2026 NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Rushing to the Stage

by Matty Kiwoom · Featured
2026 NFL Mock Draft 7.0

2026 NFL Mock Draft 7.0 is here, and we’re officially in the eye of the draft season storm, where everything starts to feel real. The Senior Bowl gave us our first clues, the NFL Combine shook up the evaluations, and free agency is quietly steering teams toward certain positions, whether they want to admit it or not. Boards are tightening, opinions are getting louder, and the picture of Round 1 is coming into focus. But that doesn’t mean there won’t still be a few surprises lurking.

Check out the PlayerProfiler Mock Draft Archive for previous iterations of this season’s mock, but keep it right here for the most up-to-date movers & shakers.

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2026 NFL Mock Draft 7.0

1. Las Vegas Raiders | Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback (Indiana)

There are just so many letters and words you can combine to create sentences, and I think I’ve used up all of them to explain this pick. Mendoza to the Raiders is a L-O-C-K.

2. New York Jets | David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech)

This match makes so much sense, and it is becoming my go-to pick here at two. Bailey is exactly what Aaron Glen would love to add to his defense. 

3. Arizona Cardinals | Arvell Reese, Linebacker (Ohio State)

Whether he plays as an edge rusher or an off-ball backer, Arizona is going to be more than happy to make this pick at three. 

4. Tennessee Titans | Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver (Ohio State)

Edge rusher, running back, wide receiver…these are the three spots that the Titans would love to add. They have been sniffing around the top-end wideouts and then choose their favorite to join Cam Ward in year two. 

5. New York Giants | Makai Lemon, Wide Receiver (USC)

Wide Receiver would not be my priority if I were the Giants’ team builder, but New York seems very interested in adding to its pass-catching room. Lemon has been in for a 30-minute visit and gets the nod at five. 

6. Cleveland Browns | Jordyn Tyson, Wide Receiver (Arizona State)

Cleveland needs linemen and wideouts, and they have made that clear based on who they are getting a close look at. The receiver run is on and popping.  

7. Washington Commanders | Sonny Styles, Linebacker (Ohio State)

Witnessing the wide receiver run happen like this would be devastating to the Commanders. Sonny Styles is a wonderful consolation prize and adds dynamism to their defensive unit. 

8. New Orleans Saints | Mansoor Delane, Cornerback (LSU)

The Saints go shopping in their backyard and add the top corner in the class. Delane adds something that the Saints haven’t had in a few years. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Miami, FL)

Rueben Bain Jr. will need to be an outlier to be a top-end performer, given his T. rex arms. Regardless, the Chiefs have no issue taking a chance on a complete game wrecker. 

10. Cincinnati Bengals | Olaivavega Ioane, Offensive Line (Penn State)

This wouldn’t be their number one option heading into draft night, but Vega adds blue-chip athleticism to their offensive line, which would like to keep Joe Burrow upright for a change. 

11. Miami Dolphins | Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Line (Miami, FL)

Getting the top-ranked linemen in the class at eleven would be a nice turn of events for the Fins. Mauigoa will save on moving costs by staying in Florida, and Malik Willis will welcome him with open arms. 

12. Dallas Cowboys | Caleb Downs, Safety (Ohio State)

Caleb Downs donning a Dallas Cowboys star seems right. They need more playmakers on defense, especially in the secondary, and here they land maybe the most talented player in the draft. 

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) | Monroe Freeling, Offensive Line (Georgia)

Monroe Freeling was amazing at the combine and could very well be the first linemen off the board. Heading to the Rams, here is a great fit and will help provide extra protection for the reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford. 

14. Baltimore Ravens | Caleb Banks, Defensive Tackle (Florida)

Baltimore has been doing their research on defensive linemen. They decide to take the player with the most upside at this position. Banks is massive and has what it takes to be a difference maker for the Ravens. 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kenyon Sadiq, Tight End (Oregon)

Another year, another first-round pass catcher for the Bucs. Kenyon Sadiq is fast and will be able to develop at a favorable pace, going to Tampa Bay. 

16. New York Jets (via IND) | Omar Cooper Jr., Wide Receiver (Ohio State)

Omar Cooper Jr. continues to gain steam in the draft world, and the Jets’ love for the wide receiver is becoming one of the worst-kept secrets. Adding a first-round receiver will help Geno Smith now that he is back in the Big Apple. 

17. Detroit Lions | Peter Woods, Defensive Tackle (Clemson)

It seems like the Lions are dead set on adding to the interior of their defensive line. Peter Woods came into the 2025 season as the top-ranked defensive tackle, and if it weren’t for such a train wreck of a season for Clemson, he may not be here for Detroit. 

18. Minnesota Vikings | Jeremiyah Love, Running Back (Notre Dame)

Umm…I guess miracles do happen. This would make the Minnesota offense very scary — and a fantasy football dream. 

19. Carolina Panthers | Spencer Fano, Offensive Line (Utah)

Spencer Fano can play right tackle, guard, and even center, which is exactly what the Panthers would love to add at nineteen. 

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | CB Jermod McCoy

Ohio State’s Downs and now McCoy? That would be a surefire way to revamp the Dallas defensive secondary. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers | Ty Simpson, Quarterback (Alabama)

It doesn’t matter whether the Steelers bring back Aaron Rodgers or not. Ty Simpson has the goods, and the Steelers can’t pass up on adding their potential quarterback of the future. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers | Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Line (Alabama)

Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, and now Kadyn Proctor talk about the potential best offensive line on the planet. 

23. Philadelphia Eagles | Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (Miami, FL)

The Eagles have lost some juice in their pass-rushing unit, and Mesidor brings exactly that. He has the talent to play right away, but doesn’t have the upside some teams look for. That won’t be an issue for a team looking to get back to the Super Bowl. 

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) | Caleb Lomu, Offensive Line (Utah)

Based on what players the Browns have brought in for visits, this would be their Plan A. A high-end receiver and a first-year starter on their o-line. Caleb Lomu has the makings to become a left tackle in the NFL if developed properly. 

25. Chicago Bears | Lee Hunter, Defensive Line (Texas Tech)

Chicago hasn’t been shy when it comes to their pursuit of defensive linemen. Lee Hunter has had some ups and downs throughout the draft process, but his talent is undeniable. 

26. Buffalo Bills | Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker (Texas)

The Bills continue to scout linebackers, and Anthony Hill Jr. is the most talented backer on the board. 

27. San Francisco 49ers | T.J. Parker, EDGE  (Clemson)

The Niners could go wide receiver or offensive line, but with T.J. Parker on the board, they decided to grab one of the most talented edge rushers in the class. 

28. Houston Texans | Max Iheanachor, Offensive Line (Arizona State)

Max Iheanachor has had a meteoric rise this draft season, and Houston made it official in round one. The goal is to protect CJ Stroud, and that is clear. 

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) | Colton Hood, Cornerback (Tennessee)

It appears that the Chiefs are going to select a cornerback with one of their two first-round picks. Colton Hood had a great 2025 campaign, and Kansas City is excited to add the talented defensive back. 

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN) | Dillon Thieneman, Safety (Oregon)

“Best Player Available” (BPA) is the motto here for the second of the Dolphins’ pair of first-rounders. Dillon Thieneman is uber-athletic and brings an immediate impact to Miami’s secondary. 

31. New England Patriots | Denzel Boston, Wide Receiver (Washington)

Dreams do come true. Not necessarily the Pats’ dream, but mine. Denzel Boston and Drake Maye could be a dangerous tandem right away, given Maye’s arm and Boston’s big-play ability. 

32. Seattle Seahawks | Cashius Howell, EDGE (Texas A&M)

Cashius Howell has some red flags, which is why he fell to the last pick in round one. However, adding him to the defending Super Bowl champs’ defense is exactly the kind of move that works for everyone. 

2026 NFL Draft: Pay for The Seat, Only Use the Edge

At this stage of the process, the big questions start turning into clearer answers, but there’s always room for chaos before draft night. One strong pro day, one unexpected team need, or one bold front office decision can send the whole board spinning. Mock Draft 7.0 is a snapshot of where things stand today, but as we all know, the NFL loves a late twist, and we wouldn’t want it any other way for my last mock of the pre-draft season next week.

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