The 2025 NFL season just passed the midway point so it’s time for an updated mock draft for 2026. When the season started, the quarterback class looked to be history and was led by multiple big-name players whom everyone recognized. Fast-forward almost three months and the top of the round looks completely different.
1- Tennessee Titans – WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
Tyson is a game-changing talent at wide receiver and a perfect fit to put with quarterback Cam Ward and help his continued development.
Mendoza has really separated himself from the rest of the quarterbacks in this class and is the only prospect left from our preseason top five quarterbacks still in the first round.
3 – New York Giants – DB Caleb Downs – Ohio State
The Giants have some pieces on the offensive side of the football so it only makes sense to selected a generational talent on defense who will solidify the New York secondary.
4 – Cleveland Browns – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
The Browns will certainly be tempted to go with a quarterback here but we aren’t ready to write off Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders quite yet. Bain is the top edge defender in the draft and an excellent all-around defender.
5 – New York Jets – QB Dante Moore – Oregon
The Jets did what they could with Justin Fields but he was just a placeholder and Dante Moore has been one of the biggest surprises in college football. He’s cleaned up a ton of the problems with his game from last season and is the most dynamic quarterback in the country.
If Moore is the biggest riser in this draft, Simpson is just behind him. Simpson has shown a level of maturity we didn’t expect so quickly and his high football IQ makes him a great option for the Raiders.
7 – Miami Dolphins – LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
The Dolphins have needs all over the field but Reese represents the best value at this point. Reese is a Micah Parsons-type of talent and must be game planned for no matter where he lines up.
8 – Washington Commanders – EDGE T.J. Parker – Clemson
We love the potential of Parker and think that, in the right scheme could be a better player than Bain. He’s got an ideal frame and has a high ceiling thanks to his ability to play with his hand on the ground or as a stand-up linebacker.
9 – Cincinnati Bengals – EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn
Faulk has been a consistent force on the edge for Auburn and would be a perfect replacement if the Bengals move on from Trey Hendrickson.
It’s crazy to see the top offensive tackle fall this far but this is a tough class to evaluate. All of the top tackles look absolutely elite at times, but lapses in consistency are red flags across the board. Fano gets the nod as our top OT off the board simply because if our study, he has fewer lapses than the other top tackles.
11 – Arizona Cardinals – WR Makai Lemon – USC
We aren’t sure what the Cardinals are planning at quarterback so with that we decided to just go best player available and pair up Lemon with Marvin Harrison III to form an elite tandem for whoever throws them the football.
12 – Dallas Cowboys – DT Peter Woods – Clemson
Even after making the trade for Quinnen Williams we like Woods here for his interior pass rushing and the lack of options at edge at this point in the draft.
13 – Baltimore Ravens – WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State
One of the top teams in the AFC gets even better on offense. Tate is the next great Ohio State wide receiver. He’s got an ideal NFL frame, all the athleticism you could want and that polish to his game you expect from Buckeye wide receiver.
14 – Minnesota Vikings – RB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
The tumble of Jeremiyah Love stops here. If things go this way, pundits will praise this as the best value pick of the round.
15 – Houston Texans – OT Francis Mauigoa – Miami
Scheme versatility and the ability to play guard or tackle give Mauigoa a bump here. He’s not an elite pass protector and has some heavy feet but his power and punch make him worth this pick.
16 – Carolina Panthers – EDGE David Bailey – Texas Tech
Carolina is another team in limbo with lots of needs so we go BPA here as well. Bailey has an eilte burst off the edge and great closing speed. He’s comfortable dropping into coverage and does a nice job breaking down plays.
17 – Kansas City Chiefs – CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
The Chiefs could easily go with a wide receiver or tight end here but we couldn’t let the one true shutdown corner in this draft fall any further. McCoy is confident and cocky but backs it up on the field.
18 – San Francisco 49ers – EDGE Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
The Niners were decimated with injuries so they could go any number of directions here. We like Howell in their scheme thanks to his burst and balance off the edge.
19 – Cleveland Browns – WR Denzel Boston – Washington
No matter who is playing quarterback, adding Boston will make their lives easier. He’s an elite big-play threat and should be able to come in and contribute immediately.
20 – Pittsburgh Steelers CB Mansoor Delane – LSU
With the top quarterbacks and wide receivers off the board, the Steelers look to the cornerback and Delane. He’s been the one bright spot on an inconsistent LSU defense this season.
21 – Buffalo Bills – CB Colton Hood – Tennessee
Buffalo should probably look to get Josh Allen more help on offense but we love the fit of Hood in Buffalo with his toughness and willingness to paly the run.
22 – Chicago Bears – DT Caleb Banks – Florida
The Bears are building something good on offense, so we go with Banks here to give them an anchor in the middle of the defensive line.
23 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq – Oregon
By the time the draft gets here, Sadiq could end up going much higher than that. He’s such a weapon in the passing game and fits perfectly with what the NFL does with the tight end position.
24 – Detroit Lions – CB Avieon Terrell – Clemson
The Lions love tough players who do all the little things right and that fits with how Terrell plays football.
25 – Dallas Cowboys – OT Kadyn Proctor – Alabama
The Cowboys need some competition at offensive tackle and Proctor has as much potential as any tackle in the league. Proctor is a powerful blocker with tons of experience but he just needs more consistency.
26 – Los Angeles Chargers – EDGE Romello Height – Texas Tech
The Chargers defense needs an influx of athleticism to help out quarterback Justin Herbert, and Height is one of our fast risers this season, thanks to his burst.
27 – Los Angeles Rams – CB A.J. Harris – Penn State
Harris is a legitimate CB1 prospect who plays with poise and polish in coverage to go with his elite measurables.
28 – New England Patriots – DE LT Overton – Alabama
Overton is one of those textbook 3-4 defensive linemen who can rush the passer inside and outside as well as anchor against the run.
29 – Philadelphia Eagles – WR Chris Brazzell II – Tennessee
We don’t know what the future of A.J. Brown is with the Eagles, so we opt for Brazzell, who is one of the best big-play guys in the country.
30 – Denver Broncos – LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State
Sideline-to-sideline defender who can breakdown and close on plays as well as any defensive player in the country.
31 – Seattle Seahawks – G Olaivavega Loane – Penn State
Loane is easily the top pure guard in the draft and an absolute dominating run blocker.
32 – New York Jets – WR KC Concepcion – Texas A&M
The Jets get their franchise quarterback with their first first-round pick and get him a dependable target here. Concepcion is an excellent route runner who wastes no energy in and our of breaks and shows reliable hands.
