2026 NFL Mock Draft 26-32: 49ers land intriguing receiver; Patriots gain an edge
No. 26: San Francisco 49ers– Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
The 49ers will likely move on from Brandon Ayuk in 2026. Expect them to fuel those rumors with the selection of Chris Bell with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft. In all, Bell isn’t nationally recognized as a first-round wide receiver, but he has played like one all season for Louisville. With his size and speed, he is the type of receiver who will flourish in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Note: Chris Bell suffered an ACL tear near the end of the season that could impact his draft stock
Louisville’s Chris Bell, one of the top receiver prospects in the upcoming NFL draft, suffered a torn ACL in a game at SMU on Nov. 22, per @PeteThamel and me. In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates projected Bell as a first-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2025
Bell is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound wide… pic.twitter.com/LsPDHQWnzG
No. 27: Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
The growth of Sheduer Sanders allows the Browns to address other areas in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With the first pick, they got their receiver. With the second pick in the first round, they could beef up the offensive line with the selection of Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. The Browns have Jack Conklin, Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio and Ethan Pocic hitting free agency, so they are a sure bet to address the O-line in the draft. Proctor is a great player to start with.
No. 28: Dallas Cowboys via Green Bay – A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
The Cowboys get their safety with the selection of LSU’s A.J. Haulcy. At 6-foot-0, 222 pounds, the highly rated safety might be seen as a reach in the first round, but his ability to play all over the field as well as his run support makes him a safety the Cowboys will target, especially if Caleb Downs becomes out of reach with their first pick.
No. 29: Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Seahawks look like a team who will be destined to draft a cornerback given their pending free agents. Brandon Cisse is a cornerback prospect who has been on the rise on most draft boards. His size, speed and instinctive nature in coverage makes him a No. 1 corner type prospect, especially if he lands in the right situation and scheme.
No. 30: New England Patriots – Matayo Uiagalelei, ED, Oregon
The Patriots address their need for an edge rusher with the selection of Matayo Uiagalelei. The Oregon star can play multiple positions along the defensive line but gives the Patriots that defensive edge who can get after the QB. At 6-foot-5, 272 pounds, Uagalelei recorded 8.5 sacks in 2025 following a breakout season in 2024 in which he garnered 10.5 sacks.
No. 31: Los Angeles Rams – Gennings Dunker, T, Iowa
With their second first-round pick the Rams address the offensive line with the selection of Gennings Dunker, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound tackle out of the University of Iowa. As one of the top tackles in the draft, Dunker brings physicality and power to the Rams’ offensive line.
No. 32: Denver Broncos – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
A dynamic route runner with great after the catch production, Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion is a great fit in Denver and will be an instant favorite of both Sean Payton and Bo Nix in the passing game. A touchdown king in 2025 at Texas A&M, Concepcion would bring that same explosiveness to the Broncos offense.