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This is it: my final 2026 NFL mock draft. It’s the one where, after months of preaching “don’t overthink it,” I do just that one last time.

This is my best guess at how the first round will unfold, based on conversations with sources in recent days and weeks. Incidentally, my “what teams should do” mock drafts — the ones that come out earlier in draft week — fare better once the dust settles. Either way, enjoy (or get angry) one last time.

We all know who the Raiders are taking, but after that, it truly feels like anything could happen — in a way that hasn’t been the case in recent drafts. I keep hearing that the Giants love Jordyn Tyson at No. 5, and the teams I’ve spoken with think Ty Simpson will, in fact, go in the first round. There’s also a good chance we could see nine offensive linemen come off the board on Day 1.

Alright, let’s get to it!

After No. 1, it’s all up in the air: Inside the NFL’s split on the 2026 draft

Matt Zenitz

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place Thursday through Saturday 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

3535

RUYDS

276

INTS

6

TDS

48

Done and done.

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

Aaron Glenn doesn’t have two years to fix the Jets. He might not have two months if the team gets off to a slow start. David Bailey is the most NFL-ready edge rusher in the class.

Round 1 – Pick 3

Jeremiyah Love


RB

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1372

YDS/ATT

6.9

REYDS

280

TDS

21

Yes, the Cards just signed Tyler Allgeier. And yes, doubling down at running back would be a luxury for a team with plenty of needs in the league’s best division. But there’s been a lot of smoke around Love to Arizona, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he came off the board here.

Round 1 – Pick 4

Arvell Reese


EDGE

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

Robert Saleh is a defensive coach, and Reese has a chance to be one of the best players in the class — he’ll just need time to develop. And while we’ve spent a lot of time talking about the Saleh-Sonny Styles–Fred Warner connections, Reese could be even more menacing once he gets comfortable at the next level.

Round 1 – Pick 5

Jordyn Tyson


WR

Arizona State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

61

REYDS

711

YDS/REC

11.7

TDS

9

Two weeks ago, we were all concerned about Tyson’s injury history. Then he put together an impressive private workout, and several sources indicated that not only do the Giants really like the Jodyn Tyson, but he could be the target at No. 5. We’ll see how much truth there is to that Thursday night, but this would be a huge win for second-year QB Jaxson Dart.

Round 1 – Pick 6

Spencer Fano


OT

Utah

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 311 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I’ve heard that the Browns like several offensive tackles and would also love to trade down (this is likely the spot the Cowboys would need to get to if they wanted, say, Sonny Styles). If Cleveland can’t move off the pick, it could be Monroe Freeling or Fano, both of whom I have ranked higher on my board.

Round 1 – Pick 7

Rueben Bain Jr.


EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

The Commanders spent free agency beefing up their pass rush, but there’s still room to improve. Bain Jr. is an outlier when you look at the measurables, but he consistently took over games throughout his Miami career.

Round 1 – Pick 8

Carnell Tate


WR

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

51

REYDS

875

YDS/REC

17.2

TDS

9

The Saints are looking to get Tyler Shough some help, and while I’ve heard they prefer Tyson, Tate isn’t a bad consolation prize.

Round 1 – Pick 9

Francis Mauigoa


OT

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 329 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

4th

Mauigoa is my OT1, but some teams are concerned about a lingering back issue. That stated, Andy Reid wants to bolster the offensive line, and Mauigoa is a Day 1 starter at tackle or guard.

  From

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1 – Pick 10

Sonny Styles


LB

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

I only have one trade in this final mock draft (more on that later), but the Giants may have to move up for Styles. The word on the street is that new coach John Harbaugh loves the Ohio State players in this class, and Styles — who could be a bigger, faster Fred Warner in the NFL — would give New York a game-changing defensive piece after grabbing Jordyn Tyson at No. 5.

Round 1 – Pick 11

Mansoor Delane


CB

LSU

• Sr

• 6’0″

/ 187 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Delane is the best CB in the class, and the Dolphins — a team with needs up and down the roster — desperately need to restock their secondary.

Round 1 – Pick 12

Caleb Downs


S

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

The Cowboys may try to move up to land one of the high-end defensive players, but somehow Downs falls into their laps here. I’ve heard they really like S Dillon Thieneman and CB Colton Hood, but Downs is best-case scenario.

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

I’ve heard both Lemon and Omar Cooper Jr. here for the Rams. Both are supremely talented, but in different ways. I’m leaning Lemon here, but I could just as easily see Cooper Jr. as the pick.

Round 1 – Pick 14

Olaivavega Ioane


IOL

Penn State

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 323 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

You could convince me that Ioane goes five or six spots higher — he’s that good, and he’s the cleanest prospect in this class.

Round 1 – Pick 15

Akheem Mesidor


EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 259 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

4th

Mesidor is 25 and may have reached his ceiling … but that ceiling is still pretty high. He dealt with some injuries earlier in his career, but the teams I spoke with were unconcerned.

  From

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1 – Pick 16

Omar Cooper Jr.


WR

Indiana

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 199 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

69

REYDS

937

YDS/REC

13.6

TDS

14

In Cooper Jr., the Jets get Garrett Wilson a counterpart and Geno Smith a legit No. 2.

Round 1 – Pick 17

Kadyn Proctor


OT

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 352 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

Proctor is one of the best athletes in this class; it’s just that his focus from one play to the next has been called into question at times. Dan Campbell will get the most out of him, and it will also allow Penei Sewell to stay on the right side.

Round 1 – Pick 18

Peter Woods


DL

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 298 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

1st

Safety seems like a clear need, but so is the defensive line. And Peter Woods — who was the No. 1 player on my big board this summer — lands on a Brian Flores unit that needs to beef up the front.

Round 1 – Pick 19

Dillon Thieneman


S

Oregon

• Soph

• 6’0″

/ 201 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

47th

POSITION RNK

3rd

I’ve heard that the Panthers like tight end and safety, and it would be a shock if Dillon Thieneman gets past them here.

Round 1 – Pick 20

Keldric Faulk


EDGE

Auburn

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 276 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

46th

POSITION RNK

8th

Faulk is the first guy you want getting off the bus, and while he flashed at times in 2025, his 2024 tape was better. Still, he fills a big need in Dallas, and I’ve heard the team really, really likes him.

Round 1 – Pick 21

Blake Miller


OT

Clemson

• Sr

• 6’7″

/ 317 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

6th

Blake Miller made huge strides in 2025 compared to his 2024 tape, and no one in this class plays with more of an edge. The Steelers have needs at guard and tackle, and Miller could play both at the next level.

Round 1 – Pick 22

Chase Bisontis


IOL

Texas A&M

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Chargers

PROSPECT RNK

39th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Chargers have invested heavily in the offensive line, and when healthy, it’s a good unit. It could be among the best in the league with an upgrade at left guard, and Bisontis makes a lot of sense here.

Round 1 – Pick 23

Caleb Lomu


OT

Utah

• Soph

• 6’6″

/ 308 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Lomu, who played left tackle at Utah, told me at the combine that he’s also been working on the right side. Some NFL teams also believe he could kick inside to guard if needed.

  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

The Browns need help along the offensive line and at wide receiver. They got their left tackle at No. 6 and land Concepcion here at No. 24.

Round 1 – Pick 25

T.J. Parker


EDGE

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

75th

POSITION RNK

11th

Parker will eat opposite Montez Sweat. His 2025 tape wasn’t nearly as impressive as 2024, but he finished with a flourish, sacking LaNorris Sellers four times in his final college game before heading to the Senior Bowl and dominating all three days of practice.

Round 1 – Pick 26

Malachi Lawrence


LB

UCF

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 253 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

52nd

POSITION RNK

5th

The former UCF edge rusher had a standout season and an impressive week at the Shrine Bowl, and he has a chance to be a Day 1 pick.

Round 1 – Pick 27

Kenyon Sadiq


TE

Oregon

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 241 lbs

Projected Team

San Francisco

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

51

REYDS

560

YDS/REC

11

TDS

8

The 49ers could trade out of this pick, but if Sadiq falls into their laps, he’d be hard to pass up. The Oregon TE could go 10 picks higher than this, but the way the board fell, he gets pushed to the bottom of Round 1.

Round 1 – Pick 28

Max Iheanachor


OT

Arizona State

• Sr

• 6’6″

/ 321 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

31st

POSITION RNK

7th

I’ve heard the Texans would love to land a defensive lineman, but Banks could slip because of injury concerns, and Peter Woods is already off the board. Another fringe first-rounder in Iheanachor would fill a need, even if he could take a few years to develop.

Round 1 – Pick 29

Colton Hood


CB

Tennessee

• Soph

• 6’0″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

59th

POSITION RNK

9th

Hood was known as “the other CB in Tennessee” early in the season, but he quickly emerged as one of the best DBs in the country. He’s a first-round talent all day long, and he may not be on the board here when the Chiefs pick.

  From

Denver Broncos

Round 1 – Pick 30

Monroe Freeling


OT

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

5th

The Dolphins have a million needs, and if there isn’t someone they love at the bottom of Round 1, they could move out. I have Freeling falling here, even though the Browns could take him at No. 6.

  Mock Trade from

New England Patriots

Round 1 – Pick 31

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

I’ve heard that the Pats are one of several teams that may want to trade down. I’ve also heard from teams I’ve spoken with that Simpson has a good chance to work his way into Round 1. The Cardinals seem like the most obvious candidate, though the Jets and Browns could also be in that conversation.

Round 1 – Pick 32

Chris Johnson


CB

San Diego State

• Sr

• 6’0″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

5th

I’ve been talking about Johnson as a possible first-rounder since the fall (just checked — I had him going 27th overall in my November mock draft). He’s one of the best run-defending CBs in the class and fearless in coverage. Another name to monitor here? Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price.