2026 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

In this Mock Draft, I tried to avoid projecting the same player and the same position that I projected in my previous Mocks. It was difficult for some teams, as some players slid down the board, and need met value. In all, only four teams took the same player, or a different player at the same position as one of previous Mock Drafts. Oh, this is also a two round Mock. With that in mind, let’s dive into my 2026 NFL Mock Draft 3.0!

Round 1

1. LAS VEGAS: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

This is one of the picks that didn’t change from previous Mock Drafts. Mendoza is a lock at first overall.

2. N.Y. JETS: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

I had Reese going to the Jets in my Mock Draft 1.0. Short of a trade down, there are really only two or three prospects in play for the Jets at this spot.

3. ARIZONA: Francis Mauigoa, RT, Miami (FL)

Arizona has a gaping hole at right tackle. The Cardinals signed Elijah Wilkinson in free agency, but he might fit better as a backup at both guard and tackle.

4. TENNESSEE: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

This is a pick that I had projected in my Mock Draft 2.0. The Titans might decide to go in another direction here, but Love feels like the pick.

5. N.Y. GIANTS: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If the G-Men decide to pass on one of the defensive studs on the board, Carnell Tate isn’t a bad pick here. Yes, the team signed Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin in free agency, but they are signed to one year deals.

6. CLEVELAND: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Alex Wright had a career high seven sacks, but Myles Garrett could use a better running mate. David Bailey is arguably the best pass rusher in this class.

7. WASHINGTON: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Washington has other needs, but it could be hard to pass on perhaps the best player in the Draft. Every safety currently on the roster will be a free agent after next season except free agent addition Nick Cross.

8. NEW ORLEANS: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

Chase Young returns after a career high 12 sacks, but Cam Jordan is a free agent who may not return. Carl Granderson is better as a rotational piece rather than a full time starter. If New Orleans decides to wait on addressing other needs, Bain Jr. could be enticing here.

9. KANSAS CITY: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie went to the Rams this off-season, leaving Kansas City with a need at cornerback. Kristian Fulton and Kader Kohou are also free agents after next season. Mansoor Delane ran a 4.38 40 yard dash at LSU’s Pro Day, and fits Kansas City’s defense nicely.

10. CINCINNATI: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

There is no way Sonny Styles drops to this point, but if he does, Cincinnati would run to the podium to make this pick. Upgrading the defense is likely the top priority with this pick.

11. MIAMI: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Miami is rebuilding from the ground up, and adding a potential franchise left tackle will only help whoever Miami drafts at quarterback next off-season. Freeling dominated at the Scouting Combine, but will need some refinement.

12. DALLAS: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Trading with Green Bay to acquire edge rusher Rashan Gary was a good start, but Dallas might still be on the lookout for a “pro ready” running mate. Akheem Mesidor fits that bill.

13. L.A. RAMS: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Rams are set at outside cornerback now, but might still look to add another stud to their secondary. Thieneman is an athletic, do-it-all safety who can play deep, at the line, or even in the slot.

14. BALTIMORE: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Receiving tight end Isaiah Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh to New York in free agency. Baltimore extended Mark Andrews, but Kenyon Sadiq gives Lamar Jackson another dangerous weapon in the passing game.

15. TAMPA BAY: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Tampa Bay filled needs along the front seven on defense, so they have a little flexibility here. Ben Bredeson is better as a backup, and Cody Mauch missed all but the first two games of the season. Ioane can start immediately, and is viewed by some as the best offensive lineman in this class.

16. N.Y. JETS: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Gang Green plugged a bunch of holes during free agency, and even brought Geno Smith back. A quality slot wide receiver is still very much needed. Makai Lemon played over 70% of his snaps in the slot, and could be a steal here.

17. DETROIT: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

With the release of long time starting left tackle Taylor Decker, offensive tackle is a need suddenly. Fano has experience at both tackle spots, but has started at right tackle the last two years at Utah. Keeping the offensive line a strength is a must.

18. MINNESOTA: Keldric Faulk, DL/EDGE, Auburn

Defensive line starters Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen departed the team this off-season. No replacement players have been brought in yet, so the defensive line will have to be addressed early in the NFL Draft. At 6’6″, 280 lbs., Faulk can play end in Minnesota’s 3 man front.

19. CAROLINA: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn are a solid duo on the outside, but Jackson is a free agent after next season. Despite coming off of a torn ACL, McCoy is viewed by many as a first round lock. McCoy will be working out for NFL teams for the first time at Tennessee’s Pro Day.

20. DALLAS: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Cowboys already added a pro ready edge rusher in Akeem Mesidor, now they bring in a starting safety. Jalen Thompson was signed during free agency, but Malik Hooker’s contract expires after next season.

21. PITTSBURGH: Kadyn Proctor, OG, Alabama

Isaac Seumalo left as a free agent, and has yet to be replaced. Brock Hoffman and Spencer Anderson should be considered backups at this point. Proctor was a left tackle in college, but some believe he might be a better fit at guard.

22. L.A. CHARGERS: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

The Chargers brought in Dalvin Tomlinson as a free agent, but more help is needed on the defensive line. Justin Eboigbe should be more of a rotational guy than a full time starter. Woods’ play this year fell off compared to the previous season, but the athleticism and talent is there.

23. PHILADELPHIA: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This is assuming A.J. Brown gets traded at some point, either during or before the Draft. It was recently reported that Jordyn Tyson will not be working out for teams before the Draft due to a hamstring injury. The lack of workouts plus his lengthy injury history will likely negatively affect Tyson’s Draft stock.

24. CLEVELAND: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

The Browns added the best pass rusher in this class with their first pick, and now look to address the need at wide receiver. Omar Cooper Jr. has seen his stock rise more than any prospect in this Draft. It’s gotten to the point that some don’t think Cooper Jr. will be here at this pick.

25. CHICAGO: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Chicago has done a good job filling other holes on defense in free agency. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is a free agent after next season, and depth is needed after the loss of Nahshon Wright to the Jets. Hood fits Chicago’s zone-heavy defensive scheme.

26. BUFFALO: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Bills signed Dee Alford in free agency, but he’s basically on a one-year deal, and depth is needed anyway. Avieon Terrell has the versatility to play on the outside, or in the slot.

27. SAN FRANCISCO: Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah

San Francisco has been negotiating a contract with future Hall Of Fame offensive tackle Trent Williams, but it’s not been going well thus far. Even if/when the two sides come to terms, he will be 38 this season, and the team must prepare for a future without Williams. Caleb Lomu can learn for a year from Williams, and even fill in at guard if needed until he takes over at left tackle.

28. HOUSTON: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Houston has filled several needs during the free agency period, and has some options with this pick. This feels like an excellent spot for a team trading up for Ty Simpson or a highly rated prospect sliding down the board. Cisse would add athleticism and depth in the secondary, with experience both inside and outside.

29. KANSAS CITY: Max Iheanachor, RT, Arizona State

Kansas City took care of their need at cornerback earlier, taking Mansoor Delane. Now, they get a chance to solidify their offensive line. Right tackle has been an issue for a few years now, and Iheanachor would be a welcome sight for Patrick Mahomes.

30. MIAMI: Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Miami added Monroe Freeling to their offensive line at 11th overall. With this pick, the Dolphins will look to continue building the offense. I’m not sure Concepcion makes it to this pick, but if he does, he would be an excellent addition.

31. NEW ENGLAND: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The Patriots could use a high caliber edge rusher opposite Harold Landry. Free agent signing Dre’Mont Jones is more of a defensive lineman, and K’Lavon Chaisson signed with Washington. T.J. Parker was once considered a potential top 10 pick, and would be an insane value at this point.

32. SEATTLE: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Leonard Williams will be a 33 year old free agent after next season, and Jarran Reed is also a little long in the tooth. Caleb Banks showed at the Senior Bowl how disruptive and dominant he can be. Banks would be a great fit next to Byron Murphy II.

Round 2

33. N.Y. JETS: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

34. ARIZONA: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

35. TENNESSEE: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

36. LAS VEGAS: Blake Miller, RT, Clemson

37. N.Y. GIANTS: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

38. HOUSTON: Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

39. CLEVELAND: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

40. KANSAS CITY: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

41. CINCINNATI: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

42. NEW ORLEANS: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

43. MIAMI: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

44. N.Y. JETS: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

45. BALTIMORE: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

46. TAMPA BAY: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

47. INDIANAPOLIS: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

48. ATLANTA: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

49. MINNESOTA: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

50. DETROIT: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

51. CAROLINA: Christen Miller, DL, Georgia

52. GREEN BAY: Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona

53. PITTSBURGH: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

54. PHILADELPHIA: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

55. L.A. CHARGERS: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan

56. JACKSONVILLE: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

57. CHICAGO: Caleb Tiernan, LT, Northwestern

58. SAN FRANCISCO: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

59. HOUSTON: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

60. CHICAGO: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

61. L.A. RAMS: Gennings Dunker, G/RT, Iowa

62. DENVER: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

63. NEW ENGLAND: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

64. SEATTLE: Keionte Scott, CB/S, Miami (FL)