Zak Drapeau's 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

by Zak Drapeau

1/6/2026

Sportz Nation

Graphic by NFL

1. Fernando Mendoza QB

Las Vegas Raiders

Mendoza is a good Quarterback but maybe not to the level of #1 Quarterbacks in the past. Still this is the pick, with the Raiders needing a Quarterback and this class being the worst for QBs since 2022, this is a no-doubter.

2. Arvell Reese LB

New York Jets

Reese isn't my #1 prospect this year but he does have the best potential in his class. A freak athlete with all of the physical tools to be a generational Linebacker, Reese is more of a Mike or Sam LB rather than a pure Edge Rusher but he should be the versatile playmaker the Jets sorely need.

3. David Bailey ED

Arizona Cardinals

I am higher on David Bailey than most and have him as my #1 Edge prospect in the class and he would fit beautifully in Arizona under Mike LaFleur. As long as they keep the 3-4 from last year and LaFleur's natural defense from Los Angeles, Bailey could be one of the best pass rushers in the league.

4. Rueben Bain Jr ED

Tennessee Titans

Bain might have been one of the best players in College Football this season but his build is a bit of a concern for NFL teams. For Tennessee though, they just need elite players at any position and Bain is probably the best available player left at least at a position as important as Edge Rusher.

5. Spencer Fano OT

New York Giants

Fano is graded lower for me than most but like Mendoza is the headliner of a particularly weaker class this year. Easily the best Tackle of the group at least right now, Fano fits into Harbaugh's offense in New York and should set the tone for the Giants' run game at RT.

6. Jordyn Tyson WR

Cleveland Browns

Tyson is an all-around playmaker that has natural receiver instincts with tremendous hands and a rare ability to play the ball in the air. Cleveland seems ready to roll with Shedeur Sanders for another year and will need to surround him with weapons.

7. Jeremiah Love RB

Washington Commanders

Speaking of weapons... Love is my #2 prospect of the class and a game changer that could REALLY help Washington's offense. Think about a healthy Jayden Daniels throwing the ball to Scary Terry and handing it off to Love

8. Carnell Tate WR

New Orleans Saints

3 skill position players in a row to 3 offenses who really need them. For New Orleans, Tyler Shough obviously has the keys to the Ferrari for the future and giving him a leader and polished receiver like Tate would be a huge step in continuing his progression.

9. Caleb Downs SAF

Kansas City Chiefs

Boy this would be a dangerous draft pick if it happens. Caleb Downs is my #1 prospect of the class and should be everyone's. Downs is the most complete Safety prospect I've ever seen even if he has average size. Elite coverage skills and better at run stopping, Downs would make an already-great Chiefs' defense even better.

10. Jermod McCoy CB

Cincinnati Bengals

This year's Cornerback class is another group that's a bit weaker and it's evident in the non-consensus #1 corner that I say should be McCoy. A Torn ACL stole his 2025 season from him but he's shown the best corner instincts and ball skills of the class. No matter if it's McCoy or Delane as CB1, the Bengals need one of them.

11. Francis Mauigoa OT

Miami Dolphins

Mauigoa has gotten a lot of rising draft stock since his performance in the CFBPlayoffs but I'm not positive he sticks at Tackle in the league. Even if he moves inside he has a bright future in the league and would be a perfect marriage for the Dolphins, already being in state with the Hurricanes.

12. Cashius Howell ED

Dallas Cowboys

This pick would be a desperate replacement for Micah Parsons and Cashius Howell might be just the man to step into that role. A lightning fast and technical OLB-rusher, Howell will fit right into the Cowboys' scheme and help their defense become feared for Quarterbacks again.

13. Mansoor Delane CB

Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta)

So if McCoy doesn't go before him, Delane would be CB1 and its easy to see why. Perhaps the most athletic man of his position if not the entire class. Twitchy as anyone and with elite speed, Delane will need to be schooled on man coverage techniques but if that happens, he will be a complete corner in the NFL.

14. Peter Woods DT

Baltimore Ravens

Woods was one of the best prospects entering the year but didn't do himself any favors this season at Clemson. Still, Woods is a dynamic, strong and smart D-lineman that could line up at any spot in the NFL. This year's DT class is full of run stuffers and Woods is the only one that is as good at rushing the passer making him the obvious first choice.

15. Sonny Styles LB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Styles is a very interesting prospect this year and might be the best coverage-Linebacker we've seen in a long time. His versatility comes from his background as a Safety and his build makes him a premier candidate for a Will LB or even a Nickel in the league.

16. Makai Lemon WR

New York Jets (via Indianapolis)

Makai Lemon is actually my WR2 above Carnell Tate on my board because of his skill with the ball in his hands. Tate will probably go ahead of him because of his size and pedigree, but if he falls to #16 the Jets could have one of the most dynamic receiver duos in the league alongside Garrett Wilson.

17. Kadyn Proctor OT

Detroit Lions

Another player I'm higher on, Proctor is a raw talent with a lot of coaching needed to become a solid-pro. At 6'7" and 360 pounds with violent hands and WAY too much agility for a man his size, Proctor has the most potential in the class and going to a team like the Lions would be one of his best options to succeed.

18. C.J. Allen LB

Minnesota Vikings

Another Linebacker in one of the best groups of the class, Allen is a very young and intelligent player for his position. With good athleticism and experience for a 21-year old, Allen could become one of the biggest leaders on this team and a future Captain in the middle of the defense.

19. Kenyon Sadiq TE

Carolina Panthers

Sadiq is far and away the best TE of the class but comes with as many risks as he does rewards in my book. Small for an NFL-TE, Sadiq has the ferrocity to block but will need to build mass to do it consistently. Luckily for him the NFL has been using TEs in the slot more and more which is where Sadiq shines and could compliment McMillan beautifully.

20. Avieon Terrell CB

Dallas Cowboys (via NY Jets)

To pair with their new Linebacker and Receiver already in this First Round, let's give the Jets another Leader n their defense in Avieon Terrell. Think Jahdae Barron with a little less of a nose for the ball and you have Terrell; a feisty and versatile Nickel who can be a swiss-army knife on the defensive end.

21. Ty Simpson QB

Pittsburgh Steelers

QB2 of this class will be heavily debated on from now until April but I have Simpson at the moment over Beck and Nussmeier. With only one year as a starter, Simpson has a lot of growth ahead of him while still being a very accurate passer even if he crumbles quickly under pressure.

22. Caleb Lomu OT Los Angeles Chargers

Lomu is probably the most versatile lineman of his class and I believe could even be a Center in the league. For a team like the Chargers who were still a playoff team even after starting over 10 offensive lineman this season, a player like Lomu would be key for them moving forward.

23. Olaivavega Ioane OG

Philadelphia Eagles

"Vega" Ioane is a dominant and rugged O-lineman that screams Eagles' to me. Stepping in at Guard right next to Jordan Mailata would make for one of the best run blocking sides of an O-line that there is in the NFL.

24. Keldric Faulk ED

Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville)

A very talented player that would have to "drop" to get to #24, Keldric Faulk is a long and talented pass rusher that could be a versatile rusher in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. After a Junior season-regression, Faulk may not have the statistical success we hoped for but his prospect is still terrific as a productive pass rusher with elite size for the NFL-level.

25. Matayo Uiagalelei ED

Chicago Bears

Uiagalelei has a bright future in the sport with a nose for the Quarterback and an elite build as an Edge Rusher even if he is a "Tweener". At 6'5" and 272 pounds, Uiagalelei will fit better in a 3-4 scheme like Chicago's and should become as good setting an edge against the run as he does rushing QBs.

26. T.J. Parker ED

Buffalo Bills

A highly-productive Edge Rusher who improved his stock at the Senior Bowl this year, Parker could be the Edge Rusher that permanently helps the Bills defense instead of the one-year rentals they've had in Von Miller and Joey Bosa recently.

27. K.C. Concepcion WR

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are really hurting for receiver help heading into next season with Aiyuk likely to be released. K.C. Concepcion is a gadget receiver that could really help replace Deebo Samuel and add additional help with special teams play.

28. Caleb Banks DT

Houston Texans

Another riser in the Senior Bowl and one of the best run stuffers in the country, Caleb Banks is a massive human being that could change a Houston D-line known for its' pass rush become an all-around complete and elite group.

29. Carson Beck QB

Los Angeles Rams

Having 3 Quarterbacks go in the First Round this year might be presumptuous on my part but I believe an experienced and smart leader like Beck is just the guy to take over from Stafford in McVay's offense sometime in the future.

30. Christen Miller DT

Denver Broncos

Miller is an outstanding athlete for someone his size but has a few flaws mainly against the pass. Operating with an insane motor and good lateral movement, Miller is a solid D-Tackle from the 1-3 techs but will have to really improve his game to become any more than an interior run defender.

31. Romello Height ED

New England Patriots

So these next two picks is where I differ from most. I have Height as my #31 prospect almost entirely because of his age and size being concerns. He is a maniac when it comes to rushing the Edge and has some of the best production College saw this season. Most will have him closer to 20 in this draft but I believe he falls a little closer to the end of Round 1.

32. Akheem Mesidor ED

Seattle Seahawks

Same thing here with Mesidor who is also 25-years old. More of a 4-3 defensive end, Mesidor could fill in nicely in Demarcus Lawrence's role for the future in Seattle who's pass rush doesn't really need any help but could always use some fresh blood for the new champions of the world.

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-Z.D. (@Drapeau Zak on X)