2026 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders, Jets land franchise cornerstones; edge rushers go early

The next two weeks will be critical for 2026 NFL Draft positioning as the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl take center stage, giving players a chance to boost or drop their stock. In my first full one-round mock of the season, several trends stand out: the offensive line is highly valued with two tackles going in the top five, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets finally land their quarterbacks of the future, and edge rushers dominate early selections.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

With Dante Moore returning to school, this pick is becoming a no-brainer. The Raiders desperately need a long-term answer at quarterback, and Geno Smith clearly isn’t it, as his 34.1 QBR and 17 interceptions show he has no future as a starting NFL quarterback. Fernando Mendoza, who entered the season as my QB1, checks every box with his elite football IQ, consistent accuracy, and strong leadership, making him the obvious choice to build the franchise around.

2. New York Jets: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

The Jets would have gone quarterback if Dante Moore had entered the draft, but with him returning to school there isn’t another signal-caller worthy of the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That pushes New York toward the defensive line after finishing the season with just 26 sacks, the second-worst total in the NFL. Bain is a dynamic, disruptive pass rusher who finished the regular season second in the nation with a 93.0 PFF pass-rush grade and gives the Jets an immediate impact presence off the edge.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Arizona Cardinals desperately need to upgrade their offensive line after allowing 59 sacks this season, and with Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum set to be free agents. Utah's Spencer Fano was the top offensive tackle in college football this season having won the Outland Trophy and is capable of playing either right or left tackle in the NFL. 

4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

The Titans will likely debate between wide receiver and edge rusher with their first-round pick, but edge makes more sense given the depth at receiver in Round 2. Reese broke out this season in his first year as a full-time starter, finishing with 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks despite limited pass-rushing opportunities. His versatility, burst, and ability to create pressure give Tennessee a defensive centerpiece they can build around.

5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

In my recent article breaking down five prospects the New York Giants should target, right tackle stood out as their top need. While Spencer Fano was identified as the ideal fit, he’s already off the board, pushing the Giants toward Miami’s Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa is a high-level athlete who was named Bruce Feldman’s No. 16 freak athlete entering the season, and that athleticism consistently shows up in pass protection, making him a strong long-term answer on the right side.

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

One of the biggest questions in Cleveland this offseason is who they will enter the season with at quarterback, but regardless of who they choose it is clear they need to surround him with a better wide receiver core after last year’s group was rated as the 31st unit by PFF. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is clearly the top wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.

7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech

Washington must upgrade a defense that gave up 27 points per game last season and struggled to pressure the quarterback. Texas Tech’s David Bailey led the nation with 74 pressures and finished second with 13.5 sacks, giving the Commanders a much-needed difference-maker off the edge.

8. New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Tyler Shough proved this season he is the Saints’ quarterback of the future. Now the focus is on giving him better weapons. USC’s Makai Lemon was one of the most dominant wide receivers in college football, finishing the year with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Chiefs must get more big plays from the running game, as they only had one rush over 20 yards from a running back all season. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is the solution, having recorded 39 explosive runs this season according to PFF.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

The Bengals will likely lose Trey Hendrickson and got next to nothing from last year’s first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, who I called the most overrated player in the 2025 NFL Draft. They’ll look to fix that by taking T.J. Parker, who has 16 sacks over the past two seasons.

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Miami Dolphins must improve their secondary after allowing 72% of opponent passes to be completed. LSU’s Mansoor Delane allowed just 37% of passes thrown his way to be completed this season and recorded nearly as many forced incompletions (11) as receptions allowed (13).

12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

The Cowboys need to replace the production they lost in the Micah Parsons trade. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk is a powerful defensive end who shows elite bend around the edge for a 285-pound pass rusher.

13. Los Angeles Rams: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

While safety might not be a pressing need for the Rams, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is too much of a value pick to pass up at this point in the NFL Draft.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

While the Ravens would love to add an edge rusher, no one left on the board is worth this pick. Instead, they add a dynamic defensive tackle in Clemson’s Peter Woods, who shows great burst off the ball and the strength to be a force against the run.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, OLB, Ohio State

An area Tampa Bay must improve this offseason is linebacker, and with the selection of Sonny Styles they get a quick, athletic player who could remind some Bucs fans of Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.

Rest of the first-round (16-32)

16. New York Jets: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

17. Detroit Lions: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, Clemson

19. Carolina Panthers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

20. Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kadyn Proctor, OT/OG, Alabama

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

24. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

25. Chicago Bears: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

27. San Fransico 49ers: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

28. Houston Texans: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

29. Los Angeles Rams: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

30. New England Patriots: R Mason Thomas, DE, Oklahoma

31. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

32. Seattle Seahawks: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida