Updated 2/11/26

1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)

It seems likely that the intrigue in this draft won’t start until the second pick, as the Raiders need a quarterback and Fernando Mendoza is by far the best quarterback available. 

2. New York Jets – S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

This is extremely early for a safety, but this is an underwhelming draft at the top and Downs is one of the best safety prospects in recent memory, so he could be viewed as the best available player. Downs could be an immediate Pro Bowl caliber player at a position of significant need.

3. Arizona Cardinals – OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)

Most of the best available players at this stage of the draft do not line up with the needs the Cardinals have, so they are a strong candidate to trade down. If they stay put, they could justify a small reach for the best available offensive tackle in the draft, given how many issues they had on the offensive line last season.

4. Tennessee Titans – DE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)

Wide receiver Carnell Tate would make some sense here, but the Titans have more at wide receiver, where they drafted a couple promising players in the middle rounds last year, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, than they have at edge defender, where they didn’t have a player with more than 5 sacks last season.

5. New York Giants – WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)

Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson could be a high level wide receiver duo, but Nabers is coming off of a major knee injury that could keep him out for the start of next season, while Robinson is a free agent. Tate gives them insurance for Nabers and, even in a best case scenario where Nabers is healthy and Robinson returns, he would give the Giants arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league.

6. Cleveland Browns – WR Makai Lemon (USC)

The Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders another shot in 2026, but they need to get him a better supporting cast, including a true #1 receiver. Lemon can develop into that for whoever the Browns’ long-term quarterback eventually ends up being.

7. Washington Commanders – DE Rueben Bain (Miami)

Von Miller led the Commanders in sacks last season, but he is a situational pass rusher at this stage of his career, going into his age 37 season in 2026. He is also a free agent and a candidate to retire this off-season. The Commanders need to find a young replacement and will have options early in the first round.

8. New Orleans Saints – RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

The Saints had one of the worst running games in the league last season, ranking 31st in yards per carry at 3.69. Injuries were part of the problem, but none of their running back options got the job done. Alvin Kamara, their long-time lead back, is going into his age 31 season and is clearly past his prime. With no guaranteed money left on his contract, the Saints could move on from him this off-season and find a new feature back in the draft. Love is by far the best running back prospect in this draft and, even with the relative lower position value of the running back position, he still has a good chance to go in the top-10.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – DE David Bailey (Texas Tech)

The Chiefs need an upgrade at edge defender opposite George Karlaftis. They can take advantage of a rare high draft pick to add a blue chip edge defender prospect.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)

Cam Taylor-Britt is a free agent and the Bengals should take this opportunity to find an upgrade at the outside cornerback spot for a defense that has consistently been one of the worst in the league over the past few seasons.

11. Miami Dolphins – CB Aveion Terrell (Clemson)

The Dolphins entered the 2025 season with one of the worst cornerback rooms in the league. Free agent signing Rasul Douglas proved to be a decent option, but he was on a one-year deal. Even if he returns, the Dolphins don’t have much else at the position and Douglas is not a long-term solution anyway, going into his age 31 season.

12. Dallas Cowboys – OT Spencer Fano (Utah)

The Cowboys used a first round pick on Tyler Guyton two years ago to play left tackle for them, but he hasn’t panned out. Fano could replace him at left tackle or he could replace right tackle Terence Steele, who could be a cap casualty this off-season.

13. Los Angeles Rams – WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)

Davante Adams had a great season in 2025, but he’s going into his age 34 season and a contract year in 2026. This is a luxury pick, but the Rams have two first round picks and not a lot of needs, so they could add a wide receiver who can give them a talented third option in the short-term and a long-term complement opposite Puka Nacua long-term.

14. Baltimore Ravens – DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

The Ravens had the third fewest sacks in the league last season with 30 and no one had more than 5 sacks. The Ravens should look for upgrades on the edge in free agency and the draft.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – G Vega Ioane (Penn State)

The Buccaneers should have better health on the offensive line next season, but, even when fully healthy, they have a weakness at left guard, where Ben Bredeson is an underwhelming starter. They could look to upgrade on him with the draft’s best guard prospect.

16. New York Jets – QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)

The Jets lost out on the #1 pick on a tiebreaker and, as a result, don’t get by far the best available quarterback in this draft, but they will have to take a shot on a quarterback at some point, with limited veterans options available this off-season.

17. Detroit Lions – DE Akheem Mesidor (Miami)

Al-Quadin Muhammad had 11 sacks this season out of nowhere, after totaling just 10 sacks in his previous 4 seasons combined, but he is not a guarantee to do that again and he’s also a free agent going into his age 31 season, so the Lions have a need at the edge defender position.

18. Minnesota Vikings – LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)

Linebacker Eric Wilson is a free agent who is going into his age 32 season this off-season. The Vikings could add a younger upgrade over him through the draft.

19. Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)

The Panthers somehow haven’t had a tight end with over 400 receiving yards since Greg Olsen in 2016. The Panthers could add a big upgrade in the draft if Kenyon Sadiq is available. He would give Bryce Young a much needed weapon over the middle.

20. Dallas Cowboys – DE TJ Parker (Clemson)

The Cowboys got surprisingly decent edge defender play this season after trading Micah Parsons, but four of their top-5 edge defenders this season are set to hit free agency. They should take this opportunity to find a better long-term solution opposite promising rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)

Five of the Steelers’ top-7 in receiving yards last season were either running backs or tight ends. With a new offensive coaching staff coming in, the Steelers will likely put more of an emphasis on the wide receiver position and they need an infusion of talent at the position to do that. Concepcion could instantly be the #2 wide receiver opposite DK Metcalf.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – DE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)

Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack, and Odafe Oweh, the Chargers’ top-3 edge defenders, are all free agents this off-season and, unless they re-sign all of them, they will be thin at the position. Even if they are all brought back, Mack is going into his age 35 season and is not a long-term solution.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

Lane Johnson is going into his age 36 season and contemplating retirement. The Eagles could look to the draft for his long-term replacement.

24. Cleveland Browns – OT Caleb Lomu (Utah)

The Browns had arguably the worst offensive tackle room in the league last season and need to find a new starting left tackle and a new starting right tackle this off-season. Lomu would fill one of those holes.

25. Chicago Bears – DT Peter Woods (Clemson)

The Bears signed Grady Jarrett in free agency last year, but he was a disappointment and he is now going into his age 33 season. He has too much guaranteed money left on his contract for the Bears to move on from him this off-season, but they need a long-term replacement who can reduce Jarrett’s role in the short-term.

26. Buffalo Bills – WR Denzel Boston (Washington)

The Bills were using the washed up Brandin Cooks as their second receiver in the playoffs and that is a big part of the reason why they were unable to advance past the second round. The Bills will likely look to find an upgrade this off-season.

27. San Francisco 49ers – G Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)

Left guard is a weakness on an otherwise strong offensive line. The 49ers could find a big upgrade early in the draft.

28. Houston Texans – DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) 

Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle proved to be a solid interior defender duo last season, but both are free agents this off-season, so the Texans will likely need to find help early in the draft.

29. Los Angeles Rams – CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)

Cornerback was the Rams’ biggest weakness in 2025. They should use an early pick to upgrade the position.

30. Denver Broncos – LB CJ Allen (Georgia)

Alex Singleton was their top off ball linebacker this season in terms of snaps played, but he is a free agent going into his age 33 season and the Broncos may use this opportunity to find a long-term replacement and upgrade in the draft.

31. New England Patriots – OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)

The Patriots’ Super Bowl performance made it obvious they still need to build their offensive line. Right tackle Morgan Moses is going into his age 35 season and left guard Jared Wilson would probably be better at center long-term. 

32. Seattle Seahawks – CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)

The Seahawks don’t have a lot of needs, but Tariq Woolen is a free agent this off-season and has never been a good fit for Mike Macdonald’s scheme, so they could let him walk and replace him through the draft.

33. New York Jets – WR Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)

The Jets were led in receiving last season by Garrett Wilson, who missed most of the season with injury and totalled just 395 receiving yards. The Jets need to invest in a better second option in the passing game.

34. Arizona Cardinals – DT Caleb Banks (Florida)

The Cardinals used their last two first round picks on defensive tackles in Darius Robinson and Walter Nolen, but Robinson has been a massive bust thus far, causing the Cardinals to rely on aging veterans Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, the latter of whom is a free agent going into his age 40 season this off-season. They should use another early pick on the position.

35. Tennessee Titans – CB Colton Hood (Tennessee)

The Titans have a very thin cornerback room and will need to find multiple upgrades this off-season.

36. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State)

The Raiders cornerback room was pretty thin last season and it will be even thinner if they don’t re-sign top cornerback Eric Stokes in free agency.

37. New York Giants  OT Gennings Dunker (Iowa)

Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is a free agent going into his age 32 season this off-season. The Giants could look to shoot higher than him, either through free agency or the draft.

38. Houston Texans – OT Blake Miller (Clemson)

The Texans started second round rookie Aireontae Ersery at left tackle last season and could add another offensive tackle early in the draft to replace right tackle Trent Brown, who is going into his age 33 season and set to hit free agency this off-season.

39. Cleveland Browns – DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)

Mason Graham was a hit as a first round pick this year, as was free agent addition Maliek Collins, but Collins is going into an age 31 contract year, while top reserve Shelby Harris is a free agent and going into his age 35 season. Michael Hall, a 2024 2nd round pick, has barely played in two years in the league due to injuries and off-the-field problems. The Browns could add another young defensive tackle early in the draft.

40. Kansas City Chiefs – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)

Safety Bryan Cook had a breakout year this year, but he is a free agent and the Chiefs might not have the long-term financial flexibility to keep him. Even if they do, they could add an upgrade next to him, as their other starting safety, Chamarri Conner, struggled mightily in 2025.

41. Cincinnati Bengals – DE R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)

The Bengals basically need help at every defensive position. The Bengals used their first round pick on Shemar Stewart last year, but he was a disaster as a rookie. Even if he is better going forward, the Bengals will be thin at the position, with their two best edge defenders, Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai, set to hit free agency this off-season.

42. New Orleans Saints – WR Zachariah Branch (Georgia)

The Saints were left pretty thin at wide receiver this season after trading Rashid Shaheed. They need to find a long-term 2nd option opposite the injury prone Chris Olave.

43. Miami Dolphins – LB Anthony Hill (Texas)

The Dolphins need an upgrade at linebacker next to Jordyn Brooks. Tyrel Dobson struggled in that role this season.

44. New York Jets – DT Christen Miller (Georgia)

The Jets got this pick from the Quinnen Williams trade. They could use it to add to their defensive tackle room, which is pretty thin without Williams.

45. Baltimore Ravens – WR Chris Bell (Louisville)

Zay Flowers was the only player on the Ravens with more than 422 receiving yards last season. Their #2 wide receiver in terms of receiving yards was DeAndre Hopkins, who had 330 yards and is now a free agent going into his age 34 season. The Ravens will need to find another wide receiver option this off-season.

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Zion Young (Missouri)

The Buccaneers signed Haason Reddick to a one-year deal in free agency last off-season to upgrade their edge rush, but he didn’t do much and is now a free agent who is going into his age 32 season. The Buccaneers will need to find another option this off-season.

47. Indianapolis Colts – S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)

Cam Bynum is a solid starting safety, but Nick Cross struggled as the other starter and is now a free agent. The Colts could look to replace him in the draft.

48. Atlanta Falcons – LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati)

Kaden Elliss is a free agent this off-season and, if he isn’t retained or replaced before the draft, the Falcons will need to draft a linebacker early.

49. Minnesota Vikings – CB Keith Abney (Arizona State)

Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers are locked in as two of the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks, but they could use a better third cornerback option.

50. Detroit Lions – CB D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)

DJ Reed, who the Lions signed to a big deal in free agency last off-season, is locked in as one of the Lions’ starting cornerbacks, but 2024 1st round pick Terrion Arnold has been injury prone and underwhelming thus far in his career, while Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin are underwhelming options who are free agents this off-season. The Lions could add another cornerback through the draft.

51. Carolina Panthers – S AJ Haulcy (LSU)

Tre’von Moehrig was a great free agent last off-season, but Nick Scott was underwhelming as the starting safety opposite him and they could look for a higher upside replacement in the draft, with Scott set to hit free agency this off-season.

52. Green Bay Packers – LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

The Packers have several key free agents and because of the Micah Parsons trade, they don’t have a lot of cap space to retain them all or a first round pick to use on a replacement. Linebacker Quay Walker has been up and down in his career and the Packers could let him walk in favor of more important free agents and find his replacement in the second round of the draft.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers – G Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M)

If the Steelers don’t retain Isaac Seumalo as a free agent, they could look to replace him in the draft.

54. Philadelphia Eagles – DE LT Overton (Alabama)

The Eagles defense got a lot better down the stretch after they traded for edge defender Jaelan Phillips, but he is a free agent this off-season and the Eagles might not have the cap flexibility to keep him on a long-term contract. Instead, they could address the edge defender position early in the draft.

55. Los Angeles Chargers – G Connor Lew (Auburn)

The Chargers’ offensive line will be better next season when Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater return from injury, but they still have a massive need at guard that they could address early in the draft.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Domonique Orange (Iowa State)

The Jaguars were much improved on defense in 2025, but they were still pretty underwhelming at the defensive tackle position. 

57. Chicago Bears – DE Romello Height (Texas Tech)

The Bears edge rusher room is pretty thin after Montez Sweat. No one else had more than 4.5 sacks in 2025. They need to add more edge rush help.

58. San Francisco 49ers – WR Germie Bernard (Alabama)

Brandon Aiyuk seems like he is done in San Francisco. Ricky Pearsall was a first round pick two years ago, but he has not panned out thus far. Jauan Jennings was their best wide receiver last season, but he is a free agent this off-season. Even if he returns, the 49ers will need help at the position, especially given that they will likely feature wide receivers more in their offense next season, with tight end George Kittle coming off of a torn achilles.

59. Houston Texans – RB Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)

Nick Chubb and Woody Marks were the Texans’ top-2 running backs last season, but Chubb didn’t seem to have much left in the tank, while Marks is probably too injury prone to be a long-term lead back. They at least need another running back to pair him with long-term.

60. Buffalo Bills – DE Joshua Josephs (Tennessee)

Joey Bosa was a good 1-year signing last off-season, but he is a free agent this off-season and might not return to Buffalo. Even if he does, he is going into his age 31 season with an extensive injury history.

61. Los Angeles Rams – QB Trinidad Chambliss (Mississippi)

The Rams don’t have a long-term option at quarterback behind Matt Stafford, who is heading into his age 38 season. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t much younger, going into his age 35 season. They could look to find their long-term solution in the draft.

62. Denver Broncos – TE Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)

The Broncos made a big financial investment in Evan Engram last off-season to try to improve their tight end room, but he showed his age, finishing with just a 50/461/1 slash line and, now going into his age 32 season, he’s unlikely to return to his prime form. The Broncos could look to the draft for a younger option. 

63. New England Patriots – DE Derrick Moore (Michigan)

The Patriots made the Super Bowl, but they had a below average 35 sacks this season, despite playing with a lot of leads and facing a weak schedule of opposing offenses. They figure to look for edge rush help early in the draft.

64. Seattle Seahawks – WR Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is obviously one of the best wide receivers in the league, but Cooper Kupp is going into his age 33 season, Rashid Shaheed is a free agent, and 2025 5th round pick Tory Horton is injury prone and not guaranteed to develop into a starting caliber receiver. The Seahawks could add another young receiver to the mix in the draft.