NFL Mock Draft 2026: Full 3-round projection with major trades before the Combine
The NFL Combine is always a turning point for NFL Draft conversations. It increases fan fervor and provides more athletic data. However, it doesn't define a player's draft stock, but it can help, hurt, or confirm expectations. Knowing the draft landscape is crucial, so we present a 2026 NFL Mock Draft with a full projection for the first three rounds and Top 100 picks.
We include significant trades, especially in the first round, to add realism. Here's our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza
- School: Indiana
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: Heisman Trophy winner; led Hoosiers to 16-0 and National Championship Game; more TDs than incompletions in first two rounds of CFP
Fernando Mendoza is a promising prospect, despite concerns about his pedigree. He has the tools and mental ability to be a franchise quarterback for the Raiders, despite his pressure-to-sack rate.
- New York Jets – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
- School: Miami
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Concerns about arm length; production doesn't match with 12 sacks, 68 hurries this year; nearly 25% pressure rate in 2025
Rueben Bain Jr. is a sure bet for the Jets, despite his shorter arms. He consistently wreaks havoc against offensive lines, making him a franchise cornerstone pass-rusher.
- New Orleans Saints (via ARZ) – EDGE David Bailey
- School: Texas Tech
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: 15 sacks and 43 hurries in 14 games as senior; pass-rusher first, but above average run defender; strong, prototypical frame with elite first step
David Bailey is a monster off the edge, arguably the purest pass-rusher in the class. The Saints' defense needs a stalwart, and Bailey can be that for years.
- Tennessee Titans – LB Arvell Reese
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Hybrid piece with off-ball and edge potential; 6.5 sacks, 10 TFLs, 69 tackles in 651 snaps this season
Arvell Reese is a versatile linebacker/edge hybrid, a playmaker. He fits Robert Saleh's defensive strategy.
- New York Giants – WR Carnell Tate
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Breakout year in 2025 with 875 yards and 9 TDs in 11 games; movable around formation; exceptional balance in all phases
Carnell Tate is the consensus WR1 in the class, complementing Malik Nabers in the Giants' passing attack.
- Cleveland Browns – OT Francis Mauigoa
- School: Miami
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Monster with three seasons of experience; right tackle with Miami; well-rounded, but better pass-blocker than in the run game
Francis Mauigoa is a well-rounded tackle with consistent Pro Bowl potential, a perfect fit for the Browns.
- Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Two-time unanimous All-American and three-time All-Conference; top-tier athlete with unreal versatility; return potential on special teams
Caleb Downs is a stud, a true all-around player, and a perfect fit for the Commanders.
- Arizona Cardinals (via NO) – OT Spencer Fano
- School: Utah
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: One sack allowed over two seasons and 800+ pass blocking snaps; right tackle for the Utes the last two seasons
Spencer Fano is a steady bookend tackle, a good fit for the Cardinals.
- Kansas City Chiefs – RB Jeremiyah Love
- School: Notre Dame
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: 1,372 yards and 18 TDs this season despite just 199 carries; 60 forced missed tackles; elite acceleration and burst with contact balance
Jeremiyah Love is the best overall player on the board, with the potential to reignite the Chiefs' rushing attack.
- Cincinnati Bengals – LB Sonny Styles
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: Complete linebacker with top-end run defense and coverage grades; only two missed tackles in 600+ snaps in 2025; son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles
Sonny Styles is a dominant linebacker, a potential chess piece for the Bengals.
- Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane
- School: LSU
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: Broke out in 2025 for LSU after transferring; better in man than zone coverage; 26.7 passer rating allowed this season
Mansoor Delane is a lockdown secondary piece, a good fit for the Dolphins.
- Dallas Cowboys – EDGE Cashius Howell
- School: Texas A&M
- Class: Redshirt Senior
- Draft Notes: Largely a pass-rush specialist; 12 sacks and 27 hurries on 301 pass rush snaps in 2025; motor elite, but still work-in-progress as run defender
Cashius Howell fits the Cowboys' defensive needs, a pass-rush specialist.
- Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – CB Jermod McCoy
- School: Tennessee
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Did not play in 2025 after torn ACL in January; 53.6 passer rating allowed in 2024; six INTs in 24 career games
Jermod McCoy is a sticky coverage player with ideal length and fluidity, a good fit for the Rams.
- Baltimore Ravens – WR Makai Lemon
- School: USC
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Smaller than Tate and Tyson; 1,156 yards and 11 TDs in 12 games this year; dynamic movement ability across formation and in space
Makai Lemon is a good fit for the Ravens, bringing elite movement and run-after-catch ability.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGE Keldric Faulk
- School: Auburn
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Only two sacks in 2025 after nine the year prior; far superior against the run than as a pass-rusher; potential move inside is possible
Keldric Faulk is a force off the edge, a good fit for the Bucs.
- New York Jets (via IND) – CB Avieon Terrell
- School: Clemson
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell; strong run defender despite slighter frame; experience outside and in the slot
Avieon Terrell is a versatile and effective cornerback, an upgrade for the Jets.
- Detroit Lions – OL Kadyn Proctor
- School: Alabama
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Potential guard/tackle versatility in the NFL; freak of nature with movement ability at 366 pounds (listed); allowed five sacks in 930+ pass block snaps
Kadyn Proctor is a perfect fit for the Lions, a versatile and athletic tackle.
- Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- School: Toledo
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: Fast riser in draft class as stock soars; all-around defender with elite coverage grade and above-average run defense; 50.3 passer rating allowed
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a top-graded safety with versatility, a good fit for the Vikings.
- Carolina Panthers – WR Jordyn Tyson
- School: Arizona State
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: Over 1,800 yards and 18 TDs in last 21 games; some injury concerns over last two years; all-around weapon at the position
Jordyn Tyson is a potential WR1, despite injury concerns.
- Kansas City Chiefs (via DAL from GB) – EDGE T.J. Parker
- School: Clemson
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Great build (260 lbs) at the position; 18 sacks the past two seasons and plus run defense; standout in Senior Bowl practices
T.J. Parker is a good fit for the Chiefs, a pass-rusher with a strong build.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Denzel Boston
- School: Washington
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: 800+ yards in each of past two seasons with 20 combined TDs; elite grading against man coverage; 6-foot-4 build makes him ideal outside
Denzel Boston is a big body with sure hands, a good fit for the Steelers.
- Los Angeles Chargers – OG Olaivavega Ioane
- School: Penn State
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: Zero sacks allowed last two seasons (800+ pass block snaps); primarily left guard, but experience at both spots
Olaivavega Ioane is a steady-as-a-rock interior presence, a good fit for the Chargers.
- Philadelphia Eagles – TE Kenyon Sadiq
- School: Oregon
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Questions about production (560 yards, 8 TDs); physical freak at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds with projected 4.45-4.55 seconds in the 40
Kenyon Sadiq has high potential, despite questions about production.
- Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – OL Caleb Lomu
- School: Utah
- Class: Redshirt Sophomore
- Draft Notes: Left tackle opposite Fano the past two years; NFL-ready pass blocker with just two sacks allowed over 807 pass blocking snaps; work-in-progress as run blocker
Caleb Lomu is a good fit for the Browns, a pass-blocker with potential.
- Chicago Bears – DL Peter Woods
- School: Clemson
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Down year in 2025, mirroring Clemson overall; six sacks over last two seasons; elite space-eater with all-around upside
Peter Woods is a monster with potential, a good fit for the Bears.
- Buffalo Bills – EDGE Akheem Mesidor
- School: Miami
- Class: Redshirt Senior
- Draft Notes: Ready-made pass-rusher despite age at 25 years old; switched positions multiple times in college; 50 hurries and 13 sacks for Miami in 2025
Akheem Mesidor is a well-rounded edge rusher, a good fit for the Bills.
- San Francisco 49ers – WR Omar Cooper Jr.
- School: Indiana
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: 20 receiving TDs over the past two seasons; career-high 937 yards and 69 receptions in 2025; likely slot with versatility
Omar Cooper Jr. is a good fit for the 49ers, a sure-handed slot receiver.
- Houston Texans – OT Monroe Freeling
- School: Georgia
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Came on strong in his junior season with the Dawgs; better pass blocker than run blocker in current state; massive frame with a franchise tackle build
Monroe Freeling is a good fit for the Texans, a versatile tackle.
- Los Angeles Rams – QB Ty Simpson
- School: Alabama
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: One-year starter with Crimson Tide; struggled mightily with pressure in 2025; Top 35 in FBS in Big-Time Throw Rate
Ty Simpson is a good fit for the Rams, with the tools to be a starting NFL quarterback.
- Denver Broncos – LB C.J. Allen
- School: Georgia
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Extremely toolsy and athletic in the middle of the field; elite run defender upon NFL arrival; still inconsistent dropping into coverage
C.J. Allen is a good fit for the Broncos, with potential as an NFL linebacker.
- New England Patriots – EDGE R Mason Thomas
- School: Oklahoma
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: Slightly smaller frame but still productive; 15 sacks and 35 hurries in last 23 games; plus run defender despite size questions
R Mason Thomas is a good fit for the Patriots, a pass-rusher with run-defense potential.
- Seattle Seahawks – CB Brandon Cisse
- School: South Carolina
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Might be best run-defending CB in the class; exceptional athlete who’s been inconsistent in coverage; better in zone currently to rely on athleticism
Brandon Cisse is a good fit for the Seahawks, a run-defending cornerback.
Full Round 2 projection — Picks No. 33-64
New York Jets – DL Caleb Banks (Florida)
Arizona Cardinals – S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
Tennessee Titans – WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)
Las Vegas Raiders – DL Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
New York Giants – OT Blake Miller (Clemson)
Houston Texans (via WAS) – DL Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
Cleveland Browns – WR Germie Bernard (Alabama)
Dallas Cowboys (via KC) – LB Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas)
Cincinnati Bengals – OG Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)
New Orleans Saints – WR Chris Bell (Louisville)
Miami Dolphins – OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State)
New York Jets (via DAL) – LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati)
Baltimore Ravens – DL Christen Miller (Georgia)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Keith Abney II (Arizona State)
Indianapolis Colts – S A.J. Haulcy (LSU)
Atlanta Falcons – CB Keionte Scott (Miami)
Minnesota Vikings – RB Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Detroit Lions – EDGE Zion Young (Missouri)
Carolina Panthers – EDGE Gabe Jacas (Illinois)
Green Bay Packers – CB Colton Hood (Tennessee)
Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern)
Philadelphia Eagles – OL Gennings Dunker (Iowa)
Los Angeles Chargers – EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan)
Jacksonville Jaguars – DL Contay Corleone (Cincinnati)
Chicago Bears – S Kamari Ramsey (USC)
San Francisco 49ers – EDGE Romello Height (Texas Tech)
Houston Texans – C Connor Lew (Auburn)
Buffalo Bills – CB D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana)
Los Angeles Rams – TE Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)
Denver Broncos – WR Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
New England Patriots – LB Josiah Trotter (Missouri)
Seattle Seahawks – OG Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M)
Third Round projection — Picks No. 65-100
Arizona Cardinals – CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
Tennessee Titans – CB Daylen Everette (Georgia)
Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE Joshua Josephs (Tennessee)
Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ) – WR Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
Houston Texans (via NYG) – RB Jonah Coleman (Washington)
Cleveland Browns – QB Carson Beck (Miami)
Washington Commanders – EDGE Keyron Crawford (Auburn)
Cincinnati Bengals – EDGE LT Overton (Alabama)
New Orleans Saints – DL Dominique Orange (Iowa State)
Kansas City Chiefs – CB Chandler Rivers (Duke)
Miami Dolphins – EDGE Anthony Lucas (USC)
Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL) – QB Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
Indianapolis Colts – WR Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
Atlanta Falcons – TE Max Klare (Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens – TE Michael Trigg (Baylor)
Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET) – C Jake Slaughter (Florida)
Minnesota Vikings – CB Devin Moore (Florida)
Carolina Panthers – LB Deontae Lawson (Alabama)
Green Bay Packers – EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)
Pittsburgh Steelers – S Zakee Wheatley (Penn
