2026 NFL Mock Draft 16-20: Browns, Steelers bring elite wideouts to the AFC North
No. 16: Carolina Panthers – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
The Panthers are drafting in an area where Texas Tech’s David Bailey will be a high target. With a need for edge rush energy, the Panthers take him with the No. 16 overall pick in the draft. An edge/linebacker hybrid, Bailey has really emerged in 2025 after transferring from Stanford. Racking up 11.5 sacks already with Texas Tech, Bailey is a player who can come in and give the Panthers’ defense that identity they have been looking for.
No. 17: Kansas City Chiefs– Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This one is almost unfair, but with the No. 17 overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs find their Travis Kelce replacement with the selection of Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. Yes, give Patrick Mahoms another dynamic weapon with great after-the-catch skills. While it is unfair to compare Sadiq to Kelce, he is a more athletic tight end who gives Mahomes a big target down the field.
No. 18: San Francisco 49ers– Cashius Howell, ED, Texas A&M
The 49ers can go in any direction that this spot in the draft, but they dip into the talent pool of edge rush talent with the selection of Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell. Although undersized at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, Howell has explosive speed off the edge and has the versatility as a defender to drop back in coverage. With 10.5 sacks through 11 weeks of the college football season, Howell has emerged as a play wrecker, which is just what the 49ers need.
No. 19: Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Browns top need is at quarterback, which they addressed in selecting Dante Moore. Their other top need is at wide receiver, precisely a big wideout who can go up and get contested catches. The perfect prospect for the Browns is Denzel Boston. Big, physical and reliable, Boston is torching opposing defenses with his route-running and size. He’ll do the same in the NFL if drafted by the right team. The Browns could be that team if the QB is in place.
No. 20: Pittsburgh Steelers – Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
As tempting as it is for the Steelers to go quarterback here, the popular choice among many mock drafts is for the Steelers to grab another wide receiver who could complement DK Metcalf. Why not Chris Brazzell II, who has similar height as Metcalf, but might has a bit more quickness and speed, especially down the field. A Metcalf and Brazzell II duo could be lethal with the right quarterback under center. That will likely not be Aaron Rodgers in 2026.