Feb. 10, 2026, 7:10 a.m. CT
The 2025 NFL season is officially wrapped up, and the Seattle Seahawks are once again champions of the world. They showcased that quick turnarounds are possible with a strong coaching staff, good roster building decisions, and hits in the NFL draft, you can reach the mountain top pretty fast.
That brings us to our next step of the offseason: a mock draft.
With the draft order set in stone top to bottom, besides compensatory picks, we can now make a mock draft with some more certainty behind it. We went above and beyond and did two rounds so that every fan who reads this can see what their team may do.
Without further delay, here is our first mock draft of the true offseason for 2026.
Round One1) Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This pick is etched in stone at this point. The Raiders get their franchise quarterback with their new Super Bowl-winning head coach, Klint Kubiak, to help craft an offense around him.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.2) New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets need playmakers on defense, and no one else can do that in this draft the way Arvell Reese can. Put him in the middle, or on the edge, and he will make plays. The Jets are rebuilding their defense, and having him as the new centerpiece isn’t a bad start to that project.
3) Arizona Cardinals – Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (FL)
Arm length will be a discussion, but Rueben Bain Jr. overcomes it all. He just wrecks plays, something the Cardinals need, and he will be the new centerpiece in their defense alongside other top picks on the defensive front. The Seahawks just showed you win in the trenches; this pick helps the Cardinals get some footing in that department.
4) Tennessee Titans – David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
David Bailey, alongside Jeffrey Simmons, will be a sight to see in 2026 and beyond. Bailey is nothing but speed off the edge as a pure pass-rusher, and the Titans need that. They are still very much a work in progress, but the defense can start to give Cam Ward more chances to make plays.
5) New York Giants – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
This may be a shocker, but Mansoor Delane to the Giants is a fun choice here. The team needs help in the secondary, and with the pass rush being more developed in Abdul Carter’s second year, they can take advantage of opposing quarterbacks having less time to make plays.
6) Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Cleveland Browns seemingly are going to give Shedeur Sanders a chance to prove himself in 2026. It is only fair that they do that by giving him a better offensive line. Mauigoa can be either a tackle or guard for them, but regardless, she is a plug-and-play starter.
7) Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Dan Quinn is facing a critical year in 2026, and he will want his defense firing on all cylinders. Caleb Downs can be installed as both a starter and leader in his defense as the team looks to have that side of the ball complement the explosive offense they have with Jayden Daniels.
8) New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Chris Olave may be healthy in 2026, or he may not be, but regardless, Tyler Shough needs help. A healthy Olave and Alvin Kamara, paired with a rookie Carnell Tate, make their offense very interesting going forward.
9) Kansas City Chiefs – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This pick will make their offense a cheatcode for the time being. Love would give the Chiefs a stable run game, something Patrick Mahomes has missed since Kareem Hunt’s early seasons. Love would become an instant playmaker and arguably could be in contention for the NFL’s rushing title as a rookie.
10) Cincinnati Bengals – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Bengals’ defense used to have an identity when they had Geno Atkins in the middle years ago. Woods is a run-stuffer with some pass-rushing ability in certain situations. Add him to the defense, and they help contain the running back talent in the AFC North.
11) Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins’ secondary needs someone who can take control of one side of the field. McCoy is coming off an injury, but he showed before his ACL tear that he can be a dominant factor in a team’s secondary.
12) Dallas Cowboys – Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The Cowboys need an edge rusher with pass-rushing chops, as well as run defense abilities. Faulk checks both boces and helps the Dallas defense get back to where they should be.
13) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Rob Havenstein will be a free agent, and the team has already said it wants to maximize its time with Matthew Stafford. Fano would be a plug-and-play right tackle and allow the offense to not miss a beat.
14) Baltimore Ravens – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Ravens‘ defense was truly dominant when they controlled the trenches. Caleb Banks proved at the Senior Bowl that he is worth a top-end pick in the NFL Draft, and in the Ravens’ case, he becomes a new monster in the middle of their defense.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Lavonte David may or may not be back in 2026. Regardless of his decision, they need to fix the linebacker situation. Sonny Styles does that in a style that will remind fans of a younger David when he was drafted from Nebraska.
16) New York Jets – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
In what could prove to be the steal of the draft, Jordyn Tyson falls to 16 for the Jets. He could have been. thepick at two. andit would make sense, but instead they get the playmaker later due to injury concerns. He, alongside Garrett Wilson, helps the Jets set up whoever they draft in 2027 to walk into an offense ready to help a young quarterback find success early.
17) Detroit Lions – Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Aidan Hutchison needs a true pass rusher opposite him on the Lions‘ defensive front. He showcased this year that he is able to be a defensive player of the year candidate, but the Lions cannot do to him what the Browns have done to Myles Garrett for years. Howell is explosive off the edge and plays with a chip on his shoulder that this coaching staff to be in love with.
18) Minnesota Vikings – Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
The secondary of the Vikings was an issue all season long, even when they had splash performances from folks. Brian Flores does a great job of developing defensive backs, so giving him someone like Terrell is a no-brainer.
19) Carolina Panthers – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Panthers like to build up their trenches, and pairing McDonald with Derrick Brown would give them quite the sizeable duo. McDonald has a similar skillset to Brown, so he will fit right in with their defensive scheme to fill running lanes and also get in the backfield to create chaos.
20) Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Cowboys have suffered from poor linebacking in recent years, but CJ Allen can fix that. He was a fixture in the middle of the Bulldogs’ defense and showcased good range in both the run and pass game for them. The Cowboys need that and then some in 2026 and beyond.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Ty Simpson needs some time to develop behind a bona fide starter in the NFL. If the Steelers bring back Aaron Rodgers, he would be the perfect case for them to stash a young quarterback behind him. They have Will Howar,d but the skillset of Simpson is greater than that of Howard, in my opinion.
22) Los Angeles Chargers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Chargers need to continue to build up this offensive line, and getting a bulldozer like Ioane helps in that department. The Penn State Nittany Lion has the power to run block in Harbaugh’s offense and also help Justin Herbert earn perhaps more than one MVP vote in 2026.
23) Philadelphia Eagles – T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Eagles win Super Bowls when their edge rushers are deep. They missed Josh Sweat this year, and getting the likes of T.J. Parker helps bring that unit back to all its Super Bowl potential.
24) Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Browns get a whole new set of tackles by selecting Caleb Lomu here. He would serve as the team’s left tackle opposite Mauigoa, and it would give Shedeur Sanders every chance in the world to find success. Not to mention, Quinshon Judkins and the running game will be happy about this long-term.
25) Chicago Bears – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Bears‘ secondary was among the best in the NFL in forcing turnovers, but they need sustainable coverage. Cisse gives them that and also the depth that helps them be aggressive in more situations.
26) Buffalo Bills – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Buffalo Bills need a WR1 the way a fish needs water, and Bills fans need blue cheese with their wings. Lemon could become that on day one of being drafted and would work perfectly with Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid in the offense. Josh Allen has missed having a true WR1 since they moved on from Stefon Diggs and Lemon gives them a long-term answer.
27) San Francisco 49ers – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Brandon Aiyuk has seemingly played his final game for the 49ers. They will need a replacement, and no one makes more sense than Denzel Boston. A physical receiver who can run block as well as he can attack the ball in the air would be a fun piece for Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan.
28) Houston Texans – Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
The Texans need to fix their offensive line, and that starts with drafting the best player available on that front at 28. Proctor could be a tackle for them, or a guard, but regardless, he starts on day one. If they want to get the best out of C.J Stroud, they need to make sure the offensive line is reaching the same level of play they are hoping for.
29) Los Angeles Rams – Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Keith Abney has risen through the draft process and is now getting the recognition he deserves. Abney II being with Chris Shula and the Rams defense could have him in the perfect spot to make an impact right away, as we have seen he can work quickly after fixing Emmanuel Forbes.
30) Denver Broncos – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Broncos have Greg Dulcich at the tight end spot, but Sadiq is more than that. He can be used in-line or at the slot position to help Bo Nix in short-area passing situations. Sadiq can pick up yards after the catch and make people miss in a way they need right now.
31) New England Patriots – R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
The Patriots struggled to generate pressure off the edge or in any way other than a designed blitz in the Super Bowl. Giving them someone who can fly off the edge like R Mason Thomas could help fix that. He showed he is explosive, has the motor to change quarterbacks on extended plays, so giving him to the Patriots just makes sense.
32) Seattle Seahawks – Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)
After winning the Super Bowl, it is hard to find a hole in any team. However, the Seahawks are likely to need some extra juice in the secondary if they move on from Riq Woolen. Keionte Scott showed he is a playmaker in the college football playoff and would be a blast to watch in Mike MacDonald’s defense.
Round Two33) New York Jets – Christen Miller, DL, Georgia34) Arizona Cardinals – Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss35) Tennessee Titans – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M36) Las Vegas Raiders – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama37) New York Giants – Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)38) Houston Texans (via WAS) – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon39) Cleveland Browns – Zion Young, Edge, Missouri40) Kansas City Chiefs – Lee Hunter, DL, Texas A&M41) Cincinnati Bengals – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo42) New Orleans Saints – Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech43) Miami Dolphins – Chris Bell, WR, Louisville44) New York Jets (via DAL) – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas45) Baltimore Ravens – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana47) Indianapolis Colts – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon48) Atlanta Falcons – LT Overton, Edge, Alabama49) Minnesota Vikings – A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU50) Detroit Lions – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee51) Carolina Panthers – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State52) Green Bay Packers – Monroe Feeling, OT, Georgia53) Pittsburgh Steelers – Kamari Ramsey, DB, USC54) Philadelphia Eagles – Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt55) Los Angeles Chargers – Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan56) Jacksonville Jaguars – Connor Lew, C, Auburn57) Chicago Bears – Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama58) San Francisco 49ers – Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee59) Houston Texans – Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State60) Buffalo Bills – Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati61) Los Angeles Rams – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU62) Denver Broncos – Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri63) New England Patriots – Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern64) Seattle Seahawks – Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame