The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, April 23. On that Thursday, the biggest stars from college football will be selected in the draft and put on their NFL team for at least the next four years. We have the ultimate mock draft for the round, from the obvious first pick to the last pick of the day.

• Las Vegas Raiders(3-14): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

This is the obvious pick at #1. Mendoza starred at Indiana, went undefeated, and won the Heisman and national championship for the Hoosiers. He is the only tested, winning quarterback entering the draft this year, so the Raiders should have no trouble selecting him. Mendoza is a typical pocket passer, and his only weakness is instability while scrambling.

• New York Jets(3-14): Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

The Jets have a glaring need at quarterback, but because of the weak draft class, taking a quarterback this early would be a waste of the pick. New York also has three first-round draft picks next year, so it looks like they should wait it out for the Arch Manning sweepstakes. Meanwhile, their pass rush is one of the worst in the league, ranking 31st in sacks out of 32. Reese could be the overall best pick in the draft. He would bring experience and a threat to the opposing team’s quarterback. He is quick and strong, making this a no-stress selection that will produce sacks all year.

• Arizona Cardinals(3-14): Francis Mauigoa, OT,  Miami (FL)

The Cardinals’ o-line gave up the fifth most sacks in the league last season, and the clear hole for the team is at tackle. This draft class has three standout tackles in Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, Utah tackle Spencer Fano, and Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, but I’ll give Mauigoa the edge because of overall production. He destroys edge rushers on the right side of the line, and through 16 games last season, he had a small two sacks allowed(both of them coming in the first four games). He would give Arizona a big upgrade and hopefully protect Jacoby Brissett, Kyler Murray, or whoever the Cardinals throw out there at QB.

• Tennessee Titans(3-14): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

I initially had Rueben Bain Jr. getting picked at #4, but after David Bailey’s stunning Combine performance, he seems like a steal this high. Bailey tied for first in FBS with 14.5 sacks, and his young promise seems like the answer for a flailing edge position in Tennessee.

• New York Giants(4-13): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Giants look to have a promising future, with tons of young power. Getting another offensive weapon to go alongside QB Jaxson Dart, RB Cam Skattebo, and WR Malik Nabers would thrust New York into the playoff picture. While it would be ideal to take a defensive tackle after Dexter Lawrence requested a trade, Tate is a great receiver, running beautiful routes and catching balls in crowded areas, making him a good selection. New York will hope he can take them to the promised land of playoff football.

• Cleveland Browns(5-12): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Cleveland has a ton of work to do on their offensive line, so taking a top-three blocker seems like the best option here. Freeling’s draft stock has skyrocketed recently, as many scouts see him as superior to Spencer Fano. Because of his giant wingspan and big frame, RB Quinshon Judkins will have a big opening on one side of the line to run through.

• Washington Commanders(5-12): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

While the Commanders definitely need help on the defensive side, seeing the running back who is a huge playmaker fall into their lap is a dream. They take the Notre Dame standout who was top ten in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

• New Orleans Saints(6-11): Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami(FL)

New Orleans got lucky to see Bain not selected in the first seven picks, so they will take him here. Bain had a concerning arm measurement, but his monster stats and raw talent that crushes opposing offensive lineman should make up for it.

• Kansas City Chiefs(6-11): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Chiefs addressed the need at running back by signing Kenneth Walker III to a deal, and now the main focus is at edge rusher. But, the “big three” are off the board, so they would wait it out for pick #29. While they did sign Travis Kelce to a contract, retirement is an obvious choice every season, so Sadiq will be the future plan at the position. It may seem like a reach, but in the long run it should work out for the organization.

• New York Giants(via 6-11 CIN): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

This is a dream for New York, as the top safety makes it down to the tenth pick, which was traded to them as part of a deal for DL Dexter Lawrence. I wouldn’t describe their safeties as top-notch, so getting Downs to learn from veterans and prove himself a starter seems ideal. The Ohio State star would provide consistency and structure for the Giants when he wins a starting position, covering for their star-powered offense(which got Carnell Tate at #5).

•  Miami Dolphins(7-10): Makai Lemon, WR, Southern California

The Dolphins formerly top-of-the-league receiving room has been decimated after they traded away Jaylen Waddle and released Tyreek Hill. While Lemon is short at 5’11”, he makes up for it with his explosive speed and great hands, making him a better choice then Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson.

•  Dallas Cowboys(7-9-1): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Yet another Buckeye is taken, and this is a big one. Dallas needs a ton of help on defense after giving up the second most yards per play in the NFL. Styles has versatility, experience, and the ability to drop back into coverage and blitz very well. He impressed at the Combine, and he is a day one starter for the struggling Cowboys.

• Los Angeles Rams(via 8-9 ATL): Mansoor Delane, CB, Louisiana State

The Rams got this pick from the Falcons after trading their first-rounder last year. The only real weakness from LA is in the secondary. Despite trading for Trent McDuffie, they still look weak at that spot, so adding the best cornerback of the draft would definitely be an upgrade.

•  Baltimore Ravens(8-9): Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Pennsylvania State

The Ravens were stripped of their interior offensive line in free agency, so they need to bulk up in the guard and center spots. Ioane is easily the best guard in the class, and he would provide stability in front of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

•  Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-9): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami(FL)

Tampa Bay goes with the needed pick, taking a proven rusher in Mesidor. Mesidor is a monster, as he posted 5.5 sacks in just the four CFP games he played in at Miami. He has a great first step, good moves, and smart hands.

•  New York Jets(via 8-9 IND): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

It is no secret that the Jets’ receiving room ranks near the bottom of the league. With Sundevils star Tyson still on the board, the Jets pounce on it. Tyson can be big and small, making high grabs and running exceptional routes.

• Detroit Lions(9-8): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Lions have Penei Sewell, but he doesn’t cover both sides of the line. Detroit gets lucky with Fano falling into the teens. He has short arms, but his stats make up for that, showing minimum sacks allowed.

• Minnesota Vikings(9-8): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Minnesota needs to get a young piece to their veteran defense, and Thieneman seems like the perfect fit. His stats are immaculate, having close to a hundred tackles this past season, making him a leader on the field. This pick just makes sense, so don’t be surprised if the Oregon product hears his name called at #18 on Thursday.

• Carolina Panthers(8-9): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Panthers spent big on defense in free agency, so they should look to add a piece on offense. Lomu is a long, flexible player who will protect quarterback Bryce Young, who has been sacked plenty of times in his career.

• Dallas Cowboys(via 9-7-1 GB): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Cowboys got this pick in the Micah Parsons trade from the Packers. Like I said earlier, Dallas’ defense could do a lot better, so after taking Sonny Styles, I have them taking McCoy, who would have easily been the best cornerback in the draft if he hadn’t torn his ACL and missed all of last year. This pick comes with risk, but there is no doubt he has skill.

• Pittsburgh Steelers(10-8): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

While some would assume that Aaron Rodgers will return for another year, it is obvious that he will not be sticking around for long. The Steelers have a talented team, so waiting to tank to get a better QB isn’t worth the wait when they have the pieces around the position. Simpson doesn’t have a ton of experience, but he has plenty of raw talent to be a starter.

• Los Angeles Chargers(11-7): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Chargers are probably furious after the clear leader at their position of need, guard, was taken by the Ravens at #14. So, they take the strong Woods, who would be at the core of the defense for years to come.

• Philadelphia Eagles(11-7): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Eagles tackle Lane Johnson will be 36 years old at the beginning of this season, and he might even retire before that. Proctor would fill in his hole when he leaves as a giant with extreme hand power. Also, learning behind a veteran would help the OT develop well before becoming a starter.

• Cleveland Browns(via 13-5 JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

After taking their future tackle, the Browns address another huge issue: their wide receivers had an embarrassing total of four- only four– reception touchdowns. That is something unacceptable for a team in the NFL. Boston brings a big frame and great hands that caught 11 TDs last season for the Huskies.

• Chicago Bears(12-7): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Faulk slides a little down the board, but that slide ends here. The Bears need someone to be disruptive on early downs, and Faulk’s physicality and length should fit in well in Illinois.

• Buffalo Bills(13-6): Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

The Bills could definitely go towards drafting a wide receiver, but they did acquire DJ Moore, and they have a screen-catcher in Khalil Shakir and young talent in Keon Coleman. So, Buffalo goes with the other position of need, edge rusher. The Tigers edge has extreme power and speed.

• San Francisco 49ers(13-6): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Yet another wideout goes off the board here, with Cooper moving to Santa Clara. The 49ers are in a murky spot in their WR room, with Jauan Jennings becoming a free agent, Brandon Aiyuk going through a lot of drama, and rookie Ricky Pearsall not developing like they wished he would. Omar Cooper Jr gains lots of yards after the catch and is a physical pass-catcher.

• Houston Texans(13-6): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

It’s no secret that the Texans offensive line was flat-out horrible in 2025. CJ Stroud was sacked 23 times last season, an improvement from the 52 in 2024, but still not great seeing that he didn’t even play all the games. And, they just traded their starting right tackle Tytus Howard to Cleveland. Here they take Miller, an experienced tackle for the Tigers who has exceptional hands in pass blocking.

• Kansas City Chiefs(via 14-6 LAR): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Chiefs traded away CB1 Trent McDuffie to the Rams for this pick(and more), so they need to fill in his spot, and Jaylen Watson departed in free agency, too. Hood could do the job, with his physical play that stands out from other cornerbacks.

• Miami Dolphins(via 15-4 DEN): Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

Miami needs good protection on the interior offensive line, so they take the third-team All-SEC member. Bisontis is very flexible and recovers well from coming off balance. He started almost all of his games at College Station.

• New England Patriots(17-4): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Back-to-back Aggies are taken at #30 and #31. The Patriots need a leading wide receiver after releasing Stefon Diggs. They take the pristine route-runner in Concepcion, who has speed that is unmatched compared to anyone on the roster.

• Seattle Seahawks(17-3): TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

To cap off the first round and this mock draft, the reigning Super Bowl champions take care of their biggest need, edge rusher. Parker has 114 QB pressures in the last three seasons, and he always finishes and has inspiring grit. He could turn into a captain of the Seahawks if he develops his skills.