2026 NFL Draft: Tom Fornelli releases mock 4.0 on CBS Sports with massive Chiefs trade that shakes up first round

In just 21 days, a new crop of talent will be joining the National Football League via the 2026 NFL Draft. The Draft, weak in some areas and strong in others, does not lack star power at all. 

Some of the notable names projected to be selected in the First Round include Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and Heisman runner-up Jeremiyah Love. Also included is NFL Scouting Combine standout Sonny Styles, who is one of four former Ohio State players projected to be selected in the top-10.

Heading into the final three weeks ahead of the Draft, CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli shook up his latest mock draft. This includes a projected blockbuster trade between the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, which sees the organizations trade the No. 3 and No. 9 picks. Below are the latest projections from CBS.

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion Fernando Mendoza seems poised to be the pick to lead the Las Vegas Raiders into a new era. In his lone season at Indiana, Mendoza emerged as the best player in college football. The Cal transfer passed for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions, leading the Hoosiers to an unblemished 16-0 season and a national title.

The Raiders are thirsting for success, as they have not won a playoff game since 2002 (AFC Championship). They suffered their worst season since 2006 with veteran quarterback Geno Smith (who has since been traded to the New York Jets) at the helm, and a shake-up is desperately needed. Mendoza now has a veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins to help ease him into the NFL, which could be a decision that could finally bring sunshine back to Sin City down the road.

It was yet another miserable season for the New York Jets, who missed the postseason for the 15th consecutive year. Fornelli has the Jets landing on Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the second overall pick. Reese, a reigning First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection, recorded 112 tackles, seven sacks, and two pass deflections across two seasons.

The Jets defense, which did not record an interception all season, is in need of a massive boost. Reese, who helped the Buckeyes to a National Championship in 2024, would be a strong addition for organization. With defensive-minded Aaron Glenn coaching the Jets, this pick seems like a no-brainer.

Just one season removed from making their third consecutive appearance in the Super Bowl, Tom Fornelli projects that the Kansas City Chiefs will be trading up to the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. With this pick, Fornelli has Andy Reid and the Chiefs boosting their defense with Texas Tech EDGE rusher David Bailey. Bailey recorded 52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles last season.

Bailey, who transferred to Lubbock for his final season of college football, emerged as one of the most dominant game-wreckers in the sport. His strong play was a catalyst for Texas Tech‘s first-ever Big 12 Championship, and in turn, its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.

Star Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has skyrocketed up NFL Draft boards over the past month, and now seems poised to be the first non-quarterback offensive player selected. In Fornelli’s latest Mock, he is projected to head to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 4 overall pick. The addition of Love to Tennessee’s offense would instantly give them their most dynamic player since Derrick Henry.

Across three seasons in South Bend, Love recorded 2,882 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2025, and was named a Unanimous All-American and the Doak Walker Award recipient. Tennessee is seeking a return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. Bringing in one of college football’s biggest playmakers would certainly be a strong start.

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was one of the biggest winners of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Styles wowed with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 43.5″ vertical jump, skyrocketing him to a projected top-five pick in the Draft. Across four seasons at Ohio State, Styles recorded 244 tackles, 22.5 TFL, and 9.0 sacks. The Ohio native is an experienced prospect who would instantly contribute to Jim Harbaugh‘s defense in New York.

New York hired the former Baltimore head coach this offseason, after he and the Ravens agreed to part ways after 18 seasons. The Giants are desperately seeking a return to relevance in the NFL, as they’ve made the postseason just twice since its Super Bowl victory in 2011. Putting together a strong defense, to pair with a young offense, could work out nicely for the organization.

Although he may not have even been the best wide receiver at Ohio State last season, Carnell Tate is projected to be drafted No. 6 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Tate emerged as Julian Sayin‘s WR2 (behind Jeremiah Smith) last season, hauling in 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. He would be joining a WR core consisting of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Isaiah Bond.

After a wide-cast search, Cleveland landed on former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach. Monken has worked with wide receivers such as Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins, and Rashod Bateman in recent history, and could add Tate to that group.

With the seventh overall pick, the Washington Commanders are projected to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. A pick that Washington fans have been clamoring for, Downs would make an immediate impact on a struggling Commanders defense. Last season, Washington ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (384.0 YPG) and 27th in points allowed per game (26.5 PPG).

Downs was one of the best defensive players in all of college football over the past three seasons (one at Alabama and two at Ohio State), racking up 256 tackles, 10 pass deflections, six interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. Washington’s offense, led by a returning Jayden Daniels at quarterback, has shown to be good enough to reach the NFC Championship Game (2024). It will need some help from the defense, however, to reach those heights once again.

In Fornelli’s Mock, the New Orleans Saints are projected to select superstar EDGE rusher Reuben Bain Jr., who absolutely dominated the College Football Playoff. The Miami native recorded 17 tackles and five sacks in four CFP games. On the season, Bain Jr. totaled 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Bain Jr. could blossom an organizational cornerstone with former All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan mentoring him in the Big Easy. Selecting a Miami player has been a risk in recent history, however, as a former Hurricane has not made a Pro Bowl since Lamar Miller (who was drafted in 2012). With a player as talented as Bain, the risk is certainly worth the reward for a Saints team that seems poised to make a push for a return to the postseason in 2026.

Second Team All-SEC Georgia OT Monroe Freeling is projected to be selected with the No. 9 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals, following their mock trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether or not Freeling would be blocking for Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, or a rookie quarterback next season remains unknown. Arizona parted ways with former franchise cornerstone quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason, leaving the future of the position up in the air.

Freeling posted a 71.4 PFF grade last season, ranking 81st out of 632 qualified collegiate offensive tackle’s. His pass blocking grade of 85.6 ranked 10th at his position, while his run blocking grade of 61.3 ranked 252nd at his position. Freeling would be Arizona’s first selection of an OT in the NFL Draft since 2020, when it selected Houston‘s Josh Jones with the 72nd overall pick.

Although many Bengals fans have been hoping the organization would get the chance to draft in-state star Caleb Downs, Tom Fornelli has Cincinnati selecting LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane. With Downs off the board at pick No. 7 in this mock, selecting the next best defensive back seems like the best case scenario for the organization. Last season, Cincinnati ranked second-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (380.9 YPG) and third-to-last in points allowed per game (28.9 PPG).

Across four collegiate seasons (three at Virginia Tech, one at LSU), Delane boasts 191 career tackles with 27 pass deflections, eight interceptions, and four forced fumbles. The secondary has been one of Cincinnati’s biggest weakness over the past few seasons, and the addition of Delane would be massive in helping plug that hole.

Picks 11-32

11. Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
12: Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
13. Los Angeles Rams: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
14. Baltimore Ravens: OlaivavegaIoane Ioane, G, Penn State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
16. New York Jets: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
17. Detroit Lions: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
20. Dallas Cowboys: R Mason Thomas, DL, Oklahoma
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
24. Cleveland Browns: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
26. Buffalo Bills: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
27. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
29. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
30. Miami Dolphins: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
31. New England Patriots: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
32. Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon