| 2026 DRAFTThe Athletic has its beat writers do a Mock Draft. With the rush of free agency mostly behind us, the 2026 NFL Draft is just over a month away, and teams’ draft needs are becoming clearer. Two teams in the top 10, the New Orleans Saints at No. 8 and the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9, signed big-ticket veteran running backs last week. Does that mean they expect Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love to fly off the board early? Or could it mean one of the draft’s top prospects will slide out of the top 10? That’s what happened when our NFL beat writers gathered virtually this week for their second simulation of next month’s draft, which saw plenty of changes from the first edition. Those changes included two in the draft order, as the Los Angeles Rams (to the Chiefs) and Denver Broncos (to the Miami Dolphins) each traded first-round picks away since our last beat writer mock draft. One thing that didn’t change? Only one quarterback was selected. That’s where we’ll start with the first pick. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaI got a call from a GM offering two first-round picks for the No. 1 pick. I countered and asked for their 2027 first-round pick as well, but didn’t get a response before the clock wound down. I’m not sure if I’d pull the trigger anyway — I just wanted to see how desperate they were. Also, I needed something to spice it up, having the most obvious mock draft pick this year. The Raiders’ free-agent signings, and new coach Klint Kubiak, might mutiny over a trade because they likely chose Las Vegas with the promise of playing with Mendoza. — Ted Nguyen 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio StateThe Jets’ goal in free agency was to raise their floor by bringing in capable, veteran players — and they accomplished that. They filled a lot of needs, and their roster is undoubtedly better. The goal for the NFL Draft, especially for the first round, should be to raise their ceiling — to find prospects with star potential. Reese feels like a no-brainer. He’s arguably the highest-ceiling prospect of any in this entire class. Maybe it’s partially a projection because he didn’t have many sacks in college — but if there’s a chance Reese becomes the next Micah Parsons, the Jets obviously will take that. They need blue-chip players on defense in the worst way. — Zack Rosenblatt 3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiThe Cardinals have an identity problem — they do not have one. What is it they do well? They are positioned to begin next season with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at quarterback. They lack playmakers. They are not expected to contend in the rugged NFC West. That gives them time — and a clear objective: Keep building the offensive line. Stop trying to piece it together during free agency. If GM Monti Ossenfort can trade back a few spots and still get Mauigoa — something we considered — do it. But the priority should not change. — Doug Haller 4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, Edge, Texas TechThere’s a lot of buzz about the Titans using this pick to take Jeremiyah Love after a defense-heavy free-agency period, but most of those signings are solid, complementary pieces. It’s much more difficult to find a game-wrecking edge than it is a productive running back. The reigning Super Bowl MVP is a running back who just left his team. Yes, Cam Ward needs more skill around him, but the Titans can do that starting with the next pick (and preferably in the form of a pass catcher). Affecting the other quarterback is the move here. — Joe Rexrode 5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateWith no interest from teams looking to trade up, the Giants had to stick at No. 5. There were plenty of appealing options on the board, but no slam-dunk pick. Styles emerged as the selection because of his combination of talent, potential and fit. The Giants can put Styles next to veteran Tremaine Edmunds in the middle to significantly upgrade their run defense. — Dan Duggan 6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaLike the team’s quarterback situation, whether the Browns are playing for 2026 or building for 2027 and beyond is up for debate. In either case, there’s a screaming need at left tackle, and Freeling is a left tackle who’s been generating a bunch of pre-draft buzz. The 21-year-old is not a finished product, but his athletic traits fit the mold of Browns GM Andrew Berry’s past picks. The Browns are open to trading down and then taking the best available wide receiver or left tackle. In this exercise, no trade came to fruition, and Freeling became the next key piece of the Cleveland rebuild. — Zac Jackson 7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateThe Commanders still need a true No. 2 receiver to complement Terry McLaurin, and they could use a more explosive running back alongside Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. But struggles on defense, especially in the secondary, cost them games the past two seasons. Plus, GM Adam Peters addressed many holes in free agency, giving him the flexibility to choose the top talent available and not simply for positional need. Washington is revamping its defense under first-time coordinator and play caller Daronte Jones, who has spent most of his career coaching defensive backs. Downs would give him a potential star-in-the-making to mold. — Nicki Jhabvala 8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateThe arrival of running back Travis Etienne made this decision tougher because Jeremiyah Love seemed like a no-brainer pick before free agency. But the Saints possess a glaring need at wide receiver, and Tate feels like a good complement to fellow Ohio Stater Chris Olave. The Saints have already inked viable offensive pieces like Etienne, guard David Edwards and tight end Noah Fant. Tyler Shough should be happy once again with the Tate selection. I pondered edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and cornerback Mansoor Delane as well. Tate feels like the most sensible pick, even though Bain or Delane would work. — Larry Holder 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, MiamiThe draft board fell perfectly for the Chiefs here with two offensive linemen going early. That left plenty of options at edge rusher and receiver — the team’s two biggest needs remaining — and also provided Kansas City an opportunity to fill a premium position with Bain. At the combine, Bain shared that he believed he had a “strong” formal interview with the Chiefs. His pass-rushing juice, football intelligence and inside-outside versatility would immediately boost a defensive line in need of reinforcements. — Jesse Newell 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeWith Downs, Bain Jr. and Styles all plucked, the Bengals investigated trading out but couldn’t find takers. It would have been ideal to move back, pick up another Day 2 pick and likely still snag McCoy, but the Bengals have never been shy to stick to their evaluation and take their best player at a premium position. McCoy’s ball-hawking ability separates him in the Bengals’ eyes and fills a thin position around DJ Turner and Dax Hill. All of this comes under the assumption that he tests well at his pro day and looks fully recovered from his January 2025 ACL tear. — Paul Dehner Jr. 11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, UtahThe Dolphins will be living the “best player available” mantra for the foreseeable future after trading Jaylen Waddle. Considering their best player might already be a running back, it’d be reckless to go with Love. Delane was a stronger consideration than Love, but Fano shapes up to be a bona fide franchise tackle. The Dolphins aren’t passing up that type of opportunity at No. 11. — Jeff Howe 12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUIn just about any other year, the Cowboys would not pass on Love in this situation. They were faced with something similar in 2020 when edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson would have filled a bigger need, but wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was higher on their board. They made the right decision. But the Cowboys need defensive help even more this year, so it’s highly unlikely they’d go with Love here. Delane fits a major area of need, giving Dallas a Day 1 starting cornerback to pair with DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel and recently signed Cobie Durant. Had Delane been gone, this would’ve been an ideal trade-back situation. — Jon Machota 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Makai Lemon, WR, USCIt was mighty tempting to go with Love for a Rams team obsessed with finding upgrades. But that would likely mean trading one of Kyren Williams or Blake Corum, and that’s harder to work out in a mock draft. So the Rams fill their biggest actual need at wide receiver in Makai Lemon, who is fresh off a season with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lemon appears ready to assume a strong Year 1 role as a receiver and a blocker before elevating to replace Davante Adams as the Robin to Puka Nacua’s Batman in Year 2. — Nate Atkins 14. Baltimore Ravens: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameRemember the last time the Ravens were picking at 14 and one of the best players in the draft fell into their laps because of positional value? That was Kyle Hamilton in 2022, and I’d say taking the best player available in that draft worked out pretty well for the Ravens. Love, another ex-Notre Dame standout, is too good to resist. Derrick Henry is 32, and the Ravens don’t have his successor on the roster. Love is a home run hitter who will bring juice to an offense that will have a new look with Declan Doyle directing the show. — Jeff Zrebiec 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonIn this scenario, with their best-player-available philosophy, the Bucs would have been very tempted to try to trade up for Love. Despite free-agent additions of Al-Quadin Muhammad, Alex Anzalone and others, the Bucs’ greatest needs remain on defense, and an edge rusher would be welcome. But Sadiq is an offensive weapon unlike anything they have, and he could help replace Mike Evans and stress defenses in ways that would create opportunities for the remaining wide receivers, as well as running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. — Dan Pompei 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateThe only position the Jets didn’t address in free agency was a glaring weakness heading into the offseason and remains so now — and, just their luck, one of the draft’s best prospects at that position made it here. Tyson has some durability concerns, but his talent is undeniable, and he’d slot in perfectly opposite Garrett Wilson. His presence would also give Adonai Mitchell, who showed promise after coming over in the Sauce Gardner trade, more room to develop as the No. 3 receiver. A room with Wilson, Tyson and Mitchell is a lot more promising than how the group looked at the start of last season. — Rosenblatt 17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, UtahThe Lions have boxed themselves into a bit of a corner this offseason. They released longtime left tackle Taylor Decker and replaced him with free-agent tackle Larry Borom — a low-end starting option. They don’t usually have a need as glaring as this, but they’re going to need a young tackle who can compete with Borom. I reached out to four teams about a trade-back into the 20s and received two rejections, one no-answer and an offer that would net us … a sixth-round pick. At No. 17, Blake Miller and Max Iheanachor were considered, but Lomu was the pick. An athletic left tackle with light feet, length and solid technique, Lomu’s addition could keep Penei Sewell at right tackle, if that’s what the Lions prefer. — Colton Pouncy 18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thienemen, S, OregonWill Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores want to use a first-rounder on a safety? Minnesota passed on Malaki Starks and Nick Emmanwori last year. The Vikings might have a bigger need this time around given what they saw from safety Theo Jackson last season, and considering Harrison Smith’s future might be more uncertain. Thieneman has ball skills. His read-and-react ability would fit nicely in a system that often allows defenders to keep eyes on the quarterback. The Vikings could look for a defensive lineman at this spot, but it’s difficult to settle on one who is a no-brainer type of fit. — Alec Lewis 19. Carolina Panthers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaThis mock didn’t fall so great for the Panthers, whose talent evaluators likely winced watching Freeling go in the top 10 and Sadiq land with a division rival. Even if GM Dan Morgan wanted to give Bryce Young a first-round wideout for a third consecutive year, that plan was foiled when Lemon and Tyson were taken. Given the uncertainty surrounding Ikem Ekwonu after his knee surgery and Rasheed Walker’s one-year deal, an offensive tackle still makes sense here — even if it’s not Freeling. Proctor has all the size (6-7, 352) and upside but needs refinement. He’ll have the chance to develop for a year behind Walker and right tackle Taylor Moton. — Joe Person 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): CJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaThere were several top edge rushers to pick from, making for a great trade-back scenario if things fall this way next month. But inside linebacker is clearly the Cowboys’ biggest need right now. Allen would step in immediately as the green-dot quarterback of the defense. Dallas had interest in free agents Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker but lost out on both. Here, the Cowboys could get a different former Georgia standout to lead things in the middle. Whether they stay put or trade back, addressing the defense has to be the target with multiple Day 1 and Day 2 picks. The offense is a playoff-caliber group. It’s all about closing the gap from having arguably the NFL’s worst defense. — Machota 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vega Ioane, G, Penn StateThe Steelers traded for a WR2 (Michael Pittman Jr.), found a starter opposite Joey Porter Jr. at corner (Jamel Dean), rounded out their running back room (Rico Dowdle) and added safety options (Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage). The one glaring hole they didn’t address was a replacement for left guard Isaac Seumalo. Omar Khan has made a concerted effort to upgrade the offensive line since he was promoted to GM in 2022, spending two first-round picks (tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu), a second (center Zach Frazier) and a fourth (guard Mason McCormick) on this group. With yet another early-round pick on offensive line, the Steelers can take another big step toward their goal of dominating in the trenches. Given the uncertainty surrounding Jones’ health after neck surgery, the OL becomes an even more important position to add to early. — Mike DeFabo 22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, Edge, ClemsonThe first round almost unfolded perfectly for the Chargers, with Ioane falling into the 20s. The Chargers still have a glaring hole at left guard. I probably could have been more aggressive in moving up. But the Chargers are working with only five picks in the 2026 draft. I thought hanging on to capital was the prudent move. In the end, the Steelers took Ioane, and I pivoted to another pressing need: edge rusher. Khalil Mack is back, and Tuli Tuipulotu is under contract. Odafe Oweh left in free agency to sign with the Washington Commanders. The Chargers could use another piece to replace Oweh. My preferred option was Parker, who has length, physicality and polished hands. A defined plan in his pass-rush sequencing gives him the potential to make an immediate impact next to Mack and Tuipulotu. — Daniel Popper 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Keldric Faulk, Edge, AuburnEdge rusher emerged as a primary need for the Eagles after the Panthers lured Jaelan Phillips away in free agency with a four-year, $120 million contract. Retaining Phillips was a priority for GM Howie Roseman. But the Eagles weren’t willing to exceed their budget. After Phillips chose Carolina, the Eagles came up short in a bidding war over Trey Hendrickson and considered a trade with the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard. Signing Arnold Ebiketie to a one-year deal did not fulfill the role the Eagles required. That Faulk fell to 23 was surprising. The front office had offensive tackle atop its wish list, but bolstering the defensive front with a talent ranked No. 15 by Dane Brugler matches Philadelphia’s team-building strategy. — Brooks Kubena 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Denzel Boston, WR, WashingtonThe Browns have a bottom-three receiving corps and definitely don’t have a true No. 1. Here, they resist the urge to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and instead turn to Boston, who’s a red zone target at 6-foot-4 and has a chance to eventually become a true No. 1 outside receiver. The Browns value physicality and run-after-catch ability in their wide receivers, and though Boston might not possess top-end speed, he has a large catch radius and showed he can either drag or dodge tacklers for valuable extra yards after the catch. — Jackson 25. Chicago Bears: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, ToledoOne thing has become apparent during all these pre-draft exercises: The menu of players available at No. 25 is consistently appealing. In this instance, the depth of the edge rusher class helps swing things in McNeil-Warren’s favor, with the Bears adding another weapon to the back end of their defense. Speed: check. Size: check. Passion: check. Playmaking ability: check. General manager Ryan Poles has long contended that safety is the hardest position to evaluate for the draft. But energetic, productive players like McNeil-Warren make it easier. His physicality and fluidity will pair well with newcomer Coby Bryant. — Dan Wiederer 26. Buffalo Bills: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&MThe Bills already made one move to get an edge rusher in Bradley Chubb and still have Greg Rousseau on the team, but if there’s one thing they still lack, it’s speed, explosiveness and bend around the edge from their pass rushers. Howell changes that immediately. He tied for the quickest 10-yard split at the 2026 NFL Combine among edge rushers at 1.58 seconds. A consistent pass rush has been an issue for the Bills almost every year since Josh Allen became their quarterback. With new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s scheme, they have every reason to try to finally fix that problem with Howell. — Joe Buscaglia 27. San Francisco 49ers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, MiamiThe 49ers like taking wide receivers and defensive linemen in the first round and — would you look at that! — those are among their biggest needs this year. We have the team going with Akheem Mesidor, a powerfully built edge rusher who had 12.5 sacks and 17 .5 tackles for loss last season and made his biggest marks against top-end talent in the playoffs. Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was oh-so-tempting at this spot, and it’s entirely possible Kyle Shanahan would be unable to resist snagging him here (the 49ers will host Cooper on a visit next month). The rationale, however, is that there will be more enticing wideouts — Germie Bernard? Ted Hurst? Elijah Sarratt? — than edge rushers available when San Francisco’s on the clock again late in Round 2. — Matt Barrows 28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller, OT, ClemsonThe Texans continue their upgrade of the offensive line with Miller. Yes, they signed veteran right tackle Braden Smith in free agency, but the former Indianapolis Colt has battled injury in recent years, and Miller gives the Texans the long-term answer at the position. At 6-7 and 317 pounds, he has great size. He is a four-year starter and has great durability. Paired with 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery, who starts at left tackle, Houston now has its bookends of the future to help keep C.J. Stroud upright for years to come. — Mike Jones 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio StateMan, it was difficult to pass on Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell — a Trent McDuffie clone who even said at the combine he models his game after the former Chiefs star. Then again, in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo the Chiefs trust, as he and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt have a long-standing history of turning less-heralded secondary players into stars. In the end, McDonald simply fits too big of a need to pass up at a premium position. He profiles as a disruptive early-down player who should help the Chiefs’ run defense right away. — Newell 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver): Avieon Terrell, CB, ClemsonTerrell is Dane Brugler’s 18th-ranked prospect, so the Dolphins bagged incredible value with their two first-round picks. Surely, it was tempting with KC Concepcion on the board, as the Dolphins should be wary of increasing the difficulty level on Malik Willis’ season by too much after trading Jaylen Waddle. But this was about sticking to the highest-rated player on the board, and Terrell should be a welcome addition for defensive-minded coach Jeff Hafley. — Howe 31. New England Patriots: R Mason Thomas, Edge, OklahomaWith hopes still alive for an AJ Brown trade this summer, the Pats’ priority with their first pick is likely edge rusher over wide receiver. They signed Dre’Mont Jones in free agency, which gives them a big edge rusher with the versatility to slide inside if needed. In a lot of ways, Thomas is the opposite. He’s slighter (241 pounds), and some teams might view him as too small, but he is a true speed rusher who would immediately boost the Patriots’ pass rush. — Chad Graff 32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego StateThe Seahawks still have all three of their starting cornerbacks from the Super Bowl team (Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, Josh Jobe), but losing Riq Woolen, who played 917 defensive snaps last season, is a blow to Seattle’s depth. The current backup corners are Nehemiah Pritchett, Noah Igbinoghene and Shemar Jean-Charles. Johnson is No. 42 on The Athletic’s consensus big board and No. 38 on Dane Brugler’s list of the top 100 prospects after recording nine pass breakups and returning two of his four interceptions for touchdowns last season. — Michael-Shawn Dugar |
