NFL · 7 hours ago

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for Every First-Round Pick 3.0

Grant White

Host · Writer

32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
- Selection: Denzel Boston
- Position: WR
- School: Washington Huskies
At times, we've seen teams defer to local talent, and we expect the Seahawks to do the same in the first round. Denzel Boston lines up opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba for years to come, re-igniting the Seahawks' dynasty.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Selection: Fernando Mendoza
- Position: QB
- School: Indiana Hoosiers
The Raiders need an upgrade under center, and there's no better option than Fernando Mendoza. More importantly, the Raiders know the saccharine quarterback won't be distracted by some of Las Vegas' less savoury activities.
2. New York Jets (3-14)
- Selection: Arvell Reese
- Position: LB
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Arguably, Arvell Reese enters the 2026 Draft as the most NFL-ready player available. He's not the answer to all of the Jets' woes, but he's a good start.
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Selection: Jeremiyah Love
- Position: RB
- School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Cardinals would be wise to go after an offensive lineman, but the prospect of Jeremiyah Love out of the backfield is too good to pass up.
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- Selection: Spencer Fano
- Position: OT
- School: Utah Utes
While the Titans are hoping Jeremiyah Love falls to them, insulating their franchise quarterback is probably the best-case scenario. Welcome to Tennessee, Spencer Fano!
5. New York Giants (4-13)
- Selection: Jordyn Tyson
- Position: WR
- School: Arizona State Sun Devils
With the top offensive lineman gone, the Giants will look to help their franchise cornerback in another way. Adding Jordyn Tyson bolsters the passing game for years to come.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Selection: Carnell Tate
- Position: WR
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Browns were one of the worst offensive teams in the league last season. Shedeur Sanders might be the answer under center, and it's time to give him more weapons to succeed. Carnell Tate can be Sanders' go-to guy and help rebuild the Dawg Pound.
7. Washington Commanders (5-12)
- Selection: Caleb Downs
- Position: S
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Commanders' pass defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Nabbing Caleb Downs is the step they need to take.
8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
- Selection: Rueben Bain Jr.
- Position: EDGE
- School: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
The Saints will have to address their defensive line, and there's no better edge rusher than Rueben Bain Jr. The Miami product will carry the defensive torch in New Orleans.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Selection: Kenyon Sadiq
- Position: TE
- School: Oregon Ducks
The Chiefs could use a few upgrades on offense, but with a few of the best players already gone, they could look a little deeper. They can't count on Travis Kelce for much longer, and Kenyon Sadiq would be an adequate replacement.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
- Selection: Sonny Styles
- Position: LB
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
As we saw in 2025, trying to win games 39-38 isn't a recipe for success. Defense should be a focus throughout the draft, and the Bengals can get off on the right foot by selecting Sonny Styles.
11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)
- Selection: David Bailey
- Position: EDGE
- School: Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Dolphins could use a few upgrades on defense, and with the projected best player available don't expect them to deviate. David Bailey will be the anchor of Miami's defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Selection: Peter Woods
- Position: DT
- School: Clemson Tigers
For years, the Cowboys have been lacking an interior defensive line presence. Enter Peter Woods, not the solution to all their problems, but an answer to the most pressing ones, as he teams up with Quinnen Williams.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via 8-9 Atlanta Falcons)
- Selection: Akheem Mesidor
- Position: EDGE
- School: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
The Rams are set up on both sides of the football. If they don't trade down from this spot, they might set their sights on a cornerback or offensive lineman. Still, Akheem Mesidor is too good to pass up.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Selection: Francis Mauigoa
- Position: OT
- School: Miami Hurricanes
The Ravens will spend the offseason trying to convince Lamar Jackson to stay in Baltimore. Adding Francis Mauigoa would be a good starting point.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- Selection: Jermod McCoy
- Position: CB
- School: Tennessee Volunteers
Over the past couple of seasons, no team has been worse at defending the pass than the Buccaneers. Jermod McCoy is a natural fit in Tampa.
16. New York Jets (via 8-9 Indianapolis Colts)
- Selection: Makai Lemon
- Position: WR
- School: USC Trojans
With two picks inside the top 16, the Jets can add to key contributors on both sides of the football. Makai Lemon adds another exciting element on offense.
17. Detroit Lions (9-8)
- Selection: Kayden McDonald
- Position: DT
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Things didn't go as planned for the Lions in 2025. Nevertheless, they can bolster their defensive front with the addition of Kayden McDonald.
18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Selection: Caleb Lomu
- Position: OT
- School: Utah Utes
Adding an offensive lineman in Round 1 is a no-brainer for the Vikings. Caleb Lomu should be the best player on the board.
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
- Selection: Kenyon Sadiq
- Position: TE
- School: Oregon Ducks
Tetairoa McMillan had 1,014 receiving yards last season. The next closest Panthers' receiver didn't even break 400. KC Concepcion would form the one-two punch Carolina desperately needs.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via 9-7-1 Green Bay Packers)
- Selection: Mansoor Delane
- Position: CB
- School: LSU Tigers
Adding to their defense with another first-round pick is a logical move for Dallas. Mansoor Delane will be a key cog in the secondary.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- Selection: Ty Simpson
- Position: QB
- School: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Steelers need a long-term solution under center, and Mike McCarthy has a good track record of developing quarterbacks. Ty Simpson is the only pick that makes sense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Selection: Kadyn Proctor
- Position: OT
- School: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Chargers might want to invest all of their draft picks in upgrading their offensive line. If they miss on Kadyn Proctor, Justin Herbert might only have a couple of seasons left in him.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Selection: Keldric Faulk
- Position: EDGE
- School: Auburn Tigers
The Eagles were a bit of an enigma last season. They fell well short of their offensive standards, but there doesn't appear to be many upgrades needed. Assuredly, Keldric Faulk is an upgrade off the edge.
24. Cleveland Browns (via 13-4 Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Selection: Emmanuel Pregnon
- Position: OG
- School: Oregon Ducks
The Browns have several needs on offense, and Emmanuel Pregnon would fill one of the more glaring weaknesses.
25. Chicago Bears (11-6)
- Selection: Avieon Terrell
- Position: CB
- School: Clemson Tigers
With an improved defense, the Bears would transform into immediate Super Bowl contenders. They can't hitch their cart to Avieon Terrell alone, but he's a big upgrade.
26. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- Selection: Cashius Howell
- Position: EDGE
- School: Texas A&M Aggies
Joey Bosa lost a step, and it cost the Bills in 2025. Upgrading the defensive line should be a priority, and Cashius Howell is one of the best edge rushers in the class.
27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Selection: CJ Allen
- Position: LB
- School: Georgia Bulldogs
The 49ers are at their best when their defense is operating at peak efficiency. A depleted linebackers corps put them at a disadvantage this season, and CJ Allen would help them get back on track.
28. Houston Texans (12-5)
- Selection: Olaivavega Ioane
- Position: OG
- School: Penn State Nittany Lions
The Texans made several upgrades to their offensive line last year, and they should look to continue that development ahead of next season. Olaivavega Ioane would be a solid anchor.
29. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
- Selection: Chris Johnson
- Position: CB
- School: San Diego State Aztecs
The offensive players available this late in Round 1 don't suit the Rams' needs. Expect them to replenish their secondary with the addition of Chris Johnson.
30. Denver Broncos (14-3)
- Selection: Jake Golday
- Position: LB
- School: Cincinnati Bearcats
The Broncos have a plethora of offensive playmakers, a solid defensive line, and one of the best secondaries in the league. With that, they should look to upgrade their aging linebackers corps with the addition of Jake Golday.
31. New England Patriots (14-3)
- Selection: Caleb Banks
- Position: DT
- School: Florida Gators
The Patriots may want to consider adding a wideout early in the draft. But with the best players gone, they will look to upgrade their pass-rush by adding Caleb Banks on the defensive line.
32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
- Selection: Denzel Boston
- Position: WR
- School: Washington Huskies
At times, we've seen teams defer to local talent, and we expect the Seahawks to do the same in the first round. Denzel Boston lines up opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba for years to come, re-igniting the Seahawks' dynasty.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Selection: Fernando Mendoza
- Position: QB
- School: Indiana Hoosiers
The Raiders need an upgrade under center, and there's no better option than Fernando Mendoza. More importantly, the Raiders know the saccharine quarterback won't be distracted by some of Las Vegas' less savoury activities.