The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft offers an abundance of opportunity for teams to add a top-tier prospect to the roster and either build around them or with them. In the same light, however, no chance in the NFL comes without risk, and there is always the risk of a team messing up its first-round pick, which can set the franchise back a step, though to varying degrees. And to avoid those mistakes, you have to know what they are. So that’s what our latest NFL Mock Draft will explore.
There are different ways NFL teams can screw up their first-round picks, no question. But whether it’s taking the wrong player, having the wrong positional ideology, or otherwise, this is the NFL Mock Draft inspired by Frank Reynolds. It’s botched! And let’s dive into the 32 wrong picks that teams could make.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
There simply aren’t many realistic ways the Raiders can screw this up. It’s a mere formality that Vegas is going to take Fernando Mendoza, and anything outside of that would feel disingenuous. With that being said, how the Silver and Black would screw this up would be with what comes after. We just saw this franchise use a top-five pick on Ashton Jeanty in a situation that didn’t make sense, and if they fail to keep building in the trenches and around Mendoza with the rest of their picks, that will be a massive whiff on their part.
2. New York Jets – EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
At this point, anyone’s guess is as good as another when it comes to the Jets with the No. 2 pick. It seemed like things were trending for David Bailey to be the selection, but then they canceled their Top 30 visit with the Texas Tech product. That, however, is a good sign for me. I love Bailey as a prospect, but I also have Arvell Reese as a better player who is likely going to primarily play the same position as he transitions. If you’re the Jets, you should be banking on the star upside. Both players have it, but I think Reese is the rarer talent.
3. Arizona Cardinals – LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
While I do believe that Arvell Reese is a rare talent, I don’t know why in the world the Cardinals would add him to the mix. In some form, they are trying to lay down more infrastructure for this offense, and they really should have two viable options in my opinion: Take an offensive tackle at No. 3, or trade back from No. 3 — and still take an offensive tackle. With Ty Simpson buzz for Arizona already reaching a fever pitch, fortifying the offensive line is far more valuable than a defensive playmaker.
4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The instinct in Tennessee to try and do whatever it takes to help Cam Ward is obviously a good one. It was an abysmal situation last year for the Titans rookie quarterback, and he still showed real, meaningful flashes. With that said, drafting Jeremiyah Love would feel quite foolish. It’s not dissimilar to the Raiders taking Jeanty right now. Good teams drafting a running back high make sense as adding a missing piece or a force multiplier. For a team like the Titans that’s still rebuilding, though, it would likely result in a disappointing season and going back to the drawing board next offseason.
5. New York Giants – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Giants might be one of the sneakiest, biggest wild cards in the draft. There’s a ton of different directions they should go, but the more I think about it, Carnell Tate (or any wide receiver) shouldn’t be one of those options for New York. Either looking at the offensive line or anywhere beyond edge rusher on defense makes the most sense for this roster as those holes are simply more glaring. Again, I understand the compulsion to help a young QB in Jaxson Dart, but the No. 5 pick isn’t the spot for that.
6. Cleveland Browns – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
One thing I can’t get out of my head was reading someone in March who suggested that the Browns just play into their strengths by pairing a top edge rusher prospect with Myles Garrett. Sure, that sounds nice for a second, but as a long-term strategy, I simply couldn’t be more out on that. This offense is so barren of talent and the defense, while it’s not without holes, is the strength. Leaving the offense in its current state with premium draft picks puts Cleveland right in a spot where they won’t see any meaningful improvement.
7. Washington Commanders – OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Point blank, the Commanders doing anything that isn’t adding a young playmaker to the defense should be considered malpractice. At the same time, given how aggressive they were in trying to help Jayden Daniels last offseason, is it that far-fetched to think they could try and do that again? Tackles like Mauigoa might be a stretch too far, but after Josh Conerly was a mixed bag as a rookie, Washington continuing to overreact and taking another lineman early would be a huge miscalculation.
8. New Orleans Saints – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
There are a plethora of ways that the Saints could help Tyler Shough going into his second year and first full season as the starter. However, one of the few spots where I think they’re more than solid is at safety, a group anchored by Justin Reid and with overall solid play from the unit. That said, there’s always a case that will be made for best player available, and Caleb Downs might qualify as that. However, New Orleans should be more calculated with that, especially in this particular draft class.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
If the Chiefs took an edge rusher with the No. 9 pick, fans should be happy. If it turned out that Jeremiyah Love dropped, I don’t hate that. Cornerback or wide receiver would also make a world of sense. For as good as Sonny Styles is, though, he’s maybe the top prospect who just doesn’t fit what Kansas City needs. This linebacker group is well above stable and not where the Chiefs need help, and this would be a misallocation of resources.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Make no mistake, the Bengals offensive line is still a concern. Because of that, it’s not hard to look at them picking 10th overall and see a world — even if it’s not the likeliest path — wherein they try to improve the group in front of Joe Burrow. That’s a mistake. This defense is still in a truly awful spot, and adding young, high-upside talent on that side of the ball is the utmost priority for Cincinnati in this year’s draft. If they fail to do that, then it’s a failure.
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