2026 NFL mock draft: Jets, Cowboys shake up first spherical with prime 10 trades

I loved seeing the reactions to Fernando Mendoza’s dimension on social media in the course of the mix. Sure, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound QB who had Miami defenders (a few of whom will likely be early picks) bounce off him throughout his TD run within the title sport is massive. Who would’ve thunk it?

I’ve seen some mocks drop Arvell Reese after the mix, however I am holding sturdy right here. So far as what he already is, and what he could but turn out to be, Reese stays probably the most engaging defensive prospect on this class.

I had the Cardinals go OT right here final time, and whereas it is the extra urgent want, David Bailey strikes me as a greater worth for the Cardinals with this decide than the obtainable tackles.

Every thing the Titans do must be to assist Cam Ward, and that features a floor sport. The Titans had one of many least explosive speeding assaults within the NFL final yr. Love instantly fixes that.

Would all of us desire if Carnell Tate ran a 4.2? After all. You’re taking his dimension and ability and throw 4.2 velocity on it, and you’ve got a man who might be the No. 1 decide within the draft! Whereas I nonetheless desire Makai Lemon barely, Tate strikes me as a greater match for Jaxson Dart’s ability set.

The Browns have already begun addressing their offensive line by way of commerce, however there’s nonetheless extra work to be performed. Francis Mauigoa is one other massive step in the best route.

Arm size is the dialog du jour in draft circles (thanks, Will Campbell), and I perceive why groups will likely be involved about Rueben Bain Jr’s. Nonetheless, I do not care. Watch him play soccer. Possibly he will not get 20 sacks in a season, however he will make your protection higher in all aspects.

The memes of Makai Lemon staring into your soul throughout his mix press convention had been amusing, however do not allow them to distract you from the truth that he is probably the most pure large receiver within the class.

Sonny Kinds wowed everybody on the mix and helped his inventory. A lot in order that the Cowboys are prepared to maneuver into the highest 10 to swipe him earlier than any individual else can.

The Jets have loads of draft capital, so it would not shock me to see them transfer up for his or her second chew on the apple. With Caleb Downs nonetheless obtainable, this makes a variety of sense, as Aaron Glenn is ready to add Arvell Reese and Downs to his protection. It is all of the sudden a a lot stronger unit in the back and front finish.

Mansoor Delane is my prime nook within the class and can enhance a Miami secondary in want of enchancment. He is the perfect pure cowl nook within the class.

The Chiefs transfer down a number of spots, accumulate some further picks after which draft a long-term Travis Kelce alternative. It will be a variety of enjoyable to see what Andy Reid cooks up with each Kelce and Sadiq on the sphere collectively.

It will not be probably the most urgent want for the Rams, however with two first-rounders, they take a swing on Monroe Freeling’s potential and look to seize any individual who might be the franchise’s left sort out for the subsequent decade.

Possibly that is too early for Olaivavega Ioane, however except for the “tackles who is likely to be guards,” he is the perfect guard on my board. The Ravens may use some reinforcements on the inside of their line.

The manufacturing did not at all times match the traits throughout his time at Clemson, however T.J. Parker would add one other physique to a Tampa cross rush that would use extra assist.

I may see the Bengals taking a shot on an offensive lineman at this spot after buying and selling down, however for my cash, Caleb Banks is the higher worth. The Bengals OL will get loads of consideration, however it’s not the one line of scrimmage Cincinnati can enhance upon.

The Lions have begun overhauling their offensive line, and Taylor Decker is not getting any youthful at left sort out. It could make extra sense to go protection right here as it is a extra urgent want, however Kadyn Proctor is an attractive prospect who may start his profession at guard whereas being groomed as Decker’s long-term alternative.

Dillon Thieneman is one other participant who did himself a world of fine in the course of the mix. He was wonderful for Oregon final yr, and his athleticism was blinding in Indianapolis. The Vikings have to switch Harrison Smith, and Thieneman may simply be the reply.

I actually like Keldric Faulk as a prospect, although I do marvel the place his long-term place is. He is an enormous boy, and he is nonetheless very younger. There’s room to develop, however he already exhibits a great understanding of find out how to get after the QB.

The Cowboys want to assist their cross rush, and whereas Akheem Mesidor is fairly tapped out by now (he turns 25 in April), he is a great participant who may have a right away impression in Dallas.

I had the Steelers take a QB right here final time, however I sense among the steam is fading on Ty Simpson currently, and I am not as assured we’ll see two QBs go within the first. So this time, I’ve the Steelers taking Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, who’s nice worth right here and will fly up boards relying on how he performs at his professional day.

Spencer Fano takes a tumble in comparison with the place I had him in my final mock, however it’s not as a result of I like him much less. It is as a result of groups appear rattled about arm size at OT after watching Will Campbell get wrecked within the Tremendous Bowl. Fano might be finest suited as a guard within the NFL, and that is the place I believe the Chargers would put him.

Avieon Terrell just isn’t enormous, however he is sticky, powerful, imply and assured. If he had been two inches taller, he’d be a top-10 decide. As is, he is a superb late-first-round worth for the Eagles.

Having added one other offensive lineman with their first decide, the Browns now look to assist their passing assault, taking Washington’s Denzel Boston. He is not a burner, however he is a superb route runner with sturdy arms and an enormous physique that can assist transfer the chains and rating factors within the purple zone.

Zion Younger is, nicely, younger, in comparison with a variety of the opposite EDGE prospects on this class. The Bears have wants throughout their protection, however their cross rush was anemic in 2025. Younger could not make a right away impression however may show to be a monster with additional growth.

Omar Cooper Jr. had an amazing mix that helped his inventory significantly. Buffalo wants weapons at receiver, and Cooper strikes me because the sort of participant who would know find out how to discover the area to assist Josh Allen when he extends performs for 20 minutes.

I do not know what the plan is with Trent Williams (my plan could be to at all times need Trent Williams in your staff), however whether or not he is again or not, the 49ers ought to look to enhance their offensive line. Caleb Lomu is a prospect who may go a lot sooner than this.

Blake Miller had an impressive mix. In a category with a variety of tackles who won’t be tackles, there is no questioning Miller’s measurements for the place. He additionally confirmed excellent power and athleticism in on-field drills. All of that stated, he is by no means been somebody who actually stands out on tape after I watch him. He is at all times struck me nearly as good, not nice.

Jermod McCoy missed all of 2025 with an ACL tear and didn’t work out on the mix. Due to that, I’ve dropped him from the place I initially had him. Nonetheless, he was excellent in 2024, and so long as groups are blissful along with his medicals by draft day, he is possible going to stay a first-round decide. The query is, how early does he go? Proper now, this might be an absolute steal for the Rams.

CJ Allen does not have the elite athleticism of different Georgia linebackers who’ve gone within the first spherical this decade, however he is nonetheless a great athlete with sturdy instincts and the sort of management expertise you search for on the place.

Will Eli Stowers ever be the sort of tight finish you are thrilled to go away in-line serving to block cross rushers or set the sting within the run sport? Most likely not. However he will likely be a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties within the passing sport, and a helpful chess piece for a sensible offensive coordinator.

Simply what Seattle wants: one other defensive again. I do not know which route the Seahawks go right here. I can simply as simply see them buying and selling out of the spot (they solely have 4 picks) as making a decide, however for this train, I’ve acquired them taking one more aggressive nook who helps in each the cross and run sport.