NFL News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine 1st-Round Projection

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Luke Easterling | Last updated Mar 1, 2026 4:33 PM ET

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books, and as usual, we've got prospects moving up and down the board based on their performances at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

As the dust starts to settle following this year's on-field workouts, here's an updated look at how the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft could turn out:

2026 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS

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

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana

This might be the only sure thing in this year's draft. Mendoza had an incredible 2025 season with the Hoosiers, showing off all the traits that could make him a successful starter at the next level if the Raiders can build a winner around him.

2. New York Jets

David Bailey | Edge | Texas Tech

Without a worthy QB on the board, this pick is probably "best defender available" territory for Aaron Glenn and his crew. You can make a strong case for multiple candidates, but Bailey's elite explosiveness off the edge gives him the nod.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Arvell Reese | Edge | Ohio State

There are bigger needs elsewhere, but Reese's rare blend of size, athleticism and versatility gives him limitless upside. Whether he lines up on the edge or off the ball, Reese has rare traits that could make him a game-wrecker down the the line.

4. Tennessee Titans

Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame

There are a couple of defenders who are worthy here, but Love is arguably the best player in the entire draft. He would give Cam Ward a huge boost on offense, both as a runner and a receiver, with the explosiveness to score on every touch.

5. New York Giants

Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State

I could see a tackle or a receiver here, but the Giants have a huge need at linebacker, and Styles just proved at the NFL Combine that he's one of the best athletes we've ever seen at the position. It's so hard to find off-ball linebackers who can do the things he can.

6. Cleveland Browns

Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami (FL)

The entire starting offensive line in Cleveland might have to be replaced, and Mauigoa would be a strong addition to the rebuild. He's a plug-and-play right tackle with the power and polish to make an immediate impact

7. Washington Commanders

Rueben Bain Jr. | Edge | Miami (FL)

This roster simply needs more playmakers on both sides of the ball, so this pick is about pure value. Bain was as dominant as any defender in college football last year, and regardless of concerns about his arm length, he's a complete player with a three-down skill set.

8. New Orleans Saints

Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State

Chris Olave is a quality WR1 when healthy, but he's struggled with injuries, and the Saints don't have a quality option behind him after trading away Rashid Shaheed. Tate is a well-rounded prospect who can challenge Olave for the top spot on the depth chart.

Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq could be a top-10 pick after his combine workout. (Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon

Patrick Mahomes needs more weapons, no matter where they line up on the field. In this scenario, their best bet could be to replace Travis Kelce with an elite athlete in Sadiq, who has a sky-high ceiling with his rare physical traits.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State

This could be the steal of the draft, as Downs might be the best player in the entire class. If he slips due to perceived positional value, the Bengals could fill a huge need on defense with a bargain of a top-10 selection.

11. Miami Dolphins

Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU

Another fantastic blend of need and value, the Dolphins need a true shutdown corner, and Delane is the best prospect in this year's class. He can completely erase one side of the field, having just done so against SEC competition in 2025.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee

A receiver is possible here if the Cowboys don't retain George Pickens, but the defense is desperate for playmakers. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury, but his 2024 tape shows elite physical traits and ball skills.

Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy was elite in 2024 before missing last season with a knee injury. (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL)

Spencer Fano | OT | Utah

This would be a huge win for the Rams, who just lost veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein to retirement. Fano would be an ideal replacement, with the talent and polish to make an instant impact for a Super Bowl contender, and a fantastic value pick.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Makai Lemon | WR | USC

This defense needs a ton of help, but Lamar Jackson also needs more weapons. The Ravens might prefer a bigger receiver to pair with Zay Flowers, but Lemon is simply too talented to pass up if he's still on the board here, regardless of his size.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

CJ Allen | LB | Georgia

Even if Lavonte David returns for a 15th season, the Bucs need an elite linebacker to play next to the future Hall of Famer, and/or eventually take over for him. Allen is a high-floor defender who has all the physical and mental traits to be the perfect fit.

16. New York Jets (from IND)

Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State

Garrett Wilson is one of the best receivers in the league when healthy, but the Jets don't have another high-end target on the roster. Tyson's well-rounded skill set and ability to create consistent separation would be a huge boost to this passing game.

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson has a well-rounded skill that should make a big impact right away in the NFL. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

17. Detroit Lions

Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia

Even if Taylor Decker returns in 2026, the Lions clearly need a succession plan at left tackle. Freeling is an elite athlete for the position, with the mean streak Dan Campbell and company will love. He's a fast-rising name who could go even higher than this.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo

Losing future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith to retirement would be a huge blow for this secondary, but McNeil-Warren has the tools to be a worthy successor. His tape is full of splash plays, and he's got impressive physical traits that give him a ton of upside.

19. Carolina Panthers

Keldric Faulk | Edge | Auburn

Carolina spent multiple Day 2 picks on edge rushers last year, but that shouldn't stop them from adding another one here. Faulk has a rare blend of size, athleticism and versatility that allows him to line up all over the defensive front.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB)

Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon

Dallas double-dips on playmakers for the defensive backfield here, this time on the back end. Thieneman backed up his solid film with a dominant showing at the combine, displaying rare athleticism that shows up on tape against both the run and pass.

Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. has launched himself into the first-round conversation. (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana

This is still one of my favorite first-round fits. Cooper's athleticism, toughness and versatility makes him the ideal WR2 in Pittsburgh opposite DK Metcalf, and his physical style of play is exactly what the franchise always wants.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Vega Ioane | OL | Penn State

Justin Herbert obviously needs as much help as possible up front, and Ioane is the top guard prospect in this year's class. He's polished and pro-ready, with all the physical traits and mental prowess to make an instant impact.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee

They have bigger needs elsewhere, but the Eagles aren't likely to pass up value at premium positions. Hood would fit the bill as a high-end corner who had an impressive 2025 campaign against SEC competition.

24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX)

Denzel Boston | WR | Washington

Another ideal fit for the Browns, who address their need for more offensive playmakers with a big, athletic target in Boston. He's a dominant red-zone weapon with surprising after-the-catch ability for a bigger receiver.

25. Chicago Bears

Peter Woods | DL | Clemson

The Bears need more difference-makers in the defensive trenches, and Woods has elite upside with his combination of size and athleticism. His 2025 tape was inconsistent due to playing above his ideal weight and out of position at nose tackle, but the potential is through the roof.

26. Buffalo Bills

Cashius Howell | Edge | Texas A&M

Buffalo's defense doesn't have a high-end edge rusher who can take over games and get to the quarterback consistently in clutch situations. That's all Howell did for the Aggies last season, making him an ideal fit here.

27. San Francisco 49ers

Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah

Future Hall of Famer Trent Williams won't be around forever, so it's time for the 49ers to find his replacement at left tackle. Lomu will need some patience as he refines his technique, but all the building blocks are there for him to develop into a Pro Bowler.

28. Houston Texans

Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama

Protecting C.J. Stroud has to be Houston's top priority heading into the 2026 season, and Proctor's physical traits are extremely rare. With the right coaching, Proctor would develop into a dominant force at either guard or tackle.

Clemson CB Avieon Terrell is an undersized but competitive playmaker. (Jeff Blake-Imagn Images)

29. Los Angeles Rams

Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson

The Rams aren't afraid of smaller corners if all the other traits are there, and Terrell fits the bill. The younger brother of Falcons corner A.J., Terrell is a tough, feisty playmaker who plays with a ton of competitiveness and confidence.

30. Denver Broncos

KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M

Bo Nix needs as many weapons as possible, and the Broncos are in a fantastic spot to add one here. Concepcion makes up for his lack of ideal size with a ton of explosiveness and a physical style of play, both at the catch point and after the catch.

31. New England Patriots

Akheem Mesidor | Edge | Miami (FL)

Mike Vrabel's defense needs more difference-makers at every level, but it has to start in the trenches. Mesidor was a dominant force for the Canes last season, and despite being a 25-year-old rookie, he simply knows how to get to the quarterback all day long.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Lee Hunter | DL | Texas Tech

Adding more firepower to this defense seems unfair, but lining up a massive mauler like Hunter next to Byron Murphy II would make this unit even more dangerous as they look to defend their title next year.

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

More must-reads: