2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys Trade Up for Jeremiyah Love, Raiders Select Mendoza

As the 2026 NFL Draft season heats up, analysts are releasing their latest mock drafts, offering predictions for how the first round might unfold. Several themes are emerging, including potential trades and the prioritization of key positions. Here’s a appear at some of the top picks and storylines, based on recent projections.

Early Draft Predictions

The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza has demonstrated impressive stability in key metrics, achieving 84th-percentile clean-pocket grade, 93rd-percentile standard dropback grade, 84th-percentile first and second down grade, 95th-percentile play-action grade, and 90th-percentile negatively graded play rate in 2025 PFF.

The New York Jets, holding the No. 2 pick, are likely to bolster their defense. Options include Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey, or Miami edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. PFF. Bain finished the 2025 season with a 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade and an 86.2 PFF run-defense grade.

Cowboys Make a Bold Move

In a surprising move, some mock drafts predict the Dallas Cowboys will trade up to the No. 3 overall pick, acquiring Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Cowboys would reportedly send both their first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20) to the Arizona Cardinals to facilitate the trade PFF. Love led the draft class in 2025 with 726 breakaway rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, and a 93.7 PFF rushing grade.

Other Notable First-Round Picks

• Tennessee Titans (No. 4): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State. Styles possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism, with an 87.4 PFF run-defense grade, a 91.6 PFF tackling grade, and an 86.9 PFF coverage grade in 2025 PFF.
• New York Giants (No. 5): Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL). Mauigoa is expected to provide immediate protection for quarterback Jaxson Dart.
• Cleveland Browns (No. 6): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. Tate lined up on the outside on 88.9% of snaps in 2025 and finished the season with an 89.0 PFF receiving grade PFF.
• Washington Commanders (No. 7): Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State. Reese finished the 2025 season with an impressive 86.5 PFF run-defense grade.
• New Orleans Saints (No. 8): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU. Delane played man coverage on 42.3% of his coverage snaps in 2025, achieving an 89.1 PFF coverage grade USA Today.
• Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech. Bailey’s 94.4 PFF pass-rush grade against true pass sets ranked first among all edge defenders in the draft class PFF.
• Cincinnati Bengals (No. 10): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State. Downs posted an 89.6 PFF coverage grade and an 83.7 PFF run-defense grade in 2025 PFF.
• Miami Dolphins (No. 11): Spencer Fano, T, Utah.
• Arizona Cardinals (No. 12 – via trade): Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama.
• Los Angeles Rams (No. 13): Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia.
• Baltimore Ravens (No. 14): Makai Lemon, WR, USC. Lemon led all receivers in college football with a 91.4 PFF receiving grade in 2025 PFF.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 15): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon. Sadiq displayed incredible speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) and explosive leaping ability (43.5-inch vertical) at the NFL combine PFF.
• New York Jets (No. 16): Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State.
• Detroit Lions (No. 17): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL). Mesidor posted a 94.2 PFF pass-rushing grade against true pass sets in 2025 PFF.
• Minnesota Vikings (No. 18): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon.
• Carolina Panthers (No. 19): Blake Miller, T, Clemson.
• Arizona Cardinals (No. 20): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama.
• Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo. McNeil-Warren ranked first among all FBS safeties with a 91.9 PFF overall grade in 2025 PFF.
• Los Angeles Chargers (No. 22): Kayden McDonald, DI, Ohio State.
• Philadelphia Eagles (No. 23): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee.
• Cleveland Browns (No. 24): Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State.
• Chicago Bears (No. 25): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech. Rodriguez earned the top PFF overall grade among linebackers (93.0) in 2025 PFF.
• Buffalo Bills (No. 26): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State.
• San Francisco 49ers (No. 27): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn.
• Houston Texans (No. 28): Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon.
• Kansas City Chiefs (No. 29): Avieon Terrell, CB, Tennessee.
• Miami Dolphins (No. 30): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington.
• New England Patriots (No. 31): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee.
• Seattle Seahawks (No. 32):

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a dynamic event, with potential trades and a focus on addressing key needs across the league. As the draft approaches, these projections will continue to evolve.