With the regular season of the 2025 college football season winding down and the 2025 NFL season nearly two-thirds completed, I figure this is a good time to take a look at the 2026 NFL draft and make new projections for the first 32 picks.
To clarify, there is plenty of time between now and the start of the draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh. Beyond the home stretch of the season, some players could decide to head back to school, while others could surprisingly declare early. We also have predraft events such as all-star games and the combine that tend to alter draft boards. And teams’ needs will evolve as they move toward the upcoming offseason.
Our draft order for this mock draft is based on the standings through Week 11. Four teams currently have multiple first-round picks: the Rams (from the Falcons), the Browns (from the Jaguars), the Cowboys (from the Packers) and the Jets (from the Colts). But I actually projected two more trades in Round 1 here.
Here are my projections for all 32 first-round picks in 2026, starting with those couple of trades to shake up the top of the board. (Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.)
Jump to a projected trade:
TEN-NYJ | NYG-CLE
See more on the NFL draft:
Position rankings
Projected trade: Jets move up to No. 1 overall
Armed with two first-round picks and an additional second-round pick in 2026 thanks to the deadline trades of cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the Jets are moving up to Tennessee’s spot at No. 1 in this mock draft. Since the Titans used their 2025 No. 1 pick on quarterback Cam Ward, they could be convinced to move down and accumulate draft capital to build around their young QB. In this deal, the Jets would send both of their first-round picks (Nos. 4 and 28) and their 2027 second-round pick to the Titans for the top selection.
1. New York Jets (via projected trade with 1-9 TEN)
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana*
Jets general manager Darren Mougey didn’t load up on draft capital by trading away Gardner and Williams to watch teams pick quarterbacks ahead of him. So I had the Jets aggressively move up for Mendoza, a pocket passer with great touch and timing who can carve up a defense with surgical accuracy while providing enough mobility to execute on the move.
Mendoza might not be in Caleb Williams’ class in terms of top QB prospects over the past five years, but he’s the best in this class and the Jets have to take swing at the position. Justin Fields was just benched, and Tyrod Taylor isn’t the long-term answer. Mendoza’s 30 touchdown passes to five interceptions shows how careful he is with the football.
Projected trade: Browns flip spots with the Giants
Like the Titans, the Giants drafted their quarterback of the future in 2025 in Jaxson Dart, making them a prime candidate to move down. With the Browns in quarterback flux and sporting multiple first-round picks in the 2026 draft, Cleveland would send the No. 3 pick to the Giants to move up one spot. New York would also receive third-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to move down to No. 3.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon*
The Browns’ many attempts to find a franchise quarterback have failed, so it’s back to the drawing board. Moore started five games at UCLA in 2023 before transferring to Oregon and sitting behind Dillon Gabriel — whom he’d actually be replacing here — in 2024. Moore has played with poise and touch this season, completing 72.8% of his passes for 2,190 yards and 21 touchdowns to five interceptions while showing great arm talent.
He isn’t a shoo-in to declare for 2026, given his limited experience (15 starts), but Moore’s penchant for making tough throws from muddy pockets would fit in Cleveland. Moore alone wouldn’t be a quick fix, but matching him with RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. would give the Browns a young, high-energy offense.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami*
Not needing a quarterback, the Giants can do the smart thing and trade down to acquire more draft capital. They have needs across the offensive line, and while the 2026 draft class doesn’t align with their wish list perfectly, Mauigoa would be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle opposite Andrew Thomas. Some scouts see Mauigoa as a guard at the next level because of his stocky 6-foot-6, 315-pound frame, but his ability to create space in the run game with power and people-moving skills would boost what the Giants could become with Dart and RB Cam Skattebo. Mauigoa has allowed just one sack all season … which is the same number of touchdowns he has scored.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*
For the Titans to get a true evaluation of Ward, he needs a go-to receiver to throw to alongside emerging supporting players Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Tyson is the big-play deep threat Tennessee’s offense is missing, as he has 57 receptions for 628 yards and eight touchdowns this season after catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he doesn’t have hulking size, but Tyson elevates to play the ball in the air like a much larger player while still providing the speed to rip off big runs. With its young offensive line building chemistry, the best thing Tennessee can do for Ward is build up a cast of young receivers around him like Cincinnati did for Joe Burrow.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama*
Geno Smith has not worked out in Las Vegas, and a quarterback reboot is coming. Perhaps the Raiders could be a destination for a veteran like Kyler Murray or Mac Jones should either be available, but Las Vegas is also a prime candidate to draft a quarterback should one be on the board. Simpson has started only 10 games in college, but he’s playing with impeccable poise and timing after developing for three seasons. The 6-foot-2, 208-pounder has thrown 22 touchdowns to just two picks this season. Simpson’s inexperience will need to be vetted by scouts, but his instincts and processing are starter level.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State*
If the Saints move forward with Tyler Shough at quarterback, they’ll be left with two obvious needs: edge rusher and wide receiver. Drafting the best player available from those positions is the move for GM Mickey Loomis, and Reese is arguably the nation’s top player this season. He aligns at both linebacker and edge rusher for Ohio State, with 6.5 sacks, 17 pressures and 58 tackles this season. His ability to impact the game with an explosive first step would bring a spark to the Saints’ front four that has been missing since Trey Hendrickson left in free agency after the 2020 season.
Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami*
The Commanders have needs along their defensive front seven, specifically at edge rusher and linebacker. Bain has three sacks, 40 pressures and a time to first pressure of 2.58 seconds this season (32nd in the FBS) despite facing constant double-teams. The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is versatile, with the strength to align as a 6-technique along the right side of the defense and as a 3-technique in speedier defensive line packages. With Von Miller nearing the end of his career (he turns 37 in March) and Jacob Martin entering free agency, Washington needs to upgrade on the edge.
Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn*
Hendrickson will become a free agent after the season, and his return to Cincinnati is hardly guaranteed considering the acrimonious nature of his preseason holdout. Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample will also be free agents, leaving the Bengals with needs up front despite drafting Shemar Stewart in the first round this year and Myles Murphy in 2023. Neither has had much of an impact, so perhaps Faulk could break through. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Faulk is built in the mold of Hendrickson with the power to lock out offensive tackles and the quickness to get to the quarterback. He has two sacks and 24 pressures this season and can rush from the inside and outside.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*
Downs is the top player on my board and the Cardinals could use a safety upgrade, so this would be a marriage of need and value. Safety might not be Arizona’s biggest need — that depends on what happens with Murray at QB — but stealing the best player of the draft while improving the back end is how smart teams are built. Jalen Thompson will be a free agent this offseason and Budda Baker turns 30 in January, so adding Downs — who has deep range and the strength to play in the box — would make sense. He’s commonly compared to the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton, but Downs is more physical as a hybrid safety.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah*
The Rams’ offensive line will need to be retooled after the season, as right tackle Rob Havenstein is turning 34 and set to become a free agent. Fano, who has played both left and right tackle at Utah, is pro-ready with quick hands and well-developed instincts in pass protection. There are scouts who believe the 6-foot-6, 308-pound junior might be best suited as an inside player because of his lack of elite strength, but his quickness and understanding of angles make him an ideal fit in Los Angeles. Doubters of Fano’s ability as the best pure tackle in the class need to check his stat line: zero sacks allowed and only four pressures surrendered this season. He’s the type of right tackle the Rams can build the next version of their line around.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee*
Before the 2025 season even started, the Dolphins lost their entire starting secondary from 2024 due to free agency, trades and injuries. And while some of the new additions have been positive, this defense could still use a true No. 1 outside cornerback. McCoy hasn’t played yet in 2025 after suffering an ACL tear in January but put enough great tape out in 2024 that scouts still consider him the top corner in the class. And while the Dolphins could consider a quarterback here, there isn’t one on the board that would be a serious threat to push Tua Tagovailoa in 2026.
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson*
In 2025 mock drafts, the Vikings were a prime candidate to address defensive tackle early. They chose the free agent route instead with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but both players are on the wrong side of 30. So a need still remains. Woods, who was the preseason No. 1 player for some scouts, is a three-down threat at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. His stat line isn’t a jaw-dropper, with 2.0 sacks and nine pressures, but he rarely loses a rep. In that way, he’s similar to Quinnen Williams coming out of Alabama — and he could develop similar skills as a 3-technique. The Vikings could also look at a safety to replace veteran Harrison Smith or an extra wide receiver to play in the slot, but getting the draft’s best defensive tackle here would be a steal.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*
It’s unlikely that Love will still be available at this pick come April, but we’ve seen teams pass on elite running backs because of positional value. I think Love is one of the three best players in the class and an RB prospect on par with Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley. Love would be a dream come true for the Cowboys, whose No. 1 running back (Javonte Williams) is set to be an unrestricted free agent. A true home run threat at 6-foot and 214 pounds, Love has ripped off touchdown runs of 98 and 94 yards in back-to-back seasons. His elite patience and burst are ideal for a zone rushing scheme, plus he has the all-around ability to boost the Cowboys’ loaded passing attack.
David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Despite getting good value in adding Mike Green in the second round of the 2025 draft, the Ravens still lack impact pass rushers who can operate in space and have only 15 sacks this season (tied for 29th in the NFL). Bailey, who leads the FBS in sacks (12.5) and ranks second in hurries (55), has been a nightmare for offenses since transferring from Stanford before the season. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher wins with quickness off the snap, has enough pop in his bull rush to rock back tackles and shows a relentless motor that leads to second-chance sacks and QB hits. After starting the season as a Day 2 prospect, he has quickly played his way into the top 20.
