It’s already been a wild offseason in the NFL. Could that spill over into the 2026 NFL Draft?
In an offseason that has already seen Maxx Crosby traded then untraded to not be undone by a shocking trade that saw the Miami Dolphins trade Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, it will be only fitting if there are more surprises come draft night.
With Fernando Mendoza a lock as the No. 1 overall pick, the drama will likely come once he is off the board. Which prospects are other teams eyeing after the first wave of free agency? Which top prospects rising up draft boards have teams willing to make bold moves to get their guy?
If things haven’t been wild enough in the NFL, this NFL Mock Draft is impacted by more wild moves.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Big trades, surprise picks and notable slides
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza in a Las Vegas Raiders’ uniform is a lock at this point in the pre-draft process. With the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, new Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor recently expressed excitement about catching passes from Mendoza.
“The touch he has on his passes, you know, those accurate passes that he makes, it really pops out, and he’s a mobile quarterback,” Nailor said during an episode of Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams. “Like, he can get on the ground, and he can run a little bit. So, just to have those aspects of him as a quarterback. He’s on the taller end as well. So, seeing over the line won’t be an issue. But, I mean, he has all the things that you would want in a quarterback.”
No. 2: New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets spent some money in free agency and could dangle this pick as trade bait for even more draft capital, but they ultimately select Arvell Reese who is the popular choice at No. 2 here. A complete all-around player with the ceiling of an elite Pro Bowl level player, Reese has the talent to anchor the Jets’ defense from years to come. Can he be the NFL’s next Micah Parsons? Absolutely!
No. 3: Cincinnati Bengals via Arizona – Caleb Downs, S , Ohio State
The Bengals make an eye-popping trade to land the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In trading the No. 10 overall pick, a third-round pick and a future 2027 first round pick, Cincinnati plays it aggressive and lands a generational talent in Caleb Downs. While there is a possibility the top safety in the draft slide down to 10, the Bengals assure they land who some draft experts believe is the best defender in the draft.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr. , ED, Miami (FL)
The Titans go defense with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with the selection of Rueben Bain Jr. New head coach Robert Saleh wants to build a new energy on defense down in the Nashville and Bain can deliver a new tune off the edge. With Jeffrey Simmons dominating inside, Bain will have blockers on skates as he uses his power and high motor to create havoc off the edge.
No. 5: New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The third Ohio State star goes off the board in the top 5 here with the New York Giants taking Sonny Styles with the No. 5 overall pick. Despite signing Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, the appeal of adding Styles to the mix could give New York a trio of linebackers who can create havoc playing the Giants’ font line. Styles, Edmunds and Abdul Carter with a year under his belt…oh my!
No. 6: Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Another Ohio State prospect goes off the board at No. 6 as the Browns look to Carnell Tate as their big target down the field. No matter who the QB is in Cleveland, Tate will be a top target instantly with his route running, reliable hands and ability to be a consistent deep threat and home run hitter without elite speed.
HOME. RUN. HITTER.
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 29, 2025
Carnell Tate hauls it in for @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/eQbICogClp
No. 7: Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love in the backfield behind Jayden Daniels gives Commanders fans a QB/RB duo to ride them into the future. The question is can Love’s presence and Daniels’ health along with upgrades on defense be enough to put the Commanders back in the conversation in the NFC East. If Love lives up to the hype, it will be another fascinating turnaround in the Capital City.
No. 8: New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Saints focus on more offensive weapons for Tyler Shough. With the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, they go with the popular pick for them at this spot by selecting 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon. Coming off a final season at USC in which he hauled in 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, Lemon is the perfect complement to Chris Olave as a playmaker who can work the middle of the field with this elite route running.
No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
With an additional first round pick in their back pocket, the Chiefs jump on the opportunity to select former Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey with their top first round pick. A menace along the defensive line, Bailey will give the Chiefs more pass rush off the edge, especially with Chris Jones getting up there in age.
No. 10: Arizona Cardinals vs Cincinnati – Spencer Fano, T, Utah
The Cardinals’ biggest need outside of quarterback is revamping the offensive line. In trading back, the Cardinals gain an additional Day 2 pick and a 2027 NFL draft first round pick and still get their player with the selection of Spencer Fano. One of the top, athletic tackles in the draft, Fano will be the building block to an improved lined in front of whoever ends up behind center in the desert.
No. 11: Miami Dolphins – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
After the trade of Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins shift their focus with the No. 11 overall pick on a player who can be a big play weapon in the offense when healthy. At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Tyson has the size, the overall tools and the physicality on the outside to be a top-level receiver in the NFL. The key obviously is heath.
No. 12: Dallas Cowboys – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Emerging as the second-best safety behind Caleb Downs, former Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman lands with the Cowboys at No. 12. A versatile defender in the secondary with leadership skills, the Cowboys get a solid, pro bowl caliber safety who could lead the defensive backfield for years to come.
.@oregonfootball DB Dillon Thieneman put everyone on notice in at the Combine 💪 pic.twitter.com/dI2KcpIf3z
— NFL (@NFL) March 13, 2026
No. 13: Los Angeles Rams, via Atlanta– Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)
The Rams secure their left tackle spot with the selection of Francis Mauigoa. In trading for Trent McDuffie to take care of their top corner needs, the Rams have the luxury of grabbing an elite pass protector like Mauigoa who has the versatility to play either tackle spots or even slide inside to guard.
No. 14: Minnesota Vikings, via Baltimore – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Vikings get aggressive and trade up with one of the top corners still on the board. With the No. 14 overall pick, the Vikings select LSU’s Mansoor Delane to address their secondary needs. With an elite press man coverage skillset and natural instincts as a pass coverage defender, Delane has lockdown corner written all over him.
No. 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, ED, Miami (FL)
The Buccaneers continue to build on defense with the selection of Akheem Mesidor. The Buccaneers can go in a few directions here, but with a fast, powerful edge rusher like Mesidor on the board, they take the opportunity to add fuel off the edge. Playing in Miami alongside Rueben Bain Jr,, Mesidor racked up12.5 sacks, 63 total tackles and 17.5 tackles for a loss in 15 games.
No. 16: New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Jets pull a stunner here by not selecting Ty Simpson at No. 16. Instead, they select cornerback Jermod McCoy to continue the trend of rebuilding the defensive side of the ball. A team that didn’t record an interception in 2025 use the pick acquired in the deal that sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts to potentially find his replacement.
No. 17: Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, ED, Auburn
The Lions beef up the defensive line with the selection of Keldric Faulk with the No. 17 overall pick in the draft. Faulk, who has ideal size, length and athleticism as a defensive end, can provide some rush off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions will look to address tackle later in the draft.
No. 18: Baltimore Ravens, via Minnesota – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
In trading back, the Ravens can add a pick later in the draft and select a player they would’ve taken at No. 14. With the selectin of the mammoth Olaivavega Ioane, the Ravens add a stout run blocker and pass protection from the interior of the line for Lamar Jackson.
No. 19: Carolina Panthers– Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers get another playmaker from the tight end position with the selection of Kenyon Sadiq. This is a sweet spot for Sadiq to go off the board as a fast, athletic playmaking tight end who could serve more as a big receiver. In adding Sadiq, the Panthers will have a group of tight ends that include Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans.
No. 20: Dallas Cowboys – Cashius Howell, ED, Texas A&M
The Cowboys take care of another need in the first round in adding former Texas A&M star Cashius Howell to the mix. At 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, Howell is an efficient pass rusher who brings a ton of energy and physicality to the field. Howell recorded 11.5 sacks in his final season with the Aggies.
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Steelers say thank you Jets and selection Alabama’s Ty Simpson with the No. 21 overall pick in the draft. Under the coaching of new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, Simpson will get a chance to develop. The question is, how soon will he be a starter in a Steelers’ uniform?
No. 22: Miami Dolphins via Los Angeles Chargers – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Dolphins send No. 30, and a mid-round pick the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for pick No. 22. With the pick, the Dolphins select former Toledo Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to help fill the void at safety after the Minkah Fitzpatrick departure. McNeil-Warren is great as a “robber” type defender and is a safety who can play down in the box against the run.
No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Eagles added Hollywood Brown in free agency and will spark more debate regarding the A.J. Brown with the selection of Denzel Boston with the No. 23 overall pick. A big, physical receiver, Boston will provide a big target down the field and if the team finally moves on from A.J. Brown, he will help fill that void.
No. 24: Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville – Blake Miller, T, Clemson
The Browns fill a need at left tackle with the selection of Blake Miller who has been rising in this draft. Miller not only helps provide some stability and depth at the tackle spot for the Browns but will project as the long-term solution at the position.
No. 25: Chicago Bears – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
A versatile defensive line with a high upside, the Chicago Bears draft potential with the selection of Peter Woods at No. 25. A force in the middle who can also make an impact off the edge, Woods provides a high-reward gamble for the Bears towards the end of the draft.
No. 26: Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Bills signed Bradley Chubb to help with their pass rush. While edge is still a need, the Bills address the linebacker position with the selection of former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen. As one of the top linebackers in the draft, Allen brings both leadership and high tackling production to the Bills’ defense. He is also a replacement for Matt Milano if he does not return.
No. 27: San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, T, Utah
The 49ers will use this pick to find the successor to Trent Williams who is at the end of his career. Utah’s Caleb Lomu has the talent to be that player. Elite in pass protection, the 49ers are fortunate to land the 6-foot-6, 304-pound tackle late in the first round.
No. 28: Houston Texans – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
The Texans will use their first-round pick to add more beef to the offensive line. It gets no bigger than Kadyn Proctor who has the size, power, versatility and athleticism to eventually replace Trent Brown at right tackle. Proctor can also serve as a guard until he gets his opportunity at either tackle position.
No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams – Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
The Chiefs will likely use one of their first-round picks on a wide receiver. With the No. 29 overall pick, that wide receiver is Omar Cooper Jr. The physical wide receiver will go from catching the ball from Fernando Mendoza to being a primary target of Patrick Mahomes. With his ability to play in the slot or outside, Cooper Jr. will quickly become a favorite of Mahomes in the Chiefs’ offense.
No. 30: Los Angeles Chargers via Miami – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
The Chargers move back in the first round and select Emmanuel Pregnon to help solidify the interior of their offensive line. The return of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will help the offensive line in front of Justin Herbert tremendously, but getting some more beef and pass protection from the interior of the line is a big need. Pregnon helps fill that need.
No. 31: New England Patriots – T.J. Parker, ED, Clemson
With edge being the team’s biggest need, the New England Patriots look to take advantage of T.J. Parker’s slide in this draft. As a pass rusher with a high ceiling, Parker’s stock fell a bit in 2025, but he does have the talent and ability to be one of the top pass rushers in this draft. Can Mike Vrabel tap into that potential? At No. 31, why not give it a shot?
No. 32: Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The defending Super Bowl champions get richer in the secondary with the selection of Avieon Terrell with the No. 32 overall pick in the draft. Terrell, who is the younger brother of A.J. Terrell, is drafted in the perfect situation to shine cornerback who can play the slot corner position or outside.