2026 NFL mock draft: Updated 1st-round projections 2 weeks out
We're almost there.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off two weeks from Thursday in Pittsburgh. Although you shouldn't be trusting much of the noise you hear at this point in the process, some recent tidbits of information can help you map out the opening round.
Here are my latest projections for the first 32 picks.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This one has been locked in for months. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah recently shared that Mendoza has been working with Brian Griese, who previously coached with Klint Kubiak in San Francisco, to begin installing the Raiders' new offense. However, there's no rush to get him on the field. The Kirk Cousins signing provides Mendoza with a veteran mentor and allows Las Vegas to be as patient as necessary with the Heisman Trophy winner.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I still think Rueben Bain Jr. would be the best pick for the Jets at No. 2, but we probably have to account for his outlier length being an issue for some teams. And while Arvell Reese may have more long-term upside, there isn't much projection required with Bailey when it comes to a full-time role on the edge. The Texas Tech star will be considered the cleanest evaluation as a pure pass-rusher in the class.
Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
Some teams will see Reese as a linebacker, while others will envision him in a full-time role on the edge. Perhaps he does a little of both, continuing with the hybrid role he played in his final season at Ohio State. Either way, the Cardinals would be getting a foundational talent who can help lead the defense into the future.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This is where the draft starts to get interesting, as the Titans could go in any direction with the No. 4 pick. Some will argue passionately against selecting a running back this early. But in a class with so many question marks at the top, why not take the elite talent? Love's presence would go a long way toward bolstering Cam Ward's supporting cast.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Linebacker probably isn't the most glaring need on the Giants' roster, and it's reasonable to question spending this kind of draft capital at the position. However, Styles is a special talent. His freakish athletic traits, along with the consistent finishing ability as a tackler, could yield some incredible production working behind a loaded defensive front.
Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia
In a perfect world, the Browns would round out the offensive line and find a potential No. 1 receiver with their pair of first-round picks. I've gone back and forth on the order I expect them to attack those needs, but the few true left tackles in this class could be gone by No. 26. Freeling's ceiling in that spot should end up getting him drafted earlier than many expect.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
It seems like it's only a matter of time before Brandon Aiyuk reunites with Jayden Daniels in Washington. But with the 49ers slow-playing that process, and Aiyuk still yet to see the field since his 2024 knee injury, that can't be the only move Washington makes to bolster the receiver room alongside Terry McLaurin. Tate's combination of route-running skills and contested-catch prowess could make him a star at the next level.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Though the Saints may be inclined to make a splash at receiver as they continue to build the offense around Tyler Shough, the defense needs help at some point, too. McCoy was looking like an early first-round pick before missing the 2025 campaign with a torn ACL. An impressive pro day confirmed that he has the athletic traits to match his high-end cover skills at corner.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Again, Bain shouldn't slide this far, but several teams will likely shy away from him because of his arm length. The Chiefs, who desperately need pass-rush juice up front, probably wouldn't be one of them. If the idea of the perennial Super Bowl contenders coming away with this kind of steal doesn't sit well with you, wait to see who Kansas City ends up with at No. 29.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is another player who, based on talent, should be long gone by this point. However, a safety hasn't been selected in the top 10 since Jamal Adams in 2017, so nobody should be surprised if he's in for a bit of a wait. Similar to Kyle Hamilton in 2022, this could make Downs one of the best values in the entire draft. The Ohio State star can be a stabilizing force for a dreadful Bengals defense.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The new staff in Miami faces a daunting task to rebuild this roster. Going with the best player available at a premium position feels like the right way to start that process. Delane's potential as a true No. 1 corner just so happens to fill the most glaring need to help new head coach Jeff Hafley start laying the foundation for his defense.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Cowboys landed Rashan Gary and Osa Odighizuwa as part of a busy start to the offseason, which means Dallas doesn't have to prioritize the defensive line with their first of two Day 1 picks. Thieneman is an elite athlete whose playmaker instincts and range over the top would provide a massive boost to the secondary.
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Receiver will continue to be a popular pick here, but the Rams could also stand to round out the offensive line. Mauigoa, a three-year starter at right tackle for Miami, would further strengthen the league's most efficient run game while also improving the pass protection for Matthew Stafford.
Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
The Ravens have to address the interior offensive line after losing Tyler Linderbaum to free agency. Iaone won't be a center at the next level, but Baltimore could use an impact guard, too. The Penn State product offers an appealing blend of power and athleticism, giving him a real case as the best overall lineman in this class.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Cade Otton is back on a three-year, $30-million deal, so this might seem like a strange fit. As the Bucs demonstrated last year, though, they won't be deterred from selecting the best player available. Sadiq's rare athletic traits could make him the ideal running mate for Otton, adding another playmaker to the mix following Mike Evans' departure.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Jets give some love to the offense after getting their pass-rusher at No. 2. Lemon is a bit of a polarizing prospect since some view him as an undersized target limited to slot duties. However, his route-running skills, playmaking ability after the catch, and general competitiveness make him, in my view, the best wideout in this class.
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said this week that he's heard that the Lions "love" Kadyn Proctor. Yeah, I'll buy that. At 6-foot-7, 352 pounds, the Alabama standout is one of the most imposing offensive line prospects you'll ever see. With Penei Sewell likely shifting to the left side to replace Taylor Decker, Proctor's overwhelming power and sneaky athleticism make him an excellent long-term fit at right tackle.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Avieon Terrell is still probably the consensus CB3, but it's fair to wonder if he might be in for a bit of a slide after reportedly running a mid-to-high 4.6 40 at his pro day. That could bump Johnson up in his place. Some may be concerned about the level of competition, but the San Diego State product is an outstanding athlete who plays with fluidity and instincts in coverage while also doing his part in run support.
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Woods' stock appears to be down after a disappointing final season at Clemson. I'm betting that teams will focus more on the potential he showed the year prior. After a pair of big moves to bolster the front seven in free agency with Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, Woods could be the final piece for a much-improved unit. His athleticism provides upside both as a pass-rusher and against the run, making him a strong complement to Derrick Brown on the interior.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Another mock with Keldric Faulk going to the Cowboys? That's right. Although Dallas fans might be tired of seeing it, and some won't like the value on account of his pass-rush limitations, Jerry Jones will love Faulk's ability to shut down the run game on early downs. The dominant lineman's athleticism should also shine on the inside in sub packages.
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Broderick Jones seems to be trending in the right direction after last year's season-ending neck injury, but Pittsburgh should still be looking for help on the offensive line. Fano, a three-year starter at Utah, could step in at left guard for the Steelers while also providing a long-term option at tackle if the club decides to let Jones' rookie deal expire.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
The Chargers' top need couldn't be any more obvious - bolstering the interior offensive line is a must if this group is ever going to realize its potential with Justin Herbert. A physical guard with good movement skills, Pregnon is the perfect prospect to drop into a Mike McDaniel offense that also figures to feature a touch of Jim Harbaugh's smashmouth philosophy.
Max Iheanachor, OL, Arizona State
The Eagles have more immediate needs to fill if they expect to get back into Super Bowl contention, but is Howie Roseman really going to pass up the opportunity to find a successor for Lane Johnson? Iheanachor is an incredible athlete who's a natural fit for Philly's shift to a zone-heavy run game. With a year to develop, he could be an impact starter at right tackle in 2027.
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
After getting their left tackle of the future at No. 6, the Browns can take a swing on a top pass-catcher with the pick acquired in last year's Travis Hunter deal. Cooper should be firmly in the first-round conversation after showing off his explosive athletic traits at the combine. Some may see him exclusively as a slot receiver, but his ability after the catch could make him one of the league's most dangerous playmakers at that spot.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
It's not too often a nose tackle ends up being drafted in the first round. Then again, it's similarly rare to see an interior defensive line prospect who's this polished in the ground game. The Bears could take a big step forward with a player like McDonald clogging up the middle after their defense finished the 2025 campaign ranked 27th in rush success rate, according to TruMedia.
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
Bradley Chubb shouldn't be the only addition the Bills make to address their pass rush. While Lawrence may need limited exposure to the run game early on and carries some risk due to the jump in competition, he's an elite athlete and one of the rare prospects who already boasts a deep rush repertoire. This pick could pay off in a big way for Buffalo, even if some see it as a reach.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The 49ers getting healthy while also trading for Osa Odighizuwa and reuniting with Dre Greenlaw should help the front seven get back on track. The secondary could still use some reinforcements, though. McNeil-Warren fills a clear need at safety, giving new coordinator Raheem Morris a big, physical run defender who also offers playmaking traits in coverage.
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Houston is in a great position to take a chance on Banks. The Florida product will likely be sliding down draft boards after undergoing surgery for a broken foot, and he certainly didn't have the college production of your typical first-round defensive tackle. Still, the flashes were spectacular. If the Texans can help Banks tap into that upside more consistently, an already-stellar defensive line suddenly becomes downright unblockable.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
As was the case with Kansas City scooping up Bain at No. 9, Tyson probably deserves to be picked much earlier. With continued hamstring issues preventing him from any athletic testing and anonymous scouts trashing various aspects of his game, it's not difficult to imagine him falling. It's similarly easy to envision a scenario where the Chiefs are the ones to end his slide, finally getting their big-play boundary receiver and making the whole thing look foolish in hindsight.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Dolphins shouldn't force an early receiver pick to replace Jaylen Waddle, but the value and need match up nicely with Concepcion still on the board. The Texas A&M standout is a dynamic playmaker who creates easy separation at all levels of the field. His arrival can be the first step in setting Malik Willis up for success as a full-time starting quarterback.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
I like the idea of taking Denzel Boston here, but I'm admittedly operating under the assumption that the Patriots will address their receiver need by swinging a deal for A.J. Brown when his contract becomes movable after June 1. Any such plans would allow New England to bolster the defensive front in the first round instead. Parker provides some pass-rush upside off the edge, and Mike Vrabel will appreciate his pro-ready skill set in the run game.
D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Checking in at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds with sub-30-inch arms, Ponds may fall well below the Seahawks' size thresholds for the cornerback position. Perhaps this is an opportunity to make an exception. Ponds certainly doesn't play to his size in any phase of the defensive game, and he has the elite athletic traits to match his natural cover skills. This pick, bold as it may seem, could help keep Seattle's defense on top for years to come.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.