The 2026 NFL Draft is just 10 days away! Just as we did last year, the Last Word on NFL staff banded together for our official 2026 mock draft. Our writers have a pretty good understanding of what their team will do and what sort of needs they have.
Our collaborative effort has come together with this mock draft with a few surprising selections. Will there be two quarterbacks taken? How much will positional value be taken into consideration? This year’s draft is expected to be as chaotic as any, so without further ado, here is the Last Word on NFL 2026 mock draft!
2026 Last Word on NFL First Round Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
“Fernando Mendoza did the impossible by delivering a national championship to Indiana, college football’s most poverty program. Now, he’s the overwhelming, near-inevitable favorite to go first overall to the Raiders. Could he be the Raiders’ savior as he was for the Hoosiers? The Heisman Trophy winner will have his work cut out for him, but if there is any quarterback in this class that can do it, it’s Medoza.” – Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
Full Fernando Mendoza Draft Profile
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
“After displaying his versatility in Columbus, Aaron Glenn adds an adaptable playmaker in Arvell Reese, who could develop into a talented edge rusher through renowned D-Line coach Karl Dunbar.” – Mike Zimmelman
Full Arvell Reese Draft Profile
3. Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
“The Cardinals are in need of a quarterback after the dismissal of Kyler Murray. With Jacoby Brissett serving as a bridge starter, it can only be a matter of time before Arizona makes a move! ” – Cardell Hardy
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
“Even after trading for Jermaine Johnson, Tennessee needs more help at EDGE to help smooth Femi Oladejo’s development process. Bailey was one of the best pass rushers in college last year. Why not really buy into New York South and fortify the pass rush like the Giants did with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux? Brian Daboll has experience with that sorta thing.” – Joseph Yun
Full David Bailey Draft Profile
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
“The Giants go with the BPA route and give their young gunslinger at QB another top target to pair with Nabers out wide. Tate brings elite ball skills, body control, size, and what many would call the “it” factor at WR. New HC John Harbaugh will now have Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers, Carnell Tate, and Theo John to form one of the more electric young offenses in the league.” – Scott Powell
Full Carnell Tate Draft Profile
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
“The Browns opt to select what is considered the top offensive tackle prospect in this class, Francis Mauigoa. With recently signed Tytus Howard having some starting left tackle experience, Cleveland can work through camp and preseason to determine which option is better suited to protect the quarterback’s blindside.” – Tim Campbell
Full Francis Mauigoa Draft Profile
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
“As much as I’d prefer an edge in Reese or Bailey, the Commanders need defensive playmakers and youth in the LB position. Styles is the best option on the board.” – Chris Pownall
Full Sonny Styles Draft Profile
8. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
“With Tate off the board, the Saints get a defensive playmaker with the eighth overall pick. The Saints lost cornerback Alontae Taylor in free agency, so bringing in Downs to add to the secondary recoups that loss. Downs is the best player available here, and the Saints get a future superstar.” – Austin Ambler
Full Caleb Downs Draft Profile
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
“After trading away Trent McDuffie for a haul and not bringing in a top-tier free agent at the position, corner seems to be the consensus pick for the Chiefs. Mansoor Delane looks like a future star at the position and is widely considered to be the top cornerback in this year’s class. He will be a day-one starter in the NFL and would be a great replacement for McDuffie.” -Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
“The dream scenario as Bain falls to the Bengals and can provide an instant impact off the edge or kick inside to provide pressure up the middle.” – Will Koshover
Full Rueben Bain Jr. Draft Profile
11. Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
“I was very torn between Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, and Jermod McCoy, but opted for the player with the fewest injury concerns to pair with new QB Malik Willis. Lemon won’t set the world on fire athletically, but last year’s Biletnikoff Award winner was as productive as any receiver in recent years, and has received comparisons to another former 5’11 USC WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown.” – James Lennon
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
“Despite missing the 2025 season due to injury, the Cowboys need a cornerback who can scare opposing offenses. Having added Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant in free agency for depth, the team could take the risk to turn McCoy as a full-time replacement for Shavon Revel Jr. McCoy’s traits and versatility is likely worth the dice rolling. ” – Anthony Palacios
Full Jermod McCoy Draft Profile
13. Los Angeles Rams: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
“Los Angeles adds another dynamic wide receiver to the offense in Jordyn Tyson. The 21-year-year-old is an elite playmaker, and he’s drawn pro comparisons to Washington’s Terry McLaurin. Tyson might have been the first wide receiver taken if not for his injury history. He’ll learn from two highly productive players in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. ” – Zach Wolpin
Full Jordyn Tyson Draft Profile
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
“The Ravens need an upgrade on the interior offensive line. After losing Daniel Faalele in free agency (1,012 of 1,105 offensive snaps played), the Ravens brought back John Simpson to battle it out at guard. At the other guard spot, Vega Ioane would be a plug-and-play starter from the jump. The prototypical guard, Ioane is a mauler and fits everything the Ravens want to do on offense. According to some, Ioane to Baltimore is “inevitable.” – Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
“The Buccaneers need to improve their pass rush, and Mesidor is a player who can make an immediate impact as a rookie. Mesidor was highly productive during the 2025 season and is a nuanced pass rusher who plays with a non-stop motor.” – Grant Potter
Full Akheem Mesidor Draft Profile
16. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
“After raising the floor of the defense in free agency and potentially raising its ceiling with the Arvell Reese selection, the Jets need to address the wide receiver position. Omar Cooper Jr. is an excellent fit next to Garrett Wilson as he can play multiple alignments and displayed some of the best yards-after-catch ability in the class across his last two seasons.” – James Gruter
Full Omar Cooper Jr. Draft Profile
17. Detroit Lions: Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon
“After Brad Holmes stabilized the ailing offensive line and the EDGE position through free agency, taking one of the Combine’s elite athletic performers feels like a no-brainer. ” – Sue Levine
Full Dillon Thieneman Draft Profile
18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo
“The Vikings need to add youth to a defense that was the second-best against the pass in 2025. As of now, nobody knows what the future holds for last year’s starting strong safety, Harrison Smith. Of late, Toledo has been producing first-round talents, and McNeil-Warren is no different. He’s a thumper and can cause chaos with a turnover. In his time with the Rockets, he forced nine fumbles and hauled in five interceptions.” – Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
Full Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Draft Profile
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
“If the draft falls this way and the Panthers are able to get the top-rated TE, they are running to the podium. Sadiq is exciting for a team that hasn’t had much production from the Tight End spot. With his elite traits and athletism, Sadiq will fit right in with a young core and better help to provide weapons on essentially a contract year for Bryce Young.” – Alain Pierre
20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
“The Cowboys add Faulk, one of the youngest prospects in this draft, to bolster their pass rush. Faulk brings talent and youth to a defense desperately in need of both.” – Jason Klingensmith
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
“With top targets Vega Ioane and Jordyn Tyson off the board, Pittsburgh pivots to Allen, who can become the leader of the next generation of the Steelers’ defense.” – Jason Klingensmith
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
“Last year, the Chargers were among the best in the league at defending the run, but adding Kayden McDonald would make the unit legitimately elite. LA did just invest in Teair Tart with a three-year extension, but McDonald would be a force multiplier on the interior.” – Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
Full Kayden McDonald Draft Profile
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
“To this point in the process, the Eagles have been using a number of their official visits on offensive linemen (five of twelve top-30 visits thus far), but none have been with Monroe Freeling. The team met with him at the combine, but would be over the moon if he fell this far. One of the fastest rising players on the board, Freeling looks like a longtime starting tackle at the next level, which the Eagles need.” – Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
Full Monroe Freeling Draft Profile
24. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
“At some point in this draft, Cleveland will undoubtedly have to add another weapon in the receiving room. Boston comes with the upside of a potential WR1 and immediately gives the Browns much-needed talent at the position.” – Tim Campbell
Full Denzel Boston Draft Profile
25. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
“Wait. How did Jeremiyah Love fall this far? Maybe positional value played a part, but either way, imagine adding a top-five talent to this Bears offense with Caleb Williams. Unfortunate for D’Andre Swift because, for the second time in his career, his team will pick a first-round replacement. Love is a legitimately elite prospect and will be a star at the next level.” – Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
Full Jeremiyah Love Draft Profile
26. Buffalo Bills: Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
“Another prospect rising on boards is Kevin “KC” Concepcion. The do-it-all Aggie won the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile player. In his career (two years at NC State, one at Texas A&M), Concepcion amassed 2,218 yards and 25 touchdowns on 185 receptions of offense while adding two punt return touchdowns in 2025 (earning him an All-American nod). Concepcion would come in to be the Bills’ WR1 and would certainly give the offense a boost.” -Drew Crabtree, Site Manager
Full Kevin Concepcion Draft Profile
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
“Trent Williams is not going to be around forever, so the 49ers look to Caleb Lomu out of Utah to be the future Left Tackle protecting Brock Purdy. Even if he sits a year behind Williams, he gets to learn from one of the best in the league.” – Austin Ambler
28. Houston Texans: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
“Earlier this offseason, the Texans gave premier pass rusher Danielle Hunter another large one-year contract. This isn’t sustainable in the long term. Malachi Lawrence is a freak athlete, similar to Hunter, and would have the opportunity to develop behind the best EDGE duo in football.” – James Gruter
Full Malachi Lawrence Draft Profile
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
“The excellent run stopper from Clemson is going to be the heir apparent for Chris Jones. Ideally, they would prefer to get an extra rusher, but at the 29th spot, the value of this picture just makes sense.” – Alain Pierre
Full Peter Woods Draft Profile
30. Miami Dolphins: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
“Dolphins’ GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has said that they will have a best player available mentality, and lucky for them, two cornerbacks fell to 30, which is a glaring need for the Fins. Colton Hood has been the more common pairing for the Dolphins, though. A physical corner who took on the role of CB1 for Tennessee after McCoy’s injury, Hood provides the Fins with a skillset more suited to the boundary that they sorely need right now.” – James Lennon
Full Colton Hood Draft Profile
31. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
“Parker falls right into the Patriots’ lap here at 31. He fits everything New England looks for in their trench defenders. Parker will bring a high motor and incredible physical tools to the Patriots’ defensive line.” – Matthew Brown
Full T.J. Parker Draft Profile
32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
“The defending champs, who lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant in free agency, begin retooling their secondary with Terrell. I think Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price could also go here to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. Ultimately, I think Seattle would value having the fifth-year option for a CB more than a RB.” – Jason Klingensmith
