Jordan Katz’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Final

Posted on April 19, 2026 Updated on April 19, 2026

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. 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, and 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: 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. New Head Coach John Harbaugh would be salivating at the opportunity to coach Styles.

6) TRADE* Dallas Cowboys (from Browns): Caleb Downs, S Ohio State

Now, I don’t know if you’ve been reading the news (John Mulaney stand-up reference), but in case you have not, Jerry Jones is ready to go all-in on trading up in this draft. The Browns have a ton of roster holes, making them the obvious dance partner as well.

With that said, what might shock you is that this move is NOT for an edge rusher! Downs is also on the Cowboys’ radar, and every team from nine to 12 is a threat to take him. Dallas moves up, recoups the second-round pick they gave up last year, and takes a game-changer in the secondary.

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 another team in a weird spot. Their pick is simple if Jeremiyah Love 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: Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State

The Saints have to land a compliment to Chris Olave, and they do just that right here. 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.

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): Mansoor Delane, CB LSU

Everyone will expect the Giants to go offense here. However, a chance to land two stars on the back end of a defense amidst an overhaul is a very John Harbaugh move. Delane is the top corner in the draft. He’s a terrific athlete and has strong footwork in off-coverage. The Giants also used a top-30 visit on Delane, so the interest is real.

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 are in a perfect spot here. They trade down, continue to build out their roster, and take the player they would have picked at 6. Maugioa’s toughness and ability in the run game are needed on this offensive line.

The Trade: See Pick #6.

13) Los Angeles 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. 

14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, IOL Penn State

The offensive line run ends here with the best offensive lineman in this draft. He 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) Washington Commanders (from Jets): Jermod McCoy, CB Tennessee 

Following the trade down, the Commanders select a position of need. Mike Sanristil is a chess piece, but they need a traditional boundary corner. McCoy’s medical remains a question, but his pro day was stellar, and his 2024 tape remains the best tape of any corner in the class. 

The Trade: See Pick #7.

17) Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, EDGE Auburn

If you have been reading from the start of coverage, Keldric Faulk is someone who I said would go much earlier than expected. Flash forward to draft week, and more are joining the train. Detroit needs an edge rusher that provides versatility up front, and Faulk can be that player

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): Makai Lemon, WR USC

Lemon is a true wildcard in this draft. He’s elite with the ball in his hands, but his draft process was polarizing. Cleveland did use a top-30 visit on Lemon, which means they could be the team that rolls the dice on him.

The Trade: See Pick #8.

21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Johnson, CB San Diego State

Throughout this process, it has been a mystery of who will be “CB3.” I was never sold on Avieon Terrell, and kept saying it would be someone different.

As we approach draft night, Chris Johnson and Colton Hood seem to be the first names off the board behind Delane and McCoy. Johnson’s competitiveness in man coverage and willingness to tackle make him a perfect fit in Pittsburgh’s defense.

22) *TRADE* Arizona Cardinals (from Chargers): 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 take a gamble. 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 their pick at 24 is right in the range of where he is expected to go. Therefore, to ensure their guy, Arizona must jump over Cleveland.

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 #33 and a 2027 2nd round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 22nd overall selection.

23) Philadelphia Eagles: 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 Eagles’ defense.

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, and 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): Keylan Rutledge, IOL Georgia Tech

The Giants end a super active round one by moving back into the first round to solidify their offensive line. Rutledge has worked his way into a top 40 lock. NFL teams love his intelligence and flexibility to play multiple positions along the interior. Given the Giants’ need in that spot, this is a perfect match.

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): Kayden McDonald, IDL Ohio State

Following the trade down, the Panthers take an elite one-tech, which their defense does need. McDonald eats blockers against the run, and he has some wiggle as a pass rusher. This is an excellent fit for him.

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): Denzel Boston, WR Washington

The Dolphins may very well go receiver at 11. However, because they have done their homework on so many, and because the gap between the top players is not that big, look for them to wait until 30 for their playmaker. The gap between the top offensive linemen and the rest is significantly bigger than that of the playmakers. That is why they scoop up Boston here at 30, instead of taking Lemon at 11 and a mediocre guard at 30.

31) *TRADE* Philadelphia Eagles (from Patriots): Max Iheanachor, OT Arizona State

The AJ Brown trade appears to finally be upon us. The Eagles are operating as if he will be dealt during the draft. 

The match made in heaven remains the New England Patriots. They need a number one receiver, and Head Coach Mike Vrabel has familiarity from his days in Tennessee. Yes, in a normal draft, a first-rounder for a guy who wants out and is older is a high price. However, this is not your typical draft because the players with true round one grades are very low.

Pats get their top target, and the Eagles get their future Lane Johnson replacement (Iheanachor can sit and continue to revise his technique. Everybody wins!

The Trade: The New England Patriots trade the 31st overall selection to the Philadelphia Eagles for AJ Brown.

32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB Notre Dame

Our final promise of the back end of round one is the Seattle Seahawks and Jadarian Price. ESPN’s Peter Schrager seems to believe that the other Notre Dame star running back, Jadarian Price, will be the last pick of round one if Seattle doesn’t trade out. The Seahawks need a lead back that does his best work between the tackles and has good balance in short yardage. That is Price in a nutshell.