The Athletic: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: College football experts predict the first round

2026 NFL Mock Draft: College football experts predict the first round

There’s no better group to discuss the talents and intangibles of 2026's likely first-rounders than the writers who covered them in college.

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In a draft class experts believe is low on promising QBs, Miami's Rueben Bain could hear his name called early. Carmen Mandato / Getty Images

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Combine.

More than 300 prospects head to Indianapolis this week for interviews and testing at the NFL combine, but 40 times and arm lengths only begin to tell their stories. There’s no better group to discuss their talents and intangibles than the writers who covered them as college stars.

Nine members of The Athletic’s college football staff made selections for 2026’s first round and offered their insights in this NFL mock draft. No trades were allowed in this exercise.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana​

To turn around a once-great franchise toiling in obscurity, you just have to draft the dude who would take notes at the dinner table. No ifs, ands or buts. Mendoza is that guy — the obsessive, detail-oriented mind whose next-level processing time matches his physical attributes and leadership qualities. Can’t wait for Harry Reid International Airport to have Mendoza welcome visitors over the intercom: “WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS, THE GREATEST PLACE TO HAVE FUN!” — Chris Kamrani

2. New York Jets: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami​

Scouts are worried about his short arms and less-than-ideal build for an edge rusher, but Bain was a force against top competition all season and did not slow down at all in the College Football Playoff. Bain was one of the nation’s top freshmen in 2023 before his sophomore season was undercut by injuries, so it’s not as if he just popped in his final season. A higher sack total (9.5 in 16 games) would be nice to see, but five of those came during the Hurricanes’ four-game CFP run. Miami coaches rave about Bain’s professionalism. — Ralph D. Russo

3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah​

Arizona’s future at quarterback is uncertain, but what is certain is it needs help up front. Fano is the best offensive lineman in this draft and was the cornerstone of one of the best offensive lines in college football. He’s a prototype with three years of starting experience. — David Ubben

4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State​

The most talented non-quarterback on the board slipping to No. 4? New head coach Robert Saleh won’t need to think twice about this pick. Reese did everything for Ohio State’s defense, basically havoc rate in human form, while working at both middle linebacker and edge rusher. Now, Tennessee gets to choose how to best turn him loose. — Pete Sampson

5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State​

Downs, who spent three college seasons playing at an All-America level for Alabama (one) and Ohio State (two), will reignite the debate over positional value. The last safety to be picked in the top 10 was Jamal Adams by the Jets at No. 6 in 2017. Since then, Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 11 to the Dolphins in 2018) and Kyle Hamilton (No. 14 to the Ravens in 2022) are the only safeties selected in the top 15. Downs (6-feet, 205 pounds) is not as big as the 6-4 Hamilton and hasn’t shown the slot corner skills that Fitzpatrick flashed during a brilliant career at Alabama. But we’ll stick with the high-floor approach and give the Giants a player who, at worst, can be the leader of a secondary for a long time. — Ralph D. Russo

Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese went back-to-back as part of a run of three straight Buckeyes in our writers’ mock,
with more Ohio State products to come.Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today Network via Imagn Images

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State​

Cleveland needs help everywhere on offense, so it’s hard to pass on the best receiver in the class, according to the latest consensus rankings. The Chicago native and Buckeyes star led the Big Ten with nine catches over 40 yards. He finished 2025 with 875 yards and nine touchdowns alongside 2027 first-rounder-to-be Jeremiah Smith, despite missing multiple games during the regular season. Tate tracks the ball well and has underrated speed, which should make him a strong playmaker for new Browns head coach Todd Monken. — Cameron Teague Robinson

7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech​

Edge rusher is one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses. Bailey is the best on the board. His 14.5 sacks were tied for No. 1 nationally, and his 19.5 tackles for loss were second. As impressive as linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was, I thought Bailey was the better player on the Red Raiders’ defense and strongly considered putting him on my Heisman ballot (Rodriguez finished fifth in the voting). This was a pretty easy pick. — Matt Baker

8. New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame​

With Tyler Shough solving its quarterback problem, New Orleans can get a plug-and-play replacement for Alvin Kamara in Love. Some would call taking a running back here a reach, but Love is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He found the end zone 40 times the past two seasons, including two scores of 90-plus yards. Love also has a lot of tread left on the tires after just 433 career carries at Notre Dame, compared to 750 at Boise State for Ashton Jeanty, last year’s No. 6 pick. — Pete Sampson

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami​

Kansas City faces the first rebuild of the Patrick Mahomes era, and the best way to help out a future Hall of Fame quarterback is to protect him. Mauigoa allowed only two sacks (none after Week 4) and only three QB hits all season, according to Pro Football Focus. A consensus All-America left tackle for the CFP runner-up, Mauigoa could join Josh Simmons to bookend the Chiefs’ offensive line. — Scott Dochterman

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee​

McCoy did not play in 2025 due to a torn ACL but was so good for the Vols as a transfer from Oregon State in 2024 that he’s worth the top-10 pick for a Cincinnati team that needs help all over its defense. He can play in man coverage but also bait passers in zone coverage. This pick also assumes that McCoy, who had four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2024, can show NFL teams a promising medical report. — Cameron Teague Robinson

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU​

I was tempted to go with an edge rusher here after the Dolphins traded Jaelan Phillips last season, but it made more sense to take one of the top two corners in the draft. Delane is an elite, scheme-versatile playmaker who did not blink against SEC competition after three years at Virginia Tech. — Manny Navarro

12. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn​

The Cowboys are looking to address a Micah Parsons-shaped hole in their defense. Dallas finished 26th in yards allowed per carry (4.7), and Faulk can not only get after the quarterback (45 pressures, 7 sacks in 2024) but also set the edge. He was dominant against the run in his final college game against Alabama. — Manny Navarro

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC​

Corner is a significant need for the Rams, but the top two at the position went right before this pick. On paper, receiver might not seem like a pressing priority, but Davante Adams is 33 and under contract for just one more season, and Puka Nacua plays a very physical style. Lemon, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding receiver in college football in 2025, is a tremendous technician who plays bigger than his frame and can win from the outside or in the slot. He could also provide a boost in the return game. — Antonio Morales

14. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson​

This is probably a reach and definitely a cliched selection: an incoming defensive-minded head coach taking a high-upside defensive lineman. At Clemson, the 6-3, 310-pound Woods was athletic enough to play fullback but posted only five career sacks and 14.5 TFLs over three seasons as the Tigers slid from the ranks of perennial title contenders. Baltimore is coming off a woeful defensive season and has to upgrade on this side of the ball. Woods is a risk, but the Ravens probably need to take one. — Pete Sampson

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

Even if Lavonte David returns, the Bucs’ linebacking corps needs help. Styles, a former safety, is a great athlete with plenty of college production; he was the Buckeyes’ second-leading tackler during the 2024 national championship season and No. 1 last fall. — Matt Baker

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State​

This might be dooming Tyson to a Garrett Wilson-esque career, stuck in a dysfunctional organization that can’t develop a quarterback. New York figures to be bad again next season and has a lot of draft capital stored up, so it can address QB with another likely top-five-ish pick in 2027. For now, here’s another receiver to go with Wilson (who is under contract through 2030) or a potential WR1 if the Jets decide to move on from Wilson in the next year or so. — Ralph D. Russo

17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah​

The Lions’ offensive line has some aging pieces and requires some attention. Lomu, who formed the nation’s top tackle tandem with Fano, played 800 snaps at left tackle last season and allowed only two quarterback hits, according to PFF. That’s the type of stat that will make Jared Goff smile. — Scott Dochterman

18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson​

Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, didn’t record an interception last season because opponents smartly stayed away from him, but he broke up nine passes and forced five fumbles. He makes some plays that are reminiscent of former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu, only Terrell can do it at corner. — Scott Dochterman

19. Carolina Panthers: Zion Young, edge, Missouri​

The Panthers were one of the NFL’s worst teams in forcing tackles for loss last season, and Young can immediately help fix that. He racked up 16.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks in his final season, as well as 14 quarterback hurries. — David Ubben

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina​

Cisse, a speedy 6-foot corner with press-man skills, addresses the Cowboys’ other urgent need in this draft. He allowed opponents to complete only 47.4 percent of the passes thrown his way in coverage and is solid in run defense. Once DaRon Bland fully recovers from January surgery on his left foot, he and Cisse could form a dangerous 1-2 punch in coverage. — Manny Navarro

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M​

The Steelers need a young quarterback, but I don’t trust Ty Simpson enough to reach for him here. I’d rather fill another hole by adding a versatile playmaker who shined at NC State and in College Station, where he caught nine touchdowns, rushed for another and scored on a pair of punt returns for a Playoff team. I’ll take that ability over someone with better measurables (such as Washington’s Denzel Boston). — Matt Baker

KC Concepcion was a pricey transfer from NC State, but he paid dividends immediately for the Aggies’ offense.
Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Images

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State​

The Chargers’ inability to protect Justin Herbert has been exposed in the postseason two years in a row. They are set at tackle when Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are healthy, but the interior offensive line needs dramatic upgrades. Ioane was a first-team All-Big Ten performer in 2025 and didn’t allow a sack over his final two seasons with the Nittany Lions. Jim Harbaugh rarely turns down an opportunity to bolster the trenches. — Antonio Morales

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon​

Sadiq would make the potential loss of Dallas Goedert far easier to stomach. He’s a big-time blocker and a good route runner who is tough to tackle in space. He’s also fast enough to run away from plenty of linebackers. He had a team-high eight touchdown catches for the Ducks in his final season, despite playing through some injuries. — David Ubben

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama​

After passing on an offensive tackle with their first pick, the Browns had to go for it here. Proctor might not be the sure thing that Fano or Mauigoa are, but his athleticism is obvious. He doesn’t move like he is 360 pounds but when you see how he carries that weight on his 6-7 frame, you understand why he’s garnered a lot of interest from scouts. His technique will need some fine tuning, but he’s a good pass blocker with a high ceiling. — Cameron Teague Robinson

25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State​

The up-and-coming Bears need multiple pieces along the defensive line, and McDonald would help immediately. He’s not quite ready to elevate the pass rush, but McDonald excels against the run and can free up his linemates by eating up blockers. He was the key cog in Ohio State’s elite defense. — Scott Dochterman

26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington​

It felt like new head coach Joe Brady owed it to Josh Allen to get him a true No. 1 receiver. Boston’s large catch radius and proficiency in traffic will help Allen in the red zone. He produced at least 60 catches and 800 yards in each of the last two seasons and caught 20 touchdowns over that span. — Manny Navarro

27. San Francisco 49ers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami​

San Francisco would probably prefer a receiver or offensive tackle, but I don’t love the options on the board. Instead, we’ll address a defense that had the fewest sacks (20) in the league with the Hurricanes’ other elite defensive prospect. Mesidor had 5.5 sacks during Miami’s Playoff run, and his four forced fumbles were tied for sixth nationally. He’s disruptive and powerful, and the fact that he’s versatile enough to line up inside is a bonus. — Matt Baker

28. Houston Texans: Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia​

Can somebody please protect C.J. Stroud? It’s step one in reclaiming his breakout rookie season. Freeling is a good start. He lived at right tackle for the Bulldogs and can still add some weight but played his way into the first-round conversation over just 16 career starts. He can grow as a run blocker, but he’d give the Texans some needed help on the edge. — David Ubben

29. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee​

Hood is strong in man coverage and not afraid to mix it up in the run game. He’s a solid tackler, too. The Rams need more players who could make things competitive on the perimeter. — Antonio Morales

30. Denver Broncos: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia​

What was already one of the best defenses in the league gets another building block in Allen. He could be the new signal caller for a defense that can once again be one of the most stifling groups in the NFL. He might not have the measurables of recent star Georgia linebackers, but Allen is the perfect glue to connect a dominant front line with an elite secondary. Allen led the Bulldogs with 88 tackles in 2025 and was solid in pass coverage, too. The Broncos have nailed the defensive side of the draft in recent years and would continue that trend here. — Chris Kamrani

31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M​

The Patriots produced only 35 sacks last season, putting them in the bottom third of the NFL. Howell comes off the line with big-time speed and quickness, though at 6-2 and 250 pounds, he will need to develop as a run defender. The Bowling Green transfer blew up last season after serving in a rotational role at A&M in 2024, becoming one of the best pass rushers in the country with 11.5 sacks in 13 games. — Ralph D. Russo

32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo​

Fresh off their suffocating performance in the Super Bowl, the reigning champs add a rangy safety who can extend Toledo’s strong recent NFL track record and be another wild card in Mike Macdonald’s defense. With safety Coby Bryant hitting unrestricted free agency, McNeil-Warren can step in and be a back-end force who can play anywhere and everywhere, making life for the opposing quarterback even more of a living hell. — Chris Kamrani