With the start of the NFL Scouting Combine around the corner, here's my second projection of the year for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. There are always some risers and fallers coming out of Indianapolis, and then the start of free agency will further shake things up. For now, though, there is a lot of excitement around the league about this year's class at edge rusher and wide receiver. One of the big questions on the minds of many evaluators is whether we'll see two quarterbacks drafted in Round 1. I still have only one in my mock, but I think it's fair to say the prospect with the most to gain leading up to the draft is Alabama QB Ty Simpson. Stay tuned.
NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.
The Raiders have their coach and now they have their quarterback. I like the marriage between Mendoza’s skill set and Klint Kubiak’s scheme.
The Jets have their pick of the draft’s finest edge rushers here. Bailey’s combination of explosiveness and production is the best of the bunch.
Mauigoa plugs in at right tackle and upgrades an offensive line in desperate need of help.
Bain’s temperament and playing style will perfectly complement Jeffery Simmons. They’re cut from the same cloth in how they play the game.
The Giants add another weapon for Jaxson Dart. Tate gives the offense a vertical receiver to play opposite a hopefully-healthy Malik Nabers.
The Browns should be hoping one of the top offensive tackles is available to them at No. 6. Cleveland snags Fano to start from Day 1.
Reese provides Washington some explosiveness and versatility. He might be a tougher projection than some of the other pass rushers in this year’s draft, given that he split time between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker for the Buckeyes. Reese has the highest upside of the group, though.
The Saints inject a major boost to Tyler Shough’s receiving corps. Kellen Moore will know exactly how to utilize Lemon’s skills.
Patrick Mahomes finally gets an elite back. If defenses continue to play a conservative shell defense against the Chiefs, Love can make them pay.
Cincinnati stays in-state with this pick. The Bengals’ defense could use consistency and structure. Downs provides both.
This is a defense in need of retooling. With Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones and Kader Kohou heading for free agency, the Dolphins land the best cornerback in the draft.
The Cowboys must fix their pass rush and secondary. I believe there’s a drop-off at cornerback after McCoy, so they address the position here.
The Rams had a good look at how the Seahawks deployed Nick Emmanwori with great success in his rookie year. McNeil-Warren offers L.A. its own playmaking, rangy safety, boosting a pass defense that has struggled in recent years. He teams with Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake to create a nice safety trio.
Baltimore is still in search of a complement to Zay Flowers. Tyson gives the new coaching staff more firepower on offense.
I have Styles rated much higher than 15th in my prospect rankings, but not all teams value off-ball linebackers the same way. Styles can plug the hole if Lavonte David does not return.
I know quarterback is a huge need for the Jets, but I don’t see a QB worthy of the 16th overall pick this year. So, they can take the best player available here. I view Ioane as the best offensive lineman in the draft. He can fill the void with the injury-plagued Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson headed for free agency.
Parker had an underwhelming 2025 season, but he bounced back in a big way at the Senior Bowl. I think he’s climbing draft boards once again.
After studying Thieneman’s impressive 2025 tape at Oregon, I went back and watched the film from his career at Purdue, where he played in 2023 and '24. His range and playmaking skills were evident back then, too. He would be an excellent replacement for Harrison Smith.
Faulk has the versatility to rush from the inside and outside. Pairing him with Nic Scourton gives Carolina some fresh legs up front.
After taking a CB at No. 12, the Cowboys nab an edge rusher. Teams might have to get comfortable with Mesidor’s age -- he will be a 25-year-old rookie -- but he was dominant during Miami’s run in the College Football Playoff. Then again, if the Chiefs would take this pick in a trade for Trent McDuffie (entering the final year of his rookie deal), the Cowboys would solve their secondary issues in the blink of an eye.
Boston makes too much sense here. The Steelers would have two power forwards on the outside with the rookie playing opposite DK Metcalf.
Sadiq is the perfect weapon for a creative offensive mind like Mike McDaniel. With the tight end joining Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris and Oronde Gadsden II, the OC would have a lot to work with in his first year with the Chargers.
Even if Lane Johnson decides to put off retirement, I believe the Eagles would not mind having his eventual replacement on the roster.
This draft would be a big success for the Browns if they landed two starting offensive linemen, as they do in this scenario with Freeling joining Spencer Fano. If Dawand Jones stays healthy, I think Fano could play inside.
Teams seem to be all over the map on how they rank this year’s defensive tackles. Woods probably is the most explosive of the group and brings some juice on the interior.
The Bills add a player with a wide catch radius to complement Khalil Shakir at receiver. Fields was excellent all week long at the Senior Bowl.
Hunter can hold the point against the run and he showed flashes of his upside as a pass rusher at the Senior Bowl. Recent Super Bowl winners have featured waves of defensive linemen they can rotate. Hunter joins 2025 draft picks Alfred Collins and CJ West to form a talented young trio on the interior.
Lomu pairs with Aireontae Ersery to give the Texans young bookends to build around on the offensive line.
The Rams double down on the secondary in Round 1 with free agency threatening to eat into their DB depth. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Hood can both take the ball away.
Denver finds a replacement for Alex Singleton, who is ticketed for free agency. Allen is a steady, reliable player who can handle the nerve center of that talented defense.
Young feels like an excellent fit for Mike Vrabel’s defense. He’s a big, rugged edge rusher who capped off a strong Senior Bowl week by winning Defensive MVP honors in the game.
Seattle finds insurance for Rashid Shaheed, who could depart in free agency. Concepcion brings speed on offense and is a dynamic returner who took two punts back for touchdowns in 2025.
