2026 NFL Draft No. 26-32: Cowboys double dip on defense
No. 26: Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Cowboys double dip along the defensive line with the selection of Caleb Banks. A top ranked defensive lineman, Banks is both physical and versatile in his ability to anchor the middle of the defensive line. With a high motor, he and T.J. Parker should help anchor the Cowboys’ front seven in different ways than Parsons, but with the talent to be impact players going forward.
No. 27: Buffalo Bills – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
The Bills use the No. 27 overall pick on Texas Tech’s Davis Bailey. A devastating pass rusher, Bailey will give the Bills that young defensive end they have been looking for. With already 3.5 sacks through 4 games in 2025, Bailey is a player rising up the board. If the Bills get him here, watch out AFC.
David Bailey incoming ⚠️
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) September 6, 2025
📺 TNT & MAX pic.twitter.com/AdTvH5U5Kd
No. 28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The first linebacker off the board is Georgia’s CJ Allen. There will be a lot of focus on Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr, who is the top ranked linebacker, but the Buccaneers will go with Allen who is more of a box linebacker. A tackling machine with great closing speed, Allen will find his niche quickly in Tampa.
No. 29: Indianapolis Colts – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Okay, let’s say the Colts have their quarterback in the revived Daniel Jones. With the No. 29 overall pick, Indianapolis goes with cornerback Mansoor Delane out of LSU. There will still be plenty of quarterback talent to choose from on Day 2, so the Colts solidify their secondary with Delane who brings scheme versatility and an aggressive nature to the backfield.
No. 30: San Francisco 49ers– Isaiah World, T, Oregon
The 49ers get their Trent Williams replacement with the selection of 6-foot-8, 313-pound tackle Isaiah World. A player has all the ingredients to be dominant in the NFL, World will be a safe pick for the 49ers late in the first round.
No. 31: Los Angeles Chargers – LT Overton, ED, Alabama
One of the top edge rush prospects falls to the Chargers at the end of the first round. With the No. 31 overall pick, the Chargers address their edge rush needs with Alabama’s LT Overton. With his tremendous physical attributes and run-stopping presence, the addition of Overton will help the Chargers continue their transcendence in the AFC.
No. 32: Philadelphia Eagles – R Mason Thomas, ED, Oklahoma
The Eagles can do almost anything with the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. In this NFL mock draft, they go with Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas who has three-down versatility as well as great speed. He is undersized but has the strength to master his way through and around bigger blockers. This could be another Jihaad Campbell type steal for the Eagles.