2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cory Bonini Predicts Round 1
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, and in a time-honored tradition, it's time to predict how the picks will play out. This mock draft includes a few thoughts on each player and a couple of projected trades (marked by an asterisk). System fits, team needs, player talent, and more come into play here.
Feel free to sound off in the poll below, and let us know what you think on social media!
| Pick | Team | Player | Pos | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Las Vegas Raiders | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana | No-brainer pick to give the Raiders a franchise QB who can behind a vet |
2 | New York Jets | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State | Plenty of upside, fits needs and scheme to give Aaron Glenn a defensive cornerstone |
3 | Arizona Cardinals | David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech | Unless ARI is blown away by a trade offer, Bailey will shore up a huge need |
4 | Tennessee Titans | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame | Perfect fit for an elite back on a team that could use a youthful upgrade |
5 | New York Giants | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State | Pretty much a can't-miss pick at a must-address position |
6 | Cleveland Browns | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State | Vertical skills, reliable routes, desperately needed weapon; OT can wait |
7 | Washington Commanders | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State | Washington has bigger needs, but Downs is a surefire stud |
8 | New Orleans Saints | Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami (Fla.) | Day 1 contributions at a weak spot on defense is never a bad combo |
9 | Kansas City Chiefs | Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU | OT is tempting, but stopping the pass in a pass-happy league is a must |
10 | New York Giants | Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami (Fla.) | Versatility and fits the other major need after addressing LB five spots earlier |
11 | Miami Dolphins | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State | Risky injury liability but dominant upside trajectory for a WR-starved offense |
12 | Dallas Cowboys | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee | Perhaps a reach, but he has Day 1 offerings if the knee is sound |
13 | Los Angeles Rams | Makai Lemon | WR | USC | Giving Matthew Stafford another weapon and a future target; OL is in play, too |
14 | Baltimore Ravens | Olaivavega Ioane | OL | Penn State | Baltimore gets a versatile, impact player with Day 1 starter chops |
15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami (Fla.) | Getting to the QB helps mask plenty of deficiencies, and Mesidor's motor is relentless |
16 | New York Jets | Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana | His profile lends to early success for a team in need of more playmakers |
17 | Detroit Lions | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah | Sturdy, versatile, fills a need, and DET doesn't care about arm length |
18 | Minnesota Vikings | Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon | Securing the back end of the secondary was a need, and Thieneman is as rangy as they get |
19 | Carolina Panthers | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon | Ideal fit for an offense that is in need of upgrading weapons; blocking skills are endearing |
20 | Dallas Cowboys | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn | Has some question marks but still gives DAL a high-motor, long EDGE option |
21 | Kansas City Chiefs (*trade w/ PIT) | Blake Miller | OT | Clemson | Secures a weak spot on the right side after projected deal |
22 | Los Angeles Chargers | Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M | Twitchy perimeter rusher to give LA a third option with Khalil Mack aging out |
23 | Philadelphia Eagles | Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia | Versatile depth and gives a long-term option for the right side |
24 | Cleveland Browns | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama | Mountain of a man who can challenge for a Week 1 start at LT |
25 | Chicago Bears | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo | Fills a major need and gives CHI high-energy enforcer in the secondary |
26 | Buffalo Bills | Kayden McDonald | DL | Ohio State | BUF has many directions it could go here, but interior run defense is high on that list |
27 | San Francisco 49ers | | WR | Texas A&M | KCC gives Brock Purdy a YAC weapon; age and injuries drive this selection |
28 | Houston Texans | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson | Has some warts but still immediately upgrades the interior run defense |
29 | Pittsburgh Steelers (*trade w/ KC) | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington | Luxury pick, but DK Metcalf's voided guarantees mean he's on a year-to-year deal now |
30 | Miami Dolphins | Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee | Awesome fit for Jeff Hafley's defense and fills an obvious void at a key position |
31 | New England Patriots | Malachi Lawrence | EDGE | UCF | This could go several directions; Lawrence brings heat on QBs but is iffy vs. the run |
32 | Arizona Cardinals (projected trade w/ SEA) | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama | SEA moves back a few spots, ARI gets a QB to groom and leapfrogs NYJ in the process |
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 6:34 PM.