So ... who's ready for NFL draft season?
Acaptivating, albeit decisive, Super Bowl 60put a cap on the 2025 NFL season, but action in the league isn't about to come to a standstill. The scouting combine is only two weeks away, and plenty of weighty decisions on retirements, potential cuts, trades and free agency moves are ahead in the next two months. And that's to say nothing of the draft, which several teams will be counting on to transform their fortunes coming off a campaign that featured a title matchup of two non-playoff teams from 2024.
With the full first-round order now set, here's our latest NFL mock draft projection:
2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action
2026 NFL mock draft
1.Las Vegas Raiders– Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
With Klint Kubiak in the foldas the Raiders' expected head-coaching hire, the Silver and Black have laid the foundation for a young quarterback to come in and thrive in the aggressive downfield attack. Las Vegas shouldn't have to do any real searching to find the right triggerman. After Tom Brady and team brass came out in full force to get a look at Mendoza in the national championship game, it would be a stunner if the franchise went in any other direction besides selecting the Heisman Trophy winner. There's substantial work to be done to provide him with sufficient support − particularly up front − but the Raiders should be highly aggressive in free agency to bring aboard a few veteran staples.
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
If Aaron Glenn's delayed staff reset didn't reflect a heightened level of panic for Gang Green, his taking over of defensive play-calling duties surely drove home the need for change. But a unit stunningly short on playmakers after trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams will have a difficult time turning things around without a significant talent infusion in the draft. Reese is hardly a finished product, particularly if any team is counting on him to make the transition from ultraversatile off-ball linebacker to full-time edge rusher. Still, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder might be the most dynamic defender in the draft when things are clicking for him.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Even after hiring Mike LaFleur, Arizona remains somewhat of an enigma in this slot. A pass rusher could be a consideration, but Mauigoa would offer a stout and steady presence at right tackle. Paired with Paris Johnson Jr., he could provide the protection and push necessary for LaFleur's scheme to coalesce in Year 1, regardless of whether Kyler Murray returns.
4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
A fearsome front four feels like a prerequisite for a true embrace of the Robert Saleh experience. Though Tennessee boasts an imposing interior with Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat, the outlook at edge appears unsettled. Bain's atypical physical makeup for a defensive end might not be the same sticking point for Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi as it is for others, with the Hurricanes standout more than living up to the "fast and violent" identity the coach said he is seeking for his new team.
5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
If nothing else, John Harbaugh's arrival should institute some guardrails for a franchise that has repeatedly careened into catastrophe in recent years. Picking up Tate might mark an important step forward for general manager Joe Schoen to align with that approach. While the 6-foot-3, 195-pound pass catcher should help take a considerable amount of pressure off both Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers as an intermediate target, he could also further amplify the passing attack's vertical threat with his comfort stacking cornerbacks vertically and hauling in contested catches.
6.Cleveland Browns– Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Afterhis hiring as Browns coach, Todd Monken was lauded by many for his adaptability in adjusting his scheme to the available personnel. But there's no successful adapting to what Cleveland can conjure up along the offensive line, with a nearly total reset possibly in store. Though he's not the bulldozer one might expect to find plowing holes in the AFC North, Fano can make things happen on the move and stay in front of speed rushers thanks to his fleet feet.
7.Washington Commanders– David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech
Last offseason, the Commanders strung together a series of aggressive moves at almost every area of weakness besides its edge rush. Expect a bolder plan this time around as Washington takes inventory on what went wrong in a disastrous 5-12 campaign. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones might need to be creative in his deployment of the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey, but the traits here are that of a double-digit sack artist.
8.New Orleans Saints– Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
How fortunate New Orleans is to be able to consider what some might view as a luxury pick. While there's certainly a question of resource allotment for the Saints, the rushing attack ranked 31st in expected points added per carry, according to Next Gen Stats, and should be contemplating a post-Alvin Kamara future. Even if he can't transcend the limitations of his position, Love could change the complexion of a Saints offense that must discover more ways to be explosive in Year 2 for Kellen Moore.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Think that Kansas City is getting cute here by taking a 5-foot-11, 195-pound slot receiver in the top 10? Don't focus on Lemon's measurables, and instead look to what the Biletnikoff Award winner can do for a withering offense. The Chiefs surely would be able to make quick use of Lemon's deftness at shaking man coverage, allowing the passing attack to progress without turning to the more drastic steps the organization has largely been disinterested in.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
It would be easy and sensible to pencil in an edge rusher for Cincinnati to account for Trey Hendrickson's expected departure. But the Bengals can't afford to take such a narrow view from this spot, especially with Bain and Bailey off the board. Downs is a true force multiplier near the line of scrimmage, and this unit would surely stand to benefit from his savvy, tone-setting approach.
11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Cornerback figured to be an area of heightened importance for the Dolphins this offseason even prior to the appointment of Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager andJeff Hafley as coach. With the two former key Green Bay Packers figures in town, however, the position might be even more pressing. Miami might be better equipped than most teams to take a patient approach with McCoy, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament but otherwise brings many of the traits the Dolphins currently lack on the back end.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
In tabbingChristian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, the Cowboys made it clear they have pinpointed the secondary as the source of many of last year's defensive meltdowns. To get the most out of his expected scheme, coming from the Vic Fangio scheme, Dallas likely is due for more consistency than it can count on from DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel. Delane played under new Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith at Virginia Tech prior to transferring to LSU, so the staff should know how to tap into capabilities that approached lockdown status last season.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Before newly mintedNFL MVP Matthew Stafford announced his plan to returnfor next season, Rams general manager Les Snead expressed a desire to try to capitalize on what's left of the quarterback's career. To do so, Los Angeles might have to break from precedent by making a long overdue splash at cornerback. Cisse likely is in for a more extended acclimation period than either McCoy or Delane, but his superlative physical tools could allow the Rams to better match up against the bulkier receivers who have bothered them in recent years.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Jesse Minter's arrivaland initial few moves seem to have calmed the waters for the Ravens for what could have been a rocky transition. Ioane's overall steadiness would make him a natural solution to a Baltimore interior line that too often was responsible for derailing the offense last season.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
As Lavonte David continues to mull retirement, it's readily evident that the Buccaneers should be searching for a new source of stability in the middle of their defense. Heady and disciplined throughout his play, Styles could mirror former Buckeyes teammate Emeka Egbuka for Tampa Bay as a highly polished Day 1 contributor.
16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The stars didn't align for New York to secure a top passer in this draft, though the franchise could force the issue if leadership is feeling unsettled with its alternatives in free agency. Rather than press the matter behind center, however, Gang Green might be better suited to ensure enhanced skill-position support. Tyson's versatility, polish and toughness should facilitate a smooth transition to the pros.
17. Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
A 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive end who bagged just two sacks in his final season might not be a surefire top-20 pick to some, but this shouldn't be a hard sell for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. Whether kicking inside or working on the edge, Faulk might make for a fascinating running mate for Aidan Hutchinson given his untapped upside as a pass rusher.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Bully ball comes easily to Hood, who makes for an exceedingly challenging matchup off the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. That physicality could make him a fast favorite of Brian Flores, who no doubt would love to have a well-built cover man capable of disrupting the timing of opposing aerial attacks.
19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
A ruptured patellar tendon for Ikem Ekwonu in the playoffs turned the once-settled left tackle position into one of Carolina's biggest offseason uncertainties. As a blocker with a fairly volatile performance and athletic profile, Proctor can't be counted on to stabilize things out of the gate, but few others can match the 6-foot-7, 366-pounder when it comes to displacing or engulfing opponents.
20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
A double-dip on the back end for Dallas? Don't rule it out. McNeil-Warren might not match others on this list as a fixture of the first round just yet, but he could get there after the combine. Jerry Jones has been far more willing than other decision-makers to break from consensus in the draft, and the multitalented McNeil-Warren might help accelerate Parker's plan to get the pass defense in order.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Mike McCarthy's hireunderscores a clear desire by the Steelers to field plenty of support for their quarterback in 2026, no matter who's under center. Selecting Concepcion would be in keeping with that theme, as the ease with which he frees himself up underneath would add a highly desirable new facet to an offense that too often had to do things the hard way in 2025.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
After he missed all but two games last season due to a foot injury, Banks parlayed a strong Senior Bowl showing into significant buzz in the pre-draft process. With nose tackle Teair Tart recently re-signed, the Chargers can continue to focus on setting the tone at the line of scrimmage by bringing on the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder, who might be the most disruptive interior force in the class when he's putting it all together.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The rapidly crumbling infrastructure of Philadelphia's once-formidable offensive frontwarrants addressing early on in the draft. Howie Roseman could return to the Bulldog pipeline for a possible Lane Johnson successor − in either the short or long term − in Freeling, an ascendant blocker with an impressive frame and solid functional athleticism.
24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Monken's extensive use of two tight-end sets can only do so much to cover for an uninspiring receiving corps. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Boston likely won't blaze past many defensive backs, but his penchant for plucking the ball over the top of them could make him a true No. 1 option.
25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
With a shining performance at the Senior Bowl, Parker appears to be firmly back in the first-round mix after a dip in production as a junior left some wondering where he stood. He might not be the most scintillating edge presence, but the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder can create disruption out of any lapse in technique or effort from opposing blockers.
26. Buffalo Bills – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
With the top four receivers in the class already spoken for, Buffalo shouldn't force a pick at a position when there are several other problematic areas for a franchise doubling down on an immediate title push. Mesidor's advanced age − he'll be 25 on draft day − might deter some teams from taking him on Day 1, but his dogged approach and instinctive pass-rushing style could allow him to become a force opposite Greg Rousseau.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
What are pre-combine mock drafts if not thought experiments? And it sure is fun to think about how Kyle Shanahan would utilize arguably this year's biggest mismatch threat in the passing game. Sadiq's arrival would invigorate a receiving corps that is due for a bit of electricity − or at least some not linked to a conspiracy theory about injuries.
28.Houston Texans– Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
How could Houston make a line that features NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist Will Anderson Jr. and five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter even more formidable? Bolster the interior, where Lee Hunter (no relation) is sure to leave his mark with his knack for walking back blockers and commanding double teams.
29. Rams – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Let's get back to that notion of trying to make the most of the remaining portion of the Stafford era. The Rams passing attack's overreliance on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams was on full display in the postseason, where the duo combined for 35 catches while the team's other wide receivers totaled five. Bernard's versatility and run-after-catch skills would be put to immediate use in Los Angeles and give the offense more easy solutions.
30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
For as settled as the Broncos look in several key spots, linebacker almost nearly looks like a blank slate, depending on how things pan out with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Denver would serve itself well in fortifying the second level of its defense with Allen, whose modest 6-foot-1, 235-pound build has many overlooking his robust skill set.
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
Defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr has unleashed a wide array of different looks to compensate for an edge rush that's struggled to generate heat in more straightforward setups. Howell carries all the complications one might expect of incorporating a 6-foot-2, 248-pound pass rusher, but his toolkit for creating pressure helps prevent him from stalling out with too much regularity.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
ForSeattle's "Dark Side" defenseto continue blotting out opponents, a reconsideration of the cornerback room likely will be required this offseason. Aggressive yet calculating in coverage, Terrell would have no trouble fitting in with the ethos Mike Macdonald has established for this unit.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting first round with full order set
