It’s time for my NFL Mock Draft, version 4.0. Check out the PlayerProfiler Mock Draft Archive for previous versions, but stay right here for my predictions with the most up-to-date info.
We still have the Senior Bowl, combine, and pro days that will help paint the picture as we get to draft night. A lot will come to the forefront during the rest of the process, but early on, this draft seems like it could be a weird one. There aren’t more than a couple of possible Round1 quarterbacks, and some of the best overall players are a linebacker, safety, and running back. But as of now, it looks like the 2026 NFL Draft will form around premium positions, with teams across the league aggressively targeting quarterbacks, offensive tackles, and edge defenders at the top of the board. Premium positions rise throughout the process, and this mock reflects that. ‘
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2026 NFL Mock Draft 4.0
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
A poised and instinctive operator, Mendoza brings rhythm passing and enough mobility to stabilize a long-term rebuilding effort in Vegas.
2. New York Jets: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Bain offers explosive first-step juice and disruptive leverage, giving New York a franchise-caliber pass rusher to anchor their defensive identity.
3. Arizona Cardinals: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Simpson’s creativity, movement, and natural feel for timing make him the kind of high-variance quarterback worth betting on early.
4. Tennessee Titans: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
A refined route-runner with size and body control, Tate offers the Titans their first true long-term WR1 since the A.J. Brown era.
5. New York Giants: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor’s sheer mass, power, and anchor ability can help reshape New York’s offensive line and establish a new physical baseline.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
A highly athletic edge protector with clean feet and composure, Fano will fit Cleveland’s mold to start the Todd Monken era.
7. Washington Commanders: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love adds instant juice and home-run speed, giving Washington the explosive run element their offense has lacked.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson provides the Saints with a slick separator who accelerates effortlessly and threatens defenses vertically and horizontally.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Reese brings rare range and instincts to the second level, giving Kansas City a modern linebacker capable of impacting all phases.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Bailey’s burst, bend, and motor will give Cincinnati a much-needed edge piece to diversify their front and keep pressure consistent.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Delane offers length, patience, and fluid transitions, fitting new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley’s coverage philosophy.
12. Dallas Cowboys: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs gives Dallas a complete safety with elite diagnostic traits, stabilizing the spine of their defense.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
A punishing run-blocker with violent hands, Mauigoa brings a nasty finishing presence to a Rams offensive line in transition.
14. Baltimore Ravens: DL Peter Woods, Clemson
Woods’ blend of power and effort makes him a classic Ravens-style interior defender who can eat blocks and generate interior push.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Styles offers hybrid versatility, bringing size, range, and matchup flexibility to a Tampa Bay defense needing athleticism.
16. New York Jets (via IND): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
A fluid mover with advanced instincts, Terrell fits seamlessly into New York’s defense with the hopes to replace the traded Sauce Gardner.
17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Faulk brings length, raw power, and a disruptive edge profile that Dan Campbell can mold into another cornerstone defender.
18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy is a competitive, physical corner with sticky man-coverage traits and strong instincts at the catch point. Health will be the biggest hurdle throughout his draft process.
19. Carolina Panthers: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Parker’s burst and bend give Carolina an ascending rusher who can become a long-term centerpiece off the edge.
20. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Mesidor brings compact power and heavy hands, giving Dallas a multi-front defensive piece capable of aligning inside or outside.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Lemon adds dynamic movement skills and separation ability to Pittsburgh’s offense, giving them the legitimate space-creator they lack.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
A long, controlled tackle with excellent movement skills, Dunker fits the Chargers’ emphasis on athletic, stable perimeter protection.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Sadiq provides Philly with an explosive mismatch tight end capable of stretching the seam and winning from multiple alignments.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Lomu gives Cleveland another high-floor, technically sound offensive lineman from Utah.
25. Chicago Bears: EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Howell is a speed rusher with developmental upside who fits Chicago’s need for more explosive edge presence.
26. Buffalo Bills: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Boston offers size, vertical explosion, and boundary dominance to a Buffalo wideout room looking for a new long-term alpha.
27. San Francisco 49ers: DL Christen Miller, Georgia
A penetrating interior defender with strong hands and quickness, Miller fits San Francisco’s attacking, rotation-heavy defensive philosophy.
28. Houston Texans: OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Pregnon adds physical interior power and drive block strength to a Texans offensive line still looking for a consistent identity inside.
29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Johnson brings length, athletic pop, and ball-hawking upside to a Rams secondary undergoing a youthful transition.
30. Denver Broncos: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Sarratt gives Denver a big, physical target who wins through contact and provides immediate red-zone utility. Fantasy football managers … I present Slant Boy 2.0!
31. New England Patriots: LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill’s downhill aggression and explosive closing ability fit New England’s defensive versatility and commitment to physicality.
32. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
Josephs offers burst, leverage, and developmental pass-rush tools for a team continuing to weaponize its defensive front.
Conclusion
This NFL mock draft underscores a draft cycle built heavily around premium positions, but also one where teams appear more willing to take calculated swings on traits. The early run on quarterbacks and tackles reflects teams prioritizing long-term roster construction, while the depth of edge defenders drives a strong defensive theme through the middle of the round. Wide receivers going in the first round have become a new-age tradition across NFL front offices. With so many questions left to be answered, the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is tough to predict …but I’m still trying.
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