Final 2026 NFL Mock Drafts

Ray Mencio’s Final Mock Draft (April 22, 2026)

Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

This is an obvious pick and no need to go too much into it. Mendoza is the first pick and worthy of going 1st overall.

New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

This pick has been debated the last two weeks between David Bailey and Arvell Reese. Ultimately, the Jets seem to be more comfortable with Bailey who is the proven commodity. Reese has a very high ceiling and can turn into an All Pro but Bailey has been productive and is a very underrated athlete.

Arizona Cardinals: Arvelle Reese, Edge, Ohio St.

The Cardinals are going to look to trade down and could even look to take running back Jeremiyah Love but Arvelle Reese is too good to pass up. He has the highest upside of any defender in this draft and would be a key component to the Cardinals defense. There are definitely going to be suitors for him so the Cardinals should have some teams looking to move up.

Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Titans are going to need to surround Cam Ward with weapons and Love is arguably the best player in the draft. He is a special running back and while it is still high to take a running back he can make a huge difference for the Titans offense.

New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.

The Giants could go a variety of directions with both of their picks. Caleb Downs is a very intelligent and physical player who doesn’t get nearly enough credit. John Harbaugh is going to want a leader on the backend of his defense and Downs fits that mold. It will be interesting to see if Love is here if he is the pick.

Cleveland Browns: Kaydn Proctor, OT, Alabama

This comes down to two things. First, the Browns would prefer to trade down. Second, they want someone who can play left tackle and Proctor may be the guy that they are targeting. Proctor is a large, but athletic tackle prospect who fits the mold of what the Browns are looking for in their offensive tackles.

Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.

The Commanders love Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate but Dan Quinn is going to need to improve his defense and Styles is a unique blend of athleticism and he has a high football IQ thats only going to improve.

New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.

The Saints need to find weapons in the passing game for Tyler Shough. Chris Olave had a great year but they have nothing on the other side of him. Tate is a great compliment who is a reliable target a tough player.

Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

This is another wildcard spot that we really aren’t sure which way the Chiefs are going to go. They do need to improve their offensive line and while Mauigoa has some injury concerns with his back, he is on many teams board the top offensive linemen. He can play right tackle or kick inside to guard.

New York Giants (from CIN): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.

The Giants have spent a lot of time with Tyson recently and need to give Jaxson Dart another target across from Malik Nabers. If Tyson can stay healthy he will end up being a Pro Bowl caliber receiver, but his health is a huge question. Vega Ioane is a real possibility with this pick as well.

Miami Dolphins: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Dolphins need a lot of help across their entire roster. They do need to build in the trenches and Georgia left tackle, Monroe Freeling is a great start. Freeling has to cleanup some technique but is very athletic and has a ton of upside.

Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Cowboys are another team that may actively look to move up if one of the premier defensive players begins to slip. Reese will interest them but it may be too costly for them to move up. Mansoor Delane is the top cornerback in the draft and while they may also need to move up for him he is a great fit.

Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

This is a very popular spot Lemon and rightfully so. Lemon fits the mold of what the are looking for and helps open up the passing game and adds insurance to the current corps. I wouldn’t be shocked if they traded up or made a surprise pick of Kenyon Sadiq.

Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, iOL, Penn St.

Vega Ioane feels like he belongs in the AFC North. Whether its with the Ravens or Steelers, it just feels right. Ioane might be the best linemen in the draft and personally I could see him going in the top 10.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami (FL)

The Buccaneers could be a trade down spot for a team like the Steelers but they could be inclined to stay if they are comfortable with Bain. Bain can definitely slide some on draft day due to his shorter arms but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him fall into the 20s.

New York Jets (from IND): Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana

The Jets are looking for a reliable #2 receiver and they have fallen in love with Omar Cooper. He can give them a reliable weapon all over the field.

Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The Lions would be smart to grab one of the offensive tackles at 17. Blake Miller is a steady player who can certainly be a reliable starter for years.

Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman is a player who has helped himself out tremendously throughout this process. He had a great year in 2025 after transferring from Purdue and looked the part as an athletic safety in the back end of a defense.

Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Panthers need to surround Bryce Young with weapons and Kenyon Sadiq is a player who can really stretch the field from the tight end position and be a mismatch problem.

Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Keldrick Faulk, Edge, Auburn

Faulk is a big defensive end who is still figuring things out. He hasn’t put up huge production yet but he has a ton of ability and very athletic for his size. The Cowboys are looking for a premier defensive end and have shown interest in Faulk.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Fano most likely doesn’t slide this far down the draft but there is some uncertainty with his position. Fano has the shortest arms of the top tier offensive tackles (shorter than Will Campbell) and his future may be inside at guard. Either way, if he slides the Steelers, who have 3 third round picks, are going to be aggressive to move up for him.

Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

The Chargers need to improve their interior offensive line but should not reach for a player here. They can still improve their pass rush and T.J. Parker, who was very good in 2024 had a down year in 2025 but would be a great fit for the Chargers.

Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Minnesota

Lane Johnson’s career is winding down and finding his eventual replacement will be key. Iheanachor is a great fit for the Eagles and a guy who can come in and not be forced to start right away.

Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Browns need receivers, no matter who is playing quarterback. Denzel Boston has become somewhat underrated for all he can do on the field and will be a very good receiver in the NFL.

Chicago Bears: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

The Bears like Zion Young and need to find an edge rusher so this is a good fit. This is the direction they could go but they may ultimately like another edge rusher more.

Buffalo Bills: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)

Mesidor had a very good season in 2025 but he is on the older side (25) and has battled some minor injuries in the past. He can make an immediate impact now which is a bonus for the Bills.

San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The 49ers are looking to get younger at their premier positions and Caleb Lomu is another left tackle prospect who is a safe bet and works out that he can learn behind the veterans.

Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio St.

This could be a guard or a trade down spot for the Texans but Kayden McDonald is a very underrated player in this draft and he has some pass rush upside that he doesn’t seem to get credit for.

Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Chiefs need to get help in the secondary and Hood is a big, physical corner who fits their system. They could look at other positions but Hood is a good value at 29.

Miami Dolphins (from DEN): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy is a top 10 talent but the knee injury is a serious concern. He proved he is healthy at the moment but going forward there is a doubt that it will hold up.

New England Patriots: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, Central Florida

The Patriots are most likely looking at taking the best player available and Malachi Lawrence has flown up draft boards. He is a long, athletic edge rusher with a ton of upside.