The 2025 NFL season is in the books, with the Seahawks handling the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. While Seattle celebrates its second Super Bowl victory, the other 31 teams look to be in the same position next February. Some teams are closer than others, but all have work to do this offseason. The squads that struggled the most in 2025 are picking at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. For one reason or another, these teams had abysmal seasons and are desperate to get better. How will they improve their roster in the post-Super Bowl 2026 NFL mock draft?
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-10
1. Las Vegas Raiders- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The most obvious pick in this draft, the Raiders take the Heisman Trophy winner. Fernando Mendoza has the ideal frame for a franchise quarterback and generates incredible velocity on his throws. He’s an accurate passer on all three levels with decent mobility.
2. New York Jets– Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets would like to take a quarterback, but there aren’t any great options available after Dante Moore returned to Oregon. Instead, New York addresses its woeful defense with Arvell Reese. Reese has dominant physical tools and can play both on the edge and off the ball. He’s an elite run defender who’s flashed tremendous upside as a pass rusher.
3. Arizona Cardinals- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Like the Jets, Arizona needs a quarterback, but instead opts to improve other parts of the roster. Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum are free agents, creating a void at right tackle. The Cardinals fill that void with Spencer Fano, a dominant run blocker with good pass-blocking technique. He joins Paris Johnson Jr. to form a steady duo of tackles.
4. Tennessee Titans– Rueben Bain Jr, DE, Miami
The Titans spend their first pick on a Miami prospect for the second year in a row, after selecting Cam Ward first overall in 2025. Rueben Bain Jr. is an explosive athlete with great closing speed. He excels against the run and displays an excellent combination of speed and power as a pass rusher. Tennessee gets some much-needed help defensively.
5. New York Giants– Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
New York needs more depth at wide receiver outside of Malik Nabers. The Giants add to their young skill positions by taking Jordyn Tyson. Tyson is a monster after the catch and a crisp route runner who can play both outside and in the slot. He’s an incredible talent, but a lengthy injury history could cause him to fall further down the draft board.
6. Cleveland Browns- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Browns’ defense held its own in 2025, but the offense, not so much. Cleveland needs a true WR1, and it gets one in Makai Lemon. Lemon burst onto the scene in 2025, winning the Biletnikoff Award. His route running and acceleration are remarkable, and he should translate to a productive slot receiver at the next level.
7. Washington Commanders– David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
Washington suffered a major regression in 2025, largely due to a lackluster defense. The Commanders acquire a premier pass rusher in David Bailey. Bailey is a refined pass rusher who racked up 14.5 sacks in 2025. His first step is explosive, and he uses an array of pass-rush moves to beat offensive tackles.
8. New Orleans Saints- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Former-Buckeye Chris Olave had a career season in 2025. Although Olave has established himself as a reliable target, the Saints are thin at wide receiver beyond him. So they draft another Ohio State receiver, Carnell Tate. Tate has great hands and excels in contested-catch situations. His football IQ is impressive, as he finds the soft spots in zone coverage.
9. Kansas City Chiefs– Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This season was the first time since 2021 that the Chiefs did not participate in the Super Bowl. Kansas City wasn’t even close, partly because it lacked a running game. The Chiefs address one of their biggest holes by grabbing Jeremiyah Love with the ninth-overall pick. Love’s combination of speed and power makes him one of the best running back prospects in recent memory.
10. Cincinnati Bengals– Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Bengals need help basically everywhere on defense, so they take arguably the best player in this class. Caleb Downs is a generational safety prospect who excels in run support, along with man and zone coverage. His ball skills and tackling are other strengths, and he’s a do-it-all player. Downs will help Cincinnati’s defense in various ways.
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – Imagn Images
