John's Final 2026 Mock Extravaganza
My 2026 Final Mock Extravaganza is based on all the research I've done, Vegas betting odds, and gut feelings I have for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft is on my birthday this year and I want nothing more than to listen to Mel Kiper scream about god knows what on national television. In the past, I tended to get caught up mocking what I think teams should do so this year I will do my best to mock what I think they will do regardless of who I would draft if I were in their position. I am not a GM, but I like to think I would have done a better job for the Jets at least. Maybe I should find another hobby, but I won't.
Some are saying this draft isn't as good as past drafts, but they say that every year. "They" said 2021 was an incredible draft for Quarterbacks, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance are barely in the league anymore. Just like every draft, some will succeed, some will not. There will definitely be a handful of guys going way earlier or later than consensus. I have either created a masterpiece or wasted my time.
The NFL Draft is on my birthday this year and I want nothing more than to listen to Mel Kiper scream about god knows what on national television. In the past, I tended to get caught up mocking what I think teams should do so this year I will do my best to mock what I think they will do regardless of who I would draft if I were in their position. I am not a GM, but I like to think I would have done a better job for the Jets at least. Maybe I should find another hobby, but I won't.
Some are saying this draft isn't as good as past drafts, but they say that every year. "They" said 2021 was an incredible draft for Quarterbacks, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance are barely in the league anymore. Just like every draft, some will succeed, some will not. There will definitely be a handful of guys going way earlier or later than consensus. I have either created a masterpiece or wasted my time.
Round 1
Only lock of the draft. Mendoza had an incredible season and solidified his spot as the number one pick in the draft.
John's Team Needs:
QB, WR, DL/EDGE
John's Team Needs:
QB, WR, DL/EDGE
Somehow still a Jets fan so this is my annual complaint about drafting Zach Wilson to replace Sam Darnold. Actually, I will save it. But Zach Wilson will be playing in the CFL soon. I was going back to my original thought where Bailey is probably the cleanest edge prospect. But it seems like the pick is Reese. Reese fits the 3-4 OLB bill but he may require a bit of development and he is one of those tweener prospects. The betting markets don't even know what is going, Darren Mougey's good at this. It all depends on Mougey's preference. For what it's worth, I would take Bailey here. Is it Bailey or is it Reese? I am sticking with Reese.
John's Team Needs: QB, WR, EDGE, CB, LB
John's Team Needs: QB, WR, EDGE, CB, LB
TRADE
I think the Cowboys are coming up to get the best edge rusher and the Cardinals are desperate to trade down. They are in a "win now" mode and I am sure Jerry Jones thinks they can actually win for some reason. I would imagine they do everything in their power to move up for him so I would be more surprised if it doesn't happen. I am going to slot Bailey here with the knowledge it could be Arizona going best player available or someone coming up, like Dallas, to grab him. Trades in the top five are way easier said than done but with all the buzz around teams looking to move down and Dallas wanting to move up, I think it happens. Here is my first trade predicted and one I feel can actually happen. It is tradition for me at this point. Maybe this year I will be right.
John's Team Needs: EDGE, CB, S
I think the Cowboys are coming up to get the best edge rusher and the Cardinals are desperate to trade down. They are in a "win now" mode and I am sure Jerry Jones thinks they can actually win for some reason. I would imagine they do everything in their power to move up for him so I would be more surprised if it doesn't happen. I am going to slot Bailey here with the knowledge it could be Arizona going best player available or someone coming up, like Dallas, to grab him. Trades in the top five are way easier said than done but with all the buzz around teams looking to move down and Dallas wanting to move up, I think it happens. Here is my first trade predicted and one I feel can actually happen. It is tradition for me at this point. Maybe this year I will be right.
John's Team Needs: EDGE, CB, S
Mike Borgzoni says they will take the best player available regardless of premium position and they are not concerned with Bain's arm length. That could mean anything, I don't know I just know they aren't writing Bain off. Like I said in the intro, sometimes I feel like I should find another hobby, but I won't. Depends who they think the best player is I guess. I am torn on Love vs. Bain here. I do really have a weird feeling they may be taking Rueben Bain, but everything I have seen has said otherwise. With that being said, I cannot see them passing on the best offensive player in the draft. He will give Cam Ward an instant boost in the run game and the pass game. They could also go with Sonny Styles or the best edge rusher available.
John's Team Needs: WR, EDGE, RB
John's Team Needs: WR, EDGE, RB
I have had Caleb Downs here over Sonny Styles here for a while. I am absolutely torn. I believe Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft and I think it fits the Harbaugh way more than Styles does. Harbaugh advocated for Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore and look what happened. Positional value is out the window this year. You know what you are getting with Downs. I would be shocked, I will say it again, shocked if he makes it past New Orleans at eight. There is also no way the whole Giants staff went to that Ohio State pro day and came away feeling like they did not have good options here. They could also move down, but again, easier said than done. Vegas seems to have this pick between Styles and Downs. I still would not be shocked if they took Styles here. I also cannot see them taking Jordyn Tyson this early. There are much bigger needs to address here.
John's Team Needs: IOL, WR, DB, LB
John's Team Needs: IOL, WR, DB, LB
I have had Carnell Tate here the whole time and I am sticking with it. They can get the best receiver in the draft to give Shedeur Sanders a real chance. Then they can come up for 24 to get their tackle. They have the ammo to do it. Carnell Tate is one smooth route runner and would be a great fit.
John's Team Needs: OL, WR, QB
John's Team Needs: OL, WR, QB
7.
Washington desperately needs help on defense and Sonny Styles would more than help them. He is a freak athlete and there is not a doubt in my mind that Adam Peters would sprint to the podium to get this pick in.
John's Team Needs: CB, S, WR, RB, DL
John's Team Needs: CB, S, WR, RB, DL
8.
TRADE
This would mimic their move in 2023 when they moved back from three and then came back up from 12 to grab an offensive lineman. If they move back and stay at 12 they won't be able to grab Fano or Mauigoa who they have been linked to. It would make sense for the Saints to add more picks to fill their needs.
John's Team Needs: OL, QB, DL
This would mimic their move in 2023 when they moved back from three and then came back up from 12 to grab an offensive lineman. If they move back and stay at 12 they won't be able to grab Fano or Mauigoa who they have been linked to. It would make sense for the Saints to add more picks to fill their needs.
John's Team Needs: OL, QB, DL
Protecting Mahomes should be priority number one here, so if Fano make its here I see him being the pick. First the Super Bowl and now Mahomes tore his ACL. There has been some recent buzz around Rueben Bain that is causing his stock to fall but I would think teams have known about this since it happened and have vetted since then. The draft process typically leaves no stones unturned, unless it was Laremy Tunsil. The Chiefs don't tend to shy away from that though.
John's Team Needs: OL, CB, WR, EDGE
John's Team Needs: OL, CB, WR, EDGE
Harbaugh said he wants to build the trenches so here we go. Everyone is going to be thinking Tyson here but I am going against consensus here. They need to build the offensive line and probably take a defensive tackle in round two. Harbaugh has said so many times he wants to build the trenches. He will. Plus they have their luxury pick at five now. Vega Ioane is my sleeper pick here if Mauigoa is already off the board.
Oh well, here comes the rebuild. To me, this pick comes down to the top offensive lineman or the top edge rusher available. Just depends who is available. They are starting this rebuild in the trenches but I don't think they take a receiver just yet as they have glaring needs on the offensive line and defensive line. This comes down to best player available.
John's Team Needs: OL, DL, WR, CB, S
John's Team Needs: OL, DL, WR, CB, S
TRADE
For the first time in Mickey Loomis history they trade down. Yes, I am predicting history. But in all seriousness, I can see them wanting to move back to add more picks to take their best player available here and I can see them grabbing Jordyn Tyson. Their second best receiver had 25 catches last year, huge need. Build around Tyler Shough.
John's Team Needs: WR, OL, QB
For the first time in Mickey Loomis history they trade down. Yes, I am predicting history. But in all seriousness, I can see them wanting to move back to add more picks to take their best player available here and I can see them grabbing Jordyn Tyson. Their second best receiver had 25 catches last year, huge need. Build around Tyler Shough.
John's Team Needs: WR, OL, QB
Makai Lemon fits the Rams perfectly. I think Monroe Freeling or Kayden Proctor could also be the pick here but wide receiver feels like the preference. A lot of comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Tough slot receiver. They are a bit of a wild card here as this is Atlanta's pick so this is a bonus for them. Davante Adams is probably only going to play another two years at the most and Puka Nacua is a loose cannon. This could be the first spot for Ty Simpson as well with Matt Stafford probably only playing one or two more years. It would be the perfect situation for Simpson and they need to develop someone behind him, hence my below team need at QB but I think they can look to do that in free agency.
John's Team Needs: OL, WR,
John's Team Needs: OL, WR,
Was originally leaning edge here but after the Maxx Crosby trade that wasn't and then the Trey Hendrickson signing, it opens up the door to help out the offense. They just lost Likely in free agency to the Giants so a replacement here makes sense but they also need a guard and lost Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders. If Ioane is available he will most likely be the pick.
John's Team Needs: IOL, WR, TE, EDGE
John's Team Needs: IOL, WR, TE, EDGE
15.
A decent amount of mocks have them going defense but they did take Egbuka out of shallow left field last year, if you will. Just in the sense that no one thought they would go receiver. So they could take someone no one is expecting. After losing Mike Evans they could go with a pass catcher. Sadiq feels like a sneaky good fit here but they do need help on defense. This is my best guess here, this pick could come from deep left field.
John's Team Needs: EDGE, CB, WR
John's Team Needs: EDGE, CB, WR
Oh what could have been if they just kept Darnold. This is a best player available pick. As a Jets fan, I don't think this is necessarily who I would pick but I wouldn't be angry about it. I suppose that's all relative given how angry I was when they took Zach Wilson in 2021. It would help them in both the run game and the pass game as well as give them a red zone threat.