2026 NFL mock draft: Post-Super Bowl projections
The countdown is on.
With another Super Bowl in the books, draft nerds everywhere can officially turn their attention to this year's main offseason event. Let's take another spin through the first round now that the 2026 NFL Draft order is locked in.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Is there finally reason for optimism in Las Vegas? It'll be a while before the rest of the roster is ready to compete, but the Raiders can't pass up this rare opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback. Mendoza, who took home Heisman Trophy honors while leading Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season, joins Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers in providing an exciting, young offensive core for expected incoming head coach Klint Kubiak.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Taking a safety with the No. 2 overall pick might sound crazy - no team has done it since 1991. But in a draft class lacking true, blue-chip talent at the top, the rebuilding Jets might be wise to take the player most likely to be an All-Pro. Position-value debates will seem silly in hindsight if Downs' instincts, athleticism, and versatility make him the next Kyle Hamilton. That skill set would go a long way toward bolstering the first defense in NFL history to finish a season without an interception.
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Whether it's Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett, or a veteran free agent, the Cardinals will need a better foundation for their future quarterback to thrive in new head coach Mike LaFleur's system. Mauigoa, a powerhouse three-year starter at right tackle, gave up just three sacks over his last two seasons at Miami, according to PFF. He'd be a seamless fit opposite 2023 first-rounder Paris Johnson Jr.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Robert Saleh needs additional pass-rush juice alongside Jeffrey Simmons if he wants to build a defense like the ones he had with the Jets. Bain's length will be a talking point throughout the draft process. At some point, though, teams have to trust what the player puts on tape. A dominant finish to this season, including five sacks in four College Football Playoff games, proved that the Miami star has the power profile to overcome any concerns about his frame.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
John Harbaugh's primary focus should be setting Jaxson Dart up for success. While the first move in that regard could involve spending a premium pick on the offensive line, the sophomore quarterback is going to need another weapon in the passing game, too. Tate is a natural separator who also excels at making contested catches. He and Malik Nabers would be an outstanding duo in New York.
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Cleveland's offensive line is in shambles, as all five starters from this season are headed to free agency. And with a dire cap situation, the Browns probably can't expect to bring many of those players back. This draft class needs to focus on rebuilding the trenches. Fano, a consensus All-American, fills one spot at tackle. Could Cleveland double up with another pick later in the first round?
Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Reese is widely considered to be among the best players in this class. However, questions about his position fit, given that he split time between linebacker and edge rusher last season at Ohio State, could make him available later than expected. The Commanders would happily take advantage of any such slide, with Dan Quinn seeing Reese as a Micah Parsons-type hybrid and a potential star on the edge.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Tyler Shough might be the quarterback of the future in New Orleans, and the offensive line is in good shape after back-to-back first-round picks spent on bookend tackles. Next on the shopping list: more playmakers. Kellen Moore might have everything he needs for a productive offense with a slot superstar like Lemon stepping in alongside Chris Olave.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
I can already tell that I'm going to keep coming back to this fit throughout the draft process. The Chiefs' offensive line is a perfectly capable run-blocking unit, so why didn't Kansas City have a good ground game in 2024? Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco combined for minus-30 rush yards over expected, according to Next Gen Stats, which likely contributed. Love is a true game-breaker who will finally capitalize on this favorable situation and take some pressure off Patrick Mahomes.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Bengals need all the help they can get on defense. Bailey might not have the ideal size or power for an NFL edge rusher, but the explosiveness is bound to translate. He was unblockable for Texas Tech in 2025, leading the nation with 14.5 sacks and posting a ridiculous 22.4% pressure rate, according to TruMedia. Adding this kind of player to the defensive line, while also potentially getting a Year 2 breakout from Shemar Stewart, would go a long way toward helping Cincinnati put this year's embarrassing defensive output in the rearview mirror.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Quarterback isn't the only major concern on the Dolphins' roster. Miami desperately needs to address the secondary if new head coach Jeff Hafley is going to build a strong defense, and Delane represents excellent value outside the top 10. The LSU star emerged as a shutdown cover man this past season, yielding just 14 catches for 185 yards and no touchdowns. His 31.3 passer rating against was the second-lowest among all qualified corners.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
And so begins the effort to replace Micah Parsons. That'd be a lot to ask of any one player, but Faulk's ability to impact the game both as a pass-rusher and as a run defender should be particularly appealing to Jerry Jones. With a well-rounded base end stepping in opposite 2024 second-round Donovan Ezeirukaku, and Quinnen Williams headlining an excellent trio on the interior, the Cowboys would have something cooking on the defensive line.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Rams' defense falling off a cliff down the stretch should have a spotlight shining directly on the defensive backfield. After a few years spent trying to make it work with value adds at corner, it's time to take a swing on a potential difference-maker. McCoy looked like a top-10 talent before tearing his ACL during offseason training last January.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Ravens can safely assume that Jesse Minter's arrival as head coach will elevate the defense. That should clear the way for Baltimore to use a premium pick to address the most pressing need on the offensive side: a big-body target to complement Zay Flowers. Tyson is a strong route-runner who can also win over the top of defenders.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
This is another instance in which we can overlook concerns about position value. Tampa Bay might prefer to take a corner or pass-rusher with a Day 1 pick, but the opportunity to fill a glaring need with a player like this is too good to pass up. Styles' do-it-all skill set makes him the ideal modern linebacker and a fitting candidate to take the torch from Lavonte David when the Bucs legend calls it a career.
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Jets might be tempted to reach into the second tier of quarterbacks with this pick, but why force it when there's so much work to do with the rest of the roster? Continuing to stockpile defensive talent would have the organization in a better position to go all-in on a young passer at the top of next year's draft. Woods is a three-down player who can help fill the interior pass-rush void created by the Quinnen Williams trade.
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
The Lions certainly struggled to pick up the pieces after Ben Johnson's departure, but the offensive line also took a step back after losing Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. Proctor is a powerful presence who could be a tone-setter at guard before potentially transitioning outside as a long-term replacement for Taylor Decker at tackle.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Brian Flores' pressure schemes will often compensate for issues on the back end, but Minnesota's defense can reach another level with an upgrade at corner. Like Byron Murphy, Terrell is an athletic cover man who can play the boundary or the slot.
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Coming off a season in which he missed all but three games due to injury, Banks seemed like the kind of player who might end up being a steal at the end of the first round. That ship has likely sailed after a dominant week at the Senior Bowl. The Florida product combines prototypical size with the power to control the line of scrimmage and the quickness to consistently make plays in the backfield. He and Derrick Brown would be a scary tandem on Carolina's interior defensive line.
CJ Allen, LB, Georiga
The Cowboys continue to bolster the front seven after rounding out their new-look defensive line with Faulk at No. 12. Allen, one of the headliners in a strong linebacker class, is a three-down player who can give Dallas a much-needed boost in both run defense and pass coverage over the middle of the field.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
This is another fit I'll probably come back to quite a bit throughout the draft cycle. Neither Roman Wilson nor Calvin Austin III has emerged as a reliable No. 2 opposite DK Metcalf. Boston would provide the contested-catch prowess that Pittsburgh lost by trading George Pickens to Dallas last offseason. He recorded 20 touchdowns over two years as a starter at Washington.
Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
The Chargers' offense could be in for a special season with Mike McDaniel coming aboard as coordinator, but even the best schemes depend on a reliable offensive line. A physical guard like Ioane, along with healthy returns from Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt on the outside, would help that group bounce back from a year in which Justin Herbert took a league-worst 129 QB hits.
Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia
Lane Johnson turns 36 in May, and the Eagles are still awaiting word on whether he intends to return in 2026. Either way, Howie Roseman will likely want to get out in front of that situation. Freeling, an excellent athlete with a prototypical frame, could be developed into Philly's next long-term starter at right tackle.
Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
Doubling down on offensive linemen is the least the Browns could do to lay a strong foundation for their future quarterback. After landing Fano to fill one tackle spot at No. 6, Cleveland scoops up his Utah teammate to lock down the other side. Lomu, a two-year starter at left tackle, didn't give up a sack in the final season of his college career.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Bears' offseason is all about the defense. As was the case with last year's offensive remodel, the focus should be on the trenches. McDonald is a stout interior run defender who would provide an immediate upgrade for a unit that finished the 2025 campaign ranked 27th in rush success rate.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Mesidor will be 25 years old as a rookie. That'll likely affect his draft stock to some degree, but teams in the midst of a Super Bowl window shouldn't blink. The Miami product was a force throughout this year's run to the national title game, racking up 5.5 sacks and 12 pressures across four playoff contests. He'd fit in nicely on the edge of an aggressive Bills defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The 49ers finished the regular season with a league-low 20 sacks. Injuries, including the loss of Nick Bosa in Week 3, were the primary factor in those struggles. But even at full strength, this group needs more depth. Howell adds another explosive rusher off the edge, allowing 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams to rotate inside on passing downs.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
A disaster playoff run from C.J. Stroud effectively wasted a championship-caliber defense. It's a little too soon to be asking questions about the quarterback's future in Houston, but the Texans have to find a way to get him back to the player he was as a rookie in 2023. A few more swings on the offensive line might help him regain his old comfort level in the pocket. Pregnon is a Day 1 starter at guard.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Rams have plenty of tight ends, including 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson. Still, there's always room for another potential game-changer in an offense that nearly doubled the 13 personnel usage (30.5%) of any team since at least 2006. Sadiq can make plays all over the field as a receiver, and his ability to contribute as an in-line blocker would help keep Los Angeles' run game operating at a high level.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Denver's receiver room is already crowded, but the offense is still waiting for someone to emerge as a consistent playmaker alongside Courtland Sutton. Concepcion's route-running skills make him a tough cover, and Sean Payton could maximize the Texas A&M star's ability to make plays after the catch.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
New England leaned on blitz packages to terrorize opposing quarterbacks during the playoffs. Mike Vrabel's defense can take things to another level by consistently collapsing the pocket with a four-man rush. Parker, who capped off his college career with three sacks and 10 pressures against South Carolina, would help the Patriots get there.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Riq Woolen is scheduled to be a free agent in March, potentially leaving a significant need in a key spot on Mike Macdonald's defense. After a home-run pick with Nick Emmanwori last year, why not go back to the well of South Carolina defensive backs? Though not as physically imposing as Seattle's versatile safety, Cisse offers plenty of athletic upside at cornerback.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.