The 2026 NFL Draft is in a few days, so I will do my predictions for the first round. I will only be doing one because I'm not ESPN or NFL Network. The NFL Draft is where NFL teams choose college players to be on their team. This year's draft is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, near the Steelers stadium. Let's get into it.
1. Las Vegas Raiders, Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This is a no-brainer. Mendoza is the best player in this draft class, bar none, and the Raiders would have to be dumb to pass up on him.
2. New York Jets, Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
This is where things start to get interesting. Many people say the Jets take David Bailey here, but I just don't see that happening. Reese is an incredible linebacker and a fun player to watch.
3. Arizona Cardinals, David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech
I think Bailey would be better suited in Arizona. The Cardinals defensive coordinator, Nick Rallis, was the Eagles linebacker coach when they went to the Super Bowl in 2022. Bailey had the most sacks in the country last season, and the Cardinals only had 30 sacks last year.
4. Tennessee Titans, Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love has been projected to go to Tennessee for a while now, and it makes sense. He's an incredible running back, something the Titans haven't had since Derrick Henry.
5. New York Giants, Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate was a great receiver in college, and he and Malik Nabers would be a great receiver duo.
6. New Orleans Saints (projected trade with Cleveland Browns) Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami
Browns GM Andrew Berry expressed interest in trading down in round 1. The Saints need help on defense, specifically at the edge rusher position, with Cam Jordan gone. Bain is the best edge rusher in the draft, regardless of what people say.
7. Washington Commanders, Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Commanders had the league's worst defense last year, giving up over 300 yards a game. Styles is fast, athletic, and hard to stop. Those are some needed things in DC.
8. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with New Orleans Saints), Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Browns have a ton of needs, but mostly o-line. Their o-line is banged up, and they need someone to protect whoever their QB will be, although it's likely to be Shedeur Sanders. Mauigoa is probably the best offensive lineman in this draft class. He's 6'6, 315 pounds, and can block very well.
9. Kansas City Chiefs, Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Chiefs had a rough year after making 3 straight Super Bowls. They had a terrible defense, and they need help in that secondary for sure. Caleb Downs is the answer. He can do it all.
10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Giants got the 10th pick a few days before the draft, trading Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati in exchange for the #10 pick. With that pick they should help their o-line, because they gave up 48 sacks last year. I feel like both the Giants first-round picks should be on the same side of the ball. That's just me though.
11. Miami Dolphins, Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Dolphins receiver room is a mess, with Jaylen Waddle getting traded away and Tyreek Hill being released. Makai Lemon won the Fred Biletnikoff award for the best receiver. It wouldn't make sense not to go receiver here.
12. Dallas Cowboys, Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
The Cowboys defense was horrible last year under the leadership of Matt Eberflus. It didn't help that they traded Micah Parsons right before the season began. I absolutely think they need to go defense here, and Mesidor would be a good pick, although I understand that this could be considered a reach.
13. LA Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Rams need another receiver alongside Puka Nacua. It's a good idea to go with Tyson here. He's fast, athletic and can catch.
14. Baltimore Ravens, Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Ravens offensive line isn't good, losing Tyler Lindenbaum and having no real offensive guard. They need protection for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Freeling is athletic and was very impressive at the combine. A good sign for scouts looking to get him.
15. Detroit Lions (projected trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Kadyn Procter, OT, Alabama
Procter is a great offensive tackle, and Detroit shouldn't take any chances to how far he falls, considering they need help on the o-line.
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
I understand people might not expect to see Delane fall this far, but I just feel that there are more impressive players above him. Not that he's at all bad, just there's better players. The Jets need a corner now that Sauce Gardner is gone and they have no one else.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (projected trade with Detroit Lions) Olaivavega Ione, OT, Penn State
The Buccaneers o-line is really good, but having a player like Ione wouldn't hurt. He's a fantastic blocker, and probably the best interior offensive lineman in the draft. I wouldn't be surprised if they went defense or if Ione is taken way earlier.
18. Minnesota Vikings, Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Vikings might lose Harrison Smith this offseason, so it's best to get a safety now in case he's gone. Thieneman is a fast safety and can cover quite well too. Some Vikings fans say they shouldn't take him, but what if Harrison Smith leaves? Then what do you do?
19. Carolina Panthers, Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is the best tight end in the class by far, and Bryce Young needs a tight end to throw to if he wants to take an even bigger leap than he did last year. Tommy Tremble won't cut it.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Cowboys have no depth at cornerback. McCoy missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL, so it might be a risk to take him in round 1, but he's fast, can read the ball well, and so much more. I'd be willing to take that risk.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers, KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Steelers wide receiver chart isn't impressive outside of DK Metcalf. Concepcion is a fantastic route runner and he's a fast receiver, which is always important. He and Aaron Rodgers would be a great pairing for one another.
22. Chicago Bears (projected trade with LA Chargers) Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Bears need to get a better defensive line, and they might need to get aggressive to do that. Woods is a fantastic and strong defensive lineman, which is something the Bears need, even if they have a good defense in general.
23. Philadelphia Eagles, Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Eagles offensive line suffered some injuries in 2025, and longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland retired in February, leaving a dent in the unit. They need to get a lineman in case they struggle againthis year, and Miller is a good one. I could also see them going with a receiver in case AJ Brown does wind up traded, but we'll see. Howie Roseman is a wizard, he'll figure it out.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
The Browns need a receiver here. They need to help out Shedeur Sanders. Omar Cooper is an insane athlete, as shown by his game winning touchdown at Penn State. I feel like he's the perfect choice.
25. LA Chargers (projected trade from Chicago Bears) Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
McDonald is a logical choice here. The Chargers need depth on the d-line and McDonald is a beast (6'3, 326). What's not to like?
26. Buffalo Bills, Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Bills need to protect Josh Allen, as he is the most important guy on the team and it's not close. Lomu is 6'6 and one of the best protectors in the draft. He's a perfect choice here.
27. San Francisco 49ers, Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The 49ers are short on edge rushers with Bryce Huff retiring. Faulk is a fantastic choice here, as he's athletic, fast and strong. He and Nick Bosa will feast.
28. Arizona Cardinals (projected trade with Houston Texans) Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Cardinals need a quarterback. They can't go this whole year with Jacoby Brissett. They won't go anywhere that way. Simpson went to one of the most prestigious quarterback schools in the country, and he's got a fantastic arm, and best of all, he doesn't make mistakes. He threw only 5 picks last year to 28 touchdowns. He did only have a 64.5% completion percentage, but I'm willing to overlook that.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LA Rams) Max Iheanchor, OT, Arizona State
Iheanchor is probably the most athletic OT in the draft. He ran a 4.91 second 40 yard dash at the combine, and has gotten praise from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr, the most famous draft analyst out there. I'd be surprised if he slipped to round 2.
30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell is a polarizing prospect, as he didn't have the best 40 time, and has dealed with injuries, and is only 5'11, but he's still a solid corner, and scouts shouldn't overlook him. Especially a team that needs a corner, like the Dolphins.
31. New England Patriots, Chase Bisontis, OT, Texas A&M
The Patriots were sacked 6 times in Super Bowl 60, so it'd be foolish not to draft o-line here. Bisontis has been mocked to the late first round, and it'd be perfect for New England to draft him here.
32. Seattle Seahawks, Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
The Seahawks lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker in free agency, so they kinda need to go running back here. Washington might not be the most sought-after prospect, but I loved what I saw from him at the combine. He ran one of the fastest 40 times for a running back EVER. He should get some love for that.
Those are my predictions for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. I probably will be wrong on some, but that's alright.
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