Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (31) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThe 2026 NFL Draft is upon us and it’s sure to be a wild ride. This 2026 NFL mock draft explores how trades can turn the whole weekend upside down.
The 2026 NFL Draft is about as unpredictable as I can remember. There’s a limited number of “top” talents and that appears to have us ready for a chaotic, crazy weekend. It all starts on Thursday night, where the first round kicks off with the first 32 selections. How will things play out? I took my best guess. Here’s my FINAL 2026 NFL mock draft before this year’s even. Let’s see how things go…
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This one has been in Sharpie for months. Lock it in.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The pendulum has swing back and forth between Reese and Bailey relentlessly for weeks. I’ll lean into the player who I believe is the better fit for Aaron Glenn (and less redundant to Will McDonald).
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
It sounds like this is a tug of war between ownership (Love) and management (trade down and/or offensive tackle). Ownership usually wins that battle, especially when the GM is on the hot seat.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Titans load up on the pass rush for Robert Saleh in this scenario, with RB Jeremiyah Love and LB Arvell Reese off the board. Positional value trumps all between Bailey and LB Sonny Styles.
There’s been some quiet buzz with folks I’ve talked to about this potential fit. You’ve seen it mocked some, but I do think that Coach Harbaugh gets “his guy” in this spot amid an apparently split building debating who to pick.
6. TRADE! Los Angeles Rams via Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Once Jordyn Tyson, a rumored Giants target, slides past No. 5, here come the Rams. I feel like they’re a team primed for a big splash and Jordyn Tyson serves as good insurance at wide receiver for Matthew Stafford.
LAR receives: No. 6 overallCLE receives: No. 13 overall, 93 overall, 2027 2nd-round
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles Jr., LB, Ohio State
What a delight this is for Dan Quinn to see a prolific prototype at linebacker fall into his lap at No. 7 overall. The front seven has gotten a major overhaul this offseason but a speedy player like this was sorely needed on the second level.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Saints, with a stout and young core on the offensive line, choose to pour into QB Tyler Shough by getting him a big, long perimeter playmaker.
9. TRADE! Dallas Cowboys via Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
This trade idea is a lot of fun. The Chiefs get Dallas’ two first-round picks and vice versa. Once the Saints pass on Delane, Dallas comes up to ensure they get a marquee talent in the secondary.