Jody Smith's 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Will teams push WRs up the board in this draft? Is Jeremiyah Love truly locked into the top 5? And how many trades shake up the order in Round 1?

The answers to all those questions will affect your fantasy decisions for 2026 and beyond.

Here’s my attempt to map it all out.

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

This pick has been trending this way for a while. Mendoza’s accuracy and decision making would mark a clear upgrade for the Raiders. The question is whether he starts right away or opens behind Kirk Cousins.

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

Arvell Reese might offer the higher ceiling, but Aaron Glenn needs players who can make an immediate impact on a defense that ranked 31st in sacks and forced a league-low four turnovers. Bailey's burst off the line adds a needed element the Jets lacked last season.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State

This pick could go in several directions. There are rumors the Cardinals may look to trade down, and any team moving up this high would likely be targeting a pass rusher. If Arizona stays put, Reese makes sense for a rebuilding roster that’s not just an RB away from contending.

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

An impact defender is a real possibility for new HC Robert Saleh, but upgrading the talent around QB Cam Ward is essential. Love’s three-down skill set would make him a potent weapon in Brian Daboll’s scheme and will take pressure off Ward.

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

The Giants could address either side of the ball. New York’s staff is reportedly “very high” on Tyson, whose draft stock has surged since his on-field workout. He would also fill a key need for a team that lost Wan’Dale Robinson.

6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

This is another spot that could be traded. If the Browns stay put, upgrading an offensive line that ranked dead last in PFF’s pass-blocking grades is a clear priority. Fano or Kaydn Proctor would be options with Cleveland’s first of two Day 1 picks.

7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Styles posted a 9.99 RAS, and HC Dan Quinn is reportedly enamored with the Ohio State standout. The Commanders could use WR help, but without a second-round pick, they may prioritize one of the draft’s safest prospects.

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

This is another team that could go in multiple directions on either side of the ball. Behind Chris Olave, the Saints are thin at WR. Tate’s downfield ability would give second-year QB Tyler Shough a dangerous weapon.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

Bain totaled 20.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss over three seasons at Miami. With a rare top-10 pick, the Chiefs could target an established pass rusher after ranking 18th in PFF’s pass-rush grade last season.

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

Downs is a premier safety prospect who could go inside the top 5. In this scenario, the Giants would leave Round 1 with a playmaking WR and an elite DB, a strong start for new HC John Harbaugh.

11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Dolphins are in the midst of a rebuild and should prioritize safer prospects in the trenches. Mauigoa is the top OT available and fills an immediate need for a Miami line that ranked 20th in PFF pass-blocking grades and allowed 38 sacks last season.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Jerry Jones is expected to reinforce a defense that allowed a league-worst 30.1 points per game last season. Delane was an elite shutdown corner in the SEC and would give the Cowboys’ secondary a much-needed boost.

13. Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon’s route running and separation ability would fit seamlessly in Sean McVay’s timing-based offense, giving the Rams a reliable option at all three levels. His versatility to play inside or outside adds flexibility to a receiving corps that needs to look to the future with Davante Adams aging and Puka Nacua's wild offseason. 

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Ioane’s power and anchor make him a natural fit for Baltimore’s physical, run-first identity, giving the Ravens a tone-setter up front. The Ravens could also consider Delane if he slides.

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

Sadiq’s athleticism and ability to stretch the seam would give Tampa Bay a dynamic pass-catching option at TE, adding another weapon for their offense that moves forward without WR Mike Evans. 

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

Cooper brings proven slot production, lining up inside on 83.3% of his snaps at Indiana last season and consistently creating separation underneath. That skill set would pair well with Garrett Wilson, giving the Jets a reliable interior target to complement their top outside weapon.

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Miami

Taylor Decker’s departure makes the O-line one of Detroit’s top needs. In this scenario, the Lions land the top tackle available, a 20-year-old with rare size, power, and movement skills who fits their physical, run-first identity.

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

Harrison Smith is 37 and considering retirement, creating a potential need at safety. McNeil-Warren (6'3, 201 pounds) posted a 9.91 RAS  and totaled 8 forced fumbles, 5 INTs, and 13 pass breakups over three seasons at Toledo, giving Minnesota a versatile replacement option.

19. Carolina Panthers: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Safety is a clear need for Carolina. Thieneman brings strong Combine buzz and elite production (306 tackles, 8 INTs), with the ability to make plays in coverage and support the run.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Dallas clearly needs to upgrade a defense that allowed 377 total yards per game last season, third-most in the NFL. In this scenario, Jerry Jones lands both an elite CB and Mesidor, one of the top defensive linemen in the draft. That would be a strong start toward fixing that unit.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Freeling is massive (6'7, 315 pounds) and posted a 9.99 RAS. Despite just 1.5 seasons as a full-time starter, his upside is clear. LT Broderick Jones continues to deal with a neck injury, which only increases the need to address O-line depth.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Khalil Mack (35) could be entering his final season. Faulk, a high-character, high-motor pass rusher, brings versatility across the defensive line and has the upside to contribute early while developing into Mack’s eventual replacement off the edge.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

The Eagles could go in several directions here, including WR if the A.J. Brown rumors prove true. In this scenario, GM Howie Roseman continues to invest in the offensive line, adding youth with 36-year-old RT Lane Johnson coming off an injury-filled season. Iheanachor is a developmental option who can learn behind the aging veteran.

24. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Cleveland ranked second-to-last in passing yards per game (165.2) last season, due to poor QB play and a lack of pass-catching depth. Concepcion -- viewed by many as a top-3 WR in the class -- would step in as the Browns’ No. 2 WR with a path to fantasy relevance if the QB play improves.

25. Chicago Bears: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

The Bears have options in the secondary and along the defensive front after finishing 22nd in sacks last season. Parker’s ability to rush from the interior and the edge, paired with his explosion off the snap, would give Chicago a much-needed boost.

26. Buffalo Bills: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Bills addressed WR by trading for D.J. Moore, allowing them to focus on reinforcing Jim Leonhard’s new 3-4 defense with a run-stuffing DT. McDonald, a first-team All-American, totaled 65 tackles, 3 sacks, and 9 tackles for loss at Ohio State in 2025.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Lomu’s technique and footwork give him the versatility to play inside or outside, with the tools to develop into a future starter. With Trent Williams nearing the end of his career, Lomu offers the 49ers a young, athletic successor who can learn behind him while helping solidify the offensive line.

28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

After overhauling a struggling offensive line, GM Nick Caserio has flexibility to address the defensive front or LB. However, protecting C.J. Stroud and improving run blocking remain key, making Miller’s four years of starting experience valuable.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Chiefs could target a replacement after the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason. Hood, who goes ahead of teammate Jermod McCoy due to medical concerns here, brings high upside, smooth movement skills, and the potential to develop into a No. 1 CB despite limited experience.

30. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy is sliding down mock draft boards due to knee concerns. With 11 total picks, including two first-rounders, the Dolphins can take a shot on his elite upside as a potential building block for a rebuilding roster.

31. New England Patriots: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Boston’s projected to go right in this range of the draft. If New England goes this route, it could lessen the urgency to trade for A.J. Brown.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

This feels like the ideal spot for Arizona to jump the Jets for Ty Simpson. If Seattle sticks, Johnson would add needed athleticism and playmaking to the secondary.

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