This feels like a no-brainer for the Raiders, who add a potential franchise pillar in Mendoza. The Heisman winner is cool as a cucumber under pressure, throws with accuracy and touch, and, perhaps most importantly for Las Vegas, has shown he is capable of elevating a downtrodden program to never-before-seen heights.

The Jets add a big-play defender to their front seven, hoping to boost a defensive unit that dramatically underperformed in 2025. Reese is rangy and twitchy and can line up all over the defensive formation; he should split snaps between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker at the next level. 

The Cardinals upgrade their offensive line here, grabbing a bookend tackle to drop in opposite Paris Johnson Jr. Arizona faces plenty of big decisions over the offseason in the team’s quest to get back to competing in the NFC West, but stabilizing the offensive line is an easy starting point for a rebuild. 

The Titans look to build through the trenches with this pick, grabbing a high-upside defender in Faulk. The former Auburn standout brings prototypical size and plays with incredible physicality and tenacity. He’s an impact plug-and-play edge rusher and complements stalwarts like Jeffrey Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat well. 

The Giants show here that they’re all about the development of quarterback Jaxson Dart. Tate is a big-time playmaker with good length and incredible body control that he uses to dominate at the catch point. He’s a perfect complement to Malik Nabers and gives Dart another go-to guy to throw to in high-leverage situations. 

The Browns add some youth to their aging, declining offensive line. Fano is tall, highly athletic, and physical as a blocker; he brings immense upside for Cleveland at tackle. He’s a foundational piece for the team’s offensive line rebuild. 

The Commanders defense ranked 26th in pressure rate last year (19.6 percent) and dead last in hurry rate (5.3 percent). It’s safe to say they need more juice from their edge defender group. Bailey provides just that: He’s twitchy and aggressive, bringing a no-holds-barred demeanor as a pass rusher. 

The Saints beef up their cornerback room with this pick, adding an instinctive, ball-hawking playmaker in Delane. The former LSU star should complement Kool-Aid McKinstry well, and together, they’ll give the team a pair of promising playmakers in the back end. 

The Chiefs look to get younger and more explosive on the defensive front with this pick. Woods has great acceleration, disrupts the pocket, and makes life hard for opposing offensive linemen. He’ll give defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a versatile playmaker to deploy from multiple spots. 

After ranking 30th in points allowed per game last year (28.9), the Bengals need all the help they can get on defense. Downs is a do-it-all defender who covers, plays the run, and blitzes. He could be a linchpin type of player for Cincy’s secondary and help that unit clean up a lot of its issues.  

Bain’s arm length is a concern, but there are too many other things to like for the Dolphins to pass on him here. The former Hurricanes star can play all across the defensive line and brings an intensity-raising style. Alongside Chop Robinson, Bradley Chubb, and 2025 first-rounder Kenneth Grant, Bain gives the Dolphins some pass rushing juice up front. 

The Cowboys look to bolster their defense with the first of two first-round picks, grabbing a hyper-rangy linebacker in Styles. A former safety, he’s instinctive in coverage and reliable as a tackler. He gives new defensive coordinator Christian Parker a versatile player to build around.

The Rams look to keep their offense rolling in 2026 and beyond with this pick, grabbing a twitchy, big-play pass catcher in Tyson. Davante Adams has a year left on his deal, but he is 33 years old and won’t play forever. And the team’s depth at WR hasn’t stood out. L.A. finds a playmaker it can pair with Puka Nacua long term. 

The Ravens shore up the interior offensive line with a big, physical ass kicker in Ioane. The former Penn State standout is a reliable brick wall who should help provide Lamar Jackson with some more stable pockets. 

The Buccaneers could go in a number of directions in the first round, but the opportunity to add Sadiq to an already talented offensive skill-player group is too fun to pass up. The former Ducks star is a mismatch creator in the passing game and blocks effectively in the run game, and he’ll give Tampa Bay a chance to get Bucky Irving and Co. back on track in 2026. 

After adding to their defense with the Arvell Reese selection at pick no. 2, the Jets turn around and grab a big-time playmaker on offense in Lemon. The Biletnikoff winner is a dynamic receiver who makes absolutely ludicrous grabs in traffic and can make hay after the catch. He’ll pair perfectly with Garrett Wilson to give the team a one-two punch at receiver. 

The Lions get bigger and stronger on the defensive front with this pick, adding a high-energy edge defender in Parker. The former Clemson standout is a tone-setter who plays the run with tenacity and brings the power to collapse the pocket around a quarterback. He and Aidan Hutchinson can be nice bookends on Detroit’s front. 

The Vikings put together a strong pass defense in 2025 but tied for just 27th in the NFL in interceptions, with eight. McCoy fills a need at the team’s thin cornerback spot, and his ball-hawking talents should help Brian Flores and Co. boost their production in the takeaways department.   

The Panthers added two impact edge rushers in last year’s draft in Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, but that doesn’t stop them from bolstering the spot even more here. Howell is a tenacious, twitchy rusher who constantly stresses opposing tackles. A top-tier pass rush group could put Carolina over the top in the division in 2026. 

The Cowboys grabbed a rangy linebacker in Sonny Styles with the 12th pick, and they’ll stick with the defense here and nab Mesidor. The former Hurricanes star is one of the most tenacious edge rushers in the class, bringing overwhelming burst and power off the edge. He’ll be a nice complement to last year’s second-round edge rusher, Donovan Ezeiruaku, in Dallas’s pass rush rotation.  

The Steelers keep adding to their cornerback group with this pick, grabbing a speedy and aggressive defender in Cisse. The former Gamecocks star should pair well with Joey Porter Jr. to give Pittsburgh a duo of playmakers on the outside. 

The Chargers need to shore up their interior line, and Pregnon could help. The former Ducks stalwart brings reliability and tons of experience to the guard spot, combining power in the run game with sound technique in pass protection. He’s just what Justin Herbert needs in 2026 and beyond.  

Proctor’s a mountain of a man and brings incredible power and surprising agility. He could play at guard early on in his career with the thought of bumping out to right tackle when Lane Johnson retires. 

The Browns look to bolster their defensive back group, grabbing a fiery and versatile defender in Terrell. The former Clemson star and brother of A.J. Terrell, Avieon is a hypercompetitive ball hawk who can contribute both outside and in the slot. Alongside Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Martin Emerson, and a handful of others, Terrell could give the Browns the depth they need to compete in the AFC North in 2026. 

Ozzy Trapilo’s season-ending patellar tendon tear complicates things for the Bears in 2026. Trapilo should return to the field at some point, but the Bears need to add some talent to the offensive line in the meantime. Lomu is a fleet-footed blocker with incredible upside on the blind side. He can start from day one. 

Brazzell is tall, agile, and explosive on the outside, showing the speed to get off the line and beat press coverage. He’s a threat to get deep on every snap but also knows how to get separation early in his route and give his quarterback an option on slants and out routes. He should emerge as a favorite target for Josh Allen early on. 

Brandon Aiyuk is on the outs in San Francisco, George Kittle just tore his Achilles, and Jauan Jennings is set to hit free agency. Even if Jennings re-signs, the Niners need more help in the passing game, and Concepcion feels like a great fit. The former Aggies playmaker combines quick feet and excellent balance as a route runner with excellent run-after-the-catch burst. 

The Texans need more consistency and more explosive plays in the run game, flat out. Houston finished 26th in rushes of 10-plus yards (43) last year, and 30th in rushing success rate (40.4 percent). Love helps in both areas; the team will have to beef up their offensive line, of course, but adding a big-play running back with top-tier burst will provide a big boost. 

The Rams look to strengthen their secondary with this pick, adding a good-sized playmaker in Hood. The former Volunteers standout is scheme versatile and plays an aggressive, physical style of coverage. 

The Broncos add some depth and speed to their linebacker corps here, grabbing a three-down playmaker in Allen. The former Georgia star is tough and physical in the run game and brings range in coverage. With Alex Singleton set to be a free agent (who’s also 32 years old), Denver finds a long-term successor in the middle of the defense. 

The Pats add another big body to the middle of their defense, grabbing a block-eating, run-plugging defensive tackle in McDonald. The stalwart defender out of Ohio State has a quick first step, incredible power, and the ability to play at multiple spots on the front.

Cooper Kupp will turn 33 this summer, and Rashid Shaheed is set to enter free agency. So the Seahawks look for depth at receiver here, grabbing a big-bodied pass catcher in Boston. The former Husky has good hands and incredible body control to go up high and grab passes in traffic. He’s a perfect complement to Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the long term.