2026 NFL Mock Draft: Ryan Noonan Mock Draft 1.0
A pre-free-agency post-combine mock draft. To be honest, it's a thin needle to thread. It's not quite as wild as a pre-combine mock draft, but there's a lot that can happen in the next two weeks that'll shape team needs. Good players on bad contracts are getting released, as is the standard in early March, and that only adds quality players to the fray as I try to decipher the code that is the NFL Draft.
This is also a fascinating class. Pundits will tell you that it's lacking star power, but if I had a dime for every time we've heard that "next year's class is WAY better!"...well, let's just say that I'd have a big pile of dimes.
One of the elements that I find particularly interesting for this year's first round is how teams approach the non-premium positions. Running back Jeremiyah Love, safety Caleb Downs, and linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are all worthy of a top-ten selection. Still, it's rare to see those positions selected within the first few picks.
- Dates: Thursday, April 23 - Saturday, April 25
- Start time: Thursday 8 p.m. ET, Friday 7 p.m. ET, Saturday Noon ET
- TV Channel: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This one is clean and easy. The current market on Kalshi has Mendoza with a 96% chance to go first overall.
Positional Needs: QB, LG, LB, DT, C, RT, WR, EDGE
2. New York Jets - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Jets also have the Colts' first-round pick, no. 16 overall, as part of the mid-season Sauce Gardner trade. It's tough to pin down a specific need, since they need an infusion of young talent across the board. The recent trade of Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Titans is a signal, and I went with Bailey over Arvell Reese.
Positional Needs: QB, OG, EDGE, CB, WR, DT
3. Arizona Cardinals - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
These partial regime changes are interesting to me. The Cardinals made changes to the coaching staff, bringing in Mike LaFleur from the Rams as head coach, while GM Monti Ossenfort remains. How long is Ossenfort's leash, considering he's yet to draft an All-Pro or Pro Bowler? He needs to field a competitive team in 2026, and Jeremiyah Love is considered by most to be the best player in this class, regardless of position.
Positional Needs: QB, RT, RB, FS, DT, RG
4. Tennessee Titans - Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese is a better version of Georgia's Javon Walker last season. Walker was a top ten pick last season despite playing the majority of collegiate snaps at a different position than he's expected to play in the NFL. The versatility that Reese possesses is something that I'm sure new head coach Robert Saleh values, and since the Titans have glaring holes at both off-ball linebacker and edge rusher, Reese makes a ton of sense. (Reese has stated that he plans on playing as an edge rusher, and I assume all teams will try him there first.)
Positional Needs: EDGE, WR, RG, CB, LB
5. New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Giants general manager Joe Schoen is in a similar spot to Cardinals' GM Monti Ossenfort. They both survived head-coaching changes but likely need a good result in 2027 to keep their jobs. One difference is that Schoen has hit on his picks at a higher rate. Per ClevTA, Schoen also has some notable trends. He's leaned heavily on premium positions, with 12 of his 14 top-3 round picks checking that box. He's also leaned heavily on elite RAS athletes (9.0+) from Big Ten and SEC schools. Questions surrounding Tate's testing numbers from the combine need to be answered before I put this one in pen, but a Nabers/Tate duo would do wonders for Jaxson Dart's upside in 2026 and beyond.
Positional Needs: RT, RG, WR, CB, LB, DT
Cleveland Browns - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling has been a name on the rise, and then he went to the combine and put on an absolute clinic. Freeling, the University of Georgia's left tackle last season, posted a 10.0 RAS score, topped off with the largest hands and third-longest arm length in the class. The Browns recently traded with the Texans for RT Tytus Howard, and most of this class's top offensive linemen, like Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Vega Ioane, and Blake Miller, have either played exclusively at right tackle or guard. The Browns have another first-round pick, selection 24.
Positional Needs: QB, LT, RG, LG, C, CB, WR
7. Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Forgive the pun, but stylistically, I love this fit for the Commanders. Future Hall of Fame LB Bobby Wagner is a free agent, and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones didn't mention his name during his introductory press conference last month. That was no accident. Styles, a converted safety-turned-off-ball-linebacker, will fit in anyone's defense. Still, no one loves to rush the passer from the linebacker position more than Dan Quinn. Styles is a home run pick for the Commanders, who could go in a variety of ways depending on what happens with the six picks ahead of them.
Positional Needs: WR, EDGE, LB, LG, TE, RB, CB
8. New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I could also see the Saints nabbing one of the top edge rushers on the board here, and this is also an out for Jeremiyah Love, but the Saints have more questions than answers at wide receiver behind Chris Olave. GM Mickey Loomis also has some notable trends, including not meeting with their first-round pick before the draft since 2015.
Positional Needs: LG, DT, EDGE, WR, CB, LB, RB
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
It's strange to see the Chiefs with a top-10 pick, but a disastrous 2025 season leaves them with a chance to make a splash. They added another first-round pick by trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams this week. They aren't without multiple needs, though. One of the top cornerbacks in this class could be the pick here, or they could look to add an offensive lineman, but the Rashee Rice saga likely forces their hand here. If the Chiefs don't think there's a dramatic tier drop at wide receiver, perhaps they wait until pick no. 29 to address this need.
Positional Needs: WR, CB, FS, RB, EDGE, DT, TE, LB
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
If Rueben Bain Jr. is as good as I think he is, and I think he's REALLY good, he'll be a historical outlier due to his arm length as an edge rusher. But turn on the tape, and he jumps off the screen. The Bengals would need help along the defensive line even if they managed not to fumble the Trey Hendrickson situation so badly, but they did. If Bain Jr. is available here, they should run up to the podium.
Positional Needs: EDGE, DT, FS, RG, CB, LB
11. Miami Dolphins - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins need help everywhere, but perhaps nowhere more than at cornerback. We have new decision-makers in Miami, so we don't have any trends to go off of, but Mansoor Delane has the potential to be a set-it-and-forget-it perimeter corner for new head coach Jeff Hafley.
Positional Needs: QB, EDGE, WR, CB, RG, TE, DT
12. Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Most mock drafts will have Ohio State safety Caleb Downs coming off the board much earlier, and while I agree from a talent standpoint, I found it tricky to find a home for him inside the top ten. The Cowboys have two first-round selections and need help at defensive back, including safety. Downs would be a home run pick for Jerry Jones and company.
Positional Needs: CB, S, EDGE, LB, WR
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Four of the five projected offensive line starters for the Rams are entering the final year of their contract, so Mauigoa can add depth and flexibility for a team that's ready to contend again in 2026.
Positional Needs: DT, LB, QB, WR, LT, S
14. Baltimore Ravens - Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
If you watch "Vega" Ioane play, he looks like a Raven. Baltimore needs help along the interior of their offensive line, but if they address it in free agency, I see Baltimore pivoting to one of the other positional needs listed below.
Positional Needs: C, EDGE, DT, FS, WR, TE, G, CB
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Buccaneers lack top-tier talent at edge rusher, and both Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson are in the final year of their contract. General Manager Jason Licht has spoken often about prioritizing character and leadership, and by all accounts, Keldric Faulk is that type of prospect.
Positional Needs: EDGE, DT, TE, LB
16. New York Jets (via IND) - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
I have the Jets using the pick they acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade to draft his replacement, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy. McCoy missed the 2025 season with an ACL injury, but a lot of early big boards had McCoy as the top cornerback in this class prior to his injury.
Positional Needs: QB, OG, EDGE, CB, WR, DT
17. Detroit Lions - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Lions have been mixing and matching opposite of Aidan Hutchinson for the past few seasons, but adding the SEC Defensive Player of the Year is a great long-term solution here in the middle of round 1.
Positional Needs: EDGE, DT, S, CB, OL, LB
18. Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
I think this will end up as one of the more chalky player-team marriages in mock drafts. Safety is such an important piece of Brian Flores's defense, and veteran Harrison Smith is not expected back. Those are big shoes to fill, but Thieneman is an elite athlete and checks all of the boxes.
Positional Needs: QB, FS, CB, LB, WR, RB, TE, C
19. Carolina Panthers - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Panthers took a few Day 2 swings at edge rusher last season, but it's still a glaring weakness for Carolina. Patrick Jones is a cut candidate, and Parker pared his impressive take with a strong showing at last week's combine.
Positional Needs: C, LB, FS, EDGE, CB, DT, LT
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB) - Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
I thought RT Terence Steele would be a cut candidate for the Cowboys, but the recent message out of Dallas is they're happy with the makeup of the offense and want to focus their two top-20 picks to fill holes on the defensive side of the ball. I think Akheem Mesidor is a better pick here for Dallas, but he's nearly 25 years old, and Dallas has prioritized young (22 or younger) players at premium positions in six of the past seven first rounds.
Positional Needs: CB, S, EDGE, LB, WR
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Pittsburgh's wide receiver room outside of DK Metcalf offers more questions than answers, and K.C. Concepcion is a perfect complementary receiver for this Steelers' offense. If Aaron Rodgers doesn't return, Alabama's Ty Simpson is a realistic possibility.
Positional Needs: QB, LG, Outside CB, WR, DT
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Spencer Fano is a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Chargers. There are questions about his ability to play tackle at the NFL level, but with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back and healthy for 2026, Fano's ability to move outside is a luxury, not a necessity. Some scouts believe that Fano has All-Pro level upside as a guard, and his movement skills are perfectly suited for new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's rushing attack.
Positional Needs: EDGE, LG, C, RG, DT, FS, CB
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
With Dallas Goedert moving on and questions surrounding A.J. Brown's trade value, the Eagles are in the market for pass-catchers and play-makers, and Oregon's is exactly that. Sadiq wowed at the combine, running a 4.39 40-yard dash with ten-inch hands, posting a 9.6 RAS score.
Positional Needs: RG, CB, TE, RT, LG, FS, LB
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry prioritizes youth and athletic traits. While Boston is slightly older (22.4), I think he's the last of the sure-thing first-round wide receivers, and the Browns desperately need to address the position with one of their two first-round selections. If the Browns take a wide receiver at pick no. 6, this will likely be an offensive lineman.
Positional Needs: QB, LT, RG, LG, C, CB, WR
25. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE with Chicago) - Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
I'm mocking a trade! Maxx Crosby to the Bears for pick no. 25 and a few other sweeteners to get the job done. I thought we could see D.J. Moore and Tremaine Edmunds in this deal, but I still think this makes too much sense for both sides.
With the pick, the Raiders will add defensive lineman Peter Woods out of Clemson, who won't step in at edge rusher for Crosby, but he will add an internal three-down presence that the Raiders desperately need up front.
Positional Needs: EDGE, DT, S, LB, OL, CB
26. Buffalo Bills - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Bills could still add to their wide receiver room here, even after acquiring DJ Moore from the Bears on Thursday, but the board didn't fall that way here. Edge rusher and linebacker are also viable options, but I really like Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, and no general manager has been as willing to draft outside the Power 5 conferences as Buffalo's Brandon Beane.
Positional Needs: EDGE, LG, C, WR, DT, CB, LB
27. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
The 49ers have to resolve the contract dispute with All-World LT Trent Williams, but even with Williams returning, there are a lot of questions along the offensive line. Williams is 37 and probably not looking at too many more years, so drafting a versatile player like Lomu, who could play guard and eventually move to tackle, makes a ton of sense.
Positional Needs: Outside WR, LG, DT, C, LT, CB
28. Houston Texans - Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
I think much higher of Caleb Banks than this, but if he falls to Houston, this is a terrifying scenario for the rest of the AFC South. The Texans had cluster injuries along the interior defensive line last fall and still had one of the league's most disruptive defensive units. Most of last year's interior defensive linemen are free agents, so this is a position Houston should be targeting in either the draft or free agency.
Positional Needs: RG, DT, SS, RT, C, EDGE
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Chiefs traded cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams, and now add Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell here with the pick they received in return. Terrell is a good fit for this Chiefs defense, which asks a lot of its cornerbacks.
Positional Needs: WR, CB, FS, RB, EDGE, DT, TE, LB
30. Denver Broncos - Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
The Broncos have one of the league's best rosters and very few positions of need. One of their clear needs is an off-ball linebacker, with Alex Singleton set to hit free agency while Dre Greenlaw is a potential cut candidate. While most believe Georgia C.J. Allen should be the next off-ball linebacker off the board, I'm planting a flag here with Rodriguez. He's a true three-down linebacker because he can cover (92.9 coverage grade per PFF), and he's as efficient a tackler as you'll find.
Positional Needs: LB, TE, RB, DT
31. New England Patriots - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Patriots have a few glaring needs, but they shouldn't pass on a top-level offensive line prospect if one is available. Proctor is a massive human being at nearly 6'7" and 352 pounds. RT Morgan Moses played well in 2025, but he's 35 years old, and adding more youth and size upfront is important for Drake Maye and company.
Positional Needs: EDGE, FS, RT, C, TE, WR
32. Seattle Seahawks - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
What do you give a team that seems to have it all? A luxury pick who's slid too far simply because of his age. Boye Mafe is a free agent, and Uchenna Nwosu will enter 2026 on the last year of his contract, so there are snaps to be had along the Seattle defensive line for Mesidor.
Positional Needs: CB, EDGE, RB, FS, RG
