Heading into the final three weeks ahead of the Draft,\u00a0CBS Sports\u2019 Tom Fornelli shook up his latest mock draft<\/a>. This includes a projected blockbuster trade between the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, which sees the organizations trade the No. 3 and No. 9 picks. Below are the latest projections from CBS.<\/p>\n Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion\u00a0Fernando Mendoza\u00a0seems poised to be the pick to lead the Las Vegas Raiders into a new era. In his lone season at\u00a0Indiana, Mendoza emerged as the best player in college football. The\u00a0Cal<\/a>\u00a0transfer passed for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions, leading the Hoosiers to an unblemished 16-0 season and a national title.<\/p>\n The Raiders are thirsting for success, as they have not won a playoff game since 2002 (AFC Championship). They suffered their worst season since 2006 with veteran quarterback\u00a0Geno Smith<\/a>\u00a0(who has since been traded to the New York Jets)\u00a0at the helm, and a shake-up is desperately needed. Mendoza now has a veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins<\/a> to help ease him into the NFL, which could be a decision that could finally bring sunshine back to Sin City down the road.<\/p>\n It was yet another miserable season for the New York Jets, who missed the postseason for the 15th consecutive year. Fornelli has the Jets landing on\u00a0Ohio State\u00a0linebacker\u00a0Arvell Reese\u00a0with the second overall pick. Reese, a reigning First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection, recorded 112 tackles, seven sacks, and two pass deflections across two seasons.<\/p>\n The Jets defense, which did not record an interception all season, is in need of a massive boost. Reese, who helped the Buckeyes to a National Championship in 2024, would be a strong addition for organization. With defensive-minded\u00a0Aaron Glenn<\/a>\u00a0coaching the Jets, this pick seems like a no-brainer.<\/p>\n Just one season removed from making their third consecutive appearance in the Super Bowl, Tom Fornelli projects that the Kansas City Chiefs will be trading up to the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. With this pick, Fornelli has Andy Reid<\/a>\u00a0and the Chiefs boosting their defense with\u00a0Texas Tech\u00a0EDGE rusher\u00a0David Bailey. Bailey recorded 52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles last season.<\/p>\n Bailey, who transferred to Lubbock for his final season of college football, emerged as one of the most dominant game-wreckers in the sport. His strong play was a catalyst for\u00a0Texas Tech\u2018s first-ever Big 12 Championship, and in turn, its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.<\/p>\n Star\u00a0Notre Dame\u00a0running back\u00a0Jeremiyah Love\u00a0has skyrocketed up NFL Draft boards over the past month, and now seems poised to be the first non-quarterback offensive player selected. In Fornelli\u2019s latest Mock, he is projected to head to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 4 overall pick. The addition of Love to Tennessee\u2019s offense would instantly give them their most dynamic player since\u00a0Derrick Henry<\/a>.<\/p>\n Across three seasons in South Bend, Love recorded 2,882 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2025, and was named a Unanimous All-American and the Doak Walker Award recipient. Tennessee is seeking a return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. Bringing in one of college football\u2019s biggest playmakers would certainly be a strong start.<\/p>\n Ohio State\u00a0linebacker\u00a0Sonny Styles\u00a0was one of the biggest winners of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Styles wowed with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 43.5\u2033 vertical jump, skyrocketing him to a projected top-five pick in the Draft. Across four seasons at\u00a0Ohio State, Styles recorded 244 tackles, 22.5 TFL, and 9.0 sacks. The Ohio native is an experienced prospect who would instantly contribute to\u00a0Jim Harbaugh<\/a>\u2018s defense in New York.<\/p>\n New York hired the former Baltimore head coach this offseason, after he and the Ravens agreed to part ways after 18 seasons. The Giants are desperately seeking a return to relevance in the NFL, as they\u2019ve made the postseason just twice since its Super Bowl victory in 2011. Putting together a strong defense, to pair with a young offense, could work out nicely for the organization.<\/p>\n Although he may not have even been the best wide receiver at\u00a0Ohio State\u00a0last season,\u00a0Carnell Tate\u00a0is projected to be drafted No. 6 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Tate emerged as\u00a0Julian Sayin<\/a>\u2018s WR2 (behind\u00a0Jeremiah Smith<\/a>) last season, hauling in 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. He would be joining a WR core consisting of\u00a0Jerry Jeudy<\/a>,\u00a0Cedric Tillman<\/a>, and\u00a0Isaiah Bond<\/a>.<\/p>\n After a wide-cast search, Cleveland landed on former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator\u00a0Todd Monken<\/a>\u00a0as their new head coach. Monken has worked with wide receivers such as\u00a0Zay Flowers<\/a>,\u00a0DeAndre Hopkins<\/a>, and\u00a0Rashod Bateman<\/a>\u00a0in recent history, and could add Tate to that group.<\/p>\n With the seventh overall pick, the Washington Commanders are projected to select\u00a0Ohio State\u00a0safety\u00a0Caleb Downs. A pick that Washington fans have been clamoring for, Downs would make an immediate impact on a struggling Commanders defense. Last season, Washington ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (384.0 YPG) and 27th in points allowed per game (26.5 PPG).<\/p>\n Downs was one of the best defensive players in all of college football over the past three seasons (one at\u00a0Alabama\u00a0and two at\u00a0Ohio State), racking up 256 tackles, 10 pass deflections, six interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. Washington\u2019s offense, led by a returning\u00a0Jayden Daniels<\/a> at quarterback, has shown to be good enough to reach the NFC Championship Game (2024). It will need some help from the defense, however, to reach those heights once again.<\/p>\n In Fornelli\u2019s Mock, the New Orleans Saints are projected to select superstar EDGE rusher\u00a0Reuben Bain Jr., who absolutely dominated the College Football Playoff. The Miami native recorded 17 tackles and five sacks in four CFP games. On the season, Bain Jr. totaled 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.<\/p>\n Bain Jr. could blossom an organizational cornerstone with former All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan<\/a> mentoring him in the Big Easy. Selecting a\u00a0Miami\u00a0player has been a risk in recent history, however, as a former Hurricane has not made a Pro Bowl since\u00a0Lamar Miller<\/a>\u00a0(who was drafted in 2012). With a player as talented as Bain, the risk is certainly worth the reward for a Saints team that seems poised to make a push for a return to the postseason in 2026.<\/p>\n Second Team All-SEC Georgia OT\u00a0Monroe Freeling<\/a>\u00a0is projected to be selected with the No. 9 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals, following their mock trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether or not Freeling would be blocking for Jacoby Brissett<\/a>, Gardner Minshew<\/a>, or a rookie quarterback next season remains unknown. Arizona parted ways with former franchise cornerstone quarterback Kyler Murray<\/a> this offseason, leaving the future of the position up in the air.<\/p>\n Freeling posted a 71.4 PFF grade last season, ranking 81st out of 632 qualified collegiate offensive tackle\u2019s. His pass blocking grade of 85.6 ranked 10th at his position, while his run blocking grade of 61.3 ranked 252nd at his position. Freeling would be Arizona\u2019s first selection of an OT in the NFL Draft since 2020, when it selected Houston<\/a>\u2018s Josh Jones<\/a> with the 72nd overall pick.<\/p>\n Although many Bengals fans have been hoping the organization would get the chance to draft in-state star\u00a0Caleb Downs, Tom Fornelli has Cincinnati selecting\u00a0LSU\u00a0defensive back\u00a0Mansoor Delane. With Downs off the board at pick No. 7 in this mock, selecting the next best defensive back seems like the best case scenario for the organization. Last season, Cincinnati ranked second-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (380.9 YPG) and third-to-last in points allowed per game (28.9 PPG).<\/p>\n Across four collegiate seasons (three at\u00a0Virginia Tech<\/a>, one at\u00a0LSU), Delane boasts 191 career tackles with 27 pass deflections, eight interceptions, and four forced fumbles. The secondary has been one of Cincinnati\u2019s biggest weakness over the past few seasons, and the addition of Delane would be massive in helping plug that hole.<\/p>\n Picks 11-32<\/p>\n 11. Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon<\/a>, WR,\u00a0USC<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arvell-Reese.png\")
\u00a9 Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Sonny-Styles.png\")
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (LB25) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rueben-Bain.png\")
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (DL32) on the SiriusXM NFL Radio set during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
12: Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy<\/a>, CB,\u00a0Tennessee<\/a>
13. Los Angeles Rams: Jordyn Tyson<\/a>, WR, Arizona State<\/a>
14. Baltimore Ravens: OlaivavegaIoane Ioane,<\/a>\u00a0G,\u00a0Penn State<\/a>
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor<\/a>, EDGE,\u00a0Miami<\/a>
16. New York Jets: Avieon Terrell<\/a>, CB,\u00a0Clemson<\/a>
17. Detroit Lions: Francis Mauigoa<\/a>, OT, Miami<\/a>
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman<\/a>, S,\u00a0Oregon<\/a>
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq<\/a>, TE,\u00a0Oregon<\/a>
20. Dallas Cowboys: R Mason Thomas<\/a>, DL, Oklahoma<\/a>
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Spencer Fano<\/a>, OT,\u00a0Utah<\/a>
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods<\/a>, DT,\u00a0Clemson<\/a>
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu<\/a>, OT,\u00a0Utah<\/a>
24. Cleveland Browns: Blake Miller<\/a>, OT,\u00a0Clemson<\/a>
25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young<\/a>, EDGE, Missouri<\/a>
26. Buffalo Bills: Omar Cooper Jr.<\/a>, WR,\u00a0Indiana<\/a>
27. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston<\/a>, WR, Washington<\/a>
28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor<\/a>, OT, Alabama<\/a>
29. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood<\/a>, CB, Tennessee<\/a>
30. Miami Dolphins: Max Iheanachor<\/a>, OT, Arizona State<\/a>
31. New England Patriots: Jacob Rodriguez<\/a>, LB, Texas Tech<\/a>
32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Pregnon<\/a>, OL, Oregon<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In just 21 days, a new crop of talent will be joining the National Football League via the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":850749,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[40550,40956,9383,11868,5782,5783,5784,51594,9387,20644,5791,40974,26735,7,5795,41148,9391,5798,20645,5799,26737,11876,32679,107993,99465,6,15,51157,5806,5807,5808,34445,5809,34447,105269],"class_list":{"0":"post-850748","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl-draft","8":"tag-akheem-mesidor-20-clearwater-academy-international","9":"tag-arvell-reese-23-glenville","10":"tag-avieon-terrell-23-westlake","11":"tag-blake-miller-22-strongsville","12":"tag-caleb-downs-23-mill-creek","13":"tag-caleb-lomu-23-highland","14":"tag-carnell-tate-23-img-academy","15":"tag-colton-hood-23-eagles-landing-christian-academy","16":"tag-david-bailey-22-mater-dei","17":"tag-denzel-boston-22-emerald-ridge","18":"tag-dillon-thieneman-23-westfield","19":"tag-emmanuel-pregnon-20-thomas-jefferson","20":"tag-fernando-mendoza-22-columbus","21":"tag-football","22":"tag-francis-mauigoa-23-img-academy","23":"tag-jacob-rodriguez-21-rider","24":"tag-jeremiyah-love-23-christian-brothers-college","25":"tag-jermod-mccoy-23-whitehouse","26":"tag-jordyn-tyson-22-independence","27":"tag-kadyn-proctor-23-southeast-polk","28":"tag-kenyon-sadiq-23-skyline-senior","29":"tag-makai-lemon-23-los-alamitos","30":"tag-mansoor-delane-22-archbishop-spalding","31":"tag-max-iheanachor-22-king-drew-medical-magnet","32":"tag-monroe-freeling-23-oceanside-collegiate-academy","33":"tag-nfl","34":"tag-nfl-draft","35":"tag-omar-cooper-22-lawrence-north","36":"tag-peter-woods-23-thompson","37":"tag-r-mason-thomas-22-cardinal-gibbons","38":"tag-rueben-bain-23-miami-central","39":"tag-sonny-styles-22-pickerington-central","40":"tag-spencer-fano-23-timpview","41":"tag-vega-ioane-22-graham-kapowsin","42":"tag-zion-young-22-westlake"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/850748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=850748"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/850748\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/850749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=850748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=850748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=850748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}