Former DL Josh Mauro Passes Away
Former NFL defensive lineman Josh Mauro has passed away at the age of 35, his family announced.
The English-born and Texas-raised Mauro enjoyed a solid college career at Stanford, where he totaled 21.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over 47 games. He was at his best in his last season with the Cardinal, 2013, during which he recorded personal highs in tackles (51), TFL (12) and interceptions (one). He also chipped in four sacks.
Mauro signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2014, but they cut him before the season. He quickly caught on with the Cardinals and wound up spending his first few years in their uniform. In 2016, his most productive season, Mauro made a career-high 13 starts in 15 games and notched 32 tackles.
Mauro spent three of his first four years in Arizona playing for defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who took the same job with the Giants in 2018. He followed Bettcher to New York on a one-year deal in free agency. After Mauro served a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs to open the season, the run-stopping lineman returned to log 28 tackles and a sack over 12 games and four starts.
Mauro left the Giants for what proved to be a one-year stint with the Raiders in 2019. He reunited with defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, who held the same position in Arizona during Mauro’s first three seasons. Playing for the Raiders in their final season in Oakland, Mauro tallied 19 tackles over 13 games and seven starts.
Mauro began the 2020 campaign in the Jaguars organization, but he reunited with the Cardinals when they plucked him off the Jags’ practice squad in October. He played in three of Arizona’s games that year and five more in 2021. While Mauro worked out for the Bears ahead of the 2022 season, he never signed another contract. Mauro finished his eight-year career with 130 tackles and five sacks over 80 games and 40 starts.
Saints To Acquire OLB Tyree Wilson From Raiders
A former top-10 pick chosen two Raider regimes ago, Tyree Wilson will not play for Klint Kubiak. The Raiders are trading the fourth-year edge rusher to the Saints, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
The Raiders will receive No. 150 from the Saints in exchange for Wilson and a seventh-round pick (No. 219 overall), Rapoport adds. New Orleans will now decide on Wilson’s fifth-year option, which was not expected to be exercised by Las Vegas.
With the 150th pick, the Raiders are selecting safety Dalton Johnson, reuniting him with Arizona teammate and second-round pick (No. 38 overall) Treydan Stukes. Las Vegas has now rebuilt a room that entered the draft with just two players: Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Both started for the Raiders in 2025, but they only have one year remaining on their contracts. Stukes will have a role right away, and in a rebuilding year, the team may also give Johnson some playing time to see what he can do and how he can develop.
New Orleans was in the Kayvon Thibodeaux market, with Rapoport indicating the team spoke with the Giants on the former No. 5 overall pick. But with New York not budging on compensation, the Saints moved on and will add Wilson. The latter has not shown comparable form to Thibodeaux, but the draft pedigree is similar. The Raiders chose Wilson seventh overall out of Texas Tech in 2023.
Wilson has never gotten close to living up to that billing. He has just seven career sacks with never more than two in a single season. He has been more productive against the run with 22 tackles for loss, including 10 in the last two years.
The 25-year-old will add depth to the Saints’ stable of edge rushers, which currently lacks proven talent outside of Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Despite having the size to flip to the interior as a pass rusher, Wilson has rarely been used in that role. His new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley could attempt to unlock some versatility to get more production out of the 6-foot-6, 275-pound defender.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 227 (from Dolphins): Jackson Kuwatch (LB, Miami (OH)) (signed)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy) (signed)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina) (signed)
Raiders Acquire 101st Pick, Draft Jermod McCoy
The fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off with a trade on Saturday. The Raiders acquired the 101st pick from the Bills and selected Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. The Bills received pick 102 and a 2027 seventh-rounder in return, per Albert Breer of SI.com.
The 101st pick changed hands twice. The Bills acquired it from the Titans on Thursday before sending it to the Raiders. Las Vegas used the choice on one of the highest-upside corners in the draft. Once considered a shoo-in to go in the first round (perhaps in the top 10), McCoy’s stock dropped precipitously amid concerns over a cartilage defect in his knee.
McCoy missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but that is not what scared teams away. Rather, he may eventually require surgery to replace a bone plug in the same knee, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Another surgery would likely knock out McCoy for an entire year, according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, who adds that an unsuccessful procedure could end his career.
While there are legitimate fears over McCoy’s longevity, the Raiders are nonetheless taking a mid-round flier on one of the most talented defenders in this class. McCoy was among the 20 best prospects available entering the proceedings, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 14) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 19). The 6-foot, 188-pounder combined for six interceptions in a two-year college career split between Oregon State and Tennessee. He was a second-team All-American in 2024, his lone healthy season with the Volunteers.
McCoy is the second noteworthy offseason cornerback pickup for the Raiders, who previously added slot corner Taron Johnson in another trade with the Bills. If healthy, McCoy will join Eric Stokes and 2025 third-rounder Darien Porter among the Raiders’ top options on the outside.
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Buccaneers Acquire No. 185 From Raiders, Select TE Bauer Sharp
The latest trade involving Day 3 picks has resulted in a deal between the Buccaneers and the Raiders. Tampa Bay has acquired pick No. 185 from Vegas in exchange for Nos. 195 and 229.
The Bucs have used their new selection on LSU tight end Bauer Sharp. As things stand, this represents Tampa Bay’s final pick of the 2026 draft. Sharp is the first and only tight end selected by general manager Jason Licht and Co this year, and he is the second rookie pass-catcher added to the mix this weekend (joining receiver Ted Hurst, who was taken in last night’s third round).
Sharp played quarterback in high school but transitioned to tight end upon arrival at Southeastern Louisiana in 2022. After two seasons there, he transferred to Oklahoma. A single campaign with the Sooners was followed by another move, this time to LSU. During his lone season as a member of the Tigers, Sharp scored a pair of touchdowns for the second year in a row while seeing his yards per catch average jump to 10.5 (compared to 7.7 in 2024).
Modest production at the collegiate level will no doubt lead to expectations for Sharp to earn an NFL roster spot as a run blocker and special teams presence. He is not regarded as one of the top blockers in this year’s TE class, but the 6-4, 249-pounder will look to offer depth during training camp with Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ depth chart at the position is set to be led once more by Cade Otton, with Ko Kieft, Devin Culp and Payne Durham also in the mix.
The Bucs have now made seven selections in the draft. A trade aimed at acquiring another Day 3 pick could be in the cards. Otherwise, Licht and the front office will now turn their attention to the upcoming undrafted free agent class.
Texans Trade Up To Draft DT Kayden McDonald
The first trade of the second round comes early as the Texans move up two picks to draft Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. They trade places with the Raiders to make the pick, giving Las Vegas pick Nos. 38 & 91 in exchange for pick Nos. 36 & 117.
McDonald was widely expected to be the 2026 NFL Draft class’s only first-round interior defender — opting to attend the festivities in Pittsburgh — but slipped into Day 2 after seeing Florida’s Caleb Banks and Clemson’s Peter Woods taken in the first round. With teams seeing his name near the top of the list of best remaining players throughout the day, it’s clear he was a priority for a few clubs. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Houston felt the need to trade up ahead of the Giants, a team they expected might take McDonald before they could in order to replace Dexter Lawrence.
After essentially redshirting in his first year with the Buckeyes, McDonald held a rotational role off the bench in the team’s 2024 championship run. 2025 was McDonald’s first and only season as a full-time starter, but the All-American defender showed enough in 14 games to prove he was NFL ready. The disruptive, explosive defensive tackle made plays all over the field for Ohio State, notching 65 total tackles, three sacks, and nine tackles for loss. While he was able to produce in the pass rush, he really excelled as a run stopper.
The Texans had quite a few strong contributors on the defensive line last year, with Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai leading the way and Tim Settle rotating in. Settle made his way to Washington in free agency, setting up a perfect role for McDonald to fill as a rookie. Houston’s defense was one of the best in the league last year, and while McDonald has clear starting potential, he may benefit by starting slow in the NFL in a rotational role. If the Texans let Togiai walk in free agency after this year, McDonald will have a clear path to a starting role in Year 2.
Raiders Draft Fernando Mendoza At No. 1
Since they clinched the No. 1 selection in the 2026 draft, the Raiders have been expected to select their quarterback of the future. The top choice in tonight’s opening round has not produced a surprise.
Fernando Mendoza has become the first prospect to hear his name called on Thursday. He is now officially in place with Vegas, a team looking to find stability under center for years to come. Veteran Kirk Cousins was signed earlier this month in a move which allowed him to reunite with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak.
Kubiak will lead a coaching staff which underwent several changes this winter. 2026 marks the second offseason with general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady in the fold for the Raiders, but their one-year Pete Carroll-Geno Smith setup did not go according to plan. Carroll was expectedly fired after the season ended, while Smith was dealt to the Jets. That created the need for a new veteran (Cousins) while further paving the way for Mendoza to take on QB1 duties early in his NFL career. Even if a training camp competition ensues, Mendoza will be counted on to take over the starting gig early in his rookie year.
The Raiders released Derek Carr in 2023 and have struggled to find a permanent successor since then. Last year’s 3-14 showing set the team up to reset under center, however. Mendoza has long been the presumed pick for Vegas, with his pre-draft visit not resulting in any hesitation on the team’s part. Work including an acclimation to the offense which will be used by the Raiders this year has further pointed to today’s outcome. Mendoza will now be able to begin preparing for his Vegas career in an official capacity.
After two seasons at Cal, Mendoza transferred to Indiana ahead of the 2025 campaign. The Hoosiers had enjoyed a run to the College Football Playoff the previous year with Kurtis Rourke at the helm, and Mendoza was expected to serve as a productive replacement. To say he did so would certainly be an understatement. The 22-year-old posted 41 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions while adding seven touchdowns on the ground as Indiana went undefeated en route to winning the national championship.
His success in that historic run resulted in a number of accolades for Mendoza. Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors were received, along with the 2025 Heisman trophy. Passers have gone No. 1 after only a single season of high-end college production (as Cam Ward did last year), and Mendoza will face substantial expectations upon arrival in Vegas. Developing into a full-time starter would address an all-important roster matter for the foreseeable future.
Mendoza will join other core roster pieces like tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty on offense. The play of those first-rounders will be key in determining the success of Kubiak’s first year at the helm and the Raiders’ overall outlook well beyond 2026.
Bengals Considered Trading No. 10 Pick For Maxx Crosby
The Bengals made a massive pre-draft move by trading the No. 10 pick in this week’s draft to the Giants for nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. The deal significantly improves their defensive line, perhaps the biggest area of weakness on the roster.
Cincinnati tried to upgrade their pass rush earlier this offseason after losing Trey Hendrickson in free agency. They offered the No. 10 pick to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby, according to EssentiallySports’ Tony Pauline. However, the Bengals were unwilling to match the Ravens’ offer of two first-round picks in a deal that was eventually scuttled by a failed physical. (Ironically, Baltimore then pivoted to Hendrickson, signing him to a four-year, $112MM deal.)
Adding Crosby would have offered an instant replacement for Hendrickson, who was one of the most productive sack-getters in the league in 2023 and 2024. He posted 17.5 sacks in each year, leading the league in 2024 individually and across the two seasons in aggregate. Last year, injuries limited him to just four sacks in seven games.
Crosby has not been quite as productive in the pass rush with 32 sacks in the last three years. He is, however, a significantly better run defender, which was also a major weakness in Cincinnati last year. In fact, Crosby is arguably the league’s best edge defender against the run who has averaged 19 tackles for loss per season in his seven-year career. Last year, he posted a whopping 28 TFLs, which trailed only Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
It is unclear why the Bengals declined to beat the Ravens’ offer for Crosby. They may have had the same medical concerns and were thus unwilling to move forward with such an expensive trade. Clearly, they did not have a specific prospect they loved with the No. 10 pick; otherwise, they would not have sent it to New York for Lawrence.
Cincinnati will now have to look for edge rushers on Days 2 and 3 of the draft, unless they trade back into Round 1. With the 41st overall pick and seven selections overall, they could move into the back of the first round to secure one of their top targets.
Pro Football Rumors 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Making a mock draft a year ago was so much simpler. When the Titans were put on the clock at No. 1 overall, all 32 NFL teams held their own first-round picks. This year, four teams have two first-round picks, and five do not pick until Day 2. In addition, draft pundits believe teams will be aggressive with trades in the first round this year. As a result, there has been speculation an early run of offensive tackle prospects could be coming in this draft, delaying any similar run for wide receivers.
Unfortunately, in the current draft order, an early run of offensive tackles makes very little sense, and attempting to predict which teams will outbid which teams to trade up with whichever other third teams is a challenge that would ultimately lead to option paralysis — or, really, more option paralysis than a mock draft usually induces. Therefore, we will continue last year’s tradition, ignoring any trade possibilities after this date and identifying optimal prospects for each team in its current draft slot with its current position needs. And, because no one should have to miss out on the fun, the five teams not participating on Day 1 will still get mocks for their first picks in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Editor’s note: Bengals have since traded No. 10 overall to Giants for DT Dexter Lawrence
1) Las Vegas Raiders — QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Do we really have to explain much here? Mendoza established himself as the No. 1 overall pick weeks before ultimately securing the Heisman Trophy and a national title. The only question remaining at that point was which team would find their way to the top slot in the draft. Thanks to some late-season wins from the Giants, who had already seemingly found their quarterback of the future, Las Vegas became the clear destination for the Hoosiers’ champion.
Mendoza isn’t quite the top overall pick we’re used to. The Cal transfer benefitted greatly from the offense around him in Bloomington, running frequent run-pass options and quickly getting the ball out to his first, designed read. A good amount of Mendoza’s success last season stemmed from the system and a talented group of receivers around him, and he probably wouldn’t disagree with that. That’s not to say that he can’t do the things he didn’t need to in Indiana. He will just need to work at the next level on deep ball consistency and progressing to his third or even fourth reads, instead of bailing too quickly from the pocket.
Lucky for him, mentor Tom Brady & Co. are setting things up nicely for him. The Raiders have invested heavily in the offensive line lately, and Ashton Jeanty in the backfield should serve as a solid half of any RPOs Vegas opts to adopt from Mendoza’s former team. Mendoza is a smart leader with viral positivity, and he does a lot of the small things right, excelling with anticipation, velocity, and placement at the short and intermediate levels. The Hoosiers haven’t produced a first-round pick since 1994, and Mendoza should become the school’s second-ever top overall pick, following in the footsteps of fullback Corbett Davis (a 1938 Cleveland Rams draftee).
2) New York Jets — DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Jets have sold a lot of pieces in recent years, and it’s time to use the loot they’ve stored to restock. Pass rusher has long been the expected position here. Yes, New York has needs at quarterback, but it appears the team is saving up for next year. The Jets are reportedly interested in Ohio State off-ball linebacker Sonny Styles here, but at No. 2 overall, the designated salary in that draft slot would make Styles the ninth-highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL. That draft slot would bring more guaranteed money than Fred Warner and Roquan Smith secured on their extensions, and the Jets would have approximately $68.81MM going to the inside linebacker position — with the team signing Demario Davis a year after authorizing a pricey Jamien Sherwood re-signing — over the next two years.
More realistically, that kind of dough will be going to a pass rusher. Styles’ teammate Arvell Reese was presumed to be the pick here as a multifaceted defender with untapped pass-rushing potential in the mold of Micah Parsons or Abdul Carter, but lately Bailey has become a more popular pick. There’s more to the argument than just this, but it’s a classic debate between production and potential. Having just led Division I-FBS with 14.5 sacks as a Red Raider, Bailey could fit in beautifully across from Will McDonald to form an imposing pass-rushing duo.
3) Arizona Cardinals — DE/LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Man, it really feels like the Cardinals want Bailey here. Reese is also a talented pass rusher and may have a higher ceiling, but Bailey’s game could be a strong fit in Arizona. On offense, the team’s right tackle spot is wide open; Elijah Wilkinson is currently slotted into the starting role opposite Paris Johnson Jr. The Cardinals could go with college RTs Francis Mauigoa (Miami) or Spencer Fano (Utah) here, but ignoring the value of Reese at No. 3 feels wrong. Some early-drafting NFL teams have been looking to trade down, and the Cardinals could certainly offer to move back a few spots to let someone else have Reese while they get a tackle and some draft compensation, but we’re not doing trades.
Instead, the Cardinals take the best player available while still landing a player at a position of need. Reese could easily slot in as a starter across from Josh Sweat as a rookie and inject some life into a pass rush that boasted the third-lowest sack total in the NFL last year. Hell, if needed, Reese could even continue to split time as an off-ball linebacker, like he did as a Buckeye, supplementing a group currently headlined by Mack Wilson, Zaven Collins, and Cody Simon. Reese would have a clear path to becoming the best player at either position if he develops as expected. The Cards making this pick would continue a trend of selecting hybrid players in Round 1, which the team did with Collins, Isaiah Simmons, Haason Reddick (at the time) and Deone Bucannon.
4) Tennessee Titans — RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Titans still have so many positions of need they could go almost anywhere with this pick and not be wrong. If Reese or Bailey are still available, the leftover pass rusher could easily be the right call here. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. would take to the NFL easily with Jeffery Simmons as a mentor (though, the team has strayed from this idea after early thoughts of reuniting him with Cam Ward). Styles would be an instant upgrade to the linebacking corps, or the team could explore any of the options at tackle. Tennessee could also go with yet another Buckeye and provide Ward with a high-caliber weapon in wide receiver Carnell Tate.
Ultimately, though, a different kind of weapon for Ward may prevail here. After initially being challenged on his rightful place in the top 10 picks of the draft, Love has been creeping higher and higher up projection boards. As we mentioned with Styles, taking Love here instantly makes him the eighth-highest-paid running back in the league. Love going here would also move him past Saquon Barkley for most fully guaranteed money allocated to a running back. The Raiders entered that neighborhood last year by drafting Jeanty at No. 6.
Love would instantly take an immense amount of pressure off Ward, who led the league in sacks taken last year. Love has the type of game-changing talent that could open up the offense. With a remarkable blend of strength, speed, aggression, and balance, this high-jumping rusher will bring Offensive Rookie of the Year potential.
5) New York Giants — T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
One of the teams leading the charge for trading back from the early first round has been John Harbaugh’s Giants, and that could be the most likely outcome for this pick where talent exists but maybe not at positions New York is trying to bolster. At some point, adding another starting-caliber receiver or cornerback or investing in a top defensive tackle prospect could be really impactful for the Giants, but this early, anyone aside from Tate feels like a significant reach here, and Tate still feels like a bit of a reach at No. 5 (though, his stock has continued to grow lately). It feels like the team did enough work at linebacker and tight end in free agency to rule those out, too.
If the Giants are staying put here, Mauigoa makes sense for a few reasons. While the Giants have their starting tackles in place on multiyear deals, Andrew Thomas has struggled with his health in recent years. Now, a fifth overall pick may seem a bit rich for a swing tackle, but draft pundits have been pretty vocal about their belief that Mauigoa’s best position may be on the interior offensive line, where the Giants have questionable starters on expiring deals.
Though he only played right tackle in college, Mauigoa has expressed willingness to move around the line. There are areas he could improve on as he develops as an NFL tackle, but if Big Blue needs to stick him at guard right now, he’s got a strong skillset to start there and kick out to cover a tackle spot if needed, solving multiple issues along the team’s offensive line.
6) Cleveland Browns — T Spencer Fano, Utah
Let’s cheat a bit here. Even though the potential run of offensive tackles is not to come in this mock, we can put Cleveland in that mindset and still have this make sense. The Browns’ biggest needs are at wide receiver and offensive line. If there’s going to be a run of tackles delaying the selection of top receivers, it makes sense for the team to lock up a strong bookend at the start of the run and hope the depth of the top-tier receivers will leave some strong options remaining when their second Day 1 pick rolls around.
Cleveland was recently linked to Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, but it’s hard to picture him jumping up a few spots over Fano. Proctor may make sense if the Browns trade back a bit, though, and that’s something that’s been rumored for both their picks. Instead, Cleveland follows New York’s example and lands a top right tackle with potential versatility — honestly, these two picks could be swapped and it wouldn’t shock. Neither team could really go wrong with either player. As the Browns completely rebuild their offensive line from last year with a few new and familiar pieces, Fano could be an indispensable option with the ability to solve multiple issues, much like Mauigoa.
7) Washington Commanders — LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
This was a tough one. The Commanders lost a good number of pieces in free agency but did a good overall job of restocking. Bringing in Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson should help the pass rush, and Chig Okonkwo should be able to effectively replace Zach Ertz. The return of Dyami Brown and addition of Van Jefferson were barely convincing enough to not go Tate here, and it doesn’t feel like cornerback is the move here either after the team used high picks on Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos in recent years.
