Jordan Katz’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Final
Ladies and Gentlemen, zero hour is upon us. It is officially draft week! If all the reports are true, we are in for absolute chaos this year, and round one is going to be just the start of it. As mentioned in previous mocks, this is a class with a lot of depth, and not a ton of stars. Those are the drafts where General Managers make their money. They need to maneuver the board in a way that lands them “their guys,” which is why these are the kind of drafts that feature a ton of movement.
It has already started with all of the player trades we have seen to this point, and we probably are not done. Eagles star wide receiver AJ Brown is expected to be dealt during the draft, but more on that later. All in all, we are expecting chaos, and this mock is chaos. There are two trades in the top 10, and five first-round trades in total!
The madness did not end in March; it has continued into April! Here is my final mock draft of #DraftSZN!
ROUND ONE
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana
It will be infuriating when Mendoza isn’t selected until 8:22 EST, but I digress. The consensus top pick for months; nothing to see here. Mendoza is the rare quarterback who should start from day one, even if the roster is not ready.
2) New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB Ohio State
Despite all of the David Bailey buzz, Reese still feels like the play. The Jets cooked up the Bailey buzz right around the time that multiple teams were looking into moving up for Bailey. It feels like a classic pre-draft smoke screen based on the timing.
On top of that, the Jets are not in a position to pass on a talent that many deem generational. Reese still makes the most sense for the Jets here.
3) Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE Texas Tech
The one portion of the Bailey rumor that feels true from above is that teams will have to jump the Titans to get him. That puts the Cardinals in a great position to trade out if they do not want Bailey.
However, why wouldn’t they want him? Arizona’s pass rush was abysmal, and Bailey is the best pure edge rusher in the draft. The Cardinals stay put and take the best player available at a premium position.
4) Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame
The best player in the entire draft, regardless of positional value, is believed to be Jeremiyah Love. He’s a chess piece offensively, flashing elite ability in the open field, as well as skills as a pass catcher. His vision in between the tackles may be his most impressive attribute. The Titans need a game changer to help Cam Ward develop, and Love is that game changer.
5) New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State
This is a late change for me, but I am going to choose to buy the smoke. Tyson has passed all medical concerns, which means he’s in play to be the top pass catcher taken, and he’s probably a top-10 lock. He makes plays with the ball in his hands, and he’s smooth in and out of his cuts.
On top of that, General Manager Joe Schoen flew out for his pre-draft workout, and then proceeded to acquire the 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence. The buzz on Tyson and the Giants feels real, and they will need to pick him at five if they want him that badly.
6) TRADE* Dallas Cowboys (from Browns): Sonny Styles, LB Ohio State
The best player in the entire draft, regardless of positional value, is ACTUALLY Sonny Styles. A 6’5 linebacker who stacks and sheds, and can stick both tight-ends and running backs in coverage, is something we have never seen before. Dallas has long been linked to Styles, and they will need to leapfrog Washington to ensure they get him.
The Trade: The Dallas Cowboys trade the #12, #20, and #112 overall selections to the Cleveland Browns for the #6, #70 and a 2027 3rd round pick.
7) *TRADE* New York Jets (from Commanders): Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State
Washington is in a weird spot. Their pick is simple if one of Jeremiyah Love or David Bailey makes it, but that is becoming increasingly less likely.
If he’s not, they become a prime trade-down candidate, with plenty of teams who would answer the call.
The Jets desperately need a playmaker next to Garrett Wilson, and they have the draft capital to go up and get one. On top of that, several mock draft experts have mocked this trade because of the familiarity between the GMs (Moguey and Peters worked together in Denver).
This looks like a win-win for all parties involved.
The Trade: The New York Jets trade the #16, #44, and a 2027 4th round pick to the Washington Commanders for the Seventh overall selection.
8) New Orleans Saints: Mansoor Delane, CB LSU
While there was buzz around the Saints trading up, it appears that they are locked into this selection. Delane is one of the players they had a pre-draft visit with, and corner is a position of need. He’s a traditional boundary corner with great footwork and the athleticism to trail at the next level.
9) Kansas City Chiefs: Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE Miami
The Chiefs are a tough team to predict here because they could do just about anything. Bain has the most traction. They did deep dives on the top three edge players in this class and are in desperate need of an edge rusher opposite George Karlaftis. Keep an eye on Delane or Jermod McCoy, though; the Chiefs do need a number one corner as well.
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Caleb Downs, S Ohio State
Now the order might prove to be flipped, but I truly believe the Giants will come away with Tyson and Downs on draft night. Downs is a complete safety, and he is one of the best safety prospects we have seen in years. He will make a day-one impact for the Giants on defense.
11) Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OL Utah
ESPN’s Jordan Reid leaked that the Dolphins appear to be infatuated with Spencer Fano, and with good reason. Their offensive line needs a makeover, and Fano could be successful at several spots up front. He has the intelligence and footwork in pass protection to transition to guard effortlessly. I’ll bite on the smoke screen and give Malik Willis some much-needed protection.
12) *TRADE* Cleveland Browns (from Cowboys): Francis Mauigoa, OL Miami
The Browns pull off the perfect draft day trade here. They move down from six, continue to build out their roster, and take the player they would have picked at their original selection. Maugioa’s toughness and run-blocking ability are needed on this offensive line.
The Trade: See Pick #6.
13) *TRADE* Detroit Lions (from Rams via Falcons): Monroe Freeling, OT Georgia
Freeling was one of the big combine winners, and because of that, he has carved out a spot in the top 15. He’s one of the few tackles in this draft who has the size and athleticism that teams are looking for in 2026. Despite only one year of collegiate tape, Freeling’s upside will attract NFL teams. Detroit moves up to grade its right tackle of the future.
The Trade: The Detroit Lions trade the #17, #118, and a 2027 3rd round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the 13th overall selection.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, IOL Penn State
The offensive line run ends here with the best offensive lineman in this draft. Ioane should be the selection at six to the Browns, but because he plays guard, and only guard, he could fall. Baltimore gets an absolute steal here at 14.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE Oregon
Back-to-back steals here. Sadiq can do it all at the tight end position. He wins routes with size and athleticism, he blocks incredibly well, and he can create yards after the catch. This is where many expect Tampa Bay to go in round one.
16) *TRADE* Washington Commanders (from Jets): Makai Lemon, WR USC
The first thought here is, why wouldn’t Washington just take Carnell Tate at seven? Truth be told, outside of Jordyn Tyson, the league views this receiver class as one where the gap between the top players and the next tier is incredibly small. Lemon is the dynamic playmaker this Commanders’ offense needs, and Washington used a pre-draft visit on him. They also need picks in the middle of this draft to help build out their roster.
The Trade: See Pick #7.
17) *TRADE* Los Angeles Rams (from Lions): Omar Cooper Jr., WR Indiana
It’s always nice to trade back, acquire assets, and take the player you would have selected at your original pick. The Rams do just that here.
Cooper is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. NFL circles are very high on his ability to play through physicality at the line of scrimmage, which makes him the pick for the Rams here.
The Trade: See Pick #13.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Theineman, S Oregon
Pulling off Theineman here is “Option-A” for the Vikings. They need a safety to play opposite Harrison Smith, and they also need one to replace Harrison Smith in the future. Theineman has so much flexibility for any defense. He can play the nickel, split-high, or single high safety. This is a perfect fit.
19) *TRADE* Houston Texans (from Panthers): Kayden Proctor, OL Alabama
Houston is a prime trade-up candidate. They need to continue to revamp their offensive line, and that opportunity will be there.
Proctor is a menace in the run game, and his strikes knock back defenders. Yes, his pad level is high in pass protection, and his feet are heavy at times. However, Proctor plays with intensity, and his size is something you cannot teach.
The Trade: The Houston Texans trade #28 and #59 to the Carolina Panthers for the 19th overall selection.
20) *TRADE* Cleveland Browns (from Cowboys via Packers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S Toledo
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has been the draft darling of many mock draft experts during this cycle. He plays every snap as if it’s his last. His best attribute is his ability near the line of scrimmage and his aggressive play downhill. He’s a perfect fit for the Browns’ defense.
The Trade: See Pick #6.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Johnson, CB San Diego State
Throughout this process, it has been a mystery of who will be “CB2.” I was never sold on Avieon Terrell, and kept saying it would be someone different. Now there’s speculation that Jermod McCoy may fall farther than expected.
As we approach draft night, Chris Johnson and Colton Hood seem to be the first names off the board behind Delane. Johnson’s competitiveness in man coverage and willingness to tackle make him a perfect fit in Pittsburgh’s defense.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, DL Auburn
I feel this is too low for Faulk, but players fall on draft night, and that happened to Faulk in this mock. The Chargers have been linked to him because of his versatility. They need a run stopper up front with some quickness as a pass rusher.
23) Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT Arizona State
Even with the AJ Brown rumors, offensive line is actually more of a need for the Eagles. They need to control the line of scrimmage for their offense to be successful.
Lane Johnson is entering the back nine of his career (he might be teeing off on 18, if we are being honest). Iheanachor can sit for a year, develop his technique, and take over Johnson’s starting role next year. This is also something that General Manager Howie Roseman has done before.
24) Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars): R Mason Thomas, EDGE Oklahoma
A sneaky round one prospect is R Mason Thomas. He threw together a very nice draft process where he rose up draft boards after the combine. Thomas possesses good dip-and-bend ability off the edge. Cleveland used a top-30 visit on him, and they need a rotational pass rusher. This is a pick that could surprise many in the back end of round one.
25) Chicago Bears: Zion Young, EDGE Missouri
There are a few players in the back end of round one who I think have promises from teams. Zion Young and the Bears is one of those matches. The Bears need a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat. Whether that is Young or someone else, that is likely the pick here.
26) *TRADE* New York Giants (from Bills): Kayden McDonald, IDL Ohio State
The Giants end a super active round one by moving back into the first round to solidify their defensive front. McDonald eats blockers against the run, and he has some wiggle as a pass rusher. This is an excellent fit for him.
The Trade: The New York Giants trade the #37, #145, and a 2027 3rd round pick to the Buffalo Bills for the 26th overall selection.
27) San Francisco 49ers: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE UCF
Malachi Lawrence is another player who figures to go in round one because of a promise from a team. While we cannot know for sure who that team is, the Niners are a good guess. They need an athletic pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa, and Lawrence showed elite athleticism throughout the draft process.
28) *TRADE* Carolina Panthers (from Texans): Treyden Stukes, DB Arizona
Following the trade down, the Panthers take a playmaking defensive back with elite ball skills. Stukes has nickel and safety versatility, making him a Dillon Theineman-esque chess piece in the back end of the first, or early in the second. Carolina used a top-30 visit on him, making this trade-down scenario a possibility.
The Trade: See Pick #19.
29) Kansas City Chiefs via Rams: Colton Hood, CB Tennessee
Keep an eye on Colton Hood to sneak into the top-20. Hood showed NFL-level physicality in press coverage, and he locates the ball well in the air. If he makes it to 29, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would be foaming at the mouth at the prospect of putting Hood in his defense.
30) Miami Dolphins (via Broncos): Jermod McCoy, CB Tennessee
McCoy making it to 30 would be a home run scenario for the Dolphins. They are rebuilding, so talent over needs will be the draft strategy. McCoy’s medicals are a concern, but if those check out, he is a legitimate “CB1,” at the next level.
31) New England Patriots: Keylan Rutledge, IOL Georgia Tech
The AJ Brown trade to the Patriots is still very likely. However, it will likely be a post-June 1st trade, which means the Patriots will still pick here.
Rutledge has worked his way into a top 40 lock. NFL teams love his intelligence and his flexibility to play multiple positions along the interior. Given the Patriots’ need in that spot, this is a perfect match.
*Trade Scenario* for AJ Brown: The Patriots trade a 2027 conditional second-round pick to the Eagles for AJ Brown.
32) *TRADE* Arizona Cardinals (from Seahawks): Ty Simpson, QB Alabama
This trade-up is layered. Arizona needs to make sure another team that could be interested in Simpson, like the Jets, doesn’t pay a lesser cost to get the former Alabama star. They also need to get the fifth-year option on Simpson in case he hits.
There is a third element here. The Browns used a top-30 visit on Simpson, and if he makes it to round two, Cleveland might get aggressive. On top of that, the Jets could pull the trigger at 33! Therefore, to ensure their guy, Arizona must jump up to be safe.
The fit of Simpson to the Cardinals is a good one. Arizona has an all-world tight end in Trey McBride, and a receiving corps that includes two talented young playmakers: Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. This move would give Simpson the best chance to be successful at the next level.
The Trade: The Arizona Cardinals trade the #34 and a 2027 3rd round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for the 32nd overall selection.
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