2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 21-25: Top prospects fall to Steelers, Cardinals
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Any given week, Penn State’s Drew Allar can go from a top 5 pick to the end of the first round. In this NFL Mock Draft, he goes No. 21 to the Steelers which is an interesting fit because it keeps him in the state of Pennsylvania for one. In Allar, the Steelers also get a QB with size, a big arm and an ability to move outside the pocket. Where Allar goes in this draft depends on the other quarterback competition. But, for a team who should be in position to make the playoffs in 2025 behind Aaron Rodgers, may not miss a beat in 2026 by adding Allar, a player fans will already be familiar with.
No. 22: Minnesota Vikings – A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
The Vikings get their cornerback with the selection of Penn State’s A.J. Harris. Minnesota will be criticized for passing on safety Caleb Downs, they do get one of the top secondary defenders in the Big 10 in Harris who not only has ideal size for a cornerback but also plays down in the box and is a great run defender. Not a bad pick at all for the Vikings.
No. 23: Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Every draft has that top 10 talented player who slips down in the draft. The drama in this mock draft is Caleb Downs somehow sliding all the way down to No.23 to the Arizona Cardinals. There really isn’t a reason for the slide other than the needs of teams drafting ahead of the Cardinals. In Downs, Arizona gets their safety of the future and a player, like Will Johnson, who will be playing with a chip on his shoulders after sliding down in a draft where he is projected as a top 10 pick at the very least.
No. 24: Seattle Seahawks – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Speaking of players who slide, the Seattle Seahawks will say thank you as Kadyn Proctor slides to them at No. 24. A team looking to re-establish the offensive line, the Seahawks find their tackle in Proctor who is a mountain when it comes to size and an absolute force in protecting the passer.
No. 25: Cincinnati Bengals – Gennings Dunker, T, Iowa
Joe Burrow will be thrilled with this pick. With the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bengals select Iowa’s Gennings Dunker. Not as massive in size as the other tackles taken ahead of him, Dunker is still elite when it comes to pass protection. He also has great athleticism and technique in his run blocking ability. He also plays with a mean streak that should help set the tone for the rest of the Bengals’ offensive line.