Renner’s three-round NFL mock draft: A wide-open top 10 becomes a case study in positional value
With as many as 20 players in play for the top 10, this class turns into a real-time test of how teams value positions at the top of the draft
tamil yogi

I can’t remember a year with a more in-flux top 10. Arguably 20 players could realistically end up among the top-10 picks when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off April 23.
While I didn’t project trades in this mock, moving proven veterans will likely be one of the bigger stories of Days 1 and 2 of the draft. That’s because many teams will look to land sure-fire talent in a class with so many question marks.
One thing is certain: this draft will be a fascinating case study in positional value, as some of the highest-graded players in the class — Jeremiyah Love, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs — don’t play positions historically drafted in the top 10.
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.
Comparing Ty Simpson to Fernando Mendoza convinced me he’ll be drafted higher than people think
Mike Renner
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Round 1 – Pick 1
Fernando Mendoza
Indiana
• Jr • 6’5″ / 236 lbs
A no-brainer at this point. Mendoza is a perfect fit for Klint Kubiak’s offense. Now they need to add more weapons for him in the coming rounds.
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Round 1 – Pick 2
David Bailey
Texas Tech
• Sr • 6’4″ / 250 lbs
Aaron Glenn needs a pass rusher right now, and Bailey fits the bill with an FBS-leading 14.5 sacks last year. He may not have Arvell Reese’s ceiling, but he’s far more technically advanced at the moment. He’ll pair with Will McDonald IV to be a terror on third downs.
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Round 1 – Pick 3
Arvell Reese
Ohio State
• Jr • 6’4″ / 243 lbs
Cardinals fans may have PTSD from the term “hybrid linebacker,” but Reese is a distinctly different type of prospect than those who came before him with that moniker. He’ll likely end up as a pass rusher, given his absurd ability to generate force on contact. The fact that his pass-rushing tape was so strong without formal training bodes well for his potential.
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Round 1 – Pick 4
Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame
• Jr • 6’0″ / 214 lbs
There may not be receivers worthy of the No. 4 pick, but there is a running back. Love is a difference-maker perfectly suited for the modern game. His ability as a receiver out of the backfield will help Cam Ward as well.
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Round 1 – Pick 5
Francis Mauigoa
Miami (Fla.)
• Jr • 6’6″ / 329 lbs
It’s not technically an immediate need, but with Jaxson Dart’s injury history, keeping him upright is a must. Mauigoa could start inside at guard and eventually take over for Jermaine Eluemunor.
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Round 1 – Pick 6
Kadyn Proctor
Alabama
• Jr • 6’7″ / 352 lbs
The Browns’ offensive line revamp continues. With their timeline, they have the luxury of taking a high-ceiling prospect who needs development. Still only 20 years old, Proctor has jaw-dropping traits for a player that young. His improvement over the course of last season makes him easy to buy into.
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Round 1 – Pick 7
Sonny Styles
Ohio State
• Sr • 6’5″ / 243 lbs
The Commanders have already added multiple players to get more athletic in their front seven, and this would be the cherry on top. Styles is the freakiest linebacker to come out in some time — maybe ever. His ability to do anything Dan Quinn asks would be a far cry from the limited athletes Washington had at the position last year.
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Round 1 – Pick 8
Carnell Tate
Ohio State
• Jr • 6’2″ / 192 lbs
Tyler Shough’s go balls were one of the most impressive parts of his rookie season, but he didn’t have receivers outside of Chris Olave to haul them in. That’s Tate’s specialty, as he has the body control to consistently come down with passes in tight situations downfield.
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Round 1 – Pick 9
Rueben Bain Jr.
Miami (Fla.)
• Jr • 6’2″ / 263 lbs
Two of Brett Veach’s worst picks as Chiefs GM — Breeland Speaks and Felix Anudike-Uzomah — came at edge rusher. It’s a difficult position to find game-changers in the 20s and beyond, where the Chiefs typically draft. Bain’s off-field concerns must be vetted, but he qualifies as a game-changer on the field.
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Round 1 – Pick 10
Caleb Downs
Ohio State
• Jr • 6’0″ / 205 lbs
Downs is precisely the floor-raiser the Bengals’ secondary needs. His reliability in coverage and as a tackler was missing in Cincinnati last season. Even with the addition of Bryan Cook this offseason, this makes too much sense.
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Round 1 – Pick 11
Mansoor Delane
LSU
• Sr • 6’0″ / 187 lbs
The Dolphins arguably have the worst secondary on paper in the NFL. Delane is a high-floor corner with the kind of scheme versatility new head coach Jeff Hafley will love.
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Round 1 – Pick 12
Jermod McCoy
Tennessee
• Jr • 6’1″ / 188 lbs
McCoy didn’t play this past fall, but that likely won’t stop the Cowboys from adding what could be a No. 1 corner at the next level. His ability in man coverage is second to none in this draft class.
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From
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 – Pick 13
Makai Lemon
USC
• Jr • 5’11” / 192 lbs
Lemon feels like a Rams receiver with his savvy as a route runner and physical play style. He can handle more of the dirty work during the season to help keep Davante Adams fresh for the playoffs.
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Round 1 – Pick 14
Kenyon Sadiq
Oregon
• Jr • 6’3″ / 241 lbs
Sadiq is essentially Isaiah Likely’s replacement in the Ravens’ offense — only with a jetpack. He profiles best as a detached No. 2 tight end who can get vertical and block on the move.
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Round 1 – Pick 15
Olaivavega Ioane
Penn State
• Jr • 6’4″ / 323 lbs
The Buccaneers land the top true guard in the class. Ioane would pair with Tristan Wirfs on the left side to form one of the NFL’s top blindside-protecting duos.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 – Pick 16
Omar Cooper Jr.
Indiana
• Jr • 6’0″ / 199 lbs
Cooper is a rugged slot receiver who can absorb more hits over the middle, helping keep Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell healthy outside. He has reliable hands and is outstanding after the catch.
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Round 1 – Pick 17
Monroe Freeling
Georgia
• Jr • 6’7″ / 315 lbs
The Lions’ need at tackle is desperate enough to take whoever falls at 17. Fortunately, it’s one of the strongest positions in the class. Freeling improved significantly over last season and backed it up with a rare combine performance.
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Round 1 – Pick 18
Dillon Thieneman
Oregon
• Soph • 6’0″ / 201 lbs
Thieneman is the type of versatile coverage player who can be a weapon in Brian Flores’ defense. His range and ball skills are special on the back end.
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Round 1 – Pick 19
KC Concepcion
Texas A&M
• Jr • 6’0″ / 196 lbs
The Panthers go wide receiver in the first round for a third straight year. Concepcion brings juice and separation ability that no one else on the roster can match.
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From
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 – Pick 20
Spencer Fano
Utah
• Jr • 6’6″ / 311 lbs
Fano may slip due to length concerns, and if he does, the Cowboys would have no issue adding him to a burgeoning offensive line. He could eventually replace Terence Steele at right tackle and give Dallas one of the NFL’s best run-blocking lines.
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Round 1 – Pick 21
Ty Simpson
Alabama
• Jr • 6’1″ / 211 lbs
The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy to do what Mike Tomlin never could quite get done — develop a young quarterback. Before injuries hit, Simpson flashed plenty of tools over the first half of the season to grow at the NFL level.
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Round 1 – Pick 22
Peter Woods
Clemson
• Jr • 6’3″ / 298 lbs
Woods is exactly what the Chargers need along the defensive line — someone with the juice to affect opposing passers. Jim Harbaugh has worked wonders with interior defensive linemen, making this a strong landing spot for Woods to grow.
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Round 1 – Pick 23
Max Iheanachor
Arizona State
• Sr • 6’6″ / 321 lbs
The Eagles haven’t taken an offensive lineman in the first two rounds since Cam Jurgens in 2022. Like Jurgens, Iheanachor would be drafted before he’s needed. The Arizona State tackle has all the tools to eventually replace Lane Johnson at right tackle.
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From
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 – Pick 24
Jordyn Tyson
Arizona State
• Jr • 6’2″ / 203 lbs
A dream scenario for Cleveland, as an extensive injury history causes one of the draft’s most talented receivers to fall into its lap. Tyson has the high-end separation ability to be a No. 1 at the next level.
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Round 1 – Pick 25
Keldric Faulk
Auburn
• Jr • 6’6″ / 276 lbs
Faulk fits perfectly with the Bears’ long and physical edge room. He can be an early-down edge-setter, allowing emerging talent Austin Booker to focus on pass-rushing downs.
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Round 1 – Pick 26
Malachi Lawrence
UCF
• Sr • 6’4″ / 253 lbs
Lawrence brings the juice the Bills’ edge group is lacking. He’s one of the draft’s most explosive athletes and showed flashes of turning those traits into production down the stretch last fall.
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Round 1 – Pick 27
Caleb Lomu
Utah
• Soph • 6’6″ / 308 lbs
Lomu is the type of athletic tackle who can thrive in a Kyle Shanahan scheme. He needs to improve his nastiness and play strength, but when Trent Williams decides to hang it up, Lomu should be ready.
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Round 1 – Pick 28
Blake Miller
Clemson
• Sr • 6’7″ / 317 lbs
The Texans added another wave of stopgaps along their offensive line. This pick addresses the tackle position long term. Miller improved each season at Clemson and has the power to move the line of scrimmage in the run game.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 – Pick 29
Chris Johnson
San Diego State
• Sr • 6’0″ / 195 lbs
The Chiefs lost two starting corners this offseason and backfill with one of college football’s best from last fall. Johnson has a strong history in press coverage that should translate well to Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 – Pick 30
Chase Bisontis
Texas A&M
• Jr • 6’5″ / 315 lbs
The Dolphins land one of the draft’s top pass protectors in Bisontis. His ability to maintain a firm pocket stands out on tape. He could stick on the left side and kick Jonah Savaiinaea back to the right side, where he played in college.
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Round 1 – Pick 31
R Mason Thomas
Oklahoma
• Sr • 6’2″ / 241 lbs
Thomas is the type of edge bender who can clean up the havoc created inside by Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Cory Durden. He should be able to pick up where K’Lavon Chaisson left off.
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Round 1 – Pick 32
Colton Hood
Tennessee
• Soph • 6’0″ / 195 lbs
Hood fills the void left by Tariq Woolen on the outside for Seattle. He’s a physical, competitive corner and a much better tackler than Woolen was in this defense.
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| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Jets | Zion Young | EDGE | Missouri |
| 34 | Cardinals | Keylan Rutledge | IOL | Georgia Tech |
| 35 | Titans | Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami (FL) |
| 36 | Raiders | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo |
| 37 | Giants | CJ Allen | LB | Georgia |
| 38 | Texans (via WAS) | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
| 39 | Browns | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson |
| 40 | Chiefs | Kayden McDonald | DL | Ohio State |
| 41 | Bengals | Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Texas Tech |
| 42 | Saints | Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M |
| 43 | Dolphins | Gabe Jacas | EDGE | Illinois |
| 44 | Jets (via DAL) | D’Angelo Ponds | CB | Indiana |
| 45 | Ravens | Connor Lew | IOL | Auburn |
| 46 | Buccaneers | Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas |
| 47 | Colts | Jake Golday | LB | Cincinnati |
| 48 | Falcons | T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson |
| 49 | Vikings | Brandon Cisse | CB | South Carolina |
| 50 | Lions | Dani Dennis-Sutton | EDGE | Penn State |
| 51 | Panthers | Lee Hunter | DL | Texas Tech |
| 52 | Packers | Christen Miller | DL | Georgia |
| 53 | Steelers | Chris Bell | WR | Louisville |
| 54 | Eagles | Malachi Fields | WR | Notre Dame |
| 55 | Chargers | Emmanuel Pregnon | IOL | Oregon |
| 56 | Jaguars | Gracen Halton | DL | Oklahoma |
| 57 | Bears | Sam Hecht | IOL | Kansas State |
| 58 | 49ers | Germie Bernard | WR | Alabama |
| 59 | Texans | Jadarian Price | RB | Notre Dame |
| 60 | Bears (via BUF) | Domonique Orange | DL | Iowa State |
| 61 | Rams | Derrick Moore | EDGE | Michigan |
| 62 | Broncos | Eli Stowers | TE | Vanderbilt |
| 63 | Patriots | Caleb Tiernan | OT | Northwestern |
| 64 | Seahawks | Kyle Louis | LB | Pittsburgh |
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Cardinals | Skyler Bell | WR | UConn |
| 66 | Titans | Keionte Scott | S | Miami (Fla.) |
| 67 | Raiders | Antonio Williams | WR | Clemson |
| 68 | Eagles (via NYJ) | Keith Abney II | CB | Arizona State |
| 69 | Texans (via NYG) | Zane Durant | DL | Penn State |
| 70 | Browns | Genesis Smith | S | Arizona |
| 71 | Commanders | Mike Washington Jr. | RB | Arkansas |
| 72 | Bengals | Zachariah Branch | WR | Georgia |
| 73 | Saints | Josiah Trotter | LB | Missouri |
| 74 | Chiefs | Jaishawn Barham | LB | Michigan |
| 75 | Dolphins | Elijah Sarratt | WR | Indiana |
| 76 | Steelers (via DAL) | Chandler Rivers | CB | Duke |
| 77 | Buccaneers | Keyron Crawford | EDGE | Auburn |
| 78 | Colts | Caleb Banks | DL | Florida |
| 79 | Falcons | Max Klare | TE | Ohio State |
| 80 | Ravens | Billy Schrauth | IOL | Notre Dame |
| 81 | Jaguars (via DET) | Sam Roush | TE | Stanford |
| 82 | Vikings | Jake Slaughter | IOL | Florida |
| 83 | Panthers | Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee |
| 84 | Packers | Carver Willis | OT | Washington |
| 85 | Steelers | Markel Bell | OT | Miami (Fla.) |
| 86 | Chargers | Treydan Stukes | CB | Arizona |
| 87 | Dolphins (via PHI) | Ted Hurst | WR | Georgia State |
| 88 | Jaguars | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU |
| 89 | Bears | Bud Clark | S | TCU |
| 90 | Dolphins (via HOU) | A.J. Haulcy | S | LSU |
| 91 | Bills | Jalen Farmer | IOL | Kentucky |
| 92 | Cowboys (via SF) | Travis Burke | OT | Memphis |
| 93 | Rams | Kaleb Proctor | OT | SE Louisiana |
| 94 | Dolphins (via DEN) | Daylen Everette | CB | Georgia |
| 95 | Patriots | Oscar Delp | TE | Georgia |
| 96 | Seahawks | Gennings Dunker | IOL | Iowa |
| 97 | Vikings | Romello Height | EDGE | Texas Tech |
| 98 | Eagles | Taylen Green | QB | Arkansas |
| 99 | Steelers | Brenen Thompson | WR | Mississippi State |
| 100 | Jaguars (via DET) | Bryce Lance | WR | North Dakota State |
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