2026 NFL mock draft: Expert projections for top picks ahead of wild-card weekend

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The 2025 NFL regular season is now wrapped, and the league’s 14-team postseason field is set.

It also means that the 18 teams that failed to make the postseason now know exactly where their first-round selections for the 2026 NFL Draft will fall.

The Las Vegas Raiders earned the No. 1 overall selection, and it is widely believed they will take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick. Many presume that it will be Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, but could Dante Moore ultimately emerge as the Raiders’ quarterback of choice?

Elsewhere, pass rushers like Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey are getting a lot of love as potential top-10 selections. Fittingly, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is also getting that same sort of attention.

How could the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft look? Below are the latest expert projections with the top 18 picks set ahead of the wild-card round of the playoffs.

2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Round 1

Here’s what all 32 first-round picks in the NFL draft could look like, according to draft experts from USA TODAY Sports, ESPN, The Athletic and Pro Football Focus with the 2025 regular-season now in the books.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

USA TODAY Sports (Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
ESPN (Jordan Reid): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Athletic (Nick Baumgardner): Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Pro Football Focus (Trevor Sikkema): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

ESPN: “The Raiders haven’t drafted a QB in the first round since 2007 (JaMarcus Russell). They’re in desperate need of a franchise quarterback after the Geno Smith trade didn’t work out, and Mendoza provides a long-term solution for a franchise that has been looking for a QB since Derek Carr was released following the 2022 season. Mendoza’s poise, toughness and accuracy stood out in his lone season with the Hoosiers, as he won the Heisman Trophy while leading them to a 14-0 record.”

2. New York Jets

USA TODAY Sports: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
ESPN: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Athletic: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

USA TODAY Sports: “Moore is no mere consolation prize, and he’s proven himself to be a highly composed and accurate distributor despite a limited body of work. Returning to school and vying for the No. 1 pick in 2027 remains an option, but Moore should be highly in demand if he does declare.”

3. Arizona Cardinals

USA TODAY Sports: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
ESPN: Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (FL)
The Athletic: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Pro Football Focus: Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (FL)

Pro Football Focus: “Right tackle Jonah Williams is set to hit free agency, creating a clear opening on the edge. Francis Mauigoa is a natural fit after starting at right tackle for three straight seasons at Miami. He earned a career-best 85.1 PFF overall grade this season. While there will be questions about his length at the NFL level, Mauigoa’s steadiness and consistency are exactly what Arizona needs up front.”

4. Tennessee Titans

USA TODAY Sports: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
ESPN: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
The Athletic: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
Pro Football Focus: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

The Athletic: “The most dynamic front-level defender in the class, Faulk is a more productive version of former Georgia standout Mykel Williams (No. 11 pick by San Francisco in 2025). Faulk is also one of the youngest players in the class. Best-case scenario here? He’s the next Calais Campbell.”

5. New York Giants

USA TODAY Sports: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
ESPN: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Athletic: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

ESPN: “Tate is a polished wideout capable of executing every branch on the route tree. He has sure hands, can separate against all types of coverage and makes plays downfield, as evidenced by his 17.1 yards per catch this season (32nd in the FBS). Tate would provide Dart with a true deep threat who can also work the intermediate levels of the field.”

6. Cleveland Browns

USA TODAY Sports: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
ESPN: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Athletic: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Pro Football Focus: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

USA TODAY Sports: “A fairly extensive injury history will surely loom over Tyson’s stock, and he could slide if teams have concerns. When healthy, however, he’s a smooth target who can threaten defenses all over the field.”

7. Washington Commanders

USA TODAY Sports: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)
ESPN: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
The Athletic: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
Pro Football Focus: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Athletic: “Jayden Daniels needs more help offensively, so you could make the case for a receiver at this spot. Washington has to find more ways to get after the quarterback, though, and Bailey is the class’ most polished pass rusher.”

8. New Orleans Saints

USA TODAY Sports: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
ESPN: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Athletic: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

Pro Football Focus: “Defenders with Reese’s pound-for-pound explosiveness and strength are far harder to come by. He profiles as a hybrid linebacker in the mold of Georgia’s Jalon Walker from last year’s draft, but his highest value comes as an edge rusher – precisely where New Orleans needs help.”

9. Kansas City Chiefs

USA TODAY Sports: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
ESPN: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)
The Athletic: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Pro Football Focus: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Athletic: “The most dynamic offensive skill player available, Love was my pick for the Heisman Trophy this season and would be an absolute terror next to Patrick Mahomes.”

10. Cincinnati Bengals

USA TODAY Sports: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
ESPN: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Athletic: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Pro Football Focus: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

USA TODAY Sports: “A two-time unanimous All-American and Thorpe Award winner, Downs accomplished nearly everything imaginable for a collegiate defensive back. While some franchises might be reticent to take a safety in the top 10, the do-everything defender shouldn’t be reduced to his positional label.”

11. Miami Dolphins

USA TODAY Sports: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
ESPN: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Athletic: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Pro Football Focus: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

ESPN: “Fano’s light feet and movement skills fit ideally into Mike McDaniel’s fast-paced scheme. At 6-foot-6, 302 pounds, Fano needs to add bulk to his frame, but his 1.1% pressure rate tied with Mauigoa for the second-lowest rate allowed by an offensive tackle in the FBS this season.”

12. Dallas Cowboys

USA TODAY Sports: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
ESPN: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Athletic: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
Pro Football Focus: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

USA TODAY Sports: “Long known for his rare athleticism, Styles has come into his own as a linebacker by developing an advanced feel for the position, particularly in his work against the run. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds with outstanding speed, he also has all the physical traits to match up with tight ends and transcend a typical role at the second level.”

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)

USA TODAY Sports: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
ESPN: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Athletic: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Pro Football Focus: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Pro Football Focus: “Delane was the top cover corner in the SEC this season, earning an 89.1 PFF coverage grade. Fast, fluid and adequately sized at 6-foot, 190 pounds, he has the versatility to play inside or outside at the next level, though his best work comes on the perimeter.”

14. Baltimore Ravens

USA TODAY Sports: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
ESPN: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Athletic: Olaivavega Ioane, G/C, Penn State
Pro Football Focus: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

ESPN: “Woods entered the season as one of the top prospects in the 2026 class but didn’t have the season that many expected, finishing with only two sacks after registering three as a sophomore in 2024. But he is an explosive pocket collapser who has the versatility to rush from multiple spots.”

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

USA TODAY Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
ESPN: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
The Athletic: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Pro Football Focus: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Athletic: “One of the hardest players to slot, Sadiq plays a position that could cause him to tumble down draft boards despite his undeniable talent. His flashes, both as a blocker and receiver, remind me of George Kittle.”

16. New York Jets (via Colts)

USA TODAY Sports: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
ESPN: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Athletic: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Pro Football Focus: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

USA TODAY Sports: “The Biletnikoff Award winner is uniquely positioned to thrive in this era of football, as he consistently frees himself up from coverage in the short-to-intermediate area and piles up yards after the catch with ease.”

17. Detroit Lions

USA TODAY Sports: Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (FL)
ESPN: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Athletic: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Pro Football Focus: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

The Athletic: “The Lions could have needs nearly across the board on the offensive line, especially with left tackle Taylor Decker and interior lineman Graham Glasgow pondering their futures. Proctor is still more sizzle than steak, but the potential – like his 6-foot-7, 360-pound frame – is enormous.”

18. Minnesota Vikings

USA TODAY Sports: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
ESPN: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Athletic: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Pro Football Focus: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

USA TODAY Sports: “Aggressive yet composed, Terrell would enable the Vikings to sort out a secondary that needs to turn the page on a challenging 2025 season.”

19. Carolina Panthers

USA TODAY Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
ESPN: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Athletic: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
Pro Football Focus: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

Pro Football Focus: “At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Washington has the size to anchor against the run, evidenced by his 83.0 run-defense grade, while also flashing upside as a pass rusher with a 72.7 grade versus true pass sets. He is not a finished product, but his physical traits and flashes of disruption give him the ceiling of a first-round talent.”

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)

USA TODAY Sports: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
ESPN: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Athletic: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Pro Football Focus: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

USA TODAY Sports: “It’s difficult to find cornerbacks who can match Cisse in smothering receivers at the line of scrimmage or catch point while staying composed in between. Any team looking for a dose of physicality in the secondary will be drawn to him.”

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

USA TODAY Sports: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
ESPN: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Athletic: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Pro Football Focus: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

ESPN: “Concepcion would have the opportunity to make an instant impact as a No. 2 option for the Steelers, especially because he can play in the slot and outside. He is a gearshift route runner who can accelerate and decelerate to create separation in route stems. But Concepcion needs to be more consistent with his hands, as he dropped seven passes this season.”

22. Los Angeles Chargers

USA TODAY Sports: Olaivavea Ioane, G, Penn State
ESPN: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Athletic: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus: Olaivavea Ioane, G, Penn State

Pro Football Focus: “Los Angeles’ interior linemen combined for a 45.7 overall blocking grade and a 47.9 pass-blocking grade, numbers that simply won’t cut it in front of Justin Herbert. Loane would be an immediate upgrade, as he earned a 90.9 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets this season and profiles as a plug-and-play starter who could stabilize the unit right away.”

23. Philadelphia Eagles

USA TODAY Sports: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
ESPN: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The Athletic: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
Pro Football Focus: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

USA TODAY Sports: “A two-time transfer from Wyoming and USC, Pregnon has elevated his game at every stop and should be a stout presence at the next level.”

24. Buffalo Bills

USA TODAY Sports: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
ESPN: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Athletic: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Pro Football Focus: Romello Height, edge, Texas Tech

The Athletic: “A giant target, Boston (6 feet 4, 210 pounds) is still athletic enough to work from the slot. Josh Allen’s cast of pass catchers has varied over the years, but a prospect like this could take things to another level.”

25. Chicago Bears

USA TODAY Sports: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
ESPN: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
The Athletic: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
Pro Football Focus: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

Pro Football Focus: “Parker’s versatility at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds is a near-perfect fit for Dennis Allen’s defense. His ability to impact games both as a pass rusher (78.1 pass-rush grade) and against the run (78.5 run-defense grade) gives Chicago a flexible, three-down defender who fits exactly what Allen looks for on the edge.”

26. San Francisco 49ers

USA TODAY Sports: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
ESPN: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Athletic: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Pro Football Focus: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

USA TODAY Sports: “As the Paul Hornung Award winner for the most versatile player in college football, the receiver and return specialist can ignite explosive plays in a variety of different forms for his next team.”

27. Houston Texans

USA TODAY Sports: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
ESPN: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
The Athletic: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Pro Football Focus: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

ESPN: “Washington has high upside and continues to improve in his first year as a starter. He is an upfield penetrator who is capable of playing multiple interior spots but projects best as a 3-technique at the next level. His violent hands create quick wins against interior blockers, and the Texans would be adding an explosive defensive lineman to an already-stout defense.”

28. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)

USA TODAY Sports: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
ESPN: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
The Athletic: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Pro Football Focus: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Athletic: “The Giants avoided doing something crazy at the top of the draft last year, then wound up with Jaxson Dart at the bottom of the first round. Could the Browns follow a similar path?”

29. Los Angeles Rams

USA TODAY Sports: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
ESPN: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Athletic: Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Pro Football Focus: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Pro Football Focus: “Banks missed most of the 2025 season with a foot injury, but his 2024 tape was strong enough that it was surprising he didn’t enter last year’s draft class. He’s a massive interior defender at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds with long arms, yet he pairs that size with an explosive first step.”

30. New England Patriots

USA TODAY Sports: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
ESPN: Matayo Uiagalelei, edge, Oregon
The Athletic: Zion Young, edge, Missouri
Pro Football Focus: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

ESPN: “The Patriots’ massive turnaround from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 this season has been based in large part on coach Mike Vrabel’s development of the young core. Uiagalelei can add to that core and is ready to play right away. He plays with all-out effort and is capable of fitting into multiple schemes at 6-foot-5, 272 pounds.”

31. Denver Broncos

USA TODAY Sports: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
ESPN: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
The Athletic: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Pro Football Focus: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

USA TODAY Sports: “Allen’s hardly the biggest linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, but his well-rounded athleticism should allow him to make plays in a variety of different ways at the next level.”

32. Seattle Seahawks

USA TODAY Sports: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
ESPN: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Athletic: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Pro Football Focus: Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa

The Athletic: “Somehow, offensive line remains an area of need for the Seahawks — even as they head into the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a 14-3 record. But defensive back, specifically corner, could be a sneaky need this offseason.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Expert predictions for Round 1

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