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Looking for pitching help? Check out Mick Abel of the Twins for Week 4!
The 2026 NFL mock draft highlights a weak class with limited top talent, particularly at quarterback, running back, and cornerback. Many teams are considering trading down, with potential mock trades included.

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We made it to the week of the draft, where hopefully this event gets a little more juice. I love the draft, and I love doing my one and only mock, but this exercise was certainly a labor of love.
By now, you know that most teams don't feel this is a strong draft. There's depth at offensive tackle and edge rusher, but we could see only a combined three to five quarterbacks, running backs and cornerbacks go in the first round.
In past years, I liked to put several mock trades in my drafts to reflect what was likely to come later that week. The issue here is that about half of the top 10 could trade down with any number of teams. You'll find two mock trades below, but for the most part I tried to just hit on player and team.
I'll have my annual Thursday notebook filled with what I'm hearing around the league in the lead-up to the draft. Until then, mock this mock.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. You can find more draft coverage at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts andregular evaluations of the top prospects.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
| Round 1 - Pick 1 team logo team logo player headshot Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana • Jr • 6'5" / 236 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 2 team logo team logo player headshot David Bailey EDGE Texas Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 250 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 3 team logo team logo player headshot Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'6" / 329 lbs |
The 2026 NFL draft is seen as weak because most teams believe there is limited top talent, especially at key positions like quarterback, running back, and cornerback.
It is anticipated that only three to five quarterbacks will be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
The 2026 NFL draft features depth primarily at offensive tackle and edge rusher positions.
There is a significant chance of trades occurring, as about half of the top 10 teams are considering trading down.

Looking for pitching help? Check out Mick Abel of the Twins for Week 4!

Fernando Mendoza is poised to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft after leading Indiana to its first national championship. His impressive performance at the combine has solidified his status as a top prospect.

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| Round 1 - Pick 4 team logo team logo player headshot Arvell Reese EDGE Ohio State • Jr • 6'4" / 243 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 5 team logo team logo player headshot Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 214 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 6 team logo team logo player headshot Spencer Fano OT Utah • Jr • 6'6" / 311 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 7 team logo team logo player headshot Carnell Tate WR Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 192 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Mock Trade from New Orleans Saints Round 1 - Pick 8 team logo team logo player headshot Sonny Styles LB Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 243 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 9 team logo team logo player headshot Mansoor Delane CB LSU • Sr • 6'0" / 187 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 10 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Downs S Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 205 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 11 team logo team logo player headshot Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State • Jr • 6'2" / 203 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Mock Trade from Dallas Cowboys Round 1 - Pick 12 team logo team logo player headshot Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'2" / 263 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 13 team logo team logo player headshot Monroe Freeling OT Georgia • Jr • 6'7" / 315 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 14 team logo team logo player headshot Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State • Jr • 6'4" / 323 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 15 team logo team logo player headshot Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Sr • 6'3" / 259 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Indianapolis Colts Round 1 - Pick 16 team logo team logo player headshot Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana • Jr • 6'0" / 199 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 17 team logo team logo player headshot Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 352 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 18 team logo team logo player headshot Dillon Thieneman S Oregon • Soph • 6'0" / 201 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 19 team logo team logo player headshot Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon • Jr • 6'3" / 241 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 20 team logo team logo player headshot Keldric Faulk EDGE Auburn • Jr • 6'6" / 276 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 21 team logo team logo player headshot Makai Lemon WR USC • Jr • 5'11" / 192 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 22 team logo team logo player headshot Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 326 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 23 team logo team logo player headshot Blake Miller OT Clemson • Sr • 6'7" / 317 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Jacksonville Jaguars Round 1 - Pick 24 team logo team logo player headshot KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M • Jr • 6'0" / 196 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 25 team logo team logo player headshot Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo • Sr • 6'4" / 202 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 26 team logo team logo player headshot Malachi Lawrence LB UCF • Sr • 6'4" / 253 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 27 team logo team logo player headshot Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State • Sr • 6'6" / 321 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 28 team logo team logo player headshot Chase Bisontis IOL Texas A&M • Jr • 6'5" / 315 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 29 team logo team logo player headshot Denzel Boston WR Washington • Jr • 6'4" / 210 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Mock Trade from Miami Dolphins Round 1 - Pick 30 team logo team logo player headshot Ty Simpson QB Alabama • Jr • 6'1" / 211 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 31 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Lomu OT Utah • Soph • 6'6" / 308 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 32 team logo team logo player headshot Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee • Jr • 6'1" / 188 lbs | --- | --- | --- |