It’s now less than three weeks until the start of the 2026 NFL Draft. It feels like just a few weeks ago that Fernando Mendoza was leading Indiana to a national title, but he’s on the cusp of being the next franchise quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders. That, however, might be the only thing that’s certain about this year’s draft. It feels as if this year’s NFL Draft could be chaotic with ground-moving trades and maneuvering, and that’s certainly reflected in our latest three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft projection.
What if teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins with multiple first-round picks make aggressive moves for top prospects in the NFL Draft? Which team will be the one to make a play for the second QB on the big board, Ty Simpson from Alabama? We have what we believe are the answers to that (at least for now) in this latest full three-round mock draft projection going through all of the Top 100 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza
- School: Indiana
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: Did not test at the NFL Combine; elite-graded thrower at every level of the field; navigation of pressure is the one notable flaw
Mendoza to the Raiders should be all but a formality at this point. Regardless of what Dan Orlovsky says, the Indiana product is the far better bet than Simpson. While the Hoosiers star might not have the flashiest tools in his arsenal, he’s above average almost entirely across the board, and has an extremely high floor as a prospect. He’s the right guy to usher in the Klint Kubiak era in Vegas.
2. New York Jets – LB/EDGE Arvell Reese
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- 40-time: 4.46s (10-yard split: 1.58s)
- Draft Notes: Weighed in at 243 pounds, which is a bit small for every-down EDGE; phenomenally versatile; 280+ snaps on line and in the box
I still remain a bit skeptical about Arvell Reese as the No. 2 pick. That’s not because he’s not a great player, but because I do worry about how well he projects as an edge rusher at the NFL level. In fact, I’d argue his highest upside is as a linebacker. But that versatility and talent are undeniable, and the Jets need to get a top-tier prospect in the building to start reshaping a barren roster.
3. Arizona Cardinals – OT Francis Mauigoa
- School: Miami (FL)
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Did not test at the Combine; improved every year of college career; physical tools are pure NFL offensive tackle and will only be 21 years old
The Cardinals don’t have many answers on the roster right now, which means that Arizona should be looking to get their meat and potatoes with their 2026 draft class. Mauigoa is certainly that. He’s a behemoth of a bookend who has plenty of experience and should be able to come in and fortify the Redbirds’ offensive line and set them up for a big swing at quarterback in the loaded 2027 class.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (via trade with TEN) – EDGE David Bailey
- School: Texas Tech
- Class: Senior
- 40-time: 4.50s (10-yard split: 1.62s)
- Draft Notes: Checked box after box at the Combine; explosiveness and burst present on the tape with 15 sacks in 2025; elite pass rush with run defense upside
There’s some serious buzz about what the Titans could do with their Top 10 pick, but that buzz (specifically with Jeremiyah Love) suggests to me they’re a prime trade-back candidate. And that’s something the Chiefs could take full advantage of.
People will prescribe the Chiefs’ fall-off to Patrick Mahomes and Co, but the defense simply isn’t what it once was. They need a force multiplier on the line and David Bailey can be that for their pass rush. He’s a freak and a stud and, while he needs to come along further in run defense, he has the total package to be a star.
5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Senior
- 40-time: 4.46s (10-yard split: 1.56s)
- Draft Notes: Maybe the best athlete at LB in NFL Combine history; 43.5-inch vert and 11-foot-2 broad jump; purer linebacker but can rush off the edge too
I’ve seen some Giants fans miring away in indecision about what they should do with the fifth overall pick. For me, it’s pretty simple: Take the best player available, and that’s clearly Sonny Styles. The Ohio State standout is not only a physical marvel with the way he can move at his size, but his football IQ is through the roof as well. He’d continue setting the defensive infrastructure you know John Harbaugh wants to get off on the right foot with.
6. Dallas Cowboys (via trade with CLE) – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
- School: Miami (FL)
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Did not test at NFL Combine; short arm measurements aren’t a concern on film, but could cause minor slide; 68 hurries and 12 sacks in 16 games
Despite some offseason moves already, the Browns still need more offensive line help. However, I’m not sure the value is totally right for the sixth pick. Meanwhile, the Cowboys need a defensive game-changer, which creates a prime opportunity for a trade.
Cleveland moves back into a more reasonable range for the second tackle to come off the board, while Dallas gets a stud in Rueben Bain Jr. I couldn’t possibly care less about his short arms, because that’s not part of his game as a pass-rusher. He’s a menace off the edge and the type of force that the Cowboys clearly lacked after the Parsons trade last season.
7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Did not test at the NFL Combine; potential medical issues may have been flagged with ACL; elite, versatile defensive back that can do it all
Caleb Downs feels like the exact type of guy that Dan Quinn would want to set up a new stage for the Commanders defense. They’re still relying quite heavily on a ton of veterans, and need to get younger and more versatile. The Ohio State star doesn’t have any top-of-the-class traits, but he does everything well, and could really help to solidify the back end for Washington in a major way.
8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- 40-time: 4.53s (10-yard split: 1.61s)
- Draft Notes: Only ran 40 at the Combine; speed isn’t his game, plus a 4.53 is better than he’s getting credit for; movable chess piece with few weaknesses
The more I think about it, the more I can’t escape the notion that the Saints are going to make their best effort early in the draft to help out the future around Tyler Shough. Alvin Kamara is older (and his future is in question), Chris Olave’s health is a question, and things are dire. Carnell Tate is as sure of a bet as you’ll find in terms of wide receiver help, versatile in his ability to move around and win at different levels of the field. He’ll greatly help the cause in the Big Easy.
9. Tennessee Titans (via KC) – RB Jeremiyah Love
- School: Notre Dame
- Class: Junior
- 40-time: 4.36s (10-yard split: 1.55s)
- Draft Notes: Lived up to hype with a blistering 40 at the Combine; two years of elite production with just under 2,500 yards and 35 touchdowns rushing
As mentioned, there’s been a ton of buzz about the Titans potentially going after Jeremiyah Love as they, like the Saints, try to get help around a young quarterback. Love and Cam Ward working together in Tennessee could be absolutely lethal, no question, but I love it even more if Tennessee is able to move back like this and accrue more draft picks to really replenish the roster beyond the slew of veterans they signed in free agency.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Mansoor Delane
- School: LSU
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: Did not test at the Combine; top-tier man-coverage cornerback with plus ability in zone; 31.3 passer rating allowed in 2025 season
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The only way the Bengals can screw up their first-round pick is to not just simply take the best defensive player available. To me, that’s got to be Mansoor Delane in this spot. After a good career at Virginia Tech, he broke out fully with LSU this past season as arguably the best man-coverage corner in college football. He should be able to come in right away and push the Cincinnati secondary up a notch.
11. Miami Dolphins – CB Jermod McCoy
- School: Tennessee
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Injury recovery kept him from testing at Combine, 4.38s 40 at pro day; missed all of 2025 season with torn ACL; 4 INTs and 53.6 passer rating allowed in 2024
After not testing at the Combine more than a year after his torn ACL and some reports about his health lingering, Jermod McCoy may have silenced a lot of doubters with his pro day. When you combine some great testing numbers with his 2024 tape, he has the potential to challenge Delane to be the best corner in the 2026 draft class. I still slightly favor Delane, but McCoy can easily be a defensive cornerstone for the downtrodden Dolphins and their virtual lack of a secondary.
12. Cleveland Browns (via DAL) – OT Monroe Freeling
- School: Georgia
- Class: Junior
- 40-time: 4.93s (10-yard split: 1.71s)
- Draft Notes: Absolute monster at 6-foot-7, 315 pounds with his testing numbers; still raw and improving at the position; bet on potential with quality play in pass-blocking early
After moving back, the Browns can feel much more comfortable drafting someone like Monroe Freeling with the 12th overall pick. Freeling’s decision to enter the draft was up in the air at one point, but it’s also not all that surprising that he did. The consistency and body of work aren’t requisite with some of his draft peers, but his upside may surpass them. The Browns direly need more help in that regard and the Georgia product can surely help the cause.
See More
