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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final 1st-Round Predictions

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final 1st-Round Predictions

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Luke Easterling | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 7:01 AM ET

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The rule is, as soon as you press "publish" on your final mock draft, you immediately want to go back in and change half of it.

I'm sure that will be the case for me and many others again this year, as we do our best to accurately predict the first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

After months of presenting as many different potentials scenarios as possible, here's my one attempt at actually trying to project what will happen Thursday night across the league, with a few more trades that could shake things up even further at the top of the board.

2026 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS

QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | Edge | Interior DL | LB | CB | S

Buckle up, and enjoy the chaos.

We made it.

*=projected trade

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana

The only thing we know about this draft. Mendoza doesn't have the high-end traits of the 2024 QB trio, but he crosses the necessary thresholds, and he brings the intangibles to be a successful starter.

2. New York Jets

David Bailey | Edge | Texas Tech

This comes down to the upside of Arvell Reese, or the proven production of Bailey. The Jets can afford to be patient if they take Reese, but Aaron Glenn could opt for a more instant-impact rusher.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame

I'm not sure the Cards end up picking here, but if they do, Love is the pure "best player available" play. Say what you want about positional value, but Love is a three-down weapon who can transform an offense all by himself.

4. Tennessee Titans

Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State

This could be a tough call with Reese still on the board, but while Reese still needs some development if he wants to be a full-time edge defender, Styles is a ready-made stud off the ball, and will remind Robert Saleh of Fred Warner.

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson could be a surprise top-5 pick. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

5. New York Giants

Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State

This is a bit too rich for me, but it sure sounds like the Giants are head-over-heels for Tyson, despite the injury/durability concerns. When healthy, he's an impressive separator with high-end route-running skills and big-play ability, and he's not likely to last until the Giants pick again at No. 10 overall.

6. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE)*

Arvell Reese | Edge | Ohio State

Reese falling out of the top five would be surprising, but if he does, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Cowboys pounce. Cleveland will be motivated to move down, while the Cowboys still maintain the same number of total picks, and land a high-upside playmaker for their defense.

7. New York Jets (from WAS)*

Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State

If Tyson leaps into the top five, a team like the Jets could get aggressive in moving up for the other top pass-catcher in this class. Tate is a well-rounded receiver who can attack every level of the field, and jumping ahead of multiple teams that could be targeting him would be worth the price.

8. New Orleans Saints

Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU

This could be a tough call with Rueben Bain Jr. still on the board, but this year's draft is deeper with edge defenders than at corner. Delane is the clear-cut top prospect at the position this year, and would give the Saints an immediate shutdown presence on the outside.

Miami edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. was a dominant force for the Canes last season. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Rueben Bain Jr. | Edge | Miami (FL)

A right tackle could be tempting here, but if Bain is still on the board, I think the Chiefs would jump at the chance to add a high-end pass rusher. A dominant force for the Canes last season, Bain would make an instant impact for a Super Bowl contender that doesn't plan to pick this high again anytime soon.

10. New York Giants (from CIN)

Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State

I wouldn't be surprised if Downs is the Giants' pick at No. 5, but they could take the gamble that a safety is more likely to stay on the board. Downs has been the No. 1 player on my board since last Spring, making him a massive steal here.

11. Miami Dolphins

Francis Mauigoa | OL | Miami (FL)

You can never go wrong investing in the trenches, especially when you're kicking off a massive rebuild. Mauigoa is a pro-ready right tackle with a ton of power and physicality, and at worst, he could slide inside and be a dominant guard at the next level.

12. Cleveland Browns (from DAL)*

Spencer Fano | OT | Utah

This is a dream scenario for the Browns, who move down the board and still fill their biggest need while getting better value. They need long-term solutions at both tackle spots, and Fano gives them an instant upgrade on the right side.

USC WR Makai Lemon is a big-play machine. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

13. Los Angeles Rams

Makai Lemon | WR | USC

I could see the Rams moving off this pick in either direction, but if they stay here, Lemon just makes too much sense. They need another high-end receiving weapon with Davante Adams getting older and dealing with nagging injuries, and Lemon has the skill set and physicality to fit their scheme and style of play.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Olaivavega Ioane | OL | Penn State

There's a case to be made for Kenyon Sadiq here, but I see the Ravens prioritizing the trenches over a luxury weapon in the passing game. Ioane is a top-10 talent in this class, and could be the player most likely to push for All-Pro consideration as a rookie.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (from TB)*

Kadyn Proctor | OL | Alabama

The Bucs are highly motivated to move down from this pick, and the Steelers have needs along the offensive line. Proctor could be insurance at left tackle with Broderick Jones dealing with a neck injury, but at worst, he could kick inside and develop into a dominant guard.

16. Washington Commanders (from NYJ)*

Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana

There are still some big needs on defense, but after moving back and replacing their missing second-round pick, the Commanders opt for a dynamic pass-catcher to pair with Terry McLaurin and help out Jayden Daniels.

Georgia OT Monroe Freeling is a first-round lock after a stellar 2025 campaign. (Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

17. Detroit Lions

Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia

The Lions need to find a replacement for Taylor Decker at left tackle, and Freeling has a ton of upside due to his impressive physical traits, and the toughness/physicality that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes always favor.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon

I know this pick is getting boring at this point, but it's just because it makes so much sense. Thieneman's athleticism, instincts and versatility would make him the ideal replacement for future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith.

19. Carolina Panthers

Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon

Tight end isn't a huge need, but if Sadiq is still on the board, the Panthers could go with pure value and give Bryce Young another athletic target who can create mismatches against linebackers and safeties downfield.

20. Cleveland Browns (from GB via DAL)*

Denzel Boston | WR | Washington

After dropping out of the top 10 and still landing one of this year's top tackles in Fano, the Browns fill another big need on offense with Boston, who could quickly become their new WR1 with his combination of size, physicality and athleticism.

Miami edge defender Akheem Mesidor is a polished, productive pass rusher. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from PIT)*

Akheem Mesidor | Edge | Miami (FL)

The Bucs are big fans of Mesidor, but moving back a few spots and still landing him would be their preferred scenario. His age (25) and injury history (three surgeries) are legitimate drawbacks, but the tape shows a dominant, productive pass rusher who can make the instant impact they need.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Keldric Faulk | Edge | Auburn

If the board falls this way, the Chargers could wait to fill their need along the interior of the offensive line until Day 2. Instead, Faulk's impressive blend of size, athleticism and versatility would give them tons of upside as Khalil Mack's future replacement.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Max Iheanachor | OT | Arizona State

I won't be surprised if the Eagles move up for a tackle, but if they stick and pick here, Iheanachor would be the perfect fit. His technique still needs some fine-tuning, but the athletic traits and potential are off the charts, making him the ideal understudy behind Lane Johnson at right tackle.

24. Cleveland Browns

Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah

What a scenario this would be for the Browns, landing both of Utah's tackles to bookend their offensive line for years to come. Pairing Lomu with his college teammate in Fano would be a massive win for a team desperate to rebuild this unit after a mass exodus in free agency.

25. Chicago Bears

Peter Woods | DL | Clemson

This defense needs a dominant, disruptive presence along the interior, and Woods showed flashes of that ability while playing all over the defensive line at Clemson. Chicago could unleash his full potential by letting him attack upfield as a full-time three-technique.

26. Buffalo Bills

Malachi Lawrence | Edge | UCF

I would expect the Bills to try and move down from this pick (no second-rounder thanks to the DJ Moore trade), but if they can't find the right deal, adding help in the defensive trenches makes a ton of sense. Lawrence isn't a sleeper anymore, and would bring explosiveness and upside to a title contender.

27. San Francisco 49ers

KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M

Even after adding multiple veterans in free agency, the 49ers could still target a young playmaker to develop behind them. What Concepcion may lack in size, he makes up for with explosiveness, polished technique, and physicality after the catch.

28. Houston Texans

Blake Miller | OT | Clemson

Investing in the future of C.J. Stroud's offensive line should be a top priority, and even after signing Braden Smith in free agency, the polished and experienced (54 career starts) Miller would give them a long-term solution at right tackle across from Aireontae Ersery.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR)

Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee

Trading away Trent McDuffie leaves the Chiefs without a true shutdown corner, so why not use the first pick from that deal to find one? Hood could easily be a top-20 pick after a stellar 2025 campaign, making him a potential bargain here.

30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN)

Chris Johnson | CB | San Diego State

Another underrated prospect who has shed the "sleeper" label in recent weeks, Johnson's film is as clean as you'll find in this draft class, and he would immediately be the most talented corner on Miami's rebuilding roster.

31. Arizona Cardinals (from NE)*

Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama

At this point, it seems like just a matter of where and when the Cards will trade back into the first round for Simpson, not if. It's a risky gamble given his lack of experience and high-end physical traits, but Simpson could eventually develop into a successful starter if Arizona builds a winner around him.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Jadarian Price | RB | Notre Dame

I'll be shocked if the Seahawks actually make a pick here, given their lack of early-round selections and penchant for moving back. If they can't swing a deal, though, the defending champs can afford the luxury of taking Price, who would immediately alleviate the loss of Kenneth Walker III.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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