We've roughly reached the midway point of both the NFL and college football seasons. The 2026 NFL Draft landscape is beginning to emerge with prospects, contenders, and pretenders all revealing themselves with larger sample sizes. This edition of The Draft Network’s mock draft series is even more exciting because we're using the live draft order. See how our latest 2026 NFL mock draft plays out.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. New Orleans Saints
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Spencer Rattler was playing admirably for a little bit, but he got benched in Week 8, and the New Orleans Saints may not pass on the temptation to take a quarterback if they own the top selection. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza has been the most productive signal-caller this year. Mendoza is an outstanding fit for Kellen Moore's scheme.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The New York Jets finally won a game and dropped to No. 2 in the order! Owner Woody Johnson made some disparaging comments about starting quarterback Justin Fields before Aaron Glenn tried to bench him, but a mid-week Tyrod Taylor injury kept him in the lineup. The Jets will target a quarterback. Dante Moore is an athletic signal-caller with the ability to make off-script throws and display accuracy at all three levels.
3. Tennessee Titans
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Tennessee Titans would love to come away with an elite pass rusher or wide receiver. Rueben Bain Jr., Cam Ward's teammate last year, would solve their pass-rushing woes. Bain Jr. blends explosiveness with strength to play a physically dominant brand of football.
4. Cleveland Browns
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Cleveland Browns are another QB-needy team projected to draft a little too late. If Dillon Gabriel keeps developing, and the Browns are unable to get into the top three, they should focus on the offensive tackle position. Dawand Jones is on IR, and Jack Conklin and Cam Robinson are on expiring contracts. Spencer Fano has instant-starter capabilities with technical prowess.
5. Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Miami Dolphins are enduring the type of campaign that gets everybody fired despite Sunday's upset victory. They'll likely appoint a new head coach and general manager in 2026. Tyreek Hill could be cut or ponder retirement this offseason (he's hinted in the past). Whoever next year's quarterback is will need a go-to weapon. Jordyn Tyson is a dynamic playmaker with big-play ability.
6. New York Giants
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The New York Giants' offseason will center around supporting franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart. An offensive tackle selection may be boring, but it also keeps Dart upright. Jermaine Eluemunor is a temporary solution at right tackle and Marcus Mbow could play guard next season. Francis Mauigoa is versatile, but he could stick outside at the next level.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Baltimore Ravens are desperate for pass rushers. So desperate that they signed a past-his-prime Carl Lawson last week. Their pass-rushing woes can't realistically be solved until the offseason. Keldric Faulk plays with the violent temperament John Harbaugh craves in his defenders.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The Las Vegas Raiders don't have enough front-seven defenders with impact abilities. It often feels like it's only the Maxx Crosby Show. Ohio State's Arvell Reese is displaying a versatile skill set. His elite ability to blitz, chase the run, or drop in coverage is on full display every weekend. Pete Carroll and Patrick Graham would understand how to best utilize Reese.
9. Arizona Cardinals
Peter Woods, IDL, Clemson
The Arizona Cardinals haven't made progress this season. It's been a frustrating campaign for general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon. A dominant front-seven defender could help change their fortunes next season. Though the aging Calais Campbell may never actually retire, Clemson's Peter Woods would be a viable replacement. Woods has dominant three-tech potential. Think Chris Jones or Jeffery Simmons.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Orlando Brown is a potential offseason cap casualty. The Cincinnati Bengals need a long-term left tackle to pair opposite Amarius Mims. Caleb Lomu is aggressive and intentional in pass protection. As a run blocker, he showcases a technical polish that makes him a well-balanced offensive tackle prospect.
11. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Ty Simpson is a first-year starter with remaining eligibility. If his season keeps trending in this direction, he'll have to strongly consider declaring for the draft. There'd be no better landing spot than with the Los Angeles Rams, where Sean McVay would oversee the continued development of his intriguing skill set while preparing to replace Matthew Stafford.
12. Washington Commanders
Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Washington Commanders' season hasn't gone according to plan. Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense is a train wreck. Dan Quinn needs force multipliers on that side of the ball. Caleb Downs is an elite prospect with impact-play potential at three levels.
13. Minnesota Vikings
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, assuming he's still here, would appreciate a solution at boundary corner. Jermod McCoy is still working to return from January's torn ACL injury. McCoy registered four interceptions last season and looked like the best cornerback prospect heading into this year.
14. Houston Texans
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
With the Houston Texans missing out on offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano in this projection, they settle for another pick that could help quarterback C.J. Stroud. Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb aren't answers at running back, and Jeremiyah Love possesses the type of dynamic talent that justifies this pick. Love is a home-run threat with bellcow potential.
15. Dallas Cowboys
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Dallas Cowboys still need a long-term replacement for Micah Parsons. They were even loosely tied to trading for Maxx Crosby in recent weeks. Realistically, they'll need to spend premium draft capital at EDGE. T.J. Parker projects as a three-down defender with strength and power rushing moves.
16. Carolina Panthers
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen were good starts, but the Carolina Panthers need to keep attacking the edge spot. David Bailey has been dynamic, with double-digit sacks already, while posting a pressure rate near 25%. Bailey is athletic and versatile, and Ejiro Evero would utilize him appropriately to create mismatch opportunities.
17. Chicago Bears
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Caleb Williams is developing as expected under Ben Johnson. A franchise left tackle is needed to replace Braxton Jones to keep things on schedule. Recent mid-round picks Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie haven't shown enough to be trusted with that role. Kadyn Proctor possesses the type of overwhelming size and mass that will remind Johnson of some of the offensive linemen he coached in Detroit.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Will Travis Kelce finally ponder retirement this offseason? If Kelce makes that decision, the Kansas City Chiefs understand his importance and will plan to replace him. Kenyon Sadiq is college football's best tight end prospect. Sadiq is a nightmare in coverage, but he's also physical and competitive as an in-line blocker.
19. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Jerry Jeudy has had an incredibly disappointing season. Whether it's Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, or a rookie quarterback next season, the Cleveland Browns need more pass-catching weapons. Makai Lemon is one of college football's smoothest route runners, using quick releases to routinely uncover.
20. San Francisco 49ers
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
The San Francisco 49ers have sorely missed Nick Bosa. Everyone knew Mykel Williams was a multi-year project. The 49ers certainly aren't giving up on Williams, but the need for another edge has been evident since Bosa's season-ending injury. Matayo Uiagalelei has the length and mass needed to develop into a quality NFL defender.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
LT Overton possesses a massive frame for an edge defender. Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers would appreciate his versatility and early-down toughness. Overton could occasionally play inside next to Teair Tart, or he could kick outside where Khalil Mack is on an expiring deal.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Garrett Nussmeier is no longer in the No. 1 overall conversation, with injuries derailing his performance ceiling this year. I'm not totally ready to admit defeat on Nussmeier's first-round prospects, however. The Pittsburgh Steelers will probably be drafting fairly late given Aaron Rodgers' current form, but they'll still need a replacement for the 41-year-old quarterback.
23. Los Angeles Rams
Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn
The Rams need a replacement for right tackle Rob Havenstein. Auburn offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin possesses built-in-a-lab size at 6-foot-7 and over 340 pounds. Chaplin is thriving in the SEC this season after transferring from Virginia Tech to Auburn.
24. Detroit Lions
Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Senior Tennessee Volunteers defender Joshua Josephs spent years developing behind Byron Young and James Pearce Jr. He's already recorded a career-high amount of sacks this season. Josephs' raw athleticism makes him a good fit to develop into Aidan Hutchinson's running mate for the Detroit Lions.
25. Buffalo Bills
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Buffalo Bills' defense isn't meeting expectations. Linebacker is a problem, with Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson closer to replacement age than their actual primes. CJ Allen is a high-IQ alpha linebacker who plays downhill with an infectious amount of physical intent.
26. Seattle Seahawks
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Seattle Seahawks could trade cornerback Riq Woolen before the deadline. Devon Witherspoon is the only notable player at the position under contract through next season. Mansoor Delane has played his way into the first-round conversation with desirable size, length, and ball skills.
27. Denver Broncos
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Dre Greenlaw continues to struggle with injuries and Alex Singleton is scheduled for free agency. Linebacker is the weakness of an otherwise elite Denver Broncos defense. Sonny Styles would look incredible playing behind a dominant defensive line that would keep him clean. Styles fires downhill with violence and reliability.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Missouri
Damon Wilson II has thrived since transferring from Georgia to Missouri. His two-sack performance against Alabama was a resume game that gained him entrance into the first-round conversation. Wilson is incredibly talented and athletic, and his decision to head to Mizzou is paying major dividends right now. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be in the market, given Haason Reddick is on an expiring contract.
29. New England Patriots
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Drake Maye is among the most improved quarterbacks this season. The New England Patriots should continue investing in his development this offseason. Carnell Tate has X-receiver tendencies on the boundary with great length and a massive catch radius.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Cornerback has been a weakness for the Philadelphia Eagles, with Adoree' Jackson struggling. Avieon Terrell is a physical and sticky man-coverage cornerback. Adding Terrell to the young nucleus of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Andrew Mukuba would give the Eagles quite an ascending secondary.
31. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
A'Mauri Washington, IDL, Oregon
The current state of the Cowboys' defense would justify a double-down on front-seven defenders. A'Mauri Washington is a freak athlete with a 36-inch vertical jump, according to Bruce Feldman's Freaks List. Washington would finally address the long-term problem across Dallas' interior.
32. Indianapolis Colts
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Kwity Paye is on an expiring contract and probably won't return to the Indianapolis Colts in 2026. Chris Ballard will turn to the draft to find his long-term replacement. Cashius Howell is an athletic and speedy pass rusher who's in the midst of a career-best year at Texas A&M, his second season with the Aggies after previously playing at Bowling Green.
