I did not set the draft order and instead used the current standings. Please focus on picks, not teams.
1. Jets – Oregon QB Dante Moore
This weekend, Dante Moore showed everyone the reasons why we have had him graded as QB 1 for the last several weeks. It may seem like a stretch to have Moore be the number one pick at the current moment, but if he continues to play the way he has to start this season, I have no doubt he will be the first quarterback off the board. Justin Fields may have a future with the Jets, but if they are picking number one overall, they will not pass up on the opportunity to select Moore.
2. Saints – Miami EDGE Rueben Bain
Bain has been my top edge rusher since day one, and this year, he has exceeded even my expectations. Bain already has two sacks this year, and on film, he has been utterly dominant. He has always been known for his dominating power, but it’s his impressive burst and quickness that have boosted his draft stock immensely. The Saints’ roster has a way to go before they can become competitive. In this mock draft, the Saints choose to build their roster and give Tyler Shough a chance before taking a QB.
3. Titans – Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
The Titans’ new coaching staff has transitioned their defense into a true hybrid scheme, providing opposing teams with a variety of different looks and schemes. The Titans only have one sack off the edge this season and absolutely need to bring in reinforcements this offseason. Faulk is one of the best athletes in the class, and he has proven to be an elite edge prospect. He will line up next to Jeffery Simmons, making a powerful defensive pairing for the foreseeable future.
4. Dolphins – South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers
The Dolphins recently extended Tua Tagovailoa on a four-year deal worth north of $212 million. But since signing the deal, he has struggled with injuries and consistency on the field. While Miami likely can’t get off the contract until 2027, if they finish with the fourth-worst record in football, they likely will not hesitate to add a quarterback at the top of the draft. Sellers is an elite athlete with all the traits to succeed in the NFL. The Dolphins should keep Mike McDaniel under contract and allow him to develop a new quarterback of his choosing.
5. Giants – Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
McCoy has yet to play this season due to injury, but when you watch his tape from 2024, there should be no doubt that he is CB 1 in this year’s class. He has the elite frame and athleticism that NFL teams are looking for, and he has proven to be a consistent and reliable boundary corner. Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo are not cutting it for the Giants right now, and if they get the chance to add McCoy, they won’t pass up on him.
6. Texans – Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
Entering this season, Proctor was seen as the clear number one tackle, with some even having him as the number one overall pick. Early-season struggles raised some concerns for the young star in Alabama, but he has bounced back and looks significantly improved as the year has gone on. The Texans need to bolster their offensive line, and having Proctor at left tackle and Ersery at right tackle sets the team up for success for many years to come.
7. Patriots LSU LB/EDGE Harold Perkins
Perkins is my number one defensive player in this year’s draft, but he will need to be put in the right situation for him to find success. Perkins is the most versatile player in the class, and he can be used as a pass rusher, zone coverage DE, or a man coverage linebacker. This type of versatile weapon can be immensely valuable in the NFL, but that talent can be wasted if utilized in the wrong way. Mike Vrabel’s defense may be the best possible fit for Perkins going forward.
8. Raiders – Mimai OT Francis Mauigoa
If you have watched an ounce of Raiders football this season, you know that building their offensive line is priority one. When healthy, Kolton Miller is the franchise left tackle for the Raiders, but adding a right tackle and moving DJ Glaze to guard could be beneficial. Mauigoa has been the best tackle in college football this year and has locked down the right side of the line for the Hurricanes.
9. Browns – Ohio State DB Caleb Downs
Downs is the best all-around player in the class, but could fall because of his positional value. While the safety position has become more and more valuable in the NFL, it still is not considered a premium position, and teams may look elsewhere at the top of the draft. The Browns have a ways to go before they will be back in playoff contention, and BPA feels like the way to go.
10. Broncos – Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Tyson will not make it out of the top ten and has clearly been the best draft-eligible reciever this season. The Broncos have Courtland Sutton, but the depth behind him is shaky, and they could use another consistent option for their young QB, Bo Nix. Tyson is a true do-it-all reciever that will be highly appealing to Sean Payton and his offense.
11. Cowboys – Clemson DL Peter Woods
Woods was seen as a consensus top ten pick entering this season, but Clemson has been maybe the most disappointing team in the nation, and Woods has seen his stock take a tumble. While he has yet to log a sack on the interior, Woods has still flashed the elite skillset that scouts have loved so far in his college career. I still have him graded as IDL one in this year’s class, and I expect him to still hear his name called at the top of the first round. Dallas needs to stop the run and add DL help after trading Micah Parsons. Woods is just that.
12. Panthers – Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
Sadiq is one of the best athletes in this year’s draft, and with another good season, has essentially solidified himself as the top TE in this year’s class. The Panthers will likely be picking lower than this in the draft, but if they win enough games to be out of the top 10, adding another weapon for Bryce Young could be in the cards. Sadiq is not quite on the tier of Brock Bowers, but is someone I have graded similarly to Tyler Warren.
13. Chiefs – Georgia IDL Christen Miller
The Chiefs will not be picking this low in the draft, but if they do, adding help to the defensive line should be one of their top priorities. Miller is my clear-cut DT two in this year’s class and has caught my eye with his quickness and athleticism on the interior. He would be a perfect fit on the interior of the Chiefs’ defense, and if they are picking in the top 15, Miller should be their guy.
14. Rams – Utah OT Spencer Fano
The Rams have two first-round picks after a trade with the Falcons in last year’s class allowed them to acquire another top selection in the 2026 draft. The Rams will need a tackle this offseason, and Fano has consistently been one of the top names in the draft. Fano is a pure right tackle, but with Alaric Jackson looking good at left tackle, Fano feels like a great fit in the Rams’ offense.
15. Bears – Auburn OT Xavier Chaplin
Chaplin is my guy in this year’s draft, and at this point in the season, is one of my top tackles in this year’s class. He had an incredible career at Virginia Tech, where he dominated opposing DEs and has been equally successful in the SEC so far. His ability to play left tackle consistently is what makes him stand out as one of the top offensive linemen in the draft. He has struggled with some flags, but this is common with young tackles, and I am not concerned.
16. Cardinals – Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
Tate is yet another first-round reciever from Ohio State, and if he is taken in the first round, it will mark the fifth year in a row that a Buckeye reciever goes in the first round. While he may not be on the same level as someone like Garrett Wilson or Marvin Harrison Jr, Tate is a skilled reciever in his own right, and in a weak reciever class, he will likely hear his name called earlier than you expect. In this mock, Tate teams up with his former teammate Marvin Harrison Jr in Arizona.
17. Commanders – Oregon EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei
The Commanders may very well have the worst DE room in football, and there should be little to no doubt that this is where they will look in the draft. Uiagalelei (yes, the brother of DJ) has been incredible for Oregon over the last several seasons and brings a relentlessness that will be appealing to Dan Quinn. I would love to see the Commanders end up with Harold Perkins, but Matayo U is also a great fit.
18. Rams – Clemson CB Avieon Terrell
This pick is more of a projection about what the Rams will do than it is about my personal grades. Terrell is an elite zone defender and is one of the best tackling defensive backs in this year’s class. The Rams love physical DBs and run a lot of Cover Three defenses. Terrell would be a great fit in this defense, and while I have him graded lower than some other people, I think this fit could make him an elite corner.
19. Ravens – Clemson EDGE TJ Parker
Similar to his defensive line counterpart, Peter Woods, Clemson’s struggles this season have resulted in TJ Parker’s draft stock taking a bit of a hit. Parker only has two sacks so far this year, but has shown some of the same athleticism that caught the eyes of draft scouts last year. Parker had 11 sacks last year and has shown some of the best athletic traits in this year’s draft. The Ravens love athletic edge rushers, and I don’t see them abandoning that now.
20. Browns – Auburn IOL Connor Lew
Once again, the Browns look to take the best player available, and with Ethan Pocic hitting free agency this offseason, Lew will be a great fit. Since day one of his arrival at Auburn, Lew has been one of the best offensive linemen in college football, and this year his dominance has continued. The Browns would be happy to add someone like Lew to be the anchor of their offensive line for years to come.
21. Cowboys – Georgia WR Zachariah Branch
Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens look like they may be the best WR duo in football right now, but the Cowboys’ depth behind those two is thin at best. Branch was a five-star recruit out of high school and looked like one of the best freshmen in the nation in his debut with USC. Branch immediately becomes the slot reciever for the Cowboys, making their offense that much better for 2026.
22. Steelers – Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
Aaron Rodgers is not the long-term answer for the Steelers, and even if they are picking in the 20s, they will have interest in adding a quarterback. Mendoza has been one of the best quarterbacks across all of college football and is maybe the most reliable quarterback in this year’s class. Mike Tomlin runs an elite defense, and adding a consistent, reliable, and accurate quarterback will be exactly what the Steelers need for their future.
23. Lions – Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
With the incredible success of Reuben Bain this season, Mesidor’s success has flown somewhat under the radar. But on the other side of the defensive line, Mesidor has also been incredibly dominant and has proven to be one of the strongest defensive ends in the draft. The Lions would love a guy like Mesidor on the other side of Hutchinson, who will win with power and require attention on the defensive line.
24. Vikings – Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Truth be told… I was completely wrong about Love to start this season, and my concerns with his game were completely misguided. This year, Love has shown all the skills that I wanted to see from him, and has looked like one of the best pass-catching backs in all of college football. Love is an every-down back who, along with Jordan Mason, will make life significantly easier for JJ McCarthy.
25. Bengals – Penn State RB Kaytron Allen
Chase Brown is struggling this season, and going into the offseason, the Bengals will take a long look at this year’s running back class. It is more than likely that the Bengals will be picking lower than this, and if Love is on the board, he would be the clear-cut pick. But Allen has looked incredible this year and has looked like the best RB at Penn State. His power and elite pass blocking will make him one of the top backs in this year’s class.
26. Seahawks – Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun
It is no secret what the Seahawks look for when they draft defensive backs. It feels like every year, we talk about the Seahawks looking to add big, aggressive defensive backs with long arms. There is no better example of that than Igbinosun, whom I have graded as CB 2 in this year’s class. Iggy is an elite athlete with all the skills you want out of a corner, but his struggles with penalties have held him back. If any team can make him into the All-Pro talent he is capable of, it’s Mike MacDonald and the Seahawks.
27. Bills – Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr
Hill is the top pure off-ball linebacker in this year’s draft, and his athletic skillset is elite. He was once a five-star recruit to Texas and has made an incredible impact on their defense since the day he arrived in Austin. The Bills have had some elite linebackers for the last several years, but with several guys hitting free agency, Hill prepares them for a life without some of their top defensive players.
28. Buccaneers – Ohio State LB Arvell Reese
The Bucs defense is getting older, and similar to the Bills, one of the best linebacker rooms is getting thin. Reese has been one of the biggest breakout players in college football this season, and Todd Bowles would be over the moon if he were available for them at the bottom of the first round.
29. Colts – Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas
I do not think the Colts will be picking this high, but regardless of where they will be picking, EDGE will be near the top of their priority list this offseason. The Colts have several of their top DEs hitting free agency this offseason, and will almost certainly look to find a pass rusher they can pair with Laiatu Latu. Jacas has flown under the radar so far in his career, and his power skillset will fit well in Lou Anarumo’s defense and will free things up for Latu and Buckner going forward.
30. Eagles – LSU CB Mansoor Delane
Delane was another big loss for Virginia Tech this offseason and has looked like maybe the best corner in college football so far this year at LSU. The Eagles have an elite corner in Quinyon Mitchell, but their lack of depth at the position has been apparent. Delane is a capable do-it-all corner who will take over immediately on the opposite side of Mitchell and will bolster their already elite defense.
31. Chargers – Florida IDL Caleb Banks
I am lower on Banks than most people, but there is no denying his unbelievable athletic skillset and incredible ceiling. Banks reminds me of Deone Walker from last year’s class, who was a seal in the late rounds of the 2025 draft so far this year. Banks may also see some of the same concerns that we saw with Walker and his high pad level, but will not fall anywhere near as far. It feels like we have been talking about the Chargers’ need on the defensive line, and I will be hammering it home again.
32. 49ers – Colorado CB DJ McKinney
Since his transfer to Colorado, McKinney has looked incredible, and his incredible athletic profile will be exactly what Robert Saleh and the 49ers want from their corners. Renardo Green has looked great on the outside for the 49ers, but McKinney’s athleticism is somewhat reminiscent of Sauce Gardner, who thrived under Robert Saleh. He winds up being the last pick of the first round.
