Mock Draft NFL - 2026 NFL Draft

2026 NFL Mock Draft — Lou Pickney

NOTE: The projected draft order is based on Tankathon as of this writing. Learn why Pickney's analysis is valued here.

Last updated: January 28, 2026

QB, Indiana
Mendoza is a confident passer with clean mechanics and timing. His poise and leadership make him an ideal tone-setter for a young offense. The Raiders finally get a long-term answer under center with this selection.
LB, Ohio State
Reese is a rangy second-level defender who flies sideline to sideline. His burst and length show up in both pursuit and coverage. The Jets add a new defensive centerpiece who can stay on the field for all three downs.
OT, Utah
Fano brings light feet and natural balance to the tackle spot. He fits perfectly in a scheme that asks its linemen to move in space and protect on the edges. Arizona invests in long-term protection for its franchise quarterback.
EDGE, Texas Tech
Bailey explodes off the snap and consistently stresses offensive tackles with his first step. He plays with a relentless motor that shows up late in games. The Titans reload their pass rush with a true edge playmaker.
CB, LSU
Delane is a smooth, patient cover man who mirrors receivers with ease. His instincts allow him to jump routes without sacrificing discipline. The Giants secure a potential shutdown corner to anchor their secondary.
OT, Miami
Mauigoa is a mauling tackle who overwhelms defenders in the run game. His power and anchor give him a high floor in pass protection. Cleveland doubles down on its identity by adding another tone-setting lineman.
EDGE, Miami
Bain wins with heavy hands, leverage, and a nonstop motor. He can kick inside on passing downs and still create pressure. Washington reloads its defensive front with another disruptive chess piece.
WR, Ohio State
Tate is a polished route runner who consistently creates separation. He tracks the ball naturally and finishes through contact. The Saints add a future WR1 to stabilize their passing attack.
RB, Notre Dame
Love is a dynamic back with burst, vision, and soft hands out of the backfield. He fits perfectly in a spread, space-oriented offense. Kansas City gives its star quarterback another explosive weapon to stress defenses.
S, Ohio State
Downs is a savvy, instinctive safety who always seems to be around the ball. He’s a reliable tackler with the range to patrol the deep third. Cincinnati lands a defensive quarterback on the back end of its secondary.
CB, Tennessee
McCoy is a competitive corner with quick feet and strong short-area agility. He thrives in man coverage and rarely loses phase downfield. Miami adds another sticky cover man to match up with high-powered passing games.
LB, Ohio State
Styles is a hybrid defender who blurs the line between linebacker and safety. He’s at his best attacking downhill and matching up with tight ends. Dallas gets a modern chess piece tailor-made for sub-packages.
WR, Arizona State
Tyson brings vertical juice and smooth acceleration to the Rams’ receiver room. He tracks the deep ball naturally and shows good sideline awareness. Los Angeles adds another field-stretcher to keep its offense explosive.
DT, Clemson
Woods is a stout interior defender who controls gaps with power and leverage. He consistently collapses the pocket from the inside. Baltimore reinforces its defensive identity with another bully in the trenches.
EDGE, Auburn
Faulk is a long, explosive edge rusher who converts speed to power with ease. His length allows him to affect throwing lanes and set the edge. Tampa Bay reloads its pass rush with another high-upside disruptor.
CB, Clemson
Terrell is a smooth technician at corner with strong ball skills. He rarely panics with his back to the ball and trusts his technique. The Jets double down on defense with another high-upside cover man.
OT, Alabama
Proctor is a massive tackle prospect with rare size and power. He engulfs defenders in the run game and shows a sturdy anchor in pass protection. Detroit continues to build one of the league’s most imposing offensive lines.
DT, Ohio State
McDonald is a powerful interior defender who plugs run lanes and eats double teams. He flashes the ability to penetrate and disrupt in the backfield. Minnesota shores up the middle of its defensive front with this pick.
TE, Oregon
Sadiq is an athletic tight end who moves like a big wideout. He threatens the seam and creates mismatches against linebackers and safeties. Carolina gives its young quarterback a versatile security blanket in the passing game.
EDGE, Miami
Mesidor is a disruptive edge defender with the versatility to slide inside on passing downs. His first step and heavy hands consistently stress protections. Dallas keeps its defensive front fresh and dangerous with Mesidor, who turns 25 on April 5.
QB, Alabama
Simpson is an athletic passer with a live arm and the ability to create outside structure. He’s comfortable attacking downfield and throwing on the move. Pittsburgh bets on his upside as its next long-term signal-caller.
OL, Penn State
Ioane is a versatile interior lineman who can line up at guard or center. He plays with a strong base and good balance in pass protection. The Chargers invest in keeping their franchise quarterback upright and clean.
WR, USC
Lemon is a crafty route runner with excellent short-area quickness. He’s dangerous after the catch and thrives on option routes. Philadelphia adds another versatile weapon to stress defenses horizontally and vertically.
WR, Washington
Boston is a big-bodied target who wins with size and catch radius. He’s comfortable working in traffic and along the boundary. Cleveland gives its passing game a physical, chain-moving presence on the perimeter.
DT, Florida
Banks is a long, powerful interior defender with intriguing upside. He flashes the ability to penetrate and disrupt plays behind the line. Chicago continues rebuilding its defense from the inside out.
WR, Texas A&M
Concepcion is a shifty receiver with excellent burst and creativity after the catch. He separates quickly and thrives on quick-hitting concepts. Buffalo reloads its receiver room with another dynamic playmaker for its high-octane offense.
OL, Georgia
Freeling is an athletic lineman tailor-made for wide-zone schemes. He climbs to the second level with ease and stays engaged on blocks. San Francisco invests in keeping its offensive machine humming up front.
OL, Oregon
Pregnon is a physical interior blocker who generates movement in the run game. He finishes with an edge and brings a nasty demeanor to the line. Houston continues to fortify the protection in front of its young quarterback.
CB, San Diego State
Johnson is a confident corner with good long speed and recovery ability. He competes at the catch point and shows strong awareness in off coverage. The Rams bolster their secondary with a potential long-term starter on the outside.
LB, Georgia
Allen is an instinctive linebacker with a quick trigger against the run. He fills lanes decisively and tackles with authority. Denver adds a steady presence in the middle of its defense.
EDGE, Clemson
Parker is a twitchy edge rusher with a dangerous first step. He wins with both speed and power, stressing offensive tackles throughout the game. New England lands a much-needed source of juice off the edge.
CB, South Carolina
Cisse is a long, competitive corner who excels in press coverage. He uses his length to disrupt releases and contest throws downfield. Seattle adds another physical perimeter defender in the mold it has long preferred.

2026 NFL Draft — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23–25, 2026.