1st Round NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

Pick 1 — Las Vegas Raiders

Selection: QB Fernando Mendoza - Indiana

After a failed experiment with Pete Carroll and a legion of aging veterans, the Raiders have to turn the page with this pick. Mendoza has shown a maturity and veteran presence throughout this season that aligns perfectly with a new coaching staff.

Pick 2 — New York Jets

Selection: QB Dante Moore - Oregon

While there is still uncertainty surrounding the Oregon QB's future, the Jets will almost certainly be selecting a QB at this pick. Moore possesses deep ball accuracy as well as a general poise needed to be the starting QB in NYC. With solid weapons and an average OL, Moore could find immediate success.

Pick 3 — Arizona Cardinals

Selection: LB Arvell Reese - Ohio State

One day after firing Gannon, the Cardinals are looking at year 4 of a disastrous rebuild. With Kyler Murray on his way out, the Cardinals desperately need youth at the QB position. With no viable option at 1.03, the Wall-to-Wall Linebacker from Ohio State is a great consolation prize. Adding Reese to a young core of Walter Nolen and Will Johnson could be a great foundation for the next Head Coach.

Pick 4 — Tennessee Titans

Selection: DL Reuben Bain Jr. - Miami

Much has been made of Bain's arm length over the last month. This is the time of year where measurements begin to take precedence over production. Reuben Bain Jr. has shown unreal ability to wreak havoc in the backfield in a handful of ways. The Titans could find a cornerstone defensive piece to place next to Simmons along the DL.

Pick 5 — New York Giants

Selection: OT Spencer Fano - Utah

After crushing the 2025 draft, the Giants solidify their OL to protect their franchise QB. Fano is an immediate plug and play piece at tackle and has the ability to play either side. With offensive weapons Skattebo and Nabers returning from injury, the Giants get a staple piece for the OL.

Pick 6 — Cleveland Browns

Selection: OT Francis Mauigoa - Miami

Another team that struck gold in 2025, the Cleveland Browns enter next season with three starting OL as unrestricted free agents. After a tumultuous QB experiment, I believe the Browns will snag an elite RT on a rookie deal. Mauigoa is a road-grader in the running game with surprisingly sweet feet for his size.

Pick 7 — Washington Commanders

Selection: S Caleb Downs - Ohio State

With multiple teams passing for positional value, the Commanders are gifted our number one overall player. An extra coordinator on the field, Downs impacts the game with not only his superior athleticism, but his ability to organize his team into positive sets. Downs will step in as the enforcer for Quinn's D.

Pick 8 — New Orleans Saints

Selection: OLB David Bailey - Texas Tech

The Saints have aging stars along the DL and have the perfect opportunity to add youth and explosiveness in David Bailey. A consistent contributor throughout his college career, Shiel Wood has been able to turn Bailey loose, attacking the ball carrier and stuffing the stat sheet.

Pick 9 — Kansas City Chiefs

Selection: RB Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame

In the latter half of the season, the Chiefs offense fell solely onto Mahomes' ability to create off script. A lack of a running game and an injured OL exacerbated this issue. KC is able to solve one of these problems with the selection of Love. An old-school, run through your face RB, Love displays above average quickness, athleticism, strength, vision and burst. This is a match made in heaven for Andy Reid's offense.

Pick 10 — Cincinnati Bengals

Selection: DT Peter Woods - Clemson

Everyone know's the Bengals' issues are on the defensive side of the ball. A no-brainer selection, Woods immediately upgrades a unit that allowed 147 rushing YPG (32nd in the NFL). Woods also bolsters a pass rush that ranked near the bottom in total pressures and sacks. The Clemson DT possesses an above average motor and a variety of pass rush moves for a larger Dlinemen.

Pick 11 — Miami Dolphins

Selection: Edge Keldric Faulk - Auburn

Miami will be moving on from Tua this offseason, but the systemic issues lie on the defensive side for Miami. Faulk is an elite run defender, using his large frame to take space, shed blocks, and cling to tackles. A below average pass rusher, Faulk will need to refine his speed rush in order to make a difference on passing downs

Pick 12 — Dallas Cowboys

Selection: CB Aveion Terrell - Clemson

After the Parsons trade and more recently the release of Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys desperately need defensive help. Terrell can step in as a day one starter for the League's most decimated cornerback room. A fluid athlete with a nose for the ball, Terrell has proven himself as one of the safest corner prospects in the class.

Pick 13 — Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons)

Selection: Edge TJ Parker - Clemson

Dabo's third prospect in the top 13, TJ Parker is an animal on the power rush. As athletically gifted as any, Parker needs to refine his rush moves to be a more consistent backfield attendee. 3Tech's player comp for Parker is current LA Ram Jared Verse. With the bonus selection given to them in the James Pearce trade, the Ram's may swing on a high upside prospect like Parker.

Pick 14 — Baltimore Ravens

Selection: DL Christen Miller - Georgia

An all around mauler, Christen Miller is a player that is consistently successful against 1 on 1's. The Ravens could use a versatile piece in the middle to alleviate attention from their pass rushers. What could be considered a swing pick, Miller would instantly improve the Raven's defensive front.

Pick 15 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Selection: TE Kenyon Sadiq - Oregon

Sadiq has shown a mixture of blocking, route running, spectacular catches, hurdles and more, and yet he is still remaining relatively quiet in the draft scene. A mismatch against most nickel coverages, the Oregon offense has relied heavily on their tight end's ability to be productive downfield in 12 personnel. Sadiq and Egbuka could become a matchup nightmare for defenders in the middle of the field.

Pick 16 — New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)

Selection: CB Brandon Cisse - South Carolina

With the departures of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the Jets defense is on life support with their current cast. After not forcing a single interception over 17 games, New York has to invest in a playmaker in the secondary. Cisse is a physical corner who is sticky in phase. The Gamecock corner could instantly make an impact for an ailing Jets secondary.

Pick 17 — Detroit Lions

Selection: Edge LT Overton - Alabama

Struggling to find consistency on defense, Dan Campbell's group could use a rangey, athletic edge to take the pressure off of Hutchinson in pass rush. Overton is a First-Off-the-bus looking athlete with excellent use of hands for his size. With a potential to line up across the line, Overton may be a gamble the Lion's need to take.

Pick 18 — Minnesota Vikings

Selection: OT Kadyn Proctor - Alabama

With the 29th graded OL according to PFSN, it is imperative to McCarthy's growth that the Vikings put together a cohesive protection unit in front of him. The selection of Proctor makes perfect sense. An extremely athletic Tackle born and raised in the midwest, the Alabama tackle has shown an ability to match Edge rushers with a blend of speed and physicality.

Pick 19 — Carolina Panthers

Selection: WR Jordyn Tyson - Arizona State

While selecting a WR in round 1 for the 3rd year in a row may be seen as malpractice, the Carolina Panthers have seen growth from Bryce Young every time a weapon is added. Tyson, who is the clear BPA at pick 19, gives the panthers a dangerous young WR core for Bryce Young to rely on.

Pick 20 — Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers)

Selection: LB Sonny Styles - Ohio State

After going CB with pick 14, the Cowboys double dip defensively with the Buckeye cover linebacker. With elite speed for the position, Styles can be utilized covering pass catching tight ends as well as turn down hill in the run game. The cowboys could bring a youthful, revamped defense to 2026.

Pick 21 — Pittsburgh Steelers

Selection: WR Carnell Tate - Ohio State

It is becoming increasingly possible Aaron Rodgers comes back for one more season. The Steelers were heavy players in the WR2 market at the deadline, and while they missed out there they do not miss in this mock draft. Carnell Tate has all the makings of a tactician at the WR position and could continue the greatness of Buckeye receivers joining the NFL.

Pick 22 — Los Angeles Chargers

Selection: IOL Vega Ioane - Penn State

If the Chargers win a playoff game, it will be the worst OL to do so in the stat cast era. After paying their Golden Boy 55 Million/year, it is crucial the Chargers protect Herbert. Ioane is a mauler with a mean streak. Standing at 6'4 330, the Nittany Lion guard has shown exceptional ability playing downhill in the run game, and being a stalwart figure in pass protection.

Pick 23 — Philadelphia Eagles

Selection: OT Caleb Lomu - Utah

The Eagles have aging stars at the Tackle position. They are in a prime spot to get a premium replacement while their starters are still productive. Caleb Lomu has been absolutely dominant, and is the type of player Howie Roseman rarely overthinks. This selection will be welcomed by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley

Pick 24 — Buffalo Bills

Selection: CB Jermod McCoy - Tennessee

Out the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL suffered last January, McCoy's high ceiling has kept him in the first round of many mock drafts. With the traits of a true CB1 in the NFL, the Bill's would be in prime position to take a chance on the Corner coming back from injury.

Pick 25 — Chicago Bears

Selection: DT Amauri Washington - Oregon

Giving up the 6th most rushing YPG in 2025, it will be key for 2nd year coach Ben Johnson to turn this defensive front around. Washington, the 330 lb DT out of Oregon has violence at the point of attack akin to the great Aaron Donald. With exceptional agility for his frame, Washington can make an immediate impact as a multi-down DL for Chicago.

Pick 26 — San Francisco 49ers

Selection: WR Denzel Boston - Washington

While decimated defensively due to injury, the 49ers have been without key pass catchers Pearsall and Aiyuk all season. With Aiyuk on the way out, this could be Lynch's opportunity to pair a shiftier Pearsall with a larger framed, outside work receiver. Boston has shown the capability to run the entire route tree, and create safe targets on broken plays.

Pick 27 — Houston Texans

Selection: OT Gennings Dunker - Iowa

Houston cleared house a year ago trading away key pieces along the offensive line. After hitting on Ersery last April, the Texans can pair him with stalwart Iowa tackle Gennings Dunker. The leader of the Joe Moore award winning unit, Dunker has shown a dynamic ability to play clean and consistent in Iowa's RPO scheme.

Pick 28 — Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars)

Selection: CB Mansoor Delane - LSU

After securing their RT of the future, the Browns come back with a high upside corner to pair alongside Ward. Delane is a smooth, in phase corner who has a nose for the ball and great instincts when the ball is in the air. Proving he can be impactful across multiple schemes, Delane is a valuable selection in the late 1st.

Pick 29 — Los Angeles Rams

Selection: QB John Mateer - Oklahoma

The Falcons gave their first rounder to the Rams, allowing McVay and company to take a swing with their own pick. With Stafford still very much a star, selecting Mateer here would definitely be a swing. Although, the superior athleticism Mateer provides mixed with the McVay scheme, the Rams could be cooking with gas when Stafford hangs it up.

Pick 30 — New England Patriots

Selection: Edge Cassius Howell - Texas A&M

While the Patriots have been on a dream regular season run for a young up and coming franchise, they have struggled to create pressure and turn it into sacks, ranking just 20th in sack %. Howell, although not an optimally sized edge rusher, has been extremely productive tallying 11.5 sacks over the 2025 season. With elite strength and a great motor, Howell would fit nicely with Vrabel's defense in year 2.

Pick 31 — Denver Broncos

Selection: KC Concepcion

Leading with a lights out defense and strong offensive line, the Broncos have won games this year through methodically leaning on their opponents. It is clear the skill positions lack speed and burst necessary for shot plays. Concepcion is the definition of burst, with the ability to go 0-60 like a race car. The A&M speedster is the type of 'joker' Sean Payton needs in his offense.

Pick 32 — Seattle Seahawks

Selection: LB CJ Allen - Georgia

Mike MacDonald has done an incredible job turning this Seahawks Defense into a machine. His time in Baltimore included great LB play from Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith. CJ Allen has all the makings of a versatile defender that Mike Mac could deploy in his defense.

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