Where do Fernando Mendoza, LaNorris Sellers, and Rueben Bain Jr. land in the early 2026 NFL Mock Draft?
We are currently sitting six months away from the 2026 NFL Draft. Prospects are putting their skillset on tape. Some NFL teams with injuries and slow starts are already looking forward to the offseason. Scouts are hard at work, grinding as much tape as possible. Until late April, Draft boards are consistently changing; however, this mock draft is a current look at how the Draft could play out. I do my best to merge my big board with team fit, making sure an NFL team may truly select that player.
We will not be doing any trades in this mock, as it is simply too early. The draft order has been created by taking the NFL’s Week 6 Power Rankings and putting them into reverse order. Unfortunately, this is an imperfect draft order with two NFC teams at the bottom, but power rankings reflect the landscape of the league better than the current draft order. Without further ado, here is my early 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0.
ROUND 1 | 2026 NFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0
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2026 NFL Mock Draft | Round 1 Summary
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Jets | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana |
| 2 | Las Vegas Raiders | LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina |
| 3 | Miami Dolphins | Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami |
| 4 | Cleveland Browns | Dante Moore | QB | Oregon |
| 5 | New York Giants | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
| 6 | Cincinnati Bengals | Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami |
| 7 | Tennessee Titans | Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
| 9 | Carolina Panthers | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn |
| 10 | Arizona Cardinals | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State |
| 11 | Baltimore Ravens | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State |
| 13 | Dallas Cowboys | T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson |
| 14 | Chicago Bears | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame |
| 15 | New England Patriots | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah |
| 16 | Houston Texans | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama |
| 17 | Minnesota Vikings | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee |
| 18 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU |
| 19 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon |
| 20 | San Francisco 49ers | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah |
| 21 | Kansas City Chiefs | Caleb Banks | DT | Florida |
| 22 | Cleveland Browns (via JAX) | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
| 23 | Denver Broncos | Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU |
| 24 | Washington Commanders | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson |
| 25 | Indianapolis Colts | David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech |
| 26 | Los Angeles Rams | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama |
| 27 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State |
| 28 | Seattle Seahawks | Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee |
| 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Matayo Uiagalelei | EDGE | Oregon |
| 30 | Buffalo Bills | Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas |
| 31 | Philadelphia Eagles | Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee |
| 32 | Detroit Lions | Connor Lew | IOL | Auburn |
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Top 10 Picks | Picks 11–20 | Picks 21–32 | Round 2 Highlights | Draft Recap
No. 1 | New York Jets
Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana | 6’5’’ | 225 lbs
Justin Fields is an elite fantasy football quarterback, but is he a good real-life quarterback? To avoid the Jets drafting his replacement, he’s going to have to lead this team to some wins. If not, the team may use him as a bridge in 2026 to allow their future QB to sit and learn while Fields starts during the final year of his contract. If the New York Jets are in this position, I believe they will select Fernando Mendoza, my top quarterback in the draft at this point in the process.
Mendoza is in many ways Justin Fields’ exact opposite. Mendoza has very limited mobility; he is a pure pocket passer. He sees the field well, goes through reads, and hits the open receiver with great accuracy and rhythm. Mendoza has a smooth and quick release. I’m writing this before (but you’re likely reading it after) his top test so far this year—Oregon. Mendoza will have plenty of opportunities to cement himself as the 2026 QB1.
No. 2 | Las Vegas Raiders
LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina | 6’3’’ | 240 lbs
For Geno Smith to prove that the Raiders do not need to select a quarterback, he needs to lead his team to some wins down the stretch. He is a better quarterback than he has shown so far this year. If you pick this high, do not have certainty at the quarterback position, and have conviction about a player, you need to take a swing. No quarterback has more tools or upside in this class than LaNorris Sellers.
Sellers dealt with a concussion against Vanderbilt, but when healthy, he has showcased the skillset that has him consistently mocked in this range. His ability to throw accurately on the run allows him to turn broken plays into big gains. Sellers has the best contact balance I’ve seen in a quarterback prospect, allowing him to break tackles and sacks consistently. He still has areas to improve and develop, but LaNorris Sellers has the highest ceiling for any quarterback in this draft.
No. 3 | Miami Dolphins
Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami | 6’3’’ | 275 lbs
First and foremost, the Dolphins should look to trade back. They have many holes across their roster and are due for a multi-year rebuild. Since we aren’t doing trades in this mock, the Dolphins stay put and add the top non-QB in the draft, Rueben Bain Jr. He would immediately become the Dolphins’ best edge rusher, and he would pair with Kenneth Grant as the long-term core of this defensive line.
Bain has been a force of nature this season. He has 30 pressures through 5 games, consistently exploding into the pocket on tape. He has only converted those 30 pressures into 2 sacks so far, but if Bain shows perseverance, the sack numbers will come. Teams are game planning against him. Bain is facing double teams and still working his way to the quarterback. He is showing up against the run game as well, already with 26 total tackles. Rueben Bain Jr. has a great chance of being the first defensive player off the board this April.
No. 4 | Cleveland Browns
Dante Moore | QB | Oregon | 6’3’’ | 206 lbs
The Browns selected two quarterbacks last April, but I seriously doubt that either will be the long-term answer at the position. Dante Moore is the breakout quarterback of the year, vaulting up draft boards. If he continues this meteoric rise, the Browns would be thrilled to snag a franchise quarterback with their first selection, especially in a division which already has 2 of the top 5 quarterbacks in the league.
Moore has been extremely impressive this season. He goes through reads and finds the open man in rhythm, but can also improvise and make splash plays when the pocket breaks down. While pressured, Moore has completed 61.9 % of his passes and hasn’t thrown an interception. He has the arm strength to make any throw asked of him at the next level. Dante Moore is still very much in the mix to be the first quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 5 | New York Giants
Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State | 6’2’’ | 200 lbs
We need the rest of 2025 and all of 2026—at least—to evaluate if Jaxson Dart is the future of the franchise. The Giants need to build up their weapons and offensive line during this evaluation time. Malik Nabers will come back healthy next year, but they need another top-tier receiver on the opposite side of him. Jordyn Tyson would be an excellent selection for the Giants in the Top 10.
Tyson is a flat-out baller. He is a route-runner extraordinaire that creates separation in abundance. Tyson has reliable hands, with only 1 drop so far this season. Adding Tyson on the opposite side of Nabers will open up the Giants’ offense tremendously. If Tyson gets consistent 1-on-1 opportunities, he’ll make defenses pay. This addition will take away any possible excuses and help them evaluate if Jaxson Dart is the guy.
No. 6 | Cincinnati Bengals
Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami | 6’6’’ | 315 lbs
Joe Burrow’s injury has to be a wake-up call to the Bengals’ front office. Their inability to protect him is the only thing that will stop Burrow from achieving his Hall of Fame potential with at least one Super Bowl. Yes, the defense needs work as well, but keeping Burrow alive is priority No. 1, no. 2, and no. 3. With this mindset, I have them selecting the best offensive lineman in the draft, Francis Mauigoa.
Mauigoa is a tremendous pass protector, only allowing Cam Ward to be sacked once last season. Mauigoa has exclusively played right tackle in his college career, which is where I’d keep him. Amarius Mims has struggled again this season, and a move to guard could help him find a role to succeed in the NFL. Regardless, adding Francis Mauigoa would up the talent level on the Bengals offensive line.
No. 7 | Tennessee Titans
Makai Lemon | WR | USC | 5’11’’ | 195 lbs
Last year, the Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, they need to provide an environment for his success through protecting him and giving him weapons. With this pick, we focus on giving him his new best receiver. The WR2 battle is alive and well, but my favorite for this spot at the moment is Makai Lemon.
Lemon is slightly below average for a receiver, but that is basically the only knock on him. He is a nuanced route-runner that creates separation and adds yardage after the catch. He’s the type of player that the OC wants to get the ball in space as often as possible. He’s averaging 7.9 yards after the catch this year and 7.6 yards in 2024, almost an automatic 1st down. His tape against Illinois, a Top-25 opponent, was eye-opening. Illinois knew USC was targeting Lemon again and again, and they simply could not stop him from getting open. He showcased play strength and body control to make this touchdown catch late in the 4th quarter. Makai Lemon is truly capable of being a top target for an NFL offense, and he is deserving of being a Top-10 pick.
NFL Draft Trivia | How many Wide Receivers have been drafted in the Top 10 since 2020?
No. 8 | New Orleans Saints
Peter Woods | DT | Clemson | 6’3’’ | 315 lbs
With Spencer Rattler playing good football, I’m going to avoid reaching for a quarterback with this pick. The Saints have given up 122.2 rushing yards per game so far this season, and the best player available could help them out in this area. Despite Clemson’s struggles, Peter Woods has continued to look like the best defensive tackle in this draft.
Woods features a surprising blend of strength and agility. He consistently sheds blocks by shoving guards off their line. Woods has a fierce swim move that is so fast, guards struggle to get a hand on him. He won’t always pop up on the stat sheet, but his 11.7% pass rush win rate shows that he gets in the backfield and affects plays. Peter Woods may not be the sexiest selection, but he is the space eater who you build your defensive line around.
No. 9 | Carolina Panthers
Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn | 6’6’’ | 285 lbs
The Carolina Panthers are dead last in the league in sacks per game with 1.0. They are simply not getting after the quarterback enough. Since trading away Brian Burns, they have not fully replaced the hole in their lineup. D.J. Wonnum, arguably their best edge rusher, is a free agent at the end of the season. The Panthers should take a swing on upside by selecting the most athletic edge rusher in the draft, Keldric Faulk.
Faulk reminds me so much of Travon Walker, both freak athletes with elite size and speed. Simply put, human beings at this size shouldn’t be able to move like this. Despite a lack of production in college, Walker’s upside landed him the No. 1 overall pick, which he has justified with his development. Faulk, however, has been a more prolific college player. His 45 pressures and 7 sacks as a sophomore were higher marks than Walker ever reached as a prospect. Furthermore, Faulk has the makings of a culture-changing player in the locker room. He has received consistent praise for his leadership and attitude on and off the field. At 20-years old, Keldric Faulk is just scratching the surface of his football potential.
No. 10 | Arizona Cardinals
Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State | 6’0’’ | 205 lbs
The Arizona Cardinals are giving up 254.2 passing yards per game (28th in the league). The backend of their defense has struggled. Budda Baker is turning in his worst coverage season of his career, and his best snaps have been closer to the line at nickel. The Cardinals could use someone to man the backend of their defense, and Caleb Downs is the best in the draft.
Downs has been the best safety in college football the last few seasons. His athletic traits are off the charts, but his best attribute is his instinct. This season Ohio State DC, Matt Patricia, has put Downs frequently in the robber role, where Downs has the freedom to watch the quarterback’s eyes, anticipate routes, and jump the football. This role has cut off many primary receivers, forcing the quarterback to look elsewhere. Despite his area or man only being targeted 13 times, Downs has an interception. Safety is an undervalued position, but Caleb Downs is one of the best football players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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No. 11 | Baltimore Ravens
Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State | 6’3’’ | 195 lbs
The Ravens still have high hopes of Lamar Jackson getting healthy and making a playoff push; however, if they are picking this early, they need to take advantage of the rare opportunity. DeAndre Hopkins has been a good fit, but he is 33-years old and on a 1-year deal. Selecting Carnell Tate, a big-bodied, outside receiver with splash play ability, would be a great complement to Zay Flowers in the slot. This long-term weapon would help Lamar Jackson continue to thrive well into his 30s.
No. 12 | Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State | 6’4’’ | 243 lbs
The Falcons gave up this selection to select a Tennessee edge rusher, James Pearce Jr., last April. The Rams may use this selection and their own to move up and select the quarterback of the future; however, I have them adding the final piece to their already dominant defense. Arvell Reese would immediately step into a starting off-ball linebacker role in this defense. His closing speed at his size is unique. Reese is a weapon to eliminate opposing rushing quarterbacks, as he’s one of the better spies I’ve ever evaluated. Selecting Reese would vault the Rams defense to the next level.
No. 13 | Dallas Cowboys
T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson | 6’3’’ | 265 lbs
The worst part of trading away superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons may have been that it was too late in the offseason to replace him. They have other needs as well, but edge rusher has to be near the top of their offseason priority list. T.J. Parker hasn’t lived up to his sophomore season so far. Despite seeing double teams, he still has an impact on the game with 15 pressures, 2 sacks, and a 16.7% pass rush win rate. The Cowboys would love to add an edge rusher of his caliber to their defense.
No. 14 | Chicago Bears
Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame | 6’0’’ | 214 lbs
I love this landing spot for Jeremiyah Love. The Bears currently have D’Andre Swift, but he is averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Cutting Swift this offseason would save them $7.5 million in cap space. Love would offer a massive upgrade. He has put major work into improving his receiving, as evidenced by his yards per route run going from 1.37 to 1.98. Love is truly a complete back with the speed to break massive runs, the athleticism to hurdle defenders, and the strength to run between the tackles. Adding this weapon could really open up the already improving Bears offense.
No. 15 | New England Patriots
Spencer Fano | OT | Utah | 6’6’’ | 302 lbs
The Patriots have already proven their desire to protect Drake Maye by selecting Will Campbell last April. By doubling down and selecting right tackle Spencer Fano, the Patriots would have one of the best young tackle duos in the league. Fano has been lock solid as a pass protector this season. He has only allowed two pressures and zero sacks. My biggest concern this season has been the 4 penalties in 5 games. Fano has to clean up his game a bit, but this would be an excellent selection for the Patriots to protect Drake Maye long term.
No. 16 | Houston Texans
Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama | 6’7’’ | 366 lbs
The Texans completely dismantled their offensive line and need to build it back up. Kadyn Proctor may have the highest ceiling of any lineman in this draft. His Relative Athletic Score could be the best offensive tackle score of all time. Alabama has taken advantage of his athleticism through getting him the ball as a receiver and a fullback. He looked lost at times Week 1 against Florida State, giving up 6 pressures and 1 sack. Since then, I’ve seen a more consistent and more confident version of him. If the Texans believe in their coaching, an investment in Kadyn Proctor could end up rewarding them with an All-Pro left tackle, keeping C.J. Stroud upright and healthy for the next decade.
No. 17 | Minnesota Vikings
Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee | 6’0’’ | 193 lbs
The Vikings could really use a lockdown cornerback to help transform their defense. Quarterbacks have been picking on Byron Murphy Jr. They have a 75% completion percentage and a 137.0 QBR when targeting Murphy’s man or area. The 2026 cornerback class is murky at the moment, but my top guy is still Jermod McCoy. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played this season. He’s recovering from an ACL tear in January. McCoy’s 2024 tape is good enough to get him drafted in the first round, even if he doesn’t play a single down of football in 2025.
No. 18 | Pittsburgh Steelers
Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU | 6’1’’ | 205 lbs
We all assume this is Aaron Rodgers’ farewell tour. The Steelers need to find a long-term solution for the quarterback position, and Garrett Nussmeier may be just that guy. Nussmeier is a tough prospect to evaluate at the moment. At his best, he has showcased the ability to get the ball out quickly and accurately; however, Nussmeier is currently playing through some type of abdomen injury that has clearly affected his arm strength and accuracy. He is putting a lot of effort into his throws without a lot of juice. I’m still including him this high under the assumption that he will use the bye week to get fully healthy and show us 2024 Nussmeier down the stretch. If he doesn’t get healthy and turn his season around, Nussmeier could easily fall out of the 1st Round completely.
No. 19 | Los Angeles Chargers
Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon | 6’3’’ | 245 lbs
The Chargers need an elite tight end to open up their offense. They have experimented with being more pass-heavy this season under Greg Roman. An elite tight end, like Kenyon Sadiq, could open up both the run game and pass game. He is a solid blocker, only allowing 1 pressure in 16 true pass block snaps. As a receiver, his best trait is his run after the catch. Over half of his yards have come after the catch. He may not have a ton of wiggle or elusiveness, but he has great burst to get downhill in a hurry. Kenyon Sadiq is by far the top tight end in this class, and he would be a massive weapon to add for Justin Herbert.
No. 20 | San Francisco 49ers
Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah | 6’6’’ | 304 lbs
The 49ers have a few different directions they could go, but they need to address left tackle sooner rather than later. Trent Williams is 37-years old and will enter the final year of his contract in 2026. If they draft Caleb Lomu a year early, he could learn from a Hall of Famer and play guard for a season before taking over for the next decade. In 180 pass-blocking snaps, Lomu has allowed only 5 pressures and 0 sacks. He still has room to develop in his run-blocking ability as he climbs to the next level. Overall, selecting Lomu could be the best move for the 49ers to find the long-term answer at one of the most important positions on the field.
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No. 21 | Kansas City Chiefs
Caleb Banks | DT | Florida | 6’6’’ | 330 lbs
Stopping the run is the biggest weakness in the Chiefs defense. They are giving up 123.4 rushing yards per game which ranks them 21st in the NFL. Simply put, it’s not good enough for a team with championship aspirations. Adding a talented big man like Caleb Banks could eat double teams and allow other players to make plays. Banks unfortunately re-injured his foot in September, which demanded surgery. Likely, Banks’ season is over, but hopefully, he will be medically cleared to participate in the Senior Bowl or the NFL Combine to showcase his athleticism. If you believe in your coaching, Banks is the type of player who you want to get in your building to mold him into a superstar.
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No. 22 | Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
Denzel Boston | WR | Washington | 6’4’’ | 209 lbs
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded this pick away to select Travis Hunter. Earlier in this draft, I had the Browns selecting their future franchise quarterback, Dante Moore, and now I have them snagging a weapon for him. Denzel Boston is a culture builder. He stayed at Washington even when he wasn’t playing behind Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk. He stayed again when their coach, Kevin DeBoar, was poached by Alabama. All reports point to Boston as a locker-room leader. On the field, he’s a big-bodied receiver with ball skills and smooth routes. I think he would find himself as the Alpha receiver on the Browns before the end of his rookie season.
No. 23 | Denver Broncos
Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU | 6’0’’ | 190 lbs
Patrick Surtain II is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, which puts extra pressure on the No. 2 cornerback, Riley Moss. Moss has struggled, giving up almost as many touchdowns (2) as passes he has broken up (3). Adding a stud cornerback like Mansoor Delane, could turn the Broncos secondary into one of the best in the league. Delane has been the best cornerback in the NCAA this season. Opposing quarterbacks have an NFL QBR of 22.3 when targeting him, only completing 30% of their passes. Delane’s been one of the highest rising prospects of the season, and he is still in the CB1 discussion.
No. 24 | Washington Commanders
Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson | 5’11’’ | 180 lbs
The Commanders secondary has been one of their weak links with 235.0 passing yards given up a game (23rd in the NFL). Avieon Terrell would immediately start for them. QBs are avoiding Terrell’s half of the field, targeting him less than 5 times a game. Still, Terrell has forced 3 fumbles this season. His older brother, A.J. Terrell, is a valuable resource to help mold Avieon into the best cornerback possible. The Commanders need to up the talent level on this defense to compete for a Super Bowl, and this selection is a great start.
No. 25 | Indianapolis Colts
David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech | 6’3’’ | 250 lbs
The Indianapolis Colts are the surprise, breakout team of the year. Daniel Jones has been excellent, and the offense has been humming. For this selection, I’m taking the best speed rusher in the draft. David Bailey has a lightning quick burst off the line. He already has 5.5 sacks and 33 pressures (the most in FBS). He’s winning almost a fourth of his pass rush reps (24.8% win rate). Every team in the NFL would love to add a pass rush specialist of Bailey’s caliber.
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No. 26 | Los Angeles Rams
Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama | 6’2’’ | 208 lbs
How much time does Matt Stafford have left? I assume not much. If 2026 is his final year, it would be very nice to go ahead and train his heir apparent. QB5 is a tough race at the moment, but based on what I’ve seen this year, Ty Simpson is the current frontrunner. Simpson does not have much experience, but he is already making veteran decisions. His 13:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is extremely impressive. Simpson has plenty of tough defenses to face down the stretch, and each one will be an opportunity to prove himself as a 2026 1st rounder.
No. 27 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State | 6’4’’ | 243 lbs
After adding an edge rusher earlier in the draft, the Dallas Cowboys use one of the Micah Parson picks to select one of the top off-ball linebackers in the draft, Sonny Styles. This unit is one of the weakest, if not the weakest, on the whole team. Styles is a true tackle machine, totaling 100 tackles last season. He currently has the most tackles without a missed tackle in college football with 27 straight. Dallas is giving up 127.4 rushing yards a game (23rd out of 32), thus they could use a willing tackler like Styles to sprint downhill and eliminate gaps.
No. 28 | Seattle Seahawks
Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee | 6’0’’ | 195 lbs
The Seattle Seahawks secondary has been lacking. Their 239.8 passing yards per game is ranked 25th in the league. Riq Woolen’s play has fallen off a cliff, and he is a free agent at the end of this season. They need to add at cornerback, and Colton Hood is my best available at this point in the draft. Hood has taken over the CB1 role, while waiting for Jermod McCoy to recover from his injury. Hood has filled his shoes tremendously. His pick 6 against Mississippi State grabbed the momentum of the game and led to a victory. Quarterbacks are only completing 36.8% of their passes when targeting Hood’s man or area. He is also a very willing tackler. The Seahawks would love to add a well-rounded cornerback like Hood to their roster.
No. 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matayo Uiagalelei | EDGE | Oregon | 6’5’’ | 272 lbs
The Buccaneers offense is explosive with Emeka Egbuka looking like a strong contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year (injury pending). One of the issues with the Buccaneers is the pass rush. They are only averaging 2 sacks per game. Matayo Uiagalelei is a well-rounded edge rusher that would be a day-one starter for Tampa Bay. He is very strong against the run game, but he specializes against the pass. Uiagalelei racked up 10.5 sacks in 2024 through a variety of pass-rush moves. He is a violent finisher. Uiagalelei would be a great addition for the Buccaneers.
No. 30 | Buffalo Bills
Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas | 6’3’’ | 238 lbs
Matt Milano will be a free agent after this season, and the Bills will need to add another off-ball linebacker to play alongside Terrel Bernard. Anthony Hill Jr. is the best linebacker available at this point in the draft. He only has one missed tackle so far this season, and he is truly a sideline-to-sideline type of player. Hill has forced 7 fumbles so far in his college career. Ball carriers have to be extremely careful around him. He would be a great long-term replacement for Milano in Buffalo.
No. 31 | Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee | 6’5’’ | 200 lbs
Even if the peace can be kept with A.J. Brown, Chris Brazzell II is the type of talent that you want on your team. A massive receiver who is often the fastest player on the field doesn’t grow on trees. He already has 531 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in his first 5 games. Adding him would give the Eagles flexibility moving forward. The offense wouldn’t miss a beat if A.J. Brown were to request a trade late in the offseason or any similar scenario. Brazzell will be an elite deep-threat receiver in the NFL.
No. 32 | Detroit Lions
Connor Lew | IOL | Auburn | 6’3’’ | 300 lbs
I don’t believe that Graham Glasgow is a long-term solution for the center void left by Frank Ragnow. Glasgow is 33-years old, and he could also be nearing retirement. Connor Lew is the best center in the draft. This final selection in the 1st Round would be a true plug-and-play scenario, where Lew could step in and start at center (or anywhere else on the interior of the offensive line) Day 1. Drafting a center in the 1st Round may not be the sexiest selection, but this pick would pay dividends for the Lions offense for years to come.
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ROUND 2 HIGHLIGHTS | 2026 NFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0
No. 44 | Atlanta Falcons
Chris Bell | WR | Louisville | 6’2’’ | 220 lbs
The Falcons’ first selection will come in the 2nd Round due to moving up to select James Pearce Jr. last April. They could go in several directions, but a stud wide receiver on the opposite side of the field from Drake London could make Michael Penix Jr.’s life easier. Chris Bell is a well-built, explosive receiver. He is a big play waiting to happen at any moment, which is exactly what the Falcons could use.
No. 54 | Jacksonville Jaguars
A’Mauri Washington | DT | Oregon | 6’3’’ | 330 lbs
The Jaguars gave up their first selection to move up and take Travis Hunter. With their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, I have them selecting the best defensive tackle available, A’Mauri Washington. His impact will not show up in the stat sheet, because much of his role is a double-team eater. Washington eats up space and allows other teammates to dominate their 1-on-1 opportunities. He would be a perfect fit for the Jaguars defensive line.
No. 59 | Green Bay Packers
Olaivavega Ioane | IOL | Penn State | 6’4’’ | 330 lbs
The Packers were able to use their first-round pick as part of the package to land Micah Parsons, causing this 2nd Round pick to be their first time selecting in the draft. I believe they could pick the less-often talked about, Olaivavega Ioane. He is rising up boards this season with his elite play on the interior. Ioane has provided Drew Allar with pristine protection. Ioane has only allowed 1 pressure all season. He hasn’t given up a single sack in 150 pass-blocking snaps. This selection would ultimately be an investment in Jordan Love’s long-term health.
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Draft Recap & Strategy Notes
The 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 from Bobby Bishop highlights the balance between offensive firepower and defensive versatility that defines this next draft class. Four quarterbacks land inside the top 20, signaling another franchise-resetting year at the position. Edge defenders like Rueben Bain Jr., Keldric Faulk, and David Bailey prove that pass rushers remain the NFL’s most bankable defensive asset, while wideouts Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, and Chris Brazzell II headline what looks like a deep and explosive receiver group.
Teams such as the Jets, Raiders, and Browns aim to secure their quarterback of the future, while contenders like the Eagles, Bills, and Lions focus on positional longevity and value. The blend of high-ceiling athletes and technically refined playmakers makes this mock a snapshot of how dynamic the 2026 NFL Draft could become as the college season unfolds.
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2026 NFL Mock Draft FAQ
Q1: Who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Right now, Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) holds the top spot in most projections thanks to his size, pocket command, and accuracy. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) and Dante Moore (Oregon) remain in striking distance, giving this class real competition for QB1.
Q2: Which teams are going to select a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders are the two most likely to draft a quarterback early, but keep an eye on the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams. Each has an aging or uncertain starter and could look to secure their next franchise signal-caller.
Q3: How strong is the 2026 quarterback class compared to previous years?
This class isn’t just strong—it’s deep. Beyond the headliners (Mendoza, Sellers, Moore), players like Garrett Nussmeier and Ty Simpson could push the total number of 1st Round quarterbacks to 6, rivaling the top-heavy 2021 and 2023 classes for both talent and depth.
Q4: Who are the top defensive players in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Defensively, Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami) has been a game-wrecker off the edge, while Peter Woods (DT, Clemson) and Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) headline the interior and secondary. Expect Keldric Faulk (Auburn) and Mansoor Delane (LSU) to keep rising through the pre-draft process.
Q5: Over or Under—how many quarterbacks will go in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The current betting line sits around 5.5 quarterbacks in Round 1. Taking the over isn’t crazy — this class features multiple early-round starters and could match the record six QBs taken in 1983 and 2021 if late risers declare early.
Q6: Who is the biggest sleeper in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Keep an eye on Chris Bell (WR, Louisville), a Day 2 projection who’s turning heads with his combination of size, burst, and downfield tracking. Defensively, Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU) and David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech) have 1st Round athleticism that could catapult them up boards by March.
Q7: When will the next 2026 NFL Mock Draft updates be released?
The next update will drop after the end of the college football regular season, followed by a second edition after the NFL Combine, and a final version just before the 2026 NFL Draft. Each mock will update team needs, risers, and verified testing data.
Trivia Answer | There have been 10 WRs drafted in the Top 10 since 2022. Class of 25 – Hunter (2) McMillan (8) 24 – Harrison (4) Nabers (6) Odunze (9) 22 – London (8) Wilson (10) 21 – Chase (5) Waddle (6) D. Smith (10) (tap to return)
