GeorgiaDome Final 2026 Mock Draft

Mendoza is going #1. The Raiders made their offseason about adding tools for Mendoza's arrival including Kirk Cousins to ease the transition.

The reigning Heisman and National Champion QB projects as a solid NFL starter and is the only deserving QB to go in Round 1.

The Jets need the best player available at 2. It seems this pick is down to Arvell Reese or David Bailey. I'm sticking with Bailey as the Jets choose production over projection.

If the Jets want to have even 1 INT this year, it starts with the pass rush and Bailey has proven that more than the other EDGE guys in this draft. Combining him with McDonald and Ossai makes sense for a team building the defense this offseason and the offense in 27' with a new QB.

The Cardinals, similar to the Jets, are in a rebuild. Love is tempting but the signing of Tyler Allgeier and James Connor/Trey Benson still on the roster makes this more of luxury than a need. Their "leaked" interest could be to assist in their desire to move down and go RT with Mauigoa or Fano, whom they both like, but at #3 it would be a reach.

Instead the Cardinals take the best player available and that could be Arvell Reese. Josh Sweat was a priority pick up last year but needs a running mate. There have been rumblings that he might want a trade since Gannon was let go. Zaven Collins has been average and might move around inside more, especially on 3rd down. Either way, Arizona would solidify their pash rush and look to acquire a tackle at #34, if they don't move up for Simpson.

Note: This is most likely when the first trade will occur. The Cardinals could take Reese and he fills a need (The GM is rumored to want to stay and go edge), but most likely this pick will be moved for someone coming up for Reese or Love.

What is Cam Ward? The Titans are on a mission to find out as evident in their Free Agency acquisitions. The best way to find out is to give him a chance in the run game and Love is truly a unicorn prospect with game changing effect. Love and Pollard would give the Titans a good look at Ward running a complete offense.

Taking an RB inside the Top 5 is typically taboo in today's NFL. Only 4 have been drafted since 2010 and two were deemed "busts".

2012: Trent Richardson (No. 3, Cleveland Browns)
2016: Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4, Dallas Cowboys)
2017: Leonard Fournette (No. 4, Jacksonville Jaguars)
2018: Saquon Barkley (No. 2, New York Giants)

The other two lived up to their draft status. Love's game could have a Derrick Henry/Bijan Robinson type of effect and that is too tempting for teams to pass up especially a HC on his 2nd opportunity.

If Love is here and the Titans pass, you might as well just fire Salah. Good coaches don't repeat mistakes. Salah had a good defense with the Jets but an awful offense, which led to his dismissal. This would be the same mistake.

The Giants do not have the need for the 3 top EDGE rushers and that plays to their advantage in this mock. Tyson is rumored here but #5 is way too rich. When they traded "Sexy Dexy" for #10, I assume that was for them to get their defender at #5 and Tyson/OL at #10. Reaching at #5 doesn't make a ton of sense for Fano or Mauigoa. While solid players, tackles that go top 5 are typically franchise left tackles, not right tackles or right guards, which are the Giants needs.

Thus, this pick comes down to linebacker, or safety. While Downs is ranked higher on my board, Safeties don't typically go top 5 and his "degenerative knee" could be an issue for a team looking to make that move in the Top 5.

The Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds but need another LB. Styles has make up to be a defensive chess piece. The former safety could still be used as a "Kyle Hamilton" type piece familiar to what Harbaugh used in Baltimore but is also capable of playing traditional Mike LB or edge in a 3rd down rush package. That level of versatility will appeal to the Giants as they start to rebuild their team in the Harbaugh image.

The Browns seem like they have to go OT and WR with their two 1st round picks. The question is in what order? Carnell Tate is solid but not projected as a game breaker. He better off being Robin as opposed to Batman. After Tate, Tyson, and Lemon, there is a drop off to the next tier but the Browns sit at #24 and could catch one if they fall or target Boston or Conception.

The Browns have gravitated toward OL with their first pick but look to be desperate to move down. I don't project trades but if the Browns cannot find a partner, I expect them to take Fano at #6, as he now appears to confidently go in the first 11 picks. Fano has positional versatility across all 5 spots that will appeal to Cleveland as new HC, Todd Monken is seeing who fits into his philosophy.

If the Browns move this pick and trade down, It would be for OT Kayden Proctor, assuming Fano is off the board. The Browns reportedly love Proctor as a back-up plan for Fano.

The Commanders would love if Love was here at 7. However, those chances are pretty low. EDGE was a priority but the Commanders signed 3 guys in Free Agency and Bain hasn't been connected to Washington at this time. If Love, Styles, Bailey, or Reese are available, I expect Washington to be their floor. However, there is a good shot they are all gone at this point. Downs seems like a great projection here but the Commanders have stated they feel good at Safety with Cross, Harris, and Martin. Instead the Commanders invest in another weapon for Jayden Daniels to be successful and take the dependable Carnell Tate over the often injured Jordyn Tyson.

Tate has seemingly always been the "other" Ohio St. WR behind Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Marvin Harrison Jr. but is a solid route runner and reliable WR. Ironically, he is my WR2 this year behind Tyson. While he isn't the game breaking prospect we typically see in the Top 10, he projects as a WR that could last for 10-12 years with solid production. That would be a massive upgrade for the Commanders to open their offense and lessen the burden on Terry McLaurin.

The Saints decided to build around 2nd round QB Tyler Shough and must give him the weapons to have success under Kellen Moore. They accomplished this with RB Travis Etienne but WR is a huge need opposite Chris Olave. However, the Saints have leaked that they may decide to wait until #42 to address WR since their vacancy is a WR2 position and there are other areas of need. They also currently have 10 other WRs on the roster fighting for that spot. Instead the Saints look to boost their defense with Caleb Downs.

The Saints are currently rebuilding their defense and it is important to note that Brandon Staley is their DC and has full control. Staley got the most out of Derwin James Jr. for the Chargers and could view Downs as that leader and missing piece to unify their defense. He is no doubt a Top 5 prospect but sits at a position that has become "devalued". The Saints are rumored to love Caleb Downs and don't view his "degenerative knee" as an issue.

The Chiefs could go WR, CB, EDGE, or OL at #9. Protection for Patrick Mahomes, who is coming off a torn ACL and might not start the season, is crucial for the Chiefs to have any shot at the postseason this year but it seems the Chiefs have been zeroed in on one prospect and that is Rueben Bain.

Bain immediately slides across from Karlaftis but also brings versatility to Spagnuolo's 3rd down package. His short arms are a concern but that can be game planned. He has a relentless motor/production that is appealing to many teams despite his "physical limitations" and one of those is Kansas City, who appear to love his game.

The Giants went with their defensive chess piece at #5 and now it is time to help Jaxon Dart at #10. I really think the Giants traded "Sexy Dexy" to Cincinnati with the intention of taking Tyson or OL at #10. I think they covet Tyson but if he were to go between 7-9, they would immediate pivot to Mauigoa. If Tyson is available here, he's the pick.

Tyson has been my #1 WR this entire process, check the record going back to January. He has the body of an X but the movement skills of a Z. He can win 1v1 on the outside and is a solid route runner with production to match; 61-711-8 in 2025 in 9 games and 75-1101-10 in 2024. He has every trait you want in a #1 WR.

The problem is his injury history. He has missed games in every season suffering knee (2022/23), collarbone (2024) and hamstring (2025) injuries with the hamstring injury still a concern for some NFL teams. The Giants have done the most work on him and still have Nabers, Mooney, and Slaton as insurance policies should anything delay his start to the season. It would not shock me if they took him at #5 and waited on Downs with Mauigoa as a back-up plan.

Rebuild Mode. Miami only has 3 players from their 2023 roster. That is insane considering that was only 2 seasons ago. The Dolphins truly are rebuilding from the ground up and have needs at every position. Should a Top 10 target fall, Miami should look a just acquiring the BPA and that happened here with Francis Mauigoa, who won't have to travel far.

It can be argued that outside RB and EDGE, Miami could use an upgrade at any position. The franchise cornerstones for all teams are QB, EDGE, and OT. Miami paid QB Malik Willis, is decent at EDGE/depth, but has two incredibly average players at OT in Paul & Jackson, who has durability concerns. Mauigoa is a prototypical RT that solidifies a position for a decade. His impact is a major reason Miami went to the title game this past year. Mauigoa allows new HC Jeff Hafley to have a solid building block as Miami looks at a multi-year rebuild, which has been echoed from leadership down.

Note: Mauigoa had news hit of a herniated disc that could keep him out for the first month of the season. I don't see this news affecting Miami. They aren't prepared to compete for the postseason this year or even next.

Dallas, much like Cincinnati, are rebuilding their entire defense but are doing it at a faster speed. Manroor Delane is the top CB in this draft and could go as high as #7 to Washington, who have looked at moving down to take him. Delane brings stability to a secondary that was shredded last year. Having a true talent opposite DaRon Bland is needed over Durant or Revel.

Note: Dallas is rumored to be moving up to #3 for Bailey, Reese, or Styles. It's not out of the question but take it with a grain of salt. Jerry Jones doesn't want to part with #20 and that would complicate a move up that high. Jones just wants people talking about the Cowboys and he will do anything to keep them relevant.

Note part 2: Watch for Dillon Thieneman at #12, if Delane is off the board. The Cowboys appear to have him as the back-up option.

The Rams have been exploring WR targets around the league. Adams is another year older and, as exciting as McVay has been with his 13P package, another WR is needed to balance out the offense, especially if Adams or Nacua ever goes down.

Lemon is currently ranked as my WR #3 (behind Tyson and Tate). In my opinion, the drop off from the Top 3 to the next tier (Cooper, Boston, Conception) is pretty significant. The Rams will see Puka qualities in Lemon, who does not have to move far from his college home. Lemon will be asked to be a piece and not the savior which will alleviate the pressure as he adjusts to the league and media interviews.

The Ravens chose the player over the coach this offseason and nothing has been done to support the player. Instead the Ravens let guys walk out the door and seem like a team doing a soft rebuild rather than chasing Super Bowls.

Flowers needs a running mate, as Bateman has been inconsistent and new staff has no ties to him. The Ravens lost Isaiah Likely to the Giants this offseason and 31 year old Mark Andrews is showing his age.

Sadiq is a flex TE that rounds out the Ravens offense and gives them a true secondary threat opposite Flowers. He is an average blocker but can create mismatches for teams in 12P sets. At 6'3'' 241 lbs. and 4.3 speed, Sadiq can be a match-up problem for teams already having to account for Lamar, Henry, and Flowers.

The Bucs are rumored to want to go EDGE but taking Mesidor, Howell, or Young this high is just bad value. GM Jason Licht has repeatably said the Bucs will take the best prospect available and backed that up taking WR Emeka Egbuka last year when no one expected it. I have had the Bucs taking CJ Allen all offseason to pair with Anzalone but I no longer see him fitting in the Top 20, especially due to the run on OT and WRs. If the Bucs truly do take the BPA then this pick should be Vega Ioane.

Ioane is the top Guard in this draft and projects as a potential All-Pro type of player. The Bucs fell out of playoff contention when injuries destroyed their OL last year. They know the importance of keeping Baker upright. Ioane could form a dominant pairing with Wirfs and upgrade LG Ben Bredeson to put the Bucs back in playoff contention in a weak NFC South.

Note: The Bucs will most likely dictate the OT and WR run tonight. I really do not think they pick in this spot and instead look to move down for an EDGE such as Young, Howell, or Mesidor. I see anywhere between 2-4 teams that would look to move up to take Kadyn Proctor in front of the Lions. However, I do not predict trades because that makes Mock Drafts very messy and less fun to follow.

The advantage of having 2 first round picks is teams can use the second for a need rather than best player available. We most often see this with QB's at the end of round one with round two grades but the same principal applies. The Jets shock most media pundits and mock drafters by taking Omar Cooper Jr. at 16.

Despite being graded as a 2nd round prospect, Omar Cooper goes at #16 because Jets love him. Cooper is a solid WR2 to compliment Garrett Wilson. He has the ability to pick up yards after the catch and has experience from the slot and outside.

I have doubts about Cooper's value as a first round pick. Despite running 4.42, he doesn't run routes like a player with that speed and is a liability as a run blocker. 23 of his 69 catches were on screens and 86% of his routes were screens, hitches, or outs. He is an unknown route runner because he wasn't asked to do it a ton at Indiana and may require some time to adjust. He also struggled locating the ball on misthrows, especially those underthrown. These questions are why he is often graded as a second round WR. However, the Jets appear to covet Cooper and planned on taking him at #33, however, there is now a good shot he doesn't make it there and if the Jets like him, they most likely will have to take him at #16.