gettyimages-2195718659-1.jpg
Getty Images

Rumors are recklessly flying around this time of year. Some teams are more transparent with whom they have interest but others hold their cards close to the vest. The value in mock draft exercises is that teams are able to accumulate information and that could inform where a prospect may be taken. 

In today’s mock draft exercise, we explore where runs on individual positions may occur and into which picks a team may need to trade in order to secure a specific prospect. There are five trades made in the scenario below and at least one pick is made for each of the league’s 32 teams. 

Without further ado, let’s kick this off!

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. You can find more draft coverage at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts and regular evaluations of the top prospects.

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 – Pick 1

Fernando Mendoza


QB

Indiana

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 236 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3349

RUYDS

284

INTS

6

TDS

47

No one’s considering alternatives for Las Vegas. The Tyler Linderbaum signing supports the assumption that Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick, as a veteran center is a huge benefit for a young quarterback. The Raiders need a quarterback, and there’s a player worthy of that selection.

Round 1 – Pick 2

David Bailey


EDGE

Texas Tech

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Jets are likely deciding between Ohio State pass rush Arvell Reese and Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall. Reese has a higher ceiling, but Bailey is more ready to see the field now. New York may be feeling the pressure to compete in 2026, so Bailey is more conducive to that goal.

Round 1 – Pick 3

Francis Mauigoa


OT

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 329 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

4th

At No. 3 overall, the decision would boil down to Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Reaching for a lower graded prospect would be a bad start for a new regime, but there is no question the offensive line is the biggest need. I may opt for a different path in the final mock draft next week, but was curious what would happen if Mauigoa was taken No. 3 overall.

Round 1 – Pick 4

Arvell Reese


EDGE

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

Arvell Reese is the best prospect available and he offers energy currently unattained by the Titans. There may be a draw to add to Cam Ward’s supporting cast after spending so heavily on defense, but Reese is best for roster construction.

Round 1 – Pick 5

Carnell Tate


WR

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

51

REYDS

875

YDS/REC

17.2

TDS

9

New York is a mystery because they do not really need edge rusher and linebacker is less of a priority after signing Tremaine Edmunds. Carnell Tate is the most useful prospect in the short and long term if they hope for Jaxson Dart to pan out. Malik Nabers may come along slowly, coming off an injury and the Titans now sign Wan’Dale Robinson’s paychecks. Tate gives Dart an outside threat in the pass game immediately and is a great complement to Nabers long-term.

  Mock Trade from

Cleveland Browns

Round 1 – Pick 6

Sonny Styles


LB

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

A Browns trade down with the Cowboys has been publicly negotiated and most scenarios do not result in a win-win for both parties. Dallas wants to win now whereas Cleveland is probably more comfortable acquiring resources into the future. The Cowboys can move up to No. 6 overall and keep No. 20 overall, but part with Day 2 picks each of the next two years. Dallas comes up to select a star defender in an effort to make a 2026 push.

Round 1 – Pick 7

Jeremiyah Love


RB

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1372

YDS/ATT

6.9

REYDS

280

TDS

21

Washington addresses the running back room with a no doubt feature back. A run game featuring Jayden Daniels and Jeremiyah Love will test the discipline of opposing defenses if used correctly. The Commanders also need pass catchers, but that does not necessarily mean it has to be a running back. Love can be an asset on pass downs.

Round 1 – Pick 8

Mansoor Delane


CB

LSU

• Sr

• 6’0″

/ 187 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Cornerback was a point of weakness for New Orleans and Alontae Taylor departed in free agency. The Saints run a higher rate of zone coverage, which happens to be Mansoor Delane’s specialty. Delane is a smart cornerback who tested better than his athletic profile may have suggested.

Round 1 – Pick 9

Spencer Fano


OT

Utah

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 311 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has gotten some pop in this spot and that would satisfy the prerequisite of drafting a premium position. However, what has changed from the time Tyson had been mocked into the late teens and 20s until now? His workout has not yet happened. As it stands, Kansas City takes a right tackle to replace Jawaan Taylor.

Round 1 – Pick 10

Rueben Bain Jr.


EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

It looks more likely that Rueben Bain Jr. may be available for Cincinnati’s pick at No. 10 overall. Teams may not be caught off guard by the report of Bain being involved in a fatal car accident but it is new information to the public and the court of public opinion matters. Could the Chiefs take Bain at No. 9 overall after recent events involving Rashee Rice? As a player, he is incredibly powerful, wins with leverage and would be a quality replacement for Trey Hendrickson.

Round 1 – Pick 11

Caleb Downs


S

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

Miami lands a player who has drawn comparisons to Minkah Fitzpatrick throughout this process. The Dolphins have a ton of needs and need to take best player available, which happens to be Downs in this scenario. He is an intuitive player who will bring accountability to that secondary.

  Mock Trade from

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1 – Pick 12

Monroe Freeling


OT

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

52nd

POSITION RNK

7th

Cleveland trades back, picks up additional draft capital and still lands a raw, but extremely talented left tackle. Monroe Freeling was playing his best football at the end of the season, but no one has to tell Browns coach Todd Monken about his potential; Monken helped recruit him to Athens as Georgia’s offensive coordinator.

  From

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1 – Pick 13

Makai Lemon


WR

USC

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

79

REYDS

1156

YDS/REC

14.6

TDS

13

The Rams are all in on this championship window with Matthew Stafford. A pass catcher — whether that be wide receiver or tight end — would be the most impactful player Los Angeles could add to the roster at No. 13 overall. Makai Lemon is a polarizing prospect, but is at his best post-catch.

  Mock Trade from

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1 – Pick 14

Dillon Thieneman


S

Oregon

• Soph

• 6’0″

/ 201 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

If Carolina is hellbent on adding a safety, which is not to say that they are, it may require them trading up a bit to secure one of those prospects. Dillon Thieneman has risen as high in mock draft projections as his vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Round 1 – Pick 15

Jermod McCoy


CB

Tennessee

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 188 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

1st

If Jermod McCoy’s medicals are clean, then he is a top-5 prospect in this class. After losing Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean in recent years, the Buccaneers replenish the room. Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison would presumably compete for the other starting position.

  From

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1 – Pick 16

Jordyn Tyson


WR

Arizona State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

61

REYDS

711

YDS/REC

11.7

TDS

9

The Jets are in an interesting position because they feel primed to hit the reset button with three first-round picks in 2027 but Aaron Glenn may be feeling the pressure to compete this year. There are competing agendas within the organization. Jordyn Tyson could prove to be the best wide receiver in this class if he is able to stay healthy.

Round 1 – Pick 17

Kadyn Proctor


OT

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 352 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

Giovanni Manu is set to start at left tackle with Taylor Decker and Detroit parting ways. One would imagine Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes seek an alternative at the position. Kadyn Proctor is a big body who does a good job executing some of the blocks in space that the team has executed in the past.

Round 1 – Pick 18

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren


S

Toledo

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 202 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

2nd

It appears as though Harrison Smith’s watch has ended in Minnesota. He was a key player for that team for over a decade but they are ushering in a new era with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Three safeties taken in the top-20 overall is proof of an unconventional draft.

  Mock Trade from

Carolina Panthers

Round 1 – Pick 19

Olaivavega Ioane


IOL

Penn State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 323 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

After trading back from No. 14 overall, the Ravens still get a player who had been a popular projection for them. Ioane is a thick, physically imposing offensive guard whose play style is reminiscent of Baltimore’s history.

Round 1 – Pick 20

Keldric Faulk


EDGE

Auburn

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 276 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

34th

POSITION RNK

6th

Dallas retained its second first-round pick despite its bid to move up the board from No. 12 overall. It may hamstring future plans, but the Cowboys add two key defenders with Sonny Styles and now Keldric Faulk.

Round 1 – Pick 21

Blake Miller


OT

Clemson

• Sr

• 6’7″

/ 317 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

6th

Troy Fautanu moves back to his more natural left tackle position and Blake Miller is installed as the right tackle. Mike McCarthy had a collection of interchangeable bullies in Green Bay and are now building that in Pittsburgh.

  Mock Trade from

Los Angeles Chargers

Round 1 – Pick 22

Kenyon Sadiq


TE

Oregon

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 241 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

51

REYDS

560

YDS/REC

11

TDS

8

Miami first selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and now move up the board, ahead of Philadelphia, for Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq is like a running back at the tight end position. When he gets the ball in his hands, he is able to run through arm tackles and get chunks of yardage post-catch.

  From

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1 – Pick 23

Max Iheanachor


OT

Arizona State

• Sr

• 6’6″

/ 321 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

31st

POSITION RNK

7th

There was a viral clip going around of Mike Vrabel inciting Max Iheanachor to put his hands on him (which is more common than fans may expect, especially among defensive coaches). If New England is going to nab a right tackle, it will require them to trade up a bit in this scenario because several are off the board.

  From

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1 – Pick 24

KC Concepcion


WR

Texas A&M

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 196 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

61

REYDS

919

YDS/REC

15.1

TDS

12

General manager Andrew Berry would likely be thrilled with this outcome: drafting Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion and picking up additional resources in a trade back.

Round 1 – Pick 25

Peter Woods


DL

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 298 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

1st

Chicago is likely to address the trenches in some capacity. Would they consider a left tackle or take advantage of the edge rusher depth? In this case, they take the first defensive tackle off the board. Peter Woods is a prospect who had been mocked in the top-10 overall frequently dating back to the summer.

Round 1 – Pick 26

Chase Bisontis


IOL

Texas A&M

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

51st

POSITION RNK

4th

Buffalo lost David Edwards (no relation) in free agency and now replaces him with one of the best pass-blocking offensive guards available in the draft. Chase Bisontis had a strong performance at the NFL combine.

Round 1 – Pick 27

Omar Cooper Jr.


WR

Indiana

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 199 lbs

Projected Team

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

69

REYDS

937

YDS/REC

13.6

TDS

14

San Francisco’s receiver room may look a lot different in 2026 with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings all gone. Enter Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and now Omar Cooper Jr. Three wide sets would include Ricky Pearsall, Evans and Cooper.

Round 1 – Pick 28

Kayden McDonald


DL

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 326 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

32nd

POSITION RNK

3rd

Houston plugs Kayden McDonald between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The Texans get a proven run-stopper to catch all the debris created by those pass-rushing maniacs.

  Mock Trade from

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1 – Pick 29

Ty Simpson


QB

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 211 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

3567

RUYDS

93

INTS

5

TDS

30

Arizona trades back up into the first round to get the fifth-year option on quarterback Ty Simpson. They had previously taken Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and are now getting the quarterback, a similar strategy the Giants and Saints used last season with Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough, respectively.

  Mock Trade from

Miami Dolphins

Round 1 – Pick 30

T.J. Parker


EDGE

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

50th

POSITION RNK

7th

The Chargers trade back, which allows Miami to move up, then take edge rusher T.J. Parker. Jim Harbaugh likely prefers using premium draft capital to address the trenches and now has a viable eventual replacement for Khalil Mack.

  Mock Trade from

New England Patriots

Round 1 – Pick 31

Malachi Lawrence


LB

UCF

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 253 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

58th

POSITION RNK

7th

Howie Roseman is typically the aggressive general manager moving up the board, but in this scenario, he sees an opportunity to move back and address a position of need. Philadelphia lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency and now needs to restock the room.

Round 1 – Pick 32

Jadarian Price


RB

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

57th

POSITION RNK

2nd

RUYDS

674

YDS/ATT

6

REYDS

87

TDS

15

Seattle has been a patient bystander in the running back market, which may be a sign that they are willing to take a player at the position in the first round. Jadarian Price may have more untapped potential on third down after taking the backseat to Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame.

Teams without a first-round pick 

No. 47: LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Indianapolis has a need at the linebacker position and Allen may be available later than mock draft projections. 

No. 48: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

Bernard is taking a pre-draft visit to Atlanta. He is a clean receiver prospect willing to do the dirty work in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. The team is likely to lean into its run game and Bernard is a more than qualified blocker. 

No. 52: DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State

Orange is a bigger body who will upgrade the team’s run defense. 

No. 56: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati

Jacksonville is tasked with replacing Devin Lloyd, who departed in free agency. Golday is a bigger linebacker prospect with the athleticism to play sideline to sideline.

No. 62: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Denver continues adding explosive playmakers to the offense even after picking up Jaylen Waddle. Stowers is an unrefined talent as a recent convert from quarterback, but Sean Payton will have no problem designing his role in the offense.