2026 NFL Draft: Latest Projections and Team Needs After Super Bowl 60

The 2025 NFL season culminated with the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60. As the football world transitions into the offseason, attention now shifts to key dates and events, most notably the 2026 NFL Draft. This annual event offers teams a chance to acquire top talent and potentially engineer rapid turnarounds, as seen recently with the Patriots and Washington Commanders.

While it’s still early to definitively predict how the draft will unfold – the NFL Combine and free agency will significantly influence team strategies – here’s a look at the latest projections for the first round.

First-Round Mock Draft Projections

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana. Mendoza, the national champion and Heisman Trophy winner, possesses elite accuracy and ball-placement skills, making him a strong prospect for the Raiders.
2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State. With Dante Moore expected to return as quarterback, the Jets will focus on bolstering their defense by adding a versatile linebacker like Reese.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech. Despite potential interest in offensive tackles, the Cardinals could prioritize finding a pass-rushing partner for Josh Sweat, potentially selecting Bailey, who led the FBS with 14.5 sacks.
4. Tennessee Titans: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL). The Titans need to improve their pass rush and could target Bain, a powerful and physical edge rusher.
5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State. The Giants may add a receiver to complement Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart, potentially drafting Tate, a skilled route-runner.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL). With their entire starting offensive line potentially entering free agency, the Browns could look to rebuild the unit with a player like Mauigoa.
7. Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State. The Commanders could target an edge rusher, but Downs fills a need at safety and is considered one of the top players in the draft.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC. To provide more options for quarterback Tyler Shough, the Saints might select Lemon, a receiver known for his separation skills and strong hands.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame. Love could be a significant upgrade to the Chiefs’ running back room, offering breakaway speed and receiving ability.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee. The Bengals need defensive help, and McCoy could strengthen their cornerback position if his medical evaluations are positive.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU. With potential departures in their cornerback room, the Dolphins could target Delane, an All-American with a low passer rating allowed.
12. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State. The Cowboys will likely address defense early, and Styles could provide stability in the middle of their defense.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): OT Spencer Fano, Utah. The Rams could benefit from adding Fano, an experienced tackle with potential to improve their offensive line.
14. Baltimore Ravens: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State. Addressing a weakness on the offensive line, the Ravens could select Ioane, considered the best interior blocker in the draft.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M. Howell, a productive pass rusher in college, could provide an upgrade to the Buccaneers’ edge rush.
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State. The Jets could add a receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson, potentially drafting Tyson, an elite separator with strong ball skills.
17. Detroit Lions: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama. The Lions could look to Proctor to develop into a long-term bookend tackle alongside Penei Sewell.
18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson. The Vikings could add Terrell to improve their secondary.
19. Carolina Panthers: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn. Faulk could add versatility to the Panthers’ defense.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson. The Cowboys could add Parker as a potential long-term partner for Donovan Ezeiruaku.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington. The Steelers need a receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, and Boston could provide a big-bodied target.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson. The Chargers could target Woods to improve their defensive line.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon. Sadiq could replace the Eagles’ departing tight ends and become a reliable target for Jalen Hurts.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M. The Browns could add Concepcion to provide a downfield threat in their offense.
25. Chicago Bears: DT Caleb Banks, Florida. Banks could be a quick riser after performing well at the Senior Bowl and fill a need for the Bears on the defensive line.
26. Buffalo Bills: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee. The Bills could add Brazzell to provide more receiver talent for Josh Allen.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah. Lomu could provide a short-term upgrade at guard and a long-term successor for Trent Williams at tackle.
28. Houston Texans: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia. Freeling has tantalizing traits and could become a long-term bookend tackle for the Texans.
29. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina. The Seahawks could replenish their cornerback depth by drafting Cisse.