Gavin Riley’s one (and only) 2026 NFL mock draft
This exercise made me want to throw up.
The wait is finally over. The draft is tomorrow, so we can finally stop pulling our hair trying to predict these picks. It’s been a headache. Let’s see how wrong I am with these picks.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders finally find their signal-caller of the future. Mendoza has the prototypical size and elite arm talent to stretch the field, coming off a season where his stock soared due to his poise and ability to process complex defenses.
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Jets opt for the safe pick, rather than the projection. Bailey is a refined pass rusher, providing New York with a blue-chip defender to anchor their front for the next decade.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Arizona secures a true three-down weapon. Love is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball, possessing the rare combination of breakaway speed and the power to finish runs between the tackles.
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Robert Saleh gets his Fred Warner-type linebacker. Styles successfully transitioned from safety to a 240-pound linebacker without losing his sideline-to-sideline range, giving Tennessee a versatile chess piece to counter modern NFL offenses.
5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Giants definitely don’t need another edge rusher, but it’d be hard to pass on Reese here. Reese is an explosive athlete with a massive wingspan who can win with both speed and power, potentially creating a dominant duo alongside the talent already in New York. If this happens, expect Kayvon Thibadeaux to be traded.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Cleveland prioritizes protection with the technically sound Fano. A standout at Utah, he allowed minimal pressures during his collegiate career and offers the versatility to lock down either tackle spot or even kick inside.
7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Washington adds a polished route-runner to their arsenal. Tate possesses elite body control and a massive catch radius, making him a reliable X receiver who can win at all three levels of the field.
8. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Saints snag the most instinctive secondary player in the class. Downs is a field general with elite ball skills, capable of erasing mistakes and taking away the deep middle of the field.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Kansas City shores up the edge with a relentless pocket-collapser. Bain’s low center of gravity and explosive first step make him a nightmare for taller NFL tackles.
10. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With their second top-10 pick, the Giants grab a playmaker. Tyson is a vertical threat who showed he can take the top off a defense, providing the big-play ability this offense could use alongside Malik Nabers.
11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Dolphins keep the local star in Miami. Mauigoa is a massive powerhouse who can clear lanes in the run game and provide much-needed stability to the offensive line.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Dallas goes for a sticky man-coverage specialist. Delane is the best CB in the draft, and adding him gives the Cowboys another man to cover the WR gauntlet the NFC East boasts.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Low moving costs! The Rams keep the local playmaker in L.A. Lemon’s agility and ability to find the soft spots in a defense make him a natural fit for McVay’s offense.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Ioane is a people mover on the interior with a mean streak in the run game, reinforcing Baltimore’s identity as a physical, ground-and-pound offense.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Tampa Bay adds to the pass rush. Mesidor’s motor and ability to push the pocket from the interior on passing downs make him a valuable asset.
16. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Jets add a receiver with elite body control, reliable hands, and a better-than-most ability to run after the catch to help stabilize their passing attack.
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor screams Lions. He’s is a massive tackle who excels in the run game, fitting the physical culture the Lions have established. You can also get creative with him, which we saw the Lions do with Penei Sewell.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
A high-IQ safety with exceptional range, Thieneman is a turnover-forcing machine. He brings much-needed ball skills to a Vikings secondary that needs to be more opportunistic.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is essentially a jumbo wide receiver. He gives the Panthers a matchup nightmare who can win in the seams and provide a massive target in the red zone.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Dallas bolsters the edge with a physical specimen. Faulk has the prototypical NFL frame and a high ceiling as a run-defender, offering immediate rotation value.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Steelers land a refined pass protector with a championship pedigree. Freeling has the length and frame that NFL coaches covet, offering a high-floor solution at tackle.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Parker didn’t quite have the best year in 2025 (along with the entire Clemson roster), but he’s a polished technician who wins with leverage and hand usage.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Eagles draft Lane Johnson’s heir apparent in Blake Miller. Miller is an experienced, reliable tackle who can provide high-end depth before eventually taking over a starting role.
24. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston is a massive target with surprising vertical speed. He adds a different dimension to the Browns’ receiving corps, serving as a reliable deep threat and a big slot option.
25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Chicago adds a powerful interior presence. McDonald is a space eater who can also penetrate the pocket, helping to solidify the middle of the Bears’ defense.
26. Buffalo Bills: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
A highly touted prospect since high school, Woods brings explosive power to the Bills’ defensive line. His versatility allows him to play multiple techniques along the front.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The 49ers grab Trent Williams eventual replacement. Lomu’s movement skills make him a perfect fit for a zone-blocking scheme that requires tackles to reach the second level.
28. TRADE - Tennesee Titans: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Titans move back into the late first to snag a dynamic playmaker for Cam Ward to throw to. Concepcion is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, offering versatility as a receiver and returner.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Reports say teams are concerned with McCoy’s knee, but the Chiefs take a shot on the former SEC stud using the pick they received in the Trent McDuffie trade.
30. Miami Dolphins: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins value speed and recovery ability, and Hood has both in spades. He’s a high-upside athlete who can survive on an island in a blitz-heavy system.
31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
I can’t get the video of Mike Vrabel personally working with Iheanachor at his pro day out of my head. Head coaches don’t do that with just anybody. Drafting Iheanachor gives the Patriots flexibility to move Will Campbell inside if they want to.
32. TRADE - Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Arizona moves back into the first round to secure their quarterback of the future. Simpson is a poised, accurate passer who benefited from the high-pressure environment at Alabama, ready to lead the new-look Cardinals.