|
|
|
With about a week to go before the 2026 NFL Draft goes on the clock in Pittsburgh next Thursday, April 23, it's time for a new Sporting News mock draft. In the 15th and latest version of projecting where prospects will be picked, there's a considerable shakeup in the top eight overall picks. After the no-brainer for the at No. 1 and the new slated selection for the at No. 2, it's time to go through another three-round exercise, not stopping until No. 100. Here's taking another look into the crystal ball, keeping up to date with every team might be thinking most: JUMP TO: | | NFL Mock Draft 2026 Round 1 1. Las Vegas Raiders Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 236pounds) Mendoza is locked into being the Raiders' No. 1 overall pick for Klint Kubiak and John Spytek and the focus will be on upgrading his offensive and defensive support for the rest of the draft. 2. New York Jets David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-4, 251pounds) The Jets will also consider the versatility of capable pa s rusher Arvell Reese for the second level of their defense, but Bailey also can come through as a gifted cover man, dropping back on top of being disruptive in the backfield vs. run and pa s. 3. Arizona Cardinals Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE,Ohio State (6-4, 241pounds) The are positioned to take the best defensive player available for Nick Rallis and will also have Bailey and Reese's Ohio State teammate, Sonny Styles, high on their radar. But Reese gives them the quarterback attack element while also providing rangy lateral playmaking as a cover man and tackler. MORE: 4. Tenne see Titans Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 212 pounds) This pick is gaining more steam of late as Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll consider replacing Tony Pollard with this young workhorse back to give Cam Ward a stronger, more explosive running game and good receiving outlet on whom to lean in Year 2. Love can channel what the organization once had, either early with Eddie George or later with Chris Johnson. 5. New York Giants Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-5, 244pounds) The don't need to lock into edge rush help early after getting Abdul Carter early in last year's draft but they could use someone to clean up well all over the field to upgrade their linebacker corps under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Styles would be a welcome centerpiece. 6. Cleveland Browns Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-2, 192 pounds) The need to upgrade wide receiver for Shedeur John Cullen Jersey Sanders or whoever their starting quarterback will be, so it makes sense to go to Columbus to get this top big-play option for the outside. Tate will be the latest to tap into the Buckeyes' rich pro wideout tradition. MORE: 7. Washington Commanders Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 206 pounds) The keep the Buckeyes run going and overcome their disappointment in not landing Love with Downs sliding down to them to fill a need for a busy playmaking linebacker/safety hybrid. Dan Quinn will love having this impactful che s piece. 8. New Orleans Saints Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-2, 263pounds) The also can be fortunate to let the draft "come to them" and land Bain to be their pa s-rushing and run-stopping succe sor to Cameron Jordan. The strength and power comparisons to Jordan (6-4, 287) are uncanny. 9. Kansas City Chiefs Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 187 pounds) The can go to work reloading at corner after moving Trent McDuffie and also not bringing back Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams. Delane is the strongest cover corner in this cla s with some shutdown potential. MORE: 10. New York Giants (from Bengals) Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-2, 298 pounds) The Giants need to reload their interior disruptive potential after trading star Clemson product Dexter Lawrence for this pick. Woods, back up boards through the reevaluation proce s, would be a solid replacement anchor. 11. Miami Dolphins Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds) The are in rebuild mode for their offense and an important piece for Malik Willis will be landing a big, athletic pa s protector who is learning how to use his frame to be a dominant force in the running game, too. 12. Dallas Cowboys Jermod McCoy, CB, Tenne see (6-1, 188pounds) The will be willing to be more aggre sive to get cornerback help and although McCoy, with his recent injury history, is a bit polarizing inside the building, his big-play ability would come with huge reward if he can stay healthy. 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds) The Rams are in good shape at tackle with Rob Havenstein retiring, thanks to Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr. But they can consider Fano as a strong swing backup with the run-blocking pop to take over at either guard potentially. 14. Baltimore Ravens Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (6-7, 315 pounds) The Ravens will go into best player available mode and land their succe sor to 32-year-old Ronnie Stanley at left tackle to put opposite rising right tackle, Roger Rosengarten. Freeling can go anywhere from top 10 to outside the top 20 in the first round, with his quickne s and footwork setting up him to be groomed well for the blindside role. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 241pounds) The Buccaneers need more field-stretching and red zone weaponry for Baker Mayfield and some 12 personnel flexibility for new coordinator Zac Robinson after losing wide receiver Mike Evans. Sadiq would be welcome in that dual role, boosting Emeka Egbuka from last year's first round. Troy Wayrynen - Imagn Images 16. New York Jets (from Colts) Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 192 pounds) The Jets could use a quick, reliable route-running slot to pair with Garrett Wilson. Lemon makes sense as someone who can get open often in the middle, la la fellow former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown. 17. Detroit Lions Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (6-4, 330 pounds) The Lions need to focus on their offensive line rebuild and getting the big, powerful and mean Ioane from the Nittany Lions would be ideal to maintain their run blocking strength inside. 18. Minnesota Vikings Dillon Thienman, S, Oregon (6-0, 201 pounds) The Vikings need to replenish safety with some personnel lo ses and weakne ses. Thienman blew up the Combine as a dynamic athlete who can give them a huge playmaking force in coverage. 19. Carolina Panthers Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 203 pounds) The Panthers worked on their offensive line (Rasheed Walker) and defensive front seven (Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd) well in free agency to the point they have some best player available flexibility early in the draft. Tyson would be a nice big target to pair opposite reigning OROY Tetairoa McMillan. 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (6-3, 259 pounds) The Cowboys can work on rebuilding their pa s rush for Parker, too, with Mesidor providing some explosive burst to transition well as a hybrid producer in the new base 3-4. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (6-6, 315 pounds) The Steelers need to shore up right tackle with a powerful presence in the running game and his toughne s and technique are ideal for their offensive mentality. MORE: 22. Los Angeles Chargers Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 186 pounds) The Chargers will consider pa s rusher and offensive line early, too, but they do have a key need at corner for a physical cover man who can also be an a set cleaning up vs. the run, which Terrell would fill. 23. Philadelphia Eagles Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (6-4, 201 pounds) The Eagles will have their eye on Thienman to addre s their key defensive need in the secondary but also should love the fact of McNeil-Warren meshing well in making plays in coverage with his first-round former college teammate, Quinyon Mitchell. 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-6, 304 pounds) The Browns, after landing some wide receiver help early in Tate, need to go to work in reconstructing the offensive line. Lomu can start inside or outside soon for them with his nice blend of power and athleticism. Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) blitzes as Auburn Tigers take on Ball State C Jaromir Jagr Jersey |
|
发表于