NFL Mock Draft 2026: Steelers, 49ers join WR run; Patriots go o-line

With the Seahawks dominating the Patriots to win Super Bowl 60, the 2025–26 NFL regular season and playoffs have officially ended. Now the 2026 offseason kicks into high gear, with free agency set for March and the draft scheduled for April 23.

The first-round order is now finalized, with New England and Seattle knowing they’ll pick back-to-back at the end of the round in Pittsburgh. After the Super Bowl, it’s clear the Patriots need help on the offensive line, while the Seahawks will want to maintain their strength in the secondary.

Many teams are in need of impact players across positions. Here’s the latest mock draft, covering picks 1–32:

MORE 2026 NFL draft: Big board of top 120 prospects 

NFL Mock Draft 2026

1. Las Vegas Raiders 

• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds)

The Raiders, with the No. 1 pick for the second time in franchise history, need to go after a non-bust quarterback right off the top. Mendoza, a prolific pocket-passing winner through the CFP championship game, looks the part with his arm and intangibles, two things that should appeal to the part-owner influence of Tom Brady.

MORE: Ranking Raiders' top options for potential No. 1 overall pick

2. New York Jets

• Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-3, 275 pounds)

With no Oregon's Dante Moore to take as their next franchise passer, the Jets can pivot to a huge defensive need to better rush the passer for Aaron Glenn. Bain can take over games as a pass-rusher and kept boosting his stock as the Hurricanes' most impactful defender during their CFP championship run.

3. Arizona Cardinals

• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205 pounds)

The Cardinals would be reaching to consider quarterback this early. They also have a need to add more defensive firepower in moving on from Jonathan Gannon. This do-everything playmaker is exactly what they need in a rebuild of the entire attack.

4. Tennessee Titans

• Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)

The Titans will look to get new coach Robert Saleh some needed defensive upgrades. it would make a lot of sense to target the do-everything rangy Reese to help them make a lot of big plays as a key chess piece.

5. New York Giants

• Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)

The Giants battled through injuries to left tackle Andrew Thomas and other offensive linemen in Jaxson Dart's rookie season, so boosting his protection and run blocking will be imperative for Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh. Mauigoa can give them the needed dominant pass protector.

MORE: Sporting News' way-too-early first NFL power rankings for 2026

6. Cleveland Browns

• Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds)

The Browns also will have the offensive line in mind early to better protect whomever they start at quarterback and also rebuild their aging front. Fano is good to land first and consider a QB to replace Shedeur Sanders later with a second pick later.

7. Washington Commanders

• Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 200 pounds)

The Commanders need to reboot at wide receiver away from field-stretching No. 1 Terry McLaurin. Tyson is a smooth good-hands route-runner who uses his frame well to get open all over the field through the red zone.

8. New Orleans Saints

• David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds)

The Saints need to upgrade the pass rush for Brandon Staley and for the 3-4 base scheme, Bailey can be impactful both pressuring quarterbacks and dropping back to make plays in coverage.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 214 pounds)

The Chiefs went down this path in 2020 to limited results with Clyde Edwards-Helaire as a bust No. 32 overall pick. But it's time to clean up the backfield again with the oft-injured Isiah Pacheco and aging Kareem Hunt, while keeping Brashard Smith as the receiving change of pace for Love's power, explosive workhorse role.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

• Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 285 pounds)

The Bengals need to upgrade their pass rush with Trey Hendrickson looking like he will walk in free agency. Faulk can replace Hendrickson's high energy and production and also become a real outside asset vs. the run.

11. Miami Dolphins

• Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 193 pounds)

The Dolphins need to boost cornerback after trading Jalen Ramsey and McCoy gives them the size, toughness and physicality to be stronger in man coverage. 

12. Dallas Cowboys

• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195 pounds)

The Cowboys need to be prepared for letting George Pickens leave in free agency and they could get a better, more reliable version of his downfield outside threat to help CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)

• Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 190 pounds)

The Rams have some free-agent concerns at corner, both outside and inside, and need to boost their size for single coverage. 

14. Baltimore Ravens

• Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-3, 315 pounds)

The Ravens need to beef up their impact up front with a versatile, explosive interior disruptor. Woods is an ideal fit for new coach Jesse Minter's scheme.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)

The Buccaneers need to restore the versatility in their second level for Todd Bowles' defense. Styles is just a notch or two below Reese in providing that rangy playmaking.

16. New York Jets (from Colts)

• Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 195 pounds)

The Jets need to get Garrett Wilson some receiving help for their presumed new franchise QB. He would be a great complement with his route-running and big-play ability in the open field after the catch.

17. Detroit Lions

• T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-3, 265 pounds)

The Lions need to have a physical thumper to better complement Aidan Hutchinson at end in their 4-3. Parker's strength and power can feed well off Hutchinson's quickness.

18. Minnesota Vikings

• Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 180 pounds)

The Vikings need to think about adding more versatility to their back-end coverage and Terrell would be a great get to help in the slot between Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy. Terrell is ideal for Brian Flores' secondary scheme.

19. Carolina Panthers

• Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (6-4, 330 pounds)

The Panthers need some interior line help in front of Bryce Young and the running game and Ioane would be a nice upgrade on either the left or right side.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)

• Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (6-3, 326 pounds)

The Cowboys got tired of Trevon Diggs' inconsistency and need to have a sound, well-rounded cornerback who can handle different kinds of coverage for what will be a new-look defense minus fired coordinator Matt Eberflus. Terrell, brother of Falcon A.J. Terrell, is well-rounded with his versatile athleticism and smarts to make plays anywhere on the ball.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (6-4, 209 pounds)

The Steelers need to restore their big-play ability on both sides of the field and after a limited season from DK Metcalf, they could use Boston's strength and physicality to beat favorable coverage outside. He can develop into their true No. 1 for Aaron Rodgers.

MORE: What Mike McCarthy hire in Pittsburgh means for Aaron Rodgers

22. Los Angeles Chargers 

• Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 248 pounds)

The Chargers need to consider revving up the pass rush with Khalil Mack considering retirement as a pending free agent. Howell is a fluid, explosive athlete who can have a big situational impact at first rushing the passer.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

• Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 245 pounds)

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)

• Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (6-2, 208 pounds)

The Browns can't ignore the need for getting a bona fide young drafted franchise QB moving on from Kevin Stefanski. Simpson would give them some short-area accuracy, leadership and athleticism in the Bo Nix mold.

25. Chicago Bears

• Kadyn Proetor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)

The Bears need to think about solidifying left tackle with Braxton Jones heading into free agency and Ozzy Trapillo being overwhelmed at times on that side opposite Darnell Wright. Proctor would be a long-term physical rock to help plenty for both running and passing.

26. Buffalo Bills

• R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma (6-2, 249 pounds)

The Bills' pass rush disappeared in the playoffs when they needed it most, costing defensive-minded coach Sean McDermott his job. Thomas can bring the needed energy and production, packing a wallop in a smaller, relentless frame.

27. San Francisco 49ers

• KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (5-11, 190 pounds)

The 49ers need to think about wide receiver early with Brandon Aiyuk likely to be gone, Jauan Jennings as a free agent and Ricky Pearsall having durability issues. Concepcion is a dynamic after-the-catch and open-field talent who work well with Brock Purdy in Kyle Shananan's offense

Sean Thomas/Imagn Images

28. Houston Texans

• Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon (6-5, 318 pounds)

The Texans' weak offensive line might lose average right guard Ed Ingram in free agency and needs more youthful talent upgrades. Pregnon moves so well for such a physical, nasty presence inside.

29. Los Angeles Rams

• Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (6-7, 315 pounds)

The Rams need a developmental tackle behind Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, the latter coming off two injury-riddled seasons and turning 34 in May. Freeling's massive frame and athleticism should be intriguing to turn some athletic potential into dominance in time.

30. Denver Broncos

• C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia (6-1, 235 pounds)

The Broncos may need to replace free agent Alex Singleton and it would make sense to replace him with this latest Bulldogs rangy starter, who covers a lot of ground to make big plays vs. run and pass.

31. New England Patriots

• Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-6, 304 pounds)

The Patriots need to consider a bookend right tackle for 2025 first-rounder Will Campbell with Morgan Moses turning 35 in early March. For the short term, they could also kick Lomu inside to beef up blocking on the left side next to Campbell to replace weak link guard Jared Wilson, given the Super Bowl pass protection disaster.

32. Seattle Seahawks

• Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 195 pounds)

The Seahawks likely will need to reload at cornerback after the Super Bowl with Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe heading into free agency. Hood would be ideal as a big, speedy and physical cover man to help Mike Macdonald help replace one or both of them.