NFL mock draft 2026: Updated projection with only 2 QBs in first-round

As a new year begins, 14 NFL teams remain alive in the chase for Super Bowl LX. For the other 18 teams, the offseason has already begun.

Coaches and general managers are losing their jobs, interviews are being lined up for their successors, and fans are scouring the internet for every little bit of hope. Hope that when this time of the year rolls around next season, their teams will be the ones still alive in the chase for Super Bowl LXI.

Of course, the 2026 NFL Draft is a big driver of that hope.

So let’s take a look at how the draft could unfold, now that the order for the first 18 picks has been set. For this exercise there are no trades, and at the end of the draft we look at what teams without a first-round pick might do when they are on the clock.

2026 Mock Draft

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

With the Raiders now unofficially on the clock, expect the connections to Fernando Mendoza to kick into overdrive. Mendoza led Indiana to an unbeaten season, picked up a Heisman Trophy along the way, and there is a lot to love about his game.

2. New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Dante Moore has yet to announce his decision for next year, but the New York Jets will be paying particular attention to that announcement. Moore does not have a ton of experience, but the skillset is there, and if he decides to enter the draft he seems like the best option for New York in this spot. 

3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Arizona is a sneaky team to watch in the quarterback market this offseason, with Kyler Murray’s time seemingly coming to a close. But with both Mendoza and Moore off the board, they add Spencer Fano from Utah, who has seen time at both tackle spots and gives the Cardinals an option at either LT or RT. That offers Arizona a chance at getting a better front five in front of their quarterback next season.

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

The Tennessee TItans need help along the defensive front, and Rueben Bain Jr. is in the middle of a standout run for Miami in the College Football Playoff. Pair him with Jeffery Simmons and thrive.

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 the Giants offense.

6. Washington Commanders: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

The Washington Commanders need some help along the defensive front. Adding Arvell Reese, who has seen time both on the edge and as an off-ball linebacker, is a big boost for Dan Quinn’s defense. For more on Reese and what he meant to Ohio State, we have you covered here.

7. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Results from around the league, as well as Cleveland’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, drop the Browns to the No. 7 spot. Instead of adding a quarterback at the top of the draft, they add a wide receiver who can help their QB (will it be Year Two of the Shedeur Sanders show?) in 2026. Carnell Tate looks like the next great Ohio State WR prospect, with the ability to work both out of the slot as well as along the boundary. 

8. New Orleans Saints: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

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. Keldric Faulk is raw, but the length and athleticism jump off the tape. 

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

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

But giving the Kansas City Chiefs run game a boost seems like a wise move for Brent Veach this offseason. 

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? Put positional value aside, Caleb Downs might be one of the best players in this entire class.

11. Miami Dolphins: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The quarterback situation will generate the headlines this offseason in Miami, but the Dolphins might not be in a position to draft their next quarterback. Instead they add a tight end that was built in a lab to play for Mike McDaniel.

12. Dallas Cowboys: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The Red Raiders were one of the best defenses in the nation and David Bailey was a huge reason why. His 14.5 sacks this season tied him with Nadame Tucker for the most in the nation, and he already has a well-rounded tool kit as a pass rusher. He’ll give a Dallas defense that needs some talent up front a big boost.

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: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

There is a lot of buzz about Francis Mauigoa kicking inside to start his NFL career, and landing in Baltimore with the Ravens could be an ideal spot for him. Baltimore needs help on the interior, and Mauigoa could then slide to the outside to replace Ronnie Staley when the time comes. 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Another Ohio State defender comes off the board as the Buccaneers add some talent to the second level of their defense. Sonny Styles is an ideal off-ball linebacker for the modern era, with the athleticism to run with tight ends and even receivers on one play and turn around to rush the passer on the next.

16. New York Jets (via IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

After adding Dante Moore with the second pick, the Jets double dip on the offensive side of the ball and give their new quarterback some help. Makai Lemon is a weapon underneath and after the catch, and along with Garrett Wilson they’ll give Moore a smooth glide path to the NFL game. 

17. Detroit Lions: Olaivavega Ioane IOL, Penn State

A major reason behind the Detroit Lions’ downward turn this year was the struggles in front of Jared Goff. While he posted an Adjusted Completion Percentage of 68.5% when pressured according to Pro Football Focus, tenth-best in the NFL, he was sacked a career high 36 times. Finding some help along the interior is a big need for Brad Holmes, and Detroit gets that in Olivavega Ioane, a bright spot for Penn State this past season.

18. Minnesota Vikings: 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 Minnesota. 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. 

19. Carolina Panthers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald has put together a massive season that has him rocketing up draft boards. He has posted 31 tackles (nine for a loss) and three sacks, all while operating primarily as an interior defensive lineman, with nearly 80% of his snaps at nose tackle. Put him next to Derrick Brown and watch the chaos unfold.  

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Having addressed pass rush earlier in the draft, the Cowboys double dip on the defensive side of the ball and bring in Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. While he missed all of 2025 due to a knee injury, McCoy looked like a top-ten talent during the 2024 campaign. His length shows up on plays like a PBU against UTEP while playing in off coverage, and his interception against Oklahoma highlights his zone awareness.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Quarterback is going to be a position to watch for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, even if Aaron Rodgers decides to come back for another season. That could make Ty Simpson or Trinidad Chambliss an option here, if Simpson decides to enter the draft or Chambliss has his request for a medical redshirt denied by the NCAA. Until that happens, however, the Steelers likely go in another direction. In this scenario they add help for the quarterback with KC Concepcion from Texas A&M, a shifty WR who would be an ideal complement to DK Metcalf. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

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. So here the Chargers add Peter Woods, who looked like a potential top-ten pick after his 2024 campaign. While Woods and the Tigers endured a bit of a slump in 2025, the potential is certainly there. 

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Another Clemson defender comes off the board in this spot. While the Philadelphia Eagles 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 Eagles’ pass rush as well. 

24. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Wide receiver has been a question mark for the Buffalo Bills this season, and the emergence of Brandin Cooks as a go-to target for Josh Allen in the passing game speaks volumes. Here the Bills add Denzel Boston, an outside vertical threat that can match Allen’s arm talent in the downfield passing game.

25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

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. Caleb Banks dealt with a foot injury this past season and has never played a high volume of snaps in a single season, but the potential is through the roof. 

26. San Francisco 49ers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Wide receiver and interior offensive line are other needs in San Francisco, but with the board falling this way the 49ers go in a different direction. With Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams coming off significant knee injuries and other pass rushers entering free agency, Cashius Howe offers some help for a defense that needs it. Howell has a solid toolkit as a pass rusher, and can even be a factor in coverage when tasked with dropping into zone coverage. 

27. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

It is true that Nick Caserio avoids drafting offensive linemen in the first round, but that might need to change this offseason. With one of the best defenses in the league in place, Caserio can turn to the offensive side of the ball and look to give C.J. Stroud more time in the pocket. Caleb Lomu has played on the left side, so a transition to RT might be in place, but the Texans need to get the best five options in front of Stroud any way they can. 

28. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

As noted earlier, quarterback is going to be a discussion point this offseason for the Browns. But having fallen in the draft order Cleveland instead bolsters the offense around the QB, first with a wide receiver and now with Kadyn Proctor, the Alabama left tackle. 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.

29. Los Angeles Rams: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

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, but even with two first round picks it might not happen on the first night of the draft. (This could be a sneaky landing spot for Trinidad Chambliss if the NCAA denies his request for a medical redshirt). 

Instead they add Chris Bell, a physical wide receiver who would slot in nicely in Sean McVay’s offense. Bell is coming off a knee injury suffered late in the season, so he might not be an immediate contributor, but the Rams could be a perfect landing spot. 

30. New England Patriots: LT Overton, DL, Alabama

Versatility has been a cornerstone of New England’s philosophy for decades, and that continues under Mike Vrabel. And it would continue with the addition of LT Overton, who aligned almost anywhere along the defensive line for Alabama. He has the power to shed blocks on the inside and collapse the pocket as an interior penetrator, but can also bend off the edge. 

31. 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. 

32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon

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.

Teams without a first-round pick

Four teams do not have first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, due to previous trades.

Here are some positions and players to watch for those four teams.

Indianapolis Colts

Because of the trade with the New York Jets involving Sauce Gardner, the Indianapolis Colts are without a pick in the first round. They will first be on the clock at No. 47, midway through the second round.

Yes, quarterback is a need here, depending on how the organization approaches Daniel Jones. Other positions include linebacker, defensive line, and edge. Defensive tackles A’Mauri Washington from Oregon and Christen Miller from Georgia are options, as are pass rushers Romello Height from Texas. Tech and R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma.

Linebacker might be tough at that spot, but Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas is a potential pick there for Indianapolis.

Atlanta Falcons

Thanks to the James Pierce Jr. trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Atlanta Falcons do not have a pick in the first round. They are first on the clock at No. 48, right after the Colts.

Wide receiver, tight end, and cornerback are positions to watch for Atlanta with that pick. Options could include WRs Germie Bernard from Alabama and Elijah Sarratt from Indiana, as well as cornerbacks Brandon Cisse from South Carolina, Colton Hood from Tennessee, or Keith Abney from Arizona State.

Green Bay Packers

As part of the trade for Micah Parsons, the Green Bay Packers sent their 2026 first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys. While the Packers’ second-round pick is not confirmed yet, using their record they would slot in at No. 52, in the last half of the second round.

Defensive line, edge, and cornerback are options for the Packers in this spot, with the names listed above potential picks for them in the second round.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The final team without a first-round pick? The Jacksonville Jaguars, who sent their 2026 first-round selection to the Cleveland Browns as part of the trade for Travis Hunter Jr.

Similar to the Packers, the Jaguars’ second-round pick is not confirmed yet, and will be once they are eliminated from the playoffs. Using their record the Jaguars would be on the clock at No. 60, at the end of the first round.

Cornerback, defensive line, and wide receiver are positions Jacksonville could consider with that pick.