2026 NFL mock draft: Jeremiyah Love joins Fernando Mendoza in top 5 after scouting combine

With my 16th combine in the books, it’s time to translate what happened in Indianapolis into how it could affect the early rounds of the NFL Draft. Obviously, free agency is still going to be a major domino in the process, but the combine gives us breadcrumbs to how teams are thinking.

I gathered plenty of NFL feedback during combine week and included some of it in this mock draft (including one interesting trade scenario, noted below by an asterisk).

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

It was surprising how little Mendoza-to-Vegas buzz there was in Indianapolis. But that likely reflects how much of a foregone conclusion this pairing seems to be at No. 1.

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

Reese had one of the most impressive workouts at this year’s combine — full stop. His athletic testing was outstanding, as expected, but his on-field performance was even more remarkable. His blend of speed, explosion and violence separates him in this class.

“Dude stole the freaking show,” an NFL scout said.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

In terms of NFL ceiling, Mauigoa might not be on the level of past No. 3 picks. But this is a different draft, and he brings a high floor — one which would immediately upgrade the Cardinals’ right tackle spot.

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Should the Titans, at this point in their roster construction, invest a premium pick at running back? Debatable. But with money to spend in free agency, Tennessee should be in a much more stable place before we get to April.

An AFC scout for a team that already has an established running back called Love “the best player in the draft.” Instead of getting hung up on positional value, the Titans should focus on “impact value” and what a talent like Love could do not only for the run game, but the passing game and offense overall. Head coach Robert Saleh spent the last year watching Christian McCaffrey’s impact on the San Francisco 49ers and could see similar potential in Love.

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

For much of the season and pre-draft process, I felt like I had to convince doubters of why Styles deserved to be a top-10 pick. After his workout in Indianapolis, the skeptics have disappeared.

But it wasn’t just what Styles did on the field, which prompted a standing ovation when he walked into one team’s interview room. His interviews with NFL teams were “phenomenal,” according to a team source.

6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

“Easily the best O-line workout this year.”

The feedback from others matched that praise from a team source and was universally glowing about Fano’s combine performance. (“He confirmed the big grade I put on him,” was another good reply from a team scout.)

His shorter arms (32 1/8 inches) will be interpreted differently by each team, but Fano is too well-liked across the league for him to fall down boards.

7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are looking for speed and violence off the edge, and Bailey offers both. He took a jump as a run defender this past season and would improve the Commanders’ pass rush immediately.

8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Social media seems to care more than NFL teams about Tate’s 40-yard dash time — he clocked in at 4.53 seconds, although that official time has been under dispute. He averaged 32.5 yards per touchdown catch in 2025 and showed the ability to win at all three levels of the field, which is something quarterback Tyler Shough would love to see in the Saints’ offense.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami

It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs address their multiple needs this offseason. If they wait until the draft to make a splash at edge rusher, Bain — and his ability to constrict the pocket with his power — would make sense. He remains a polarizing prospect among NFL teams. He’s got a lot of fans, and plenty of critics.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Count the Bengals among several teams that generally don’t draft safeties early in the first round. But Downs is different and will force front offices to rethink that stance. His intelligence, intangibles and on-field impact immediately will make the other 10 defenders on the field that much better.

11. Miami Dolphins: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Over the last few months, I’ve been pushing Freeling as an ascending prospect with talent worth an early-pick investment. His combine performance was uneven (NFL scout: “His testing was good. His positional workout wasn’t good at all.”), but a 1.71-second 10-yard split in the 40 at his size is impressive.

Freeling would be a great building block for a new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, looking to revamp the roster.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

In the history of their franchise, the Cowboys have drafted only one LSU cornerback (Morris Claiborne) — and it didn’t go well.

Delane doesn’t have elite size or speed (we will see if he runs a 40 before the draft), but he has an outstanding feel for coverage in man or zone, anticipating and driving on routes.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

History tells us the Rams don’t draft cornerbacks in the first few rounds, but that position on their depth chart needs almost a complete makeover. Terrell, whom several scouts singled out as having the top cornerback workout at the combine, makes plays against both the pass and run.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State

Good players have a habit of falling to the Ravens in Round 1, and this would be just the most recent example. Ioane is one of the best players in the draft, although his lack of positional versatility could help him land in Baltimore’s lap.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

I don’t think general manager Jason Licht is necessarily looking to target a tight end with a top-15 pick, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bucs believe Sadiq is the best player available here. He’s been TE1 in this class from the summer until now, and his freaky combine performance was the cherry on top.

16. New York Jets (from IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Maybe the Jets will opt for more size at receiver to complement Garrett Wilson, but Lemon has the competitive DNA that should speak to head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. Glenn had a front-row seat for Amon-Ra St. Brown with the Detroit Lions — it’s a good bet he would want to add a stylistically similar player.

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

The return of Taylor Decker in 2026 gives the Lions options on draft night, but it doesn’t eliminate offensive line from being the move here. Proctor has the talent to give Detroit immediate depth at both tackle and guard, especially after the release of Graham Glasgow. He’d be a long-term building block.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

With Harrison Smith’s future in question, the Vikings will have safety near the top of their wish list this offseason.

Thieneman was expected to test well at the combine. Based on the reactions from teams, he surpassed even those high expectations and solidified himself in the mid-first-round range. (NFL scout: “It’s hard to find anything bad with ‘T-man.’”)

19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami

General Manager Dan Morgan, a member of the Hurricanes’ Ring of Honor, isn’t going to draft a Miami player because of the connections to his alma mater. But it wouldn’t hurt, especially with the Panthers in the market for a charged-up edge rusher.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

The Cowboys addressed their secondary at No. 12 in this mock, and they add an edge rusher here.

One of the youngest prospects in the class, Faulk will enter the league as a physical edge setter with a developing pass-rush arsenal.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

The third wide receiver off the board in this mock, Cooper has the ball skills that would make him a great fit for the Steelers’ quick-strike offense. His strong lower body and toughness make him a chore for defenders to finish to the ground.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

This is a value pick for the Chargers. McCoy, now more than a year removed from ACL surgery, didn’t work out at the combine and remains a wild card in this class. There might be a discount sticker on his tag come draft weekend.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Iheanachor would give the Eagles short-term insurance behind Lane Johnson, and a long-term answer at right tackle. He’s still relatively new to football, so a year spent sitting behind a future Hall of Famer would be a master class for Iheanachor’s development.

24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Make it back-to-back Sun Devils off the board.

Without any concerns about durability, Tyson likely would be a top-10 pick. However, a lingering hamstring issue might create doubt in the minds of some decision-makers, which could in turn lead a team such as Cleveland to find awesome value in the back half of Round 1.

25. Chicago Bears: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods is a frustrating study, because the talent is evident but doesn’t equate to consistent disruption. Still, his “good” tape is enough for teams hunting interior help to consider him in the late first round.

26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

If the Bills draft a wide receiver in the first round, should they go with a speedy, smaller option or a bigger, more physical target? Boston would be the latter, with outstanding size and ball skills (and he isn’t a slug, either).

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Lomu will benefit from another year of strength development, which would leave him ready just in time to potentially take over for Trent Williams at left tackle. His athletic footwork and movement control suggest he has a bright future.

28. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)*: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The only proposed trade in this mock draft has the Cardinals getting back into the first round (just ahead of the Rams) to nab a quarterback, giving up a second-rounder (No. 34) and 2027 third-rounder to do so. This would be back-to-back years the Texans have traded down to No. 34 with a team looking for a quarterback (they made a similar deal last year with the Giants, who then selected Jaxson Dart).

With the Kyler Murray era in the rearview, the Cardinals could be in the mix for Malik Willis in free agency or get creative on draft weekend to address their quarterback spot. Simpson has the NFL-level processing and instincts to be a starter, although his pro ceiling is the question mark.

29. Los Angeles Rams: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

With Davante Adams in the final year of his deal, Concepcion would give the Rams’ offense immediate firepower plus a long-term solution if Adams isn’t on the roster in 2027. His dynamic inside-outside versatility would be a fun addition to an already exciting passing attack.

(Note: The Rams have traded this pick to the Chiefs as part of a package for CB Trent McDuffie, a league source told The Athletic.)

30. Denver Broncos: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Broncos have been doing their homework on McNeil-Warren, a long, athletic safety who makes plays in coverage and versus the run. Safety might not be the Broncos’ No. 1 need, but McNeil-Warren’s range would be a nice fit in their secondary.

31. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

Upgrading the pass rush (in multiple ways) is expected to be top priority for the Patriots this offseason. And Parker is a well-rounded player who offers a reliable foundation built on leveraged power and a consistent motor, which will speak to Mike Vrabel.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Seahawks plucking another Gamecocks defensive back in this year’s draft would be a fun story. But more importantly, Cisse would give Seattle much-needed cornerback depth, especially if Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen both depart in free agency.

Second Round

33. New York Jets: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

34. Houston Texans (from ARI)*: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Houston found its left tackle (Aireontae Ersery) in the second round last season and could do the same at right tackle this year. Miller is an iron man with the talent and intangibles that fit what the Texans covet.

35. Tennessee Titans: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

36. Las Vegas Raiders: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

37. New York Giants: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

38. Houston Texans (from WAS): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

39. Cleveland Browns: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Drop him at the nickel and Ponds would make an already stout defense even better. His size isn’t ideal, but Ponds would be in the CB1 conversation if he were two inches taller.

40. Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

41. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Young, edge, Missouri

42. New Orleans Saints: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma

43. Miami Dolphins: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State

44. New York Jets (from DAL): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

I love what the Jets were able to do in this mock: a high-level pass rush threat in Reese; a dynamic pass catcher in Lemon; a green-dot linebacker in the middle in Allen. And now at cornerback, Johnson, one of the more underrated prospects in the draft.

45. Baltimore Ravens: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF

47. Indianapolis Colts: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

48. Atlanta Falcons: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

49. Minnesota Vikings: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

50. Detroit Lions: Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge, Penn State

51. Carolina Panthers: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

I’m speculating here, but I think it is fair to say Rodriguez is the type of linebacker that Morgan would greatly appreciate. Because of Rodriguez’s toughness, athleticism and instincts, this would be a great fit for both sides.

52. Green Bay Packers: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona

54. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

57. Chicago Bears: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

With Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker both hitting free agency, safety could be a key need for Chicago in the draft. Luckily for the Bears, this is a deep safety class. Haulcy, who is similar to Byard in several ways, would be good value here.

58. San Francisco 49ers: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

59. Houston Texans: Gennings Dunker, G/OT, Iowa

60. Buffalo Bills: Derrick Moore, edge, Michigan

61. Los Angeles Rams: Keionte Scott, DB, Miami

62. Denver Broncos: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

63. New England Patriots: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

64. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

With Kenneth Walker III expected to sign elsewhere and Zach Charbonnet working back from a knee injury, Seattle will be active in the running back market. Price has NFL starting-caliber talent with his run instincts and contact balance.

(Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported the timing of when a team gave Sonny Styles a standing ovation. The ovation came after his workout, not after his team interview. The article has been corrected.)