Cynthia Frelund 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0: 49ers, Bills among five teams to pick WRs

I feel more confident Mendoza will go first overall than I do that he’ll be a Raider. It’s early in the evaluation process, but on the field, talent-wise, the distance between Mendoza and the next QB in this year's class in my model was the biggest I've seen in at least the past eight seasons (since I have modeled in the way I do now). Given the amount of cap space AND needs that the Raiders have, the franchise might be better off trying to trade the pick for a huge haul. Given the market-resetting trade the Colts offered the Jets to acquire CB Sauce Gardner, can you imagine what might be possible for a 1.01 QB now? If a bounty like that is out there, it's at least worth the Raiders' consideration.

Like the Raiders, the Jets have a host of needs. In this mock, my model paired them with the defensive prospect who has burst and body-control metrics that put him in the 93rd percentile in an eight-season sample. As a quick strategy note here, though, the Jets have a ton of draft capital, including four picks in the top 50, so they have the potential to move around the board to target specific players, too.

I realize the Cardinals just hired an offensive-minded head coach, and that there are a lot of questions about Kyler Murray's future in the desert. And I also know the offensive line needs help; the unit ranked 27th in my model for the 2025 season. And yet, Bain is the Cardinals' pick here, which quantifies Bain's value. His physicality in pass defense combined with his ability to shut down the run is unmatched at his position in this year's class.

Fano could play tackle or guard. He ranks as my top OL in this class based on his balanced results in pass pro and run blocking.

McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025 (he missed all of last season), so we'll have to see how his medical evaluations turn out during the draft process (including at the NFL Scouting Combine). But my model loves his potential and upside: He has the highest rating for a true press corner in this year's class. Also, at just 20 years old, he's two years younger than my No. 2 rated corner, Mansoor Delane.

There is something in that Buckeye pedigree that equates to precise route running. Maybe they look for awesome natural route runners, or they teach it better than anyone else -- or most likely both. I feel like a broken record saying it again this year, but the OSU guy is the best route runner in the draft.

Dan Quinn is a defensive-minded head coach and pairing him with Bailey is a win-win for both parties in terms of coaching and raw-skills fit.

Depending on the results from the combine later this month, Delane could become my CB1. His 2025 film is the best of the lot, and he showed throughout his entire college career that he's a top-tier run defender, too.

Mauigoa is likely going to measure around 6-foot-6 in Indianapolis, which is notable because his leverage, aka ability to stay low, is on par with guys who are 6-1. He’s strong. Also, his hips, knees and ankle joints are bendy (which is good), and, at just 20 years old, he forecasts to keep improving, too. Protecting Patrick Mahomes, especially following the QB's ACL injury, has to be the priority for Kansas City,

My models are really, really high on Downs and his alignment versatility. He falls into a similar category as guys like Nick Emmanwori, Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick in terms of being multiple and extremely smart.

I really wanted to give new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley a corner here. But the math shows Miami has a more pressing need along its O-line. Ioane’s Penn State film projects him as the least likely lineman in this year's class to be a waist-bender at the NFL level. What does this mean? Well, that he'll succumb to unfavorable leverage less than any other OL prospect (tackle or guard) available in April.

If you sort my models for need, the raw position value at edge and cornerback pop up as higher fits for Dallas. However, given the players off the board already in this simulation, Styles, who is already a model favorite, comes up here. A safety-turned-LB with an Azeez Al-Shaair-like profile -- they have similar speed metrics, while Styles, at 6-5, 243, is about 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier -- starts to transform the Dallas defense.

Terrell has the versatility to play inside and out and can help in run support, too. He has a smaller frame than some of the other corners in this cluster (5-11, 180), but his ability to find the shortest path to the ball while it’s in the air and be a pest in pass coverage narrowly gives him the edge.

With 27 career sacks and 35.5 TFLs over his five-year college career, Howell could help a defense that struggled to rush the passer last season. What stands out about Howell is his lack of fatigue (slowing down in the fourth quarter), especially in true pass-rush situations later in games.

Hood’s aggressive and physical play pairs well with Todd Bowles’ principles. What I like most about Hood’s data is that on the plays immediately after he’s had a lot of contact, his speed is impacted the least of the corners in this class.

Don’t let his 5-foot-11 stature fool you: Lemon is physical and had only one drop all of last season.

Proctor (6-7, 366 pounds) is essentially the size of a refrigerator, and his run-blocking metrics are a style fit for this team. If longtime Lions LT Taylor Decker decides to return for Year 11, it stands to reason that Proctor could start out at guard in 2026, and then eventually slide out to tackle.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores uses a lot of man coverage, which suits Cisse’s traits well. The corner's contested catch rate, ball tracking and potential in the Vikings' heavy-blitz scheme projects to offer great upside from Day 1.

Faulk's success shouldn't be measured by his potential sack total as much as his overall value to a defensive front. I know that might not be what Panthers fans want to hear, especially after their team produced the fifth-fewest sacks in the league last season. But Faulk's 6-foot-6 frame and athletic ability should enable him to create pressure and prevent explosive plays -- two things that would benefit Carolina's D.

Although his 2024 film is more impressive than his 2025 tape, Parker is still an effective pass rusher off the edge with high run-stopping upside. The Cowboys could also use help at corner, but after Brandon Cisse, there's a sizable gap between him and the next-best prospect at the position. So Dallas might want to address that need in free agency ahead of the draft.

Love's potential impact in both the pass and run game is very high -- like Bijan Robinson levels. For him to have a successful rookie season (and one that looks something like Bijan's impressive 2025 campaign), he'll need a strong O-line that will allow him to adjust to NFL speed and concepts. Pittsburgh had my 10th-best OL this past season.

The Chargers have some tough decisions to make in free agency ... like what to do with offensive lineman Zion Johnson and edge rusher Khalil Mack. If neither return, those would be two clear areas of need for the Bolts. That said, if Tyson were available at this pick, I think they’d scribble down his name at lightning speed. If not for some past injuries, his stock would be higher. His ball-tracking and body-control metrics rate very highly despite the injury history, and even though his speed is not in the top echelon, his contested-catch ability and short-area quickness help make up for it. Remember, the Chargers will presumably get both of their starting tackles back healthy by the start of next season.

At 6-foot-3, some teams might view Sadiq as undersized. OK, maybe he is, but his run-after-catch, speed and blocking all match that of the top 80th percentile of tight ends who check in at 6-5.

In more than 1,600 total snaps at Utah, Lomu surrendered just two sacks -- and not one of those occurred during the 2025 season.

Size? Check. Burst and athleticism? Check and check. Given that their secondary could take a huge hit in free agency -- safeties Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson are all up in March -- McNeil-Warren would be a steal for the Bears at this slot.

At 6-foot-4, Boston has top-tier speed and contested-catch win rates. His 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons also reflect his red-zone skills. He forecasts as a true WR1 for Josh Allen and new head coach Joe Brady.

Concepcion's ability to create space and earn YAC should fit well within Kyle Shanahan's offense.

My model really likes Miller, who projects as a right tackle at the next level. The math favored him even more than Caleb Lomu when evaluating through a position-agnostic lens. His waist-bender projections are second-lowest in the class among both tackles and guards.

This raw, 6-foot-7 prospect is very traits-heavy for now, considering he totaled just 13 starts during his college career. But the flashes were there. He forecasts as a right tackle.

With linebackers Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton due to hit free agency this spring, the Broncos could look to bolster the second level of their defense at Pick 30. Allen had a top-tier run-defense ranking in college and was one of the surest tacklers at his position.

A nose tackle with size (6-6!) and burst (top 95th percentile of all NTs in an eight-season sample). Where does Mike Vrabel sign up?

Do I think GM John Schneider ultimately trades out of this spot? ... Yes. But if he doesn't (and for the sake of this mock), fortifying the O-line, especially with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to become the Raiders' next head coach, will likely be a priority. Given the success the 'Hawks have had with rookie guard Grey Zabel this season, adding a great run-blocking guard on the other side further establishes a strong foundation up front.