2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 16-20: NFC North team gets a new star corner
No. 16: Detroit Lions – Connor Lew, C, Auburn
The Lions get their center of the future in Auburn’s Connor Lew. While there have been rumblings about the team moving Tate Ratledge to the position, the selection of Lew will allow them to keep him at right guard as they find their replacement for Graham Glasgow. This may be high for an interior lineman, but Lew is elite at the position and it’s never too soon to draft a player who could come in and be an instant starter.
No. 17: Minnesota Vikings – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
With the No. 17 overall pick, the Vikings get their cornerback with the selection of Avieon Terrell. Battling McCoy as one of the top cornerbacks in the class, Terrell is a versatile defender who is not only fluid in pass coverage but adds physicality in the box against the run. Although he hasn’t recorded an interception in his college career, he does have 17 passes defensed and 5 forced fumbles which showcases his aggressiveness around the ball. A good fit for the Vikings secondary.
No. 18: Seattle Seahawks – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Although the Seahawks have Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Tory Horton looking like a mid-round gem, Seattle takes a wide receiver with the No. 18 overall pick. The idea hear is to form a trio of high impact receivers by adding USC’s Makai Lemon to the mix. With Kupp getting up there in age, having him as the fourth receiver in 2026 should put the Seahawks’ offense in great position. In Lemon, they will get a receiver with speed and a dynamic ability to go up and make plays. A perfect complement to Smith-Njigba!
No. 19: Las Vegas Raiders– A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
The Raiders will be tempted to go quarterback here, but the solid play of veteran quarterback Geno Smith allows Vegas to go and get their cornerback of the future in Penn State’s A.J. Harris. As one of the top defenders in the Big Ten, Harris gives Pete Carroll a very talented and athletic cornerback to work with.
No. 20: Denver Broncos– Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The missing piece in the Broncos’ offense is a playmaking tight end who is fantastic after the catch like Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. Yes, Denver has Even Engram to fill that role for now, but he’s been injured, and Sean Payton won’t pass up the opportunity to give Bo Nix another weapon who just happens to be out of Oregon. Sadiq’s speed, athleticism and versatility would make the Broncos’ offense hard to defend.