The first 2026 NFL Mock Draft from FlurrySports’ Zach Brunner, projecting all 32 first-round draft picks.
My favorite time of year — NFL Draft season. If you have followed my analysis for any point in time, but especially over the past five or so seasons, you know that draft season is a time I get to actually break down film (unlike 95% of other analysts) and tell you who these players are.
Obviously, much of my background is in offensive line. Seeing the performance across the league deteriorate upfront has made me want to pull my hair out, but it has also been a very easy way to make money betting. Clearly, if you cannot block, you cannot win right now. Because of that, the timing of this draft class could not have come at a better time. There are many great offensive linemen, and we should expect a bunch to be drafted in the first round.
Let’s take a look at my first 2026 NFL Mock Draft of the season, projecting all 32 picks in the first round. Of course, there will be trades on draft night. Today, we will ignore that. Instead, we will select for the current draft order, taking into account team needs and my big board.
Zach Brunner’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1 — Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
After signing Kirk Cousins to a team-friendly deal that lets them keep him on the roster for multiple seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders could trade back, get a ton of draft capital, then draft a quarterback next season while having a competent starter in the meantime. Is that what I would do? Absolutely. This team has too many holes. However, the only reason you wouldn’t do that is if you have a generational prospect you believe is the face of your franchise for over a decade.
The Raiders think that is what Fernando Mendoza is. Having Cousins not only allows them to develop Mendoza, but it also lets a quarterback get hit behind a bad offensive line that they have no investments in.
2 — New York Jets
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The New York Jets have several holes on defense, so for my 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have them selecting a versatile defender. Arvell Reese is an absolute terror that fits into every defensive scheme. It’s a draft pick that even the Jets can’t screw up.
3 — Arizona Cardinals
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
It’s a new era for the Arizona Cardinals, and they could use just about everything but another running back or tight end. While I think they would really benefit by trading back and picking more of a team need, like offensive line or safety, we will go with the defensive side of the ball with David Bailey. Simply put, Bailey lives in the offensive backfield. When facing terrific offenses (and great offensive lines) as we see in the NFC West, the Cardinals need someone who can apply pressure.
4 — Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This again is a spot where the Tennessee Titans could trade back, given the great talent on the board and their overall team needs. However, we will say the first pick for Robert Saleh will be the player the team wants to build an offense around, much like his first pick with the Jets (Zach Wilson). But this time, the Titans try to find a generation running back once again, taking Jeremiyah Love.
5 — New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
John Harbaugh wanted control over the roster, and he seemingly has it with the New York Giants. We also know Harbaugh will have his hands on the defense, much like we saw him do in Baltimore. This may be the highest you seem him projected, but Caleb Downs fits a need for the Giants, and he is one of the best prospects in this draft. He’s intelligent, a phenomenal tackler, and he will fill a Kyle Hamilton-like role on Harbaugh’s new team.
6 — Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Remember when the offensive line for the Cleveland Browns was rock solid? While they did an alright job piecing things together through free agency, there’s work left to do. No matter who is at quarterback, they will need a left tackle, and Francis Mauigoa can be that man. His length is lacking a bit, so he will lose reps to TJ Watt and Myles Garrett, but his draft profile that I wrote up gives him a glowing review essentially everywhere else.
7 — Washington Commanders
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Wide receiver is an option for the Washington Commanders as well, but ultimately, I have Sonny Styles slipping to them, and they would be fools to pass him up. I actually think someone trades up for Styles and five or six, but we’re not doing trades today. Styles is a massive presence on the defense and a great run stopper. It would be a tremendous addition, with Saquon Barkley, Cam Skattebo and Javonte Williams in the division.
8 — New Orleans Saints
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
We know Kellen Moore wants to build an offense that can air it out, so trading away Rashid Shaheed last season meant a replacement would be coming soon. While he’s a different type of receiver than Shaheed, Carnell Tate is an outstanding wide receiver who is able to complement Chris Olave while also taking over that WR1 role during the next couple of seasons.
9 — Kansas City Chiefs
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Kansas City Chiefs lost both of their top cornerbacks this offseason, so it would be a surprise if they didn’t address this need early in the draft. Mansoor Delane thrives in man coverage. If he can lock his receiver up, it would allow Steve Spagnuolo some freedom to get creative with coverage and blitzes.
10 — Cincinnati Bengals
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Cincinnati Bengals need an edge rusher after the Trey Hendrickson drama. Locking down an edge rusher in the first round also gives the team a fifth-year option, which they would love to have. They would also love to have a player like Rueben Bain Jr., who packs a ton of power on the edge. He has the ability to play tough-nosed, AFC North football.
11 — Miami Dolphins
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
While the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line is really, really bad, they will address that with their next pick in my 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Here, they will take a player who blocks like a solid tight end while running like a wide receiver. Kenyon Sadiq looks like he was made in a lab. Physically, he is everything that an offensive coordinator in 2026 wants. We will see if he reaches that potential.
12 — Dallas Cowboys
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense was the reason this team is picking at No. 12 instead of much later. They were horrendous. And in Jerry Jones fashion, they take a big swing (and risk) with Jermod McCoy to fix the issue. McCoy is a very good playey. In fact, he may be the best cornerback in this class when he is healthy. However, we haven’t seen him play since 2024.
13 — Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Los Angeles Rams get lucky with a terrific offensive tackle in Spencer Fano. He has experience in a run-first offense, but he also can evolve into a franchise-level offensive tackle. Love this pick for an offensive line that needs help but has added very solid pieces in recent offseasons.
14 — Baltimore Ravens
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
At No. 14, it’s ultimately a little too soon for the Baltimore Ravens to pull the trigger on a center. They wait until Day 2 for that (or trade back). Instead, we have Baltimore drafting an edge rusher after pulling out of the Maxx Crosby deal. The potential for Keldric Faulk is sky-high, and new head coach Jesse Minter will be celebrating this pick and dreaming about what the 6-6, 285-pounder could become.
15 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE
While many will hate Akheem Mesidor as a prospect due to his being a 25-year-old rookie, Todd Bowles has no time left for development. He needs a player who can contribute immediately, or he may be looking for a new job next season. Mesidor is a relentless edge rusher who was mentored by Jason Taylor. Bowles would have fun with the former Miami defender.
16 — New York Jets (via IND)
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I feel it in my soul that the Jets take a wide receiver that never fully pans out with the No. 16 pick. As of now, I will go with Jordyn Tyson for my 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Don’t get me wrong, I think Tyson is a solid prospect who could become a really good NFL player. However, injuries are a concern, and he does like to play physically. There is a scenario where things just don’t work out, playing home games in MetLife Stadium.
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17 — Detroit Lions
Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
18 — Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19 — Carolina Panthers
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
20 — Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
21 — Pittsburgh Steelers
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
22 — Los Angeles Chargers
Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
23 — Philadelphia Eagles
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
24 — Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
25 — Chicago Bears
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
26 — Buffalo Bills
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
27 — San Francisco 49ers
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
28 — Houston Texans
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
29 — Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
30 — Miami Dolphins (via DEN)
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
31 — New England Patriots
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
32 — Seattle Seahawks
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
