2026 NFL Draft: Lance Zierlein releases new mock for NFL.com with major risers, a plummet, two big trades

It’s officially April and you know what that means in the NFL — it’s draft season. The 2026 NFL Draft officially kicks off three weeks from Thursday on April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pa., home of the Steelers. With time winding down, NFL pundits everywhere are making the final touches on their mock draft projections. That includes NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

Zierlein released an updated 2026 Mock Draft 3.0 on Tuesday. It features two trades involving the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals trading up to land key trench additions.

And based on his latest projection, Zierlein also expects the Dallas Cowboys could win the entire first round by standing pat and landing Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles — the breakout star of the NFL Combine in February — at No. 12 overall. With that in mind, check out the rest of Lance Zierlein’s newly updated Mock Draft 3.0 projection below:

Just mark this down as done already. Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 overall was effectively set in stone after he capped off a magical 2025 by winning Indiana’s first-ever national championship in football in front of team brass, including minority owner Tom Brady. The reigning Heisman Trophy-winner fills a major need in Las Vegas after the organization dealt last year’s starter, Geno Smith, to the Jets last month.

Zierlein: “This pick feels locked in for a team that needs to find and build around a face of the franchise.”

The Jets have a bevy of draft picks and are in full rebuild mode following a difficult first season under head coach Aaron Glenn. With that in mind, the defensive-minded Glenn utilizes the No. 2 overall pick to lock down this class’s most versatile defender in the 6-foot-4 and 243-pound Reese, who did it all for the Buckeyes’ FBS-leading unit with 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2025.

Zierlein: “GM Darren Mougey has loads of draft capital and should be allowed the runway to build his squad. Reese is an unpolished diamond, but the Jets can take a swing on the upside.”

The Cardinals are also in full rebuild mode and have an array of needs to fill, including at starting quarterback after releasing former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray last month. But with Mendoza off the board, No. 3 is a bit too rich for Ty Simpson. Instead, Zierlein projects Arizona will lock down the draft’s most naturally- talented pass rusher in the 6-foot-3 and 250-pound Bailey

Zierlein: “Arizona is in position here to trade back or simply take the best player available, which happens to be Bailey in this scenario.”

After landing franchise QB Cam Ward with last year’s No. 1 overall pick, the new-look Titans hand him a QB’s best friend — a three-down running back. And there’s no question Love, the 2025 Doak Walker Award winner, is one of the best in years after rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

Zierlein: “The Titans grab an explosive three-down back to help take pressure off Cam Ward, then look to target wide receiver later in the draft.”

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

After Love goes to the Titans at No. 4, Zierlein expects the Giants will instead turn their attention to another elite offensive playmaker in the 6-foot-2 Tate, who ranked third in the Big Ten with an Ohio State-best 17.16 yards per catch in 2025. Tate would provide second-year QB Jaxson Dart two exceptional options on the outside to spread the ball to.

Zierlein: “The Giants, who have just two top-100 selections, pair Tate with Malik Nabers to give Jaxson Dart a formidable duo to grow with in the passing game.”

This might be a bit of a reach by the Browns, but Zierlein expects Cleveland’s brass to pivot from a receiver to a long-term answer at left tackle in Freeling. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Georgia tackle has the physical traits to anchor the left side of the Browns’ offensive line for years to come.

Zierlein: “Freeling needs more polish, but he has the traits, athleticism and upside to be an effective bookend at the next level.”

After overhauling its defense in free agency, the Commanders lock up the draft’s top lockdown cornerback in Delane. The 6-foot, 187-pound Delane finished second in the SEC last season with 11 passes broken up to go along with 45 total tackles and two interceptions.

Zierlein: “The Commanders need a plug-and-play starting cornerback in the worst way, and that is exactly what the speedy, smothering Delane offers on the outside.”

8. New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Second-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore delivers second-year starting QB Tyler Shough an elite playmaker that can stretch the field on the outside. Lemon is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner after ranking eighth in the FBS with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games last season.

Zierlein: “The Saints prioritize wideout over edge defender in this spot, grabbing the ultra-competitive Lemon to offer a high-volume option for Tyler Shough.”

The Chiefs take advantage of their rare Top 10 pick by securing needed protection for superstar QB Patrick Mahomes, who is questionable to start the 2026 season after tearing his ACL and MCL late last season. The 6-foot-6 and 311-pound Fano is a prototypical right tackle and could immediately slide in.

Zierlein: “The Chiefs stick with their best-available mindset and add a polished, athletic offensive lineman who can step into the right tackle spot or bump inside in the future if need be.”

After losing Trey Hendrickson to the rival Ravens in free agency, the Bengals round out the Top 10 by taking the Hurricanes’ powerful edge. While not the most traditional in size, the 6-foot-2, 263-pound Bain brings a level of versatility and pass-rushing prowess that Cincinnati fans will love.

Zierlein: “The Bengals, in dire need of a pass rusher, end up landing the strongest, most physical defender at the position in this draft.”

11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
13. Los Angeles Chargers (via ATL): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
14. Carolina Panthers (proj. trade w/ BAL): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
16. New York Jets (via IND): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
18. Minnesota Vikings: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
19. Baltimore Ravens (proj. trade w/ CAR): Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OL, Clemson
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
26. Arizona Cardinals (proj. trade w/ BUF): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
28. Houston Texans: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
31. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame