2026 NFL Mock Draft: Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall
By Jack Brentnall
The regular season is over, and while the playoffs are about to begin, attention has already shifted toward the draft for teams now on the outside looking in. With roster flaws exposed and priorities clarified over 18 weeks, this is where long-term team building starts to come into sharper focus.
This mock draft reflects my own evaluations and team-building philosophy. These are not projections of what teams will do, but the choices I would make if I were responsible for each franchise, informed by film study, roster context, and positional value. With the first 18 selections now locked in, it serves as an early snapshot of how I view the class and the league as draft season begins.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza - QB, Indiana
The Raiders are in dire need of a franchise quarterback. Mendoza is coming off a Heisman Trophy-winning season and offers the accuracy, arm strength, and football intelligence NFL teams covet. His experience navigating pressured pockets at Indiana and Cal should help ease his transition to the pro game.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore - QB, Oregon
With four top-50 picks, the Jets have an opportunity to reshape their roster, starting at quarterback. Moore is a polished passer whose blend of mechanics, ball placement, and arm strength reminds me of C.J. Stroud. He gives New York a long-term answer at the position.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Sonny Styles - LB, Ohio State
A linebacker at No. 3 overall may feel steep, but the Cardinals should not overthink this one. If trade-down options are limited, Styles is simply one of the best players in the class and arguably the best linebacker prospect of the last five years.
4. Tennessee Titans
Carnell Tate - WR, Ohio State
Surrounding Cam Ward with offensive talent should be the priority for whoever lands the Titans job. Tate is a true alpha receiver with ideal size and refined route running that consistently creates separation. His hands and body control round out an elite profile.
5. New York Giants
Jermod McCoy - CB, Tennessee
McCoy missed the 2025 season with injury, but his 2024 tape shows a clear first-round talent. He brings physicality and confidence in press coverage, traits the Giants badly need on the boundary.
6. Cleveland Browns
Makai Lemon - WR, USC
Cleveland could look toward the offensive line here, but no prospect feels worthy of the No. 6 pick. Lemon offers more value as one of the most dynamic and pro-ready players in the class. His versatility adds immediate juice to the offense.
7. Washington Commanders
Arvell Reese - LB, Ohio State
Washington needs help at both edge rusher and linebacker, making Reese an ideal target. He is a true hybrid defender with the size to set the edge and the athleticism to play in space. His versatility gives the defense flexibility.
8. New Orleans Saints
Peter Woods - IDL, Clemson
The Saints need an infusion of talent in the trenches, and Woods is the best defensive lineman on the board. He is still developing as a pass rusher, but he is already a high-level run defender with untapped athletic upside.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Caleb Banks - IDL, Florida
With the roster in transition, Kansas City needs a future cornerstone. Assuming the medicals check out, Banks fits that bill. At 6’6” and 334 pounds, he combines rare size with quickness and violent hands. His game reminds me of Chris Jones.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Caleb Downs - S, Ohio State
This would be an ideal outcome for Cincinnati. The defense desperately needs more talent and leadership on the back end, and Downs provides both. He is a smart, physical safety with strong instincts in coverage.
11. Miami Dolphins
Rueben Bain Jr. - EDGE, Miami
With Bradley Chubb nearing 30 and Chop Robinson struggling in his sophomore season, Miami has reason to invest again up front. Bain’s measurables will be debated, but his consistent disruption on tape is undeniable.
12. Dallas Cowboys
David Bailey - EDGE, Texas Tech
Dallas has only two edge rushers under contract for 2026, and a duo of Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston isn’t scaring anyone. Bailey is an outstanding athlete with long arms and a deep pass rush toolbox. His 81 pressures led the nation this season.
13. Los Angeles Rams
Francis Mauigoa - OT, Miami
The Rams need a long-term answer at right tackle, and Mauigoa offers both stability and versatility. While not an elite athlete, he wins with refined hand usage, play strength, and a sturdy anchor.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Blake Miller - OT, Clemson
You won’t often see Miller going this high in mock drafts, but he’s a player I’m willing to bet on. A four-year starter at Clemson, he brings elite movement skills, strong hands, and a finishing mentality in the run game. This is a case of trusting the tape over consensus.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Olaivavega Ioane - IOL, Penn State
The run on offensive line talent continues. Ioane fills a glaring need along the interior as a plug-and-play guard. He is a powerful presence with the play strength to hold up immediately.
16. New York Jets
Jordyn Tyson - WR, Arizona State
Tyson’s injury history may push him down boards, but the Jets can take advantage. He gives Dante Moore a reliable target who can win at all three levels with sharp route running and dependable hands.
17. Detroit Lions
Mansoor Delane - CB, LSU
Cornerback has been a clear issue for Detroit. Delane offers a polished and productive presence on the boundary, with smooth movement skills and man coverage reliability.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Jeremiyah Love - RB, Notre Dame
Building a reliable run game around J.J. McCarthy should be a priority for Minnesota this offseason. Love may be the most talented prospect in the class regardless of position, offering size, speed, and true three-down ability.
19. Carolina Panthers
Avieon Terrell - CB, Clemson
Carolina would benefit from adding talent to the secondary, and Terrell fits well. He is an excellent athlete capable of playing outside or in the slot, with quick-twitch explosiveness and real value as a run defender.
20. Dallas Cowboys
Keith Abney - CB, Arizona State
Dallas needed cornerback help even before cutting Trevon Diggs. Abney lacks ideal size but compensates with instincts, smooth athleticism, and physicality as a tackler.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
KC Concepcion - WR, Texas Tech
There is no quarterback worth forcing here, making another receiver the smarter play. Concepcion complements DK Metcalf, with the quick twitch to separate in short and intermediate areas and impressive after-the-catch ability.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Emmanuel Pregnon - IOL, Oregon
Protecting Justin Herbert has to be the Chargers’ top priority. Pregnon provides immediate help along the interior with refined hand usage and a physical demeanor that fits the Chargers’ needs.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyon Sadiq - TE, Oregon
Philadelphia has flexibility here, but adding another pass-catching weapon makes a lot of sense. Sadiq offers real upside as a receiving tight end, while showing promise as a blocker inline.
24. Buffalo Bills
Cashius Howell - EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell’s arm length raises questions, but Buffalo needs pass rush juice. He led the SEC with 12 sacks in 2025 and consistently wins with bend, hand usage, and explosive get-off. The traits and production make him worth the bet despite the measurement concerns.
25. Chicago Bears
Keldric Faulk - EDGE, Auburn
A big, heavy-handed edge defender fits Dennis Allen’s preferences perfectly. Faulk is not a high-end pass rusher yet, but his play strength and run defense project cleanly to the pro level.
26. San Francisco 49ers
Spencer Fano - OT, Utah
San Francisco needs interior help and potential long-term tackle answers. Fano is an outstanding athlete with real flashes in the run game. His versatility would be maximized in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
27. Houston Texans
Darrell Jackson Jr. - IDL, Florida State
Jackson is a massive presence at 6’5” and 341 pounds with 35-inch arms, and his play strength consistently overwhelms opponents in the run game. He’s still developing as a pass rusher, but the physical profile makes the projection easy to buy into.
28. Cleveland Browns
Caleb Lomu - OT, Utah
Cleveland’s offensive line is in disarray, making Lomu a sensible investment. He needs to add functional strength and refine his footwork, but his tools are uncoachable and his upside is clear.
29. Los Angeles Rams
Colton Hood - CB, Tennessee
With no cornerbacks under contract beyond next season and Darious Williams turning 33, the Rams need a long-term answer. Hood is a physical, aggressive corner who thrives in man coverage.
30. New England Patriots
Lee Hunter - IDL, Texas Tech
With no true first-round edge rushers left on the board, the value shifts inside. Hunter may be built like a two-down nose tackle, but his quick, violent hands consistently overwhelm blockers. That gives him legitimate three-down value and makes him a worthwhile investment.
31. Denver Broncos
Kamari Ramsey - S, USC
Denver’s identity has been built on defense, and I’d lean into that again here. Ramsey is a smart, versatile safety with the football IQ to play deep or from the slot. He brings reliability and flexibility to the back end.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Kayden McDonald - IDL, Ohio State
Adding a true run-stuffing nose tackle would change the complexion of Seattle’s front. McDonald has the grown-man strength to be a day-one difference maker against the run. That presence would free up more creative usage of Byron Murphy and stress opposing offenses.
Jack Brentnall
Head of NFL Draft Content
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.