Zak Drapeau's 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.3
- Zak Drapeau
- 23 hours ago
- 11 min read
by Zak Drapeau
1/6/2025
Sportz Nation
1. Fernando Mendoza QB
6'5" 225 lbs. Indiana
Las Vegas Raiders
With Pete Carroll being fired yesterday after one, terrible year on the job, the Raiders will be entering the offseason ready for a fresh start, and with valuable pieces to start with. The bigger question we should be asking is if the Raiders should trade away their pick or take one of the top QBs. I believe they should look for a trade down for picks and possibly call Arizona for Kyler Murray's availability.
If they go with the Quarterback, it will be between Indiana's Mendoza and Oregon's Moore. I believe neither are quite ready for a #1 pick-billing but Mendoza is probably the better prospect. Mendoza is the safer and more accurate of the two and should thrive in an NFL-timing based offense.
2. Dante Moore QB
6'3" 205 lbs. Oregon
New York Jets
Similarly to the previous pick, I have a lower grade for Moore than a #2 pick would suggest but Quarterback is the most valuable position and Moore definitely has potential in the league. While the Jets really need more help on defense and I can see Aaron Glenn opting for a Veteran Free Agent in the offseason, for now this looks like their best option.
3. Rueben Bain Jr. DL
6'3" 275 lbs. Miami
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals just fired their Head Coach and its only a matter of time before they make a lot more moves this offseason. Without trades in this Mock Draft and before any Kyler Murray movement happens, the Cardinals have the enviable spot of taking the first non-Quarterback of the class.
Bain is one of the freakiest athletes in this draft. Slightly undersized for his position at only 275, Bain makes up for it with a combination of speed and strength we've rarely seen. Highly productive in high school and college minus his sophomore season due to a calf injury, Bain is a can't miss prospect that might be the closest thing to Aaron Donald as a prospect.
4. Jeremiyah Love RB
6'0" 216 lbs. Notre Dame
Tennessee Titans
This selection is definitely a reach for me but I believe one that the Titans sorely need. The Titans have done a good job building an offense around Cam Ward who had an okay rookie season but a game-changing playmaker could really see a spike for his second season.
As far as playmakers go, Jeremiyah Love is the best of his class with plenty others to compete with mainly in the receiver position. Tony Pollard was good last season but Love is of the same prospect-level as Bijan was in 2023. If the Titans want to lighten the load and give Cam Ward all the help to succeed, Love might be worth reaching at #4.
5. Jordyn Tyson WR
6'2" 200 lbs Arizona State
New York Giants
The only other player of the class that could challenge Love for the best playmaker, Jordyn Tyson has now been one of the best Wideouts in College Football for 2 full seasons. With the rare ability to play "above the rim", Tyson is one of the best jumpball receivers I've ever seen who also happens to have great hands and separation. Pairing Tyson with Nabers for Jaxson Dart would make the Giants REALLY interesting.
6. Ty Simpson QB
6'2" 208 lbs Alabama
Cleveland Browns
One of the rising stars of the year, I believe Simpson's stock will rise even more come combine time. It's very easy to compare Simpson to Mac Jones as a 1-year Alabama starter who had Heisman numbers but Simpson is also more mobile and showed an even better deep ball than Jones in 2020. Cleveland needs to draft a QB in this class and if they don't trade up for one it should be him.
7. Arvell Reese Edge
6'4" 243 lbs. Ohio State
Washington Commanders
While I personally have Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain above Reese, he is the best Edge Rusher of the class and because of that one of the best prospects. A physical freak who put it all together in Ohio State with 6.5 sacks and 69 tackles. Reese's fit in the league will be a great hybrid of a Linebacker and Edge Rusher similar to Travon Walker. In Washington, Reese would primarily rush the Quarterback in their 4-3 defense and under Dan Quinn could become a premier player in the league.
8. Caleb Downs SAF
6'0" 205 lbs Ohio State
New Orleans Saints
I have yet to release my Prospect Big Board but if you'd like a little spoiler, let's just say this is the best value pick of the Mock Draft. The Saints had a better season than I thought thanks to their rookie Quarterback Tyler Shough showing enough promise for the team to focus on defense. More than any other player on this list, I believe Caleb Downs has the ability to transform an NFL unit and could add to an already good secondary in New Orleans.
9. David Bailey Edge
6'3" 250 lbs Texas Tech
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had their first down year in half a decade and got a Top-10 pick out of it. At this point they should take the best player available and David Bailey is the final game-changing Edge Rusher of the class.
Instantly becoming the best Edge defender on the team, Bailey could help the Chiefs' defense return to one of the most explosive in the league similar to 2023.
10. Peter Woods DL
6'3" 310 lbs Clemson
Cincinnati Bengals
Peter Woods is an interesting prospect because he's unlikely to become the best DT in the NFL, but may also be one of the safer prospects in the class. His hand usage and knowledge of how to use his size to plug run lanes would be deeply needed in a Cincinnati defense that did a good job starting their defensive rebuild last year and could really make a difference if they continue it in 2026.
11. Kenyon Sadiq TE
6'3" 245 lbs Oregon
Miami Dolphins
Another selection I would consider a reach, Kenyon Sadiq is by far the best Tight End in the class but isn't a complete prospect like Tyler Warren was last year. What Sadiq is, is exactly what the Dolphins need in a pure receiving threat that can stretch the middle of the field for Tua.
12. Jermod McCoy CB
6'0" 193 lbs Tennessee
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys just released Trevono Diggs and were already in need of a boundary corner. With rookie Shavon Revel controlling the Nickel and DaRon Bland hopefully back in 2026 from injuries, adding McCoy would finally give the Cowboys' defense a secondary that other teams would fear
13. Spencer Fano OT
6'6" 308 lbs Utah
Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta)
The biggest faller so far of the first round has to be Spencer Fano, my top-ranked O-line prospect in the class. Falling to the Rams at #13 when that pick wasn't even originally there's would be a come up for one of the best teams in the league already.
14. Carnell Tate WR
6'3" 195 lbs. Ohio State
Baltimore Ravens
Ohio State Wide Receivers have been the safest picks over the last 5 years and Carnell Tate is the next one. Tall and very intelligent in how to find spaces in zone defenses, Tate would become an instant threat in the Ravens offense, complimenting Zay Flowers' slot style with an over-the-top threat.
15. Mansoor Delane CB
6'0" 190 lbs LSU
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers got screwed out of the playoffs last week because of tiebreakers and now don't have a Playoff spot or high pick. Grabbing Mansoor Delane is a great way to make up for their tough situation though, his blend of speed and athleticism gives him the highest potential for Corners in this class but may take a year or two to pick up the necessary mechanics.
16. Avieon Terrell CB
5'11" 180 lbs Clemson
New York Jets (via Indianapolis)
Here's a third corner in the last 5 picks and it is also the Jets replacement for Sauce Gardner with one of the picks they received for him. Terrell may be Sauce's opposite, i.e. a slot/zone corner with great tackling and athleticism but is the best DB left. Seeing how Aaron Glenn's first year in New York saw 0 interceptions, this pick has to be made.
17. Francis Mauigoa OG
6'6" 315 lbs Miami
Detroit Lions
Mauigoa was once thought to be a premier Tackle in the class but once his measurements come out I believe he will be thought of as more of a Guard. The Lions have gotten all they can out of Ragnow and Mahogany and if they truly want to build around Gibbs and Montgomery, taking a solid Guard like Mauigoa is necessary and could be a long term Pro Bowler to boot.
18. Christen Miller DT
6'4" 310 lbs Georgia
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a 4-3 defense and a good one at that, but taking Christen Miller could give them an interior rusher that puts it over the top. Miller may have Nose Tackle size but his athleticism makes him a truly versatile D-Lineman their DC Brian Flores could turn into the next Danielle Hunter.
19. Keldric Faulk Edge
6'6" 285 lbs Auburn
Carolina Panthers
Faulk was one of my favorite prospects heading into the season but didn't have a great Junior season just like most of Auburn's roster. His size and bend will be coveted by most NFL teams even if his mechanics and consistency will need to be address. The Panthers should definitely be one of those suitors especially in this range, after being one of the worst pass rushes in the league in 2025.
20. Cashius Howell Edge
6'2" 248 lbs Texas A&M
Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay)
They replace Diggs with their first pick and Parsons with their second, gotta say I'd love this draft if I was a Cowboys fan. Howell is a speed-threat off the Edge and should fit in really nice in Dallas as they rebuild.
21. John Mateer QB
6'1" 224 lbs Oklahoma
Pittsburgh Steelers
I want to say I've mocked a Quarterback to the Steelers in every Mock Draft since about 2022. Mateer may not have had as good of a second half as his first half of the 2025 college season but his processing ability, athleticism and arm strength definitely makes him a future NFL-starter. He's one of these guys that needs to sit a year to have a future and I believe Pittsburgh is a destination that would give him that.
22. Colton Hood CB
6'0" 195 lbs Tennessee
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have gotten a lot of good snaps out of some 6th rounders in their secondary over the last two seasons and it's time for them to bring in some real pedigree. Colton Hood isn't jumping off the charts in any one area but is one of the most well-rounded corners of the class. All due respect to Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, but Hood would be the best prospect in this Secondary group since Derwin James came in.
23. Denzel Boston WR
6'4" 209 lbs USC
Philadelphia Eagles
I believe the Eagles and AJ Brown will mutually part ways this offseason and that should leave a guy like Makai Lemon to be targeted. Similar in stature and play style to Brown, Boston should bring the same catch radius while also adding energy and youth to this offense that sorely needs it after their lackluster 2025.
24. Sonny Styles LB
6'5" 243 lbs Ohio State
Buffalo Bills
I really hate to say this and Buffalo fans will hate more to hear it, but Matt Milano's time with the team is close to , if not at it's end. Styles brings the same versatility that a young Milano did with the added virtue of not being injury-riddled every season.
25. TJ Parker Edge
6'3" 260 lbs Clemson
Chicago Bears
Another one of the better prospects before the season started that just so happened to be no a team where EVERYONE underachieved, Parker has the explosiveness and size to really make a difference in Chicago's pass rush. This pick may be obsolete if Parker killls the combine like I expect him to but if he's still here at #25, the Bears should be all over it.
26. Kadyn Proctor OT
6'7" 366 lbs Alabama
Los Angeles Chargers
Still to this day, I have a Top-10 prospect ranking on Kadyn Proctor. The biggest "Freak" and highest potential of any lineman in this class, Kadyn Proctor has Elite size and great strength but will need to bring his weight down and work on pass blocking agility. If he can learn that, (and San Fran would be a great spot to do so) the 49ers would instantly have their next Trent Williams.
27. Caleb Lomu OT
6'6" 308 lbs Utah
Houston Texans
The Texans should just keep adding O-lineman. Aireontae Ersery looks like he'll have a bright future on the edge but their interior and RT spots still need work. Why not bring in the most versatile lineman left out of the Utah factory in Caleb Lomu, who's blend of size, agility and experience could make him a Day 1 starter at any of the 5 O-line spots in Houston.
28. Makai Lemon WR
5'11 195 lbs USC
Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville)
The Browns got their QB earlier and now should get him a top-option. While I'm not as high on Lemon as most, he's still a first round-stud and to get him at #28 has to be looked at as a steal. An ultra-speedy boundary receiver with great hands, not only should he be in the league for a long time but he also gives Ty Simpson a receiving threat eerily similar to those he had at Alabama in 2025.
29. Keith Abney II CB
6'0" 190 lbs Arizona State
Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta)
Abney seems like he's a perfect fit in the Rams defense. He will probably start as their Nickel/ Safety role but could easily be left on an island with a team's WR1 after a year or two. With elite speed helping his athleticism, Abney's initial struggle will be facing top-end talent after coming out of ASU but Chris Shula should be able to bring every bit of potential out of him.
30. Caleb Banks DT
6'6" 330 lbs Florida
New England Patriots
Another fit that makes so much sense to me is Caleb Banks in New England. In my opinion, the best Nose Tackle of his class could easily go somewhere in the picks 20-29 range but may also come here. Limited to a run stuffing role, Banks can't do what other D Tackles like Miller and McDonald can but if a team just needs a black hole in the middle of their D-line like the Patriots do, he's the best bet.
31. Elijah Sarratt WR
6'2" 213 LBS Indiana
Denver Broncos
The Broncos should keep adding playmakers to make Bo Nix's life easier so why not add the man that was the biggest reason Mendoza just got the Heisman. Sarratt is a true safety net option at WR with great cuts and understanding of defenses with sure hands. He may be limited in terms of high-end athletic potential but should remain as a great possession receiver in the league, eerily similar to what Michael Pittman has been for the Colts.
32. Anthony Hill Jr. LB
6'3" 238 lbs Texas
Seattle Seahawks
This pick would be so crazy for the Seahawks who clearly don't need any help on defense but I love it anyway. If there was ANY holes in this defense it's at Mike Linebacker and Hill Jr is one of the best Mikes I've seen of the last 5 years. A 2024 All-American that had a down year, Hill is a fearless tackler with the agility to ball hawk the middle of the field. Think about how the Broncos already had a great defense but still drafted Jahdae Barron last year and you see why this pick would be compelling to Mike Macdonald.
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Make sure you stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.
-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)