Featured Photo: Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) reacts after a tackle against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium on Oct. 25, 2024. (Photo Credit / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
The annual NFL draft combine begins in Indianapolis, IN on Feb. 23. Teams get the chance to meet with players, gather data from drills and get clarity on player measurements as they put their final draft boards together.
This mock draft is predictive and part two of a five-part series. It includes trades and selections for all 32 picks in the first round of the NFL Draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The only way Mendoza is not a Raider after draft night is if Klint Kubiak and the front office decide to trade the number one overall pick away for a haul. However, I am under the belief that the Raiders intend to keep the pick and select their next franchise quarterback.
Mendoza gets a litany of weapons at his disposal in year one and one of the league’s young and promising head coaches calling plays in Kubiak, who is fresh off a Super Bowl victory.
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
The Jets continue to free-fall. After a rocky first year for Aaron Glenn, he has to turn around a team with no quarterback (QB) and plenty of holes on the roster. With the team’s first selection, they add a premium pass rusher in Bailey, who had 14.5 sacks last season for Texas Tech.
The run defense concerns are there for Bailey, however the pass rush talent is enough to take a big swing at the top of the draft. As the temperature of Glenn’s seat continues to rise, they add one of the best players in the draft.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
As mock draft season continues, speculation of what Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals plan to do with the third overall pick in the draft continues. The common pick is offensive tackle. However, I believe in an alternative choice.
The Cardinals decide to select the Fighting Irish running back in Love who has the ability to completely transform their offense, both in the run and pass game. No offensive tackle (OT) in the class is worth passing on Love. In addition, Cardinals have a glaring hole at RB, and fill it with one of the only blue chip talents in the class.
4. Tennessee Titans: Reuben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (FL)
2026 marks Bob Saleh and Brian Daboll’s first offseason as head coach (HC) and offensive coach (OC). The Titans have holes all across the roster and plenty of money to spend in free agency. Saleh is a defensive coach at heart and adds a high quality pass rush prospect to a team in need of high quality players.
Bain has the size and explosiveness Saleh looks for in his pass rushers and he gets to pair Bain with one of the best defensive tackles in the league in Jeffery Simmons. Titans should have some flexibility in this spot after filling other holes in free agency.
5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Giants are a team with not many holes. New HC John Harbaugh wants to instill a winning culture into a losing franchise that is the Giants and the first priority is protecting your young QB. Harbaugh and company land Mauigoa, who is not only versatile, but a true mauler at the line of scrimmage.
If the Giants do not fill the hole at right tackle prior to the draft, Mauigoa can slot in there. If the team adds a veteran, the Miami Hurricane can play guard, which might suit the rookie lineman the best.
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Todd Monken’s first draft in Cleveland begins with adding a much needed weapon to the wide receiver room. Tate, who gets to remain in the state of Ohio, instantly becomes the focal point of the Browns offense in year one.
However, after this selection, two questions remain for the Browns. Who is throwing Tate the football, and who is protecting the QB? The Browns do have another first round selection in the draft and could answer one of those questions with that pick.
7. Washington Commanders: Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
Commander’s HC Dan Quinn’s defense is in desperate need of an infusion of youth. Aging veterans have handicapped this team’s ability to progress and this selection is a step in the right direction.
Reese’s versatility to play both a LB and DE helps two areas of need for the Commanders defense. There is no better fit for Reese than the Commanders.
8. (Projected Trade): Miami Dolphins (From NO): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Dolphins roster is in the process of getting a complete makeover. Cuts to star players like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb have cleared cap space for free agent spending, while holes on the defense from last season still remain.
The Dolphins decide to trade up three spots and secure the talents of one of the few blue chip players in the draft. Dolphins fear Downs not being there at 11 and make a deal with the Saints to get the star safety. Jeff Hafley’s first selection is the leader of his defense and the new face of the Dolphins.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Chiefs are in a bit of a limbo. Patrick Mahomes is expected to miss the first month or so of the regular season. In addition, the team is picking in the top ten following a 6-11 record in 2025. Travis Kelce could retire, and the team is in desperate need of salary cap relief. The team most likely has to cut OT Jawaan Taylor, which opens the right tackle position for a rookie.
Chiefs select Fano out of Utah. Fano has a chance to be the first OT off the board come draft day and the Chiefs jump to select him if he is on the board. This selection solidifies both OT spots for the team long term, while allowing the front office to use the savings from the Taylor cut elsewhere.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
“Defense, Defense, Defense.”
The Bengals take the best defensive player available in Delane. The LSU cornerback’s physical man-to-man style is exactly what Al Golden and company need on the Bengal’s defense. While the Bengals might prefer to go trenches here, Delane is too hard to pass up.
11. (Projected Trade): New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
13. Los Angeles Rams (From ATL): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
15. (Projected Trade): Cleveland Browns (From TB): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
16. New York Jets (From IND): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
17. Detroit Lions: Keldrick Faulk, DE, Auburn
18. Minnesota Vikings: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
19. Carolina Panthers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
20. (Projected Trade): Las Vegas Raiders (From DAL): Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
24. (Projected Trade): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From JAX/CLE): TJ Parker, DE, Clemson
25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (FL)
26. Buffalo Bills: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
27. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
29. Los Angeles Rams: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
30. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
31. New England Patriots: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
