The fun of mock drafts throughout draft season is predicting what NFL teams will do when the clock officially starts on night one of the NFL draft. With this mock, I wanted to toss out that mindset and do ‘What I would do’ throughout the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Will the first-round playout close to how I have it? I can confidently say there’s no chance, but I have some different opinions and takes that haven’t really been discussed leading into this draft. Here is how I envision the first round will play out next week.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Not much has to be said here. The Raiders need a quarterback, and this pick has felt set in stone for months. Fernando Mendoza checks every box you want in a modern franchise reset QB: size, processing speed, accuracy, and the kind of efficiency that carried Indiana to a national title and a Heisman season. The addition of Kirk Cousins makes this an even cleaner situation.

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Las Vegas doesn’t have to rush Mendoza onto the field in Week 1, which removes the biggest risk teams usually face when taking a quarterback first overall. He can sit, learn the system, and step into the role when the roster around him is ready instead of being asked to carry it immediately. Passing on the consensus QB1 here, especially with a veteran bridge already in place, would honestly be harder to justify than making the pick.

2. New York Jets – Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

It’s either been Arvell Reese or David Bailey with this pick, but I would go with Bain. Reports have obviously surfaced about a 2024 crash he was involved in, but it sounds like NFL teams were already aware of the situation well before draft week, and it doesn’t appear to be something that’s meaningfully shifting how he’s being evaluated. On tape, Bain still looks like one of the most complete edge defenders in this class. He’s coming off a dominant stretch at Miami that included First-Team All-American honors, ACC Defensive Player of the Year recognition, and one of the most productive pressure seasons among edge prospects in this cycle.

Bain is my No. 1 edge, and while the arm-length discussion keeps coming up, it doesn’t move the needle much for me. Yes, the sub-31-inch measurement is unusual for the position, but his power profile, leverage, and ability to win inside or outside the tackle frame show up consistently on tape. He plays stronger than the measurables suggest and has already produced against top competition during Miami’s playoff run.

The versatility to move along the defensive line is what makes him especially interesting here, too, and that lines up directly with what Aaron Glenn has said he wants as he builds a more flexible, multiple front defensively in New York.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Reese and Bailey are again two names that first come to mind here. When looking at the Arizona roster, they already have multiple bodies at edge with Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning and Jordan Burch in place, so while they could upgrade there, right tackle stands out as the cleaner long-term need to me. There’s a clear opening on that side of the offensive line right now, and protecting the structure of the offense up front makes just as much sense here as chasing another rotational pass rusher.

There aren’t any trades in this mock, so trading down would realistically be the priority if Arizona were working the board live, but staying put still gives them access to my No. 1-ranked tackle. Mauigoa has three years of starting experience at right tackle at Miami, plays with a powerful base in pass protection, and profiles as the kind of immediate plug-and-play starter teams look for early in the first round. He’s anchored playoff-level offensive line play, handled high-end edge competition consistently, and brings the size and strength profile that translates cleanly to the position at the next level. If Arizona is serious about stabilizing the right side of its line, this is a straightforward fit.

4. Tennessee Titans – Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State

I’ve been on the train to give Cam Ward some help, but if Reese is still here, it’s hard to pass on him if I’m the Titans. He’s one of the most versatile defensive players in this class and the kind of front-seven chess piece teams build around rather than rotate. Reese played both off-ball linebacker and on the edge at Ohio State and still finished the year with 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks while earning All-American honors, which says a lot about the range of impact he brings snap to snap.

Head coach Robert Saleh would love to have a versatile weapon like Reese on his defense. Saleh’s best units have always leaned on speed, flexibility, and second-level disruption, and Reese fits that profile perfectly as someone who can rush, chase sideline-to-sideline, and stay on the field in multiple situations. The Titans already have their young offensive leader in Ward, and adding a defender with Reese’s upside and positional flexibility gives them a chance to establish the same kind of centerpiece on the other side of the ball.

5. New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Giants added Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, but still, picking Styles here wasn’t much of a debate for me. Styles is the top linebacker in this class with a rare combination of size, range, and coverage ability, and he brings the kind of every-down versatility that shows up immediately at the second level. His background as a former safety still shows up on tape, especially in coverage and pursuit, and that’s exactly the type of range modern defenses are trying to add at linebacker

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has been linked to this team, but they already have good players there with Tyler Nubin, Jevon Holland and Jason Pinnock. Adding another safety would feel more like doubling down on a strength than addressing the middle of the defense. Styles gives them a different kind of defensive presence — a long, athletic linebacker who can stay on the field in multiple situations and help stabilize the front seven next to Edmunds rather than overlap with what they already have on the back end.

6. Cleveland Browns – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Tyson is my No. 1 receiver in this draft, and the Browns answer their receiver need here. Even in a deep receiver class, he’s one of the few players who consistently looks like a true No. 1 option on tape. He’s been the focal point of Arizona State’s passing offense over the past two seasons and has produced at a high level both outside and in the slot, which gives Cleveland flexibility in how they build the passing game around him. His route running, timing at the catch point, and body control stand out immediately, especially on throws outside the frame.

There are obvious injury concerns with Tyson, but the talent is just clear. He’s explosive out of his breaks, wins at multiple levels of the field, and has already shown he can handle a heavy target share as the primary option in an offense. Whoever plays quarterback for Cleveland next season will be a happy camper having a receiver with that kind of versatility and separation ability to lean on early.

7. Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love will end up as my No. 1 overall player in this draft class, and for good reason. He’s one of the most explosive offensive players in this group and the kind of back who changes how defenses have to play you snap to snap. At Notre Dame, he showed he could create chunk plays consistently both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield, and that kind of versatility immediately raises the ceiling of an offense built around a young quarterback.

The Commanders need receiver help and defensive help, but with Love here, it’s hard to pass. Pairing him with Jayden Daniels gives Washington a legitimate backfield centerpiece who can lighten the load on the passing game while still adding explosive-play potential. General manager Adam Peters has already prioritized building around Daniels early in his rookie-contract window, and adding the most dynamic offensive skill player on the board here fits that direction cleanly.

8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Tate usually isn’t available in mock drafts, but here he is. Quarterback Tyler Shough likes to push the ball down the field, and Tate thrives in that area of the field as a vertical separator with strong tracking ability and body control along the boundary. He’s been one of the most reliable downfield targets in Ohio State’s offense and consistently shows the kind of timing and adjustment skills that translate well into an aggressive passing attack.

I like the Saints looking at Mansoor Delane here, but Tate would be the better fit for this team. New Orleans still needs a receiver who can stretch defenses and create explosive plays outside the numbers, and Tate fills that role immediately while giving them flexibility to move him around the formation. Like previously mentioned, Tate typically doesn’t make it to the eighth pick, so getting a receiver with his vertical production and WR1-type traits here feels like strong value.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

The Chiefs need pass-rush help, and Bailey is my second-ranked edge in this class. He’s one of the more explosive upfield rushers available in this range and consistently wins with first-step quickness and bend off the edge, which is something Kansas City’s front has been trying to add for the past couple of seasons. He’s shown he can pressure tackles with speed while still having enough strength to stay involved against the run, and that kind of balance makes him a clean projection as an early contributor.

Bailey can rush up the field with his athleticism and finally gives the Chiefs the type of edge rusher they’ve been seeking for the past couple of years. Adding a player with his burst and pass-rush upside gives Kansas City another true threat opposite their current rotation and helps keep the defensive front disruptive without having to manufacture pressure as often.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State

This is where I view Downs’ floor in the draft. I don’t see a world where Downs goes past the Bengals, and he’s my second-ranked player in this draft class overall. He’s one of the most complete defensive prospects in this group, with the range to play deep, the instincts to affect the intermediate middle of the field, and the physicality to contribute closer to the line of scrimmage. Players with that kind of versatility rarely make it this far down the board.

Cincinnati finally gets some defensive help and a player who can affect all three levels. Downs gives them flexibility on the back end immediately, whether that’s playing deep safety, rotating into split-field looks, or matching up in the slot when needed. Adding a defender with that kind of range and football IQ gives the Bengals a centerpiece in the secondary rather than just another rotational addition.

11. Miami Dolphins – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Fano can play any position on the offensive line, which gives him crazy versatility. That kind of flexibility matters even more for a Dolphins team that’s still working to stabilize multiple spots up front, and Fano gives them options immediately, whether that’s stepping in at guard early or beginning his career at right tackle. He’s started games across the line at Utah and consistently showed the movement skills and balance in pass protection that translate well into a scheme built around timing and spacing in the passing game.

Luckily for the Dolphins, they have holes on the offensive line, and Fano can fill in at either guard spot or start his career at right tackle. Adding someone with his experience, positional flexibility, and ability to play in space gives Miami a cleaner long-term solution up front rather than just another short-term patch.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Cowboys need a true No. 1 corner, and with Delane falling here, it’s a no-brainer. He brings the size, physicality, and coverage versatility teams look for in an outside CB1 and has already shown he can handle both man and zone responsibilities at a high level against top competition. His ability to disrupt receivers early in routes and stay connected down the field gives Dallas the kind of boundary presence they’ve been missing.

Delane can play man or zone and is very physical off the line. Adding a corner with that kind of versatility gives the Cowboys flexibility on the back end while helping stabilize the outside of the secondary instead of continuing to rely on matchup-based rotations. This fills a major need with a player who fits exactly what they’ve been looking for at the position.

13. Los Angeles Rams – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Rams love to run 13 personnel, and Sadiq can come in and thrive in that role. He’s one of the more versatile tight ends in this class and brings value both as a receiving option and as a movable piece within heavier personnel groupings, which fits naturally into how Sean McVay builds his offensive packages.

The team took Terrance Ferguson in the second round last year, but that shouldn’t scare the Rams away. The great thing about Sadiq is his versatility. He gives Los Angeles another player they can move around the formation while still keeping their personnel unpredictable, and McVay could lean even more into spread-out 12 personnel looks with Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and Sadiq all on the field together. That combination adds matchup stress without forcing the offense to change its identity. Good luck to any defense.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Another player and team that makes sense to me. The Ravens have a big need within the interior of their offensive line, and Ioane is the kind of plug-and-play presence who fits exactly what they typically look for up front. He plays with strong leverage in the run game and has the power profile to hold up immediately inside, which is especially important in an offense that still leans heavily on controlling the line of scrimmage.

Ioane is a plug-and-play type player who can step in from Day 1 and make his presence felt. Adding a guard with his strength and interior stability helps Baltimore reinforce the middle of the offensive line while keeping the physical identity of the offense intact.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Tampa Bay needs some pass-rush help, and a lot of people have linked Akheem Mesidor to them here at 15th overall. I still have them going edge rusher, just a different direction with Young. His power profile and ability to set the edge against the run stand out immediately on tape, and that’s the type of front-seven presence defenses led by Todd Bowles have traditionally valued.

Young gives Tampa Bay a defender who can affect early downs as much as passing situations, which helps stabilize the edge rotation instead of adding another situational rusher. Love his power profile and ability to affect the run, which is something I feel Bowles will value as the team continues trying to build a more complete defensive front.

16. New York Jets – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Makai Lemon is usually the pick here if he’s available, but I have Cooper ranked over Lemon in my receiver rankings. I feel like Lemon goes later than people have anticipated in this draft, and it starts here with the Jets going in a different direction. Cooper gives them a receiver who can create offense immediately after the catch and adds another reliable option they can use underneath and in space.

Love Cooper’s floor in the NFL based on his YAC ability. He’s just so special with the ball in his hands and has the versatility to play in the slot as well. That kind of skill set raises the floor of the Jets’ offense and gives them a receiver who can contribute early without needing to win strictly as a vertical threat.

17. Detroit Lions – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor has been linked here, but based on my board, I’d go Iheanachor, who I have over Proctor. It’s not finalized yet, but Iheanachor could very well sneak into the top 20 of my overall board because the athletic upside and movement ability show up clearly on tape.

Love the athleticism and clean tape he showed for a player who’s only been playing football for a couple of years. That developmental trajectory makes him especially interesting for a Detroit team that has built one of the league’s stronger offensive line identities and can afford to invest in a high-ceiling tackle with long-term starter traits.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon

Behind Mendoza going to Las Vegas at No. 1 overall, Thieneman going to the Minnesota Vikings at 18 is probably the second most mocked pick throughout this draft cycle. The Vikings don’t need to be pressured into taking Thieneman here, but the pairing just makes too much sense from a roster standpoint given the range and instincts he brings to the back end of a defense.

I can’t get that pairing out of my head because adding a safety with Thieneman’s coverage ability and play recognition gives Minnesota another stabilizing presence deep while still allowing flexibility across different coverage looks. Sometimes the cleanest fits stay mocked for a reason, and this feels like one of them.

19. Carolina Panthers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Panthers continue to add to their receiver room with Makai Lemon here. The fit is a little harder to project at first glance with Lemon and Jalen Coker both working primarily out of the slot, but Lemon’s ability after the catch and his quick separation underneath give Carolina another reliable option who can help keep the passing game on schedule.

I still have faith in head coach Dave Canales to figure out how to make that work. Lemon’s movement skills and flexibility as a route runner give him enough versatility to be moved around the formation, and adding another receiver who can create easy completions makes sense as Carolina continues building around its young offense.

20. Dallas Cowboys – Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Behind the corner position, edge rusher is the next biggest need for the Dallas Cowboys, and with Akheem Mesidor still on the board, it’s hard to pass on him here. Mesidor brings quickness and interior-to-edge flexibility as a pass rusher, which gives Dallas another way to generate pressure without relying on just one alignment up front.

Dallas comes out of the first round with Mansoor Delane and Mesidor without having to give up any capital to make it happen, and that’s the kind of defensive value that can reshape a roster quickly. Cowboys fans should be throwing parties after a first round like this.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo

Warren isn’t my third-ranked safety, but I love this fit with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s not one I see often, but when you look at Pittsburgh’s safety room, adding youth and versatility makes a lot of sense here as they continue reshaping the back end of the defense.

Versatility is the name of the game for defenses in the NFL nowadays, and Warren certainly gives Pittsburgh that. He brings range on the back end and flexibility across different coverage responsibilities, which fits well with how the Steelers like to deploy defensive backs rather than locking them into one role early.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

The closer we get to the draft, I feel like the Los Angeles Chargers either go guard or defensive tackle here in Round 1. Emmanuel Pregnon hasn’t gotten true first-round buzz, but when watching his film, he looks like another clean interior offensive line prospect who can step in early and hold up inside.

He’s not as strong or dominant as Olaivavega Ioane, but still another player I can see being a starter in this league for years to come. Adding stability along the interior makes sense for a Chargers team continuing to build consistency up front rather than relying on short-term solutions at guard.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Looking at the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles, they don’t need a corner immediately after signing Riq Woolen, but that’s only a one-year contract. General manager Howie Roseman has consistently stayed ahead of future needs, and he did that last year in the first round by taking Jihaad Campbell. The Eagles already had Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean on the roster at the time, but Roseman anticipated roster turnover and planned accordingly.

The same type of process could happen here with McCoy as he works back from an ACL injury. He brings the length and coverage instincts teams look for in an outside corner, and Philadelphia is one of the better situations for a player to develop early without needing to be forced into a starting role immediately. Adding a long-term boundary option now instead of waiting until the need becomes urgent fits how the Eagles typically approach the draft.

24. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

After the conversation around Monroe Freeling going in the top 10 started to heat up, I couldn’t get behind it. But at 24? This feels like a much cleaner range for him, and I’d be comfortable selecting him here. The upside and movement ability are obvious on tape, and he has the size and athletic traits teams look for when projecting long-term starters at tackle.

There’s a real chance that in a couple of years he ends up being one of the better tackles in this class if he’s developed properly. He still needs refinement technically, but the tools are there, and this is exactly the kind of situation where Cleveland can afford to invest in a high-ceiling tackle and let that development happen the right way.

25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

The Chicago Bears need pass-rush help, and T. J. Parker put himself back into the Round 1 conversation after the Senior Bowl. I typically love edge rushers who have size and power, and Parker brings that type of profile with the ability to affect both the run and the pocket.

There’s a part of me that can’t get his 2024 tape out of my head, and if defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can get that version of Parker consistently on the field, this pick has the upside to look like a home run for Chicago. Adding another physical edge presence here would help round out a defensive front that still needs more reliable pressure off the edge.

26. Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

C. J. Allen thrives in stopping the run with his sideline-to-sideline ability, and that’s exactly what the Buffalo Bills need at the second level of their defense. He plays with range and consistency against the run and brings the type of movement skills that allow him to stay on the field across multiple situations.

Allen can step in and become a leader of the Bills’ defense, as he wore the “green dot” in Kirby Smart’s defense at Georgia, which isn’t easy to earn. That kind of responsibility speaks to both his communication ability and trust within the system, and it gives Buffalo a linebacker who can help organize the front while still playing fast sideline to sideline.

27. San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

The San Francisco 49ers don’t necessarily need a receiver here in Round 1, but KC Concepcion is the exact type of player head coach Kyle Shanahan has consistently found ways to maximize in his offense. He’s an elite separator with the ability to play inside or out, and that kind of flexibility fits naturally into how Shanahan builds mismatches with motion and spacing.

San Francisco already has Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk in place, so it might be harder for Concepcion to see the field immediately. Still, adding another receiver with his separation ability and versatility gives the offense insurance at the position and another player who can contribute across multiple alignments when opportunities open up during the season.

28. Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech

I’ve loved Keylan Rutledge throughout this process, but I never had the guts to put him in the first round. He’s started to get some buzz recently, and this feels like a spot where the value lines up with the board. He brings the kind of strength and interior presence that projects well at guard and gives Houston another dependable piece inside.

The Houston Texans addressed parts of the offensive line in free agency, but Wyatt Teller isn’t necessarily a long-term solution. Rutledge gives them a player who can develop into that role while reinforcing the interior of the line with a stronger long-term foundation.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Kansas City Chiefs need a true outside weapon, and Denzel Boston fills that need. He brings size on the boundary and gives Kansas City another receiver who can win vertically and at the catch point, which adds a different dimension to the passing game.

Boston is versatile enough to be used creatively in an offense led by Andy Reid and gives Patrick Mahomes a target who can win down the field in contested situations. He’s a different type of archetype than the receivers Mahomes has worked with in recent seasons, which is a big reason I like this fit for Kansas City.

30. Miami Dolphins – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

I’m a lot higher on Chris Johnson than most and feel like he’s a first-round talent. His instincts in zone coverage stand out immediately on tape, especially how quickly he reads route combinations and drives on the ball. That ability to trigger downhill and close throwing windows is exactly the type of trait that translates well early at the next level.

Johnson would thrive in a defense led by Jeff Hafley that leans heavily on Cover-3-type structures. His eyes, burst, and anticipation make him a natural fit in zone-match concepts, and adding a corner with that profile gives Miami another player who can stabilize the back end instead of relying purely on matchup corners.

31. New England Patriots – Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

Malachi Lawrence gives the New England Patriots a different body type when rushing the passer, which adds another dimension to their edge rotation. He’s my fifth-ranked edge in this class and has the kind of length and movement ability that shows up consistently when he’s working upfield or converting speed to power.

Lawrence has tremendous upside to develop into a dominant edge rusher in this league. The athleticism, length, and power all flash on tape, and adding a traits-based edge with that profile makes sense for a defense that has historically valued versatility and front-seven flexibility along the line of scrimmage.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

I’ve loved this fit for months with Colton Hood and the Seattle Seahawks. He brings the length and physical coverage style that fits naturally in a defense led by Mike Macdonald, especially one that asks its corners to stay disciplined in zone while still handling boundary responsibilities.

He’d be a clean replacement profile for the loss of Riq Woolen over the long term. I know the team just re-signed Josh Jobe in free agency, but that’s not enough to keep me from drafting Hood here. Adding a corner with his length and coverage flexibility helps Seattle reinforce the outside of the secondary with a player who fits what they already want to do defensively.