2026 NFL Mock Draft: Early defensive run as Caleb Downs falls to Cincinnati
By Gareth Evans
Quarterbacks traditionally dominate NFL Draft headlines, and will in 2027, but this mock 2026 NFL Draft brings other positions under the spotlight. Fernando Mendoza going No.1 overall to the Raiders brings quarterback star power at the top, and I couldn’t resist sneaking Alabama’s Ty Simpson into the first round later on, but this is a class defined far more by trench warfare and defensive versatility than the traditional QB gold rush.
Across the board, teams are prioritising building from the inside out. Offensive tackles fly off early as franchises like Arizona, Cleveland and Baltiomore prioritise protection over playmaking. I project six receivers to be taken in Round One, the first three of which could fall in any order.
Teams seem to be laying foundations now, with an eye already firmly fixed on a potentially franchise-defining 2027 quarterback class. Let’s see what happens.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza - QB, Indiana
The consensus number one pick and Heisman Trophy winner heads for the bright lights of Las Vegas and should have an immediate chance to start. The Raiders made space for the national champion quarterback by trading Geno Smith to the New York Jets.
2. New York Jets
Arvell Reese - LB/EDGE, Ohio State
All change again in New York. With the recent departures of key defensive talents in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, the Jets are in desperate need of a new defensive identity. The additions of T’Vondre Sweat and Minkah Fitzpatrick from Tennessee and Miami respectively help, but the Jets still have multiple needs. Here, New York takes a genuine two-position star in the explosive Reese, who can slot in a couple of spots across the front seven.
3. Arizona Cardinals
David Bailey - EDGE, Texas Tech
Were the Cardinals to find themselves in this spot a year from now, there would be an array of quarterback talent from which to select their replacement for the departed Kyler Murray. Unfortunately, it’s a quarterback-light 2026 NFL Draft so Arizona plays smart, addressing their defensive needs. David Bailey adds instant impact and explosivity to the Cardinals’ pass rush, having led the FBS with 14.5 sacks.
4. Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Love - RB, Notre Dame
Yes, running back isn’t traditionally considered a smart pick near the top of the first round. Given Tennessee has spent over $200 million in free agency to improve key areas on both sides of the ball, why not give last years No.1 overall pick Cam Ward a real threat on offense. Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry at Notre Dame and could add a similar impact as Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit.
5. New York Giants
Sonny Styles - LB, Ohio State
Styles made NFL scouts sit up and take notice with his stunning performance at the 2026 NFL Combine, catapulting him up the draft order with all the spring displayed in his 43.5-inch vertical jump. His athleticism means he can play coverage and run defense equally effectively. Don’t let New York’s recent addition of Tremaine Edmunnds to their linebacking corps make you think they won’t select the standout Buckeyes linebacker here.
6. Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa - OT, Miami
Offensive tackles have become one of the premium positions in the NFL Draft in recent years. Not ready to select a quarterback, Cleveland follows Arizona’s lead in the No.6 spot and prepares their offensive line to protect Shedeur Sanders this year, while preparing for the riches of the quarterback pool in 2027. Mauioga will join free agency signings Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins to bolster the Browns in the trenches.
7. Washington Commanders
Rueben Bain Jr. - EDGE, Miami
David Bailey is off the board, so Washington, in need of elite defensive help, snag Miami’s explosive edge rusher to pair him with free agent signings Leo Chenal and Odafe Oweh.
8. New Orleans Saints
Carnell Tate - WR, Ohio State
There are arguably three receivers who have a legitimate case to be selected as the first off the board. New Orleans, buoyed by the emergence of Tyler Shough at quarterback and addition of back Travis Etienne, add a premium weapon in Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. He lines up opposite another great former Buckeyes receiver, Chris Olave, in the Big Easy.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Mansoor Delane - CB, LSU
LSU’s dominant corner is the best player at his position coming out of college football. He joins a Chiefs team in rebuild mode, having lost Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Delane is an athletic defensive back who has played in a variety of schemes and will be needed in a division featuring Justin Herbert, Bo Nix and (probably) Fernando Mendoza.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Caleb Downs - S, Ohio State
It’s almost criminal that a player of Downs’ undoubted ability is still on the board at No.10. The Ohio State standout is arguably the most talented player in the Draft, but in an undervalued position. No complaints from the Bengals, who had the NFL’s third-worst points per game allowed. Downs can also contribute in a linebacking package. This is a great pickup for Cincinnati.
11. Miami Dolphins
Jermod McCoy - CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins’ secondary took a big hit in free agency. Mansoor Delane is off the board, but Miami rolls the dice by taking Tennessee’s former All-SEC corner McCoy, who registered four interceptions in 2024, but missed the 2025 season with an ACL injury.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Dillon Thieneman - S, Oregon
Dallas have bolstered their front seven with the additions of former Packers Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark (the latter in the Micah Parsons trade) but remain light in the secondary. Dillon Thieneman can contribute both at safety and cornerback, adding variety and value to the Cowboys backfield.
13. Los Angeles Rams
Makai Lemon - WR, USC
Puka Nacua is one of the dominant receivers in the league but needs a running buddy. Enter college football’s top receiver and 2025 Biletnikoff winner Lemon, who ran defenses ragged just down the road at LA’s Coliseum for USC.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Ioane - IOL, Penn State
The Ravens were smarting with the collapse of the Maxx Crosby trade but landed Trey Hendrickson shortly afterwards in a stunning raid on their division rivals. Baltimore turn their attention to the offensive trenches and boost the run game by taking the best interior lineman in the Draft, Penn State’s Ioane, off the board.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Keldric Faulk - EDGE, Auburn
The Buccaneers are selecting partly on potential here with the relatively inexperienced but talented Faulk, who could be a fixture on Tampa Bay’s edge for the next decade.
16. New York Jets
Jordyn Tyson - WR, Arizona State
Having landed Arvell Reese at No.2 to address the defense, the Jets beef up their air attack with the selection of the rangy 6’2”, 203 lbs former Sun Devil Tyson whose explosivity will complement the savvy Garrett Wilson on the perimeter and give new quarterback Geno Smith two potent passing options.
17. Detroit Lions
Monroe Freeling - OT, Georgia
Taylor Decker is gone and Detroit, despite landing Larry Borom in free agency, need more depth on the offensive line. Georgia’s talented tackle Monroe Freeling fits the bill as a developmental piece, providing the Lions with another long-term solid bookend to complement the outstanding Penei Sewell.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - S, Toledo
Minnesota needs help in the secondary. Dillon Thieneman would have been a great fit here, but in this mock draft, he is already in Dallas. Toledo are developing a habit of producing strong, rangy defensive backs, see Quinyon Mitchell. At 6’3” and 201 lbs, he will be a handful for NFC North receivers.
19. Carolina Panthers
Kenyon Sadiq - TE, Oregon
The Panthers are a team on the up. Elite teams tend to have a special tight end in their arsenal. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is the best in the Draft. He dazzled at the NFL Combine, running a 4.39 40-yard dash, the fastest ever recorded for a tight end and paired it with a 43 1/2 -inch vertical jump. Impressive at 6’3” and 241 lbs.
20. Dallas Cowboys
CJ Allen - LB, Georgia
With the Cowboys’ second pick in the first round, courtesy of the Micah Parsons trade, they partly address his departure by landing the versatile Allen from Georgia, who could slot in at linebacker. Clemson’s Peter Woods might be another option, to beef up the line alongside former Packers Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ty Simpson - QB, Alabama
Wide receiver seems to be a common mock pick for hosts Pittsburgh here. With the usual tedious offseason “will he, won’t he?” surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ possible return, I’m gambling on the Steelers pulling the trigger on Alabama’s Simpson to develop behind Rodgers or another bridge quarterback. Simpson is raw, with just 15 career starts but threw 28 touchdown passes and has accuracy, processes quickly and can move.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Kayden McDonald - IDL, Ohio State
Despite re-signing Khalil Mack for 2026, the Chargers need more help stopping the run and beefing up their pass rush. With Philadelphia and Chicago also needing defensive line help, L.A. nips in and takes the Buckeyes’ McDonald who is excellent against the run.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Caleb Lomu - OT, Utah
Lane Johnson has struggled with injury and Philly needs a backup option who can develop into a solid replacement for the 36-year-old Eagles’ right tackle. They get great value at No.23 from Utah’s two-year starter Lomu, who could be taken higher in round one.
24. Cleveland Browns
Denzel Boston - WR, Washington
Shedeur Sanders has emerged as Cleveland’s QB1 – at least until the loaded 2027 quarterback class arrives. In a good 2026 class for wide receivers, the Browns give their quarterback a dominant aerial threat in the Huskies’ big receiver, who has been likened to A.J. Brown.
25. Chicago Bears
Peter Woods - IDL, Clemson
Despite an underachieving season for Clemson, Peter Woods’ draft stock, high in preseason, hasn’t slipped due to some strong individual performances. The emerging Bears need to shore up their defensive trenches, so Woods is a great fit here.
26. Buffalo Bills
TJ Parker - EDGE, Clemson
The Bills look to be going through a mini-transformation following the departure of head coach Sean McDermott. The pass rush is an area in need of immediate attention with Joey Bosa likely to leave in free agency and A.J. Epenesa linked with a move to Cleveland. Buffalo could also take a receiver here.
27. San Francisco 49ers
KC Concepcion - WR, Texas A&M
Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL injury and Jauan Jennings’ potential free agency move leaves the 49ers light at the receiver position. ‘Sports Illustrated’ reported that San Francisco were using one of their predraft visits on the twitchy Texas A&M receiver, who can play in the slot and on the outside.
28. Houston Texans
Blake Miller - OT, Clemson
Offensive tackle continues to be a priority pick in the first round. Houston makes Miller the fifth tackle off the board in a bid to add more protection for C.J. Stroud. Clemson’s tackle joins offseason signings Braden Smith (Colts) and Evan Brown (Cardinals) on the Texans frontline and could initially see some time at guard.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Avieon Terrell - CB, Clemson
A toss-up between Colton Hood and Terrell for the Chiefs’ pick at No.29 to replace corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson who both left for the Rams. Terrell is quick with excellent ball skills, registering four interceptions in his college career.
30. Miami Dolphins
Omar Cooper Jr. - WR, Indiana
Miami nips back in at the end of the first round, thanks to the Jaylen Waddle trade. The Dolphins replace their Denver-bound star with Omar Cooper Jr. who put himself firmly in the shop window for the Draft with an outstanding season for the national champions. Cooper is an intelligent route runner and big for a receiver at 6-foot and 200 lbs.
31. New England Patriots
Cashius Howell - EDGE, Texas A&M
Offensive line would be an option for the Patriots to protect Drake Maye, but the value isn’t here at No.30. New England’s edge does need improving however, and the Aggies’ Howell is not far behind Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain as the best pass rusher in the Draft, racking up 11.5 sacks last year.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Colton Hood - CB, Tennessee
The Super Bowl winners need help in the defensive backfield. Josh Jobe has re-signed on a three-year deal but Riq Woolen was snapped up by the Eagles. Hood conceded just one touchdown pass in his entire college career and had ten pass break ups. He is raw but will develop quickly alongside Jobe and new addition Noah Igbinoghene.
Gareth Evans
Guest Contributor
Gareth Evans is the founder of Saturdays Feed My Soul, a platform focused on the stories, traditions and evolving landscape of college football from a UK perspective. He is also co-host of the Saturdays Under The Lights podcast, where he and his co-host Tony Boston break down the latest action and key narratives in college football.