This week marks the 91st NFL Draft, the 61st for the Miami Dolphins and — hard to believe — my own 35th annual Official Miami Herald Mock Draft. We started this in 1991. Miami’s top pick that year was receiver Randal (Thrill) Hill from the Canes, and the Dolphins were still winning playoff games back then. Imagine that!?
I love the draft because it’s the grand nexus of pro and college football, America’s two favorite sports, and the first round is the offseason Super Bowl. This also is a high holy holiday for Your Friend the Media as we bask in our own mock drafts even understanding that the whole exercise is a mountain of glorified guesswork disguised as inside intel.
For this reason I enjoy comparing my results each year with those of ESPN draft lord Mel Kiper Jr. I do it mostly for fun, as King Kiper makes his mock draft a year-round cottage industry full of analysis and film study, while, for me, it’s a swoop-in guessfest … a mock-ery! Closest I got to film study this month was binging old episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Others do multiple mocks so one of them might be right or entire seven-round mocks that incorporate draft-night trade predictions. Absurd!
I do one mock draft only, first round only, and do not even pretend to foretell in-draft trades. I leave the overthinking to others. I simply cross-reference each team’s needs with likely best-available players in that spot in the round and let the darts fly. Simply, astoundingly, that works pretty well.
The past 10 years my mock drafts have totaled 67 first-round bull’s-eyes or Exactos: Exact player to exact team or in exact draft order, including a whopping nine each of the past three years. Kiper rallied late to beat me in Exactos last year, 11-9, after I’d had the better of Junior the previous three drafts. Overall last year I correctly had (in any order) 25 of 32 first-round selections.
I’m back on the clock Thursday night and will have a live, as-it-happens online “Cote vs. Kiper” report card on how I’m doing, 1-through-32 including the Dolphins’ selections at Nos. 11 and 30. My live grading will happen from the Dan Le Batard Show’s online watch party, so it should be fun.
By the way, if the first round seems quicker than usual it’s because the NFL has reduced each team’s time “on the clock” from 10 minutes to eight. (League turned down my proposal for “speed-drafting” with a 30-second max.)
Now, with Super Bonus Draft Facts interspersed as always … let’s mock!
▪ 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana: Life’s certainties: Death, taxes, sunrise, another “The Fast and the Furious” sequel and the Raiders selecting Mendoza No. 1 overall. This is two in a row for Miami: Last year the Hurricanes’ Cam Ward opened the draft on top, and now it’s the kid from Miami Columbus High who broke Canes hearts in the national championship game just three months ago. Mendoza draws comparisons to Matt Ryan physically and Joe Burrow for style. Now all he has to do is live up and lift a once-proud-franchise that hasn’tt mattered since around 2002.
▪ 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State: Defense-needy Planes are one of six teams with two first-round picks (also 16th), and will use this one in a can’t-miss choice between Reese and Texas Tech edge guy David Bailey, a coin-flip call by most accounts. Bailey is more pure edge rusher, while Arvell is more versatile and can play off ball but will adapt well to an edge role. Arvell projects the bigger eventual star — as suggested by his overall No. 1 spot in Scouts Inc.’s draft rankings. Neither choice would surprise as the pick here.
▪ 3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech: Bailey led FBS with 14 1/2 sacks last year and pass rush is Cards’ biggest priority after offensive tackle. So don’t entirely rule out Miami Hurricanes OT Francis Mauigoa here, although he figures to drop a bit over concerns about back issues and possible future surgery for a herniated disk. Also would not at all shock if Zona targets Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love here.
▪ 4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: Tennessee’s top need is a running back, Love is this draft’s A+ prospect, and that combo will make Love the highest-drafted back since Saquon Barkley went second in 2018. Cardinals might consider David Bailey if he falls or maybe Sonny Styles, but Love feels a safe bet here.
Who will take Jeremiyah Love in this year’s draft?.
▪ 5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State: This looks to come down to a Giants choice between Buckeyes as inside LB Styles and college teammate Caleb Downs, the safety, are this club’s two greatest position needs. NYG also craves a tackle but also has the 10th pick (via trading DT Dexter Lawrence to Cincy) and might be thinking Francis Mauigoa there.
▪ 6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State: A trade-down toggles between possible and likely here, but if Browns keep the pick a wideout makes big sense, and the hunch is they stay in state with the Buckeye. Team’s additional need at tackle puts Mauigoa in play here as well. Cleveland also has 24th pick Thursday night.
Super Bonus Draft Fact: Pittsburgh is hosting its first NFL Draft since the 1948 season (coincidentally Aaron Rodgers’ rookie year). It was a small affair at Fort Pitt Hotel, renowned in the city before being razed in 1967. The first draft was not televised until 1980, and Pittsburghers are almost as excited about the 21st overall pick Thursday night as they are about booing Roger Goodell.
▪ 7. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU: Washington would covet Love, Styles or Tate if any fall to here. But that doesn’t happen in my mock, so … the Comms “settle” for the draft’s top-rated cornerback after releasing veteran Marshon Lattimore and stinking in pass D last year. Downs also would get a look here.
▪ 8. New Orleans Saints: RUEBEN BAIN JR., EDGE, MIAMI: Really like Bain here to fill Saints’ edge need, although team’s only greater want might be at wide receiver. That means Tate if he falls to here, or Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon could also tempt New Orleans. Delane might, too, if he’s on the board. But Bain is certified great even with concerns such as the recent news of the auto accident and the “short arms.” Team that gets Bain gets a high-motor, QB-scaring force.
▪ 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Makai Lemon, WR USC: Gifting Patrick Mahomes a quality target is never a bad idea, and I like Lemon here slightly over Tyson because of the latter’s injury history. They would take Delane instead, or maybe Bain, if either fell. Also tempting here: S Downs or TE Kenyon Sadiq. KC also has 29th overall pick.
▪ 10. New York Giants (from Bengals): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State: Giants late last week traded Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for this pick, giving NYG a second selection in top 10. And they stick with defense in nabbing Downs, the draft’s top-rated safety. They would also give a look to Tyson or Delane here if available.
▪ 11. MIAMI DOLPHINS: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT, MIAMI: Stay home, Francis. Drive to work. Confession: Some of this pick might be wishful thinking. Will take a bit of luck for this 6-5 1/2, 329-pound behemoth to fall to 11. By luck I mean a few teams passing on Mauigoa perhaps because of concerns over back issues. Despite that he’s still the No. 5-rated draft prospect overall, and a steal for the Fins here. Across town at The U, coach Mario Cristobal made big, physical offensive and defensive lines a hallmark, and Mauigoa was a huge part of that strategy that reached the national championship game. Now new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan also speak of building “inside out” as a foundation of their rebuild here, and Mauigoa will fit perfectly again on the right side of the line. He will augment left tackle Patrick Paul and Pro Bowl center Aaron Brewer, with an ability to move inside to guard as well. Miami ranked 24th in pass-block win rate last year and 29th in run-block win rate — and Fins will be run first this season with De’Von Achane and new mobile QB Malik Willis — so blocking help as a priority makes sense. Dolphins also pick 30th in the first round among 11 total picks with seven in the top 100. In this spot, if Mauigoa is gone, guys Miami might consider here if available are UM teammate Bain, a wideout like Tyson or Lemon, a different OT in a draft rich at that position, or best-available cornerback.
▪ 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee: The Big D stands for defense first in this draft. Dallas needs a cornerback most and McCoy is the best one still around in my mock. Sometimes you dont overthink, you just do what’s right in front of you. Boys could also trade-down from this spot, but also have 20th pick to address edge rush or safety.
(*) Super Bonus Draft Fact: The Dolphins are hosting official 2026 Draft parties Thursday at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale and Regatta Grove in Coconut Grove, featuring current and former players, cheerleaders, mascots and giveaways. Am told they will be more careful with choice of giveaways this time after the controversy over last year’s commemorative pins celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Fins’ last playoff win.
▪ 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizon State: Thank you very much, says Mathew Stafford of this pick. Although he would also be smiling if they took an equally needed tackle here such as Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor or Spencer Fano if any are available in real life as they all still are in this mock. (Tyson one-ups his brother here by seven draft spots. Jaylon Tyson was 20th pick by Cleveland in 2024 NBA Draft, and averaged 13.2. points this season.)
▪ 14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State: New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is a defensive guy first, but Baltimore’s priority needs are all on offense. The biggest of those is interior line, and Ioane is this draft’s only first-round-graded pure guard. Crows also could be tempted here by a tackle or wideout, or by tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
▪ 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon: This draft’s only first-round quality tight end dips to 15 to fill Tampa Bay’s most pressing need on offense. But edge rush could be Bucs’ only greater need overall, so I could also see this as possibly the earliest plausible landing spot for Canes’ pass rusher Akheem Mesidor.
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis.
▪ 16. New York Jets (from Colts): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana: With defense addressed earlier in draft, NYJ will be casting for a receiver here. But the top few are already gone and the only other ones graded in the first round could be had a bit lower. A trade-down, then? If not and assuming Tate, Tyson or Lemon don’t fall to here, see Cooper a slightly better fit for Jets offense than the bigger Denzel Boston.
▪ 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama: Is Proctor a gamble? (Sorry. Somebody had to say it.) Tackle tops Lions’ wish list, and Proctor is more a guard who could transition outside. Proctor, Monroe Freeling and Fano are among quality guys left on our board. A Motown media buddy says Proctor is the only one of those three they have had in for an official visit, so I will go with that. D-line could tempt here, too.
▪ 18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon: This is the position defensive chief Brian Flores wants. Downs will be long gone, and Flores likes Thieneman’s versatility that gives him the edge over an also-available Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. A corner such as Avieon Terrell may also be in play here.
▪ 19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia: This is only team that had tight end as its No. 1 need, but Sadiq is gone and second best Eli Stowers would be a reach here. So who’s the best available athlete at another Carolina position that needs help? Freeling, judged the 14th-best overall prospect in this draft by Scouts Inc. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren also an option if they go safety.
▪ 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): AKHEEM MESIDOR, EDGE, MIAMI: Dallas addressed biggest need with its earlier pick at No. 12, and now targets the next-greatest need by looking to Miami and the player whose talent shone through despite the constant shadow of star teammate Bain. Mesidor will help fill the pass-rush void left by the trade of Micah Parsons that brought this added first-round pick.
Akheem Mesidor (3), defensive lineman, talks during University of Miami Pro Day workout on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility in Coral Gables, Fla.
(*) Super Bonus Draft Fact: Six teams are without first-round picks including Cincinnati via a trade to acquire Lawrence, Denver (for Jaylen Waddle), Green Bay (for Parsons) and Indianapolis (for Sauce Gardner). Atlanta lost its No. 1 selection in a 2025 trade-up. And Jacksonville, according to an AI report we’re still trying to verify, lost its top pick in a poker game.
▪ 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington: At last draft host Pittsburgh is on the clock! Steelers have 12 picks, most in league, but this one will set the tone. Dare the Steelers make what would be an unlikely-but-popular splash and call the name of Alabama QB Ty Simpson? (I think the Jets and Cardinals want him more, but a bit later. And more on that later.) A tackle will tempt here as well, but Boston fills a big need and was in for predraft visit.
▪ 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson: Coach Jim Harbaugh likes the type Woods is: Big-energy, versatile interior D-lineman who led all DTs in overall score at the NFL Scouting Combine. Edge rush (Mesidor would tempt if available) and offensive guard (protecting Justin Herbert never a bad idea) are other possibilities here. Also wouldn’t be shocked by safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren here.
▪ 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State: Philly is looking for an heir to veteran RT Lane Johnson and has had Iheanachor in for a visit. They also like Proctor at the position if he falls to them, but Iheanachor is a more natural tackle. Also, with trading receiver A.J. Brown possible-to-likely, Birds could also be shopping for a WR at some point if not here.
▪ 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah: Browns filled biggest need, a wideout, with pick earlier in round, and now go for a guy to give their QB time to throw. Lomu is seen as an elite pass protector with superb mobility and technique. They like Clemson tackle Blake Miller as well.
▪ 25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri: Bears envision Young pairing with Montez Sweat for bookend pocket crashers on a D-line that struggled last season. Auburn DE Keldric Faulk might also tempt here. An offensive tackle may be in play, too, and Utah’s Spencer Fano is still available (in this mock, at least).
▪ 26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M: Josh Allen needs to reverse the closing direction of his Super Bowl window, and this might help. Buffs could also opt for defense here, in which case Cashius Howell or Faulk off the edge or Kayden McDonald at DT could be ripe possibilities.
(*) Super Bonus Draft Fact: Dozens of South Florida media will be at draft night Thursday at Dolphins headquarters, but with added security. A brawl ensued last year after a producer for WQAM 560 and a rep from the Greg Cote Show podcast came to blows over who would get to ask the first question of seventh-round long-snapper Chelydra Serpentina.
▪ 27. San Francisco 49ers: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF: Offensive tackle became less an urgent need when team finally re-signed veteran Trent Williams, so attention swivels to the pass rush. And Central Florida’s Lawrence satisfies Niners’ desire for speed and explosiveness to complement Nick Bosa. Faulk, more of a run-stopping end, might be another option here.
DJ Lagway #2 of the Florida Gators runs at Malachi Lawrence #51 of the UCF Knights in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 5, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
▪ 28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State: McDonald is judged a premier interior line run-stopper, a perfect complement to Houston’s pass rush. Team also likes Peter Woods for that role, but he’s gone from my board. Could also see trenches-shopping Texans give a long look at guard Chase Bisontis here.
▪ 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson: K.C. grabbed a receiver with earlier pick so targets next-biggest need here with a player who figured to go sooner but for a recent hamstring issue. Team also likes Colton Hood at corner, and could also go edge with Cashius Howell, or tackle with Spencer Fano.
▪ 30. MIAMI DOLPHINS (FROM BRONCOS): CHRIS JOHNSON, CB, SAN DIEGO STATE: Big possibility Fins mighty trade-down here to add more picks later. QB-hungry Jets (picking 33rd) or Cardinals (34th) might try to bump up to this spot if Ty Simpson is still available, for example. But if Miami stays put, receiver, corner and edge rush will all be in play … or O-line, if they didn’t hit that at No. 11 as I predicted they will. My choice here is Johnson because he’s a lockdown-quality corner with the fluid athleticism that’s a glove-fit for the zone-heavy defense new coach Jeff Hafley likes. Fins also might like Colton Hood at corner in this spot, but he might be less suited to a zone scheme. Edge guy Keldric Faulk might also be in play here, as well as a receiver such as Germie Bernard out of Alabama. And if Miami didn’t get lucky at 11 with Francis Mauigoa as I predicted, then OT Fano (still on my board) would be a steal at this spot.
▪ 31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M: Howell, off an 11 1/2-sack season in the SEC, brings the pass rush Pats covet most. Faulk would also tempt here in that role. If team goes tackle, Fano or Blake Miller might work. Pats also need a wideout, but word is they’ll trade for A.J. Brown. (By the way, will any Boston-area media have the cojones to ask Mike Vrabel about the Dianna Russini mess that led to her resignation while Vrabel takes no heat at all? Just curious.)
▪ 32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame: Super Bowl champs have a league-low four draft picks so could trade-down to add more. But they lost star RB Kenneth Walker III in free agency and can’t trust Zach Charbonnet to stay healthy, so they won’t pass on a solution here. Price was lost in the shadow of teammate Jeremyiah Love (see No. 4), but rushed for 674 yards with 11 TDs and a 6-yard average for Irish and is draft’s No 2-rated back by Scouts Inc. Seahawks are also eyeing corner and edge rush, but it would take an unexpected star falling to 32 to move them off Price.
[Remember to join us online Thursday night for our live, as-it-happens, continuously updated Cote vs. Kiper report card on how our mock draft is faring against ESPN’s King Mock. We’ll go live at about 7:45 p.m. ahead of the NFL Draft kicking off at 8.]