Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (Via Josh Winslow, 11 Warriors

Welcome to my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, version 2.0. This time in the league calendar is less about accuracy and more about understanding positional depth, draft flow, and where forks in the road may emerge. Free agency and the pre-draft process — the Combine, Pro Days, interviews — will inevitably scramble early assumptions and sharpen how teams actually view this class. For now, consider this educated guesswork. No rule against having some speculative fun in the interim.

Author’s note: This mock draft is built from a team-needs perspective, informed by league context and outside scouting evaluations. I’ve won the Huddle Report mock draft accuracy contest a record-tying three times, published mock drafts for The Athletic and other outlets, and been profiled by The Washington Post.

Subscribe for future updates running several times per month — if not weekly — through the late-April draft along with various Commanders-only versions, and insight from high-ranking front office executives and scouts. Listen and subscribe to the Last Man Standig podcast for “Mock Draft Monday” episodes.

1.0 — Miami DE Rueben Bain

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Alternate path: Trade down

Explainer: Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak is only taking this job because of the QB prospect opportunity with the Heisman Trophy winner. When combining the previous two draft classes, scouting sources place Mendoza in the tier with Bo Nix and Cam Ward, behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye. No worries. Vegas feels like it won the QB jackpot, considering there might be only one other passer selected on Day 1.

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Alternate path: Trade down for more picks, offensive line

Explainer: Some years, the second overall pick yields a quarterback stud like Jayden Daniels or a worthy target like C.J. Stroud. This isn’t one of those years. Reece is the upside pick with the speed and versatility to line up all over the defense. New York has the 16th pick for a passer if interested.

Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

Alternate path: Offensive tackle

Explainer: Arizona is another team expected on the quarterback sales lot, assuming the Cardinals go through with releasing Kyler Murray. Build up the trenches in the interim. The flip here from OT in mock 1.0 to DL is certainly plausible — and also how we get to see what Washington does at seven when the top two edge defenders are gone.

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

Alternate path: Wide receiver

Explainer: Spending on targets for Cam Ward in free agency creates a simple positional choice. Bain and the sleek Bailey could be gone before the fifth pick, or available in the back half of the top 10 if there’s an early run on offensive linemen or receivers.