Quarterbacks run the draft, and 2026 is already pointing in one clear direction.
Fernando Mendoza has gone from upside prospect to near lock at No. 1 overall after winning a national title and the Heisman at Indiana Hoosiers football. At -7000, sportsbooks aren’t expecting any drama at the top.
After that? Things get interesting.
There are a few wildcard skill players who could shake up the Top 10 and force teams to rethink their plans.
Here’s how my 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Version 1 plays out.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0
1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Those in the know speculated that Mendoza could be in this position before this season started because of his physical tools. Then all he did this year was lead Indiana to an undefeated national championship season while winning the Heisman Trophy. He’s the -7000 favorite to land with the Raiders.
2. Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Reese arguably made the biggest jump of any prospect this season. He’s an explosive athlete who played linebacker and edge rusher for the Buckeyes. Expect him to be a primary edge rusher in the pros in a similar vein to Micah Parsons.
3. Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Cardinals need an upgrade at quarterback, but there is no one worth taking at this spot. But whoever is under center will need protection. Mauigoa has great size and has some of the cleanest tape of any prospect in this draft class.
4. Titans: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
A lot of people will have the Titans selecting a tackle here, but it’s the interior line that needs to be addressed. Robert Salah could also go edge rusher. But if it’s not protection for Cam Ward, go get him another weapon, and Jordyn Tyson is my top wideout.
5. Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Theoretically, John Harbaugh took this job because he likes the Giants roster he can build around. And that includes QB Jaxson Dart. And keeping him upright is paramount, so grabbing one of the best tackles in the draft is a no-brainer.
6. Browns: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs might be the best player in this draft. But you don’t usually draft a safety in the Top 5. Luckily, the Browns are picking at six, and this team just needs good football players. Downs’ versatility makes him an immediate game-changer on any defense.
7. Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Bain’s dominance was on full display during Miami’s playoff run. He is incredibly strong and regularly wins off the line. He’s also got that dawg in him, which is the type of mentality that head coach Dan Quinn would love to have on his defense.
8. Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tyler Shough gave the Saints hope that they found their QB of the future. Now, they need to give him a weapon across from Chris Olave. So, why not pair him with another great wideout from Ohio State? Tate does everything well and has the look of a longtime pro.
9. Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love is probably a Top 3 player in this class if we’re talking pure talent. He just gets dinged for being an RB. The Chiefs need to reimagine their roster for the next phase of Patrick Mahomes’ career. So, why not give him an electric back to balance the offense?
10. Bengals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Bengals should rush to submit this pick if Bailey is available here. That defense needs to get better. They took a swing at Shemar Stewart last year, which hasn’t worked out to this point. Bailey was the most productive edge rusher in college football this season.
11. Dolphins: Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins need help all over the defense, but their two starting corners are set to be free agents, and they’ll have the pick of their favorite in the class, the way this mock has gone. McCoy is my top corner despite missing last season due to injury.
12. Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Like the Dolphins, the Cowboys have holes to fill all over their defense. They address that by taking the Buckeyes’ linebacker here. Styles is the kind of backer you can build a defense around. He does it all. He’s a great tackler, can cover, and even blitzes effectively.
13. Rams: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Rams watched Jaxson Smith-Njigba burn them all year, and four of their corners are hitting free agency, so addressing the position is a must. DBU is back with its latest star product in Delane, who is excellent in man coverage and has elite ball skills.
14. Ravens: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Ravens have needs at edge rusher, wide receiver, and interior offensive line, but Eric DeCosta, like his predecessor Ozzie Newsome, loves to take the best player available. On my board, that’s wideout Makai Lemon. The USC product has great hands and is shifty after the catch.
15. Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq was one of my favorite players to watch in college football this season. With his combination of size and speed, he’s the type of tight end that’s a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. The Bucs could use another playmaker because it’s not like Mike Evans is getting any younger.
16. Jets: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Jets need a quarterback, but they shouldn’t reach for someone like Ty Simpson here. Instead, they should start rebuilding their defense from the inside out, with a disruptive interior defensive lineman like Woods. He’s got a great ability to collapse the pocket and can stuff the run.
17. Lions: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Lions desperately need someone to run opposite Aidan Hutchinson. At 6-foot-5 and 286 lbs, Faulk has the type of measurables that make scouts drool and has tremendous upside, especially playing alongside Hutchinson.
18. Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The disaster in Minnesota this season cost GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah his job. The jury is still out on JJ McCarthy, but the early returns don’t look good. That said, I still don’t think Ty Simpson is the answer. So instead, they shore up their secondary with Terrell.
19. Panthers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Panthers still need to do a better job of pressuring the quarterback, and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell is the next best edge rusher on my board. There is a case for him being the most explosive pass rusher in this draft class.
20. Cowboys: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Cowboys took the new QB of their defense at 12, now they’ll try to replace Micah Parsons. Parker entered the year as arguably the top edge in the draft, but a down year for him and Clemson saw his stock fall. This feels like a perfect buy-low candidate for Jerry Jones.
21. Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
I’ll never understand firing Mike Tomlin just to hire Mike McCarthy. So, with a move like that, taking Ty Simpson here is definitely on the table. But I’d rather take a swing at a QB in a later round and pair DK Metcalf with another physical receiver like Boston.
22. Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
This pick makes too much sense. This is Jim Harbaugh solidifying his offensive line with arguably the cleanest offensive line prospect in this draft class. Combine him with the returns of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and instantly the Chargers' offensive line goes from a weakness to a strength.
23. Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Even if Lane Johnson doesn’t retire, the Eagles need to rejuvenate their offensive line. Lomu is closer to his teammate Fano than most will realize, and can play all four tackle and guard positions. That versatility is something Howie Roseman will love.
24. Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns went BPA with their first pick; now they need to address the offensive line. Because whoever is under center is going to need better protection. Freeling is a raw but tantalizing prospect thanks to his elite size and length.
25. Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Bears accomplished a lot without being able to pressure the QB. I think they'll go get an edge rusher in free agency. So, why not draft someone who can collapse the pocket from the interior? Banks is a freak whose stock will rise throughout this process.
26. Bills: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
For the love of god, get Josh Allen some weapons. I probably like Brazzell more than most. He’s got great speed for a guy 6-foot-5 and 200 lbs, and of course, an excellent catch radius. He would be a good fit next to Khalil Shakir.
27. 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
It sounds like Brandon Aiyuk is the next receiver to have his bags packed to head out of San Francisco, and Juwan Jennings is a free agent. Concepcion might be the most explosive wideout in this class and would be a great fit in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
28. Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
CJ Stroud’s issues were front and center in the playoffs. So, why not make his life easier by drafting a monster of a tackle? Unfortunately, Proctor’s tape doesn’t line up with his mouth-watering measurables. But he’s worth a shot at the back end of the first round.
29. Rams: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Rams completely rework their secondary with their two first-round picks. This time by selecting the safety from what is quickly becoming a DB factory in Toledo. McNeil-Warren is a rangy, playmaking safety who can immediately transform a defense.
30. Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
With Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad both becoming free agents, linebacker is suddenly a need for the Broncos. This feels like a toss-up between Georgia’s CJ Allen and Hill. The Longhorns’ tape impressed me a little more this season, so he gets the nod here.
31. Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
After the Will Campbell experience in the Super Bowl, an offensive line upgrade will be considered here. But Mike Vrabel won’t pass up on Mesidor’s talent here. The violent edge rusher was super productive in Miami’s playoff run and should be a great fit in Vrabel’s defense.
32. Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The champs don’t have many needs, but corner Tariq Woolen could leave via free agency, and Cisse could step right in. The former Gamecock has elite athleticism and strength for a corner. He’s a great tackler, which is something his potential “Dark Side” teammates would love.
