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2026 NFL Mock Draft: 5 big trades as Cowboys, Patriots, Raiders shake up Round 1

Big trades rock Round 1 as franchises find future stars.
Dallas cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft
Dallas cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft | David Butler II-Imagn Images
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2026 NFL Draft prospect Carnell Tate
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

No. 6: Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Browns get their wide receiver with the selection of Carnell Tate with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. While quarterback is still a big question mark for the Browns, getting a big-play receiver with height like Tate is the obvious move here.

No. 7: Arizona Cardinals, via Washington – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech

A team in transition, the Cardinals are wise to move back in this draft as they could use a difference maker along the defensive line or offensive line.  At No. 7, they have their choice between David Bailey on the defensive side and Francis Mauigoa on the offensive side of the ball.  They decide to go with Bailey who could’ve easily gone No. 2 to give them that elite pass rusher they have been searching for.

No. 8: New Orleans Saints – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Saints keep former LSU star Mansoor Delane in the state of Louisiana by selecting him with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.  This one is a bit of a surprise, but with Tate off the board and the top pass rushers going ahead of them, the Saints take the best player on the board at a position of need.  This move impacts the board slightly with a couple of CB hungry teams selecting behind them.

No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., ED, Miami (FL)

An off-the-field issue and short arms is the reason Rueben Bain Jr. slides this far in the draft.  The Chiefs take him here at No. 9 and will benefit from the talent he brings off the edge and the chip he will have on his shoulder with teams drafting ahead of him passing on his on-the-field potential as a Pro Bowl caliber edge rusher at the NFL level.

No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)

The Bengals would love to take a defensive starter here at No. 10, but with most of those players off the board, they go with the best offensive lineman in the game with the selection of Francis Mauigoa.  With an opportunity to grab a player who can solidify their offensive line and keep Joe Burrow upright and healthy, the Bengals jump at that opportunity here.

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