2026 NFL Mock Draft: First Wave Of Free Agency Aftermath

The first wave of NFL free agency is behind us, and no doubt, it has had an impact on some teams’ draft strategies. With teams bringing in some help and having some new holes to fill, let’s run through another 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

2026 NFL Mock Draft

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana

The Raiders did a ton early on in free agency to make life easy on a rookie quarterback, and, as of now, Fernando Mendoza seems to be the runaway leader in the clubhouse to be the Raiders’ quarterback next season.

 

2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State

After Dante Moore decided to go back to Oregon, the Jets will have to pivot with their selection. I don’t foresee a quarterback being worth it here, especially with next year’s loaded QB class, so I think they should just take the top player on their board. 

3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa – Miami

The Cardinals also probably need to go with the best player available, though they do have a few different needs to fill. I’ve had them taking Rueben Bain Jr. in the past few mocks, but it’s starting to feel like OL might be the more likely scenario here.

4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame

Robert Saleh also knows first-hand the value of having a do-it-all running back on his side from his days in San Francisco with Christian McCaffrey. Reports from the Combine were that the Titans think Love could be the best player in the draft. I think running back is trending toward going in this spot, especially after Tennessee added Jermaine Johnson in a trade with the Jets, then John Franklin-Myers as their big-ticket free agent.

 

5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State

The Giants released Bobby Okereke to save against the cap, but then went and brought in Tremaine Edmunds to fill that hole at linebacker. Now I think they will go and get a wide receiver to help out Jaxson Dart, especially after Wan’Dale Robinson departed for Tennessee in free agency.

 

6. Cleveland Browns: LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State

Cleveland let Devin Bush walk after a career year, and now they have a hole to fill in the middle of that defense. Styles’ speed and athleticism would make a lot of sense as a replacement for Bush.

7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey – Texas Tech

I think Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft still at this point, but if an EDGE with as high a ceiling as David Bailey is sitting there, I think Washington has to take him. However, if their choice is between Bailey or Downs, I don’t think there is a wrong choice.

 

8. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami

The Saints seem to have their young quarterback. Now, they can stand to add some help getting to the opposing quarterback. Bain’s arm size was a concern at the Combine, but there is no denying the results he produced on the field. He’s still arguably the top EDGE in this draft and would be a nice pick here.

 

9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Spencer Fano – Utah

The Chiefs need to add to the offensive line, especially now that they plan on releasing offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to save cap space. Fano makes a whole lot of sense in this spot if he’s still on the board.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs – Ohio State

The Bengals need help in a lot of places. While they have holes on both lines, they have holes in the secondary, too, and arguably the most talented player in the draft falling to them at 10 in Caleb Downs would be a gift they’d be thrilled to take.

 

11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane – LSU

Miami has a few needs defensively, and they select the top cornerback on most draft boards to slot into Jeff Hafley’s defense.

 

12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee

Dallas needs help getting to the quarterback, but it could also use a boost in their secondary. McCoy provides them a high-upside candidate there.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): OT Monroe Freeling – Georgia

The Rams traded their later first-round pick to address the cornerback position, but adding a tackle is still on their to-do list, and Monroe Freeling’s performance in Indy could very well vault him all the way up into the top half of the first round. It’s not hard to envision the Rams grabbing him at this point in the draft process.

 

14. Baltimore Ravens: WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State

Looks like the Ravens are back on the clock! Now that they’ve addressed their need on the edge with Maxx Cros…err…I mean, Trey Hendrickson, I can see them adding at receiver in this spot with two very good options – Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon – still left on the board. I think Tyson fits their needs a little better, so I went with him here.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor – Miami

The Bucs have to address their struggles getting to the quarterback. It’s not the only thing that cost them their playoff spot this year, but it was really an issue. Akheem Mesidor made a name for himself in the College Football Playoff and has established himself as a first-round talent. Tampa could address this need in free agency, also, so that will be something to keep an eye on.

16. New York Jets (via IND): WR Makai Lemon – USC

Wide receiver might not be their biggest need, but adding Makai Lemon to their group of pass catchers adds a versatile weapon for their offense that should help out quite a bit.

 

17. Detroit Lions: EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn

Aidan Hutchinson is a great pass rusher, but the Lions have struggled to find a consistent option opposite him. They could very well take a shot at that here with this pick. I wouldn’t be surprised with a corner going here either, but I think they might rely on getting healthier in that position and drafting an EDGE. This is another decision that could also depend on how free agency goes.

 

18. Minnesota Vikings: DT Kayden McDonald – Ohio State

Minnesota needs to beef up the middle of its defensive line after parting ways with some cap casualties over the past few weeks. McDonald is arguably the top player at that position on the board, especially after Caleb Banks’ injury was announced. He’d be a good fit in Minnesota.

19. Carolina Panthers: WR Denzel Boston – Washington

Carolina addressed its need on the edge with the massive Jaelen Phillips deal. Now, I think they’ll try to bring in another talented young wideout to pair with last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Tetairoa McMillan.

 

20. Dallas Cowboys: S Dillon Thieneman – Oregon

The Cowboys use their second first-round selection to fill a big need with the safety out of Oregon, who turned heads at the combine with his sub-4.40 40-yard dash and seems to be rocketing up draft boards this month.