NFL Free Agency has allowed for the dust to settle on the NFL, and now we can take a look at the NFL Draft as a whole.
There have been countless mock drafts over the past couple of months. We have seen the same picks and the same analysts making predictions, which can get a bit stale. So, thankfully, free agency will allow for a new flavor to enter everyone’s mind as we get closer to the big day in April.
On top of it all, the trades that have taken place have been a bit of a shambles for several teams. So with the dust settled, let’s dive into the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft with our new mock draft.
1) Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The pick has been made for months now and it isn’t changin anytime soon, even if Tom Brady comes out of retirement. Fernando Mendoza will be going to the Raiders who loaded up in free agency and have him poised to come into a rather decent envirmonemt to perhaps find success sooner rather than later.
2) New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets have had an efficient free agency thus far and have addressed a lot of needs. Adding someone with Arvel Reese’s skill set who can set the edge and patrol the middle would go further toward Aaron Glenn’s master plan to reshape this defense in a way he has only dreamed of thus far.
3) Arizona Cardinals – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Cardinals are a tough team to mock for as they can go a variety of ways, but adding Sonny Styles helps the guys up front that they have drafted in recent years. The coaching staff needs to maximize more of the playmakers they have, and giving them Styles to showcase their range and playmaking is a must.
4) Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This seems like a rich pick, but with Brian Daboll coaching the offense, I feel like they are going to look for a splash. Nothing helps a young running back out more than an efficient running game, and Jeremiyah Love helps Cam Ward in that department.
5) New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
John Harbaugh seems to have the offense ready to lift Jaxson Dart to new heights, but adding one more piece won’t hurt. With Malik Nabers coming off a torn ACL, adding Carnell Tate opposite him lets him return without facing double teams and gives the team a dynamic wide receiver duo.
6) Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)
Despite needing to replace the entire offensive line, the Browns have done well. Adding Mauigoa and busting him inside may be the play to allow for this offense to just need a left tackle to complete their overhaul.
7) Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is the offensive playmaker this defense needs. They added two left edge rushers in free agency, the linebackers are enough, but they need a playmaker in the secondary. Caleb Downs is arguably the best player in the draft and a steal at seven overall.
8) New Orleans Saints – David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Cam Jordan era has seemingly ended in New Orleans, so time to turn the page to David Bailey. The explosive pass rusher out of Texas Tech can set the edge and is the best raw pass rusher in the class as a whole. Run defense needs some work, but in the NFC South, getting after the quarterback is king.
9) Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
After the NFL raided the Chiefs’ secondary in free agency, the team re-tooled in selecting Mansoor Delane. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have Delane playing at a near All-Pro level based on the tools the Tiger defender possesses, and should lessen the blow of those who departed.
10) Cincinnati Bengals – Rueben Bain Jr., DL/Edge, Miami (FL)
The Bengals need a tone setter on the edge while Shemar Stewart figures himself out in his sophomore season. Bain is a monster on the edge, but also a great piece in run defense, which is something Trey Hendrickson lacked in.
11) Miami Dolphins – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Miami Dolphins shipped away safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and have a roster that is desperate for playmakers. Thieneman can make plays in both run and pass support, while also finding the ball. He can become a building block for this defense and Jeff Hafley.
12) Dallas Cowboys – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Cowboys need cornerback help, and with a lot of defensive talent gone, we are turning to Avieon Terrell. The Clemson cornerback has some concerns, but he is reliable enough to put him outside and trust him to contain or stay with almost anyone he matches up with.
13) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
With the retirement of Rob Havenstein, the Rams need to protect Matthew Stafford. Spencer Fano will be too talented for them to pass up, and he should be the easy pick for them here.
14) Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Ravens lost a lot in free agency, but their identity remains in place despite the changes at every level of this team. Ioane is a bulldozer, and someone Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will both approve of. Plug him in the middle and watch this offense become a bit smoother.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
CJ Allen is a bit of a stretch here, but the board did no favors to Jason Licht and the Bucs front office. The Georgia defender is someone who can man the middle of the field and become the next leader if or when Lavonte David rides off into the sunset.
16) New York Jets (via IND) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The New York Jets are building for the future, so why not take the best player available in Makai Lemon? He is a different type of receiver who will complement Garrett Wilson and allow for Geno Smith in 2026 or someone else beyond to have some options.
17) Detroit Lions – Monroe Feeling, OT, Georgia
The Lions’ offensive line has seen some key pieces leave, the biggest being Taylor Decker. Monroe Feeling is getting some discussion to go in the top ten, but that is a bit rich for my blood. Him to the Lions at 17 seems like a decent spot and he helps lessen the blow of Decker leaving.
18) Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
A lot of the defensive talent the Vikings could use is already gone at this point. Jermod McCoy will be a gamble, but the 2024 film he showcased is good enough to have him justify being picked here despite missing 2025.
19) Carolina Panthers – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Panthers moved on from A’Shawn Robinson, so they need a new run stuffer next to Derrick Brown. Kayden McDonald fits the bill and would be a plug-and-play starter on a defense that suddenly looks like one of the best on paper in the NFC.
20) Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Jerry Jones is obsessed with stopping the run and building this team up in the trenches. Adding Caleb Banks to play alongside Kenny Clark would give them a formidable duo on the interior to help out edge rushers.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
I was really tempted to draft Ty Simpson here, but I think they go all in on potentially one more year of Aaron Rodgers. Adding Kadyn Proctor to this offensive line allows him to help both Rodgers and their run game, which seems to be trending toward being headlined by Rico Dowdle.
22) Los Angeles Chargers – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I feel the injuries to Jordyn Tyson are going to catch up with him, which means someone is going to get a steal if he is healthy. Justin Herbert has Quinten Johnston, who some argue could be a similar player to Tyson, but having them on the outside with Oronde Gadsden and Ladd McConkey working the middle gives them a complete passing attack.
23) Philadelphia Eagles – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Dallas Goedert is back for one more year at the very least, but Howie Roseman has shown he gets ahead of the curve in drafting replacements. Kenyon Sadiq, working opposite Goedert for a year, getting his feet wet in the Eagles’ unique offense, seems like a good pairing.
24) Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
If the Browns want to see what they have in Shedeur Sanders, he needs a complete offensive line to allow him to give them that. With the pick of Lomu, this offensive line overhaul is completed, and now they have a good mix of veterans and younger pieces on their line to give them some hope to see what this offense can do.
25) Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The departure of so many in the Bears’ secondary leaves them with some extra needs for Dennis Allen’s defense. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be a playmaker day one for this defense, given his instincts and the way they have their secondary schemed to be able to make plays on the ball and be aggressive.
26) Buffalo Bills – Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)
The Bills need some pass rush to balance out their defense, and with the departure of Joey Bosa, there is a hole to fill. Akheem Mesidor is ready to contribute now and fits their need for someone with that skillset as they are in their Super Bowl window.
27) San Francisco 49ers – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The future of Trent Williams seems to be up in the air every offseason now, with talks even including a trade or release being forced onto the 49ers. If that is the case, Blake Miller could be a fun filler for Williams and, at the very least, can develop behind him for a year while offering injury security.
28) Houston Texans – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Texans’ defense is among the best in the NFL, with their edge rushers setting the tone. Peter Woods is falling way lower than he should at this point, and putting him between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter could be the perfect situation for all parties involved.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Rashee Rice seems to have something new pop up every offseason, and even if he is playing with the Chiefs in 2026, he needs some support. Omar Cooper Jr. gives them a more physical receiver who can work the middle of the field to complement the pieces they have.
30) Denver Broncos – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Bo Nix has cemented himself as the Broncos’ franchise quarterback, so why not give him one more dynamic piece in the passing game? Boston working opposite Courtland Sutton should allow them to be able to have one of the more physically dominant receiving duos in the league.
31) New England Patriots – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Drake Maye getting someone like KC Concepcion would give this offense more explosive playmaking right away. Not only does he help the pass game, but between Concepcion and TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots would have two dynamic returners they can use to create big plays.
32) Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Seahawks need to replace Riq Woolen after losing him in free agency, and Colton Hood is the ultimate value here. Him and Devon Witherspoon would give the Seahawks two physical cornerbacks and their dominant defense should not have to lose a step.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Post-free agency 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Teams load up on defense
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