Zak Drapeau's FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 4/23/2026

My Final Mock of the year will come with no trades. While I expect there to be more than a few trades going down today, today's exercise is all about rumors I've heard, team expectations and player evaluations.

While I wouldn't make all of these picks myself, this is the full mock draft I expect to actually happen tonight. You can also check out:

my What I Would Do Mock Draft here and my Top-150 Prospect Big Board.

Happy Draft Day!

-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)

Graphic Credit to NFL via nfldraftdiamonds.com

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1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza - QB

Indiana

This pick is concrete and necessary for Vegas. Mendoza is far from a perfect QB prospect but the best the Raiders have to choose.

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2. New York Jets

David Bailey - Edge

Texas Tech

I'm very happy to see that Bailey is finally getting the recognition he deserves as the top edge rusher as all signs point to the draft starting at 3.

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3. Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love - RB

Notre Dame

The Cardinals seem very likely to trade down here to recoup assets and trade back into the 1st round. If not, Love should be the pick here unless the Cardinals really covet Reese falling to them.

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4. Tennessee Titans

Sonny Styles - LB

Ohio State

Another pick that's not Reese, Styles is every bit the athlete and in an established position. Styles would be the perfect center piece for Robert Saleh's defense.

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5. New York Giants

Arvell Reese - Edge/LB

Ohio State

The Giants are smiling to the podium as Reese falls to them. Adding to Carter and Burns, Reese will get some time to establish himself as an edge threat while being assimilated as their top Linebacker right away.

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6. Cleveland Browns

Francis Mauigoa - OT

Miami

This pick could easily be one of the top receivers of the class but if Mauigoa gets to #6 it should be him. LT is a big hole in Cleveland and Mauigoa is the best option to fill it.

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7. Washington Commanders

Carnell Tate - WR

Ohio State

If none of the receivers are taken by 7, the Commanders could go with any of them but Tate is the top option in their building and would pair nicely with McLaurin.

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8. New Orleans Saints

Makai Lemon - WR

USC

This is the most interesting pick of the Top-10, where New Orleans could seriously go with an edge or even trade up for one. I have them taking Lemon here though who Kellen Moore really loves and would love to give to Tyler Shough.

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9. Kansas City Chiefs

Caleb Downs - SAF

Ohio State

The best prospect in the draft falls all the way to #9 and in a Kansas City secondary that saw their top 3 guys leave in Free Agency, this would be ideal.

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10. New York Giants

(via CIN)

Jordyn Tyson - WR

Arizona State

The Giants seem enamored with Tyson and with his injury designation I believe he'll get to #10. Reese and Tyson are a heck of a haul for the Giants.

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11. Miami Dolphins

Mansoor Delane - CB

LSU

The Dolphins need everything frankly, but with a very weak secondary and a new defensive head coach, the class's top corner would be a great start to Hafley's tenure.

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12. Dallas Cowboys

Rueben Bain Jr. - Edge

Miami

The Cowboys need a top defender in this class after their atrocious group last year. Unless they trade up for Styles or Reese, they should key in on Bain. Whether they get him at #12 or trade up a few spots for him I feel confident Bain ends the day in Dallas.

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13. Los Angeles Rams

(via ATL)

Kadyn Proctor - OT

Alabama

The Rams are very linked to Makai Lemon but seeing as he's already gone I think they could go Tackle. Kadyn Proctor is getting a lot of buzz as potentially OT2 and I believe the Rams will prioritize his potential over Fano.

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14. Baltimore Ravens

Spencer Fano - OT

Utah

Fano to the Ravens is a match made in downhill running heaven. Whether he makes it at RT or they move him to Guard, he will be a nasty blocker for Derrick Henry and Lamar.

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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kenyon Sadiq - TE

Oregon

The Buccs could and probably should go Edge here but if Kenyon Sadiq is available they could pull the trigger. With Mike Evans gone, they could use the receiving talent even after re-signing Cam Brate.

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16. New York Jets

(via IND)

Jermod McCoy - CB

Tennessee

There is a lot of talk about McCoy dropping potentially out of the 1st round with his injury but I'm not as worried after his Pro Day. With none of the top-end receivers left here I think Aaron Glenn will covet a Corner talent like McCoy enough not to pass on his extreme upside.

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17. Detroit Lions

Monroe Freeling - OT

Georgia

Freeling is a solid Tackle prospect the Lions need after releasing Taylor Decker. I'd give him a year on the right side while they have Sewell to depend on.

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18. Minnesota Vikings

Dillon Thieneman - SAF

Oregon

Best DB available with this pick should be an easy choice for the Vikings. Thieneman is by far the best available and a terrific replacement for Harrison Smith.

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19. Carolina Panthers

Peter Woods - DT

Clemson

The Panthers missed out on Kenyon Sadiq who I believe they'll end up trading up for. Grabbing a guy like Woods would fix a lot of their run defending problems and give Derrick Brown someone to play off of.

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20. Dallas Cowboys

(via GB)

Avieon Terrell - CB

Clemson

This pick is my most "off the wall" selection I'll have. Terrell might not be the pick here but seeing as I don't make trades, I believe this to be the Cowboys pick either if they trade down in the 1st or a 2nd round selection.

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21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Olaivavega Ioane - OG

Penn State

Ioane is one of the least-bust potential prospects in the class and falling to #21 means the Steelers could get a steal and plug the only hole they have in their O-line.

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22. Los Angeles Chargers

Keldric Faulk - Edge

Auburn

Faulk may not be a perfect fit as 3-4 DE in the Chargers system but he is a versatile defender with elite size that can be used anywhere and replace Khalil Mack after next year.

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23. Philadelphia Eagles

Omar Cooper Jr. - WR

Indiana

The Eagles are treating this draft as if A.J. Brown will be gone next year and if they can take Cooper they'll have his replacement queued up.

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24. Cleveland Browns

(via JAX)

Denzel Boston - WR

Washington

The Browns are intrigued by Boston and his ability in the red zone and in the air. Even if Cooper and Concepcion are available they will probably take Boston.

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25. Chicago Bears

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - SAF

Toledo

The Bears don't have much need besides an extra Edge and maybe a Safety. With Parker, Young and Mesidor available I have them passing to make a surprise pick in McNeil-Warren. The Bears need to replace Brisker and I don't know if they expect EMW to fall to #25.

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26. Buffalo Bears

T.J. Parker - Edge

Clemson

Buffalo's 1st rounder is always tricky to predict and realistically they could go WR, DE, LB or Guard. I have Parker as the best player available and a good fit as a 3-4 OLB for Joe Brady and co.

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27. San Francisco 49ers

K.C. Concepcion - WR

Texas A&M

The 49ers have been linked to several players including Concepcion and Utah's Caleb Lomu. I'm gonna take K.C. here after his 30-visit supposedly was amazing in San Francisco.

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28. Houston Texans

Emmanuel Pregnon - OG

Oregon

This pick is necessary and promising for a Texans' team that has been dreadful on the interior O-line for way too long. Pregnon can be a center piece to build around for years to come.

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29. Kansas City Chiefs

(via LAR)

Akheem Mesidor - Edge

Miami

Mesidor getting to #29 is very similar to the Chiefs grabbing Downs at #9 earlier. Getting two pro-ready playmakers on defense will instantly bring the Chiefs to contenders again for 2026/27.

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TRADE

Arizona -> #30

Miami -> #34 and #104

30. Arizona Cardinals

(via MIA)

Ty Simpson - QB

Alabama

I know I said no gtrades but this is the only trade I'm sure will happen even if #30 itsn't a guarantee. The Cardinals love Simpson and could even trade up to the mid-20's for him.

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31. New England Patriots

Blake Miller - OT

Clemson

Patriots are taking Tackle or Edge here and the Tackle prospects are WAY better than the Edges on this board. Between Miller, Iheanachor or Lomu, the Patriots reportedly like Miller the most for his refinement now and pass blocking.

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32. Seattle Seahawks

Colton Hood - CB

Tennessee

The Seahawks need to replace Tariq Woolen and bring Witherspoon back to the slot. Hood plays zone like the Seahawks scheme and is an athletic freak like their other corners.

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