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Just like many others, Colin Cowherd is excited about the edge rusher talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, he’s so impressed with the talent at the position that he thinks five edge rushers could go in the top 15 in this year’s draft.
In his first 2026 NFL mock draft, Cowherd put on his general manager lenses and predicted what might happen with the top 15 picks.
“I am going to draft based on what I would do as general manager, and I think it will look, mostly, like the first 15 picks,” Cowherd said on Wednesday’s episode of “The Herd.”
Colin’s 1.0 Mock Draft: Who will be drafted in the Top 15? | The Herd
Does general manager Cowherd also think Mendoza should go No. 1? Who does he think the Jets should pick at No. 2? Does he have the Chiefs finding Patrick Mahomes another wide receiver at No. 9?
Here’s Cowherd’s first mock draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Cowherd’s thoughts: “That’s the easiest one. The Raiders need a quarterback. Fernando Mendoza is easily the best quarterback prospect. Is he Matt Ryan plus Heisman Winner? 16-0 at a non-traditional power, big arm, moves well, humble, gratitude, and you get that rookie quarterback contract for the next four to five years.
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech
Cowherd’s thoughts: “My second pick is a little different than everyone else’s mock. I think the Jets draft David Bailey, the best pure edge [in the draft]. He’ll stroll into the Jets — on one facet you’ll have Will McDonald, on the opposite it’s David Bailey. I hear about Arvell Reese — Arvell Reese tasks as an edge rusher. I don’t belief the Jets to get that proper. This man is a plug-and-play man. He can be beginning the primary week.”
Cowherd’s ideas: “I feel Arizona ought to name on Fernando Mendoza, however their offensive line is a wreck they usually have a brand new offensive coach. What do offensive coaches like Ben Johnson do? Resolve the offensive line. Francis Mauigoa from Miami. He can play inside or deal with — they could use him at each. The Cardinals had the Twenty sixth-ranked offensive line. He’s strong in run- and pass-blocking. They’ve acquired receivers and backs and tight ends; they have to get that O-line solved.”
4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State
Arvell Reese’s 4.46 40-yard sprint was the quickest of any defensive finish on the 2026 NFL mix. (Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures)
Cowherd’s ideas: “I feel he is too proficient to fall. He is 6-4, 240, 4.4. The Titans solely had one participant with greater than 5 sacks final yr. So I feel he is simply too proficient for Robert Saleh to go on right here.”
Cowherd’s ideas: “They want secondary assist, Caleb Downs. Finest security within the draft. He is fairly good in protection. You may convey him right here in blitzes like Nick Emmanwori. … John Harbaugh goes to like him. You may play him protection and particular groups most likely Day 1.
Cowherd’s ideas: “Their receiving core is a multitude. Shedeur Sanders is able to throwing the ball down the sector, however Jerry Jeudy is inconsistent: drop points, maturity points. Carnell Tate sort of looks like a cannot miss man to me.”
Cowherd’s ideas: “Finest nook within the draft is out of LSU. … I feel the Commanders, who’ve many points — they had been a extremely dangerous staff towards the go. He excels exterior the numbers in man protection. I imply LSU has at all times been a cornerback and broad receiver manufacturing facility. Nice instincts, wonderful size.”
Jeremiyah Love totaled 1,372 rush yards and 18 speeding touchdowns in 2025 for Notre Dame. (Picture by Stacy Revere/Getty Pictures)
Cowherd’s ideas: “He is the Jahmyr Gibbs of this draft. A house run hitter. I imply Alvin Kamara is now 30 and rushed for underneath 500 yards… I imply, they weren’t a very good run staff. Love is a plug-and-play man.”
Cowherd’s ideas: “[The Chiefs] had been twenty fifth in speeding, twenty eighth in pressures, so they have numerous wants proper now in Kansas Metropolis, however I feel No. 1 proper now’s defending Patrick Mahomes.”
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Kinds, LB, Ohio State
Cowherd’s ideas: “Had an unbelievable mix. Trey Hendrickson is out the door. Sonny Kinds is a type of guys — you recognize, on another staff, he would have been one of the best participant. However at Ohio State, he is the third or fourth-best participant. [He’s] 6–5, 245, runs a 4.5.”
11. Miami Dolphins: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.)
Cowherd’s ideas: “He is only a baller, a playmaker, and the Hurricane fanbase is gonna completely love this. Miami would not get stress on the quarterback. They had been twenty fifth final yr in getting stress on the quarterback. Look, I do not know the way good Rueben Bain is with the arm situation, however I do know, at any time when I watched Miami play, he was unblockable.”
12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn
Cowherd’s ideas: “A fantastic character man. He was like All-SEC freshman staff; he is been good for years at Auburn. Character man within the constructing … this child is nice. They want an edge rusher. He can defend the run and the go.”
13. Los Angeles Rams (by way of Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon had 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior at USC. (Picture by Stacy Revere/Getty Pictures)
Cowherd’s ideas: “Lemon can resolve two points. Davante Adams is 33. So he is the inheritor obvious to Davante Adams. And this child is unbelievable. If he will get his hand on it, he catches it.”
Cowherd’s ideas: “Had the quickest 40-time for a decent finish. He is just a little undersized, however bear in mind, Isaiah Doubtless, the Ravens tight finish, is a Ravens free agent. Mark Andrews is getting older, they usually had been prime three within the NFL in 12 personnel.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M
Cowherd’s ideas: “First-Crew All-American at Texas A&M. It’s a good edge rusher draft.”
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