NFL mock draft 2026: Instant projection after Super Bowl

Super Bowl LX is in the books.

And the Seattle Seahawks are your Super Bowl Champions.

Now, the other 31 teams can start the process of getting to Super Bowl LXI next year, and hope to chase down the Seahawks in the process.

Of course, the 2026 NFL Draft is a big part of that process. Here is our latest mock draft, and if you want more on each selection we have you covered with a deeper dive after the mock.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

He is by no means a sure thing at quarterback — few prospects are.

But the Las Vegas Raiders have a glaring need at the game’s most important position, and Fernando Mendoza remains the best option. As things stand right now, the biggest question left might be whether Mendoza attends the draft and hugs Roger Goodell on stage, or whether he just announces the pick on LinkedIn.

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

The New York Jets need a quarterback, but with Mendoza off the board, this still feels too early to reach for one of the other options. And with New York holding a second pick in the first round, they could wait and pick up a quarterback later that Thursday night.

So we turn to the defense.

There is merit in improving the defensive side of the ball, as well as the rest of the roster, to soften the landing spot for a QB during the next cycle. Arvell Reese will certainly help a defense that failed to generate a single interception last season. Between what he can do in coverage, to what he can do as a blitzer, and even the promise he shows when used as an EDGE, he’ll inject some much-needed talent into that side of the football.

Here are some clips highlighting what he can bring to the next level:

3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

As the draft process has begun to unfold, I have gone back and forth on Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano in this spot for Arizona.

In this mock, we are going with Fano. He has seen time at both LT and RT while in college, and gives Arizona multiple pathways to getting the best five players in front of their quarterback next year.

Whoever that is.

4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

The Tennessee Titans need help along the defensive front, and Rueben Bain Jr. just completed an incredible run for Miami in the College Football Playoff. Pair him with Jeffery Simmons and thrive.

For a good look at what he brings to the table, this thread of clips from his game against Ohio State is a good place to start:

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

Just a few short weeks ago it looked like the New York Giants would be at the top of the draft and hold an auction for the first-overall selection, and the rights to QB1. But with wins in their final two games the Giants slide back to No. 5, and instead add some help for Jaxson Dart with this pick.

Jordyn Tyson has endured some injuries, but can stretch defenses vertically and poses problems at all levels of the field. Pairing him with a healthy Malik Nabers is an instant upgrade for John Harbaugh, and hey, Matt Nagy can certainly dial up some shot plays in the passing game with this duo.

Right?

6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

A theme with many mock drafts this cycle has been this: Lots of teams need quarterbacks, but there are few answers to be found in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Cleveland is another such team.

Similar to the Jets, and the Cardinals however, the options might not be there at No. 6. So instead, Cleveland builds around the QB position and adds a physical mauler in Francis Mauigoa, who at just 20 years old could be exactly what the Browns need for 2026 … and beyond. And with Todd Monken in place, and the emphasis on the run game we expect to see, he could be the perfect fit.

7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Washington Commanders need some help along the defensive front.

Enter David Bailey.

Bailey helped turn the Red Raiders into one of college football’s best defenses this past season, and was one of the players mentioned on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks” list heading into last year. He might need to round out his toolkit as a pass rusher, but his athleticism and burst is a great starting point.

Here is a good look at those traits:

8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

With the emergence of Tyler Shough as an option for the New Orleans Saints at quarterback, the team can look at other positions with this pick at No. 8.

Adding the next talented Ohio State WR prospect is just the kind of help Shough and the Saints need.

Some clips to consider:

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Yes, we will keep mocking this pick until told otherwise.

Patrick Mahomes might not be ready for Week 1 — as much as he wants to be — and even when he comes return this offense needs some help around him. Adding a running back that can also contribute in the passing game seems like a wise investment.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Cincinnati Bengals need help almost everywhere on defense.

Why not add a defender who can play almost anywhere? Matt Patricia used Downs all over the field at Ohio State, and he can provide help at every level of Cincinnati’s defense next season.

11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The quarterback situation will generate the headlines this offseason in Miami, but with new head coach Jeff Hafley in town, the Dolphins might focus on the defensive side of the football with this first selection. With a need at cornerback they look to Jermod McCoy from Tennessee, whose timing and awareness in zone coverages make him an ideal fit for what Hafley wants to do defensively.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Expect the Dallas Cowboys to lean defense with their two picks in the first round. Auburn pass rusher Keldric Faulk addresses one of their needs, and while his athleticism jumps out on film the upside might be even better.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Rams need to add at cornerback as several of their current options are entering free agency. Mansoor Delane is a versatile corner who thrives both playing off coverage with his eyes on the QB and driving on the ball (find his PBU against Arkansas on film when you can) or in man locked on his receiver (find his PBU on a double-move against South Carolina). 

14. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

With former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter coming over to coach the Baltimore Ravens, it might not be a surprise to see a defensive pick at this spot. Woods looked like a potential top-ten pick after his 2024 campaign, but while he and the Clemson Tigers endured a bit of a slump in 2025, the potential is certainly there. He’ll provide some help for a defense that has taken a few steps back in recent years.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Tampa Bay could go in a few different directions here, and adding a linebacker — Sonny Styles from Ohio State — is certainly an option. Instead, they upgrade on the offensive side of the ball, adding a potential matchup nightmare in Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. He’ll help draw attention away from Tampa Bay’s talented group of wide receivers, and give Baker Mayfield another option in the passing game.

16. New York Jets (via IND): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

A physical cornerback with impressive man coverage skills and strong zone awareness, Avieon Terrell would provide an immediate upgrade to the secondary in New York. He can match athletic receivers in man coverage, drive on the ball to disrupt at the catch point (find his PBU against Florida State when playing in off-man coverage) and has incredible awareness in zone coverage. His PBU against Duke when playing in the flat in Cover 2, where he broke on a throw to the slot, was a thing of beauty. 

And with Sauce Gardner now in Indianapolis, he fills an immediate need in New York’s secondary.

17. Detroit Lions: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Another Clemson defender comes off the board in this spot. While the Detroit Lions could go in a few different directions, including offensive line and wide receiver, they need some help on the edge as well.

T.J. Parker is a stout, physical defensive end who can offer support in the run game and bolster the Lions’ pass rush as well. And he is coming off a massive performance at the Senior Bowl that boosted his draft stock after a tough regular season. “There were several standout performances this week — mostly coming from defensive players — but the overall winner of the 2026 Senior Bowl is Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker,” Matt Miller wrote on ESPN. “He had middle Round 1 grades before the 2025 season began, but his stock took a dip after his sack total fell from 11 in 2024 to 5.5 last season. But he consistently won against every offensive tackle he faced this week while showing a repertoire of moves. Parker is a true 4-3 defensive end who can win with long arms and power at the point of attack, but this week he showed there’s more juice around the edge than formerly expected.”

18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Anyone who has been to an event like the Senior Bowl knows you do not put too much stock into one-on-ones, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. While a flashy win for a defensive lineman makes for a great moment on social media, it is rare that a defensive lineman has a true “two-way go” against a blocker.

Still, moments like this are why Caleb Banks is going to find a way into the first round:

19. Carolina Panthers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Carolina Panthers could use help along their defensive front, and they get that and more in Cashius Howell from Texas A&M. While the size could be a concern — his arm length is reportedly under 31 inches — plays like this show that sometimes you can get home without arm length:

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Here we get another Ohio State defender, as the Cowboys look to shore up the second level of their defense with linebacker Sonny Styles. The former Buckeye backer and five-star recruit is the kind of athlete you bet on at the next level, and the kind of linebacker built for the modern game.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

We don’t know who will be playing quarterback for Mike McCarthy. Will it be Aaron Rodgers? Will it be Will Howard?

But whoever will be throwing the ball, they’d be happy to have Makai Lemon on the other end of his passes:

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

While protecting Justin Herbert has been an issue this season, getting both starting tackles back for 2026 will be the biggest source of improvement for this offensive line.

But you can never have enough help in front of your quarterback.

Olaivavega Ioane is the top interior prospect in this class, and will be a perfect fit in the Chargers’ offense.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The time might be drawing near for the Philadelphia Eagles to think about a transition plan at right tackle. Jeff Stoutland’s departure has opened the door to questions about Lane Johnson’s future, beyond the injuries the veteran tackle endured this season. Caleb Lomu has played on the left side, so a transition to RT might be in place, but the Eagles need to get the best five options in front of Jalen Hurts any way they can. 

24. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

With their first pick in this mock, Cleveland added an offensive tackle for their quarterback.

Now they add a target in the downfield passing game.

Denzel Boston is an outside vertical threat:

But one that can also work like this underneath:

25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Chicago’s Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers highlighted an area of need: Stopping the run. The Bears gave up an average of 135.5 yards per game on the ground, fifth-most in the NFL.

Kayden McDonald will help put an end to that.

26. Buffalo Bills: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Well, as we learned during the fateful postseason press conference from the Buffalo Bills, perhaps Keon Coleman was not general manager Brandon Beane’s first choice when the Bills drafted him. Or maybe he was, given some of the videos that have surfaced on social media since that presser.

Either way, they still need help at WR, and K.C. Concepcio is a perfect fit for Joe Brady’s offense.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Kayden Proctor, OT, Alabama

San Francisco will look to upgrade their offensive line in this draft class, and this is a great start. Kayden Proctor is a massive, powerful tackle who can be a dominant force in the run game, but will need to clean up his technique in pass protection.

28. Houston Texans: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

As Houston Texans fans have continually pointed out, Nick Caserio is not one to draft early along the offensive line.

But after what we saw from this group, particularly in the Divisional Round — and what we also saw from C.J. Stroud in the playoffs — Houston needs to make sure they can protect the quarterback as well as possible.

Enter Monroe Freeling, the massive offensive tackle from Georgia. He’ll certainly help in that effort.

29. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

If there is a theme to this mock draft it might be this: “Team X is a team to watch for a quarterback but … “

That remains true with the Rams, who might want to address the Matthew Stafford succession plan this offseason. The MVP said he was coming back after winning the hardware on Thursday night, but that gives Sean McVay a chance to get Ty Simpson into the system and coached up before they turn over the keys to the franchise.

30. Denver Broncos: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

It almost seems unfair to add another defender to one of the league’s best units, but if Denver’s defense does have a need it is on the second level. C.J. Allen has the athleticism and skillset to be an every-down linebacker in the NFL, with the ability to match pass catchers in man coverage as well as the power to shed blockers at the point of attack against the run. 

31. New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

I just know you will see mocks today that have a left tackle in this spot, but I digress …

Want to see what it looks like when a player’s stock rises during the draft process?

Here you go, courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database:

At this rate, Akheem Mesidor might not be there when the Patriots are on the clock. But if he is, this is a “run to the podium” situation.

New England’s defense certainly did everything they could in Super Bowl LX, but adding more pass rushers is always a smart move.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon

What do the defending Super Bowl champions need?

Cornerback and interior offensive line are needs the Seattle Seahawks could address in the first round, but given the depth at those respective positions, it makes sense to address the offensive line with this pick. Emmanuel Pregnon is the ideal guard prospect, as he is a mauler in the run game and a stout pass blocker on the inside.

And now that you have made it this far, feel free to yell at me in the comments about how I just made your team worse.