2026 NFL draft board projections for first-round picks

The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh in April. The Las Vegas Raiders have the first pick and, barring a shock, are expected to take Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza with that choice. The names are in the pool for those eligible. Taking a look around to see who thinks what teams will take which players to come up with a mock draft to give football fans an idea of how the first round could shake out.

1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza smiles on the podium after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game. — Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza smiles on the podium after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game.

Fernando Mendoza is the consensus pack when looking to see who mock drafts believe the Raiders will take. The Silver & Black are in dire straits when it comes to a quarterback and the Indiana signal-caller won the Heisman and led his team to a national championship. Is this the case of one fantastic season or a generational QB? Tom Brady is in on the discussions and he should know about Big Ten QBs, right?

2. New York Jets (3-14)

Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr.

The Jets need a quarterback. Not sure who did who a favor when Dante Moore decided to return to Oregon. Did the Duck duck a disaster by being chosen by Gang Green? Or did the Jets get lucky in not having to take a player not ready for the NFL? There is no other QB worth taking here. It looks like the pick will be either Arvell Reese, an Ohio State linebacker, or Miami EDGE Rueben Bain. Look for Bain to gather more attention as the draft nears.

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese tackles Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck.

The Cardinals wind up with the player that the Jets pass up. That should be Arvell Reese, who is 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds. He had 6.5 sacks in a hybrid role for Ohio State. What is fascinating is that he isn’t the best player on the Buckeye defense. However, position may determine why Reese goes higher than Caleb Downs.

4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)

Texas Tech's David Bailey goes through a drill as the Red Raiders practice ahead of the Orange Bowl. — Texas Tech’s David Bailey goes through a drill as the Red Raiders practice ahead of the Orange Bowl.

Robert Saleh takes over in Tennessee. Going from a head coaching job with the New York Jets to his second chance with Tennessee is daunting. He was fantastic with the Niners are their defensive coordinator. That could mean the lean is to defense, especially after a draft when the Titans used their first pick on QB Cam Ward in 2025. Look for Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey to receive serious consideration at this spot.

5. New York Giants (4-13)

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl.

John Harbaugh will have the say-so here over GM Joe Schoen. That was made clear when the former Baltimore Ravens coach negotiated the right to move to ownership. Decisions, decisions but remember Harbaugh and the Ravens always seemed to make the right pick at the right time in the draft. DB Caleb Downs is an absolute gem. So is his Buckeye teammate WR Carnell Tate. Either way, the pick here is someone who played college ball at Ohio State.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate.

If Carnell Tate is on the board here, the Browns will grab the Buckeye star in a blink. If not, expect them to go for a big offensive lineman in Miami OT Francis Mauigoa or Utah OT Spencer Fano. They rate closely on scouting reports. It is a coin toss and Cleveland takes the Hurricane.

7. Washington Commanders (5-12)

Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.

Time to get some protection for Jayden Daniels. The QB was injured throughout his second NFL season and Dan Quinn needs to make sure Daniels’ health is a top priority. The defense was Swiss cheese in 2025 but if Daniels keeps taking shots it won’t matter. The pick will either be Miami OT Francis Mauigoa or Utah OT Spencer Fano, whomever is left. The Commanders have to hope one of them is there.

8. New Orleans (6-11)

The Saints could use a running back or a wideout. Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame was a Heisman finalist and is a three-down back. His receiving could use improvement but that shouldn’t make New Orleans shy from him.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)

Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rashee Rice keeps finding ways to get in trouble and that means the Chiefs could be in the market for a wideout. It seems unlikely Carnell Tate would be here so. Makai Lemon of USC and Jordyn Tyson of Arizona are names that pop in mock drafts. KC doesn’t pick in the top 10 often. The last time they made a top 10 pick came in 2017 after a trade with the Bills. That selection turned out pretty well. It was Patrick Mahomes. Look for the pick to be Tyson.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)

Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods sacks South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

This pick should go with the defense. The one player who is surfacing in many mock drafts is Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods. The Bengals need more than one player on a porous defense. This should be a start.

11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)

Jermod McCoy of the Tennessee Volunteers intercepts a pass in the end zone.

The Fish go fishing for a defensive player with new coach Jeff Hafley’s career focus being on that side of the football. Many mock drafts have Miami targeting Tennesee DB Jermod McCoy. He suffered a torn ACL in January of 2025. Taking a player who missed a year is risky business. But if the Dolphins hit here with McCoy he could turn out to be a gift.

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl.

Another team that needs defense. The Cowboys were riddled by opponents. They gave up a ton of yardage and a lot of points in 2025. Micah Parsons was missed and there were plenty of injuries. Dallas does have two first-round picks so that should be a good way to bulk up the defense. Starting here will be Ohio State LB Sonny Styles. The Buckeyes are a perfect spot to get players ready for the pros. Styles had a big season with 82 tackles to lead Ohio State. He’s a solid selection.

13. LA Rams via Atlanta Falcons (8-9)

LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to a stop on fourth down against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The Rams get this pick from Atlanta. There has to be temptation to go with a QB as Matthew Stafford continues to age (like fine wine, albeit). However, taking Alabama’s Ty Simpson would be a huge risk. Rather, go defense and pick Mansoor Delane, a CB out of LSU. He is the total package and will do well on a team that already has a ferocious defense. It makes far more sense than rolling the dice on the Crimson Tide QB, who should have spent another year in Tuscaloosa.

14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)

Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon.

The Ravens will have a new coach and a fresh outlook. Following John Harbaugh on the field won’t be easy and keeping pace with his track record in the draft should be a challenge. Lamar Jackson could use another primary target and that is where Makai Lemon of USC fits in. There are other needs, like an offensive lineman as Ronnie Stanley ages but the Ravens don’t plan on picking in the first half of the draft again so they need the best player available.

Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk.

The Buccaneers will look to the SEC for their pick here. They will go defense with Keldric Faulk of Auburn being the choice around many mock drafts. Mel Kiper of ESPN, for one, said «if you could draw up the perfect NFL 4-3 defensive end it would be Faulk.» That is lofty praise and it should be one of the thoughts that lead Tampa Bay to make this choice.

16. New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts (8-9)

Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano waits for the play against the BYU Cougars.

Not to belabor the point but the Jets are quarterback needy. Justin Fields didn’t pan out. Tyrod Taylor is a wonderful backup nearing the end of his career. They simply can’t make another QB mistake and taking Simpson at this stage would be that. Patience has to be heeded. Utah’s Spencer Fano would be a gift if he drops this far.