Shawn Foley’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft Sponsored by FirstBank and Edward Jones.
Raiders (1): Fernando Mendoza – QB, Indiana
The clear number 1 pick for the Raiders. The front office looks to get new head coach Klint Kubiak his franchise quarterback. Mendoza finished his college career throwing 41 touchdowns this past season, and winning the Heisman and national championship with Indiana.
Jets (2): Arvell Reese – LB, Ohio State
The Jets take arguably the best player in the class here. Resse is a dynamic player who can do a lot of different things. He can play on the edge and off-ball linebacker. He can be a unique weapon to boost Arron Glenn’s rebuilding defense.
Cardinals (3): David Bailey – Edge, Texas Tech
Cardinals take a swing with the upside in David Bailey. He’s lightning quick off the edge, 14.5 sacks last season, still developing into an overall sound player. Bailey can provide immediate help in passing downs to a defense that didn’t produce much pressure last season.
Titans (4): Carnell Tate – WR, Ohio St
The Titans should look to get Cam Ward a big-time weapon, and they get the most complete receiver in the draft. Terrific route running and great hands, Tate was on the front end of many big plays for the Buckeyes last year. This would be a huge addition for the Titans.
Giants (5): Sonny Styles – LB, Ohio St
A safety-turned-linebacker in college, Styles does it all as Ohio St used him all over the field. Off the chart speed, ability to diagnose run plays, terrific in zone coverage. The Giants add a fun weapon on defense for John Harbaugh.
Browns (6): Francis Mauigoa – OT, Miami
The Browns are going to need to protect whoever they have at QB next year after allowing 51 sacks this past season. No one is better than Mauigoa. He was the anchor for Miami’s Offensive line this past season. He’s dominant in the run game and plays with overall great consistency. The offensive rebuild needs to start at the O-line for the Browns.
Commanders (7): Manssor Delane – CB, LSU
The Commanders snag the best cornerback in the class at pick 7. After an underwhelming year, the Commanders need desperate help in the secondary of their defense. No better place to start than LSU’s Manssor Delane.
Saints (8): Ruben Bain – Edge, Miami
Question marks about his arm length may cause him to fall in this draft, but not in this mock. Bain is a true disruptor off the edge. He consistently pushes the pocket back, putting pressure on the QB with the kind of physicality you can’t teach. The Saints get a stud player at pick 8.
Chiefs (9): Jermond McCoy – CB, Tennessee
McCoy missed all of 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL, raising questions about where he would be drafted. But after clocking a 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day, he pushed those questions away and got himself back into top 10 player talks. He is best in press-man coverage, and lands with the Chiefs, who won’t be returning both starting cornerbacks from this past season.
Bengals (10): Caleb Downs – S, Ohio St
The Bengals have a ton of work to do on defense after 3 straight years of horrible defensive play. Caleb Downs gives them an immediate starter in the secondary. Downs can play high safety, box safety, or nickel cornerback. A truly versatile weapon to boost the defense.
Dolphins (11): Jordyn Tyson – WR, Arizona St
No more Jaylen Waddle, no more Tyreek Hill, Insert Jordyn Tyson. The Dolphins have found themselves at the start of a rebuild, so they could go in a different direction. But, after getting rid of both your top receivers, why not take a shot on Tyson? He comes with injury concerns, but when on the field, he is an explosive difference maker and will be immediate help for new quarterback Malik Willis.
Cowboys (12): Jerimiyah Love – RB, Notre Dame
Adding Jerimiyah Love to this offense, they might set records for points scored per game. Obviously, Dallas has a lot of work to do on defense, but if the board were to fall this way, I think it’s worth it to take arguably the best player in the draft. Love is a special running back and can easily be a top guy in year 1.
Rams (13): Monroe Freeling OT, Georgia
The Rams will enter the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start building for the post-Matt Stafford era. Freeling is a huge upside guy and a rare athlete for his size. He may not be a year-1 starter, but with his traits and solid development, he has superstar left-tackle potential.
Ravens (14): Vega Ionae – OG, Penn St.
Ionae is an immediate plug-and-play starter at interior offensive line. At times, it felt like the Ravens’ downfall was due to the offensive guard play last year. Grab the best guard, plug him in, and let him roll. Ionae allowed only 1 sack in his college career.
Bucs (15): Kenyon Sadiq – TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq fits the new era TE style. He’s too big for safeties and too fast for linebackers. Sadiq has all the upside to be a star in the NFL. He is a weapon after the catch, with strong hands to go up and get it. With more polish on his route running, the Bucs can land a superstar at pick 15.
Jets (16): Makai Lemon – WR, USC
After going defense at pick 2, the Jets should look to add more weapons on offense. Makai Lemon does a lot of his damage as a slot receiver, which will perfectly balance out with Garrett Wilson on the outside. Lemon seems to catch everything thrown his way, and his high IQ helps him find open zones in the defense, making him a QB’s best friend. The Jets will need to give Geno Smith as much help as he can get to make them somewhat competitive next season.
Lions (17): Spencer Fano – OT, Utah
Spencer Fano fits what Dan Campbell wants in a football player. A three-year starter in college, he is a physical player in the run game and a big-time athlete with the speed to get to the second level. Fano should be able to jump in and start right away on the Lions’ offensive line. Whether that will be at guard or tackle is still up in the air.
Vikings (18): Dillon Theinman – S, Oregon
With long-time safety Harrison Smith no longer on the team, taking Dillon Theinman here makes a ton of sense. Theinman is a versatile safety, who is super coveted in the NFL. He looks comfortable playing in single-high, two-high, and in the box. He trusts his instincts and flies to the ball. He works well flipping his hips and running with receivers.
Panther (19): Lee Hunter – DT, Texas Tech
A huge riser throughout the draft process, Lee Hunter is a dominant run stopper immediately in the NFL. He plays with so much power in his game and has a killer push-pull move to get offensive linemen off of him. He needs to develop a pass rush, but I view him as an immediate first and second-down player who will impact the Panthers defense.
Cowboys (20): Avieon Terrell – CB, Clemson
Dallas looks to fill a huge hole in their defense at cornerback here. He is an undersized corner, but he plays with great speed and quickly sniff out plays. I think he will find his home at nickel cornerback and will be an immediate starter for the Cowboys to help boost their secondary group.
Steelers (21): Omar Cooper – WR, Indiana
One of the most exciting players after the catch is Omar Cooper. He has great balance and control, effortlessly breaking tackles and creating chunk plays. Cooper will do most of his damage at slot receiver and will be a huge addition for whoever Pittsburgh rolls out at QB.
Chargers (22): Peter Woods – DT, Clemson
The chargers could use some help at the DT position, and Peter Woods can be that guy. Somewhat inconsistent this past season, but he’s a terrific athlete, plays with strong hands, and has a quick first step off the ball. If the chargers can fix the inconsistencies, Woods will be able to blossom into a 3-down player.
Eagles (23): Kadyn Proctor – OT, Alabama
This feels like an Eagles-type move. The film isn’t great for Proctor; there is a lot of inconsistency in his game right now. But he’s only 20 years old and stands at 6-7, 366 pounds. The Eagles have shown the ability to develop the offensive line really well, so it makes sense to take a shot on a young athlete with tremendous upside.
Browns (24): Denzel Boston – WR, Washington
A big, framed receiver that catches everything thrown his way. Boston is a true rez done threat; a lot of his touchdowns came in the red zone. He stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, allowing him to reach and get 50/50 balls. He has the makeup of a true X receiver. The browns could use some more weapons on offense.
Bears (25): Keldric Faulk – Edge, Auburn
Another player with just average film. But at 20 years old, standing 6-6, 285 pounds with long arms, the traits and upside are there. He needs to develop a pass rush to be a starting-caliber player, but the run-stopping ability is already solid. I view him as a 5-tech player to start, with upside to move outside and be a great player.
Bills (26): Ahkeem Mesidor – Edge, Miami
One of the older players in the draft, he will be 25 when next season starts. Mesidor is already a sound player, which makes sense for the Bills as they are trying to win a Super Bowl now. He showcases a wide variety of pass rush moves and excels at setting the edge in the run game. His game is more about strength than speed, and what you see on film is what you will get. There doesn’t seem to be much room for growth. Mesidor has a higher floor but a lower ceiling than other edge rushers in this class. Immediate starter for the Bills’ defense.
49ers (27): Caleb Lomu – OT, Utah
Lomu plays a valuable position at left tackle, and the 49ers could look to the future after they figure out the Trent Williams situation. He’s got the size and athleticism to be a first-rounder, just needs more development. Pass blocking is better than run blocking right now. Maybe not a year 1 starter, but the upside is there for Lomu.
Texans (28): Blake Miller – OT, Clemson
The Texans need to get better on the offensive Line, after the Patriots completely exposed them in the playoffs. With 54 starts over his college career, Blake Miller could easily start at right tackle or guard for the Texans and provide immediate improvement to their Offensive Line. Solid across the board, rather than a high upside player in Blake Miller.
Chiefs (29): Tj Parker – Edge, Clemson
The Chiefs could use some pass-rush help, and Parker can give them an intriguing option as he lined up both inside and outside in college. He plays with really good strength and can knock back offensive linemen to create pressure. I think Steve Spagnuolo can find unique ways to get Parker involved and make plays.
Dolphins (30): Colton Hood – CB, Tennessee
Miami needs help everywhere as they enter the rebuild, and Colton Hood is probably the best player available at this point. He is a complete player who can start in year 1. He is a quick cornerback who can play consistently in both man and zone coverage.
Patriots (31): Cashius Howell – Edge, Texas A&M
Howell was a productive pass rusher in college, with 11.5 sacks this past season. He is a bit undersized but plays with great burst and speed off the edge. The Pats could use some outside pass rush to help bolster their defense. Howell fits that and can be a starter in year 1.
Seahawks (32): CJ Allen – LB, Georgia
The defending champs may look to add to their defense after it was picked apart in free agency. CJ Allen can provide an immediate starter in the middle of the field. Allen is solid against the run, where he can pack a punch. I think the film is too good for Mike Macdonald to pass up for his defense.
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