Just like that, the NFL draft is just two days away. It’s nearly time for all top prospects to find out where they’ll carve their future, with plenty of unexpected outcomes. Without further ado let’s jump right into my final mock of the season, inclusive of two trades.
1) Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This selection has been locked in for months. The only question is if Mendoza will start immediately, after the Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins to be the de-facto QB1 of the offseason.
2) New York Jets
Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Jets signed Joseph Ossai in free agency to pair with Will McDonald IV, though he’s more of a rotational piece than a starter.
If Aaron Glenn can help Reese deepen his bag of moves to get after the quarterback, he’ll be one of the best young edge rushers in the league. He can also step in at middle linebacker if needed.
3) Dallas Cowboys (via Trade)
Trade details: Cowboys trade picks 12, 20 and 152 for picks 3 and 183 from Arizona
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cowboys have plenty of ammo to make a splash and with a big need at edge even after acquiring Rashan Gary, they go all in with Bailey, who tied the nation’s lead for sacks with 14.5.
Bailey has a quick get-off and with an array of moves to beat opposing tackles, he should become an instant impact player off the edge in Dallas.
4) Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
With no receivers worthy of the fourth overall pick, Tennessee secures the best offensive playmaker in the draft.
Second-year quarterback Cam Ward will greatly appreciate having a back like Love to lean on, who can take plenty of the pressure off him and bring life to play action game, which was as good as gone in 2025.
5) New York Giants
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Linebacker is a high-priority position for John Harbaugh historically, and though they signed Tremaine Edmunds, they still need to upgrade at right inside linebacker.
At 6’5 and 244 pounds, Styles has rare agility and speed. He can also play in the slot, covering tight ends and even receivers in some cases. New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will love the duo of Styles and Edmunds.
6) Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Taking a look at the Browns’ depth chart and something pops out immediately – the extreme lack of talent at the receiver spot.
Their top starters of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond are decent rotation pieces, but none of them offer the star potential of Tate, who consistently wins with route running and ball skills.
7) Washington Commanders
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Commanders took a big step down in 2025, no thanks to their secondary. They badly need to upgrade their average-at-best duo of Quan Martin and Nick Cross at safety – something Downs can definitely help with. The energy and versatility Downs brings would be a huge asset to Dan Quinn’s defense.
8) New Orleans Saints
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
New Orleans may have found their franchise quarterback in 2025-second round pick Tyler Shough, who played impressive ball for not having many weapons around him. Now, it’s time to see what he can do with another great receiving option in Lemon.
He won’t burn you deep very often, but he’s great at finding the soft spot in zones and destroying defenses over the middle.
9) Kansas City Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
With the top two receivers off the board, this selection becomes much easier. The Chiefs desperately need help at edge across George Karlaftis, and Bain Jr. is a great fit opposite him.
Even though his length isn’t ideal, he makes up for it with brute strength, consistently bullying blockers, allowing him to stuff the run and get to the quarterback at impressive rates.
10) New York Giants (via Cincinnati)
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Though the Giants took care of the linebacker position with Styles, it shouldn’t be their only major defensive upgrade. Their cornerback room is a mess.
Paulson Adebo didn’t live up to expectations after coming over from New Orleans last year, new signee Greg Newsome II is inconsistent, and Deonte Banks is close to being a bust. Delane has smooth movement in between breaks and the ball skills to give most opposing receivers a headache.
11) Miami Dolphins
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Mauigoa, one of the safest prospects in the draft, ends up falling outside the top 10 due to other positional needs.
Overall, current starting right tackle and former first-round pick Austin Jackson hasn’t played up to expectations, and his deal expires after the 2026 season. Mauigoa could start at right guard in 2026 and move to the tackle position for 2027 and beyond.
12) Arizona Cardinals (via Trade)
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Cardinals’ risky move to trade down doesn’t exactly pay off as they were targeting Mauigoa to be their right tackle of the future, however they still get a great consolation prize in Fano.
His solid base helps anchor his pass blocking sets and keeps opposing rushers from hurrying the quarterback.
13) Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
This is the ultimate luxury pick for the Rams. Tyson shows immense upside with his explosive ability, to the point where he’d be in the discussion for WR1 if he were healthy. If his availability concerns get straightened out, the Rams could be the team to beat in the NFC.
14) Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
With how Baltimore’s power rushing offense operates, nasty offensive line play needs to be a top priority. While they did sign right guard John Simpson in free agency, center and left guard are still question marks.
Ioane generates strong movement at the point of attack and can push defenders off the ball easily, making him an easy add at the left guard spot.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Buccaneers currently have two starting-caliber cornerbacks on the roster, and one of them, Benjamin Morrison, is too young and inexperienced to trust as a starter in week one.
McCoy provides the long frame and ball skills scouts pine over.
16) New York Jets (via Colts)
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This pick isn’t mocked often, if at all. However, with the top receiving options off the board, the Jets move quickly to select the next best option – a game-breaking tight end.
Sadiq can line up anywhere, beating cornerbacks with his size or beating linebackers and safeties with his speed. He’d join Mason Taylor to be one half of the league’s better tight end duos.
17) Detroit Lions
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Lions made their need at left tackle clear after cutting long-time starter Taylor Decker.
In Proctor, the Lions get an immediate starter who’s one of the most physically gifted prospects in the draft, best at mauling defenders at the point of attack.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Dillion Thieneman, S, Oregon
It remains unclear if Harrison Smith is coming back. The do-it-all safety was a pillar of their defense for 14 seasons, playing close to the line of scrimmage and in deep zone.
Thankfully, Thieneman is as close to a Smith clone as they can get. He’s even able to line up in the slot if needed.
19) Carolina Panthers
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Despite adding a receiver in the first round in 2024 and 2025, the need remains. While Tetairoa McMillan’s future looks bright, the same can’t be said for Xavier Legette.
Concepcion is perhaps the most explosive receiver in the draft boasting an elite release off the line of scrimmage, providing speed that isn’t currently present in Carolina.
20) Arizona Cardinals (via Trade)
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Outside of Josh Sweat, the Cardinals are in desperate need of pass rush. It’s also worth noting that Sweat could be out of Arizona this offseason, as he requested a trade.
Regardless, it’s a need, and Faulk is one of the highest upside edge rushers in the draft. At 6’6 with fantastic length, Faulk is already a beast in the run game. He flashes strong bull rush ability, though he needs to build up his pass rush repertoire.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Even though Pittsburgh added Michael Pittman Jr. via trade, it doesn’t mean they should stop upgrading the position. Currently, both of their starters classify as more possession receivers.
Cooper Jr. brings a different vibe, including sharp route running and underrated speed. He could become Rodgers’ go-to receiver by the end of the season if the legendary quarterback returns to Pittsburgh.
22) Los Angeles Chargers
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Though the offensive line is the need most often talked about for the Chargers, cornerback is just as big an issue. While the young Cam Hart continues to ascend, veteran Donte Jackson is in the last year of his contract.
Like his teammate McCoy, Hood has great length and legit deep speed to run with any receiver in the league.
23) Philadelphia Eagles
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
After losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency, edge is an area Howie Roseman needs to add talent to. They did sign Arnold Ebiketie, though he doesn’t have the upside Phillips did.
Parker showed major explosiveness off the edge in 2024, though he didn’t look the same in 2025. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio should be able to get the most out of him.
24) Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Browns have made some notable additions across their offensive line, though left tackle remains a hole.
Miller has solid technique, footwork, and mobility which could lead to him being a longtime starter at one of the most important positions on the field.
25) Chicago Bears
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (FL)
The Bears are looking to become contenders officially this season, but before that, they need to upgrade their pass rush corps in a major way.
Mesidor may not have the highest ceiling, but he’s ready to produce now. His power at the point of attack is one of the strongest in this class.
26) Buffalo Bills
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Bills signed Geno Stone in free agency, though his addition shouldn’t deter Buffalo from finding a permanent starter at the position.
McNeil-Warren has a physical play style that bodes well for the NFL, plus he has the versatility to play deep or close to the line of scrimmage.
27) New York Jets (via Trade)
Trade details: Jets trade picks 33 and 103 for pick 27 from San Francisco
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Jets have a surplus of early picks in this year’s draft, and in this scenario, they use that ammo to secure a possible franchise quarterback.
Simpson’s mechanics and poise under pressure makes him too intriguing not to take a shot on this late in the first round.
28) Houston Texans
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Texans’ defense is nearly complete; they just need more depth on the defensive line.McDonald has incredible size and raw power that plugs up gaps easily. Plus, he has some intriguing pass rush upside.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams)
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Though the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore from the 49ers to be their starting right tackle, he’s inexperienced, and he’s only on a two-year deal. It may make sense to invest in more of a long-term option.
Lomu fits at left tackle best, with great athleticism for his size. In this scenario. Josh Simmons moves back to his familiar position of right tackle.
30) Miami Dolphins (via Broncos)
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
It’s no secret the Dolphins need a receiver. Boston can play the typical X receiver role, utilizing his contested catch ability and body control to dominate smaller opponents.
31) New England Patriots
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
If Banks weren’t injured, he’d likely go much earlier than this, but he missed most of last season due to a foot injury.
His size gives him the ability to play as a de facto nose tackle, though he has one of the most refined pass rush bags in his position group. Hopefully, he’s able to play week one.
32) Seattle Seahawks
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Seattle’s secondary was one of their best position groups, though they lost Riq Woolen to Philadelphia in free agency.
Johnson combines his elite speed with physicality to disrupt receivers before they have the chance to release from the line of scrimmage.
Best Players Available:
Peter Woods, Cashius Howell, CJ Allen, Max Iheanachor, Lee Hunter and Emmanuel Pregnon
