2026 NFL Mock Draft – Senior Bowl Edition | Raiders Take QB, 4 WRs Go Round 1

We are in the midst of the all-star circuit as the Shrine Bowl wraps up, the Senior Bowl gets underway, and NFL Draft season is officially in full swing. With the NFL Combine right around the corner, things will begin to move quickly as we approach the 2026 NFL Draft, with Day 1 kicking off in Pittsburgh on April 23.

With that in mind, it felt like the right time to release an updated NFL Mock Draft. A lot has changed since my last mock two months ago, most notably Dante Moore’s decision to stay at Oregon, which narrows the Day 1 quarterback pool to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson. We also had to wait on several top underclassmen to finalize their draft decisions, which further shaped the board.

This draft class is going to lean heavily toward the defensive side of the ball. I watched more defensive film this season than in any of the past few years, particularly at linebacker — a position that continues to evolve at the college level. The rise of hybrid defenders is evident, highlighted by Ohio State’s do-everything linebacker tandem of Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.

Another key name in this class is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, whom I currently have graded as the top overall prospect. Downs is a true positionless chess piece and, in my view, warrants top-five consideration, especially in what is shaping up to be a lighter quarterback class at the top.

Overall, this class is deeper than it’s often given credit for. I’d argue some of the skepticism comes from the fantasy football community, as this group isn’t as quarterback-driven as the 2024 class or the projected 2027 class. However, the wide receiver depth is real. I currently have at least four first-round wideouts, with a realistic path for five or even six to come off the board on Day 1. That group is led by Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and USC’s Makai Lemon.

Other notes to consider:

• The Super Bowl will finalize picks 31 and 32.

• The all-star circuit is just getting started, and performances at the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl will impact draft stock.

• The NFL Combine will inevitably push some players up or down boards, so there’s still plenty of movement ahead.

2026 NFL Mock Draft (Senior Bowl Edition)

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Raiders reset at quarterback, selecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza after a historic season at Indiana. Mendoza clearly separated himself from the class, finishing with a 90.7 passing grade and elite red-zone efficiency (39 TDs, 0 INTs since 2024). His size, processing, and poise give the Raiders a true franchise-caliber QB to build around.

2. New York Jets - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

With no quarterback worth forcing at No. 2, the Jets add the most dominant defensive edge player in the class. Bain posted a 92.8 PFF grade in 2025, ranking second among Power Four edge defenders and anchoring Miami’s playoff run. He gives New York a tone-setting pass rusher to headline a full defensive rebuild.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Arizona opts for stability up front, selecting one of the draft's cleanest offensive line prospects. Fano’s versatility across four OL spots and consistent run-blocking dominance make him a plug-and-play starter. With Kyler Murray’s future uncertain, protecting whoever plays quarterback becomes a priority.

4. Tennessee Titans - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Tennessee adds pure explosiveness off the edge to complement its interior defensive strength. Bailey’s first-step burst, bend, and finishing ability give the Titans a true difference-maker on passing downs. He fits cleanly as a hybrid EDGE who can tilt protections and close games late.

5. New York Giants - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

The Giants add a versatile front-seven chess piece in new head coach John Harbaugh's first season. Reese’s size, power, and versatility give New York a modern-day Swiss Army Knife linebacker who can align anywhere, rush the passer, set an edge, and disrupt pass protections.

6. Cleveland Browns - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Cleveland stays true to best player available, landing the most complete defensive back in the class. Downs owns 85.0+ PFF grades in all three collegiate seasons and brings elite instincts, processing, and versatility to a Browns defense that needs stability on the back end. He immediately elevates coverage integrity while giving Cleveland a movable chess piece to disguise looks.

7. Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Washington gives Jayden Daniels a high-efficiency, quarterback-friendly target to stabilize the offense. Tate turned 61 targets into 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. He’s a polished route-running technician who consistently creates natural separation and can win in contested-catch situations. Tate profiles as a reliable chain-mover with legitimate WR1 upside as the offense matures.

8. New Orleans Saints - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Saints reinforce the secondary with one of the most scheme-diverse corners in the draft. Delane’s ability to thrive in press-man, match quarters, and off coverage gives New Orleans flexibility. He projects as a high ceiling Day 1 starter.

9. Kansas City Chiefs - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Kansas City invests up front to help extend the Patrick Mahomes window. Mauigoa allowed just two total hits/sacks across 500+ pass-blocking snaps during the 2025 season, pairing elite movement skills with power and balance. He gives the Chiefs a long-term cornerstone who fits both zone and gap concepts.

10. Cincinnati Bengals - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Cincinnati adds a true front-seven multiplier to a defense that lacked speed and flexibility in 2025. Styles’ transition from safety shows up in his range, coverage instincts, and ability to carry routes, while his size allows him to play downhill, blitz through interior gaps, and set edges when needed. He profiles as a true “joker” defender who lets the Bengals stay in nickel and dime without sacrificing run integrity.

11. Miami Dolphins - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Miami targets a true CB1 to fit Jeff Hafley’s aggressive coverage philosophy. McCoy’s press-man discipline, recovery speed, and ball skills give the Dolphins a corner who can challenge receivers at the line and finish plays on the ball. If medicals check out, he brings immediate starter value to a secondary in need.

12. Dallas Cowboys - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Dallas adds a high-IQ slot separator to its embarrassment of offensive riches while insulating itself against future turnover at receiver. Lemon’s short-area quickness, route pacing, and big-play after-catch ability make him a natural fit alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Rams reload the secondary with a physical, scheme-versatile corner as multiple starters near free agency. Hood’s speed, length, and route recognition allow him to hold up in press-man while still fitting zone-match principles. He projects as an immediate rotational contributor with long-term starting upside.

14. Baltimore Ravens - Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State

Baltimore reinforces its defense with the best interior run defender in the class. McDonald led all interior defenders with a 91.2 run-defense grade and 30 run stops, giving the Ravens a true early-down anchor. He fits cleanly as a nose or shaded interior defender who occupies doubles and frees linebackers to flow cleanly and make plays.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Tampa Bay addresses its pass-rush issues by adding one of the most productive edge defenders in the SEC. Howell posted a 90.0+ PFF pass-rush grade in three straight seasons and led the conference with 12 sacks in 2025, pairing production with a relentless motor.

16. New York Jets (via IND) - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

After landing Rueben Bain Jr., the Jets continue to rebuild the defense with a competitive, scheme-ready boundary corner. Terrell’s quick feet, fluid hips, and physical run defense give New York a reliable outside CB who can hold up in press-man and zone-match. He brings immediate starter traits to a secondary that still lacks long-term stability.

17. Detroit Lions - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Left tackle Taylor Decker could be on the way out this offseason. Even if Decker returns for another year, Detroit benefits from adding a clear succession plan. Utah’s Caleb Lomu brings balance, recovery athleticism, and pass-protection consistency, projecting as a high-floor tackle with the versatility to kick inside if needed.

18. Minnesota Vikings - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Minnesota adds an explosive offensive weapon to help out a young J.J. McCarthy. Love’s burst, vision, and receiving ability give the Vikings a true three-down back who thrives in wide-zone concepts. He immediately raises the ceiling of the offense while reducing pressure on the passing game.

19. Carolina Panthers - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Carolina completes its receiver room by adding a true vertical separator with WR1 traits. Tyson’s ability to win off the line, stretch the field, and finish through contact gives Bryce Young another reliable target alongside Tetairoa McMillan.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB) - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

After addressing wide receiver earlier, Dallas capitalizes here by bolstering it's defensive pass rush. Mesidor’s burst, hand usage, and alignment flexibility give the Cowboys an immediate third-down disruptor with high level upside. He fits cleanly in multiple fronts and helps offset long-term uncertainty along the defensive line.

21. Steelers - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Pittsburgh finally invests in a long-term answer at quarterback, with Simpson fitting a developmental timeline if Aaron Rodgers returns for one more season under new head coach Mike McCarthy. Simpson’s 81.4 PFF passing grade and FBS-leading 30 big-time throws highlight his ability to operate efficiently within structure.

22. Chargers - Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

With Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater locked in on the edges, the Chargers stabilize the interior with a plug-and-play guard. Ioane posted an 80.0 PFF grade and did not allow a sack over the past two seasons, offering immediate pass-protection reliability. His power, anchor strength, and experience at both guard spots fit exactly what the Chargers need.

23. Eagles - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Philadelphia adds a high-IQ safety capable of playing single-high or rotating post-snap. Thieneman brings elite tackling production, range, and ball skills, with over 300 career tackles and 8 interceptions in his three years at both Purdue and Oregon. His versatility allows Vic Fangio to disguise coverage while maintaining discipline against explosive plays.

24. Browns (via JAX) - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Cleveland adds size and red-zone reliability to a receiver room that needs perimeter presence. Boston’s 6’4” frame gives the Browns a true boundary target who can win above the rim and expand the strike zone for their quarterback. He fits best in a play-action-based offense that leverages size mismatches and intermediate windows.

25. Bears - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Chicago targets an ascending safety with size, range, and explosive playmaking ability. McNeil-Warren brings downhill physicality and ball production, offering flexibility as a box defender or interchangeable safety in sub-packages.

26. Bills - C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Buffalo addresses linebacker with Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson headed for free agency after a season in which the defense ranked 28th against the run. Allen brings the range, trigger speed, and physicality to immediately upgrade the second level. He can run and hit, but also offers the instincts and leadership profile to anchor the defense as a three-down MIKE/WILL in nickel-heavy looks.

27. 49ers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

San Francisco reloads its offensive core with a true hybrid weapon built for Kyle Shanahan’s system. Sadiq’s elite burst, competitive blocking, and alignment versatility allow him to function as a Kittle–Juszczyk chess piece across formations. He gives the 49ers mismatch flexibility as they prepare for turnover at receiver.

28. Texans - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Houston continues to rebuild the offensive line with a mammoth blindside presence in Kadyn Proctor. The 6’7”, 360-pound tackle ranked fourth among qualified FBS tackles in PFF grading in 2025 and was one of just seven linemen to earn high-level grades as both a pass protector and run blocker. Proctor’s size, anchor strength, and improving footwork give the Texans a long-term left tackle option capable of stabilizing a unit that struggled throughout the season.

29. Rams - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Georgia’s Monroe Freeling has climbed draft boards after a significant leap in pass protection grading in 2025, where he was charted as only giving up three sacks on the season. At 6’7”, 315 pounds, his length, movement skills, and improving anchor give him prototype left tackle tools, even if his technique remains inconsistent. He profiles as a high-ceiling developmental starter.

30. Broncos - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Denver snags an interior disruptor in Clemson’s Peter Woods. At roughly 6’3”, 310–315 pounds, Woods brings elite first-step explosiveness, violent hands, and functional power, giving the Broncos high-level interior depth with long-term upside. While he experienced a down season in 2025, he earned PFF grades above 83.0 in each of the two prior years, reinforcing that his evaluation is trait- and impact-driven rather than box-score dependent.

31. New England Patriots - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

New England lands a tone-setting edge defender who plays with the violence and effort profile they’ve historically valued. Parker hit a down year in 2025 (five sacks) along with much of Clemson’s defense, but his three-year body of work is the separator — 24 sacks over the past three seasons with PFF grades of 80.0+ in each of the last two. He wins with power, heavy hands, and finishing ability, projecting as an early-down edge who can grow into a primary closer as his pass-rush plan tightens up.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Seattle closes the first round by betting on traits at cornerback with Brandon Cisse, a high-end athlete who fits the Seahawks’ man-coverage profile. At 6’0”, 190 pounds, Cisse brings elite speed, fluid hips, and press-man ability, and he’s expected to test extremely well during the pre-draft process. With potential turnover looming in the secondary, Cisse offers a long, athletic outside corner who can compete early while refining his zone awareness and tackling consistency.