What I Would Do 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Zak Drapeau
16 minutes ago
7 min read

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 4/21/2026

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1. Fernando Mendoza QB

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders need a Quarterback and Mendoza is the easy pick. Mendoza will get to sit behind Cousins for a few games before taking the reigns and becoming their Franchise guy for the next decade.

2. Arvell Reese Edge

New York Jets

The Jets have been linked to Bailey and Reese at this pick but I believe the Jets would benefit more with Reese. As a Linebacker/Edge hybrid, Reese would give the Jets' other rushers McDonald and Ossai the best chance to succeed with Reese still getting the opportunity to play both.

TRADE

KC - #3

ARI - #9, #74 and '27 1st

Photo by Nathan Giese/ Avalanche-Journal/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images

3. David Bailey Edge

Kansas City Chiefs (via ARI)

The Chiefs should trade up and get David Bailey if he falls to 3. I believe the Cardinals really want to acquire more picks and the Chiefs might not even need to give up #29 to get Bailey who will easily be their top Edge Rusher for the foreseeable future.

4. Sonny Styles LB

Tennessee Titans

With Reese and Bailey gone, this pick was either Styles or Jeremiyah Love but I believe Robert Saleh will prioritize defense. Styles becomes the guy they build around for the next decade and a guy Saleh would get the most out of as his next Fred Warner.

TRADE

WAS - #5

NYG - #7, #71 and #147

5. Jeremiyah Love RB

Washington Commanders (via NYG)

This trade goes both ways, the Commanders are enamored with getting Jayden Daniels another option and I really believe the Giants want to trade down.

6. Francis Mauigoa WR

Cleveland Browns

The Browns could go with any of the receivers or Mauigoa with this pick but I think new coach Todd Monken will prioritize the O-line in a run heavy offense. Mauigoa is more of a pass blocking LT which will allow the rest of the line to focus on the run.

7. Jordyn Tyson OT

New York Giants (via WAS)

The Giants move back 2 spots and probably wish Mauigoa was still on the board but now get their pick of receiver. While Tate or Tyson both have a claim, I prefer Tyson as WR1 and along with Malik Nabers will give this offense a real vertical threat moving forward.

Photo by Samantha Madar/ Columbus Dispatch

8. Carnell Tate WR

New Orleans Saints

The Saints should take whatever receiver makes it to #8 and chances are if Carnell Tate does, they run this pick to the podium to give Kellen Moore and Tyler Shough a shiny new weapon.

9. Rueben Bain Jr. Edge

Arizona Cardinals (via KC)

The Cardinals get Rueben Bain and the trade haul from the Chiefs instead of Bailey at #3 and while Bain is a step down from Bailey right now, put everything together and the Cardinals are looking GREAT right now.

10. Jermod McCoy CB

New York Giants (via CIN)

The way this board has fell is not kind to the Giants at #10. With Caleb Downs still on the board, I instead went with McCoy because a boundary corner is a MUCH bigger need than a Safety or Nickel in my mind and in a zone defense I'd take McCoy over Delane any day.

11. Caleb Downs SAF

Miami Dolphins

Miami needed a break after this offseason and they just got one, grabbing (in my eyes) the #1 prospect in the class at #11. Downs will be the Captain on their defense for as long as they keep him on the roster and could be the team's MVP as early as his rookie season.

TRADE

MIN - #12

DAL - #18, #49 and #194

12. Mansoor Delane CB

Minnesota Vikings (via DAL)

The Vikings need to make this deal as they climb up 6 spots to grab their corner. Delane won't drop much farther than this and for the Vikings who have no clear CB1, a 2nd round pick to move up to #12 is worth getting a guy like Delane.

13. Spencer Fano OT

Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)

This was either Fano or Makai Lemon and I know Lemon is the sexier pick with Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford not getting younger but Fano made more sense. After Rob Havenstein's retirement at the end of the season the Rams have a huge whole at RT where I think Fano will thrive in LA.

14. Olaivavega Ioane OG

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens take the Guard with the highest floor to sure up their O-line, Ola Ioane. An uber strong and smart lineman, Ioane will instantly improve this line and give Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson the best chance to get back to the playoffs.

TRADE

CAR - #15

TB - #19 and #83

15. Kenyon Sadiq TE

Carolina Panthers (via TB)

I believe the Panthers trade up a few spots on Draft Day to make sure they get Kenyon Sadiq and the only question is when. The Buccaneers are the most likely to trade down in my opinion and this way the Panthers also get in front of the Jets who could feasibly want Sadiq as well.

16. Makai Lemon WR

New York Jets (via IND)

The Jets would be scrambling to the podium if Makai Lemon makes it to #16. I'm not sure how he got here as one of my favorite prospects but the Jets surely won't let him slide any further.

17. Kadyn Proctor OT

Detroit Lions

I believe that Dan Campbell is salivating over getting a prospect like Kadyn Proctor who has unlimited physical potential. He may not be able to start right away but sooner than later, he will pair with Penei Sewell and terrify opposing edge rushers.

18. C.J. Allen LB

Dallas Cowboys (via MIN)

The Cowboys trade back from #12 and still get a great prospect in a huge position of need. C.J. Allen is young and raw but has the potential to be the leader of this defense for a long time with his athleticism and intelligence.

19. Keldric Faulk Edge

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via CAR)

The Buccs are linked to Akheem Mesidor around this pick but I much prefer Faulk here especially in their defense where Todd Bowles covets larger edge rushers and can get the most out of them as well.

20. Dillon Thieneman SAF

Dallas Cowboys (via GB)

After just grabbing a future defensive captain in Allen, the Cowboys double down and get Dillon Thieneman who in my eyes can complete their secondary. Thieneman is more of a Box Safety than a Cover Safety and will allow the rest of their secondary to completely focus on their zone assignments.

TRADE

ARI - #21 and 2027 4th

PIT - #34, #65 and 2027 2nd

21. Ty Simpson QB

Arizona Cardinals (via PIT)

I can see the Steelers making it known they'll take Simpson at #21 and forcing a team like the Cardinals to trade with them. After acquiring picks for the #3 spot earlier, the Cardinals are happy to do it to stash Simpson under Brissett for the year and move toward their future.

22. Peter Woods DT

Los Angeles Chargers

Peter Woods to the Chargers may be the most frequent pick I've made in mock drafts all draft season. Woods would fit in as one of their 3-4 DEs but is so versatile and experienced on the D-line that he could line up anywhere Harbaugh wants him.

TRADE

NE - #23

PHI - #31, #95 and #131

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/ Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

23. Monroe Freeling OT

New England Patriots

This Draft Day trade would instantly hype up then comber the crowd as soon as they realize A.J. Brown wasn't a part of it. Still, I think the Pats should do what they can to trade up for Freeling if he makes it this far and gives them a lot of O-line flexability moving forward.

24. Omar Cooper Jr. WR

Cleveland Browns (via JAX)

The Browns got their future Tackle with their #6 pick and grab the WR for the future in Omar Cooper here. Coming into the draft the Browns had 2, clear needs and they might've hit home runs for them with Mauigoa and Cooper.

25. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren SAF

Chicago Bears

I believe the Bears could trade down on Draft day if the board looks like this but I also think they might covet a Safety after Jaqon Brisker's exit. With EMW making it to #25, they could make the pick and give Jaylon Johnson someone else in the back end to make his life easier.

26. Emmanuel Pregnon OG

Buffalo Bills

I LOVE this pick. Pregnon is a bully of an offensive lineman who would be molded the right way in Buffalo and give them a better interior for James Cook to run through. Pregnon isn't a sexy pick, but Buffalo's not a sexy team either.

27. K.C. Concepcion WR

San Francisco 49ers

Concepcion has been linkned to the 49ers at #27 and it makes a lot of sense to me. The 49ers starting slot right now is Christian Kirk and Concepcion would be a HUGE upgrade and give Purdy a much needed weapon in the middle of the field especially with George Kittle's recent injuries withstanding.

28. Caleb Banks DT

Houston Texans

Why not? The Texans have the best defense in the league and without a top end Guard or receiver availbel, go grab Caleb Banks who will give them a run dtuffer up the middle they have been sort of missing and turn this defensive front up even more.

29. Chris Johnson CB

Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)

Another team that filled their 2 biggest needs would be the Chiefs if this comes true. I love Johnson as a boundary, man corner and that's what the Chiefs desperately need after McDuffie, Watson and Cook's exodus.

TRADE

TEN - #30 and #170

MIA - #35 and #101

30. T.J. Parker Edge

Tennessee Titans (via MIA)

I believe the Titans trade back into the 1st to assure they get a premier Edge Rusher and move ahead of whoever has the #31 pick to do it. Grabbing T.J. Parker to go along with Sonny Styles at 4 is such a home run start to Saleh's defense.

31. Cashius Howell Edge

Philadelphia Eagles (via NE)

The Eagles are "treating this draft as if AJ Brown is already gone" but I believe the value of WR in the second round is better then grabbing someone like Denzel Boston here. The Eagles really need a pass rusher as well and if Howell is still available, pull the trigger.

32. Colton Hood CB

Seattle Seahawks

Last but not least, the Seahawks grab another Cornerback. Devon Witherspoon needs to go back to the slot so they should grab Hood here who is a speed demon and excels in zone which is exactly the boundary corner that Seattle is looking for.