Jordan Katz’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Post Combine and Post Free Agency
We are now heading down the home stretch of the NFL Draft season! The Combine has come and gone, and it was a historic one. So many position groups tested so much better than expected. It confirmed what we have known about this class for quite some time; depth is prevalent. A draft that lacks elite star power and possesses a ton of depth is going to lead to chaos in the NFL Draft, and that is what I have projected in this mock.
This is important because it will have a direct impact on which position groups as a whole are selected later than expected. The best example of this is the receivers. There are so many talented receivers in this class, but the difference between the perceived top guys and the “second tier,” is very minimal. Daniel Jeremiah has eight receivers in his top 50, and many scouts and experts have similar numbers. This means that teams will select receivers later than expected, and run to a position group that is weaker in round one.
So, if you are wondering why I am lower on the draft stock of certain players, it is not actually because I think they are overrated. It is because certain position groups are significantly deeper than others.
When the pre-draft visits finish up, there will be more clarity on draft stocks. For now, expect the unexpected during this draft cycle, as you are about to find out in this two-round mock!
ROUND ONE
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana- The consensus top pick; however, I do think some drama will start to build. Does a team try to offer a king’s ransom with the knowledge that Vegas is a few years away? If they do, does Vegas accept? Or, will Vegas try to make a move for Lamar Jackson?
2) New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB Ohio State- After the show he put on at the combine, Arvell Reese is going to be the second overall pick. The Jets getting trade offers will likely still happen. Having said that, given all of their draft capital for the next two years, they probably stay here and take a top-end talent.
3) Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OL Miami- Arizona is in the same situation as the Jets above. They could use this pick to trade out of, but they probably will not find a dance partner. Mauigoa can play guard or tackle at the next level. Most importantly, his toughness is needed in the run game.
4) Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB Ohio State- One of the biggest combine winners was Ohio State Linebacker Sonny Styles. It wasn’t because he flew up draft boards, which is normally the case for “combine winners.” During the week in Indianapolis, Styles put on an athletic show that proved why he was one of the best players in this draft. He’s a generational talent and easily a top-five selection.
5) New York Giants: Mansoor Delane, CB LSU- I was waiting for his pro day until I catapulted Delane into the top half of the draft. His athletic testing was important in helping him stand out from the rest of the cornerback class. His 4.38 40-time did just that. I think the earliest Delane goes is here at 5 to the Giants. They need a number one corner, and Delane’s tape in trail coverage matches his athleticism from the pro day.
6) Cleveland Browns: Vega Ioane, IOL Penn State- This feels like Vega Ioane’s ceiling on draft night. The Browns need offensive line help, and Ioane is arguably the most complete offensive lineman in the draft. New Head Coach Todd Monken has emphasized improvement in the trenches, so a guard at six is incredibly plausible.
7) Washington Commanders: Jeremiah Love, RB Notre Dame- Everyone has focused on Love’s floor being the Giants at five, and that may wind up to be true. One team that is being overlooked in the Jeremiah Love sweepstakes, however, is Washington. Bill Croskey-Merritt did not take control of the starting job last year. Love is the do-it-all running back this offense is missing.
8) New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, EDGE Texas Tech- Bailey’s floor on draft night feels like the Saints here at eight. He’s the most accomplished pass rusher on tape in the draft, and he put together an excellent Combine performance. Plus, New Orleans desperately needs a premier edge rusher.
9) Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OL Utah- Fano’s combine measurements (32-inch arms, 9-inch hand size) are comparable to a tackle who will move to guard in the NFL. Fortunately, Fano is an intelligent lineman whose footwork in pass protection is really strong, and his athletic testing matched that (1.72 10-yard split, 3rd best at the combine). The Chiefs need to continue revamping their offensive line, so this is a natural fit.
10) Cincinnati Bengals: Monroe Freeling, OT Georgia- If you created a tackle in a lab, it would be Monroe Freeling. At 6’7 and 315 lbs, Freeling ran a 4.93 40-yard dash with a 1.71 10-yard split, the second-best 10-yard split in the entire class for offensive linemen. This shows elite athleticism, along with his long arms and big frame. In short, even though his tape is finite (only one year to go off of), NFL teams will fall in love with his measurables and attempt to coach up the deficiencies. The Bengals could be one of those teams.
11) Miami Dolphins: Dillon Theineman, S Oregon- The top safety in this draft may still be Caleb Downs, but I think the injury issues will cause a slide. Theineman comes with a clean bill of health, and he is just as elite. He’s sticky in man coverage from the slot, and he reads-and-reacts well over the top. To top it off, he tested off the charts at the Combine.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB Tennessee- McCoy dominated his pro day, which is a good sign that he has recovered from the injury. The athleticism, combined with his 2024 tape, should make him a top 15 lock. He’s sticky when trailing the receiver, and his footwork in all coverages is strong.
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Blake Parker, OL Clemson- I do not think anyone expected five offensive linemen in the top 15 four months ago, but we are headed in that direction. The position group lacks depth, and there is a major gap between the ones expected to go early, and the ones going later on. The Rams need offensive line help, and offensive line versatility as well. Keep an eye on them reaching for a Parker or Kayden Proctor type of prospect if the top talents have left the board.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE Miami- Not only can the combine elevate draft stocks, but it can also hurt them as well. Bain measured in at one of the smallest edge rushers in terms of arm length. Having said that, tape should still outweigh physical measurables, and Bain’s tape at Miami was excellent. Despite technically being undersized, he sets the edge incredibly well. He can also run the arch to the quarterback as a rusher.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CJ Allen, LB Georgia- If CJ Allen had Sonny Syles’s measurables, he would be a top 10 lock. Allen has great sideline-to-sideline ability, stack-and-shed ability in the run game, and he’s a savvy player. This feels like his ceiling on draft night.
16) New York Jets (via Colts): Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State- “WR1,” in this draft coming off the board at 16 may shock all of you, but let’s dive into why it could happen. First off, the NFL community agrees that the depth at receiver is strong. Second, this receiver does not have an elite prospect; rather, it has a bunch of high-quality pros that can be low-end “WR1’s” and the next level. Lastly, because of the depth at receiver, teams may be more inclined to take premium talent at other positions and wait on the premium talent at receiver because there is not much of a difference between the top receivers in this draft.
Of course, this means five receivers will go in the top-20, and I won’t be close, but there is a method to my madness!
17) Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE Miami- Mesidor has risen up draft boards during the draft process. His tape shows a very solid positional edge rusher who wins with power and holds the edge well against the run. His athletic testing has solidified him as a top 40 selection. In my opinion, Detroit is his ceiling because he’s the perfect complement off the edge to Aidan Hutchinson.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Downs, S Ohio State- Even with Downs’s medical concerns, I do not see a world where he makes it out of the top 20. The on-field ability is too good, and in a draft that lacks star potential, Downs is one of the rare few who have it. Minnesota at 18 feels like his floor.
19) Carolina Panthers: Caleb Banks, IDL Florida- Picking a run-stopping 1-tech is definitely not a flashy use of a first-round selection. Nevertheless, Carolina needs to improve against the run, and Banks’s athleticism makes him a three-down player because he can rush from the 3-tech spot. Banks could go anywhere from the middle of round one to the middle of round two. Based on his combine, I think he goes sooner rather than later.
20) Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): TJ Parker, EDGE Clemson- Parker’s tape in 2025 is up and down, but he was a monster in 2024. He put together a really nice combine workout, showing good athleticism and good lateral quickness during the drills. I think he goes earlier than expected.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kayden Proctor, OL Alabama- The back end of the first round will see a heavy dose of offensive linemen selected. Proctor is a mammoth of a human, and his instincts in the run game are flawless. If he learns how to anchor better in pass protection, he could be a decade-long starter in the NFL.
22) *TRADE* New York Jets (via Chargers): Ty Simpson, QB Alabama- Ty Simpson is the wildcard in this draft. He had a tremendous first half of the year at Alabama, and an equally poor second half of the year. His tape has the good, the bad, the amazing, and the ugly. The question is going to be if a team likes his upside enough to move back into the first round and get the fifth-year option on him.
Based on reports, the two teams that are most likely to do that are the Jets and the Cardinals. The Jets are the pick to make the move for two reasons. Their situation, offensively, is a little better than Arizona’s. They can also part with a future second-rounder because they have three firsts next year.
The Trade: The New York Jets trade the #33, #103, and a 2027 3rd round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 22nd overall selection.
23) Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE Oregon- After an outstanding combine, Sadiq showed why he is arguably the best pass catcher in the class. He showed elite athleticism (4.36 40-yard dash) to pair with his route-running skills that pop on tape. He should be one of the early pass catchers drafted on draft night.
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Omar Cooper Jr., WR Indiana- If the buzz around certain receivers is real, Omar Cooper is going to be the second receiver selected. He’s an underrated route runner, and he’s physical in his routes as well. Cleveland needs a playmaker like Cooper.
25) *TRADE* Houston Texans (from Bears): Caleb Lomu, OT Utah- Tackle is still a need for the Texans, despite the improvements of their offensive line. Lomu is a day one right tackle, which helps solidify that side after trading Tytus Howard. They move up a few spots here to land a starter.
The Trade: The Houston Texans trade the #28, #106, and a 2027 4th round pick to the Chicago Bears for the 25th overall selection.
26) *TRADE* Philadelphia Eagles (from Bills): Makai Lemon, WR USC– The AJ Brown trade buzz has been reinvigorated. This does finally feel like the moment where he will be dealt.
Look for Buffalo to be the most aggressive in their pursuit of Brown. If the price tag does wind up being a first-rounder plus, Buffalo’s desperation to capitalize on their championship window could force their hand.
Philly moves Brown, and selects his replacement here in Lemon. Lemon is electric with the ball in his hands, and a perfect fit in Nick Sirianni’s offense.
The Trade: The Buffalo Bills trade the 26th overall selection and a 2027 conditional 2nd round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for AJ Brown.
27) San Francisco 49ers: Max Iheanchor, OL Arizona State- Iheanchor is another offensive lineman who had a strong pre-draft process. When his strikes land, he is a wall up front. Given the uncertainty around Trent Williams, offensive lineman is definitely in play for the Niners, even if that player “redshirts,” their first year.
28) *TRADE* Chicago Bears (from Texans): Keldric Faulk, EDGE Auburn- Chicago needs an edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat, and fortunately for them, they are in a perfect range to take one. The beauty of Faulk is that he can play a 5-tech or a 3-tech, and that gives the Bears some much-needed versatility when rushing the passer.
The Trade: See Pick 25.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB Clemson- Terrell is one of the projected first-rounders that I cannot figure out. He shows good quickness in off-coverage, but he lacks elite ball skills. He trails nicely, but struggles with physicality.
I feel the same way about his draft stock. Terrell could go in the top 30, he could be picked in the middle of day two. For now, he lands with the Chiefs at 29.
30) Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Brandon Cisse, CB South Carolina- Cisse is another player whose stock I cannot read. I feel better about Cisse’s tape than Terrell’s, but the stock is somehow more volatile. Ultimately, I think both players will go in the top-40, and in this mock, Cisse goes here at 30.
31) New England Patriots: R Mason Thomas, EDGE Oklahoma- R Mason Thomas had an outstanding pre-draft process and has elevated himself into the round one conversation. He runs the arch incredibly well and has a great motor. He’s a perfect edge player in a Mike Vrabel defense.
32) Seattle Seahawks: D’Angelo Ponds, CB Indiana- Ponds at 32 is going to be a surprise to some, but it feels like a perfect fit. Seattle needs some versatility in their secondary, and Ponds projects as an elite nickel who can play the boundary. Even though he’s undersized (5’9, 170 lbs), his competitiveness and football acumen should land him in the top-40 at the minimum.
ROUND TWO
33) *TRADE* Los Angeles Chargers (via Jets): Lee Hunter, IDL Texas Tech
34) Arizona Cardinals: Zion Young, EDGE Missouri
35) Tennessee Titans: KC Concepcion, WR Texas A&M
36) Las Vegas Raiders: Denzel Boston, WR Washington
37) New York Giants: Jacob Rodriguez, LB Texas Tech
38) Houston Texans (from Commanders): Kayden McDonald, IDL Ohio State
39) Cleveland Browns: Peter Woods, IDL Clemson
40) Kansas City Chiefs: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S Toledo
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, EDGE Texas A&M
42) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State
43) Miami Dolphins: Malachi Fields, WR Notre Dame
44) New York Jets (via Cowboys): Chris Johnson, CB San Diego State
45) Baltimore Ravens: Kieonte Scott, CB Miami
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Machai Lawrence, EDGE UCF
47) Indianapolis Colts: Chris Bell, WR Louisville
48) Atlanta Falcons: Gabe Jacas, EDGE Illinois
49) Minnesota Vikings: Christen Miller, IDL Georgia
50) Detroit Lions: Chase Bisonitis, IOL Texas A&M
51) Carolina Panthers: Jadarian Price, RB Notre Dame
52) Green Bay Packers: Gracen Halton, IDL Oklahoma
53) Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB Penn State
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Tiernan, OT Northwestern
55) Los Angeles Chargers: Keylan Rutledge, IOL Georgia Tech
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Anthony Hill, LB Texas
57) Chicago Bears: Domoniqie Orange, IDL Iowa State
58) San Francisco 49ers: Antonio Williams, WR Clemson
59) Houston Texans: Jake Golday, LB Cincinnati
60) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Kyle Louis, LB Pittsburgh
61) Los Angeles Rams: Josiah Trotter, LB Missouri
62) Denver Broncos: Colton Hood, CB Tennessee
63) New England Patriots: Zacharriah Branch, WR Georgia
64) Seattle Seahawks: Eli Stowers, TE Vanderbilt
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