April 2, 2026, 8:15 a.m. CT
This 2026 NFL mock draft projects Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.Ohio State is projected to have five players selected in the first round, the most of any university.Only two quarterbacks, Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, are predicted to be selected in the first round.The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins are all projected to have multiple first-round picks.
The NFL is in that stage where free agency is mostly in the rear view mirror, there haven’t been any big trades in a few weeks, and everyone is gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft. For every team, that’s an opportunity to better their rosters heading into the next month.
The NFL draft has one quarterback that most expect to be selected first overall, but he is not seen as a “can’t miss” player, like some that have come before him. Outside of that, this draft can go any way.
Some NFL teams have multiple first-round picks, some teams have zero. Every team will be impacted by moves made in the first round, however, this makes it one of the most important events on the NFL calendar. With less than a month remaining until draft night, here’s our updated first-round mock draft:
The Las Vegas Raiders are going to make Fernando Mendoza their franchise QB with the first overall pick. After a stunning career at the University of Indiana, Mendoza is ready to try his luck in the NFL. No matter what has happened to Vegas this offseason, their plans haven’t changed here.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New York Jets select linebacker Arvell Reese second overall. The Jets already appear to be a better team than they were last year, and Reese will help in the middle of their defense.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Arizona Cardinals will be without Kyler Murray for the first time in a long time in 2026. With him gone, the focus will be on other areas. With the third overall pick, they select edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami.
4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Tennessee Titans select wide receiver Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. With Cam Ward entering his second season in the NFL, the Titans need to see another step forward to truly know whether he is in their long-term plans. A receiver like Tate could help them in a lot of ways.
5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The New York Giants have a quarterback in Jaxon Dart who likes to move without worry of being hit too hard. He is almost a danger to himself in that way. Utah tackle Spencer Fano may help them address this issue with better protection.
6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
What don’t the Cleveland Browns need? Regardless of who they end up starting at quarterback, it won’t matter unless they build up a strong offensive line. Francis Mauigoa out of Miami is the perfect candidate.
7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Washington Commanders need some help on defense. Adding to the secondary with Caleb Downs could make a major difference. He may be the best player at his position in the draft, but being a safety tanks his stock a bit. At No. 7, however, he’s a great steal for Washington.
8. New Orleans Saints – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Do the New Orleans Saints have it all figured out? No, they certainly do not. However, they’ve been a smart franchise in the past, and last season wasn’t nearly as bad as some had predicted. They can improve their own stock with a selection like David Bailey at eighth overall. He would improve their edge rush right away.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Patrick Mahomes believes he will be ready for Week 1, Travis Kelce is going to be back, and the Kansas City Chiefs have made some other additions to their offense already. Now, drafting Makai Lemon out of USC makes so much sense for them, as Mahomes has been looking for a high-end receiver for a long time. If Lemon lives up to his potential, this could be a lethal duo.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cincinnati Bengals are running out of time to make quarterback Joe Burrow happy. Fixing their defense is a good way to make sure he has what he needs to be successful, and Mansoor Delane of LSU would certainly improve their secondary. Getting the ball in Burrow’s hands more often is the key to them winning a lot. In fact, they can win most of their games if he is healthy and has support.
11. Miami Dolphins – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The first of many draft picks for the Miami Dolphins in the coming years should be one that helps them set a foundation. An edge rusher like Kendric Faulk of Auburn is a great start. He will help them create a disruptive pass rush that allows them to then build an offense when the time is right.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Dallas Cowboys had a bad year in 2025. Dak Prescott’s offense wasn’t what they needed it to be, especially after losing Micah Parsons on defense. Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson, a WR from Arizona State can help Dak get it going on that side of the ball again if selected.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Los Angeles Rams have this pick from the Atlanta Falcons, which is wonderful asset management by one of the best teams in the NFL. If they take advantage of it, they will become even more lethal. Jermod McCoy of Tennessee would give their defense another weapon in the secondary to terrorize opposing quarterbacks and receivers.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Baltimore Ravens did not send this pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby. They pivoted and signed Trey Hendrickson when they backed out of Crosby, but that doesn’t mean another good defensive lineman should be off the table. Peter Woods of Clemson would give them another good option in the defensive trenches.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jeremiyah Love with this pick. With a dynamic running back like this in the mix, Baker Mayfield can get back to what works for him in that Buccaneers offense. The Notre Dame product would give them so many different looks that keep them from having another late-season collapse.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The New York Jets could actually be a pretty good team in 2026 if they play their cards right, which has been an issue for them. Sonny Styles of Ohio State is certainly someone who could help them in the middle of their defense with a head coach who loves players like this on that side of the ball.
17. Detroit Lions – Avieron Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Detroit Lions are a bounce-back candidate for 2026. Someone like Avieon Terrell from Clemson could join their secondary, which could use some improvement, and make it a great one. One year removed from losing both of their great coordinators to head coaching positions, this is the type of pick that could help stabilize at least one side of the ball.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Speaking of bounce-back candidates, the Minnesota Vikings would love to add Kayden McDonald to their defensive front. Kevin O’Connell is going to fix the offense, and a defensive player like this could go a long way in getting that right, too.
19. Carolina Panthers – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Carolina Panthers were a surprise playoff team in 2025, and they even played well in their first postseason game. If they want to repeat it, they need another solid year from quarterback Bryce Young. Adding Washington receiver Denzel Boston may help him do just that.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
This is the pick that the Cowboys gained in that aforementioned Parsons trade. They use it here to select CJ Allen of Georgia, to add another key long-term piece to their defense. With new weapons coming to both sides of the ball, they could be a dangerous NFC East team once again.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Is Mendoza going to be the only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2026 draft? Maybe, maybe not. This mock has Ty Simpson of Alabama as the second of two being selected. Whether he plays behind Aaron Rodgers or someone else, it’s time the Steelers take the proper approach at the position.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Vega Ioane, OL, Penn State
The Los Angeles Chargers must protect their fragile quarterback, Justin Herbert. That is not an insult; Herbert is an incredible talent. He will take things to the next level if he is on the field enough to elevate his game even further. An offensive lineman like Vega Ioane could be a major help.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Philadelphia Eagles had a good year, but not a great year, as the defending Super Bowl champions in 2025. A new edge rusher that helps them get after quarterbacks, like TJ Parker, might help them get that spark back. Winning the NFC East is within their grasp, especially with a pick like this.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Cleveland Browns have this selection from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kenyon Sadiq of Oregon would give thier quarterback (whoever they choose) a big weapon at the tight end position. In recent years, we’ve seen that position develop into a must for every NFL team, but there isn’t enough elite talent to go around.
25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Chicago Bears need help at defensive line, safety, left tackle and could be looking for their center of the future. With this pick, they go with the defensive lineman in Caleb Banks. Adding a good rushing option on the interior of the defensive line makes them a much deeper defense.
26. Buffalo Bills – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Buffalo Bills added DJ Moore in the offseason in an attempt to get another super elite year out of their offense led by Josh Allen. Well, another great receiver would go a long way. KC Concepcion of Texas A&M would make a great selection with the 26th overall pick.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Brock Purdy has dealt with some recent injury trouble, and Kadyn Proccor of Alabama may be someone who can help him stay healthy going forward. With a tackle like that, he may see his blind side protected so much more. The way Alabama pumps out linemen is an indicator that Proctor is worth considering.
28. Houston Texans – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Houston Texans may have a CJ Stroud problem. He did not play well at the end of the 2025 season. However, he has a track record of playing good football. The key to that could be giving him a good offensive line. Caleb Lomu is selected here to bolster the exterior. Stroud would love to see a player like Lomu come in.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (Via Los Angeles Rams) – Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
The Chiefs, possibly more than any team in the NFL, have lost significant linemen to deals they can’t afford under the salary cap. It’s been the price of winning for them. However, a chance to address it exists with them owning the 29th pick, where they select Emmanuel Pregnon of Oregon.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos) – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Miami Dolphins are one of the teams that truly identified themselves as a “rebuilding” team with all of the weapons, including their quarterback, that they shipped out of town. In a draft with that mindset, the best player available is the best player for them. Here, it is Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas.
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
What do you give the NFL’s runner-up? How about one of the best edge rushers in the draft for a team that was firing on all cylinders offensively in 2025? Cashius Howell of Texas A&M makes them instantly better, especially for getting him late in the first round.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Super Bowl champions were gutted this offseason, but that’s what happens. Every team wants a piece of the champs because they are the ones who reached the top of the mountain. Well, in an effort to retool, Brandon Cisse of South Carolina makes their secondary a decent threat again.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram