A mock draft is a work of fiction, but it's based on real people. You have the drafters and the draftees. How do the wants and needs of the former correspond to the strengths and weaknesses of the latter? That's what decides how the story unfolds.
But in each mockventure, an additional plot device shapes the narrative: POSITIONAL VALUE. It's the pesky precept that lingers around the highest draft slots. Every mock drafter is reticent to spend a top pick on a running back, off-ball linebacker or safety. And yet, in this particular draft class, three of the most universally acclaimed players happen to play those three positions: RB Jeremiyah Love, LB Sonny Styles and S Caleb Downs. My esteemed colleague Daniel Jeremiah had each of them in the top 10 of his initial prospect rankings. So, what if I have each of them in the top 10 of my initial mock? It's an idea that's far from far-fetched -- especially in this draft, which feels short on star power at the so-called premium positions.
That notion served as inspiration for the tale that is told below, but this yarn spins out beyond the top 10. Grab a refreshment, settle into your favorite reading chair and join me on a virtual voyage through the entire first round. (Or just jump to your team and curse my selection.)
NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.
Since the start of the common draft era back in 1967, just two players have received the Heisman Trophy, won a national title and been selected No. 1 overall in the ensuing offseason: Cam Newton and Joe Burrow. Mendoza is about to join the club. Not only is he the clear QB1 in this class, but he feels like a fit with these Raiders. Mendoza’s maniacal obsession with the game will undoubtedly endear him to Tom Brady, and the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder’s skill set seems like it'll play in Klint Kubiak’s scheme.
While the No. 1 overall pick's essentially a foregone conclusion, No. 2 is anything but. That said, this explosive edge rusher presumably will receive serious consideration. In Aaron Glenn’s debut season as head coach, the Jets finished 31st in sacks with just 26, the franchise’s lowest total of this millennium. Meanwhile, Bailey just tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks.
Freshly minted head coach Mike LaFleur spent the past three years coordinating a Rams offense fronted by big, burly blockers, so it’d make plenty of sense for the Cardinals to grab the 6-6, 335-pound Mauigoa. With athletic 24-year-old Paris Johnson Jr. capably manning the blindside, Arizona can form an enticing, young bookend duo by selecting this rugged right tackle who will still be 20 on draft night.
Tennessee’s roster has plenty of holes, and it’s not hard to imagine Robert Saleh infusing his defense with some fresh edge talent. However, the Titans’ new head coach understands the all-important need to support last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward.
"Building a structure for him that doesn't ask him to be Superman 60 plays a game will be at the front of our minds," Saleh said last month.
Tennessee gave the young quarterback a trio of complementary pieces (Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm and Elic Ayomanor) in last year’s fourth round, but how about landing a true sidekick with this year’s fourth overall pick? Love’s the kind of multi-faceted home run hitter Ward could lean on.
Jaxson Dart needs to protect himself from unnecessary carnage, but the Giants must do everything in their power to maintain a clean pocket. If solid pass blocker Jermaine Eluemunor departs in free agency, he’ll leave a gaping hole at right tackle. Barring extreme belief in 2025 fifth-rounder Marcus Mbow, New York would be wise to grab this dancing bear who didn’t allow a sack in his final 23 games at Utah, per Pro Football Focus.
A relatively obscure prospect at this time last year, Reese saw his draft stock skyrocket during the 2025 season, with some touting him as the best overall player in this class. So, why does he fall out of the top five here? Well, I’m still not entirely sure how the hybrid linebacker/edge will be deployed in the NFL. And that uncertainty, at least in this hypothetical world, ultimately results in a homecoming for the Cleveland native. The move from Columbus is a short one, and the upside in the Browns defense is profound. Does Reese line up next to Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger or across from Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett? Fun question to ponder.
Dan Quinn’s defense just bottomed out, ranking 27th in points allowed and dead last in total D. The unit has needs on all three levels, but this safety can also provide a necessary culture boost, as a high-IQ alpha who just captained Ohio State’s top-ranked defense. Downs might lack the raw physical traits to blow up the NFL Scouting Combine, but he offers the mature, versatile game to immediately thrive in today’s multiple-defense league.
The Ohio State run continues! With New Orleans attempting to rebuild on the fly and Demario Davis ticketed for free agency, it might be time for the two parties to go their separate ways. Davis was still a top-end starter this past season, to be sure, but he turned 37 in January and seems interested to see which suitors could emerge on the open market. As a converted safety with true three-down ability, Styles feels like a prototypical modern linebacker. In fact, Lance Zierlein comps him to the prototypical modern linebacker: Fred Warner.
The injury history is concerning, meaning the combine medicals will be the most important part of Tyson’s business trip to Indianapolis. But from a pure size/skills perspective, this feels like the most complete receiver in another deep class at the position. A refined route runner with alignment versatility, Tyson routinely dunks on defenders downfield, but he also possesses the YAC ability to turn short passes into long gains. Patrick Mahomes certainly could use this kind of weapon.
In this mock, the first round is a flat circle for Bengals fans, with Cincinnati going back to the edge well for the third time in four drafts. Last year’s selection, Shemar Stewart, was a raw, built-in-a-lab athlete with an alarming lack of college production. Bain’s the opposite: an accomplished, squatty-bodied grinder who just posted an FBS-best 83 pressures, per PFF. Twenty-four of those pressures -- as well as five sacks -- came in a four-game CFB playoff run that fully showcased his violent game-wrecking ability. Bain’s arm length will be a thing at the combine, but I have to imagine the Bengals would be overjoyed to snatch him up at No. 10.
The first cornerback off the board didn’t play a snap last season. And I’m not pulling a stunt here. That’s just how impressive McCoy was in 2024, before he tore his ACL while training in January of ’25. If the medicals check out in Indy, this seems like the toolsiest CB in the class. Miami’s need at the position couldn’t be more dire.
Smooth, sticky and savvy in coverage, Delane’s a no-brainer pick for the team that just fielded the league’s worst pass defense. While the Cowboys allowed 251.1 passing yards per game, Delane gave up 163 on the season. That figure comes courtesy of PFF, who also credited the LSU cover man with the lowest passer rating allowed in coverage last year at 31.3. Friendly reminder: 39.6 is the passer rating of the hypothetical quarterback who spikes the ball every play.
Having just missed out on the top two cornerbacks in this simulation, Los Angeles adds more firepower to its top-ranked offense. With Matthew Stafford back under center in 2026, the reigning MVP is rewarded with an acrobatic vertical threat for his ageless arm to exploit. Sean McVay can tenderize defenses with heavy personnel, then flash-fry them with a three-receiver set of Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Tate.
Baltimore needs help on the offensive interior. In this draft class, Ioane is widely considered the best interior blocker. Some folks -- Daniel Jeremiah included -- have him as the top offensive lineman, inside or out.
With Lavonte David pondering retirement, Todd Bowles has to be thinking about finding a new defensive nerve center. Allen’s scouting report screams GREEN-DOT DEFENDER. A starter for the last two-plus seasons on Georgia’s loaded roster, the linebacker fully bloomed in 2025, earning first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. Everyone raves about his football IQ and leadership skills, but some question his ability in coverage. The combine workout looms large.
Lemon has drawn a lot of comparisons to fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown, someone Aaron Glenn is quite familiar with. St. Brown, of course, has served as one of the true culture-setters in Detroit’s inspiring rise from decades of despair. Glenn’s trying to replicate that transformation with the long-suffering Jets, so it tracks that he'd grab a hard-nosed playmaker to complement talented WR1 Garrett Wilson.
Brad Holmes evidently yearns for a colossal edge-setter to put opposite Aidan Hutchinson. It’s why the Lions general manager keeps signing Marcus Davenport despite the 6-6, 285-pounder's extensive injury history. Conveniently, Auburn lists Faulk with those exact same physical dimensions. And while the 21-year-old still needs to develop a pass-rushing plan, he's already the kind of run-stuffing beast that this Lions regime treasures.
Last offseason, emerging star Camryn Bynum departed for a major payday in free agency. This offseason, franchise exemplar Harrison Smith appears to be headed for a well-earned retirement. Minnesota needs to replenish the safety position, and in Brian Flores’ controlled-chaos defense, versatility is a must. Insert Thieneman, who lined up all over the place at Purdue and Oregon, starting every game in three highly productive college seasons. This draft slot might seem a little high at the moment, but Thieneman has the raw athleticism to blow up the combine and fill up the bandwagon.
Despite inconsistent production during his three years at Oregon, Sadiq’s the unanimous TE1 in this class because of his immense athletic upside. He looks like a mismatch weapon. In last April’s first round, Carolina gave Bryce Young a true WR1 in Tetairoa McMillan, and the quarterback helped snap a seven-year playoff drought. With another big-bodied target in his arsenal, Young might guide this team to even greater heights. Or he might not. But the Panthers need to figure out whether the former No. 1 overall pick deserves a lucrative long-term extension. Give him another reason to succeed.
After trading Micah Parsons last August, the Cowboys could lose Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler Jr. and Sam Williams in free agency. Donovan Ezeiruaku, last year’s second-round pick, flashed a well-rounded game in Year 1, but he needs some help on the edge. Mesidor might be gone by the time Dallas goes on the clock at No. 20, but the Miami product’s advanced age (turns 25 in April) could push him down the board. On the plus side, he might have the most advanced pass-rushing arsenal in this draft after six seasons (and 52 starts) at the college level.
New Steelers coach Mike McCarthy wants his old quarterback back in Pittsburgh, and NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero recently reported “the odds are increasing” that Aaron Rodgers returns for a 22nd season. If that is indeed the plan, the Steelers must supply the 42-year-old with more catch-and-run playmakers. Rodgers doesn’t threaten defenses downfield anymore. The man just averaged a measly 5.9 air yards per attempt, per Next Gen Stats, easily the lowest figure among qualified quarterbacks. Concepcion’s a quick-twitch separator, but he needs to clean up the drops -- especially if he’s going to be playing with a notoriously demanding quadragenarian.
With Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack on expiring contracts, Los Angeles needs to address the OLB spot opposite breakout Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu. Jim Harbaugh and Co. seem to prefer bigger edges who bring it against the pass and run. Parker fits the bill. He went viral at the Senior Bowl for forklifting an offensive tackle with his signature long-arm move.
Lane Johnson just said he’ll be back in 2026, but the future Hall of Famer turns 36 in May, so Philadelphia has to think about the long-term plan at right tackle. Howie Roseman likes to stockpile trench talent, and the Eagles GM values size, strength and SEC pedigree. He’d emphatically check all three boxes with this selection. A mountain of a man at 6-7, 366 pounds, Proctor was a Day 1 starter at Alabama and ranked second on Bruce Feldman’s most recent College Football Freaks List.
Cleveland’s offensive line fell apart over the last few seasons, and the five linemen who started the most games in 2025 all have expiring contracts. We’re looking at an extreme makeover of the entire unit, which is why it feels necessary for the Browns to use at least one of their first-round picks on a blocker. Lomu still has room for development, but he was Utah’s left tackle for the past two seasons, forming an imposing bookend duo with Spencer Fano.
Chicago’s league-best 33 takeaways covered up a lot of issues with the defense, including a porous front against the ground game. The Bears allowed 5.0 yards per carry (29th in the NFL) and 134.5 rushing yards per game (27th). I prescribe 326 pounds of run-stuffing beef. A first-team AP All-American on Ohio State’s stifling defense last season, McDonald piled up a whopping 65 tackles, including nine for loss. And he showed pass-rushing upside with three sacks.
Josh Allen needs better weaponry in the passing game. The Bills haven’t spent a first-round pick on a wide receiver since they drafted Sammy Watkins fourth overall in 2014. They did take Keon Coleman at the top of Round 2 a couple years ago, but that selection hasn’t worked out as planned. (Just ask the owner.) If the team’s still looking for a big-bodied ball winner, Boston could be a nice value at No. 26.
Trent Williams can’t play forever. And Freeling probably needs some time to marinate in the NFL before taking over as a full-time starter. Seems like an ideal mentorship situation for San Francisco. Extremely long and athletic, Freeling boasts rare traits that could shoot him up the draft board in the coming months. But he made just 16 starts at Georgia and would benefit from filling out his frame before taking on the edge monsters in the NFL.
After missing most of last season with a foot injury, Banks revitalized his draft stock with an eye-opening performance at the Senior Bowl. A striking specimen at 6-6 and 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, Banks has game-wrecking potential on the interior. Putting him between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter would make Houston’s ferocious defense even scarier.
A cornerback would make a lot of sense here. But seeing how the Rams have only used one top-100 pick on the position over the last 11 drafts -- David Long at No. 79 overall in 2019 -- it feels like Les Snead’s famous motto needs a slight tweak: F--- THEM CB PICKS! And with Kam Curl on the verge of free agency, safety is another need in the secondary. McNeil-Warren isn’t a household name coming out of Toledo, but the buzz is building in the pre-draft process.
With 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons in Denver, John Franklin-Myers has been an underrated stud on Vance Joseph’s face-melting front. The pending free agent is poised to cash in on the open market, though, putting IDL among the Broncos’ bigger needs. At this time one year ago, Woods appeared destined for the top 10. But like the Clemson team as a whole, the ballyhooed big man suffered a down season. With his draft stock in flux, Woods could land with a contender and ultimately prove to be a steal.
The Patriots have a fine pair of interior disruptors in Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, but if stout NT Khyiris Tonga departs in free agency, they could use an immoveable object against the run. How about a 6-4, 330-pounder nicknamed “The Fridge”?
This mock just experienced a late run on defensive tackles, so it’s fitting to close out the proceedings with someone who could block those guys. Seattle won the Lombardi Trophy with a spectacularly well-rounded roster, but one undeniable weak spot was right guard. This isn’t an overreaction to the embarrassing Super Bowl rep vs. Milton Williams; Anthony Bradford was a liability all season long. Last April’s savvy selection of Grey Zabel at No. 18 overall fortified one guard slot. Now, John Schneider can complete the position’s renovation with the final pick of Round 1.
