2026 NFL Mock Draft: Scott Smith's 2.0
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Scott Smith's 2.0
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB - Indiana)
After a historic Heisman-caliber run at Indiana, Mendoza provides the Raiders with the cerebral, high-floor signal-caller they've lacked. His poise and "pro-ready" processing make him the clear choice to lead the silver and black.
2. New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE - Texas Tech)
Coming off a monster 14.5-sack season, Bailey gives the Jets a twitchy, relentless pass rusher to pair with Will McDonald IV. His elite first step is the perfect replacement for aging veterans on the Gang Green front.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese (LB - Ohio State)
A hybrid "Micah Parsons-lite" defender, Reese offers the Cardinals a versatile chess piece who can rush the passer or erase tight ends. His 4.46 speed brings much-needed athleticism to the second level of Arizona's defense.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love (RB - Notre Dame)
The Titans lean back into a power-run identity, and Love offers explosive one-cut ability with home-run speed. He complements a transitioning offense looking to reestablish efficiency on early downs.
5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa (OT - Miami)
The Giants finally secure the bookend they need opposite Andrew Thomas. Mauigoa is a massive, powerful technician who solidified his status as a top-tier protector during Miami’s 2025 playoff run.
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate (WR - Ohio State)
Cleveland snags the most polished route-runner in the class to revitalize their passing game. Tate’s ability to win against press coverage provides a consistent "X" receiver for the Browns' offense.
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB - Ohio State)
Styles is a rare physical specimen who transitioned from safety to linebacker. His downhill striking ability fits Dan Quinn’s defensive philosophy like a glove, providing Washington with a dominant enforcer that can play all three downs.
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE - Miami)
Bain is a "power-profile" rusher who can reduce inside on passing downs, offering the Saints the versatility they value. He is the natural successor to Cameron Jordan, with a pass-rush pedigree to the Big Easy.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano (OT - Utah)
Protecting Patrick Mahomes is priority one, and Fano’s elite lateral agility makes him an ideal perimeter protector. His pass-blocking efficiency at Utah suggests he can start from Day 1 in Andy Reid’s complex system.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane (CB - LSU)
The Bengals bolster their secondary with a long, physical corner who excels in man-to-man coverage. Delane has the recovery speed and ball skills necessary to survive in the high-octane AFC North.
11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy (CB - Tennessee)
McCoy is a high-IQ corner with elite ball production who can thrive in the Dolphins' aggressive defensive scheme. His ability to mirror elite speed makes him a perfect fit for the passing environment.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs (S - Ohio State)
Widely considered the "defensive coordinator on the field," Downs is the ultimate playmaker for the Dallas secondary. His instinctive tackling and range allow him to erase mistakes and create turnovers at a high rate.
13. L.A. Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon (WR - USC)
The Rams stay local to find a dynamic slot/Z hybrid who can thrive in Sean McVay’s motion-heavy offense. Lemon’s after-the-catch creativity makes him a dangerous weapon in the short-to-intermediate game.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Dillon Thieneman (S - Oregon)
A rangy, ball-hawking safety, Thieneman fits the "Ravens DNA" perfectly as a reliable last line of defense. His 40-plus college starts give Baltimore an incredibly high-floor starter in the secondary.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor (DE - Miami)
Mesidor’s high motor and inside-out versatility give Todd Bowles a new toy for his creative blitz packages. Coming off a 12.5-sack season, he adds immediate juice to the Bucs' defensive front.
16. N.Y. Jets (via IND): Omar Cooper (WR - Indiana)
After going defense at pick 2, the Jets get a polished route-runner for their young QB. Cooper’s production in Indiana’s offense proved he can win at all three levels.
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor (OT - Alabama)
Detroit reinforces its identity in the trenches with a powerful, mauling tackle. Proctor fits their physical run-first philosophy and long-term OL sustainability.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Kenyon Sadiq (TE - Oregon)
Sadiq is more of a jumbo wide receiver than a traditional tight end, giving Kevin O'Connell a massive mismatch piece. His ability to stretch the seam creates even more space for Justin Jefferson.
19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (OT - Georgia)
Carolina continues to rebuild the wall around Bryce Young with an athletic tackle from the Georgia pipeline. Freeling’s footwork in pass protection is exactly what the Panthers need to stabilize the edge.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Keldric Faulk (EDGE - Auburn)
Dallas reloads its pass rush with another explosive edge defender. Faulk fits their attack-style front built on speed and penetration.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordyn Tyson (WR - Arizona State)
The Steelers add a dynamic separator to complement their traditionally physical WR room. Tyson fits their need for route precision and yards-after-catch for whoever takes the reins at quarterback.
22. L.A. Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane (G - Penn State)
Jim Harbaugh gets his prototypical "mauler" on the interior. Ioane is a powerful guard who specializes in displacement, fitting the Chargers' desire to become a dominant rushing team.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Denzel Boston (WR - Washington)
A.J. Brown’s days in Philly are numbered. At 6'4", Boston gives the Eagles the "big-bodied" receiver to replace him. His massive catch radius and reliable hands make him a perfect red-zone target for Jalen Hurts.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Caleb Lomu (OT - Utah)
Lomu is a smooth-moving tackle who excels in zone-blocking schemes, providing the Browns with a long-term answer at left tackle. His technical proficiency makes him a safe bet to transition quickly to the NFL.
25. Chicago Bears: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S - Toledo)
A "riser" in the draft process, McNeil-Warren is a hard-hitting safety with surprisingly good range. He adds depth and a physical presence to the Bears' secondary.
26. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Allen (LB - Georgia)
Allen is a highly instinctive "green dot" linebacker who can step in and lead the Bills' defense. His ability to diagnose plays quickly is a hallmark of the Georgia system.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Blake Miller (OT - Clemson)
Miller broke the Clemson record for snaps played, offering the 49ers an experienced, durable tackle to help protect Brock Purdy. His high-floor profile fits the Niners' "win-now" window perfectly and gives John Lynch insurance should things go bad with Trent Williams.
28. [TRADE] Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Ty Simpson (QB - Alabama)
With Kyler Murray gone to Minnesota, Arizona takes a high-upside developmental passer. Simpson has elite arm talent and mobility, making him a fascinating project for the Cardinals' front office on the hot seat.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Avieon Terrell (CB - Clemson)
The younger brother of A.J. Terrell, Avieon brings a similar pedigree of technical excellence to Kansas City. His versatility to play inside or outside is a major plus for Steve Spagnuolo.
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): K.C. Concepcion (WR - Texas A&M)
Concepcion is a "gadget" player on steroids, offering elite speed and vision. He adds another layer of terrifying track speed to a Dolphins' offense in need of a playmaker.
31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor (OL - Arizona State)
New England prioritizes versatility with Iheanachor, who can play multiple spots along the offensive line. He is a tough, gritty blocker who fits the Patriots' rebuilding culture.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Malachi Lawrence (EDGE - UCF)
Lawrence is a high-octane speed rusher who can win the corner against the best of them. He provides the Seahawks with a late-round value that can contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher.
