Prisco's final 2026 NFL mock draft: Picks and predictions for what should be a wild Round 1
The first round of the NFL Draft could be wild after the Raiders take Fernando Mendoza
By
Pete Prisco
•
1 min read
I got at least one right in my final NFL Mock.
I think.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going to be the Las Vegas Raiders' choice with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, right?
So that's one-for-one.
Now about the rest?
This 2026 NFL Draft is full of uncertainty, starting with the second pick. I have the New York Jets taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, which is the way things seem to be leaning now. It's who I would take, but I also think it's what the Jets will do.
After that? Crapshoot.
Do the Arizona Cardinals trade down from the third spot? If so, who goes up to get Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese? The Chiefs? Do the Cardinals stay and take Jeremiyah Love?
This is my fourth mock, but this is the final one, the one the graders will grade. So eat it up, there is a lot of late information that went into this one.
One thing's for sure: I will be one-for-one after the first pick.
I think.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
It's the one we will all get right. Mendoza has a lot of Matt Ryan to his game. The Raiders are getting their starter for a long time.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The idea that he is the safer pick rather than taking the chance with Arvell Reese's potential is misguided. He will be a star edge player. The Jets need help with their rush, and he should be the guy.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
They would love to trade down, but if they stay here, I think it's Love as the pick. Word is, people at the top are pushing for Love to be the choice. They want to sell seats.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
They probably didn't think he'd be here, but he is. I think the talent and the things Robert Saleh could do with him in the defense will make him the pick if it plays out this way.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
They would have wanted Love, but he's gone. So they take an off-the-ball linebacker who will be a game-changer. Styles might end up as the best defender in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
They have to get help for their offensive line. They could trade down here, but Proctor is the best left tackle prospect in this class. So they take him.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
They need help at receiver and Terry McLaurin turns 31 this year. Tyson is the best receiver in this class if he can stay healthy. That's the key.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
They add another Ohio State receiver to go with Chris Olave. They could also consider corner here, but Tate will help Tyler Shough and his development. That's what this season will be about.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Short arms or not, he can play. The Chiefs have to improve their pass rush. Bain will do that. He's not a prototypical player in their scheme, but Steve Spagnuolo will make it work.
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From
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 - Pick 10
John Harbaugh can come out of this draft with a playmaking linebacker and a playmaking safety. That would be a heck of a haul. They could also consider offensive line or receiver here.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
They are rebuilding and there is no better way to make that better than to take offensive line help. Fano can play guard, tackle and even center.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
They might look to move up to get edge help, but the way this plays out, they take a corner who can step in and start right away. Improving the defense is a must.
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From
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - Pick 13
They have to add more juice to the receiver group and Lemon can do that. Davante Adams is almost certainly in the final year of his contract with the team.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
I think there is a chance he goes higher than this, but he's the cleanest offensive lineman in this class. He will be a plug-and-play starter.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
He has been the guy I've put here in my mock all along. It just makes sense. They have to get better at rushing the passer. He will do that.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 16
It's time to get Garrett Wilson a running mate. Cooper is a guy the NFL has liked throughout this process far more than the draft cult has.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
They have already talked about moving Penei Sewell to left tackle, so Mauiga would start on the right side. He could also be an all-world guard down the road in my book.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
They have a big hole inside on their defense, so Woods would fill a major need. He didn't play as well in 2025 as he did in 2024, but he has the tools to be a big-time player inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Getting a playmaker in the middle of the field will make life easier for Bryce Young. They could also consider the receiver here.
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From
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 - Pick 20
They have to get help off the edge and Lawrence is a guy with a lot of twitch. He's been a riser up the boards throughout the process.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
They have a ton of age in their secondary, so it's time to get some youth. This kid will be a perfect Steelers player with this toughness and range.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
He didn't play as well last year as he did in 2024, but the traits are there. The Chargers have to get a young edge rusher with Khalil Mack up in the years.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
They will consider the offensive line here, but they need to get back to being dominant in rushing the passer. Getting another body up front after losing Jaelen Phillips would help.
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From
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 - Pick 24
They go offensive line early and then take the big-bodied receiver from Washington. He will give whoever plays quarterback a nice, big target.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Their left tackle spot is a problem, so taking Freeling fills a need. They could also consider defensive line help here.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
He is a perfect fit for their defense. He can come in and be a rotational rusher his first year to help give them more pop off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
He would be the replacement when Trent Williams walks away. He needs to get stronger, so a year or two as a backup would work.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The interior of the Texans' offensive line is suspect. There is age there with Wyatt Teller and the center spot needs upgrading. This kid is well-regarded by the league personnel departments and he played some center at the Senior Bowl.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 29
Stukes is a guy I really liked throughout the process and he is hot right now. He would fit nicely as a chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo's defense. He can play slot, safety and outside.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 30
Their corner room isn't great, so adding a young player to it is something they need to do. I think they could also look to receiver here — maybe KC Concepcion.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
They have some age at right tackle in Morgan Moses and Iheanachor might need a year of seasoning. So taking him for the future would be the move.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
This is one I've had throughout the process because it works. They have to get a back to key an offense that is very run-centric. Price will be better than Kenneth Walker in their offense.
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