2-Round NFL Mock Draft: Let's Get Weird

It's the best time of year: speculation season.

Apr 10, 2026

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away - and to celebrate - we’re doing a two-round mock draft with trades.

Just this week, we essentially got confirmation that the first overall pick is going to be Fernando Mendoza (not that we didn’t already know this), and many analysts came out hinting that David Bailey is the favorite at the second overall pick.

Rumor season also means smokescreen season - but that also mean’s it’s the best time of year.

If you’re interested in learning more about each of the prospects mentioned in this mock draft, check out our Carolina Panthers draft guide: it’s free and available now.

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)

Kirk Cousins basically all but confirmed that the Raiders would be taking Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. The only question now is whether the Raiders will waste our time by using up the entire pick clock before submitting Mendoza’s name.

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

This pick looks to be trending in the direction of David Bailey - who was arguably the most accomplished pass-rusher in college football in 2025. He’s someone that requires less projection than Arvell Reese, and he’s got prototype-type length for the position.

3. Dallas Cowboys - Arvell Reese (EDGE, Ohio State)

*Cowboys trade picks 12 & 20 to the Cardinals for pick #3.

Surprise! Everything Dallas has done over the past six months has indicated they want to be aggressive. Arvell Reese being available at pick #3 would be a unique circumstance, and while the Cardinals certainly could stick and pick him, they have so many holes on their roster. Dallas, in this scenario, values Reese more than any two players in the mid-first round.

4. Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)

All of the speculation here is about Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, but I can’t get over the opportunity that the Titans have to add to their horrendous receiving core. Tate is the best receiving prospect in the draft. The Titans still will have the opportunity to take a RB on day two (Jadarian Price, maybe?).

5. New York Giants - Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)

John Harbaugh values the linebacker position, and Styles is the best prospect at the position that we’ve seen in a long time. This is another spot where we could see Love, but it’s harder for me to see a world where the Giants pass up on Styles.

6. Cleveland Browns - Makai Lemon (WR, USC)

One of the trends I think we’ll see is wide receivers going earlier than expected. Lemon was the most productive pass-catcher in college football last season, and he should be someone that the analytically-minded front office in Cleveland values. Truthfully, there’s just not an offensive lineman worthy of this pick, even with Mauigoa still on the board.

7. Washington Commanders - Jeremiah Love (RB, Notre Dame)

This, to me, is the spot for Love. The Commanders are a team that needs the juice but has some proof of concept as a playoff team already. Rather than being what the offense is built upon, Love is an accelerant for what should be a solid base already.

8. New Orleans Saints - Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)

The Saints could truly go in any direction here. With two receivers off the board as well as both Reese and Bailey, this pick came down to Delane and Bain.

But looking at the Mickey Loomis draft history, New Orleans almost exclusively opts for bigger defensive ends. Delane is someone that should come in and start as the team’s best cover corner on day one.

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

The Chiefs aren’t a team that typically cares about size thresholds, ending Rueben Bain’s slide. For what it’s worth, I’d take Bain with the second overall pick.

10. Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)

There’s an argument to be made that Downs should fall further than this due to positional value, but Downs is the best prospect in the draft regardless of position, if you asked me - and I think he walks into the Bengals defense as a game-changing secondary piece.

11. Miami Dolphins - Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami FL)

The Dolphins are kicking off a tear-down, and most general managers prioritize trench play in this situation. Mauigoa could be selected as high as third overall, and should start in year one for Miami.

12. Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano (OT, Utah)

*Cardinals receive picks 12 & 20 from Cowboys in exchange for pick #3

Similarly to the Dolphins, Arizona is staring down a pretty rough 2026-27 season. They need a tackle opposite Paris Johnson, and while some view Fano is more of an interior player, I think Fano is as close to you can get as a guaranteed NFL starter - at one position or another.

13. Los Angeles Rams - Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)

The Rams took Sadiq’s teammate in Terrance Ferguson last year in the second round, but Sadiq is a different caliber of player. The Rams have been looking for a field-shifting tight end for several years now, and this would be the perfect opportunity to land one.

14. Baltimore Ravens - Vega Ioane (OG, Penn State)

The Ravens need to fortify their trenches, and after rescinding the Maxx Crosby trade, they have a few different options with this pick. Ioane would slot right into their interior, though, and is the cleanest plug-and-play guard in the entire draft class.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami FL)

There’s older players, and then there’s Akheem Mesidor. The Buccaneers are one of the teams I could see taking Mesidor as a win-now pass-rusher. Tampa has struggled for a while with juice off the edge, and with a coach on the hot seat, he may be the best bet for pressuring the quarterback in 2026.

16. New York Jets - Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)

There’s a lot of different receivers to pick from here, and Omar Cooper is certainly a dynamic option. The Jets look to be building out the infrastructure for a potential QB pick in 2027, and Cooper gives New York an exciting Robin to Garrett Wilson’s Batman.

17. Detroit Lions - Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)

There is going to be a team that sees Kadyn Proctor’s physical traits and takes him early. In this case, he’d be the future right tackle of the Detroit Lions.

18. Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)

Everyone has type-cast Dillon Thieneman to Minnesota, but I think McCoy makes too much sense as an outside corner if he falls to this spot. The Vikings signed James Pierre to a small deal, but McCoy might have been a top-5 pick if he played at all in 2025.

19. Carolina Panthers - KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)

I maintain the stance of Carolina’s biggest need being wide receiver in spite of their heavy investment at the position recently. They simply do not have any dynamic element on their offense. On draft night, I think this pick comes down to one of Omar Cooper, KC Concepcion, Kenyon Sadiq, or an offensive tackle.

Check out our free Carolina Panthers Draft Guide!

20. Arizona Cardinals - Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)

*Cardinals receive picks 12 & 20 from Cowboys in exchange for pick #3

The Cardinals picked up this pick when they moved down from 3 to 12 in this mock. Thieneman is a dynamic safety that can play in a variety of roles. For a team that needs to add building blocks in any way possible, Thieneman makes sense as a chess piece on the back end of the defense.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia)

The Broderick Jones experience at left tackle could be going better, but moving Jones to guard while Freeling steps in at tackle is a plan I could get behind.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Chase Bisontis (OG, Texas A&M)

The Chargers need more pieces on the interior of their offensive line, and I think they will be determined to avoid their OL catastrophe from 2025.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - Max Iheanachor (OT, Arizona State)

I could see a world in which Iheanachor goes much, much earlier than this. But he feels like a Howie Roseman-type pick, right? He’s a toolsy tackle that moves well, is developmentally young, and showed some of the better flashes of any tackle in this draft.

24. Cleveland Browns - Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)

Despite the Browns passing on OL earlier in this mock draft, they are still able to grab a left tackle prospect that should start for them in 2026.

25. Chicago Bears - Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)

Chicago could attack a variety of different spots in their front seven, but Faulk has fallen far enough. He’s a big defensive end that should be an NFL starter simply because of his edge-setting ability.

26. Buffalo Bills - Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)

The Bills gave up a second-round pick for DJ Moore already, but Tyson is a talent that could complete their receiver room. He’s a big, fast receiver with unreal ball skills but medical red flags. Brandon Beane needs to ensure his pass-catchers don’t let down Josh Allen again.

27. San Francisco 49ers - Keylan Rutledge (OG, Georgia Tech)

The 49ers have needed offensive line forever, and Rutledge is a versatile piece that could start at any interior spot.

28. Houston Texans - Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)

Peter Woods was once considered a no-doubt top-five pick. This season didn’t go as planned, but there’s a scenario where the talent wins out and the Texans make out like bandits with this pick.

29. Kansas City Chiefs - Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)

The Chiefs’ current starting secondary is rough, and Hood is a corner that projects as an immediate starter. He’s provide help on the outside, though there likely are some growing pains - like most rookie corners.

30. Miami Dolphins - Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF)

After adding Mauigoa with their first pick, the Dolphins turn right back around and grab a front-seven player. The buzz for Lawrence in the first round is real, and the Dolphins need to stack talent along the defensive line. Lawrence is a very fun fit alongside Kenneth Grant and Chop Robinson.

31. New England Patriots - Blake Miller (OT, Clemson)

The Patriots still have a need for offensive line, and none of the receivers available here make sense in New England’s offense. Blake Miller could compete from the jump with Morgan Moses, and in the worst-case provides depth in year one. I don’t think Vrabel wants to take chances on the offensive line.

32. New Orleans Saints - Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)

*Saints trade pick #42 and a third-round pick to Seattle for pick #32

In this scenario, the Saints receivers being plucked off the board and move up to grab someone that would fit really well in their offense. Denzel Boston is a true X-WR that can bring down contested grabs. He’d play a valuable role - one that teams value more than people think.

Round Two

33. New York Jets - CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)

34. Arizona Cardinals - Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)

35. Tennessee Titans - Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)

36. Las Vegas Raiders - Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)

37. New York Giants - D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)

38. Indianapolis Colts - Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)

*Texans trade pick #38 to the Colts for pick #47 and a third-round pick

The Colts went from having a ton of receiving talent to being down to two starting-caliber players at the position. Sarratt is a player that could play the Pittman role, even if he’s not going to be as good of a player in 2026.

39. Cleveland Browns - Emmanuel Pregnon (OG, Oregon)

40. Kansas City Chiefs - Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)

41. Cincinnati Bengals - Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)

42. Seattle Seahawks - Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)

*Saints trade pick #42 and a third-round pick to Seattle for pick #32

The Seahawks getting Chris Johnson this late would be a steal. He’s an uber-fluid corner that could step in and start from the jump. I find it very likely that Seattle trades down from the 32nd overall pick, given they only have four selections in 2026.

43. Miami Dolphins - Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)

44. New York Jets - Gennings Dunker (OG, Iowa)

45. Baltimore Ravens - Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)

47. Houston Texans - Connor Lew (C, Auburn)

*Texans receive pick #47 and a third-round pick from the Indianapolis Colts for pick #38

48. Los Angeles Rams - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)

*Rams receive pick #48 from the Atlanta Falcons for pick #61 and a third-round pick

Kenyon Sadiq and EMW is quite the haul for a team that didn’t really lose all that much in the offseason.

49. Minnesota Vikings - Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)

50. Detroit Lions - Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)

This just feels like a Brad Holmes pick, right?

51. Carolina Panthers - Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)

I think general manager Dan Morgan will love Anthony Hill. He’s long, athletic, and a 3-year producer at Texas. For a team that wants more pressure on the quarterback, Hill provides a unique skill set that could help in certain packages. He’s almost like a diet version of what Carolina could have had in Jalon Walker.