2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Raiders get their QB of the future

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We still don't know the final draft order, but who cares! It's Mock Draft season! Naturally, we'll be running through this mock draft with my takes on who will go where, but also what potential fantasy impact this move may have. (Sorry, IDP players - I don't know enough do to that stuff.)

Some housekeeping: I will not be mocking any trades in this mock draft, so each team will be stuck with their pick whether they want it or not.

Without further ado, here is version 1.0 of my 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

1) Las Vegas Raiders

The pick: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana.

The Geno Smith experiment was fun while it lasted. A full rebuild is necessary, but with young, elite talents in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty on the roster, getting the offense sorted first should be highest priority - and QB needs to be the top of the list.

Fantasy impact: I've heard ceiling comps as high as Matt Ryan for Fernando Mendoza, which is a great get for the Raiders if he becomes that. But to expect him to be that out of the gate is likely too much - especially with zero true weapons at receiver and a questionable offensive line. Pending additions and changes, he's a fringe QB2 in 12-team redraft leagues. For best ball, he's an obvious mid-to-late draft pick if you've taken Brock Bowers to create a Raiders stack. In dynasty, he's one of the clear top two QBs in this draft on talent, making him a consideration for QB-needy teams that are deep elsewhere.

2) New York Giants

The pick: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State.

Drafting a linebacker this early is probably a reach, but one that the Giants simply need to make. The defense was a disaster this year, and adding someone in the middle of the defense to make a potential decade-plus impact should be highest priority to compliment the upswing offense - which will get Malik Nabers coming back as Jaxson Dart's true alpha.

3) New York Jets

The pick: QB Dante Moore, Oregon.

The Jets have no answer at QB. Justin Fields flamed out pretty quickly, and Tyrod Taylor is simply a last-resort stop-gap measure. Jets fans may think that this pick feels a bit Zach Wilson-y, but what other option do they have? With Garrett Wilson and young TE potential in Mason Taylor, they need to find someone to get the ball moving consistently and build around.

Fantasy impact: Any QB going to the Jets won't be walking into the best situation. Outside of Garrett Wilson, there's not a lot here that we can be super confident about. Thankfully, the offensive line is okay, which could keep his floor intact. Ultimately, I view his impact as being similar to Mendoza; for 12-team redraft leagues, he'd walk in as a fringe QB2, while for best ball, he's a natural mid-to-late stacking partner for Garrett Wilson, and he's the other QB for dynasty. I'd like both of these QBs better if the teams also added some WR help (spoiler!)

4) Tennessee Titans

The pick: DE Reuben Bain Jr., Miami (FL).

Speaking of QBs needing help, Cam Ward needs help. It's possible that some of their young players - I'm especially high on Gunnar Helm, actually, as a 2026 sleeper - develop into reliable offensive weapons, but we certainly didn't see it this season. But the defense is equally in need of help, and adding a premier pass rusher in Reuben Bain Jr. can go a long way to shore up that side of the ball long-term.

5) Arizona Cardinals

The pick: DT Peter Woods, Clemson.

The Cardinals were atrocious in all facets defensively last season. Their first stop here, no pun intended, is focused on stopping the run with a premier interior defender in Peter Woods, who might be the best defensive player in this class when all things are said and done. He reminds me of Fletcher Cox.

6) Cleveland Browns

The pick: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State.

The Shedeur Sanders experiment lives for another season. And why not? With both of the top two QBs gone, drafting a QB here when you drafted two last season is an admittance that you wasted two picks when you're in desperate need to find a solution.

What the Browns need to help these QBs - whether it's Shedeur, Dillon Gabriel, or a new face in 2027 - is a true outside weapon to compliment the instant-impact player in Harold Fannin Jr.

Carnell Tate fills that void as an elite route runner that can attack the short and medium areas of the field. His game reminds me of fellow former Ohio State receiver Chris Olave.

Fantasy impact: I'm not sure how high-volume the Browns passing offense is going to be with another year of Shedeur under center (plus a solid running back room with Judkins at the helm), but when they do pass, it'll be going to Fannin or Tate in this scenario, with Jerry Jeudy and/or Cedric Tillman fighting for what's left. We saw what Olave did this season with zero help - he racked up targets consistently. This feels like a similar scenario to me. He'll be more helpful in PPR leagues than non-PPR ones. In 12-team PPR leagues, he's probably a WR3/4 with upside. In best ball, he'd likely go overdrafted as most rookie receivers do, but if he ended with a Jakobi Meyers-like season, I wouldn't be surprised - I'd consider him starting in round 6. In dynasty, he's a first overall pick consideration.

7) Washington Commanders

The pick: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State.

The top safety off the board, and the third Ohio State player in the first seven picks, goes to Washington. The Commanders were a pass funnel defense all season; focusing on adding talent in the defensive back room is likely their priority while the offense worries about getting healthy again.

8) New Orleans Saints

The pick: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State.

The Saints have a lot of holes to fill, but it's possible - somewhat shockingly, given how most of us felt at this time last year - that QB is not one of them. If Tyler Shough is the long-term answer and continues to develop, he'll need another weapon in the receiver room to compliment Chris Olave.

Jordyn Tyson is the perfect answer to that, as he can both absorb a large target share as well as the ability to attack downfield. Health is a concern here, but there's no denying the playmaking ability.

Fantasy impact: Jordyn Tyson would immediately become my favorite rookie receiver to target. My fear, of course, is that he will be everyone's favorite rookie to target, and, as mentioned previously, people love drafting rookie receivers very early, especially in best ball. For 12-team redraft leagues, Jordyn Tyson would be a WR3 for me. In best ball, pairing two of Olave + Tyson + Juwan Johnson with Tyler Shough would be an intriguing stack to bet on upside with; I'd likely be willing to go as high as round 5, given that I think the volume that Olave specifically sees wouldn't go away. In dynasty, the health risk would probably shy me away from taking him first overall, but he's absolutely in that conversation on talent.

9) Kansas City Chiefs

The pick: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL).

What a brutal year for the Chiefs. There's a ton of talent on this team already when they're healthy, so I like them adding to the talent up front on offense with one of the top tackles in the draft. Running back (specifically, Jeremiyah Love) will be a popular pick here, but I don't see the front office making that move this early while they have their choice of any offensive lineman they want. (They're signing Breece Hall and we all know it.)

10) Cincinnati Bengals

The pick: DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn.

The Bengals defense was borderline historically bad, and when Trey Hendrickson went down, it got so much worse. Adding a pass-rushing option should be priority 1 and priority 2 for this team, and they get their first one here with Keldric Faulk.

11) Miami Dolphins

The pick: OT Spencer Fano, Utah.

Nobody knows who the QB of the Dolphins will be in 2026, but I'd be willing to bet they either see what they have with Quinn Ewers, run Tua back, or sign or trade for a veteran rather than draft one at 11 (Kyler Murray?) Instead, they'll shore up the offensive line with Spencer Fano to help protect whomever ends up being their future at the QB position - and hopefully allow De'Von Achane to spring a few more long runs, too.

12) Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)

The pick: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU.

Assuming that Matthew Stafford will retire at the end of this season, the Rams will enter an interesting period where, outside of knowing what happens at QB, there's talent on the offensive side of the ball - and plenty on the defensive side, too. They go BPA here and take their pick of one of the best defensive backs in the draft to add to their already-good pass defense, keeping them in games regardless of who's at the helm.

13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee.

Speaking of corners, the Buccaneers need one, as they were a clear pass-funnel defense last season. They take Jermod McCoy here, who might have the higher ceiling of the two corners going back-to-back here but is coming off of an ACL tear that will raise questions about how effective he will be out the gate.

14) Dallas Cowboys

The pick: DE David Bailey, Texas Tech.

This defense needs help. While they traded for an impact player in the interior defensive line mid-season, they let their best pass rusher go before the season, and it showed. David Bailey probably won't become Micah Parsons, but he can put them in the direction of having actual production from the position.

15) Detroit Lions

The pick: DE TJ Parker, Clemson.

Detroit should feel pretty good about the offensive side of the ball, outside of a possible gap on the offensive line, so adding depth on the defense is the likely direction here. Adding yet another option outside of Aidan Hutchinson seems to be the best option for them, especially if they're going to force teams to pass on them early and often to keep up.

16) Baltimore Ravens

The pick: DE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M.

The DE run continues with Cashius Howell. The Ravens were second-to-last in sack percentage this season, which allowed teams to throw for nearly 250 yards per game against them. Adding an impact player who can get after the QB will take the burden off the secondary to be the only playmakers out there.

17) Minnesota Vikings

The pick: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson.

Insert what I said about Shedeur Sanders here for JJ McCarthy. I don't think the Vikings are going to give up on him, and especially won't do so for a QB that is not Mendoza or Moore. So they add to the defensive side of the ball with Avieon Terrell, the last of the first round defensive backs by my estimation.

18) New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)

The pick: WR Makai Lemon, USC.

And the spoiler is complete! If the Jets are taking Dante Moore at three, they'll make it a priority to get him another weapon to help him succeed, and Makai Lemon is the perfect complimentary weapon as a quick slot. He's also their potential kick returner and punt returner of the future, too.

Fantasy impact: The risk here is that the Jets simply won't be that good. They're likely letting Breece Hall walk entirely, and we don't know that Mason Taylor will turn out to be a super impactful TE yet. But there's opportunity for Makai Lemon to get some volume. In 12-team redraft, he's a WR4/5. In best ball, he would be a middle-round pick for me, although I'd bet he goes earlier than that. In dynasty, he's an intriguing late first round/early second round option.

19) Carolina Panthers

The pick: DE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma.

There's plenty of ways that Carolina could go here. If they wanted another weapon for Bryce Young, drafting the best TE in the draft (Kenyon Sadiq) makes a ton of sense, but I actually think they'll continue to add to the defensive side first to take more pressure off of the offense as they continue to find their identity.

Despite the Panthers defense being okay overall, they were 30th in sack rate last season. Fixing that gap should turn this defense from good to great, and they'll hope that Thomas is the one that gets them there.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers

The pick: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama.

Naturally, here's where the third QB comes off the board. The Steelers aren't likely to let Mason Rudolph or Will Howard be their starter in 2026, but bringing in the QB that some are calling the most "NFL-ready" in the draft to plug and play into a contending team with a good defense gives them a good floor option while they piece together the weapons around him later in a deep receiver draft.

Fantasy impact: Being NFL-ready and being a good fantasy pick are two different things entirely. This is still a run-first offense most likely, and with a good defense behind him, he won't be asked to do too much. He's likely undrafted in 12-team redraft leagues. In best ball, he's a guy you draft as your QB3 when you've already drafted DK Metcalf and feel like you need a third QB on your team, but that's probably it. In dynasty, he's a second rounder for QB-needy teams.

21) Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)

The pick: LB CJ Allen, Georgia.

The Cowboys continue to add to the defensive side of the ball with an impact linebacker in CJ Allen, who can excel as both a pass defender as well as a stout second-level run defender. Finding an impact player at this position will be crucial to see if the Cowboys can turn it around in 2026.

22) Los Angeles Chargers

The pick: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State.

The Chargers struggled mightily on the offensive line in 2025, but much of that was because they lost both of their stud starting tackles to injury. Unfortunately for them, they were relying on those tackles to cover up the interior line, which was a gap they had going into the season.

Adding Ioane gives them an impact player at Guard who can help keep Justin Herbert upright and spring holes for Omarion Hampton, leading to a (potentially) better offensive unit in 2026.

23) Buffalo Bills

The pick: DT Christen Miller, Georgia.

Teams that could keep up with the Bills offense in 2025 did so by hammering them on the ground. Finding starting pieces to shore up the middle of the defense is among one of the highest of priorities, and assuming they don't do it in free agency, drafting a player like Christian Miller is likely near the top of their board.

24) Los Angeles Rams

The pick: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama.

Another likely BPA scenario for the Rams, as they add to the depth on the offensive line to help protect whomever is the QB in 2026.

25) Philadelphia Eagles

The pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon.

Dallas Goedert is a free agent after this season, and given the Eagles have been generally solid across the board, drafting a player of Sadiq's talent level as a replacement for the passing-down work that Goedert had commanded makes sense. Even if Goedert returns on a short-term deal, he's not been the healthiest of players, either. It feels like a natural scheme fit.

Fantasy impact: Without Dallas Goedert in the picture, Sadiq could instantly become a borderline TE1/TE2 in 12-team redraft and a priority stacking partner with Jalen Hurts for best ball, along with a solid late first round target in dynasty. If Goedert stays, he would likely be off the radar in both redraft and best ball, but a long-term buy in dynasty in the second round.

26) Houston Texans

The pick: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

The fact that Jeremiyah Love lasted this far is probably a failure on my part - again, most people will probably mock him to the Chiefs at 9, and I also considered him for the Jets at 18 - but it's a major win for the Texans. Joe Mixon is probably never returning to this roster, and maybe not even to the NFL. Nick Chubb obviously cannot hold a large workload anymore. And while Woody Marks exists and is kind of fun, he's likely better suited in a change-of-pace or third-down role.

There are massive offensive line concerns on this team, but getting instant every-down backfield help is another priority that can take this offense to the next level, making them possible Super Bowl contenders if they can shore up the line in free agency or later in the draft.

Fantasy impact: Obviously will depend on how the offensive line looks, but he would likely step into a major role right out the gate on a team with an elite defense and a good passing offense. In 12-team redraft, he's an RB2. In best ball, you'll pay the rookie tax, but it might be warranted - round 4 would likely be where I peg him, just ahead of the veteran backs with question marks. In dynasty, he's a first-overall consideration.

27) Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)

The pick: OT Caleb Lamu, Utah.

Similar to the Rams pick, the Browns adding depth on their offensive line to help protect their young QB investments is the play here after adding a playmaker earlier in the draft. Sheduer, Gabriel or whomever joins in 2027 will rely on Lamu to give them clean enough pockets to find guys downfield.

28) San Francisco 49ers

The pick: WR Denzel Boston, Washington.

With Brandon Aiyuk gone and Jauan Jennings an unrestricted free agent who was previously disgruntled with the organization, it's possible that the 49ers enter 2026 with Ricky Pearsall as their WR1. They'll want someone to make an immediate impact alongside him, and Denzel Boston will do just that as Brock Purdy's secondary option.

The 49ers have major concerns on the defensive side, which they're more likely to address via free agency, but replacing playmakers with a younger playmaker keeps the offense humming as best it can.

Fantasy impact: There's a lot of volatility with the 49ers passing game generally - we'll still be dealing with CMC siphoning targets, plus George Kittle being one of the best pass catching tight ends in the game - so betting on volume with Boston probably isn't the best course of action. In 12-team redraft, he's likely a WR4. In best ball, he's a mid-rounds target as a flier that he beats out Pearsall in the pecking order. In dynasty, he's likely a late first round/early second round target, but I can see people taking him earlier than that because of the offensive environment.

29) Chicago Bears

The pick: DT Caleb Banks, Florida.

The Achilles' heel for the Bears on defense was their run defense, allowing teams to rush for over 130 yards per game on them. Caleb Banks can step in and add some playmaking ability to the interior line, helping to shore up a need that can keep the Bears in contention in 2026.

30) New England Patriots

The pick: DE Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon.

The Patriots' pass rush was below average in 2025, registering in the bottom third of sacks and QB hits. Matayo Uiagaleliei may not be a day-one impact guy, but some believe he has the most upside at the position, making it a chance I think the Patriots will take late in the first round to see if they can strike lightning in a botle.

31) Denver Broncos

The pick: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State.

The Broncos have two of their starting linebackers slated to hit free agency, and while it's possible they both come back, I think the more likely scenario is one of them walks and the Broncos draft the replacement for them here.

32) Seattle Seahawks

The pick: C Jake Slaughter, Florida.

The Seahawks are in the envious position of needing very little help outside of a few places, and depth along the interior offensive line is one of them. They currently have an undrafted rookie starting at C, who actually has been playing well, but they likely won't pass up the opportunity to take the best interior lineman on the board and kick one of the two out to G.

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