2026 NFL mock draft: Jets, Cowboys shake up first round with top 10 trades

I enjoyed seeing the reactions to Fernando Mendoza’s size on social media during the combine. Yes, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound QB who had Miami defenders (some of whom will be early picks) bounce off him during his TD run in the title game is big. Who would’ve thunk it?

I’ve seen some mocks drop Arvell Reese after the combine, but I’m holding strong here. As far as what he already is, and what he may yet become, Reese remains the most enticing defensive prospect in this class.

I had the Cardinals go OT here last time, and while it’s the more pressing need, David Bailey strikes me as a better value for the Cardinals with this pick than the available tackles.

Everything the Titans do should be to support Cam Ward, and that includes a ground game. The Titans had one of the least explosive rushing attacks in the NFL last year. Love immediately fixes that.

Would we all prefer if Carnell Tate ran a 4.2? Of course. You take his size and skill and throw 4.2 speed on it, and you have a guy who is probably the No. 1 pick in the draft! While I still prefer Makai Lemon slightly, Tate strikes me as a better fit for Jaxson Dart’s skill set.

The Browns have already begun addressing their offensive line via trade, but there’s still more work to be done. Francis Mauigoa is another big step in the right direction.

Arm length is the conversation du jour in draft circles (thanks, Will Campbell), and I understand why teams will be concerned about Rueben Bain Jr’s. Still, I don’t care. Watch him play football. Maybe he won’t get 20 sacks in a season, but he’s going to make your defense better in all facets.

The memes of Makai Lemon staring into your soul during his combine press conference were amusing, but don’t let them distract you from the fact that he’s the most natural wide receiver in the class.

Sonny Styles wowed everyone at the combine and helped his stock. So much so that the Cowboys are willing to move into the top 10 to swipe him before somebody else can.

The Jets have plenty of draft capital, so it wouldn’t shock me to see them move up for their second bite at the apple. With Caleb Downs still available, this makes a lot of sense, as Aaron Glenn is able to add Arvell Reese and Downs to his defense. It’s suddenly a much stronger unit in the front and back end.

Mansoor Delane is my top corner in the class and will improve a Miami secondary in need of improvement. He’s the best pure cover corner in the class.

The Chiefs move down a few spots, accumulate some extra picks and then draft a long-term Travis Kelce replacement. It’ll be a lot of fun to see what Andy Reid cooks up with both Kelce and Sadiq on the field together.

It may not be the most pressing need for the Rams, but with two first-rounders, they take a swing on Monroe Freeling’s potential and look to grab somebody who could be the franchise’s left tackle for the next decade.

Maybe this is too early for Olaivavega Ioane, but aside from the “tackles who might be guards,” he’s the best guard on my board. The Ravens could use some reinforcements on the interior of their line.

The production didn’t always match the traits during his time at Clemson, but T.J. Parker would add another body to a Tampa pass rush that could use more help.

I could see the Bengals taking a shot on an offensive lineman at this spot after trading down, but for my money, Caleb Banks is the better value. The Bengals OL gets plenty of attention, but it’s not the only line of scrimmage Cincinnati can improve upon.

The Lions have begun overhauling their offensive line, and Taylor Decker isn’t getting any younger at left tackle. It may make more sense to go defense here as it’s a more pressing need, but Kadyn Proctor is an enticing prospect who could begin his career at guard while being groomed as Decker’s long-term replacement.

Dillon Thieneman is another player who did himself a world of good during the combine. He was excellent for Oregon last year, and his athleticism was blinding in Indianapolis. The Vikings have to replace Harrison Smith, and Thieneman might just be the answer.

I really like Keldric Faulk as a prospect, though I do wonder where his long-term position is. He’s a big boy, and he’s still very young. There’s room to grow, but he already shows a good understanding of how to get after the QB.

The Cowboys need to help their pass rush, and while Akheem Mesidor is pretty tapped out by now (he turns 25 in April), he’s a good player who will have an immediate impact in Dallas.

I had the Steelers take a QB here last time, but I sense some of the steam is fading on Ty Simpson lately, and I’m no longer as confident we’ll see two QBs go in the first. So this time, I have the Steelers taking Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, who is great value here and could fly up boards depending on how he performs at his pro day.

Spencer Fano takes a tumble compared to where I had him in my last mock, but it’s not because I like him less. It’s because teams seem rattled about arm length at OT after watching Will Campbell get wrecked in the Super Bowl. Fano could be best suited as a guard in the NFL, and that’s where I think the Chargers would put him.

Avieon Terrell is not huge, but he’s sticky, tough, mean and confident. If he were two inches taller, he’d be a top-10 pick. As is, he’s an excellent late-first-round value for the Eagles.

Having added another offensive lineman with their first pick, the Browns now look to help their passing attack, taking Washington’s Denzel Boston. He isn’t a burner, but he’s an excellent route runner with strong hands and a big body that will help move the chains and score points in the red zone.

Zion Young is, well, young, compared to a lot of the other EDGE prospects in this class. The Bears have needs all over their defense, but their pass rush was anemic in 2025. Young may not make an immediate impact but could prove to be a monster with further development.

Omar Cooper Jr. had a great combine that helped his stock considerably. Buffalo needs weapons at receiver, and Cooper strikes me as the kind of player who would know how to find the space to help Josh Allen when he extends plays for 20 minutes.

I don’t know what the plan is with Trent Williams (my plan would be to always want Trent Williams on your team), but whether he’s back or not, the 49ers should look to improve their offensive line. Caleb Lomu is a prospect who could go much earlier than this.

Blake Miller had an outstanding combine. In a class with a lot of tackles who might not be tackles, there’s no questioning Miller’s measurements for the position. He also showed outstanding strength and athleticism in on-field drills. All of that said, he’s never been someone who truly stands out on tape when I watch him. He’s always struck me as good, not great.

Jermod McCoy missed all of 2025 with an ACL tear and did not work out at the combine. Because of that, I have dropped him from where I initially had him. Still, he was outstanding in 2024, and as long as teams are happy with his medicals by draft day, he’s likely going to remain a first-round pick. The question is, how early does he go? Right now, this could be an absolute steal for the Rams.

CJ Allen doesn’t have the elite athleticism of other Georgia linebackers who have gone in the first round this decade, but he’s still a good athlete with strong instincts and the kind of leadership skills you look for at the position.

Will Eli Stowers ever be the kind of tight end you’re thrilled to leave in-line helping block pass rushers or set the edge in the run game? Probably not. But he will be a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties in the passing game, and a useful chess piece for a smart offensive coordinator.

Just what Seattle needs: another defensive back. I don’t know which direction the Seahawks go here. I can just as easily see them trading out of the spot (they only have four picks) as making a pick, but for this exercise, I’ve got them taking yet another aggressive corner who helps in both the pass and run game.