Over a hundred mock draft analysis pieces, dozens of scouting reports, and more full-first-round mock drafts later, we have arrived at the week of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite us just highlighting so many of the exercises that we just mentioned, but whats one more? We have one final First-Round Mock Draft to work through.
For this one, we have three additional trades happening on top of the ones we have already seen unfold over the past year. Some teams will be moving up for a player they see as a difference maker, while others take advantage of the extra value.
Without further ado, here is my final mock draft of the 2026 cycle.
Fernando Mendoza has been the pick for months. The only wrinkle is whether he will start right away after they signed Kirk Cousins or sit and learn. Either option, I think, will work for the Raiders, but the long-term play, of course, will be Mendoza.
Whether it is Arvell Reese or David Bailey, the Jets need to help their pass-rush situation. The best player to make an overall impact is Arvell Reese, so that is the direction we are going to go. Aaron Glenn needs difference makers, and his ability to patrol the middle and also have some pass-rushing chops makes him a fit.
They have had a need for a pass rush ever since they traded away Micah Parsons last season, before the kickoff to the year. They trade up now for David Bailey and get the best pure pass rusher in the class as they look to build a defense to match their high-power offense.
Not many more things help out a young quarterback than a reliable running back to take the pressure off him. Jeremiyah Love is the best player in this draft class and boosts the Titans offense the minute he arrives to them.
The Giants need some help in the middle of their defense. They have edge rushers in place to set the tone, but they do not have the play they need at linebacker. His testing showed he is an athletic freak and could be a dynamic piece that John Harbaugh needs in all his defenses.
The Browns need a WR1 as Jerry Jeudy has shown he can be a reliable WR2. Carnell Tate and Jeudy would work well together and give either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson some much-needed playmakers.
Dan Quinn needs a safety who can patrol the back half of his defense while his newly signed pass rushers work up front. The Commanders get the steal of the draft as Downs falls to pick seven due to positional value and to the other team's needs.
Cam Jordan remains a free agent, and the post-era of his time in New Orleans seems to be reaching its dawn. There may not be a better player to put in his place than Rueben Bain Jr. The Miami defender was arguably the best player in college football last year and is an incredible value for the Saints.
The Chiefs saw nearly their entire secondary leave in free agency. They start getting it back on track by giving them the CB1 of this draft class in Mansoor Delane. He can control one side of the field and fits the type of defender that Steve Spagnuolo looks for in his scheme.
The Giants use their second-first round pick to land the player they wined and dined last week at his workout. Tyson playing opposite Malik Nabers gives their young franchise quarterback two WR1 players as he looks to continue his development.
The Dolphins' defense is not great. They need some playmakers, and a safety with the range and skillset of Dillon Thieneman improves that side of the ball instantly. Jeff Hafley likes to have dynamic safeties in his defense, so we give him one of the best in Thieneman.
The Cardinals get their quarterback, and at a value at that. The team has the perfect bridge option in Jacob Brissett so Simpson can sit and develop while waiting his turn to take over for the Cardinals in late 2026 or 2027.
The Rams have been attached to Makai Lemon for some time, and it seems to be too easy a mock draft pick now. Lemon fits the type of player they like, and he can serve the Davante Adams role once the All-Pro retires or is no longer on the roster in time.
The Ravens are facing a critical point in their Super Bowl window, and a safe, yet effective pick in Vega Ioane makes the most sense. He helps Derrick Henry with some running lanes and Lamar Jackson by giving him a bit more time.
The news of Broderick Jones is not news to the Steelers. Sadly, neck injuries are tough to come back from in the NFL, so drafting an insurance policy isn't a bad idea. Freeling gives them an ideal player in terms of size but also someone to get their offensive line project back on track.
The Jets need to plan for their quarterback of the future, while also helping Garrett Wilson out. Omar Cooper is a nice compliment to Wilson in the passing game, and he provides a young quarterback in the future with someone they can build their career around.