The 2026 NFL Draft is just weeks. With the stage set in Pittsburgh and Fernando Mendoza set to be the first name called come drat night, there is growing buzz around teams potentially moving up or back via trades that could land top prospects in intriguing places.
As the NFL draft rumor mill buzzing, this NFL Mock Draft sets a few trade scenarios in place that could shift the entire draft board, shock fans and perhaps change the landscape of the entire NFL.
With the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock and expected to land their QB, let the chaos begin.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Eye-popping trade turns board upside down
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
In taking Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, the Raiders will have high expectations for the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner. Klint Kubiak and company will also have some patience. In signing Kirk Cousins this week, the new Raiders head coach has a veteran in place to start the season to give Mendoza time to find his way in the NFL. The signing also gives Mendoza a veteran presence to learn from and motivation to excel at the next level.
No. 2: Dallas Cowboys via New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys have been rumored to be eyeing the No. 3 overall pick, but the shock here is that Jerry Jones and crew really push the ball and land the No. 2 overall pick in an eye-opening block buster trade with the New York Jets. The draft day trade shocks the board and gives the Jets three first round picks in the top 20 in this draft. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Cowboys get their next Michah Parsons type talent in Arvell Reese to fits two of the Cowboys’ needs. He can get after the passer and he has elite talent at the linebacker position.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)
The Cardinals will listen to trade offers for this pick but ultimately stay pat and take an opportunity to rebuild their offensive line with the selection of Francis Mauigoa. The best tackle in the draft, Mauigoa offers elite pass protection for a team that will take a young quarterback at some point in this draft. In all reality, the Cardinals may have their eye on the 2027 NFL Draft class. In the meantime, it’s all about rebuilding from the inside out. They need to get that offensive line on point and Mauigoa is a great starting point.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, HB, Notre Dame
The Titans grab the top running back and perhaps the best offensive playmaker in this draft with the selection of Jeremiyah Love with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. The Titans will be intrigued by the top defensive players on the board, but they find a greater need to build around Cam Ward. They give him a dynamic weapon in the backfield to potentially lead them into the future.
No. 5: New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Giants at No. 5 can go in a few directions. They don’t have as huge of a need at linebacker as they had prior to free agency, so they grab another generational talent with the selection of the best safety in the draft. Caleb Downs not only comes with high-impact playmaking skills, but he had the versatility to play corner if needed. With John Harbaugh’s love for the safety position, the Giants create quite a safety room with Downs, Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns keep big play wide receiver Carnell Tate in the state of Ohio by selecting him with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. The Browns entertain trading back here, but the opportunity to add Tate to the offense is too big of a chance to pass up. Now the plan is to continue building the offensive line and find a long-term solution at quarterback. They hope either Shedeur Sanders, a rejuvenated Deshaun Watson or Dillon Gabriel can emerge as that guy.
No. 7: New York Jets via Washington Commanders – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
Jets general manager Darren Mougey plays the board perfectly. After trading back with the Cowboys, the Jets trade back up into the top 10 and get a player in David Bailey who may just have been their selection at No. 2 overall. An elite pass rusher, Bailey is a player the Jets can form an identity with defensively. Now they have two remaining first round picks to add more starter level prospects.
No. 8: New Orleans Saints – Rueben Bain Jr, ED, Miami (FL)
The Saints have Chase Young and Carl Granderson at the edge, but there’s still a big need there to replace Cameron Jordan. Rueben Bain Jr. falls right into their laps here at No. 8. Don’t let the arm length concerns fool you, Bain Jr. is lethal off the edge and will help that Saints’ defense emerge in the NFC South as a unit to be reckoned with.
No. 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Kansas City Chiefs – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
With Sonny Styles still on the board, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get aggressive by trading up into the top 10 to select their Lavonte David replacement. An inside off-ball linebacker who can do it all, Styles not only provides youth to the linebacker group, but he has the ceiling to be just as impactful as David.
No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Bengals see their top targets go off the board in the top 10. With the No. 10 overall pick, they select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to help solidify their secondary. A high-IQ, versatile defender with natural leadership skills, Thieneman may not excite Bengals fans this high in the draft, but they will quickly warm up to his contagious work ethic and defensive playmaking skills.
No. 11: Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
In a what have you shown me lately NFL draft process, the Dolphins hop on the Jermod McCoy hype train by selecting him over top ranked cornerback prospect Mansoor Delane. Although he missed most of the 2025 college football season, McCoy was elite in 2024. With the speed and movement that he showcased during his Pro Day performance, teams see that he is back to full health. Dolphins need a top corner, why not McCoy?
No. 12: Washington Commanders, via New York Jets – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Commanders trading back won’t sit well with fans, but they still are able to draft a position of need with the selection of Mansoor Delane with the No. 12 overall pick. With the release of Marshon Lattimore and Jonathan Jones going elsewhere in free agency, the Commanders are thin at the position and in need of a high-impact corner like Delane. Now they have an additional pick to work with in this draft to address other needs.
No. 13: Los Angeles Rams, via Atlanta– Spencer Fano, T, Utah
There is chatter about the Rams interest in Makai Lemon. With him still on the board, there will be some intrigue with this pick, but when all said and done, the Rams decide to draft their left tackle of the future in Spencer Fano.
No. 14: Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Ravens need to address the interior of their offensive line, and they do it in a big way with the selection of Olaivavega Ioane with the No. 14 overall pick. In adding Ioane to the mix, the Ravens add stabilized interior protection for Lamar Jackson and get a player who is a force with his run blocking.
No. 15: Kansas City Chiefs via Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Chiefs can trade back right into the sweet spot for Kenyon Sadiq. Yes, Travis Kelce will be back, but adding another big target for Patrick Mahomes could help the Chiefs’ offense transform into an offense tougher to defend. With Kenneth Walker III in the backfield, speed on the outside at receiver and the tandem of Kelce and Sadiq? Pick your poison in the defending the Chiefs in 2026.
No. 16: New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Jets get another win here as Makai Lemon slips to them at No. 16. A shifty route runner with outside wide receiver talent, Lemon will provide another reliable option in the offense alongside Garrett Wilson. Now the question is can the Jets land a quarterback.
No. 17: Detroit Lions – Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia
The Lions top focus is to solidify the tackle position. With the selection of Monroe Freeling with the No. 17 overall pick in the draft, they do exactly that. Freeling not only gives them depth behind Larry Borom and Penei Sewell, he also provide long-term starter stability.
No. 18: Minnesota Vikings – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Vikings cut both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave which leaves them thin at the defensive tackle position. With the No. 18 overall pick, they fill that void with Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald who becomes the fifth Ohio State player off the board. McDonald is a force in the middle who is the ultimate run stopper. He fills their need in the middle in a huge way.
No. 19: Carolina Panthers – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Panthers add another safety to the mix with the selection of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. As the third safety off the board, the former Toledo star gives the Panthers a playmaker in the defensive backfield to pair with Tre’von Moehrig.
No. 20: New York Jets via Dallas Cowboys – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Jets get their quarterback at an area in the first round that won’t be considered too much of a risk. As their third first round pick in this draft, the Jets can have Simpson learn behind a veteran like Geno Smith until he is ready. The team could also double dip at QB and take another prospect later in the draft.
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Steelers select Peter Woods with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team has other dire needs, but the high ceiling of Woods is hard to pass up here as one of the goals for the Steelers is to find a long-term successor to Cameron Heyward who is up there in age and in the final year of his contract.
No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, ED, Miami (FL)
The Chargers add a younger edge rusher to the mix with the selection of former Hurricanes star Akheem Mesidor at No. 22. L.A. is brought back Khalil Mack, but they need a long-term solution and Mesidor has the type of explosiveness off the edge to add some electricity to the Bolts’ pass rush.
No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles – Blake Miller, T, Clemson
The Eagles find their solution at tackle with the selection of Clemson’s Blake Miller. As a player who has been rising up the draft boards, Miller provides depth at the tackle position and a successor to Lane Johnson who is approaching the end of his NFL career.
No. 24: Miami Dolphins via Cleveland Browns – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Dolphins trade the No. 30 overall pick and a mid-round pick to the browns for No. 24 to select Jordyn Tyson who is still on the board. The Dolphins get a player, when healthy, who could replace the production of Jaylen Waddle. Concerns over his health is the reason he slides, but when he’s on the field, he’s as good as they come in this draft.
No. 25: Chicago Bears – Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn
Keldric Faulk isn’t the defensive lineman the Bears covet for the middle of their defensive line, but he is a prototypical defensive end who gives them another run defender who can create some rush off the edge.
No. 26: Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Bills land their next great inside linebacker with the selection of CJ Allen. The former Bulldogs linebacker not only brings the heat as a downhill tackler, he also gives them similar playmaker skills to what Matt Milano provided for years as the Bills inside linebacker.
No. 27: San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
The 49ers fill the future shoes of Trent Williams with the selective of the massive Kadyn Proctor. The athletic big man has been turning heads at Alabama’s Pro Day but still lands late in the first round in an ideal situation with the 49ers.
No. 28: Houston Texans – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Texans nab Caleb Banks with the No. 28 overall pick in the draft. The big run stopper is quick for his size and can create pressure up the middle. With Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. erupting off the edge, Banks will have his chance to create havoc in the middle of the Texans’ defensive line.
No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Chiefs look to replace Trent McDuffie with the selection of former Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood. With McCoy getting all the buzz, Hood also had himself an impressive Pro Day. Both his speed and competitive nature gives the Chiefs a young corner who can grow into the No. 1 corner role.
No. 30: Cleveland Browns via Miami Dolphins – Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State
Another riser on the big board, Max Iheanachor doesn’t get past the Cleveland Browns at No. 30. The team traded back from No. 24 with knowledge that there would be a top offensive lineman still on the board. Iheanachor is the blindside protector they are looking for. The selection allows them to move Dawand Jones to right tackle.
No. 31: New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, ED, Texas A&M
The Patriots could go in any direction with this pick. With Iheanachor off the board, they address their top need at edge with the selection of Cashius Howell who gives them speed and explosiveness off the edge. They still have Harold Landry III and added Dre’Mont Jones in free agency. Adding another edge rusher has been a point of emphasis in the offseason. Howell meets that need.
No. 32: Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell is a popular choice here for the Seahawks. The loss of Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant in free agency propels their need at corner. Terrell has the talent to be an upgrade over either or both those players and gives the Seahawks a reliable No. 3 corner behind Devon Witherspoon and Jose Jobe.