With the 2025 NFL season drawing to a close and Super Bowl LX scheduled for Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., attention has already turned toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus (PFF) released a refreshed first-round mock draft following the recent Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl showcases, highlighting several unexpected selections that could reshape Round 1. This updated 2026 NFL Draft mock reveals how key teams might address their most pressing needs on April 23rd.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Leads Off the Draft to the Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are projected to tackle their most urgent issue by selecting Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. Mendoza, who secured both the Heisman Trophy and a national championship, caught the eyes of Raiders leadership—including co-owner Tom Brady—after his standout performance in Indiana’s flawless 16-0 run capped by a 27-21 victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff title game.
PFF emphasizes Mendoza’s credentials:
“There’s no need to overcomplicate this. Mendoza was the best quarterback in the country this past season, earning a 90.7 PFF passing grade overall and a 70.6 PFF passing grade under pressure.”
?Pro Football Focus
Jets Bolster Pass Rush With Top Edge Rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
At No. 2, the New York Jets address their defense by choosing Rueben Bain Jr., the dominant edge rusher from Miami (Fla.). At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, Bain was a disruptive force last season, tallying 9.5 sacks and anchoring the Hurricanes’ defense. Although questions linger about his arm length, PFF regards Bain’s demonstrated skills highly.
PFF notes:
“Bain is my top edge rusher prospect. … Bain earned an elite 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade against true pass sets in 2025, and he chipped in an 86.2 PFF run-defense grade, too.”
?Pro Football Focus
Arizona Cardinals Select Offensive Tackle Francis Mauigoa
The Arizona Cardinals, looking to rebuild, opt for offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from Miami (Fla.) at No. 3. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 335 pounds, Mauigoa ranks among the premier offensive linemen in this class. While not considered on the same tier as Penei Sewell or Tristan Wirfs, Mauigoa offers reliability and durability, fitting well into Arizona’s offensive scheme regardless of their quarterback situation.
PFF explains:
“Mauigoa might not be a Penei Sewell- or a Tristan Wirfs-caliber prospect, but he’s a two-contract starting offensive tackle who was rock-solid this season, garnering an 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade and a 77.1 PFF run-blocking grade.”
?Pro Football Focus
Tennessee Titans Add Defensive Power with David Bailey
Following last year’s selection of quarterback Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans pivot toward defense, selecting edge rusher David Bailey from Texas Tech at No. 4. Bailey led all FBS players with 14.5 sacks in his lone season with the Red Raiders. His ability to generate pressure fits perfectly with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s system, which relies on four rushers to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
PFF highlights:
“Bailey tallied elite PFF pass-rush grades above 90.0 in each of the past two seasons. The Titans have to get more juice on the outside, especially in Robert Saleh’s defensive system, which often requires pressure on the quarterback with just four rushers.”
?Pro Football Focus
New York Giants Surprise With Wide Receiver Makai Lemon
The New York Giants make a surprise move at No. 5 by selecting wide receiver Makai Lemon from USC. Lemon, the recent Biletnikoff Award winner, finished second in the Big Ten with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions last season, averaging 96.3 receiving yards per game. This pick presents a solution to the Giants’ need for a top-tier receiving threat.
PFF says:
“It’s not often we see Lemon as the top wide receiver in a mock draft, but … he should be right there in the conversation with Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson. … Lemon earned a 91.4 PFF receiving grade overall and an 81.3 PFF receiving grade versus single coverage this past season.”
?Pro Football Focus
Cleveland Browns Opt for Offensive Tackle Spencer Fano
The Browns, facing multiple roster needs, use their first first-round pick (No. 6) to select Spencer Fano, a 6-foot-6, 308-pound offensive tackle from Utah. Despite a somewhat quieter 2025 compared to previous years, Fano remains a dependable linchpin who could stabilize Cleveland’s offensive line under new head coach Todd Monken.
PFF remarks:
“Fano didn’t have as strong a 2025 campaign compared to his previous body of work, but he still recorded PFF run-blocking and pass-blocking grades above 80.0.”
?Pro Football Focus
Washington Commanders Anchor Defense With Linebacker Arvell Reese
The Washington Commanders make a crucial defensive addition by selecting middle linebacker Arvell Reese from Ohio State at No. 7. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, Reese is regarded as the best linebacker prospect this year. His production of 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks last season makes him a key target for a Commanders defense that struggled last year.
PFF observes:
“The Commanders need more off- and on-ball linebacker production, something with which Reese can help. He played 286 snaps in the box as an off-ball backer and 327 as an on-ball edge last season.”
?Pro Football Focus
New Orleans Saints Add Workhorse Running Back Jeremiyah Love
Second-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore would get a significant boost picking Doak Walker Award winner Jeremiyah Love at No. 8. Love’s 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, combined with his average of 114.3 rushing yards per game (fifth-best nationally), address the Saints’ need for a bell-cow running back alongside aging veteran Alvin Kamara.
PFF notes:
“Love is one of the most talented players in the class, owning an elite 93.7 PFF rushing grade and a 72.7 PFF receiving grade in 2025. He is the ideal blend of size, strength, balance and explosiveness to impact the game on all three downs at a high level.”
?Pro Football Focus
Kansas City Chiefs Strengthen Defensive Line With Caleb Banks
The Chiefs, after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, look to revitalize their defense with the addition of defensive tackle Caleb Banks from Florida at No. 9. Banks, a 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman, missed much of 2025 due to injury but impressed in Senior Bowl practices, reaffirming his potential as a top-15 pick.
PFF states:
“Banks didn’t play much in 2025 due to a foot injury, but on the final two days of Senior Bowl practices, he reminded us why he was seen as a potential top-15 pick heading into the season.”
?Pro Football Focus
Cincinnati Bengals Choose Defensive Tackle Peter Woods to Anchor Defense
At No. 10, the Bengals select Peter Woods, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle from Clemson. Woods’ overall 2025 performance was lower compared to recent years, but his talent as a 3-technique pass rusher makes him a fitting choice for the Bengals, who need to improve their defense.
PFF comments:
“Woods wasn’t as good in 2025 as he was in 2024 or 2023, earning a 72.2 PFF overall grade, compared to 83.7 and 87.6 marks, but he’s still a top all-around talent at 3-technique who can hopefully anchor the middle for a long time.”
?Pro Football Focus
Rounding Out the First Round: Picks 11 to 32 Overview
The remainder of the first round features a series of promising prospects addressing various team needs. Notable selections include:
- Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
- Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Baltimore Ravens: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
- New York Jets (via IND): Jordy Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (Fla.)
- Minnesota Vikings: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
- Carolina Panthers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- Dallas Cowboys (via GB): T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
- Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
- Philadelphia Eagles: Kaydn Proctor, OT, Alabama
- Cleveland Browns (via JAX): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
- Chicago Bears: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
- Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
- San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
- Houston Texans: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
- Los Angeles Rams: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (Fla.)
- Denver Broncos: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
- New England Patriots: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Implications of the Latest Draft Projections
This updated 2026 NFL Draft mock demonstrates the high level of talent emerging from recent college turning points such as the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl. It also reflects strategic franchise decisions as multiple teams work to plug holes and build for future success. The Raiders appear poised to address their quarterback dilemma decisively, while teams like the Giants and Saints embrace bold moves at skill positions.
As draft day approaches, these picks could shift further, but the emphasis on impactful edge rushers, offensive linemen, and game-changing skill players signals a foundational shift across the NFL landscape. Fans and organizations alike face an intense wait, with scouting and evaluation processes continuing to intensify in the weeks ahead.
