With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, it\u2019s time for Chris Simms to reveal his first, and only, mock. Here\u2019s how Simms sees the first round shaking out, featuring plenty of big-time trades:<\/p>\n
1. Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Simms’ QB draft rankings: No. 1 Fernando Mendoza<\/p>\n Chris Simms explains why Fernando Mendoza\u2019s \u2018flawless\u2019 mechanics make him the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n 2. Jets: LB\/EDGE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ LB draft rankings: No. 1 Arvell Reese<\/p>\n Chris Simms breaks down the game of Arvell Reese, explaining why the Ohio State linebacker is one of the best players he evaluated this year and is such a versatile force.<\/p>\n 3. Cardinals: RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ RB draft rankings: No. 1 Jeremiyah Love<\/p>\n Chris Simms dives into Jeremiyah Love’s Marshall Faulk-type skillset and explains why the Notre Dame running back is far and away the best at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n 4. Titans: EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ EDGE draft rankings: No. 4 David Bailey<\/p>\n Chris Simms dives into David Bailey\u2019s game and discusses why he likes the Texas Tech edge rusher but has some concerns about his \u201cbendability\u201d and physicality.<\/p>\n 5. Commanders (trade w\/ NYG): WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ WR draft rankings: No. 4 Carnell Tate<\/p>\n Chris Simms breaks down why Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is a fluid receiver but doesn’t have the explosive ability that makes him “jump off the screen.”<\/p>\n 6. Browns: T Monroe Freeling (Georgia)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ OT draft rankings: No. 1 Monroe Freeling<\/p>\n Chris Simms explains why Georgia’s Monroe Freeling lands as his top-ranked tackle entering the draft,<\/p>\n 7. Giants (trade w\/ WAS): LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ LB draft rankings: No. 2 Sonny Styles<\/p>\n Chris Simms dives into why Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is a “freak of nature” who he thinks will thrive at the NFL level.<\/p>\n 8. Saints: S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ safety draft rankings: No. 1 Caleb Downs<\/p>\n Chris Simms explains why Caleb Downs has all the tools to be a star in the NFL, breaking down the Ohio State safety’s instincts and football IQ.<\/p>\n 9. Chiefs: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ EDGE draft rankings: No. 2 Rueben Bain Jr.<\/p>\n Chris Simms explains why he isn\u2019t concerned with Rueben Bain Jr.\u2019s arm length, breaking down how the Miami edge rusher is NFL ready with “unreal” power.<\/p>\n 10. Giants (via CIN): WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ WR draft rankings: No. 2 Jordyn Tyson<\/p>\n Chris Simms analyzes the game of Jordyn Tyson, explaining why the Arizona State product is a “natural receiver” who will be an “absolute beast” in the slot at the next level.<\/p>\n 11. Buccaneers (trade w\/ MIA): CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ CB draft rankings: No. 4 Mansoor Delane<\/p>\n Chris Simms discusses Mansoor Delane’s NFL potential, explaining why he believes the LSU cornerback is “a hair overrated” but will still be a solid player at the next level.<\/p>\n 12. Cowboys: CB Colton Hood (Tennessee)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ CB draft rankings: No. 3 Colton Hood<\/p>\n Chris Simms and Connor Rogers dive into the strengths and weaknesses of Colton Hood and break down how the Tennessee defensive back should match up well with bigger receivers as an “island-type” corner.<\/p>\n 13. Jets (trade w\/ LAR, via ATL): G Vega Ioane (Penn State)14. Ravens: WR Denzel Boston (Washington)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ WR draft rankings: No. 1 Denzel Boston<\/p>\n Chris Simms breaks down Denzel Boston’s game and explains why the Washington product is at the top of his wide receiver rankings.<\/p>\n 15. Dolphins (trade w\/ TB): T Francis Mauigoa (Miami)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ OT draft rankings: No. 2 Francis Mauigoa<\/p>\n Chris Simms breaks down the power of Francis Mauigoa explains why he believes the former Miami Hurricane can be a premier tackle at the NFL level.<\/p>\n 16. Rams (trade w\/ NYJ, via IND): WR Makai Lemon (USC)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ WR draft rankings: Makai Lemon<\/p>\n Chris Simms and Connor Rogers explain why the “floor is high” for honorable mention Makai Lemon in the NFL.<\/p>\n 17. Lions: T Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)18. Vikings: DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ DT draft rankings: No. 1 Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n Chris Simms and Connor Rogers analyze Kayden McDonald’s “underrated” profile ahead of the NFL draft with top-15 upside as a defensive tackle who can do it all on the line.<\/p>\n 19. Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ TE draft rankings: No. 1 Kenyon Sadiq<\/p>\n Chris Simms explains why Kenyon Sadiq tops his 2026 NFL Draft tight end rankings, diving into how the Oregon product is an “elite athlete” who will be a day-one starter in the NFL.<\/p>\n 20. Cowboys (via GB): EDGE Zion Young (Missouri)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ EDGE draft rankings: No. 5 Zion Young<\/p>\n Chris Simms explains why Zion Young\u2019s floor is high, analyzing how the Missouri product is a great edge-setter with very few negative plays.<\/p>\n 21. Browns (trade w\/ PIT): WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ WR draft rankings: Omar Cooper Jr.<\/p>\n Chris Simms and Connor Rogers discuss why Omar Cooper Jr. is “skyrocketing” up draft boards ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n 22. Bears (trade w\/ LAC): EDGE T.J. Parker (Clemson)23. Eagles: T Blake Miller (Clemson)24. Steelers (trade w\/ CLE, via JAX): OL Spencer Fano (Utah)25. Chargers (trade w\/ CHI): DT Peter Woods (Clemson)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ DT draft rankings: Peter Woods<\/p>\n Chris Simms breaks down the pros and cons with Peter Woods as an NFL draft prospect, explaining why the Clemson defensive tackle is an impressive athlete but lacks some of the key traits he looks for in the trenches.<\/p>\n 26. Bills: EDGE Akheem Mesidor (Miami)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ EDGE draft rankings: No. 3 Akheem Mesidor<\/p>\n Chris Simms breaks down the game of Akheem Mesidor and discusses how the Miami edge rusher has heavy hands and a strong get off.<\/p>\n 27. 49ers: T Max Iheanachor (Arizona State)28. Texans: DT Christen Miller (Georgia)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ DT draft rankings: No. 2 Christen Miller<\/p>\n Chris Simms and Connor Rogers dive into Christen Miller’s background at Georgia, where at a deceiving 321 pounds, possesses a tough play style that could be better than any DT in the class.<\/p>\n 29. Chiefs (via LAR): DT Caleb Banks (Florida)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simms’ DT draft rankings: No. 3 Caleb Banks<\/p>\n Chris Simms and Connor Rogers discuss Caleb Banks, the ‘Chris Jones-ish’ DT out of Florida who’s extremely twitchy for 330 pounds and can play any position along the line who can only be stopped by his injury issues.<\/p>\n 30. Dolphins (via DEN): WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)31. Patriots: CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee); to be traded to PHI<\/p>\n