Tom and Mike’s 2026 Dueling Mock Draft

Tom and Mike’s 2026 Dueling Mock Draft

ESPN has Mel and Todd Mel and Field Yates, and we here at DolphinsTalk.com have Tom and Mike! This is our eleventh annual dueling first-round NFL mock draft, with each of our picks for the entire first round.  We do not make any trades and pick Round 1 as it sits today.

Tom and I also did these independently of each other.

Follow along and keep score to see who gets the most correct come night one on Thursday, April 23rd!

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Tom-Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana– Won’t spend a ton of time on this one.  Raiders are in a hard reset, and Klint Kubiak wants his QB out of the gate.  Mendoza could be a solid NFL QB.

Mike- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana- Nothing really to say here, we all know it’s happening. The Raiders are getting a good one here.

2.  New York Jets

Tom- Arvell Reese, EDGE Ohio State– Jets can go David Bailey here, but I think    Reese is too good a prospect to pass up on, and his ceiling is higher than Bailey.

Mike- Arvel Reese, EDGE, Ohio State- The Jets defense was a mess last season, and Aaron Glenn gets arguably the best defender in this draft.

3.  Arizona Cardinals

Tom- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)- Arizona is in a prime trade-down spot, but since no trades for this mock, they get their LT for years to come.  Their QB situation will be resolved in 2027.

Mike- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech- Bailey is just too good, like really too good to pass up. Many think offensive line here, but it’s a deep o-line class, get an elite EDGE rusher here.

4.  Tennessee Titans

Tom- David Bailey, EDGE Texas Tech– While the idea of taking Jeremiah Love is enticing, it’s not a premium position, and taking Bailey makes too much sense for a team still in the midst of a rebuild.

Mike- Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame- It’s a no-brainer for the Titans. Cam Ward was good, not great, last year. He needs help, and Love takes a lot off his plate.

5.  New York Giants

Tom- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State– The Giants need to give Nabers a running mate.  Giving Jaxson Dart 2 big-time playmakers can reset the Giants’ football for years to come.

Mike- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State- It’s John Harbaugh; he is going to want an impact defensive player here in the Top 5. Sonny Styles fits the mold.

6.  Cleveland Browns

Tom- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah– Browns lose out on Tate but get a mauling LT to repair their offensive line woes.

Mike- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State- The Browns keep it local with the #1 WR in this class from not far away, Ohio State.

7.  Washington Commanders

Tom- Jeremiah Love, RB Notre Dame– Commanders could go premium position, but getting Love to take the burden off of Jayden Daniels has to be at the top of the list.

Mike- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU- The Commanders could go in one of 10 different ways here, but I think when all is said and done, they take the top cornerback in this draft class.

8.  New Orleans Saints

Tom- Mansoor Delane, CB LSU– The best pure cover corner in this draft helps reset the Saints’ secondary.

Mike-Reuben Bain, EDGE, Miami (FL)- The Saints are another team like Washington that could go in many directions, but I think they will help their pass rush and select Reuben Bain.

9.  Kansas City Chiefs

Tom- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee– The concern about McCoy’s ACL was put to bed after his pro day.  The Chiefs need to replace Trent McDuffie, who was shipped off to the Rams.

Mike- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State- When you have Pat Mahomes, you put toys around him to keep him playing at an elite level. And I think KC is one of the teams that won’t be afraid of Tyson’s injury history.

10.  NY Giants

Tom- Reuben Bain, EDGE, Miami (FL)– The Giants’ defense needs help, and the best defender on the board is Reuben Bain, and John Harbaugh adds to his pass rush to make it an elite unit.

Mike- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)– The Giants’ offensive line has been a mess in recent years. Jaxson Dart took a lot of big hits last season (mainly his own fault), so I think the Giants look to protect Dart better and keep him upright.

11.  Miami Dolphins

Tom- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State– The Dolphins’ new brass need to bring in top-end football players in their rebuild.  Sonny Styles is a hell of a start.  His versatility will be welcomed by Hafley.

Mike- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah- A very “PACKERS-LIKE” pick for the new General Manager in Miami who spent 20 years in Green Bay. Fano helps right away at RG and is the long-term RT after Austin Jackson. Bookend tackles of Paul and Fano for years to come would be very good.

12.  Dallas Cowboys

Tom- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State– They need secondary help, and with both top corners off the board, they get a DAWG in Caleb Downs who will fix their safety room.

Mike- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State- Downs is arguably one of the three best players in this draft, but he plays a position that isn’t a premier position, so he will fall some. But not too far. And the Cowboys are elated to get him at 12.

13.  Los Angeles Rams

Tom- Makai Lemon, WR, USC– Thanks to the Falcons’ stupidity, the Rams get a luxury pick and grab Lemon, who will complement Puka and give Stafford one more weapon to throw to.

Mike- Makai Lemon, WR, USC- When you have Matthew Stafford, your “winning window” is now! They are ALL IN to win in 2026. Giving him another weapon who can contribute Day 1 does that.

14.  Baltimore Ravens

Tom- Peter Woods, DT Clemson- Jesse Minter gets to start his vision in Baltimore by getting Woods.  They need to be better up front, and Woods will be a versatile disruptor.

Mike- Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State- The Ravens need help at guard and center, and Ioane will help at guard right away. He just looks and plays like a RAVEN!

15.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom- Keldric Faulk, EDGE Auburn– Faulk didn’t accumulate the sack totals you would expect based on his athletic profile, but that shouldn’t stop the Bucs from taking his high upside.

Mike- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn- He is just a baby, but he will be ready to help day one in stopping the run and setting the edge. Needs to work on his pass-rush moves, but he is an elite talent.

16.  New York Jets

Tom- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State– Dream scenario for the Jets as they get arguably the best receiver in the draft.  He does have injury concerns, but Tyson should certainly get the Jets better offensively.

Mike- Omar Cooper JR, WR, Indiana- The Jets offense needs more weapons. Garrett Wilson can’t do it alone, and Cooper should be able to help the passing game in NY, if not this year, then next, when they have their QB of the future.

17.  Detroit Lions

Tom- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia– They need a LT to complement Penei Sewell.  Freeling is a monster that should have no problem “biting off knee caps” in the trenches for Dan Campbell.

Mike- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia- The Lions’ offensive line needs a lot of help, and Freeling is the best lineman on the board at this point. Freeling has only 16 starts, but has elite size and traits. Dan Campbell will love him.

18.  Minnesota Vikings

Tom- Dillon Theineman, S Oregon– After finally saying goodbye to Harrison Smith, Brian Flores welcomes Theineman with open arms, who will provide the youth and athleticism that were lacking in the back end of the defense for years.

Mike- Dillion Theineman, S, Oregon- The Vikings’ secondary is very thin and needs more capable bodies, especially at safety, and they grab a good one here.

19.  Carolina Panthers

Tom- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah– Panthers finally got over the hump and into the playoffs last season.  After spending big money on Robert Hunt a few years ago, they added Lomu to their OL with the expectation that he would start on the right side.

Mike- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington- The Panthers need more weapons and more help at WR. They add a talented one here with Boston.

20.  Dallas Cowboys

Tom- Kayden Proctor, OT Alabama- Cowboys get their second first-round pick and nab Proctor, who should immediately start at RT.

Mike- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia- The Cowboys’ defense is a disaster, and they need to use both first-round picks on defense. Their linebacker situation is bad and they also need a leader on defense, with CJ Allen they can check both boxes.

21.  Pittsburgh Steelers

Tom- Olaivavega Ioane, OG Penn State- Outside of QB, the Steelers need to get back to playing their style of football.  Ioane is a mauling guard who should see the field on day 1.

Mike- KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M- Under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers will return, like with the Rams, your winning window is NOW. They need to get him someone who can help him win games today! So they add KC Concepcion to their WR group of Metcalf and Pittman.

22.  Los Angeles Chargers

Tom- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State- After losing Minter to an HC job, the priority remains intact.  Keep the defense growing and getting better.

Mike- Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)- The Chargers want to go offensive line or edge rusher; the run on offensive lineman happened, so they will take the top EDGE on the board.

23.  Philadelphia Eagles

Tom- Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)- Eagles gave up a 3rd round pick and lost Jaelan Phillips in FA.  Mesidor is a plug-and-play EDGE on an already solid defense.

Mike- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson- The Eagles traded a 3rd for Jaelan Phillips, and then Phillips left via free agency. So, they need to replace him and get that replacement here.

24.  Cleveland Browns

Tom- KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M- The Browns have a shortage of playmakers.  Regardless of who is at QB, Concepcion gives the Browns an electric playmaker.

Mike- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah- The Browns have two glaring needs. WR and LT. They got their WR at Pick #6; here they get their left tackle with Caleb Lomu.

25.  Chicago Bears

Tom- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri– Young is an explosive pass rusher, something the Bears desperately need to get in a pass-happy NFC North.

Mike- Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF- The Bears need a pass rusher to go opposite Montez Sweat, and Lawrence is the perfect fit.

26.  Buffalo Bills

Tom- Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana– The Bills added DJ Moore, but adding a younger version of him is too much to pass up.  More weapons for Josh Allen.

Mike- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri- The Bills signed Bradley Chubb, but they need more help with their pass rush, and Zion Young is too good to pass up here.

27.  San Francisco 49ers

Tom- Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State– One of these years, the 49ers will part with Trent Williams.  Getting his replacement here is a need.

Mike- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo- The 49ers secondary needs some reinforcements and help, and they add a great safety in Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

28.  Houston Texans

Tom- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon– The big thing we learned about the Texans is that when they are not healthy, they are awful on offense.  Sadiq can try to help CJ Stroud remember who he was a few years ago.

Mike- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama- CJ Stroud was a disaster by the end of last season, and in order to fix him, they need to give him more protection.

29.  Kansas City Chiefs

Tom- Blake Miller, OT Clemson- With Mahomes coming off a torn ACL, he may not be running around like his normal self.  Getting him protection is huge.

Mike- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon- KC has their replacement for Travis Kelce fall right in their lap, and they are smart enough not to miss this opportunity.

30.  Miami Dolphins

Tom- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington- Jon Eric Sullivan traded away Jaylen Waddle and said the WR room will not just be small guys with speed.  Boston’s 6’4 frame should allow Malik Willis to have some moments under center.

Mike- Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State- The Dolphins need help in the secondary badly. They need a #1 CB, and with Chris Johnson, they feel they get their #1 CB of the future here.

31.  New England Patriots

Tom- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia- Patriots grab Allen, who can play OLB based on his size.  He is a stud 3 down defender.

Mike- Blake Miller, OT, Clemson- The Patriots’ offensive line got beaten up badly in the Super Bowl. They need to fix that, and they grab a great player in Blake Miller to do that.

32.  Seattle Seahawks

Tom- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee- When you are the champs,  you get to make luxury picks.   Hood is a developmental talent who should find his footing in Mike McDonald’s championship defense.

Mike- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee- Seattle’s secondary needs some help, and with the last pick in Round one, they take the next best cornerback on the board.