2026 NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Final picks & predictions

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here after months and months of picks, predictions, speculation, and rumors. The pro football world will descend on Pittsburgh on Thursday, and after the Las Vegas Raiders select Fernando Mendoza, we have no idea what will happen next. So, with that in mind, here is the final ClutchPoints’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft of the season.

While we’ve done mock drafts with and without trades, in our final run through, we are going all in on our NFL draft predictions, which includes potential trades. This year’s draft class is one of the weaker ones in recent memory, so there will be a ton of 2026 NFL Mock Draft runs that mention teams wanting to trade back.

Here’s the problem with that. While tons of teams may want to trade back, which teams are trading up, and who are they trading up for?

The answer is that there may not be as many trades as expected in the 2026 NFL Draft, because there aren’t that many players worth trading up for. The 46th pick could be just as good as the 26th pick, so teams will feel comfortable staying put. That said, there will be runs on certain positions that spur a trade up and one QB that a team might want a fifth-year option on, so there will be deals.

Keeping all that in mind, here is our final 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Previous mock draft: NFL Mock Draft 1.0 | Mock Draft 2.0 | Mock Draft 3.0 | Mock Draft 4.0 | Mock Draft 5.0 | Mock Draft 5.1 | Mock Draft 6.0

1. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The Fernando Mendoza era in Las Vegas kicks off on Thursday night. There isn’t much intrigue here until the Raiders pick again and we get to see what they put around their new franchise quarterback. After that, we can start analyzing how the Raiders did in this draft, because we know that their first pick is not just a solid one, but the only option for a franchise in their current position.

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

Arvell Reese provably should be the pick here because his ceiling is higher, and the Jets need to try to add franchise-changing players to their roster. However, with Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey firmly on the hot seat, they are going all-in on a win-now strategy.

David Bailey fits better with what the Jets are doing this offseason. Bringing in older veterans like Demario Davis and David Onyemata shows their cards. Bailey had a ton of production last season with 14.5 sacks and will likely be a more productive player than Reese next season. So, that’s who Gang Green will go with.

3. New Orleans Saints (trade with Cardinals) — LB/EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The first big trade of the 2026 NFL Draft comes from the always-aggressive Mickey Loomis and the Saints. The options at No. 8 are just ho-hum, in terms of what New Orleans needs, so Loomis will take a swing at finding an elite pass rusher to lead the defense.

The Saints’ defense has some nice pieces, but they don’t have an elite disruptor at any level. A player like Arvell Reese, who is uber-athletic and can play edge or off-ball linebacker, is the type of prospect that could help take the D to the next level.

4. Tennessee Titans — RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

There is a lot of noise about the Cardinals now being interested in Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and the Titans being out on the Notre Dame back. But that just may be a smoke screen to drum up interest in a trade on Arizona’s part and to throw people off the scent for Tennessee.

The Titans need weapons for Cam Ward, and Love is the best weapon in this draft. Love will help the offense and help sell tickets, which is important for the franchise. That’s why we’re still in on him here.

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

After trading Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ draft strategy has changed dramatically. They can now get two blue-chip players in the top 10, but the team has to draft strategically now based on scarcity, not just take the best available.

Rumors are that the Giants love Jordyn Tyson, who is arguably the most talented wide receiver in this class, despite his injury concerns. By taking Tyson here, the Giants guarantee they get the WR they covet and still have a ton of options on both sides of the ball five picks later.

6. Cleveland Browns — WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Browns have a similar argument to the Giants here, as high-end wideout talent is more likely available here than in the 20s. They need a tackle and a WR, and Carnell Tate should be higher on the Browns’ draft board than a host of OTs they can get later.

Tate is a player who will help next season, no matter who the QB is, and is the type of security blanket you would want in place if next year’s first-rounder is a signal-caller. With no surefire cornerstone LTs in this draft, Tate makes a ton of sense at six.

7. Washington Commanders — LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

If Love falls a bit in the 2026 NFL Draft, this could be his floor. If he is off the board, like he is in this NFL mock draft, then the Commanders need to get younger and more athletic on the defensive side of the ball.

Sonny Styles is just about the most athletic player, pound-for-pound, in this class, so Dan Quinn should jump at the chance to draft him. With tight ends and the run game growing in importance on the offensive side, a converted safety-turned-linebacker is now more valuable than it has been in the last decade or so.

8. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Saints) — OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Cardinals could stay put and still take Miami OT Francis Mauigoa at No. 3. This is the ideal situation, though, as they still get the player they need (and covet) most while picking up some extra draft capital along the way. Those extra picks could come in handy later on Day 1.

9. Kansas City Chiefs — EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the most polarizing prospects in this draft for several reasons, including his historically short arms. However, his production and power are simply too great to ignore.

The Chiefs are likely to go best available at this spot, since there should be several players at positions of need. As a smart team, they should prioritize building through the trenches, though, and Bain could easily turn out to be the best pass rusher in this draft.

10. New York Giants — S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

With Mauigoa gone, Spencer Fano would be an option, but after several years with Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, John Harbaugh knows the value of a top safety. Caleb Downs is one of the best prospects in this draft, and his floor seems like a high-end starter.

Yes, safety doesn’t have the highest positional value in the league right now, but Harbaugh learned with the Ravens that you’ll never go broke taking a profit—or drafting the best player available when they fall to you.

11. Miami Dolphins — OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Yes, the Dolphins are desperate for cornerbacks and wide receivers, but with a bunch of former Packers employees now running the show, it’s hard to see them passing on big bodies for the trenches.

Spencer Fano can play almost anywhere on the offensive line and will be a building block for Miami’s future. The Dolphins aren’t drafting for this year. They need to be thinking two to three seasons down the line, and Fano fits that timeline nicely.

12. Dallas Cowboys — CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Armed with two first-round picks, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have the ammunition to move up and get one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft if they so choose. Jones is a more measured drafter than he gets credit for, though, so he will likely stay put and try to get two starters on defense instead of just one.

Mansoor Delane is the No. 1 CB in this class, not that Jermod McCoy has long-term injury concerns about his knee. Dallas needs a CB 1, and taking the safe bet LSU corner, makes a lot of sense here.

13. Los Angeles Rams — WR Makai Lemon, USC

There is some buzz that the Rams like the second-round crop of receivers as well if not more than the first-round group. In that scenario, the team would simply select the best player available on the 2026 NFL Draft board.

However, with almost no glaring holes on the roster, the Rams need to bulk up the WR room with Devante Adams at the end of his career and Puca Nakua’s current uncertainty. Makai Lemon is an all-around wideout who would fit LA’s system and contribute right away, which is exactly what they need.

14. Baltimore Ravens — G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Above, we talked about how the Ravens have made a living staying put and taking the best football players they can, regardless of positional value. All the scouts will tell you that Vega Ioane should be a potential Pro Bowl starting guard for the next decade plus. That’s all Baltimore needs to hear before they hand Roger Goodell a draft card with his name on it.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — EDGE Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami

The Buccaneers haven’t had a truly elite pass rusher probably since Simeon Rice in the early 2000s. They’ve tried drafting one in recent years, but that still has not proved fruitful. By taking Ahkeem Mesidor, they get a player who could finally be that sack master. At worst, they get an experienced player with inside/outside flexibility.

Tampa Bay has a talented roster and a winnable division, so they shouldn’t be looking too far into the future. Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield are in win-now mode, and an older prospect like Mesidor fits that just fine.

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

The teams with two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft all seem to have a clear blueprint with the types of players they want to walk away with. For the Jets, it’s a pass rusher at No. 2 and a wideout at 16.

Omar Cooper Jr. can be an elite WR2 in his league, or even a 1B. With Garrett Wilson a clear WR1, Cooper can be the jack-of-all-trades who plays perfectly off his counterpart. He’ll also give the Jets offense some of the much-needed toughness its lacked the last few seasons.

17. Detroit Lions — OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

The Lions are likely to go tackle with their first-round pick, and as the draft gets closer, the rumors are that they have fallen in love with the massive Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor. His size, power, and toughness will give Dan Campbell the exact type of player he wants, and they can figure out which side he and Penei Sewell end up on in camp.

One of the most notable things about this pick is that it likely sets off a run on offensive tackles that will leave some teams at the back end of the draft without a player they covet.

18. Minnesota Vikings — TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

With no full-time general manager in place, Kevin O’Connell has more power than ever in the Vikings draft room. That means, while defense is a priority, don’t be shocked if they take another weapon for new QB Kyler Murray here.

NFL teams are using more multiple-tight-end offenses, and O’Connell could add a valuable weapon at that position. Kenyon Sadiq has his flaws, but as a downfield pass-catcher and unique chess piece, the Oregon TE is a perfect fit for O’Connell.

19. Carolina Panthers — S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

The Panthers still need playmakers on both sides of the ball. Yes, they could also use help in the trenches as well, but at this point of the ClutchPoints 2026 NFL Mock Draft, safety Dillon Thieneman is a better value than any offensive or defensive lineman.

Thieneman can do so many things that he may come off the board higher than this. If he does get to 10, though, the Panthers will snatch him up. Adding a safety of this caliber to their already great stable of corners will make the Carolina secondary one of the best in the league.

20. Cleveland Browns (trade with Cowboys) — OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

We have another trade here, as the Browns jump ahead of several other tackle-needy teams to get the player that many have mocked to them at No. 6. Monroe Freeling needs more polish and experience, but his size and athleticism make him the best true LT prospect in this year’s draft.

As for the Cowboys, they may have their eye on an in-state prospect who will definitely be available later in the round, so trading back if they can makes a lot of sense.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

The run on offensive linemen continues here as the Steelers reach a bit for Caleb Lomu. He may be a fringe first-round prospect, but he’s the only real LT available at this point, and Pittsburgh must now address this position after news of a Broderick Jones injury setback.

And just because this may be a little early for Lomu, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad pick. This is now the biggest need for the Steelers, and Lomu has outperformed expectations before. He is the one, after all, who knocked Fano out of his LT spot in college.

22. Los Angeles Chargers — OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

Another slight reach here, but Chas Bisontis is one of the hottest names in the days leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. He may not be as polished as Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, but he’s two years younger and has a ton of upside. The Chargers need interior offensive line help more than anything, and Bisontis could slot in at guard in front of Justin Herbert starting in Week 1.

23. Philadelphia Eagles — OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Howie Roseman loves traits, and he’s not afraid to draft a position of need a year too soon instead of a year too late. Max Iheanachor is one of the biggest, most athletic players in this class, but is still incredibly raw. That’s fine for Philly, as what they really need is a Lane Johnson replacement for next season, not this one.

This year, Iheanachor can learn as a valuable swing tackle and be ready to take the throne in 2027. That’s fine for the Eagles, who will build out this year’s roster through trades and later-round picks.

24. Dallas Cowboys (trade with Browns) — LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

This is the out-of-left-field surprise of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Jerry Jones just spent the last college football season watching Jacob Rodriguez take the ball away from almost every team he played at Texas Tech. The Cowboys need an off-ball linebacker, and keeping Rodriguez in Texas will be too much of a temptation for Jone to ignore.

Taking Jones out of it, if you look at Rodriguez’s skills on a football field and not just his relatively average athleticism, you’ll see a player who could easily be a first-round pick because of all he does and his leadership.

25. Chicago Bears — EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Bears need to round out their defensive line, and Keldric Faulk is a wildly intriguing prospect who fits the physical profile Chicago is looking for. He also has incredible character on and off the field, so betting on this 20-year-old’s development is safer than you’d think.

If the team hits on this pick, they could get a pass rusher to build a defense around who fits the Caleb Williams timeline. If that happens, the Bears could own the NFL North for years to come.

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

We’ve had the Bills taking a pass rusher here for quite some time, but in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, we had a last-minute change of heart. Buffalo has been relying on Josh Allen and (seemingly) Josh Allen alone for several years now. Doesn’t the team owe it to him to finally give him all the weapons they can?

KC Concepcion can get open as good, if not better, than any other wideout in this draft. Plus, he’s excellent with the ball in his hands. D.J. Moore, Concepcion, and Khalil Shakir would finally give Allen a full trio of WRs he could count on in big moments.

27. San Francisco 49ers — S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

The biggest victim of the run on offensive linemen is the 49ers. They would have loved a heir to Trent Williams’ throne, but those guys are all gone. Instead, they get to address a position of need with the best player still available, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. This big, physical safety will help the 49ers D stay relevant even after losing Robert Saleh.

28. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Texans) — QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

With the extra second-round pick the Cardinals acquire by moving out of No. 3, they can move back into the back end of Round 1 and take a shot on a QB of the future in Ty Simpson. The former Alabama signal-caller has some question marks, but by basically using a second-rounder on him while still getting a fifth-year option in case he works out, it is a low-risk, high-reward move.

29. Kansas City Chiefs — CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

In our last 2026 NFL Mock Draft, we had the Chiefs taking Jermod McCoy at No. 9. Now, there are concerns with his knee injury, so he may slip all the way out of the first round. That may not happen, though, if the Chiefs jump in here.

The Chiefs need to make this draft count as Patrick Mahomes recovers from injury and enters his second act. A gamble like McCoy, who, without the injury, may be the best CB in this draft, seems worth taking at 29.

30. Miami Dolphins — EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

Again, you have to look at the Packers playbook to predict what the Dolphins will do this year. The Packers build through the trenches early, so now the Dolphins will, too. Zion Young is a big, physical, talented edge can be a building block on that side of the ball.

Of course, WR and CB are possibilities here, but Miami has plenty of picks to stock those positions later in the draft.

31. New England Patriots — OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The Patriots are keeping Will Campbell at left tackle, but Morgan Moses is still approximately 100 years old. They need an RT of the future, and Blake Miller is the type of Iron Man offensive lineman Mike Vrabel will love.

Even if Moses beats out Miller this year for the starting RT spot, Miller can back up both tackle spots and eventually take over the right side next season.

32. Seattle Seahawks — RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

The Seahawks usually take the best player available, so a corner or a pass rusher could be on the table here. However, they need a running back, and the gap between Jadarian Price and the next-best RB in this class is huge. Pulling the trigger on the lone back in the second tier would make sense at 32.

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