2026 NFL Mock Draft, No. 26-32: Top NFL playoff seeds delivered reinforcements in key positions
26. Los Angeles Chargers - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Khalil Mack is almost 35 years old and set to be a free agent, so the Los Angeles Chargers opt for a defensive end to pair with Tuli Tuipulotu in Texas A&M's Cashius Howell who has five years of playing experience and racked up 11.5 sacks as an All-American this season.
27. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
After landing a wide receiver earlier in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns turn their attention to the offensive line, tabbing Caleb Lomu as their potential future left tackle.
28. New York Giants (via Los Angeles Rams)- Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
Similar to the Browns, the Giants went wide receiver and then offensive line, landing Penn State guard Vega Iaone, who has the potential to start right away and become a perennial Pro Bowler.
29. Chicago Bears - Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Caleb Banks is a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the Florida defensive line, when healthy, and can do the same moving forward for the Chicago Bears alongside another former Gator in Gervon Dexter Sr.
30. New England Patriots - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The New England Patriots have been very impressive in 2025. Drake Maye has been outstanding and the defense is starting to come into their own. A reliable edge presense like Clemson's T.J. Parker could help solidify their front against the pass and the run.
31. Denver Broncos - C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Another impressive team, the Denver Broncos have bolstered a top defense throughout the 2025 season. Alex Singleton is a free agent after the season, so the Broncos go with talented middle linebacker C.J. Allen who has 85 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks for the Bulldogs this season.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Seattle Seahawks are another team that many did not expect to be towards the top of the NFL standings, let alone holding the 32nd pick in this 2026 NFL Draft. For the Seattle defense, former first-round pick Devon Witherspoon has been outstanding. However, Riq Woolen has struggled and he and Josh Jobe are scheduled to hit free agency, so the Seahawks go with Colton Hood out of Tennessee to help rebuild the cornerback room
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Second round predictions
Round 2
33. Las Vegas Raiders - R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
34. New York Giants - Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
35. New York Jets - A'Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
36. Arizona Cardinals - Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
37. Tennessee Titans - Matayo Uiagelelei, DL, Oregon
38. Cleveland Browns - Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
39. Houston Texans - Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
40. Cincinnati Bengals - Connor Lew, C, Auburn
41. New Orleans Saints - Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
42. Atlanta Falcons - Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
After trading away their first-round pick, that was used in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft by the Los Angeles Rams to move up to the first overall pick, this is the first selection for the Atlanta Falcons. Here, the get Drake London a dynamic running mate in Chris Bell who is very effective down the field, but is coming off of a torn ACL.
43. Kansas City Chiefs - Damon Wilson Jr., EDGE, Missouri
44. Miami Dolphins - Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
45. New York Jets - Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
46. Minnesota Vikings - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
47. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
48. Baltimore Ravens - Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
49. Detroit Lions - L.T. Overton, EDGE, Alabama
50. Indianapolis Colts - Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
After trading their first-round selection to the New York Jets for Sauce Gardner, the Indianapolis Colts are on the clock in the second round of this 2026 NFL Draft. With Kwity Paye set to hit free agency, the Colts grab another edge rusher to pair with Laiatu Latu in Joshua Josephs who is a bigger-bodied defensive end who totaled 9.5 sacks and 22.0 tackles for loss over his four-year career at Tennessee.
51. Carolina Panthers - Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
52. Pittsburgh Steelers - Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
53. Green Bay Packers - Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
The Green Bay Packers included their 2026 first-round pick in the trade that netted them Micah Parsons. On the clock for first time in the second round of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Packers stick with defense, adding Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad to help rebuild their cornerback room that has struggled a bit down the stretch this season.
54. Houston Texans - Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
55. Philadelphia Eagles - A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
56. Buffalo Bills - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
57. San Francisco 49ers - Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
58. Jacksonville Jaguars - VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
The Jacksonville Jaguars sent their 2026 first-round pick to Cleveland last year when they traded up to select Travis Hunter. One of the biggest surprise teams of the 2025 NFL season, the Jags actually have a fairly impressive and well-rounded roster. Here, they go with safety VJ Payne from Kansas State who is very effective around the line of scrimmage in the run game and in coverage.
59. Los Angeles Rams - Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
60. Los Angeles Chargers - Luke Petitbon, C, Florida State
61. Chicago Bears - Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
62. New England Patriots - Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern
63. Denver Broncos - Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State
64. Seattle Seahawks - Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC