2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The 2026 Scouting Combine is in the books, and we are now in the stretch run to the NFL Draft. Workouts, team/player interviews, and medical checks have provided a ton of new information, and the Draft landscape is coming into focus. A lot will change over the next few weeks during free agency and Pro Days, so keep that in mind moving forward. With that being said, let’s dive into my 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0!

1. LAS VEGAS – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Raiders pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, Edge

Lock this up. Vegas needs a new starting quarterback, and HeisMendoza is the pick.

2. N.Y. JETS – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Jets pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL

David Bailey had a great Combine performance, and many already viewed him as the top edge rusher in this class. Jermaine Johnson was traded to the Titans for T’Vondre Sweat, so this pick is most likely going to be Johnson’s replacement.

3. ARIZONA – Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

Cardinals pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, Edge, S, DL

Arizona badly needs to address the offensive line, but none of the offensive linemen in this class are worth picking this high. The Micah Parsons comp for Reese has only grown after the Combine.

4. TENNESSEE – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Titans pre-free agency needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, S

I am vehemently against a bad team nowhere near a Super Bowl taking a runningback in the top five, but exceptions can be made. This is one of them. Love blew up the Combine and shouldn’t drop out of the top five at this point.

5. N.Y. GIANTS – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Giants pre-free agency needs: WR, OL, CB, LB, DL

Sonny Styles is on every single list of players who won big at the Scouting Combine. He dominated in every thing he participated in and will help step right in for Bobby Okereke (who was released for salary cap relief).

6. CLEVELAND – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Browns pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB

Cleveland needs four new starters on the offensive line, but the Browns may opt to fill most of those spots via free agency or trade. If they do, then this pick could be a much needed upgrade at wide receiver. I don’t care what Tate’s “official” 40 yard dash was at the Combine, he is the WR1 in this class.

7. WASHINGTON – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

Commanders pre-free agency needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB, TE

Washington’s top needs fall on the defensive side of the ball. Bain Jr. ended up with the second shortest arm length of all time for edge rushers in the Combine. We all knew that Bain Jr. had below average arm length, and some teams will have issues with that, but the man should still be a top ten lock.

8. NEW ORLEANS – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Saints pre-free agency needs: Edge, WR, CB, OL, DL

Build around your young (potentially) franchise quarterback. There were conflicting rumors flying around that Lemon’s interviews with teams weren’t great. His interview with the media was definitely weird. Lemon is still one of the best players in this class and potential WR1 for whoever drafts him.

9. KANSAS CITY – Francis Mauigoa, RT, Miami (FL)

Chiefs pre-free agency needs: TE, RB, WR, CB, OL

The Chiefs need to beef up the offensive line. They have their left tackle in Josh Simmons, and Francis Mauigoa would fit like a glove at right tackle. Mauigoa’s arm length has some wondering if he should move to guard, but I’m not of that mindset.

10. CINCINNATI – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Bengals pre-free agency needs: Edge, OL, CB, DL, S

If Caleb Downs is on the clock, Cincinnati may very well select him here. If they’re concerned about his reported “degenerative knee condition”, adding arguably the top cornerback in this class is a solid consolation prize.

11. MIAMI – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Dolphins pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, CB, S, TE

Wow. That’s the first word that comes to mind when talking about Kenyon Sadiq’s Scouting Combine performance. Miami is starting a hard reset with the roster, so adding quality talent regardless of position should be the priority in this draft. Sadiq had the best workout of any tight end at the Combine ever.

12. DALLAS – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Cowboys pre-free agency needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR

If Downs is somehow on the board here, Dallas should send every team before them an edible arrangement. Downs is arguably the best player in this class, and could very well be taken in the top ten. If he falls, it will likely be due to teams’ concerns about a potential “degenerative knee condition” that was reported during the Combine.

13. L.A. RAMS – Spencer Fano, RT, Utah

Rams pre-free agency needs: OL, CB, S, WR, QB

With the Trent McDuffie trade, the Rams are committed to “win now” mode. This pick will likely be used on a player who is considered “plug-n-play”. Fano’s arms measured below average, but his testing and position work were great. He would help shore up the right tackle spot.

14. BALTIMORE – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Ravens pre-free agency needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S

Baltimore has needs at every level of their defense, but the offensive line (particularly at guard) needs reinforcements. Ioane is arguably the best offensive lineman in this class, and would slot in nicely at either guard spot.

15. TAMPA BAY – Keldric Faulk, EDGE/DL, Auburn

Buccaneers pre-free agency needs: Edge, LB, CB, TE, DL

The Bucs need help at both edge rusher and along the defensive line. Keldric Faulk didn’t work out at the Scouting Combine, but he has the length and size to move around the defensive line.

16. N.Y. JETS – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Jets pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL

Jermond McCoy’s Pro Day at Tennessee will be a key part of his evaluation. McCoy missed this past season due to injury, and didn’t participate in any drills at the Combine. His 2024 tape showed the potential to be one of – if not the – best corners in this class.

17. DETROIT – Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia

Lions pre-free agency needs: OL, Edge, DL, CB, S

With Taylor Decker and the Lions surprisingly deciding to part ways, left tackle suddenly becomes a big time need. Freeling put up great workout numbers and then performed well in positional drills, but his tape left something to be desired.

18. MINNESOTA – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Vikings pre-free agency needs: S, CB, OL, WR, LB

This might be too low for Dillon Thieneman when it’s all said and done. Thieneman went in at the Combine with a 41-inch vertical jump and 4.35 40-yard dash. He is the type of safety NFL teams are looking for, producing at both safety spots and even in the slot.

19. CAROLINA – Caleb Banks, NT, Florida

Panthers pre-free agency needs: OL, Edge, LB, S, CB

This is a little high for my taste when it comes to Banks, but he has the physical traits teams salivate over. Throughout the pre-Draft process, Banks has shown he belongs in the first round conversation. Current nose tackle A’Shawn Robinson will likely be traded or released.

20. DALLAS – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Cowboys pre-free agency needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR

Dallas will be investing most of its resources this off-season towards solidifying the defense. Adding maybe the best defensive player in this class in Downs was a great start, but a starting cornerback like Avieon Terrell is needed. Terrell is a quality athlete and has the ball skills to be a difference maker.

21. PITTSBURGH – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Steelers pre-free agency needs: QB, WR, CB, S, OL

Omar Cooper Jr. is one of the biggest risers of this class, regardless of position. Cooper Jr. had one of the best performances at the Scouting Combine, with a 37 inch vertical and 4.42 40-yard dash. He has been compared to players like Deebo Samuel and Jarvis Landry, and would be an excellent Batman to DK Metcalf’s Superman.

22. L.A. CHARGERS – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Chargers pre-free agency needs: OL, Edge, DL, S, CB

The Chargers have a need at safety, where Elijah Molden could be upgraded. McNeil-Warren has elite length, and would allow the Chargers to keep using Derwin James Jr. all over the field. He’s a plus in run support, and ended his college career with nine forced fumbles.

23. PHILADELPHIA – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Eagles pre-free agency needs: Edge, CB, TE, OL, S

Jaelan Phillips, Azeez Ojulari, and Brandon Graham are all free agents; Graham might retire. Akheem Mesidor has inside/outside versatility, sets the edge against the run, and can get after the quarterback. His age lowers his ceiling, but he is NFL ready.

24. CLEVELAND – Max Iheanachor, LT, Arizona State

Browns pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB

As I mentioned earlier, the Browns’ entire offensive line is hitting free agency, and a few new starters will be needed. Max Iheanachor has been shooting up draft boards since the end of the season. He performed well at the Senior Bowl, and was very impressive in the athletic testing during the Scouting Combine.

25. CHICAGO – Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama

Bears pre-free agency needs: S, DL, CB, Edge, OL

If Chicago addresses their needs on the defensive line and secondary in free agency, they may look to address the gaping hole at left tackle. Proctor is a “plug-n-play” at tackle, and solidified his place in the first round with a solid performance at the Combine.

26. BUFFALO – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Bills pre-free agency needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, LB

I would be surprised if Tyson dropped this far on Draft day, but teams may be scared off by his injury history. Yes, Buffalo just traded for DJ Moore, but that should just be the first move to bolster the passing game. Moore, Tyson, and Khalil Shakir is a solid trio at receiver.

27. SAN FRANCISCO – Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

49ers pre-free agency needs: WR, OL, Edge, S, CB

San Francisco could address their offensive or defensive lines with this pick, but a wide receiver could be in play here. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are free agents, and Brandon Aiyuk is as good as gone. Kevin Concepcion excelled on and off the field at the Scouting Combine.

28. HOUSTON – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Texans pre-free agency needs: OL, DL, RB, LB, Edge

Houston re-signed right tackle Trent Brown, so they might look to address needs on the interior of the defensive line. Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle Jr. are free agents, and a potential starter should be added early in the Draft. Peter Woods has questions about his arm length and lack of production this past season, but he should still be considered late in the first round.

29. KANSAS CITY – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Chiefs pre-free agency needs: TE, RB, WR, CB, OL

Kansas City has this pick thanks to the recent Trent McDuffie trade with the Rams. Colton Hood was excellent in the gauntlet drill, and put up nice workout numbers at the Scouting Combine. Hood ran a 4.44 40 yard dash and had a 40.5 inch vertical.

30. DENVER – Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

Broncos pre-free agency needs: LB, TE, DL, OL, RB

John Franklin-Myers is a free agent, and Denver could use another piece up front. Hunter is a name that had been rocketing up Draft boards after his dominant performance at the Senior Bowl. However, his performance at the Combine was disappointing, bringing up questions about his athleticism at the next level.

31. NEW ENGLAND – Caleb Lomu, RT, Utah

Patriots pre-free agency needs: Edge, OL, DL, TE, S

If Morgan Moses retires, New England will have a gaping hole at right tackle. Even if Moses returns, he has one foot out the door. Caleb Lomu was a left tackle in college, but he should be just fine switching to the right side. Lomu had arguably the best overall performance of any offensive lineman at the Scouting Combine.

32. SEATTLE – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Seattle pre-free agency needs: CB, OL, WR, Edge, RB

Cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen are both free agents. Even if one is re-signed, Seattle may want to add a quality corner early in the Draft. Cisse didn’t run a 40 yard dash, but he had a 41 inch vertical, and a 10 foot 11 inch broad jump at the Combine.