Final Predictive Mock

Published: April 7, 2026 11 Views 0 Comments Draft: 2026
One round draft. No trades.

Round 1

Picks 1-16 Picks 17-32
1.
Fernando Mendoza , QB , Indiana
The consensus No. 1 overall pick. Besides, what could be more Alpha Bro than selecting a Natty and Heisman-winning quaterback to be the face of your franchise? Tom Brady approves.
2.
Arvell Reese , LB , Ohio State
Perception matters and the phase most associated with Reese during draft season has been “violent hands.” This gives him the edge (no pun intended) over Bailey and locks up his selection at No. 2 here for the J-E-T-S.
With the Cardinals set on taking their franchise quarterback in ’27, grabbing an elite right tackle to pair with Paris Johnson Jr. makes sense. Those book end tackles will be charged with protecting whoever ‘Zona selects next year.
4.
David Bailey , DE , Texas Tech
Some have Bailey going at No. 2 because of his quickness off the edge. He fills the spot opposite Jermaine Johnson in Robert Salah’s 3-4 scheme. With Polland and Spears around, taking Love here would be a luxury Tennessee can’t afford.
5.
Sonny Styles , LB , Ohio State
After drafting Edge Abdul Carter last year, the G-Men need to solidify their linebacking corps. They do so here with Styles - a high-energy ‘backer who has been rocketing up boards due to his impressive Combine performance.
6.
Carnell Tate , WR , Ohio State
Andrew Berry grabs a receiver for the Brownies at No. 6. Tate has great hands with only one drop last season. Plus, playing for the hometown favorite Ohio State Buckeyes doesn’t hurt his case to be selected here either.
7.
Jeremiyah Love , RB , Notre Dame
This is the pick everyone (outside of the NFC East) wanted to see happen. Love would take some of the pressure off Jayden Daniels and create a two-headed rushing attack that would be difficult for opposing defenses to contain.
8.
Jordyn Tyson , WR , Arizona State
Psychology lesson: What happens when you take a risk and succeed? You try again. Saints coach Kellen Moore lucked out with Tyler Shough, Chris Olave … even Kamara staying healthy last season. They go back to the well here and select this draft’s top receiver despite his lengthy history of nagging injuries.
9.
Rueben Bain Jr. , DE , Miami
Short arms be damned, Chiefs fans would be estatic with this pick. Felix Anudize-Ozuma has been a bust and sack monster Bain Jr. takes his spot on the KC defensive line opposite George Karlaftis.
10.
Caleb Downs , S , Ohio State
Even with their signing of Bryan Cook, Cincinnati could still use a dynamic playmaker at the safety position. With edge rushers Bailey and Bain Jr off the board, Downs is the pick here as Cincy continues to shore up their defense.
Everyone knows the ‘Fins need secondary needs help. Full stop. Delane represents the first step to fixing a unit that somehow featured Storm Duck as their No. 1 cornerback and then followed that up by trading Minkah Fitzpatrick.
12.
Akeem Mesidor , DT , Miami
Jerry might not have been at the Playoff Semifinal that was Mesidor’s national coming out party … but I’ll bet he was watching somewhere. With a Top 10 offense and Bottom 5 defense, Dallas needs reinforcements. They disregard concerns about Mesidor’s age (25) and select him as their newest star edge rusher.
13.
Ty Simpson , QB , Alabama
Hear me out: Les Snead is nothing if not an independent thinker. Maybe he would pass for the WR Tyson…but he’s gone. Instead, Snead takes the chance to be legendary and transition Stafford’s final year into another Franchise QB.
14.
Vega Ioane , G , Penn State
Very chalky pick to replace the shaky guard play of Andrew Vorhees. Don’t think Eric DeCosta isn’t snickering at the thought of taking Vega away from Vegas.
15.
C.J. Allen , LB , Georgia
With Lavonte David’s retirement, the Bucs find another long-term solution at linebacker. General Manager Jason Licht has never sheid away from using first-rounders to get help in the trenches and that’s essentially what this pick represents with Allen’s elite level run stopping ability.
16.
Makai Lemon , WR , USC
Has there ever been a more ‘Jets’ selection? The Big Apple welcomes the showstopper Lemon - who makes both positive and negative headlines. He plays opposite Garrett Wilson in an offense still looking for their quarterback.
Picks 1-16 Picks 17-32