Zak Drapeau's 2026 Trade Heavy NFL Mock Draft
- Zak Drapeau
- 41 minutes ago
- 13 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 4/8/2026
For the first time in the 2026 Draft season I will be putting out a Mock Draft with trades. This exercise helps with 2 things, the first being it gives everyone an idea of the most likely candidates to move picks when it comes to the First Round on April 24 and also shakes up the normal routine of draft picks we see selected just about at the same selection just about every time.
I will probably make a separate list just to talk about those specific teams I've heard are willing to move up or down or that I find most likely to in the future.
For now though, here is technically my 3.1 Mock Draft with Trades.
-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak on Twitter)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#1 Overall Pick
Las Vegas Raiders Select
Fernando Mendoza
QB Indiana
This pick is all but guaranteed and the right move for the Raiders. I may not be as high on Mendoza as others with him being #7 on my Big Board but he is by far the best Quarterback and could become a solid Franchise-QB espeically sitting behind Geno Smith for at least a few games.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
🚨TRADE🚨
Titans Receives #2
#2 Overall Pick
Tennessee Titans Select
Arvell Reese
ED Ohio State
Reese is the best athlete on the Edge in this class and would be loved by a defensive coach like Robert Saleh. Reese's projection as a top-end Edge Rusher is still a bit of a question but he will no doubt be an impactful off-ball Linebacker and should be a leader of the Tennessee defense if the Titans are bold enough to make this move.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#3 Overall Pick
Washington Commanders Select
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love may be the best prospect in this class and even though Running Backs are rarely drafted this high, Love is different and would be a Home Run hitter that could complete this offense. Surrounded by Terry McLaurin and Chig Okonkwo, Love would be the new focal point in an offense headed by a healthy Jayden Daniels in what could be a menacing offense in 2026.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#4 Overall Pick
New York Jets Select
David Bailey
ED Texas Tech
The Jets fall back 2 selections, add multiple picks and still come out with an incredible Edge Rusher who actually has a better background then who they would've went with at #2. Bailey is an explosive and violent edge rusher who will fit in terrifically in the Jets defense as a 3-4 OLB and should be there top pass rusher instantly.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#5 Overall Pick
New York Giants Select
Francis Mauigoa
OT Miami
Mauigoa is the top Left Tackle prospect in this class and because of that will go earlier than he would in most classes. Mauigoa could actually complete the Giants line on the right side as a pass blocker and gradually ease into the run blocking scheme John Harbuagh will bring to New York.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#6 Overall Pick
Cleveland Browns Select
Carnell Tate
WR Ohio State
Tate is a weird prospect and actually my WR3 of the class but even I have to agree he has by far the highest floor of the position. Tate is your prototype X-receiver with height, length and hands already at the NFL-level. His 40-yard dash time was very concerning and he isn't elite within 10 yards but if just used as a boundary receiver, he'll grow into a full route tree and could be the best receiver in Cleveland since Terrelle Pryor.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#7 Overall Pick
Arizona Cardinals Select
Sonny Styles
LB Ohio State
Styles is a freak... bottom line. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, Styles can also move and cover like a good to great Safety in the NFL already. He isn't the perfect downhill backer and may be best as a Will in the NFL but this guy could also be a Safety, Nickel or just a Swiss Army knife and a unique weapon on defense at the next level.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
🚨TRADE🚨
Cowboys Receive #8
#8 Overall Pick
Dallas Cowboys Select
Rueben Bain Jr.
ED Miami
I believe the Cowboys could look to move up seeing as they still have #20 in the First Round as well. They could really fall in love with a guy like Rueben Bain who would instantly translate to their 4-3 defense. At Miami, Bain was an effective power rusher who was also great against the run and as long as he can add some mass over the enxt year or two, should be just as good in the NFL.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#9 Overall Pick
Kansas City Chiefs Select
Caleb Downs
SAF Ohio State
This is a pick that will put the league on notice. Caleb Downs is my #1 prospect in the class but because of his position will fall to around this spot. His ability as a Box Safety is elite and he is even very good downhill for a 6', 205-pounder. This is a guy that will Captain the Chiefs' secondary from Day 1 until his last day on the team.
Also, if you're keeping track that is 4 Buckeyes in the first 9 picks.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#10 Overall Pick
Cincinnati Bengals Select
Mansoor Delane
CB LSU
This pick is much more difficult now that Jermod McCoy performed well at Tennessee's pro day but I'm still going to go with Delane here. The engals have done very well to rebuild their defense over the past 2 seasons and adding an athletic, man cover corner like Delane could bring it to the next level.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#11 Overall Pick
Miami Dolphins Select
Makai Lemon
WR USC
The Dolphins need help on offense after bringing in Malik Willis and then taking all of his weapons away. Adding Lemon would be a heck of a start. Lemon's versatility in position and route progression means he can go all over the field and his abiity after the catch is his real calling card. Take a little pressure off of Achane and give Willis a #1 receiver in one move.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#12 Overall Pick
New Orleans Saints Select
Jordyn Tyson
WR Arizona State
Now I know the injuries are very concerning for Tyson after missing his Pro Day and he could really drop on Draft Day but this move makes to much sense to me if I was in the Saints' front office. Add a high-potential X-receiver for Tyler Shough to throw to and give your offense the best chance to succeed.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
🚨TRADE🚨
Lions Receive #13
Rams Receive #17 and 2027 2nd
#13 Overall Pick
Detroit Lions Select
Spencer Fano
OT Utah
The Lions could really make this jump if Fano falls all the way to #13 because of his versatility but strong possibility he could anchor the Lions' RT position. He likely wouldn't make it past #14 as well.
Fano may be the best lineman in this class but size issues are a real concern for him after the combine when he measured with especially short arms for a Tackle and even for most Guards. Not especially great at pass blocking either, besides that Fano is a beast. A violent run blocker with a mean streak, Fano captained Utah's line for 2 years and was exceptional doing it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#14 Overall Pick
Baltimore Ravens Select
Olaivavega Ioane
OG Penn State
The Ravens narrowly missed Fano but will take Ola Ioane instead who has a much higher floor and is all but guaranteed to have a 10-year career in the league. The Ravens have some holes in the middle of their o-line and assuming Jesse Minter wants to continue their run heavy DNA, adding Ioane will instantly improve their run blocking.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#15 Overall Pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select
Akheem Mesidor
ED Miami
I've been very vocal about not having Mesidor rated as a First Rounder because of his age and smaller size than advertised. That being said, he may be the perfect fit in Tampa Bay and should be an instant candidate to get double digit sacks in Tampa's 3-4 system.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#16 Overall Pick
New York Jets Select
Jermod McCoy
CB Tennessee
McCoy is the best corner in this class but hasn't competed in over a year because of an ACL injury in January of 2024. After heavy concerns from scouts, McCoy competed at Tennessee's pro day and helped his stock tremendously. Will this bump him back to the Top-10 billing he once had... I'm not sure. But if he falls to #16, the Jets should jump all over him as their bright Corner of the future ESPECIALLY under Aaron Glenn.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#17 Overall Pick
Los Angeles Rams Select
Monroe Freeling
OT UGA
Freeling is much higher on other boards than mine so I think #17 is even high for him but when it comes to Draft Day, if he falls to #17 he'll get swooped up quick. Freeling is a pure LT-prospect in a class of mostly RTs and that's why his stock has risen but will need some time to adjust to NFL edge rusher. Still, this would be a fantastic pick for the Rams who already moved back and acquired extra picks before he fell to him.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#18 Overall Pick
Minnesota Vikings Select
Dillon Thieneman
SAF Oregon
Thieneman is a Effort-first Safety, a good athlete and a great locker room guy. The Vikings are looking for any Secondary prospect that could take charge and make an impact for him and Thieneman checks all the boxes and could immediately take charge in the hole left by Harrison Smith, even if it takes a few years to actually replace the Hall of Famer.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
🚨TRADE🚨
Eagles Receive #19
#19 Overall Pick
Philadelphia Eagles Select
Kenyon Sadiq
TE Oregon
The Eagles could really trade up to get a guy like Sadiq, not only because of Goedert's contract coming to an end but also in the midst of possibly trading A.J. Brown. Sadiq is a true versatile Tight End who can line up outside, in the slot or inline. The most athletic Tight End to enter the league in a long time, Sadiq is only okay at blocking but will be a premier receiving Tight End very similar to a Brock Bowers in Philly.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#20 Overall Pick
Dallas Cowboys Select
Avieon Terrell
CB Clemson
After trading up to get Rueben Bain earlier, the Cowboys follow it up to select the best Nickel corner in the class too. AJ Terrell's younger brother is a slick and twitchy man cover corner from the slot that will also allow Dallas to move Daron Bland back to the boundary opposite Shavon Revel Jr. With all these additions, the Cowboys defense would be really scary moving forward.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
🚨TRADE🚨
Bears Receive #21
Steelers Receive #25 and 2027 2nd
#21 Overall Pick
Chicago Bears Select
Keldric Faulk
ED Auburn
I'm still not sure about this one becasue I believe the Bears are more likely to trade out of the First Round but I also believe that if a guy like Faulk is still here at #21, they'd jump on him. A VERY big and long 4-3 Defensive End who specializes in run defense but with high potential as a pass rusher fits the Bears' scheme perfectly and would be worth the extra 2nd round pick next year to move up for him.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#22 Overall Pick
Los Angeles Chargers Select
Peter Woods
DT Clemson
This pick is one I've made in a few mocks now because of how much it makes sense. Woods is a nasty and smart D Tackle that can line up in multiple different positions but will do best as a 3-4 Defensive End as he'd play for the Chargers. In run defense, Woods will be EXACTLY what Harbaugh is looking for to make his defense, (which was already #5 last year) even better.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#23 Overall Pick
Carolina Panthers Select
Max Iheanachor
OT Arizona State
Another huge riser during the College Football offseason, Iheanchor is another LT prospect at 6'6", 325 pounds and 34" arms. After trading back in the Philly trade, the Panthers still grab the Tackle they need with Ikem Ekwonu's future at an uncertainty. Even if Ekwonu does re-sign after his injury, moving him back to Guard with Iheanachor and Moton on the edge has a very bright potential.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#24 Overall Pick
Cleveland Browns Select
Kadyn Proctor
OT Alabama
The Browns have been seriously linked to Proctor so I really believe this will be the pick unless somehow Jordyn Tyson falls to #24 which is still a possibility. The thing is, Proctor is as much of a boom-or-bust in this class with potential as a Left Tackle higher than anyone in his class but if he's brought to the Browns, I hate to say it seems more likely he might not get the coaching he needs to reach that potential.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#25 Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Steelers Select
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
SAF Toledo
McNeil-Warren is a very large Zone-Safety with real potential in the run game thanks to his size. He has shown to be stiff or rough around the edges when not in a Center Fielder role but could easily be taught better hip and footwork techniques. I absolutely believe a guy like EMW is at the top of the Steelers' board for his competitiveness and ability to grow and for that would be a perfect, "trade back to get" kind of guy after their earlier trade.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#26 Overall Pick
Buffalo Bills Select
C.J. Allen
LB Georgia
This pick is one of my favorites in this entire Mock and could easily be the best of the bunch after 3 or 4 years. C.J. Allen is an undersized, but incredibly smart and athletic Linebacker and only 21 years old. On a defense like the Bills that prioritizes their Linebackers, Allen will have time to grow while being surrounded by the exact company needed to be great and in a role that he could take over in the near future.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#27 Overall Pick
San Francisco 49ers Select
Caleb Lomu
OT Utah
The 49ers need to make an O-lineman pick here there's just no way around it. Lomu is a versatile lineman who could move inside in a pinch but has real pass blocking potential on the Edge that will help him take over when Trent Williams inevitably leaves. Lomu will be afforded a year or two to sit on the bench if not helping to fill in at Guard to get ready to be the 49ers new LT of the future.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
🚨TRADE🚨
Jets Receive #28
#28 Overall Pick
New York Jets Select
Omar Cooper Jr.
WR Indiana
The Jets traded back to get David Bailey, stayed at #16 to get Jermod McCoy and now trade back into he First Round to add Omar Cooper. The biggest 3 holes in their roster getting filled in one round after an offseason that saw a LOT of improvements would put them in the best position to move forward. With Aaron Glenn's job being VERY much on the hot seat, this is a move they should really make.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#29 Overall Pick
Kansas City Chiefs Select
T.J. Parker
ED Clemson
Parker has the upside to go a lot higher than this in the draft but for now, he is another steal for the Chiefs after already taking Caleb Downs at #9. Their 2 biggest holes to fill on defense immediately being solved is a great way to use their First Round and a guy like Parker, could easily become a 7 or 8 sack a year kind of guy as a 4-3 Defensive End.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#30 Overall Pick
Miami Dolphins Select
Anthony Hill Jr.
LB Clemson
I've been hearing that Jeff Hafley and Sean Duggan really like Anthony Hill Jr. and after looking at their defense from Green Bay, he makes sense as their Edgerrin Cooper. The Dolphins already got their receiver at #11 so now they'll grab their defensive Captain of the future. A great athlete and run-first Mike linebacker that I believe could be turned All-Pro quickly under these coaches.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#31 Overall Pick
New England Patriots Select
Cashius Howell
ED Texas A&M
The Patriots would run this pick to the podium if it's available in 2 weeks. Howell is a bonafide Top-25 player in this class and a perfect 3-4 OLB Edge Rusher for the Patriots system. To line up a lightning quick and raw rusher like Howell alongside Harold Landry is a threat but one that could easily make Howell better every year and the double digit Sack getter they haven't had since Matt Judon's one-off season.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
#32 Overall Pick
Seattle Seahawks Select
Jadarian Price
RB Notre Dame
The Seahawks have been linked to Price and especially Jonah Coleman for the past few weeks after letting Kenneth Walker leave to Kansas City. I believe they'll go with Price especially with how close Coleman is to Zach Charbonnet already. Price is more of a scat back with receiving potential and another cheap running back for the Seahawks to build their offense around for 4 more years.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _