April 5, 2026, 6:04 a.m. ET

The 2026 NFL draft is just a few weeks away, and mock drafts are a daily exercise lately. Following several college pro days, now is as good a time as any to throw together a full first-round mock draft across the league.

The Miami Dolphins currently sit at No. 11, and following the Jaylen Waddle deal with the Denver Broncos last month, improved their draft cache, which included the 30th overall selection.

In this mock draft for Miami, the goal was to try to interpret some of the words from new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley to figure out their strategy. While using their experience in the Green Bay Packers organization as a guide, the pair could have their own collective vision, as Sullivan will be the head man in the war room for the first time.

At the moment, Miami owns 11 total picks, and a few teams, like the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns, join the Dolphins in having multiple first-round picks.

Pick 1 Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The worst-kept secret in sports is that the Raiders may as well take the picture of National Champion, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza holding the silver and black jersey. He will be the top overall selection, and with Las Vegas recently signing veteran Kirk Cousins, Mendoza has a perfect on-field mentor, as well as an off-field one in Tom Brady.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Pick 2 New York Jets – LB/EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The Jets need help across the board, and they help their pass rush with LB/EDGE Arvell Reese of Ohio State. The versatile defender who is just 20 years old and has sky-high upside can immediately help head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense, which finished 31st last season in sacks and dead last in pressures.

Pick 3 Arizona Cardinals – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

The pass-rushing and bend for Rueben Bain are elite, and while the knock is in his arm length, the talent is too good for Arizona to pass on. A dominant sack artist as well as setting the edge in run defense, Bain brings a much-needed element to the Cardinals’ defensive who were in the bottom five in the NFL last season in sacks as well as pressures

Pick 4 Tennessee Titans – EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh is entering year one in Tennessee, and he gets a bona fide sack specialist in Texas Tech’s David Bailey. He brings his 29 sacks and 42 tackles for loss across his 46 collegiate games to the Titans and Saleh’s scheme.

Pick 5 New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Ohio State’s Sonny Style had a massively impressive scouting combine, and new Giants’ coach John Harbaugh undoubtedly took notice. Styles has linebacker skills and safety experience and could be an instant hit for Harbaugh and the Giants.

Pick 6 Cleveland Browns – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

This year’s class has several right tackles, but Monroe Freeling is the cream of the pure left tackle crop. The SEC leader in fewest sacks allowed as a freshman in 2023, he only got better over the next two seasons. Outstanding athleticism to go with his 6-foot-7 frame, Freeling is an excellent pass blocker while needing a bit of refinement in the rushing side of things, but his value is as a quarterback protector.

Pick 7 Washington Commanders – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Arguably the most talented football player in the draft, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love can run, catch, and will add excitement to the Commanders’ offense, and quarterback Jayden Daniels’ life could be made easier as he looks to rebound from an off second-year that included a left elbow injury.

Pick 8 New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Saints already have one Buckeye target in Chris Olave, so why not another in Carnell Tate? While not the biggest receiver, his smooth route-running, catch radius, and ability to high-point and come back for the ball combination take him to the top of the receiver class in 2026. The Saints were in the bottom third of the NFL in receiving touchdowns last season, and Tate gives Tyler Shough a viable duo in him and Olave to throw to.

Pick 9 Kansas City Chiefs – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Chiefs made a big offseason move in trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. May as well select a replacement in LSU’s scheme-versatile and lock-down corner, Mansoor Delane. Spending three years at Virginia Tech dominating ACC receivers, he was as good or even better at LSU his senior season against SEC competition, totaling 11 passes defensed in 2025 with a pair of interceptions. His pro day proved his 4.38 speed is worth the top-10 selection to go with his coverage ability.

Pick 10 Cincinnati Bengals – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Bengals need defensive help, and they stay in-state with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. A top-end talent in this class, although rumors of a potential degenerative knee situation could come up later in his career, Downs has dismissed this, and the Bengals make him the fourth Buckeye in the class to crack the top-10.

Pick 11 Miami Dolphins – OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Dolphins have to improve their offensive line, and Mauigoa has the pass-block and run-blocking ability to be a franchise right tackle. Specifically in Miami, Mauigoa could be the successor to Austin Jackson at right tackle in the near future and even start as a guard as a rookie. With Jackson’s inability to stay consistently healthy, as well as effective, Mauigoa could challenge him right away, while eventually being a perfect bookend on the right side to left tackle, Patrick Paul.

Pick 12 Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Perhaps the best-skilled cornerback in the class, Jermod McCoy had elite seasons as a freshman in 2023 at Oregon State and 2024 at Tennessee before suffering an ACL injury in 2025, which caused him to miss all of his junior year. Recently turning heads at his pro day with a 4.38 40-yard dash and 38-inch vertical, McCoy could be considered a steal at No. 12 for a Cowboys team that needs secondary help, and was bottom four in the NFL in 2025 with just six interceptions and dead last in passes defensed.

Pick 13 Los Angeles Rams – WR Makai Lemon, USC

The Rams can benefit from adding to their receiver room, as Davante Adams is in the last year of his deal, and Puka Nacua is dealing with some off-field issues. Lemon is a certifiable weapon in the slot and would give quarterback Matthew Stafford a triple threat of Adams, Nacua, and Lemon in 2026 as he heads towards the twilight of his career.

Pick 14 Baltimore Ravens – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Penn State’s “Vega” Ioane is a massive pass-protecting guard who will keep quarterback Lamar Jackson clean as well as help in the overall rushing attack for the Ravens. A mauling presence who can play on either side of the interior of the line, this is a perfect fit for both player and team here in the middle of the first round. Ioane could be one of the safest picks in the process this year.

Pick 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Auburn’s Keldric Faulk is a polarizing prospect as his pass-rush ability can use a bit of work, yet he is a pro-ready, dominant run defender. He will be 21 at the start of the season, and his 6-foot-6 size and physicality, mixed with his outstanding character, make him an enticing player for the Bucs to add to improve their defensive line. He recorded seven sacks in 2024 as a sophomore, yet was asked to do other aspects for Auburn in 2025, and only got to the quarterback twice. A player who can play multiple techniques, Faulk has the potential to develop into a quality overall edge presence.

Pick 16 New York Jets – WR Jordan Tyson, Arizona State

Having already gotten a pass-rusher with their first selection in this draft, the Jets turn to the offensive side of the ball with an incredible talent in Jordan Tyson at wide receiver. While there are no concerns with his ability, when healthy, Tyson has a considerably lengthy medical history, which includes a major knee injury a few years ago, which hurts his draft stock.

Pick 17 Detroit Lions – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Should Detroit move All-Pro Penei Sewell to left tackle, Utah’s Spencer Fano would be a perfect right tackle to bookend with him. Fano has outstanding athleticism at the tackle spot and could help make the Lions’ offensive line one of the most formidable in the league.

Pick 18 Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

A gifted and talented athletic safety, Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, fits like a glove with the Vikings and defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Outstanding in coverage with elite speed at 4.35 mixed with excellent ball skills and versatility could make him a fun chess piece for Flores to work with.

Pick 19 Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Back-to-back Ducks fly off the board here with the Panthers going with the class’s best overall tight end in Kenyon Sadiq. A top target option and very good blocker make Sadiq a great addition for the Carolina offense and quarterback Bryce Young. Sadiq and last year’s rookie receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, give Young a great tandem to target.

Pick 20 Dallas Cowboys – OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

They say everything is bigger in Dallas, and at 6-foot-7, Alabama’s offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor fits that bill perfectly for Jerry Jones and his Cowboys. Proctor moves very well for his size, finishes his blocks, and could even be in play as a guard in the pros.

Pick 21 Pittsburgh Steelers – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

The Steelers may not have a ton of time left with Aaron Rodgers, and Will Howard may not be the franchise man behind him, so they take a shot with the class’s best quarterback not named Fernando. Simpson could benefit from learning from Rodgers and has a good foundation to build on. He makes sound decisions, processes well, and takes command of the offense with his leadership ability. A potential future franchise quarterback for the Steelers.

Pick 22 Los Angeles Chargers – EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

While up in age at 25 with six years in college, Akheem Mesidor had a fantastic 2025 season at Miami with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. 35.5 sacks across his collegiate career, Mesidor could be a great pupil to learn from Khalil Mack while already benefiting from the coaching at Miami from Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.

Pick 23 Philadelphia Eagles – EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

The Eagles made an in-season trade for Jaelan Phillips in 2025, but did not re-sign him, so it makes sense to add to the room via the draft. Clemson’s T.J. Parker has a good combination of run defending and pass-rushing ability. He can be a turnover creator with his ball-stripping ability and forced six fumbles in 2024 to go along with his 11 sacks that season.

Pick 24 Cleveland Browns – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

The Browns are an organization that can benefit from adding a champion, and Omar Cooper is coming off a National Championship campaign where he was the top target for the first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Extremely agile, Cooper can be a fine slot addition for the Browns and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Pick 25 Chicago Bears – DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

A monster in the middle of a defensive line, the Bears get a sizeable nose tackle in 326-pounder, Kayden McDonald, who can move very well for that frame. His calling card is his run-defending, as he can stop running backs dead in their tracks.

Pick 26 Buffalo Bills – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Quarterback Josh Allen needs more receivers in his arsenal, and KC Concepcion will certainly help add yardage to his stat line. Excellent quickness and run-after-the-catch potential, Concepcion has flexibility all over the field, and can thrive in the slot. He also adds value on special teams, scoring twice in 2025 on his 25 punt returns.

Pick 27 San Francisco 49ers – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

A potential future franchise left tackle, Utah’s Caleb Lomu, has some work to do in refining his overall game. His strength is in his pass-blocking, and he could improve on the rush side of things. He has top-tier athleticism at the position, but needs to get a bit stronger.

Pick 28 Houston Texans – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

An already staunch defense, the Texans can get even stronger in adding defensive tackle Peter Woods to their line. Very explosive and athletic for his size, he can be versatile across the line, being able to line up in several techniques, including the nose position.

Pick 29 Kansas City Chiefs – OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The Chiefs took care of their cornerback need with their earlier selection, and now must help protect their franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, who is rehabbing a late-season knee injury. Miller is a pure right tackle and stands at 6-foot-7 with fine athletic ability and is a quality pass protector.

Pick 30 Miami Dolphins – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

The Dolphins need help all over the field, and addressed a glaring need on the offensive line earlier, but the secondary is where head coach Jeff Hafley needs a fun toy. Look at the player here and not the helmet, as Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has the size and physicality Hafley will love. Nearly 6-foot-4 with physicality that is elite, McNeil-Warren can play up in the box and help in run support, which is a must across the board in a Hafley defense. He could man a “star” type role for Hafley, who values and emphasizes safeties in his scheme.

Pick 31 New England Patriots – LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Linebacker is a need for the AFC champion Patriots, and head coach Mike Vrabel would be thrilled with Georgia’s CJ Allen. An off-ball linebacker who is dominant against the run, he has a textbook tackling technique and moves very well sideline-to-sideline. He can be a team leader and wear the green dot for Vrabel’s defense.

Pick 32 Seattle Seahawks – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Clemson’s Avieon Terrell is next up after the class’s top two corners and could be selected as high as the early 20’s. This could be considered a steal for the Super Bowl champs to add Terrell, who has athleticism, smarts, and speed to go along with scheme versatility, and does well in press-man coverage.

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