Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Trades highlight Round 1

Over a hundred mock draft analysis pieces, dozens of scouting reports, and more full-first-round mock drafts later, we have arrived at the week of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Despite us just highlighting so many of the exercises that we just mentioned, but whats one more? We have one final First-Round Mock Draft to work through.

For this one, we have three additional trades happening on top of the ones we have already seen unfold over the past year. Some teams will be moving up for a player they see as a difference maker, while others take advantage of the extra value.

Without further ado, here is my final mock draft of the 2026 cycle.

1) Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Fernando Mendoza has been the pick for months. The only wrinkle is whether he will start right away after they signed Kirk Cousins or sit and learn. Either option, I think, will work for the Raiders, but the long-term play, of course, will be Mendoza.

2) New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Whether it is Arvell Reese or David Bailey, the Jets need to help their pass-rush situation. The best player to make an overall impact is Arvell Reese, so that is the direction we are going to go. Aaron Glenn needs difference makers, and his ability to patrol the middle and also have some pass-rushing chops makes him a fit.

Projected Trade: Dallas Cowboys send the 12th and 20th overall picks to the Arizona Cardinals for the 3rd overall pick.

3) Dallas Cowboys (via ARI) - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

They have had a need for a pass rush ever since they traded away Micah Parsons last season, before the kickoff to the year. They trade up now for David Bailey and get the best pure pass rusher in the class as they look to build a defense to match their high-power offense.

4) Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Not many more things help out a young quarterback than a reliable running back to take the pressure off him. Jeremiyah Love is the best player in this draft class and boosts the Titans offense the minute he arrives to them.

5) New York Giants - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Giants need some help in the middle of their defense. They have edge rushers in place to set the tone, but they do not have the play they need at linebacker. His testing showed he is an athletic freak and could be a dynamic piece that John Harbaugh needs in all his defenses.

6) Cleveland Browns - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Browns need a WR1 as Jerry Jeudy has shown he can be a reliable WR2. Carnell Tate and Jeudy would work well together and give either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson some much-needed playmakers.

7) Washington Commanders - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Dan Quinn needs a safety who can patrol the back half of his defense while his newly signed pass rushers work up front. The Commanders get the steal of the draft as Downs falls to pick seven due to positional value and to the other team's needs.

8) New Orleans Saints - Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (FL)

Cam Jordan remains a free agent, and the post-era of his time in New Orleans seems to be reaching its dawn. There may not be a better player to put in his place than Rueben Bain Jr. The Miami defender was arguably the best player in college football last year and is an incredible value for the Saints.

9) Kansas City Chiefs - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Chiefs saw nearly their entire secondary leave in free agency. They start getting it back on track by giving them the CB1 of this draft class in Mansoor Delane. He can control one side of the field and fits the type of defender that Steve Spagnuolo looks for in his scheme.

10) New York Giants (via CIN) - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Giants use their second-first round pick to land the player they wined and dined last week at his workout. Tyson playing opposite Malik Nabers gives their young franchise quarterback two WR1 players as he looks to continue his development.

11) Miami Dolphins - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Dolphins' defense is not great. They need some playmakers, and a safety with the range and skillset of Dillon Thieneman improves that side of the ball instantly. Jeff Hafley likes to have dynamic safeties in his defense, so we give him one of the best in Thieneman.

12) Arizona Cardinals (via DAL) - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Cardinals get their quarterback, and at a value at that. The team has the perfect bridge option in Jacob Brissett so Simpson can sit and develop while waiting his turn to take over for the Cardinals in late 2026 or 2027.

13) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Rams have been attached to Makai Lemon for some time, and it seems to be too easy a mock draft pick now. Lemon fits the type of player they like, and he can serve the Davante Adams role once the All-Pro retires or is no longer on the roster in time.

14) Baltimore Ravens - Vega Ioane, G, Penn State

The Ravens are facing a critical point in their Super Bowl window, and a safe, yet effective pick in Vega Ioane makes the most sense. He helps Derrick Henry with some running lanes and Lamar Jackson by giving him a bit more time.

Projected trade: Tampa Bay Buccaneers send the 15th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 21st overall pick.

15) Pittsburgh (via TB) - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The news of Broderick Jones is not news to the Steelers. Sadly, neck injuries are tough to come back from in the NFL, so drafting an insurance policy isn't a bad idea. Freeling gives them an ideal player in terms of size but also someone to get their offensive line project back on track.

16) New York Jets (via IND) - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

The Jets need to plan for their quarterback of the future, while also helping Garrett Wilson out. Omar Cooper is a nice compliment to Wilson in the passing game, and he provides a young quarterback in the future with someone they can build their career around.

17) Detroit Lions - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

The Lions miss out on their ideal target, but Francis Mauigoa is a nice consolation prize. If he does not work out at tackle, he can move inside, but the Lions should be trusted to make him work at their position of need.

18) Minnesota Vikings - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

T.J. Hockenson does not look like himself since tearing his ACL in December of 2024. Kenyon Sadiq gives them an exclusive option at the position in the long haul, while giving them a dynamic slot option as an immediate return. Kevin O'Connell can be creative with his player usage, and Sadiq is someone you can move around.

19) Carolina Panthers - Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

The Panthers need to be able to stop the run in 2026. Kayden McDonald does that and more. Pair him with Derrick Brown and watch offensive lines have double takes as they see what they are up against and help each other avoid double teams.

20) Arizona Cardinals (via DAL from GB) - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

If they go the Ty Simpson route, giving Paris Johnson Jr. a tag team partner to protect him wouldn't hurt matters. Fano is an athletic player at the tackle position, and allowing them to give Simpsin more time helps their passing attack return to its previous explosive potential.

21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via PIT) - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Bucs trade back and end up with someone they could have landed at 15 overall. CJ Allen replaces Lavonte David and becomes the new face of their defense in the middle while developing alongside Alex Anzalone.

22) Los Angeles Chargers - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Chargers need help at the cornerback position. Avieon Terrell could become the team's CB1 almost immediately, and allow them to keep up with the passing attacks in the AFC West, which keep expanding every offseason.

23) Philadelphia Eagles - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The team seems to be leaning towards preparing for life after Lane Johnson, and this picks fast-tracks that. Howie Roseman likes to plan ahead, and having someone like Blake Miller available makes him an obvious choice.

24) Cleveland Browns (via JAX) - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Dawaand Jones is not the answer at left tackle for the Browns, and they need to show some proper investment in their offensive line. They made some moves in the offseason to start that renaissance, but Proctor completes the overhaul on the opposite side, with Tytus Howard.

25) Chicago Bears - T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

The Bears need to help Montez Sweat out and pair him with a young pass rusher. T.J. Parker has top 10 upside and falls to them here at 25.

26) Buffalo Bills - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

The Bills need someone who can create in space at the wide receiver position. Adding DJ Moore was a good start, but pairing him with KC Concepcion makes their offense one of the best all-around in the NFL and fast-tracks Josh Allen towards another MVP award.

27) San Francisco 49ers - Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)

The 49ers need some help at the edge rusher position while keeping their win-now roster intact. Mesidor is a plug-and-play option at edge and is able to make a play on day one. Play him opposite Nick Bosa and watch him pick up the scraps the same way he did with Rueben Bain Jr.

28) Houston Texans - Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Peter Woods has some questions, but the talent remains firmly within his frame somewhere. Placing him between the likes of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will help bring the best out of him while also giving the Texans tremendous value.

29) Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Chiefs' secondary makeover continues with this second pick that offers youth in the group. Steve Spagnuolo needs dynamic play from his safeties, and there may not be a better one than Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. He should have the ability to make plays right away within the Chiefs' defense.

30) Miami Dolphins (via DEN) - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Malik Willis needs someone to throw to. You don't pay your quarterback and then give him nothing, so Denzel Boston is a fit. He is a physical receiver and one who can do all the things you want done in the passing game.

31) New England Patriots - Christen Miller, DL, Georgia

The Patriots saw what happens when you can't stop the run in the Super Bowl. Sam Darnold did not beat them, Kenneth Walker did. There may not be a better run stuffer among the talent pool of defensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft than Christen Miller.

Projected Trade: The Las Vegas Raiders trade back into the First Round by acquiring the 32nd overall pick from the Seattle Seahawks

32) Las Vegas Raiders (via SEA) - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

The Raiders need to be able to protect their new franchise quarterback and help out Ashton Jeanty at the same time. Pairing Iheanachor with Kolton Miller could give the Raiders a pair of bookend tackles, something not many teams can boast about in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Mock Draft: 3 teams trade up in final Round 1 projection