The countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft has crept down to just two weeks, and the rumors are flying on social media. Surprising pick projections, injury issues, trades developing behind the scenes, the most exciting part of the offseason has officially arrived.
While quarterbacks aren't expected to take up much of Day 1, things get interesting in this full first round mock draft!
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks find their way into the first round with surprising selections
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to likely be the team's Week 1 starter in 2026, with the plan for Mendoza becoming quite clear. The 2026 Heisman Award winner has all but signed his rookie contract at this point and looks to be Las Vegas' next long-term solution at the QB position.
No. 2: New York Jets – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Jets desperately need to get after the passer more in 2026, among other things, and Bailey is one of the premier true pass rushers in the draft. Recent reports about leaguewide concerns surrounding Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.'s arm length take him out of this equation, lining up perfectly for the former Red Raider. He's much more of a sure bet with his pass rush production than other projected Top 10 pick defenders, and could end up the pick here.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese has been mocked to New York at 2nd overall a decent amount, and Arizona could see him as the best fit for their defense if the Jets choose a different path. It doesn't matter how the Cardinals address their defense, but it has to happen in a substantial way. They simply need more talent in what is widely considered a transitional period, and the Buckeyes' linebacker certainly provides that.
No. 4: Washington Commanders via Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
With Bailey ending up with the Jets and the LB-needy Giants set to pick at #5, Washington's front office gets aggressive and lands arguably the draft's best all-around defender. Styles has it all: athleticism, awareness, production, and just flat-out elite film. Veteran Bobby Wagner's stay in the nation's capital seems to have ended, and the Commanders here land a potential defense-changing player.
No. 5: New York Giants – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
This would be far from an ideal situation for New York, with the upper echelon of defenders all off the board. I have them pivoting and attacking the offensive line, snagging a steady blocker in Mauigoa. Protecting Jaxson Dart remains a high priority, and with the available crop of prospects, the front office might find itself electing to attack the trenches with its top pick.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Jerry Jeudy's 2024 breakout season was a much-needed boost to their offense, but he took a step back in 2025. The future of Cleveland's quarterback room is far from set in stone, and I have them using their premium pick to get a surefire weapon on the outside. Tate can be a foundational building block for their passing game, no matter who ends up throwing the ball to him.
No. 7: Tennessee Titans via Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Tennessee gains extra draft capital from Washington by trading down, and still adds the prospect who could be their top option regardless. Love is so much more than just a running back and is a perfect fit for a youth-driven offense led by 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. This is a pairing that gives the Titans serious juice as they continue to rebuild their roster.
No. 8: New Orleans Saints – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Cameron Jordan's reign of terror on the NFC South, at least in the black and gold, has concluded. New Orleans will undoubtedly be searching for reinforcements along their defensive line throughout the draft, and Bain Jr. is more than capable of being just that. Frame questions are a legitimate talking point, but defense as a whole is enough of a need for the Saints to trust the tape with the Hurricanes' superstar.
No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Kansas City's hole at the cornerback position has been talked about at nauseum since their loss of Trent McDuffie via trade and Jaylen Watson via free agency. Wide receiver talent in the NFL is too widespread for the Chiefs' front office to enter 2026 with a patchwork secondary. Delane proved his worth against the best of the SEC in 2025 and would be inserted as the team's top CB from Day 1.
No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Prospect fatigue has kicked in a bit with Downs, who has been in the Top 10 conversation since his phenomenal freshman campaign at Alabama. His football IQ and technical prowess are aspects that Cincinnati has severely lacked on the defensive side of the ball. He could be a steady defender for the Bengals as they sort out how to improve one of the league's worst defenses.
No. 11: Miami Dolphins – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The word "need" is thrown around often when talking about the draft, but Miami's requirement for receivers is so far beyond that. As it stands, Malik Willis is throwing to a handful of NFL journeymen and rotational players, a far cry from the usual supporting cast of a QB making as much as he is. Tyson is physically dominating and will be a playmaking presence if he can stay healthy, checking several boxes in South Beach.
No. 12: Dallas Cowboys – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Faulk hasn't been projected this high very often, but he has the makeup of a player that NFL teams routinely covet more than the general media. He's an elite run defender who can anchor a front seven immediately, something Dallas could use after trading away Osa Odighizuwa. His pass-rush tools are a work in progress, but the Cowboys have had loads of success in their player development, making him a possible every-down game-changer.
No. 13: Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Davante Adams' future, even if he isn't traded this offseason, doesn't appear to be with Los Angeles long-term. Lemon's versatility and tactical takedowns of defenders fit seamlessly with the Sean McVay scheme. He would find plenty of favorable matchups next to Puka Nacua and have the chance to continue their offensive prowess.
No. 14: Baltimore Ravens – Spencer Fano, OT/C, Utah
Fano's positional projection has been a major point of emphasis in the pre-draft process, whether he ends up as a tackle or sliding inside to center. If it's the former, Baltimore would have itself a stalwart on the exterior offensive line. The latter is an instant, high-upside replacement for Tyler Linderbaum, giving them the chance to make their offensive transition smooth.
No. 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
A polarizing prospect whose position on NFL teams' draft board is likely as inconsistent as they come, McCoy remains a top talent in the class. Tampa Bay will have to find a succession plan for veteran Jamel Dean, who was their top outside corner in 2025 before departing, and the Tennessee product has a skillset worth betting on.
No. 16: New York Jets (via IND) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Cooper Jr. is a perfect complementary piece to Garrett Wilson in the New York wide receiver room, and is someone who can accelerate their offensive rebuild. The national champions' top target can carve up defenses with sharp routes and electrifying YAC skills. Building a productive arsenal for the Jets' next quarterback to utilize needs to start with acquiring upgrades in the passing game, and this is just such a clean match.
No. 17: Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor pairs a massive frame with above-average athleticism and can be an absolute mauler on the offensive line if he can develop his technical skills. Detroit has a hole to fill with Taylor Decker leaving, and its developmental program in the trenches has routinely produced suitable linemen. He has loads of potential, and what better franchise to attempt to unlock it?
No. 18: Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Safety has always played an extremely important role in the Vikings' defensive scheme, and they are still faced with a lack of depth at this point in time. Behind Downs in the consensus rankings, Thieneman is a surefire playmaker on the back end. He can impact the game from sideline to sideline, and lock down their defensive centerfield.
No. 19: Carolina Panthers – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Georgia tackle is pure upside. Freeling has plenty to clean up in his game, but he's an athletic specimen who can become among the league's top tackles if everything pans out. He can line up on either side of the line, is a mountain of a man, and would keep Bryce Young's pocket clean wherever Carolina decides to place him.
No. 20: Dallas Cowboys (via GB) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
I had Dallas invest in their defensive line with their first pick, and now I have them adding to their secondary with the best non-Power 4 prospect in this year's class. McNeil-Warren, like Quinyon Mitchell before him, is a true high-caliber NFL defender who far outplays the standard of the name on his helmet. He can become a valuable captain-esque piece for the Cowboys, bolstering both their pass coverage and run defense.
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The second quarterback on the majority of draft boards and the second taken in this mock draft, Simpson has everything needed to be a solid signal caller; he just needs to put it together. Pittsburgh's relationship with Aaron Rodgers is still a mystery, but odds are that the longtime veteran returns for at least another year. That would give the Steelers time to let Simpson develop and hopefully groom him to be their next starter.
No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Los Angeles has some decent depth on their interior, but the top of their depth chart still needs major improvements if they want to make a deep playoff push. The value with Ioane, especially at this point in the 1st round, is abundantly clear. He could wind up as the most successful interior lineman in the class when it's all said and done, and would give Justin Herbert more protection; something he clearly needs.
No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Who knows how the Eagles' receiver corps looks come Week 1, but even if AJ Brown stays, they could use an added playmaker. Their offense has let them down in 2 of the last 3 years, and Sadiq is someone who could get them out of that rut. Asking defenses to cover a passing attack that includes him, Brown (if he remains rostered), Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert would be headache-inducing, especially on top of their already-stout ground game.
No. 24: Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The foundation is there, but there is work to be done before Lomu can be a reliable starter. This makes Cleveland an ideal landing spot for the former Utah standout, as their roster is far from making a push for the playoffs. Fleshing out their supporting cast by adding a high-upside tackle would be a logical choice here, double-dipping on offense after taking Tate earlier in the round.
No. 25: Chicago Bears – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
This could be seen as somewhat of a luxury pick, but the value of building through the trenches will never be questioned in the NFL. Infusing McDonald's run-stopping abilities with what Gervon Dexter Sr. and Grady Jarrett bring, among others, will give Chicago plenty of room to keep a consistent defensive line rotation with increased production.
No. 26: Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Snagging a linebacker early could become a point of emphasis for the Bills as the draft draws closer, with it being a severe weakness as it stands. Allen is a young, projectable, and experienced defender who is often praised for his run defense and leadership skills. He may not light up the stat sheet, but he would give Buffalo a steady LB and captain over the middle of their defense.
No. 27: San Francisco 49ers – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
San Francisco still has its eyes set on contention, but at some point, they need to divert resources toward the future. One area in particular is along the offensive line, with Trent Williams surrounded by contract conflict and increasing age. Miller could play whenever needed and should be able to slot in as their future left tackle.
No. 28: Houston Texans – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
The Texans' front office is seemingly addicted to overhauling their offensive line whenever they get the chance, so it would be no surprise to see them add another name to the group. Iheanachor has a pretty split perception among analysts on how much of a project he is, but it's clear that he at least needs some time to refine his game. How Houston would operate with him is unknown, but he has extremely desirable upside at a premium position.
It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs approach 2026 and beyond with plenty of complicated roster situations. If they take the route of attempting to remain in the Super Bowl hunt, Mesidor matches that timeline. He's an older prospect, but the production and tape have shut down those concerns enough for him to be seen as an inevitable 1st round selection.
No. 30: New York Jets via Miami Dolphins – Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Hear me out on this one. Much has been made about the Jets waiting for the historically hyped 2027 quarterback class, but to ignore any other possibility would be malpractice. There's so much within Payton's game that looks translatable, and New York would be presented with plenty of pathways toward developing him into a real game-changer. Slightly moving up to secure his 5th-year option is something we've seen teams do in the past, so why not take a shot at predicting that it happens again?
No. 31: New England Patriots – Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
New England was simply outclassed in the trenches during the entirety of the Super Bowl, and changes need to be made. Signing Dre'Mont Jones was a start, but not a needle-mover. After addressing the offensive line in free agency, here I have them drafting a violent pass rusher with more than enough athletic tools to give QBs nightmares on the Patriots' defensive front.
No. 32: Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The 32nd pick of the draft is a luxury reserved for the defending champions, and the Seahawks are looking for cornerback help. I've matched them with a few different corners in past mock drafts, and here I'm giving them Hood. He's a feisty and physical SEC defender who can match the Seattle defensive mindset from the jump.