NFL · 1 hour ago

Yahoo Sports Reveals NFL Mock Draft 9.1: Full First-Round Mock Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

John Canady

Host · Writer

32) Seattle Seahawks: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Avieon Terrell adds another competitive, physical defensive back to a Seattle secondary that continues to lean into toughness and discipline. He is not the most explosive athlete, but he stays connected in coverage and plays with control. This is a steady addition to a defense that values reliability.

“He’s physical with clean movement skills.” McDonald
1) Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza gives the Raiders a calm, long-term answer at quarterback with the size, processing ability, and poise to operate Klint Kubiak’s offense efficiently. The organization has clearly put structure around him to avoid rushing his development, which should help him transition smoothly to the NFL game. This is a pick centered on patience and projection with real starter upside.

“Set it and forget it. Mendoza has reportedly already been working to acclimate himself to the Raiders’ offense.” Tice
2) New York Jets: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
David Bailey brings the kind of explosive pass-rush potential the Jets have lacked off the edge, even if his game still needs refinement against the run. His first step and effort level give New York a foundational piece to develop within a rebuilt defensive front. With space-eating help inside, he is free to attack quarterbacks immediately.

“There’s been a lot of smoke recently linking the Jets and Bailey.” McDonald
3) Kansas City Chiefs (via ARI): EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Arvell Reese is a rare defensive weapon who can impact games from multiple alignments and give Kansas City schematic flexibility right away. His combination of size, athleticism, and instincts makes him an ideal fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s system. This is a swing for a defensive centerpiece with long-term versatility.

“I consider Reese the best non-quarterback in this year’s draft.” Tice
4) Tennessee Titans: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Sonny Styles gives Tennessee a unique defensive presence with elite size and the movement skills to stay involved in every phase of the field. His transition from safety continues to show up in his range and comfort in coverage. The Titans are betting on a rare linebacker profile that can reshape the middle of their defense.

“There may be something to be said about having an elite player at that position in a league that does not have many.” McDonald
5) New York Giants: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Caleb Downs immediately stabilizes the Giants' secondary with his discipline, range, and ability to erase explosive plays. He plays with a consistent understanding of leverage, allowing the defense to stay structurally sound. This is a high-floor pick for a unit that has been far too volatile.

“His game, a steadiness he brings every play from some part of the center of the defense.” Tice
6) Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Carnell Tate gives Cleveland a reliable and polished receiving option who raises the floor of an inconsistent passing attack. He may not be a true WR1 prototype, but his route running and dependability make him a natural volume target. The Browns are clearly prioritizing structure and stability on offense.

“Tate brings a raised level of competence to the Browns’ wide receiver room, which they sorely need.” McDonald
7) Washington Commanders: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love adds instant speed and explosiveness to the Commanders' offense that now has elite athletic juice in both the backfield and at quarterback. His ability to hit top gear quickly forces defenses into constant conflict. This is a pure playmaking addition designed to tilt games.

“There simply aren’t many offenses that can unleash a quarterback and running back that can both run a sub 4.4 40.” Tice
8) New Orleans Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. gives New Orleans a powerful edge defender who brings immediate physicality to their pass rush rotation. His frame and play style match what the Saints typically value at the position. This is a foundational defensive addition as they reshape their front.

“Bain comes in an NFL-ready body and has the density requirement the Saints have preferred.” McDonald
9) Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Francis Mauigoa strengthens Arizona’s offensive line with a steady, technically sound tackle who can also flex inside if needed. His versatility makes him an ideal long-term building block for a unit in transition. The Cardinals prioritize stability up front with this selection.

“A strong and technically proficient right tackle who could kick inside.” Tice
10) New York Giants (via CIN): DL/EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Keldric Faulk brings immediate run defense value with long-term upside as a pass rusher once his game is refined. His physicality at the point of attack stands out even while his technique continues to develop. This is a projection pick built on traits and strength.

“He probably has the best run defending tape in the class.” McDonald
11) Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Mansoor Delane adds intelligence and ball skills to a Dolphins secondary that has lacked consistency in coverage. His ability to read quarterbacks and sit in zones makes him a natural fit in a disciplined scheme. This is a plug-and-play corner with instincts.

“Delane is smart and has a knack for baiting quarterbacks in zone coverage.” Tice
12) Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Jermod McCoy gives Dallas a high-ceiling cornerback prospect with the length and athletic traits teams covet on the outside. Even after an injury, his man-coverage upside is difficult to ignore. The Cowboys are betting on talent and development time.

“His tape shows some high-end traits in man coverage and has the length and athleticism teams emphasize.” McDonald
13) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Denzel Boston brings size and physicality to the Rams receiving room as a complementary piece who can win in contested situations. His ability to block and contribute in multiple alignments fits their offensive identity. This is a future replacement plan wrapped into a current contributor.

“Boston is a smooth athlete with size and ball skills.” Tice
14) Baltimore Ravens: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Spencer Fano strengthens Baltimore’s offensive line with versatility and power that fit their run-heavy identity. He can slot into multiple spots and immediately help stabilize the interior. This is a classic Ravens trench investment.

“Fano can play wherever the Ravens would need him.” McDonald
15) Philadelphia Eagles (via TB): OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Monroe Freeling gives Philadelphia a long-term answer at tackle with the athletic profile to develop into a starter on either side. His late-season growth points to a player trending in the right direction. The Eagles continue to invest heavily in the offensive line pipeline.

“Freeling has the size and athleticism to hang on the left side.” Tice
16) New York Jets (IND): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson adds another dynamic pass catcher to a Jets offense that is slowly building out a legitimate receiver group. His ability to win physically and create separation gives them versatility opposite Garrett Wilson. This is about stacking offensive talent for the future quarterback.

“He’d be a nice complement to Wilson with his size and ability to dominate in the more physical areas.” McDonald
17) Detroit Lions: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Max Iheanachor feels like the kind of offensive line bet Detroit has been comfortable making under this regime, with traits that first have real developmental upside. He is still learning the position, but the movement skills and flexibility give him a chance to stick at either tackle spot. With Hank Fraley in the building, this is a swing on molding tools into a starter.

“The Lions want to make the strength of their team the strength of their team again.” Tice
18) Minnesota Vikings: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald brings real interior presence to a Vikings defense that has been missing a consistent anchor up front. The production jumps off the page for a nose tackle, but it is the ability to disrupt plays behind the line that makes him more than just a space eater. Minnesota gets a tone setter in the middle.

“He’d be the active run plugger this defense quietly needs in a big way.” McDonald
19) Carolina Panthers: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Dillon Thieneman fits exactly what Carolina has been trying to build on defense: speed, structure, and reliability on the back end. He is comfortable playing near the line of scrimmage but disciplined enough to handle deep responsibilities. This is a stabilizing piece for a defense still searching for identity.

“Thieneman’s ability to work as a top-down defender and near the box makes him a great fit for Ejiro Evero’s defense.” Tice
20) Dallas Cowboys (via GB): EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Akheem Mesidor is more experienced than flashy, but Dallas is clearly prioritizing pass rush depth wherever it can find it at this point in the draft. He knows how to work angles and stay active, even if he is not a pure bend rusher. This is a rotation piece with immediate utility.

“Dallas could still use some more pass rush juice off the edge.” McDonald
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Olaivavega Ioane gives Pittsburgh exactly what they tend to value: toughness inside and immediate help in the trenches. With Isaac Seumalo gone, the need at guard is obvious, and Ioane steps into a situation where he can play right away. This is a steady, football identity pick.

“Isaac Seumalo departed in free agency, leaving a void at left guard that Ioane would fit neatly in.” Tice
22) Los Angeles Chargers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Peter Woods is a classic projection pick based on what he can still become rather than what he consistently is right now. The flashes from earlier evaluations are still there, and Los Angeles is betting that coaching will unlock them again. This is a ceiling play on the defensive interior.

“He clearly has a pathway toward being a long-term, high-impact starter if he can hone the traits.” McDonald
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via PHI): TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq gives Tampa Bay another weapon in the passing game who can create mismatches from different alignments. He is still developing into a complete tight end, but his athleticism stands out immediately. This is about adding versatility to an already flexible offense.

“Sadiq would be a way for the Buccaneers to add firepower to their pass catchers.” - Tice
24) Cleveland Browns (via JAX): OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor is a massive offensive tackle with rare physical traits that teams are still trying to harness. The consistency is not all the way there yet, but the upside in pass protection is exactly why Cleveland takes the swing. This is a long-term answer at tackle if it hits.

“There’s so much athleticism here packed into a gargantuan frame.” McDonald
25) Chicago Bears: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Caleb Lomu brings movement ability and scheme fit to a Bears offense that needs to stabilize its offensive line quickly. He is still adding strength, but the footwork and natural athleticism translate well to their zone run system. Chicago is betting on traits and fit here.

“Lomu’s light feet and easy-moving athleticism would make him a great fit in an offense that runs a good heaping of zone runs.” Tice
26) Buffalo Bills: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
CJ Allen gives Buffalo a much-needed presence at linebacker with the instincts and physicality to hold things together in the middle. He is not flashy, but he is dependable, which is exactly what this defense has been missing. This is a stabilizing addition to a transitioning unit.

“He would be a great fit in Leonhard’s defense and has the physicality and smarts that play well in a 3-4 defense.” McDonald
27) San Francisco 49ers: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Blake Miller feels like a Shanahan-type pick, steady, reliable, and technically sound enough to plug into a system that values consistency. He may not be flashy, but he does not need to be in this offense. San Francisco is betting on dependability up front.

“Miller would be a steadying force whose athleticism, intelligence, and sheer reliability as a player would be a welcome long-term boost.” Tice
28) Houston Texans: IOL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Chase Bisontis is a versatile interior lineman with enough athleticism to play multiple spots if needed. Houston continues stacking young talent around C.J. Stroud, and this is another piece with developmental upside. He fits the long view of building a complete offensive front.

“He has first-round traits for days with the room to get stronger in a frame that already holds 315 pounds.” McDonald
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
KC Concepcion brings the kind of suddenness and creativity Kansas City has always leaned into at wide receiver. He can win in space and stretch defenses vertically, even if consistency is still part of the learning curve. The Chiefs are clearly chasing more explosive answers on offense.

“He would open up the space and create big plays the Chiefs have desperately needed.” Tice
30) Miami Dolphins (via DEN): WR Makai Lemon, USC
Makai Lemon profiles as a natural slot option who can help stabilize Miami’s receiver depth moving forward. He is not replacing elite explosiveness, but he gives them a dependable target who can work underneath and move chains. This is about retooling the offense piece by piece.

“The Dolphins need to start rebuilding their wide receiver depth somewhere.” McDonald
31) New England Patriots: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
TJ Parker fits the Patriots' mold of strong, physical defenders who set edges and hold up against the run. He is not the flashiest pass rusher, but he brings effort, power, and discipline every snap. This is a culture-and-identity pick as much as anything.

“There really is something about the stone-fisted Parker with the other group of brawny Patriots defensive linemen.” Tice
32) Seattle Seahawks: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Avieon Terrell adds another competitive, physical defensive back to a Seattle secondary that continues to lean into toughness and discipline. He is not the most explosive athlete, but he stays connected in coverage and plays with control. This is a steady addition to a defense that values reliability.

“He’s physical with clean movement skills.” McDonald
1) Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza gives the Raiders a calm, long-term answer at quarterback with the size, processing ability, and poise to operate Klint Kubiak’s offense efficiently. The organization has clearly put structure around him to avoid rushing his development, which should help him transition smoothly to the NFL game. This is a pick centered on patience and projection with real starter upside.

“Set it and forget it. Mendoza has reportedly already been working to acclimate himself to the Raiders’ offense.” Tice

Yahoo Sports Reveals NFL Mock Draft 9.1: Full First-Round Mock Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

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