Chiefs land Sonny Styles, Rueben Bain to Cowboys in trade-heavy 2026 NFL mock draft

Former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was among the top performers at the 2026 NFL scouting combine. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

MIAMI, April 13 (UPI) -- Fernando Mendoza and Arvell Reese sit atop my latest 2026 NFL mock draft, but major ripples are projected later, with five potential trades.

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh.

The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs are among the teams with multiple first-round picks, which they could use for draft-day trade ammunition.

The Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars do not own first-round selections, but could complete transactions to change that status.

Version 2.0 of my mock draft takes into account performances at the scouting combine and pro days and off-season trades and free agent signings.

Former Miami Hurricanes star Rueben Bain Jr. (4) is among the top edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft class. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

My projected first round features nine offensive linemen, seven edge rushers, five wide receivers, three cornerbacks, three safeties, two linebackers, two quarterbacks and a running back.

NFL Mock Draft

Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is among the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. File Photo by Mike Zarrilli/UPI

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza remains the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI

2. New York Jets

Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could be a late first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI

3. Arizona Cardinals

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

4. Tennessee Titans

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

5. New York Giants

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

6. Kansas City Chiefs (traded from Cleveland Browns)

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

7. Washington Commanders

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

8. Dallas Cowboys (traded from New Orleans Saints)

Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

9. Cleveland Browns (traded from Kansas City Chiefs)

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

11. Miami Dolphins

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

12. New Orleans Saints (traded from Dallas Cowboys)

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

13. Los Angeles Rams

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens

Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

16. New York Jets

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

17. Los Angeles Chargers (traded from Detroit Lions)

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

18. Minnesota Vikings

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

19. Cleveland Browns (traded from Carolina Panthers)

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

20. New Orleans Saints (traded from Dallas Cowboys)

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

22. Detroit Lions (traded from Los Angeles Chargers)

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

24. Carolina Panthers (traded from Cleveland Browns)

T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

25. Chicago Bears

Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

26. Buffalo Bills

Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

27. San Francisco 49ers

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

28. Houston Texans

Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M

29. Kansas City Chiefs

K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

30. Arizona Cardinals (from Miami Dolphins)

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

31. New England Patriots

C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

32. Seattle Seahawks

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee