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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for the Top 40 Picks

Grant White

Host · Writer

40. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Selection: Brandon Cisse
- Position: CB
- School: South Carolina Gamecocks
The Chiefs have a proven track record of developing all of their players. Brandon Cisse could flourish in KC's secondary.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Selection: Fernando Mendoza
- Position: QB
- School: Indiana Hoosiers
The Raiders need an upgrade under center, and there's no better option than Fernando Mendoza. More importantly, the Raiders know the saccharine quarterback won't be distracted by some of Las Vegas' less savoury activities.
2. New York Jets (3-14)
- Selection: Arvell Reese
- Position: LB
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Arguably, Arvell Reese enters the 2026 Draft as the most NFL-ready player available. He's not the answer to all of the Jets' woes, but he's a good start.
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Selection: Spencer Fano
- Position: OT
- School: Utah Utes
It's not a sexy pick, but it's a necessary one. The Cardinals desperately need upgrades on their offensive line, and they have just the guy. Welcome to Arizona, Spencer Fano!
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- Selection: Jeremiyah Love
- Position: RB
- School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
This would be a dream scenario for the Titans. One year after drafting their franchise cornerback, the AFC South basement dwellers could add Jeremiyah Love to add another layer to their offense.
5. New York Giants (4-13)
- Selection: Jordyn Tyson
- Position: WR
- School: Arizona State Sun Devils
With the top offensive lineman gone, the Giants will look to help their franchise quarterback in another way. Adding Jordyn Tyson bolsters the passing game for years to come.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Selection: Carnell Tate
- Position: WR
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Browns were one of the worst offensive teams in the league last season. Shedeur Sanders might be the answer under center, and it's time to give him more weapons to succeed. Carnell Tate can be Sanders' go-to guy and help rebuild the Dawg Pound.
7. Washington Commanders (5-12)
- Selection: Caleb Downs
- Position: S
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Commanders' pass defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Nabbing Caleb Downs is the step they need to take.
8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
- Selection: Rueben Bain Jr.
- Position: EDGE
- School: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
The Saints will have to address their defensive line, and there's no better edge rusher than Rueben Bain Jr. The Miami product will carry the defensive torch in New Orleans.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Selection: Kenyon Sadiq
- Position: TE
- School: Oregon Ducks
The Chiefs could use a few upgrades on offense, but with some of the best players already gone, they should look a little deeper. They can't count on Travis Kelce for much longer, and Kenyon Sadiq would be an adequate replacement.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
- Selection: Sonny Styles
- Position: LB
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
As we saw in 2025, trying to win games 39-38 isn't a recipe for success. Defense should be a focus throughout the draft, and the Bengals can get off on the right foot by selecting Sonny Styles.
11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)
- Selection: David Bailey
- Position: EDGE
- School: Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Dolphins could use a few upgrades on defense, and with the projected best player available, don't expect them to deviate from that. David Bailey will be the anchor of Miami's defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Selection: Peter Woods
- Position: DT
- School: Clemson Tigers
For years, the Cowboys have been lacking an interior defensive line presence. Enter Peter Woods. Not the solution to all of Dallas's problems, but an answer to the most pressing ones, as he teams up with Quinnen Williams.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via 8-9 Atlanta Falcons)
- Selection: Jermod McCoy
- Position: CB
- School: Tennessee Volunteers
As we saw at various points this season, the Rams' secondary is not infallible. Jermod McCoy would stabilize the unit and help LA stay in Super Bowl contention.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Selection: Francis Mauigoa
- Position: OT
- School: Miami Hurricanes
The Ravens will spend the offseason trying to convince Lamar Jackson to stay in Baltimore. Adding Francis Mauigoa would be a good starting point.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- Selection: Mansoor Delane
- Position: CB
- School: LSU Tigers
The Bucs have a glaring need in their secondary. Mansoor Delane has proven to be a game-changing back and would be a welcome addition in Tampa Bay.
16. New York Jets (via 8-9 Indianapolis Colts)
- Selection: Makai Lemon
- Position: WR
- School: USC Trojans
With two picks inside the top 16, the Jets can add to key contributors on both sides of the football. Makai Lemon adds another exciting element on offense.
17. Detroit Lions (9-8)
- Selection: Kayden McDonald
- Position: DT
- School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Things didn't go as planned for the Lions in 2025. Nevertheless, they can bolster their defensive front with the addition of Kayden McDonald.
18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Selection: Caleb Lomu
- Position: OT
- School: Utah Utes
Adding an offensive lineman in Round 1 is a no-brainer for the Vikings. Caleb Lomu should be the best player on the board.
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
- Selection: KC Concepcion
- Position: WR
- School: Texas A&M Aggies
Tetairoa McMillan had 1,014 receiving yards last season. The next closest Panthers' receiver didn't even break 400. KC Concepcion would form the one-two punch Carolina desperately needs.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via 9-7-1 Green Bay Packers)
- Selection: Akheem Mesidor
- Position: EDGE
- School: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Even with the Peter Woods selection, the Cowboys should be looking to bolster their defense further. Akheem Mesidor adds another missing layer to their defensive front.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- Selection: Ty Simpson
- Position: QB
- School: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Steelers need a long-term solution under center, and Mike McCarthy has a strong track record of developing quarterbacks. Ty Simpson is the only pick that makes sense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Selection: Kadyn Proctor
- Position: OT
- School: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Chargers might want to invest all of their draft picks in upgrading their offensive line. If they miss on Kadyn Proctor, Justin Herbert might only have a couple of seasons left in him.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Selection: Keldric Faulk
- Position: EDGE
- School: Auburn Tigers
The Eagles were a bit of an enigma last season. They fell well short of their offensive standards, but there doesn't appear to be much need for upgrades. Assuredly, Keldric Faulk is an upgrade off the edge.
24. Cleveland Browns (via 13-4 Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Selection: Emmanuel Pregnon
- Position: OG
- School: Oregon Ducks
The Browns have several needs on offense, and Emmanuel Pregnon would fill one of the more glaring weaknesses.
25. Chicago Bears (11-6)
- Selection: Avieon Terrell
- Position: CB
- School: Clemson Tigers
With an improved defense, the Bears would transform into immediate Super Bowl contenders. They can't hitch their cart to Avieon Terrell alone, but he's a big upgrade.
26. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- Selection: Cashius Howell
- Position: EDGE
- School: Texas A&M Aggies
Joey Bosa lost a step, and it cost the Bills in 2025. Upgrading the defensive line should be a priority, and Cashius Howell is one of the best edge rushers in the class.
27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Selection: CJ Allen
- Position: LB
- School: Georgia Bulldogs
The 49ers are at their best when their defense is operating at peak efficiency. A depleted linebackers corps put them at a disadvantage this season, and CJ Allen would help them get back on track.
28. Houston Texans (12-5)
- Selection: Olaivavega Ioane
- Position: OG
- School: Penn State Nittany Lions
The Texans made several upgrades to their offensive line last year, and they should look to continue that development ahead of next season. Olaivavega Ioane would be a solid anchor.
29. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
- Selection: Jake Golday
- Position: LB
- School: Cincinnati Bearcats
The Rams don't have a need on offense that could be filled with this pick. Expect them to go after Jake Golday to solidify their linebackers' corps.
30. Denver Broncos (14-3)
- Selection: Zachariah Branch
- Position: WR
- School: Georgia Bulldogs
The Broncos are coming off a wildly successful campaign. Still, adding a top wide receiver would make this team even better. Zachariah Branch is their guy.
31. New England Patriots (14-3)
- Selection: Caleb Banks
- Position: DT
- School: Florida Gators
The Patriots may want to consider adding a wideout early in the draft. But with the best players gone, they will look to upgrade their pass rush by adding Caleb Banks to the defensive line.
32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
- Selection: Denzel Boston
- Position: WR
- School: Washington Huskies
At times, we've seen teams defer to local talent, and we expect the Seahawks to do the same in the first round. Denzel Boston lines up opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba for years to come, re-igniting the Seahawks' dynasty.
33. New York Jets (3-14)
- Selection: Lee Hunter
- Position: DT
- School: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Unless the Jets trade down from the second or 16th picks, this will be their third selection in the first 33 players. They can use this spot to bolster their defensive line with Lee Hunter.
34. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Selection: Dillon Thieneman
- Position: Safety
- School: Oregon Ducks
The Cardinals are due for a complete roster overhaul. They should use this pick to draft to best player available. Dillon Thieneman would be a massive add to their secondary.
35. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- Selection: Max Iheanachor
- Position: OT
- School: Arizona State Sun Devils
Protecting their franchise quarterback will be a priority for the Titans. Max Iheanachor won't slip past Tennessee in the second round.
36. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Selection: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- Position: S
- School: Toledo Rockets
The Raiders will have plenty of premium defenders to choose from with their second-round pick. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is the man to build around in Las Vegas.
37. New York Giants (4-13)
- Selection: T.J. Parker
- Position: EDGE
- School: Clemson Tigers
T.J. Parker's draft stock took a hit in 2025. The edge rusher failed to live up to his 2024 metrics, and his Clemson team struggled as a whole. Still, he would be a welcome addition to the Giants' defense.
38. Houston Texans (12-5) (via Washington Commanders)
- Selection: Monroe Freeling
- Position: OT
- School: Georgia Bulldogs
The Texans might be tempted to reach for a running back with this selection, but the safer play is taking the best offensive lineman on the board. Monroe Freeling will be a stalwart for years to come.
39. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Selection: Colton Hood
- Position: CB
- School: Tennessee Volunteers
The Browns don't need to prioritize defense in the draft, but passing up on Colton Hood would be a big miss. The cornerback will terrorize top receivers for years to come.
40. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
- Selection: Brandon Cisse
- Position: CB
- School: South Carolina Gamecocks
The Chiefs have a proven track record of developing all of their players. Brandon Cisse could flourish in KC's secondary.
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- Selection: Fernando Mendoza
- Position: QB
- School: Indiana Hoosiers
The Raiders need an upgrade under center, and there's no better option than Fernando Mendoza. More importantly, the Raiders know the saccharine quarterback won't be distracted by some of Las Vegas' less savoury activities.