2026 NFL Mock Draft 6.0: Mega 3-Round mock

Apr 14, 2026 - 21:00

The 2026 NFL Draft is now just days away, so it’s time to lock in on team needs and targets. The first two days of the draft, especially, will change the look of teams’ rosters across the league and can make a major difference in what happens next season. So, with that in mind, let’s project at the first 100 picks in this 2026 NFL three-round mega mock draft.

ROUND 1

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with his teammates after rushing for a touchdown. — © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

1. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The Raiders are picking Fernando Mendoza first, and we have a lot to get to, so let’s move on.

2. New York Jets — EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

The Jets made win-now moves this offseason, which is wild, considering Geno Smith is their starting quarterback. David Bailey will likely be more productive than Arvell Reese next season, although Reese has the higher upside. Of course, the Jets go Bailey here.

3. Arizona Cardinals — LB/EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The Cardinals have a rough history of taking LB/EDGE hybrids, but with the lack of talent on the team and the fact they’re likely punting on the season until they get a QB in 2027, Arvell Reese is the best player to take here.

4. Tennessee Titans — RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

The Titans need weapons to take pressure off of Cam Ward, and there are no surefire WR1s at the top of this draft. With a decent offensive line and young signal-caller, Jeremiyah Love actually makes sense here.

5. New York Giants — OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

With Jaxson Dart in place, John Harbaugh needs to build the G-Men in the trenches, and Francis Mauigoa will be a high-end starter at some O-line position in 2026.

6. Cleveland Browns — WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Browns will go tackle and wide receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but this mock draft flips the order of most. Carnell Tate is the best WR in this class, and the options get less certain in the back end of the round, while tackle stays somewhat consistent throughout.

7. Washington Commanders — LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

The Commanders need to get younger, more talented, and more athletic on defense. Sonny Styles checks all those boxes and has a super-high ceiling. Dan Quinn will love this pick.

8. New Orleans Saints — EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

The Saints actually have a fairly well-balanced roster, so they can afford to sit at No. 8 and simply take the best player available. Rueben Bain Jr. comes with a lot of question marks, but could easily be one of the best players in this class.

9. Kansas City Chiefs — CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

The Chiefs need to replace Trent McDuffie, and they should be able to get the best cornerback in this draft. While some think that is Mansoor Delane, others truly believe Jermod McCoy is better, and his knee injury seems like less of a concern after his 4.38-second 40 at his pro day.

10. Cincinnati Bengals — S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

This should be the dream scenario for the Bengals. They get a player at a position of need, as well as one who could quickly become the face of their new-look defense.

11. Miami Dolphins — CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

New head coach Jeff Hafley will want to upgrade the defensive personnel this season, and right now, the cornerback room is a nightmare. Delane looks like a true CB1 in the pros, which will give the first-time head man at least one position he doesn’t have to worry about for a while.

12. Dallas Cowboys — S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

It’s defense, defense, defense for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft. They could go in any direction at pick 12, so don’t discount a do-it-all safety like Dillon Thieneman, who would solidify the defensive backfield against the run and the pass.

13. Los Angeles Rams — WR Makai Lemon, USC

It’s Super Bowl or bust in 2026 for the Rams, so they’ll take the most NFL-ready receiver here, especially with the current uncertainty surrounding Puka Nacua.

14. Baltimore Ravens — OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Classic Rans here. Oh no, is Spencer a Fano a tackle? A guard? A center!? Either way, he’s a Raven now in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, and he’ll be a Pro Bowl starter somewhere on the line for the next decade.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The Buccaneers have holes on defense, but this team goes as Baker Mayfield goes. Getting him another pass-catching weapon after losing Mike Evans makes a lot of sense here, especially with the lack of depth in the 2026 TE class.

16. New York Jets — WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Jets need more offensive playmakers, and when Jordyn Tyson is healthy, he is arguably the best playmaker in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jets’ 2027 first-round pick will surely appreciate this selection.

17. Detroit Lions — DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

The Lions need some more beef up front, and without a no-doubter starting tackle here, they can take Kayden McDonald. He is the best run defender in this class, and he can help sure up their middling rush defense.

18. Minnesota Vikings — S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

The Vikings need to find a successor for Harrison Smith, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is the type of big, downhill safety who Brian Flores will be able to get a lot out of.

19. Carolina Panthers — EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Panthers have a solid young roster, so they can take a chance on a player like Keldric Faulk. The fact that he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential yet makes it hard to project exactly how high his ceiling is, but the age, athleticism and size are too much to ignore.

20. Dallas Cowboys — LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

The Cowboys desperately need a green dot linebacker, and C.J. Allen can be that coach on the field who can turn around a struggling defense in Big D.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Kadyn Proctor is a mountain of a man who will excel at either tackle or guard. Either way, he’ll be an upgrade for the Steelers at one position.

22. Los Angeles Chargers — G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Vega Ioane may not fall this far, but if he does, the Chargers will sprint to the podium to hand their card in. Justin Herbert needs another guard in front of him, and Ioane is the best in the 2026 NFL Draft.

23. Philadelphia Eagles — OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Howie Roseman always makes picks a year too early, as opposed to a year too late. Monroe Freeling is a perfect fit, because he needs a year to develop, and when he does, he will be Lane Johnson’s replacement.

24. Cleveland Browns — OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

The Browns are heartbroken to miss Freeling by just one pick here, but they’ll console themselves with Max Iheanachor, the second-highest-celling OT in this class.

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

T.J. Parker is the type of big, physical, all-around defensive end that the Bears need opposite Montez Sweat. And if he can return to his 2024 form, this will be a steal.

26. Buffalo Bills — EDGE Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami

The Bills are one of the few teams that legitimately don’t care about five years from now. They are in win-now mode, so taking a 25-year-old prospect who can help this season suits them just fine.

27. San Francisco 49ers — OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The 49ers need to remake their offensive line over the next few seasons, and Blake Miller is a great starting point. He can help now as an upgrade at RT and be a long-term building block as well.

28. Houston Texans — OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

The Texans addressed so many roster holes this offseason that they can go in almost any direction. Upgrading at guard to help keep C.J. Stroud clean in the pocket is a solid idea, as getting their QB back on track is still their biggest issue.

29. Kansas City Chiefs — WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

The Chiefs need more weapons for Patrick Mahomes, as Xavier Worthy hasn’t quite panned out yet and Rashee Rice is a walking six-game suspension waiting to happen. Omar Cooper Jr. is reliable and dangerous with the ball in his hands, which Mahomes and Andy Reid will love.

30. Miami Dolphins — WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The only thing as bad, if not worse than, the Dolphins’ CB room is its WR group. Denzel Washington is a big, physical target with WR1 potential, which will be great for Malik Willis or the first-round pick in 2027.

31. New England Patriots — EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

Zion Young is one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process this season. The Patriots need to improve their pass rush to stay atop the AFC, and Young should be able to do that right away in the pros.

32. Seattle Seahawks — CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

The Seahawks don’t have a ton of holes. However, they lost some defensive backs in free agency, so they will look to replace them. Avieon Terrell is a high-floor player who will help the defending Super Bowl champs this season.

ROUND 2

Alabama's Ty Simpson (15) celebrates following the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025. — SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

33. New York Jets — CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

After trading Sauce Gardner, the Jets need another cornerback, and Colton Hood is an aggressive, physical corner who can take his place immediately next season.

34. Arizona Cardinals — QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

The Cardinals may not get a fifth-year option on Ty Simpson, but they’ll likely take a QB next season anyway, so that’s not a huge deal. This is a dart throw for a team that is at least a year away from being a year away at this point.

35. Tennessee Titans — EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Short arms will cause players to fall, but Robert Saleh won’t care about that. Those measurements will be what gets him a Round 1 talent at the top of Round 2.

36. Las Vegas Raiders — WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

After taking Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders need to get their new QB some weapons. KC Concepcion may be the most dangerous wideout in this class, and his ability to gain YAC is just what a rookie signal-caller needs.

47. New York Giants — OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

John Harbaugh isn’t going to let Dart get killed this season, like he was last year. The new coach will build a bully in the run game and a wall in front of his QB, then go from there. That’s why a nasty guard like Chase Bisontis makes sense, even with Mauigoa already in the fold.

38. Houston Texans — RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

The biggest position of need for the Texans is at running back. That makes this a perfect spot to grab a perfect fit in Jadarian Price. He may not be as explosive or as good a pass-catcher as his former Irish teammate, but Price’s one-cut, no-nonsense approach is perfect for the NFL and the Texans specifically.

39. Cleveland Browns — EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF

As good as the Browns’ defense is, imagine if they had another elite pass rusher opposite Myles Garrett. Drafting Malachi Lawrence could provide that, especially if he gets one-on-one blocking with the best defensive player in the league on the other side.

40. Kansas City Chiefs — EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois

The Chiefs have been looking for a premier pass rusher for several years now, but they haven’t quite found one. Gabe Jacas is big, physical, versitlie and productive. His 11.0 sacks last season show he’s ready for prime time.

41. Cincinnati Bengals — LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

Jacob Rodriguez is a turnover machine and a leader on the defensive side. Together with Downs, the Bengals could easily have the most improved defense by far in the NFL next season.

42. New Orleans Saints — WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

For a team looking for a WR2, Germie Bernard is a perfect pick. He is good at everything and can play almost anywhere on the field. He doesn’t have true WR1 upside, but as the second-best pass-catcher on a team, Bernard has everything you want.

43. Miami Dolphins — EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

The Dolphins are looking to stockpile talent at key positions for the future, so a prospect like R Mason Thomas makes sense. He’s a little undersized for his position, but he’s a demon off the edge with a lot of upside, which makes him the best pass rusher available at this point.

44. New York Jets — CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

D’Angelo Ponds would be a top 10 pick if he were a few inches bigger and a few pounds heavier. As it is, he is a playmaker the likes of which is hard to find, regardless of size. This is a fun gamble for the Jets to take at this point, as Ponds has star potential if he can overcome his size.

45. Baltimore Ravens — DT Caleb Banks, Florida

Caleb Banks has production and injury issues, but the physical traits and absurd athleticism for a 6-foot-6, 327-pound man. As in most NFL drafts, these perceived flaws will become the Ravens’ gain.

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati

Lavonte David is one of the best and most underrated linebackers in NFL history. Replacing him will be near impossible, but starting with a physical outlier like 6-foot-4 1/2, 239-pound LB Jake Golday is a good start.

47. Indianapolis Colts — WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

The Colts like traits-heavy players, regardless of school size, and the 6-foot-3, 4.34-running Bryce Lance fits that bill. Paired with Alec Pierce, Indy will have one of the biggest, fastest WR corps in the league.

48. Atlanta Falcons — DT Peter Woods, Clemson

The Falcons luck out here with their first pick of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. They need defensive tackles, and a first-round talent in Peter Woods falls to them at 48. If he can return to his 2024 form, he will be a steal.

49. Minnesota Vikings — DT Christen Miller, Georgia

Defensive tackle is an underrated need for the Vikings, and they luck out as Christen Miller falls to this spot. The Georgia DT is an excellent run-stuffer with solid upside as an all-around interior threat.

50. Detroit Lions — OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

In every NFL draft, some players have to fall. It wouldn’t be a shock if Caleb Lomu went in Round 1. However, if he does drop this far, the Lions will sprint to the stage to grab him.

51. Carolina Panthers — WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

The Panthers need more offensive weapons to build on last season’s success. Taking Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II, who is an all-out speed demon, to take the top off the defense will help Bryce Young immensely.

52. Green Bay Packers — CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Brandon Cisse has all the physical traits needed to be a CB1. He still needs more polish, but taking prospects with big traits and a few question marks is where the Packers love to live.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

Chris Johnson is another corner is has fringe first-round potential. Adding CB depth like that is exactly what the Steelers need to do when looking at 2026 and beyond.

54. Philadelphia Eagles — S A.J. Haulcy, LSU

A.J. Haulcy is a jacked-up SEC safety who can play downhill and take the ball away in the air. As the Eagles need a safety, this seems like a perfect Howie Roseman pick.

55. Los Angeles Chargers — DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Stopping the run is where the Chargers want to start defensively. Lee Hunter may not offer much upside as a pocket-pushing pass rusher, but he sure can clog up the middle against the other team’s rushing attack.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars — EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan

The Jaguars have few holes, as evidenced by the fact that they made just one real move this offseason. They could use some help in the pass rush, though, so the big, physical Michigan DE makes sense here.

57. Chicago Bears — DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

The Bears could go DT with their first pick, but if not, they will likely go there in Round 2. Gracen Halton is undersized, but he is a disruptor, which Chicago could definitely use up front.

58. San Francisco 49ers — WR Chris Bell, Louisville

The 49ers are OK this season at WR, but that group is old and somewhat frail. Adding Chris Bell, who would be a first-round pick if not for an ACL injury, makes sense for the playoff push this year and the future.

59. Houston Texans — CB Kionte Scott, Miami

Kionte Scott is a unique DB, who is part corner, part nickel, and part undersized safety. Oh, and he’s blazing fast. Adding him to a defensive unit like the Texans almost isn’t fair.

60. Chicago Bears — CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona

Like Scott, Treydan Syukes is a corner/nickel/safety hybrid who a creative defensive coordinator can deploy in multiple ways. He’s almost as fast as his Hurricanes counterpart, and bigger, although not quite as aggressive.

61. Los Angeles Rams — CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State

Keith Abney II is a Week 1-ready corner who will add depth to the Rams secondary. That’s exactly what they need to accomplish their goals this season.

62. Denver Broncos — TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Sean Payton needs to find a reliable, dynamic tight end for Bo Nix. This isn’t the greatest TE class in NFL draft history, but Eli Stowers is the consensus TE2 of this class, and as a big wideout, just what the Broncos need.

63. New England Patriots — WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

Drake Maye needs more players to throw to after Stefon Diggs’ departure, and Elijah Sarratt would be a great fit for what the Patriots need. He is a big target, the likes of which NE doesn’t have, and he will be a great red zone threat next season.

64. Seattle Seahawks — RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

After losing Kenneth Walker, the Seahawks need to replenish the RB room, and there is a significant drop-off after Mike Washington Jr. The former Razorback is incredibly explosive, and if he ever learns to run between the tackles like the 6-foot-1, 223-pound back he is, watch out.