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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Insiders and reporters from around the league predict the first round
TL;DR
Insiders and reporters have predicted the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza first overall and the New York Jets picking Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese second.
On Jets Final Drive, SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes and The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, along with a number of reporters and insiders from around the league, predicted the entire first round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Here are the results of the mega-mock draft, along with comments from everyone making selections.
No. 1 - Las Vegas Raiders: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Selected by Brooke Hughes, daughter of Connor Hughes
“Yay!”
No. 2 - New York Jets: Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese Selected by Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic
“It’s not a hard pick. He’s probably the highest-ceiling pick in this draft, can play EDGE, can play linebacker. The Jets need blue-chip players on defense, and he can be that.”
No. 3 - Arizona Cardinals: Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey Selected by Jordan Hamm, Sports360az
“What Bailey can do for this Cardinals pass rush – 14.5 sacks last year – is just too good to pass up.”
No. 4 - Tennessee Titans: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Selected by Turron Davenport, ESPN
“It is all about adding weapons for Cam Ward, and what better way to give Cam Ward an option that can score the football any time he touches it from anywhere on the field.”
No. 5 - New York Giants: Ohio State S Caleb Downs Selected by Jordan Raanan, ESPN
“The Giants believe he can believe he can be the kind of player that Kyle Hamilton was for John Harbaugh in Baltimore: an All-Pro, difference-making kind of safety. There is nothing that the Giants believe that Caleb Downs cannot do.”
No. 6 - Cleveland Browns: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate Selected by Zac Jackson, The Athletic
“He can separate, he can make catches in traffic, he can create explosive plays, the Browns need all of that.”
No. 7 - Washington Commanders: Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. Selected by JP Finlay, NBC Sports Washington
“New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones wants a really versatile front and I think [Bain] can provide that.”
No. 8 - New Orleans Saints: USC WR Makai Lemon Selected by Luke Johnson, New Orleans Times-Picayune
“The Saints went into this offseason looking to build around quarterback Tyler Shough,… in Lemon, they got a little bit different type of receiver than they already have, somebody who can line up in the slot and get a bunch of yards after the catch.”
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs with the ball during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
No. 9 - Kansas City Chiefs: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson Selected by Jesse Newell, The Athletic
“He’s been injured a lot for Arizona State, but that high upside and that ability for the Chiefs to reload the receiver room, with so many question marks there in the future, I think that’s a chance that they have to take.”
No. 10 - Cincinnati Bengals: LSU CB Mansoor Delane Selected by Marshall Kramsky
“The Bengals’ biggest draft needs have to be all on defense… the defensive line and the secondary.”
No. 11 - Miami Dolphins: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa Selected by John Jastremski, SNY
“They’ve had a dire need to go beef up the offensive line in a big way.”
No. 12 - Dallas Cowboys: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles Selected by Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
“[The Cowboys] want to find big players that can move side to side. Styles is a big man… he is the perfect guy for this Cowboys scheme.”
No. 13 - Los Angeles Rams: Georgia OL Monroe Freeling Selected by Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic
“He is a raw prospect, but he has a ton of upside, a massive 6-foot-7 frame and a lot of traits that will apply very, very well to the NFL level.”
No. 14 - Baltimore Ravens: Penn State OL Olaivavega Ioane Selected by Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
“Ioane is one of the cleanest players in the draft. This offseason, the biggest item on Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta’s to-do list is solidifying the offensive line…. Ioane is a huge piece to getting that done. He has a high floor and a Pro Bowl ceiling.”
No. 15 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor Selected by Greg Auman, Fox Sports
“Really productive last year. He’s 25, everyone gets on him about his age. [But] 12.5 sacks last year, four forced fumbles, did really well opposite Bain there in Miami’s defense…. EDGE is a need position for [Tampa Bay].”
No. 16 - New York Jets: Indiana WR Omar Cooper Selected by Connor Hughes, SNY
"My only real concern with the selection is that Cooper spent basically his entire 2025 season, a productive 2025 season, playing within the slot. Garrett Wilson is somebody that we've seen have a lot of success in the slot. But if Wilson prefers to spend more of his career outside, this is an opportunity to get somebody else inside while AD Mitchell mans that other wide spot for the Jets. So they get their pass rusher early, and then they loop around here and get a playmaker for the O."
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) against the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas - Imagn Images
No. 17 - Detroit Lions: Utah OT Spencer Fano Selected by Colton Pouncy, The Athletic
"To me, Fano is the most athletic tackle in this class. I know the short arms won't be for everyone, but I think for the Lions, they can move Penei Sewell from right tackle to left tackle. You can plug Fano in at right tackle. And if he doesn't pan out, I think he can be a really high quality guard in the league."
No. 18 - Minnesota Vikings: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy Selected by Alec Lewis, The Athletic
“Yes, he’s coming off a torn ACL. No, he’s not played an entire season. But, in terms of fit with Brian Flores’ defense… it just makes sense.”
No. 19 - Carolina Panthers: Oregon S Dillon Thieneman Selected by Joe Person, The Athletic
“GM Dan Morgan has been looking for an over-the-top, rangy safety, and Dillon Thieneman checks those boxes.”
No. 20 - Dallas Cowboys: Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk Selected by Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
“Christian Parker, the new defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, wants versatility in his defense, and Faulk can play in a two-point stance, can play in a 4-3, or in a 3-4.”
No. 21 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor Selected by Mike DeFabo, The Athletic
“Whether it’s 2027 or Week 1 of this year… they’re going to be looking for a new starting left tackle sooner than later. Maybe it’s Week 1 of this year with Kadyn Proctor.”
No. 22 - Los Angeles Chargers: Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker Selected by Daniel Popper, The Athletic
“His pass-rush plan was really defined, plays with power as a rusher and a run defender. I think he’ll be able to contribute right away.”
No. 23 - Philadelphia Eagles: Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor Selected by Dave Zangaro, NBC Sports Philadelphia
“A bit of a raw prospect, but a lot to like about this kid.”
No. 24 - Cleveland Browns: Utah OT Caleb Lomu Selected by Zac Jackson, The Athletic
“The Browns are mostly focused on the future, but they have offensive holes to fill, really, across the depth chart.”
Nov 28, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) gets ready before the snap during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
No. 25 - Chicago Bears: Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald Selected by Dan Wiederer, The Athletic
“[Chicago has] a need for interior disruption. [McDonad] can be a force both as a run-stuffer and as someone who can collapse the pocket in passing situations.”
No. 26 - Buffalo Bills: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell Selected by Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic
“Edge rusher is a big need for the Bills.”
No. 27 - San Francisco 49ers: Washington WR Denzel Boston Selected by Matt Barrows, The Athletic
“He’s such an easy fit. He’s a big guy, he can step into that power-slot position… he has the ability to play on the outside, too.”
No. 28 - Houston Texans: Clemson DT Peter Woods Selected by DJ Bien-Aime, ESPN
"Throughout coach DeMeco Ryans' tenure, the Texans have had a bunch of guys play the defensive tackle spot. This gives them an opportunity to get a long-term but young and talented answer at that position."
No. 29 - Kansas City Chiefs: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq Selected by Jesse Newell, The Athletic
“When a guy like that falls to 29, I just don’t think the Chiefs have many other options.”
No. 30 - Miami Dolphins: Clemson CB Avieon Terrell Selected by John Jastremski, SNY
”Hopefully can go and solve one side of the field for the Miami Dolphins.”
No. 31 - New England Patriots: Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas Selected by Chad Graff, The Athletic
“This team made it to the Super Bowl with, frankly, just an OK pass rush, their edge rushers are not great. This is a chance to upgrade there.”
No. 32 - Seattle Seahawks: Missouri EDGE Zion Young Selected by Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic
“Zion brings a physical presence… strong guy, can play the run, can play the pass. Exact type of player Mike Macdonald would like to add.”
Q&A
Who is predicted to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The first overall pick is predicted to be Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Which player is the New York Jets expected to select in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The New York Jets are expected to select Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese with the second overall pick.
What positions are being targeted in the 2026 NFL Draft first round predictions?
The predictions include key positions such as quarterback and EDGE rusher, highlighting the importance of these roles in the draft.
Who are the insiders making predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft?
Predictions are made by SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, and several other reporters and insiders from around the league.
