Bengals stop Jeremiyah Love's fall, Chiefs double down at CB in NFL mock draft based on what teams should do

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As we get closer to the kickoff of the 2026 NFL Draft, mock draft season is starting to wind down. Right now, most mock drafts reflect what the writer or analyst thinks a team might do.

Mock drafts examine a team’s needs and combine them with the best possible player fit. It’s virtually impossible to get inside the minds of 32 NFL GMs.

I’ve always based my mock drafts on what I would do as that particular team’s general manager. So don’t go crazy if a player is or isn’t featured here — as we know, things can get a little wild in the real draft.

Plus, it’s just a mock draft anyway. Lighten up and have some fun!

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.

Prisco’s Better-Than Team for 2026 NFL Draft: The 20 prospects he’s higher on than scouts

Pete Prisco

NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

Round 1 – Pick 1

Fernando Mendoza

Indiana

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 236 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3535

RUYDS

276

INTS

TDS

The Raiders might have had the best offseason of any team, adding significant talent through free agency while retaining Maxx Crosby. The roster looks much improved, allowing a rookie quarterback with a high floor to step in, hit the ground running and play well.

Round 1 – Pick 2

Arvell Reese

EDGE

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Jets have several options with the second pick. I decided to roll the dice on the super-athletic Arvell Reese, my No. 1 outside linebacker, instead of my No. 1 edge rusher, David Bailey. Reese gives the Jets a game-day-specific matchup piece with the ability to play any of the three linebacker spots, including edge rusher.

Round 1 – Pick 3

David Bailey

EDGE

Texas Tech

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

3rd

My No. 1 edge rusher won’t have to wait long to hear his name called, as the Cardinals scoop up the disruptive pass rusher to boost their juice off the corner alongside Josh Sweat.

Round 1 – Pick 4

Sonny Styles

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, Styles is a true unicorn at inside linebacker who can stop the run, rush the passer and hold up in coverage. He’s the perfect piece for this Titans defense, giving new coach Robert Saleh another version of Fred Warner.

Round 1 – Pick 5

Caleb Downs

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

Downs has an elite football mind and a passion for the game. His ability to perform multiple roles at a high level helps the Giants maintain a strong defense at all three levels.

Round 1 – Pick 6

Monroe Freeling

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

5th

The Browns did a fantastic job retooling their offensive line in free agency, and they’re not done yet. Adding a tackle of Freeling’s caliber gives them, in my opinion, the best left tackle in the draft class — someone they can plug in there if they want to move Dawand Jones to the right side and shift Tytus Howard inside to right guard.

Round 1 – Pick 7

Rueben Bain Jr.

EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

I know the Commanders added Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency, but it’ll be hard to pass on another talented pass rusher in Rueben Bain Jr. Short arms be damned — this guy is a game-wrecker and fits Dan Quinn’s mentality.

Round 1 – Pick 8

Carnell Tate

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

REYDS

875

YDS/REC

17.2

TDS

The Saints add one of the top receivers in the class to bolster their passing attack alongside Chris Olave, giving Tyler Shough two viable big-play options on the perimeter.

Round 1 – Pick 9

Mansoor Delane

LSU

• Sr

• 6’0″

/ 187 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Delane is the top cornerback in the draft class and fills a significant need for the Chiefs, especially after they lost Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie this offseason. This would be close to a dream scenario for Kansas City.

Round 1 – Pick 10

Jeremiyah Love

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1372

YDS/ATT

6.9

REYDS

280

TDS

This might be the first real shock of the draft, but even with Chase Brown’s steady progression, adding a true home-run threat in Love would make the Bengals offense even more dangerous. It would also help them salt away games late in the fourth quarter.

Round 1 – Pick 11

Francis Mauigoa

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 329 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

4th

I believe Mauigoa can play tackle or guard as a pro, and either spot helps the Dolphins along the offensive line. He’s too good a prospect to pass up here.

Round 1 – Pick 12

Dillon Thieneman

Oregon

• Soph

• 6’0″

/ 201 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

38th

POSITION RNK

3rd

I love Thieneman’s speed and explosiveness. He gives the Cowboys a strong combination of ball skills, speed and athleticism.

From

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1 – Pick 13

Makai Lemon

USC

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

REYDS

1156

YDS/REC

14.6

TDS

Lemon is the quintessential Rams receiver who can line up across the formation, quickly find space against zone coverage and consistently catch the football. There are too many questions surrounding this group — including age and off-field concerns — to pass on a receiver here.

Round 1 – Pick 14

Olaivavega Ioane

IOL

Penn State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 323 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

Ioane helps the Ravens fill a hole at guard, allowing them to continue fortifying the trenches in front of Lamar Jackson.

Round 1 – Pick 15

Akheem Mesidor

EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 259 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

Mesidor gives the Bucs much-needed explosiveness off the edge, instantly improving a unit that lacked a consistent pass rush.

From

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1 – Pick 16

Denzel Boston

Washington

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

37th

POSITION RNK

6th

REC

REYDS

881

YDS/REC

14.2

TDS

Boston can win at all three levels and would give the Jets a perfect complement to Garrett Wilson and AD Mitchell on the perimeter.

Round 1 – Pick 17

Caleb Lomu

Utah

• Soph

• 6’6″

/ 308 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Lomu offers significant upside for the Lions as a redshirt sophomore who still has room to grow.

Round 1 – Pick 18

Kayden McDonald

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 326 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

32nd

POSITION RNK

3rd

Pairing McDonald, a dominant nose tackle, with Jalen Redmond would help solve many of the Vikings’ issues up front.

Round 1 – Pick 19

Caleb Banks

Florida

• Sr

• 6’6″

/ 327 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

48th

POSITION RNK

6th

The Panthers roll the dice on Banks’ health, but his talent is undeniable. He can dominate in the trenches, and pairing him with Derrick Brown would be outright scary for opposing offensive lines.

From

Green Bay Packers

Round 1 – Pick 20

CJ Allen

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 230 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

41st

POSITION RNK

5th

Allen is a classic thumper in the middle and fits the Cowboys’ mindset of improving defensively to finally break through in the playoffs.

Round 1 – Pick 21

Emmanuel Pregnon

IOL

Oregon

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 314 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

52nd

POSITION RNK

5th

Strengthening the interior offensive line is never a bad thing, especially when you can land a player as talented as Pregnon out of Oregon, an offensive line factory.

Round 1 – Pick 22

Jermod McCoy

Tennessee

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 188 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

1st

If McCoy checks out medically — which seems likely — this is a slam-dunk pick for the Chargers, who land one of the best man-cover corners in the class.

Round 1 – Pick 23

Kadyn Proctor

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 352 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

Proctor can play either tackle spot and kick inside if needed. That versatility helps the Eagles in the trenches and gives them a potential right tackle of the future when Lane Johnson retires.

From

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1 – Pick 24

Kenyon Sadiq

Oregon

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 241 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

REYDS

560

YDS/REC

TDS

New coach Todd Monken understands the value of creating mismatches at tight end after his time at Georgia and with the Ravens. The Browns add another receiving option for franchise quarterback Shedeur Sanders to complement last year’s standout rookie Harold Fannin Jr.

Round 1 – Pick 25

Spencer Fano

Utah

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 311 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

With experience at both tackle spots, Fano gives the Bears valuable flexibility up front. I envision him kicking inside and potentially becoming their future center.

Round 1 – Pick 26

Jordyn Tyson

Arizona State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

REYDS

711

YDS/REC

11.7

TDS

I fully expect Tyson to check out medically. His toughness and willingness to play through injury stand out — just look at the Texas Tech game. Buffalo can also bring him along slowly to ensure he’s at full strength.

Round 1 – Pick 27

Markel Bell

Miami (Fla.)

• Sr

• 6’9″

/ 345 lbs

Projected Team

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

151st

POSITION RNK

16th

Bell started at left tackle for the Hurricanes and is a massive presence, similar to Trent Williams, whom he could eventually replace. This may shock some, but I’m a big fan of Bell’s game.

Round 1 – Pick 28

Anthony Hill Jr.

Texas

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 238 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Hill has been one of the most consistent playmakers on the Longhorns defense over the past three years. I like the fit here, as he adds another impact defender to an already excellent unit.

From

Los Angeles Rams

Round 1 – Pick 29

D’Angelo Ponds

Indiana

• Jr

• 5’9″

/ 182 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

4th

Size isn’t a skill. Ponds is one of the best cover corners in the draft class and can hold his own on the outside. He gives the Chiefs another version of Trent McDuffie as they double down at the position in Round 1.

From

Denver Broncos

Round 1 – Pick 30

Treydan Stukes

Arizona

• Sr

• 6’1″

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

71st

POSITION RNK

9th

Stukes can play corner or safety at the next level, giving the Dolphins’ secondary a strong blend of length, athleticism and versatility.

Round 1 – Pick 31

Christen Miller

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 321 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

42nd

POSITION RNK

4th

Miller gives the Patriots a no-nonsense presence on the interior defensive line. At times on film, it looked like he was toying with offensive linemen.

Round 1 – Pick 32

Cashius Howell

EDGE

Texas A&M

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 253 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

33rd

POSITION RNK

5th

The Super Bowl champions strengthen an already strong position by adding a talented pass rusher in Howell. He can thrive early in a situational role, showing that concerns about his arm length may have been overblown.