The Sports Branch 2026 Co-Mock Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is just hours away, and we are back with our 2026 edition of our Co-Mock Draft. For this mock, CJ and I split the teams, with me selecting for the even numbered teams and CJ drafting for the odd numbered teams. Our picks were made based on what we think each team would do when on the clock on Thursday night. Make sure to subscribe to the site and check out CJ on Instagram and TikTok.

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1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza QB, Indiana

   The Heisman Trophy winner finally hears his name called. Mendoza is a High IQ, tactical minded player who will do anything to win. Even though Kirk Cousins was signed this off-season to possibly start this upcoming season, Tom Brady is sure that he has found his quarterback of the future to help bring Raider Nation back to their winning ways.

   
   

2. New York Jets: David Bailey EDGE, Texas Tech

   The Draft really starts here at No. 2 with the Jets and the debate between Bailey and Reese. Despite the Jets recently canceling a pre-draft visit with Bailey, it appears that he will still be the pick based on what most draft analysts have been reporting. 

   
   

   Bailey posted 14.5 sacks for Texas Tech last year, which was tied for the most in college football. His pass rush capabilities will make an instant impact for a Jets defense that was 31st in the NFL in sacks a season ago. 

   
   

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese LB, Ohio State

   The Arizona Cardinals take arguably the most versatile player in the draft in Arvell Reese. Even though he only played one full season off the edge, Reese makes up for his lack of experience with true physical talent. The hybrid edge/off-ball outside linebacker has a natural ability to make big plays and hunt down ball carriers with ease which could lead to early success during his NFL career.

   
   

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love RB, Notre Dame

   Love has been linked to the Titans for quite some time now, and with the top two defensive players off the board, this selection makes sense for the Titans, who had one running back on a top-30 visit before the draft. That running back, of course, was Jeremiyah Love. 

   
   

   The addition of Love would help in the development of last year’s No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, and give the Titans offense the potential for explosive plays it has been lacking. 

   
   

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles LB, Ohio State

   Coach John Harbaugh makes his official first selection as a member of the New York Giants staff and it's none other than Sonny Styles. Styles displayed his skills at the NFL Combine which led to him propel himself into becoming a top 5 pick. His 6 foot-4 inch frame and 4.4 speed will allow him to cover ground and plug gaps unlike any linebacker we’ve ever seen.

   
   

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate WR, Ohio State 

   The Browns have two absolute glaring needs on their roster right now, offensive tackle and wide receiver – outside of their quarterback woes. With Cleveland also having pick No. 24, I think the Browns go wide receiver early and take Carnell Tate, who most view as the WR1 in the draft. 

   
   

   Jerry Jeudy was second on this team in receiving last season with just 602 yards and two touchdowns. The next leader at the WR position for Cleveland was Isaiah Bond with 338 yards. Whoever the QB1 is in Cleveland will need better weapons to have a chance at success.

   
   

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs S, Ohio State

   Washington's consolation prize for missing out on the best WR and RB in the draft; only the best safety prospect we’ve seen since Ed Reed. Downs’ instincts, ball skills and awareness will allow him to be a day one contributor to a secondary that is lacking star talent. Dan Quinn should be nothing short of excited to have such a versatile player on his defense.

   
   

8. New Orleans Saints: Reuben Bain Jr. EDGE, Miami

   With New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan – who has been a cornerstone of that franchise for over a decade – still sitting in free agency and turning 37 before next season, the Saints will have to add some pass rush, regardless of if Jordan returns or not. 

   
   

   Bain is the next best edge rusher after Bailey and Reese and was dominant at Miami last season – 9.5 sacks – as he helped lead the Hurricanes to the CFP title game. Defensive back and wide receiver are two other positions to watch her on Thursday night, depending on how the previous picks go.

   
   

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane CB, LSU

   After lots of talk about moving up, Kansas City stays put and lands the best corner prospect in the draft. Delane is a good sized cover corner with the technical ability to play the bump-and-run style of man coverage that head coach Andy Reid likes in his defense. His perimeter playmaking skills will help kickstart the Chiefs’ new look defensive back unit.

   
   

10. New York Giants (via CIN): Jordyn Tyson WR, Arizona State

    Until late last week when the Giants traded star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, this pick belonged to the Bengals. But with New York now on the clock here, there are a lot of signs pointing to wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. 

    
    

    According to multiple reports, Tyson had dinner with the Giants last Thursday, the night before his private workout for NFL teams, which he hosted to show that he is indeed healthy ahead of the draft. Tyson missed multiple games in his college career due to knee, hamstring and collarbone injuries and missed the NFL combine. 

    
    

    If the Giants select Tyson – who could’ve been viewed as the draft's WR1 if not for injuries – he would plug-in as the immediate No. 2 option for Jaxson Dart once Malik Nabers returns. 

    
    

11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa OT, Miami

    Miami opted to hit the restart button this off-season by releasing and trading a lot of their old/expensive players. Step one of the rebuild was to add former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis in Free Agency. Step two of the rebuild; get Willis some protection. Mauigoa would immediately plug into the starting right tackle spot and add some much needed physicality and toughness to this Dolphins’ front.

    
    

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman S, Oregon

    Dallas has two first-round picks this year thanks to the Micah Parsons trade, and you have to think that both will be used on defensive players. Last season, the Cowboys’ defense was historically bad, allowing 40 points at home in an overtime loss to Russell Wilson and 34 points to the JJ McCarthy-led Vikings are just two of several examples. 

    
    

    With no trades in this mock draft, I’ll pair the best defensive player on the board in safety Dillon Thieneman with the Cowboys. He’ll be an instant impact in Dallas’s secondary, which allowed the most points and pass yards per game last season.

    
    

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon WR, USC

    The NFC runner-ups add a huge playmaker to their wide receiver room. Lemon possesses a great skillset and short route speed to help him carve out a slot role in Sean McVay’s scheme. Also with Davante Adams getting older, adding a youthful set of legs alongside Puka Nacua could allow this offense to lead the Rams back to the Super Bowl.

    
    

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane G, Penn State

    Taking a guard in the first round is never the “flashy pick,” however the Ravens are the team that arguably needs one the most. Despite playing just 13 games in 2025, Lamar Jackson was sacked 36 times, the third most in his career. 

    
    

    With the departures of Daniel Faalele – who was horrendous last year anyway – and three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, the Ravens’ needs on the offensive line have been exacerbated. 

    
    

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor EDGE, Miami

    Tampa Bay tries to strengthen their pass rush with Miami Man Akheem Mesidor. Yes I know he is a bit older – 25 years old – than your typical NFL Draftee, but with age comes experience. During his final year in college, Mesidor had 12.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 21.3% pass rush win rate. That in-game experience that could allow Mesidor to become a game wrecker for the Bucs.

    
    

16. New York Jets (via IND): Jermod McCoy CB, Tennessee

    With new information during draft week having come out around McCoy and the knee injury that has plagued him, pick No. 16 might be a bit rich for him. McCoy will be an interesting name to watch come Thursday, as the concerns around his ACL tear from January 2025 are very real.  

    
    

    But one of the Jets’ many needs is cornerback, and when McCoy was healthy during his 2024 season, he was elite. New York acquired this pick from trading Sauce Gardner this season to the Colts, and in this mock, the Jets use it here to replace him and add to a defense that had zero interceptions in 2025, which was the first time that happened in league history. 

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling OT, Georgia

    Taylor Decker won’t be around forever. Monroe Freeling is viewed by the Detroit Lions coaching staff as the ‘best true left tackle’ in the draft which is why he is the selection here. He has great size, but is a little raw when it comes to his lateral speed and hand usage. Freeling would have the opportunity to sit behind Decker and Sewell during his rookie season in order to sharpen his skills with the hopes of him becoming the left tackle of the future.

    
    

18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S, Toledo 

    The most common mock draft pick for the Vikings throughout the pre-draft process has been Dillon Thieneman, but with him off the board here, I have the Vikings pivoting to McNeil-Warren, who has been a pre-draft riser. 

    
    

    With Minnesota safety Harrison Smith currently a free agent and 37 years old, his playing status is on a year-to-year basis, and it's unclear as of now if he will be back for 2026. Either way, McNeil-Warren would fill the void of Smith now, or in the near future. 

    
    

    McNeil-Warren would be the third safety taken in the first round, which would mark the fourth time this century three safeties have gone round one. 

    
    

19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Saddiq TE, Oregon

    Last season we got to see what Bryce Young could do with one offensive weapon, Tetairoa McMillian. Let’s see what would happen if we gave him another. Kenyon Saddiq would improve Carolina’s passing attack by not only providing a checkdown safety blanket, but he would also bring in the ability to stretch the middle of the field. The freakishly athletic Saddiq will look to develop into the Panthers’ best pass-catching tight end since Greg Olson.

    
    

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Keldric Faulk EDGE, Auburn

    For Dallas’s second pick of the first round, I am staying on the defensive side of the ball – of course – with edge rusher Keldric Faulk. According to reports from NFL insider Peter Schrager, the Cowboys have been linked to Faulk during the pre-draft process.

    
    

    With Dallas once again in dire need of defensive improvements, it solidifies its pass rush here and adds Faulk to a group that consists of Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashaan Gary and last year’s second-round pick, Donovan Ezeiruaku.

    
    

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Spencer Fano OT, Utah

    The Steelers need help on the offensive line and they capitalize on Spencer Fano’s unexpected fall. During his time at Utah, Fano played four of the 5 positions on the O-line. He also has one of the sleeker offensive lineman builds in the draft, allowing his downhill blocking speed to be a lot faster than most. Knowing this, Pittsburgh will use him as a versatile chess piece and can plug him in at either tackle position, interior guard or even possibly center if needed.

    
    

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omar Cooper WR, Indiana

    This might be a surprise pick considering the Chargers’ needs on the offensive and defensive lines, but I do believe they could be in the wide receiver market in the draft. Further, with Olaivavega Ioane off the board and mixed reviews on the defensive tackles in round one, taking a guard or defensive tackle could be a reach. 

    
    

    Cooper would fill the void left by Chargers legend Keenan Allen, who is a free agent and will be 34 years old just two days after the draft. Allen led the Chargers in targets and receptions a season ago and was second on the team in yards. 

    
    

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor OT, Alabama

    With multiple first round caliber tackles on the board, the Eagles decide to pivot towards the more developmental player in Kadyn Proctor. He does lack some lateral speed and his back peddling could use some work, but his ceiling of what he could become in the NFL is the highest of any lineman in the draft.. The freakishly large and athletic (6 foot-7 inch, 352lb) tackle will look to start at guard on this Philadelphia team that thrives on good O-line play. Proctor will also prepare to take over the right tackle spot from Lane Johnson who is nearing retirement.

    
    

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) : Caleb Lomu OT, Utah

    As stated earlier when the Browns picked at No. 6, the biggest needs are WR and offensive tackle. I think Cleveland’s front office would be ecstatic if this is how the first-round went for them with Carnell Tate and Caleb Lomu, who is maybe the best true left tackle in the draft. 

    
    

    The Browns overhauled the offensive line so far this offseason with the signings of Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson and the trade for Tytus Howard from the Texans but they still need a left tackle. 

    
    

    With most of the top offensive line prospects in the first round having played mainly right tackle in college, Lomu – who  played over 750 snaps the last two years at LT – can start without having to shuffle anyone to a different spot on the offensive line. 

    
    

25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald DT, Ohio State

    The Bears have to improve a defense that allowed the sixth most rush yards and fourth most yards per game a season ago, and it should start with the defensive line. 

    
    

    On the interior, Grady Jarrett has not panned out since he was signed in March of 2025 and he’s 32 years old and he has an out in his contract after 2026 that can create cap space for the Bears. McDonald, who is on the short list of  potential round one defensive tackles, would help this defensive line and eventually replace Jarrett.

    
    

26. Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen LB, Georgia

    Buffalo at pick No. 26 feels like the beginning of the “trade back in” range for teams who really need a quarterback – notably the Jets and Cardinals – especially since the Bills sent this year’s second round pick to Chicago for DJ Moore.

    
    

    But once again with no trades in this mock draft, the Bills stay put and take CJ Allen to fill their linebacker spot. With 2022 Pro Bowler Matt Milano still unsigned, Allen – who could jump into the late first round – fills that hole for Buffalo’s defense.  

    
    

27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion WR, Texas A&M

    With the 49ers figuring things out with Trent Williams, they move to a different position of need here, wide receiver. 

    
    

    San Francisco has yet to re-sign Jauan Jennings and it seems unlikely it does so. Further, Brandon Aiyuk is eventually on his way out as well. 

    
    

    Although the 49ers brought in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, the offense needs a field-stretcher and run-after-catch weapon that will also stay healthy. Concepcion is exactly that, and can serve as a return man. 

    
    

28. Houston Texans: Blake Miller OT, Clemson

    Houston had a historic defense last season and brings back the majority of that group. What held the Texans back was its offense, even though the offensive line improved from 2024 where C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times. 

    
    

    I think they should still look to the offensive line here, which they improved in free agency by signing Braeden Smith and Wyatt Teller at right tackle and right guard. With the addition of Miller – who never missed a game at Clemson – Houston could stamp its offensive line by moving Miller to left tackle, or having him rotate behind Smith.

    
    

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Zion Young EDGE, Missouri

    Kansas City’s defense – while still very good – is not quite what it used to be, even with the guidance of Steve Spagnuolo. Most notably, the pass rush has fallen off. 

    
    

    Last season, the Chiefs totaled 35 sacks, tied for the sixth least in the league and their fewest as a team since 2021. On top of that, after Chris Jones – seven sacks – and George Karlaftis – six sacks – no Kansas City defender finished the season with more than 3.5 sacks. 

    
    

    Young, who is expected to be a late first or early second round pick, would give the Chiefs’ pass rush youth, energy and depth.

    
    

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Denzel Boston WR, Washington

    Miami acquired this pick by trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to Denver, leaving them in urgent need of some help at wide receiver as Waddle and Tyreek Hill are gone. 

    
    

    The current depth chart for the Dolphins has Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell as the starting wide receivers for Miami, which is less than ideal. Boston would be the WR1 on this team right away and would give Malik Willis an actual fighting chance at being the Dolphins' franchise QB and playing to the value of the big contract he received in March.

    
    

31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell EDGE, Texas A&M

    It feels like the Patriots have to and likely will address the line of scrimmage with this pick. But with the majority of the first-round offensive linemen gone, we’ll go with the defensive side here. 

    
    

    Similarly to Kansas City, New England had 35 sacks in 2025, tied for the sixth least in the league. To make matters worse, K'Lavon Chaisson, who was second on the team in sacks with 7.5, signed with Washington in free agency. 

    
    

    While protecting their franchise QB Drake Maye is absolutely a priority, getting after opposing quarterbacks should be high on the list, too. 

    
    

32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell CB, Clemson

     A common mock draft scenario as of late has been Seattle taking a running back – mainly Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price – here at pick No. 32 due to the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet’s injury. But I don’t see it happening at this pick, I think it’d be more likely that Seattle would trade out of this pick, as the Seahawks have just four selections in this draft, the least in the NFL.

    
    

    Seattle was able to win the Super Bowl this season because of its elite defense. But some of those pieces left as the Seahawks paid the “Super Bowl tax” of their high-level players earning large contracts elsewhere. 

    
    

    One of those departures was in the secondary with cornerback Tariq Woolen, who is now with the Eagles. With Seattle retaining its top-six sack leaders from that elite defense, replacing Woolen with this pick makes sense.