2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Dominated By OL and WR
The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and it's likely we see a first round with runs at both receiver and offensive line.
We finally made it to draft week. It’s been a long draft cycle, and we still have a lot of uncertainty around who is going to go in the top-5 of this draft class.
We have also seen multiple first-round picks traded prior to the start of the draft, maybe the most I can remember. Over the weekend, Dexter Lawrence was moved for a top-10 pick. Prior to that, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Waddle were moved. Maxx Crosby was even dealt, at least temporarily.
For Carolina specifically, I think the options are beginning to narrow: It could be one of two Oregon players (TE Kenyon Sadiq and S Dillon Thieneman), a wide receiver (TAMU’s KC Concepcion or Indiana’s Omar Cooper), or an offensive tackle (Georgia’s Monroe Freeling or Clemson’s Blake Miller).
Let’s get into the Mock - my final 32-team version of this draft cycle.
A quick programming note: SportCLT will be hosting a live show during the first round of the NFL Draft. We’ll be live on Twitter and YouTube starting at 8 PM ET, so tune in to watch us react live. We’ll have some familiar faces on as guests.
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Chalk. Not much more needs to be said.
2. New York Jets - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I still think the New York Jets land on Bailey. Typically if teams are “rumored to be interested in moving up for a player” - which a lot are for Bailey - it’s indicative of who the NFL will value more in the draft.
3. New Orleans Saints - Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
*Saints trade pick No. 8 and a second-round pick to Arizona for No. 3
I think the Cardinals will be aggressive in trying to move down in the draft, at least from pick No. 3. The Saints move up and get a premier edge rusher and a player who many consider to be the best in the class. Mickey Loomis is no stranger to aggressive moves.
4. Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
As much as it pains me to predict this, it really does seem as though Jeremiyah Love will be a Titan. I think there are other needs the team has to fill first (offensive line and pass-catchers specifically), but Love is an undeniably fun player that will add some much-needed juice to the Titans’ roster.
5. New York Giants - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
There has been a lot of smoke about Jordyn Tyson to the Giants, particularly after they traded for the 10th overall pick. I think if they do take Tyson, they will do it with this 5th overall pick. My main question, though: Does Jordyn Tyson feel like a John Harbaugh pick? I don’t think he does.
Styles is one of the best players in the class and fits the mold of a John Harbaugh linebacker.
6. Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
*Cowboys trade pick No. 12, a third-round pick, and a future second-round pick for No. 6.
I had the Cowboys trading up to pick No. 3 in my last mock. In this one, they only make the jump to six. Still, it’s an aggressive trade to get one of the difference-making defenders in this class in Caleb Downs.
7. Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
I went back and forth on this one for a while. I think Jordyn Tyson potentially fits this offense better right now (alongside Terry McLaurin), I’m not sure how much longer McLaurin will be on this roster. Carnell Tate has true WR1 upside.
8. Arizona Cardinals - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
*Saints trade pick No. 8 and a second-round pick to Arizona for No. 3
This is a dream scenario for Arizona. They move back, pick up pick No. 42 in the process, and still get a franchise right tackle.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
I still don’t really know where Bain goes in the top-10 if it isn’t the Kansas City Chiefs. NFL size thresholds are a real thing, and the Chiefs are more lenient than others. Bain should be a day-one difference maker.
10. New York Giants - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Giants traded Dexter Lawrence for this pick, and if they miss out on Caleb Downs, I could see them going Thieneman here. The NFL seems to love Thieneman’s game. He’s a versatile, difference-making safety that should walk into the league as a high-end starter.
11. Miami Dolphins - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Keldric Faulk will go sooner than people think. For Miami, he provides a different body type in the defensive line group. He will be one of the best run defenders in the league on day one, with a lot of room to grow as a pass rusher.
12. Cleveland Browns - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
*Cowboys trade pick No. 12, a third-round pick, and a future second-round pick for No. 6.
If the Browns don’t view Mauigoa as a left tackle, they might not see one worth taking with the No. 6 pick. In this scenario, they move down, get some additional day two capital, and get a potential left tackle of the future in Kadyn Proctor.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I think the Rams will select a pass-catcher on Thursday. They’ve spent the last two drafts trying to trade up for Brock Bowers and Tetairoa McMillan. Having the 13th pick, I think they’ll take the most dynamic pass-catcher left on the board. In this case, it’s Jordyn Tyson.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
I don’t normally see corners mocked to the Baltimore Ravens, but Delane falling created a unique opportunity. If Delane doesn’t fall (and he probably won’t), I’d think this pick is Vega Ioane.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Buccaneers seem like a match for Akheem Mesidor. They need an impact edge rusher, and Mesidor is probably walking into the NFL as an 8+ sack player. There’s less upside here, but I’d understand the swing.
16. New York Jets - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
I think Denzel Boston will go earlier than expected. His red zone, possession style pairs well with Jets’ No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson.
17. Detroit Lions - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
If Kadyn Proctor is not available, I think Iheanachor is the most “Lions” tackle on the board. I could also see someone like Zion Young being a Brad Holmes target.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
I really don’t know what to do with this pick. I don’t think there’s a defensive tackle worthy of this pick, nor is there an interior offensive lineman (assuming Ioane is gone). Maybe the Vikings take a tackle a year early? McCoy falls, and I could see the Vikings adding an outside corner.
19. Carolina Panthers - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Panthers need juice, and KC Concepcion fits the bill. He’s a Y/Z receiver with over-the-top ability and man-coverage beating skill. He should walk into the Panthers building as the second-best pass-catcher on the roster.
20. Dallas Cowboys - Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
With most of the solid round one defenders off the board, it quickly becomes a “choose your flavor” draft class on that side of the ball. The NFL seems to be high on Zion Young, and I think he would fit well on a Dallas defensive line that needs some edge-setting ability.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
If the Steelers don’t take Ty Simpson, I think it will be for a tackle or pass-catcher. Freeling feels like a slam-dunk pick at this point in the draft, allowing Pittsburgh to kick Broderick Jones inside.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
It’s a short fall for Vega Ioane, who the Chargers would run the card in for. Entering 2026 with a healthy tackle room plus the additions of interior linemen Tyler Biadasz and Vega Ioane is a win for Jim Harbaugh.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Eagles offensive line struggled for the first time in forever in 2025. Caleb Lomu is a bit more raw than the tackles taken before him, but he’s big, talented, and worthy of a first-round pick.
24. Cleveland Browns - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I think Andrew Berry runs the card in for Makai Lemon, who should grade well on the Browns’ analytics models. Lemon should be a primary target that desperately needs receiver help.
25. Chicago Bears - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
I think Fano will go earlier than this, but it’s hard to tell which teams would be more willing to take him. In the Bears’ case, they have a variety of “maybe” players on their offensive line. I think they’d be able to find a spot for Fano to start. He, to me, has true 5-position versatility.
26. Buffalo Bills - Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
Malachi Lawrence has skyrocketed up draft boards since January. He’s an exciting edge prospect that should add some juice to the Bills pass-rushing group.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Blake Miller should go at some point in the first round. He fits a 49ers team that seemingly always needs offensive line help. Miller is as consistent as it gets, even if he has less upside than a lot of the tackle class this year.
28. Houston Texans - Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M
I think there will be another interior offensive lineman that goes in the first round (in addition to Ioane). Bisontis is someone I could see Nick Caserio wanting to add to the offensive line, particularly after Houston’s playoff game against New England.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
There’s a variety of corners that could go here, and I do think it will be a corner. But Johnson is silky smooth, sticky in coverage, and would start for Kansas City this year.
30. Miami Dolphins - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
While Keldric Faulk at 11 was a “boring” pick, Omar Cooper is someone who should add some juice to the Miami offense.
31. New England Patriots - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
New England gets lucky with Sadiq falling in their lap at 31. He’s a good, not great tight end prospect that is worthy of a first round pick in this class. The Patriots still need juice, Sadiq brings it.
32. Arizona Cardinals - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
*Cardinals trade pick No. 34 and an early day three pick to Seahawks for No. 32.
Seattle moves back an acquires an early 4th-rounder, which is a big price to pay to move up two spots for Arizona. Still, the Cardinals get a potential starting quarterback in Simpson, and they’d have another early second-round pick from their earlier trade with New Orleans.