. on the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa Bay would’ve liked to grab a defensive lineman with the potential to play on the end, but with Faulk going a few picks earlier, they go elsewhere with the pick here.

16. New York Jets (via Colts) — Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

After losing John Simpson and former first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency, the Jets look to reinforce their offensive line with another first-round selection. Ioane has good size and is comfortable in space. He showed off good awareness as a player this past season, which is encouraging for him to hit the field early in the pros. The Jets could go in a few directions with this pick, but I think they defer to the trenches (again) here.

17. Detroit Lions — Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

This pick doesn’t need much more explanation other than the fact that the Lions don’t have many pass rushers on their roster right now. They are razor thin at defensive end outside of Aidan Hutchinson, almost to the point where they have to take an edge rusher with this pick. Mesidor is a bit hit-or-miss on a down-to-down basis and turns 25 before the draft, but he has a chance to be a contributor in the NFL or even a legitimate, consistent threat off the edge if he hits the ground running. The Lions have to try something.

18. Minnesota Vikings — Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Vikings have a few flavors of prospects they could go after with their first-round pick. There are a couple of interesting safety options, they could look to find the T.J. Hockenson replacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line. Brian Flores is going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football. McDonald isn’t the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to the Donovan Jackson selection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative.

19. Carolina Panthers — Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Carolina adds some serious size to its defensive line here with the addition of Banks. He is a behemoth tackle with elite athleticism and sound technique to diagnose and defeat blocks — he just can’t tackle. Now, that’s concerning, but his other traits are so dynamic and overwhelming that even marginal improvement in that problematic area would make him a plus starter in the NFL. Banks reportedly broke his foot at the NFL combine and is projected to be sidelined until June, which should give him plenty of time to be healthy by training camp.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) — Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

This might be a reach but this point of the first round is going to be wide open with the lack of consensus with this class. I was high on Hill to start the season (he was my LB1), cooled on him slightly, and now have warmed back up. He’s a good athlete with sideline-to-sideline range. He shows off good awareness and play recognition, and would fit the Cowboys’ new defensive scheme well because of his dynamic blitzing ability. The Cowboys have done a fine job of rebuilding their defense, and Hill would give Dallas its most talented man in the middle since Leighton Vander Esch.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Steelers have one wide receiver spot set with DK Metcalf, but they’re still severely lacking options beyond him. They get a potential blessing with Tyson falling to the lower portion of the first round. At his best, and healthiest, Tyson is a bully when the ball is in the air. He shows real upside to grow into an NFL WR1. Who will be throwing the ball for Pittsburgh still needs to be settled, but that’s nothing new for a Steelers offseason.

22. Los Angeles Chargers — Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

This would be a boon for the Chargers. Fano is a great athlete who is explosive as a run blocker and is an easy mover in space. The Chargers didn’t really make a big splash at their guard positions this offseason, but Fano would fit right in with Mike McDaniel’s scheme. I have some reservations of how Fano will hold up at tackle at the next level and think Fano’s best spot is at guard or even center. That’s not as much of a concern in Los Angeles with the Chargers’ talented tackle duo. It is nice that Fano has the positional versatility to provide depth if the Chargers ever need it (they will need it).

23. Philadelphia Eagles — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Philadelphia finally agreed on a one-year deal with longtime tight end Dallas Goedert, but at 31 years old his long-term future with the team is murky. The Eagles could land an incredible long-term replacement for Goedert here with the über-athletic Sadiq. He is a freak athlete who should immediately find a role as a pass-catching option early in his career. He’s effective just enough as a blocker where he at least has a baseline to build from in the NFL.

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars) — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

It’s tempting to keep adding to the Browns’ offensive line, and there are some talented players available here (albeit more tackles than interior players). Instead, let’s have the Browns add size to their pass-catching room. Jerry Jeudy is best used as a secondary option, and Harold Fannin Jr. is an exciting young tight end. Boston would complement both as an outside ball winner who can win with his catching skills and size. He’s a steady player who can win in the red zone and give the Browns quarterback, whoever that is, a reliable big target in tough situations.

25. Chicago Bears — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods’ draft day slide stops here with the Bears adding a real home run swing at a position of desperate need. Chicago’s defensive line was not stout enough last season and, at his best, Woods can be an impact defender at multiple alignments along the interior. The Bears have tried their hand at a few defensive tackle prospects over the last few years, but Woods has a higher floor than their recent Day 2 ventures.

26. Buffalo Bills — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Linebacker was tempting here with CJ Allen still available. Instead, the Bills bolster their spine at the safety spot. Even after signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, I think the Bills could use another centrally located long-term option that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard could weaponize. McNeil-Warren is such a fun player. He is a quick diagnoser and loves to fit the run. He would be a great fit for Leonhard’s defense that asks a lot out of its safeties.

27. San Francisco 49ers — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

The 49ers need a big infusion of young talent along the offensive line and can do that here with Iheanachor. He is a redshirt senior, but started playing football only a few years ago in JUCO. Never bet against someone who started playing football in JUCO and didn’t quit immediately.

28. Houston Texans — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

General manager Nick Caserio loves his big school players. And Proctor is the literal biggest of big school players in this year’s draft class. Yes, the Texans signed offensive tackle Braden Smith to a two-year deal, but Smith has missed time essentially every season of his career. Proctor would be gigantic at the position, but he could start his career at guard and provide depth at tackle before kicking out down the road. The Texans should keep addressing their offensive line, and while a guard or center option would be preferable, adding beef of some sort, even if there is not a clean path right away, should not stop the Texans from adding a talented player at offensive line.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

With Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie off to the Rams, cornerback has become a severe, immediate need for the Chiefs. Here they can take a dice roll on the talented Hood, who would have plenty of chances to make plays on the ball with Chris Jones and the previously mock-drafted Rueben Bain Jr. getting after the quarterback.

30. Miami Dolphins (via Broncos) — KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Here’s the big piece in return for the Jaylen Waddle trade: another first-round wideout for Miami. Concepcion can bring the same type of explosive plays that Waddle did when he was catching balls from Tua Tagovailoa. His coaches at A&M and NC State were constantly figuring out ways to get Concepcion the ball, including on special teams. Concepcion’s wideout skills have evolved but he still needs to show improvement in route running and consistency in catching the football.

31. New England Patriots — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

As they showed throughout the playoffs, the Patriots’ offense still has a ways to go in terms of talent acquisition to stand tall against the best defenses in the league. To be fair, the Patriots had a top-five draft pick in the same season they made the Super Bowl, which highlights the overall lack of high-end talent, particularly on the offensive line. They can start to fix that with the selection of Miller, another gigantic, athletic tackle in this draft class.

32. Seattle Seahawks — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I started at the available offensive guards at this spot for so long. There are also a few intriguing defensive line and wide receiver prospects here. Even after the investments made at both spots, I wouldn’t rule out the Seahawks continuing to bolster both positions. Instead, the Seahawks get the versatile Thieneman from the state just south of them. Thieneman would be an excellent fit in Mike Macdonald’s two-high scheme, unlocking his two-way ability as a run defender and in coverage, while also allowing him to play from a high position to take advantage of his ability to read and close on the football. Thieneman would allow the Seahawks to live in their five and six defensive back looks and unlock the rest of Seattle’s talented defense.

2026 NFL mock draft 7.1: Jeremiyah Love, pair of Buckeyes go top-5 as attention turns to April

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