Doug Orth's 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The Jets famously cancelled their "30" visit with Bailey last week, which could mean something or mean nothing. In the end, the Jets must ask themselves if they want more of a finished product (Bailey) or a projection with a huge upside (Arvell Reese). Considering head coach Aaron Glenn is likely already feeling some pressure to get the Jets looking like a more competent team in 2026, expect them to lean toward Bailey.

TRADE: The Cardinals trade the No. 3 overall pick and their 2027 third-round selection to the Kansas City Chiefs in return for the No. 9 overall pick, the No. 40 overall pick and a 2027 second-round selection.

3. Kansas City Chiefs—EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The Cardinals are not devoid of talent, but they could use help just about anywhere outside of wide receiver and tight end. The Cardinals should be doing everything in their power to acquire more picks, considering the blue-chip players still on the board don't make a lot of sense for them. By virtue of the Chiefs having more draft capital, they beat out the Saints for Bailey and get the elite pass-rushing defensive end they have been seeking for several years to complement George Karlaftis and make Chris Jones' job easier. Kansas City can also justify going the extra mile with compensation given the likelihood that any 2027 draft pick it includes will probably be later in the round.

4. Tennessee Titans—LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

There are a few directions that the Titans can go that make sense, but the most obvious one is continuing to fortify the defense they overhauled at the start of the new league year. Especially after adding five defensive linemen through free agency and trades, Tennessee could be poised to have a very good defense in 2026 if it can get an upgrade on either Cedric Gray or Cody Barton at linebacker. New head coach Robert Saleh spent several years with Fred Warner. He should be able to do many of the same things he did with Styles that he did with Warner.

5. New York Giants—RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Running back is not one of the Giants' most pressing needs, but it is around pick No. 5 that teams must ask themselves if they can afford letting the best player in the draft fall just because he doesn't play a "premium" position. The selection of Jaxson Dart last spring has the team feeling as though it has its future at quarterback, so now may be the time to make sure he has as many weapons as necessary to make his job as easy as possible. Love does that and brings back the big-play potential at running back that left when Saquon Barkley signed with Philadelphia in 2024.

6. Cleveland Browns—OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Much like the Cardinals above, the Browns would likely welcome a trade down in part to amass draft capital to fill their many needs. Cleveland needs to hit on a receiver and left tackle in this draft if it is serious about improving in 2026. If this draft had a receiver that truly stood out from the rest of the group, the Browns would probably go that route here. That is not the case, and it could be argued that the quality of receiver available here is not much different than their pick at No. 24. As a result, Cleveland finds its replacement for Dawand Jones, whose play has fallen off dramatically since his encouraging rookie season.

7. Washington Commanders—WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The absence of a second-round pick (traded to Houston) puts Washington in a compromising position if it can't trade down because it almost forces the team to fill a need. The temptation to select Caleb Downs here will be high if the first six picks still as scripted, but the Commanders also cannot afford to hope that a quality wideout will be available to them at No. 71. Tate gives Washington a worthy complement to Terry McLaurin right away and perhaps a player who can eventually take over as the No. 1 receiver as the veteran enters his age-31 season.

8. New Orleans Saints—S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Saints have reportedly had talks about trading with Arizona and could easily be the team that grabs Arvell Reese at No. 3. The Chiefs outbid them in this mock, so New Orleans turns to the best player available. An argument can be made that Jordyn Tyson is that player, but the Saints can address receiver at No. 42. There will not be a safety that rivals Downs available then, however. Safety is not a screaming need for New Orleans, but Downs is not the kind of safety that falls into a team's lap every day either.

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) lines up during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

9. Arizona Cardinals—OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

By virtue of the aforementioned proposed trade, the Cardinals have a choice to either go with the last pass-rusher that is a potential blue-chip prospect in Reuben Bain or an offensive lineman. Elijah Wilkinson is currently slated to be the team's right tackle in 2026. He is fine as a swing tackle, but he would be easily one of the worst starting right tackles in the league if Arizona doesn't address it early in the draft. There is some question as to whether Mauigoa can hold up at right tackle or needs to move inside. Especially for what is expected to be an offense that wants to run the ball, Mauigoa should be more than OK as Paris Johnson Jr.'s bookend.

10. New York Giants—WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

In a perfect world, the Giants would probably prefer Tate, Styles or Downs to fall into their lap at this spot. None of them does here, which makes a pivot to a receiver a sensible move. Darnell Mooney signed a one-year deal. Darius Slayton could be in his last year with the team. Even if he isn't, he will turn 30 during the playoffs and has never been able to hold down the No. 2 job when he has been given the chance. Tyson may not be the best stylistic complement to Malik Nabers, but it would give Jaxson Dart two potential No. 1 receivers to throw to for the foreseeable future.

11. Miami Dolphins—CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Dolphins could go in any number of directions with this pick, and the selection would almost certainly be Tyson if he is still available. He is not in this particular mock, which likely means Miami shifts to offensive line or cornerback. This draft class is much deeper in the former than the latter, and it helps Delane's cause that the Dolphins currently employ Darrell Baker Jr., Storm Duck and Jason Marshall as their top three corners. Delane may not be an elite corner, but he should have a long and very good future in the NFL.

12. Dallas Cowboys—EDGE Reuben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

The Cowboys took a first step toward upgrading the pass rush they lost when they traded Micah Parsons last summer when they traded for Rashan Gary last month. The problem is that he has mostly settled into the kind of player that a team wants to complement a star like Parsons. Bain will unlikely ever become a pass rusher on the level of Parsons or Myles Garrett, but he should immediately upgrade the run defense while also being a formidable pass-rusher to play alongside Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Bain will not singlehandedly make Dallas' pass rush one of the best ones in the league, but his presence would almost guarantee an improvement on the team's sack total from last season (35).

13. Los Angeles Rams—WR Makai Lemon, USC

After raiding the Chiefs for two of their best cornerbacks this offseason, the Rams don't have too many areas of need. The one position they should probably consider here is offensive tackle, but Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr. are both young enough and performed well enough last year to let that position wait until Day 2. The question then becomes whether the team wants to really lean into its 13 personnel or find a high-end slot receiver who could become the eventual successor to Davante Adams. Puka Nacua is also entering the final year of his rookie deal. Terrance Ferguson is a player the team was thrilled to draft last year and Colby Parkinson played well enough in 2025 that Kenyon Sadiq would be overkill. Lemon feels like a risk here, but if the Rams see the Amon-Ra St. Brown upside in him that some do, it would be foolish for the team to pass on that.

14. Baltimore Ravens—OG Olaivagvega Ioane, Penn State

The Ravens addressed the offensive line last month by bringing John Simpson back, but two holes (left guard and center) remain after Tyler Linderbaum broke the bank and left for Sin City. Baltimore is one of the few teams left in the league that would love nothing more than to bludgeon defenses with a physical running game and Ioane may help his next team do that as well as any lineman in the draft. Especially with the uncertainty at center, the Ravens need to make sure the rest of the offensive line is in good shape.

TRADE: The Buccaneers trade the No. 15 and No. 118 overall picks to the Philadelphia Eagles in return for the No. 23 overall pick and the No. 68 overall pick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles—OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Ioane will likely be a strong consideration for the Bucs if he is still available. However, he is not and the pass-rushers that Tampa Bay likely desires should be available at No. 23. Meanwhile, the Eagles know that Lane Johnson's Hall of Fame career will almost certainly be coming to an end in the next year or two. General manager Howie Roseman is as good as there is in the NFL at addressing potential needs before they become desperate needs and has the draft capital to make a move. (Philadelphia will need to make a move like this to get ahead of Detroit, which needs to address tackle in a big way.) Drafting Proctor here gives him a year of seasoning before taking over as a starter, and allowing him to watch Johnson for a year could be just what he needs to fulfill his massive potential.

16. New York Jets—WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Regardless of whether the Jets take Arvell Reese or David Bailey at No. 2, they will probably identify receiver as their next most pressing need if there is one on the board that stands out from the rest. Garrett Wilson is a clear No. 1 who should be locked into a 25% target share for the foreseeable future. Adonai Mitchell was a savvy addition in the Sauce Gardner trade, but he has been inconsistent enough throughout his career that he makes more sense as a third receiver who needs to prove he deserves more regular opportunity. Cooper is a YAC machine in the Jarvis Landry mold who complements Wilson and Mitchell nicely.

Nov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

17. Detroit Lions—OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

The Lions have a few notable needs, but the offensive line that was once the envy of the league has only Penei Sewell left (and he will likely move from right to left tackle). Tate Ratledge held his own at right guard as a rookie, but upgrades could be used just about everywhere else up front - especially following the departure of Taylor Decker. Freeling is still relatively raw after starting for only 1 1/2 years, but he should already be more than serviceable enough as a pass blocker to hold up at left tackle if the team would prefer to keep Sewell on the right side.

18. Minnesota Vikings—S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Harrison Smith is a free agent after patrolling the Minnesota secondary for almost 1 1/2 decades. While Thieneman cannot be expected to replace him as a rookie (or maybe ever), he is a great athlete who is about the closest thing the draft can offer to Smith. He is a player who should prove invaluable for a defensive coordinator who asks as much from his players as Brian Flores.

19. Carolina Panthers—TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The Panthers shored up their defense in a big way with the additions of Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips, likely leaving the offense as the area it addresses first in the draft. While a receiver to push (or replace) Xavier Legette might seem the most logical thing for the team to do, it seems unlikely Carolina would spend a first-round pick on the position in three straight years. The other major problem area has been the inability to consistently get something from the tight end position. Not only will Sadiq's blocking be welcome in an offense that loves to run the ball, but his ability to create mismatches in the passing game (and free up Tetairoa McMillan) will be as well.

20. Dallas Cowboys—CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

The addition of Reuben Bain at No. 12 will almost certainly shift the team's focus to the cornerback or right tackle, where Terence Steele has failed to play up to the level that netted him a huge extension at the end of the 2022 season. Considering the team will not pick again until No. 92, the priority almost has to shift to the next-best cornerback. Dallas has a history of taking (perceived) risks with players either coming off or rehabbing injuries, so the Cowboys seem like a good candidate to select a player like McCoy who would likely been selected at least 10 spots higher were it not for a torn ACL that ruined his 2025 season.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers—OT Blake Miller, Clemson

Pittsburgh could consider someone to eventually replace the soon-to-be 37-year-old Cameron Heyward, although it did that to a degree when it selected Derrick Harmon last year. The team could target a good third receiver or address a much bigger need, finding someone to push (or replace) left tackle Broderick Jones, who is recovering from a neck injury to boot. (With 12 total selections at their disposal, the Steelers are a good candidate to move up if someone like Kadyn Proctor falls much lower than they did here.) Since 2024 first-round draft pick Troy Fautanu could slide over to left tackle, the Steelers can simply take the best tackle prospect available. Miller is just the kind of rugged and physical blocker who should have little problem endearing himself to the Pittsburgh faithful.

22. Los Angeles Chargers—EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

The decision here will likely come down to drafting one of the best guards available or finding Khalil Mack's eventual successor. While Mesidor may be a bit on the older side (25), the Chargers would undoubtedly appreciate that he should be an immediate contributor after a college career in which he amassed 52.5 career tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks. Having players such as Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu around to mentor him only increases the odds of him making an impact right away.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Bucs are bummed that Mesidor could not last one more pick, but Faulk is not a bad consolation prize. Faulk took one for the team last year and played a role for the Tigers that was not overly conducive to him generating the kind of stats one typically hopes for in his final college season. He is already a plus run-defender, leaving his pass-rushing ceiling as his biggest question mark. As one of the youngest prospects in the draft, there is time for him to develop there. Being a part of head coach Todd Bowles' blitz-heavy scheme should help him as well.

24. Cleveland Browns—WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The selection of Spencer Fano at No. 6 frees up the Browns to address wide receiver. The question becomes what kind of receiver they want: a power forward type that does his best work in contested-catch situations and red zone or the smaller and quicker ones that can turn a 10-yard catch into a 50-yard one. Cold-weather teams tend to opt for the former, and it makes sense why the Browns would do so here. Not only would he give Cleveland the kind of size it doesn't currently have at receiver, but he is also a good blocker.

Nov 16, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end T.J. Parker (3) pass rushes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

25. Chicago Bears—EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

The Bears are almost certain to go defensive line or secondary with this selection after losing four of the former and five of the latter in free agency. Chicago would be another team that would love it if Akheem Mesidor were available at its pick, but that is unlikely to happen. Parker is not a bad fallback option, however. Once he develops some counter moves, he could emerge as the team's best pass-rusher. His long-arm rush and motor are two parts of his game that are already pro-ready.

26. Buffalo Bills—WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

The Bills are almost always a prime candidate to trade down, although there are probably a couple of players who have a good chance of being on the board that would make them strongly consider keeping the pick if they are available. One of those players could be Concepcion, who would give Josh Allen the electric playmaker Buffalo needs to complement DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir. The fact that he is also a dynamic punt returner only helps his cause.

27. San Francisco 49ers—EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF

While adding talent to the offensive line has to be a priority for the 49ers, Bryce Huff announced his retirement. Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams are both coming off ACL tears. That makes defensive end a position that San Francisco has to address at least once (and probably twice) during the draft. San Francisco would probably prefer Mesidor or Parker as more proven options with better size, but the team would also likely embrace the different skill-set that Lawrence brings to the table (more quick-twitch than Bosa or Williams).

28. Houston Texans—OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

The Texans are in remarkably good shape in many areas, including just about every starting spot on defense and depth at receiver. Houston would appear to be in good shape at offensive tackle after getting a good rookie year from Aireontae Ersery and signing Braden Smith in free agency. The problem with that belief is that the Texans haven't had great line play or good depth up front in years. Iheanachor may be a bit of a luxury pick, but he makes a ton of sense as an investment for the future should the 30-year-old Smith begin to decline or retire sooner than expected.

29. Kansas City Chiefs—CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

The Chiefs traded up for a blue-chip pass rusher earlier in this mock, which should shift their focus to cornerback or right tackle. Kansas City has Jaylon Moore to replace Jawann Taylor, but it lost both of its starting cornerbacks to the Rams earlier in the spring. Hood may not be the second coming of Trent McDuffie, but he has plenty of experience as a press corner heading to a Steve Spagnuolo-led defense that will ask him to do plenty of it.

30. Miami Dolphins—OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Miami selected Mansoor Delane at No. 11, making the offensive side of the ball the likely target with this pick. Six receivers have already been taken in this mock, and the selection at this spot at this position will not be much different than at No. 43. The same cannot be said at offensive tackle, where there may be only one more prospect who warrants a first-round selection. While Lomu comes with some questions (arm length, is his long-term home on the left or right side), he is a very good athlete who possesses the movement skills necessary to stick on the left side. Lomu is a 21-year-old who did not give up a sack in 2025; he also did enough to convince the Utah coaching staff that it could trust him at left tackle and move Spencer Fano to the right side two years ago.

31. New England Patriots—CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

The expected addition of A.J. Brown after June 1 makes receiver a low priority for the Patriots after signing Romeo Doubs in free agency. As a result, New England could go in just about any direction with this selection - including trading out of it. The best player left on the board is probably Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, but the team is in good shape there with Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson. Another possibility is Johnson, who would be an insurance pick with Christian Gonzalez nearing the end of his rookie contract and Carlton Davis getting a bit older and perhaps a bit too pricey.

TRADE: The Seahawks trade the No. 32 pick to the Arizona Cardinals in return for the No. 34 and the No. 143 overall pick.

32. Arizona Cardinals—QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

It appears there are two teams interested in Simpson (the other being the Jets). Since the Cardinals added some draft capital earlier in this mock, they have even more motivation to slip a Day 3 pick to their division rival so New York can't take Simpson at the top of Round 2. It is hard to say if Simpson is an advisable selection given the quality of quarterbacks that are expected to be available in 2027, but the 32nd overall pick is a palatable price to pay to find out if Simpson can be the future in Arizona.

This article originally appeared on The Huddle: The Huddle's 2026 NFL Mock Draft - Version 2.0