Updated 3/29/26

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 – DE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)

The Jets might have hinted at their intentions with this pick by trading Jermaine Johnson instead of extending him ahead of the final year of his contract, freeing up a spot for a premium edge rusher. The free agent signings of Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare probably don’t preclude the Jets from using this pick on an edge defender because they are rotational players. The Jets have several good options here, but Arvell Reese has the highest upside of their options.

3. Arizona Cardinals – DE David Bailey (Texas Tech)

The Cardinals’ biggest need is right tackle and Francis Mauigoa is a strong candidate here, but the Cardinals may prefer to add talent at a more premium position and take David Bailey instead, and then address the right tackle position at the top of the second round. This pick would become more likely if the rebuilding Cardinals trade veteran edge defender Josh Sweat before the draft, but even if he remains on the roster, Bailey would still be an upgrade opposite him.

4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

The Titans’ biggest need is edge defender, but if both Arvell Reese and David Bailey are off the board, the Titans may just take the best available player, which could easily be Jeremiyah Love. He would be a significant upgrade over Tony Pollard, whose release would save the Titans 7.25 million.

5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)

The Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds to replace Bobby Okereke in free agency, but I don’t think that precludes the Giants from using this pick on Sonny Styles, who can start next to Edmunds and has a much higher upside than Edmunds.

6. Cleveland Browns – WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)

The Browns did a lot of work to improve their offensive line this off-season, but they didn’t address their receiving corps at all. Carnell Tate would immediately be their #1 receiver. They still need a left tackle, but there isn’t one available worthy of being drafted this high, with Mauigoa and Fano both being collegiate right tackles with short arms.

7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

This would probably be the dream scenario for the Commanders, who have one of the worst safety rooms in the league. Downs is arguably the best player in the draft, but safeties are rarely selected high and, as a result, he could be available for the Commanders at 7.

8. New Orleans Saints – DE Rueben Bain (Miami)

The Saints are in a good position because their biggest needs are edge defender and wide receiver and they will likely have either Carnell Tate or one of the top-3 edge defenders available to them when they draft. In this case, it is Rueben Bain who is available and the obvious choice. He would be a big upgrade for a Saints team that is thin at the edge defender position because they did not retain veteran Cameron Jordan this off-season.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)

The Chiefs released Jawaan Taylor, who was a massive disappointment. Jaylon Moore is currently penciled in as the starting right tackle and he wouldn’t be a bad option, but he’s also a career reserve with 18 starts in five seasons in the league and he is in the final year of his contract, so he is probably not the long-term solution. Mauigoa could slip a little bit because he doesn’t have left tackle experience or adequate arm length, but the Chiefs are looking for a right tackle anyway, so they would be thrilled to have the best blocker in the draft.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)

Cam Taylor-Britt left as 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 – OT Spencer Fano (Utah)

Right tackle Austin Jackson misses a lot of time with injury, missing 38 games over the past four seasons combined, and even when he is on the field he could be upgraded. He could also move to guard and be an upgrade there if the Dolphins take an early round tackle.

12. Dallas Cowboys – S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)

The Cowboys upgraded one safety spot in free agency with Jalen Thompson, but could still use an upgrade over the aging, injury prone Malik Hooker, whose play has slipped in recent years.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE) – G Vega Ioane (Penn State)

The Chargers’ biggest need is guard and Vega Ioane is by far the best guard in the draft, but, in order to draft him, the Chargers will probably have to move up ahead of the Ravens. It would likely cost the Chargers a second round pick to move up, but if Ioane is as good as advertised, it would be worth it, given how big of an upgrade he would be at a position of need.

14. Baltimore Ravens – WR Makai Lemon (USC)

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. Makai Lemon would be an instant upgrade.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

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. They signed Al-Quadin Muhammad, who had a good season last year, but he is going into his age 31 season with an inconsistent history.

16. New York Jets – WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)

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.

17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)

The Lions surprisingly released left tackle Taylor Decker after being unable to come to an agreement on a reworked contract with him. They may be targeting his replacement at 17. Freeling is the best true left tackle in the draft and this is probably his floor, even though he was a one-year starter in college.

18. Minnesota Vikings – DT Peter Woods (Clemson)

The Vikings released both of their aging defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, in a cost saving move and now are thin at the defensive tackle position. Woods would fill that need if still available at 18.

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. They could look for one early in the draft to give Bryce Young a much needed weapon over the middle.

20. Dallas Cowboys – DE Akheem Mesidor (Miami)

The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary and re-signed Sam Williams to go with 2025 2nd round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, who had a promising rookie year, but they could still use another edge defender.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)

It will be interesting to see where Jermod McCoy gets drafted because he has top-10 talent, but is coming off of a torn ACL that wiped out his entire 2025 season. The Steelers signed Jamel Dean and re-signed Asante Samuel in free agency to go with Joey Porter at cornerback, but Dean and Samuel have significant injury histories and Dean is going into his age 30 season, so they still need additional help at the cornerback position. McCoy could give them insurance as a rookie and develop into a high end starter long-term.

22. Los Angeles Rams (TRADE) – QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)

When the Rams traded their first round pick last season to get the Falcons’ first round pick this year, it was probably because they wanted to get a pick high enough to draft a quarterback of the future without having to have a bad season. This year’s quarterback class didn’t end up being as good as expected, but rumors are that the Rams like Ty Simpson, so they could take him to secure a long-term option at the quarterback position. This would be more likely after a trade down.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)

The Eagles lost Reed Blankenship in free agency and currently have Michael Carter penciled in as one of their starters at safety. Carter would likely be a liability and McNeil-Warren would give them an immediate upgrade over both Brown and Blankenship, who was a liability last season.

24. Cleveland Browns – OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

The Browns addressed their wide receiver need with their early first round pick and now they get their long-term left tackle with their later first round pick. 

25. Chicago Bears – DE TJ Parker (Clemson)

The Bears edge rusher room is pretty thin after Montez Sweat. No one else had more than 4.5 sacks in 2025. The Bears tried to trade for Maxx Crosby and, if a trade does not materialize before the draft, expect them to use an early pick on the position.

26. Buffalo Bills – CB Avieon Terrell (Clemson)

The Bills used their first round pick on Maxwell Hairston last year, but they are very thin at the position behind Hairston and Christian Benford. They should be looking for a better third cornerback early in the draft.

27. San Francisco 49ers – OT Caleb Lomu (Utah)

It sounds like Trent Williams will be back with the 49ers in 2026, but they have to be thinking about the future of the left tackle position, with Williams going into his age 38 season. Lomu could be their long-term left tackle of the future and, in the short-term, he could fill a hole at left guard.

28. Houston Texans – LB CJ Allen (Georgia)

The Texans have a great defense, but linebacker Henry To’oTo’o could be upgraded, so the Texans could add a young linebacker with one of their three picks in the first two rounds.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Denzel Boston (Washington)

The Chiefs top-3 wide receivers right now are Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton, but Rice is a significant injury and off-the-field risk, Worthy has yet to live up to the billing as a 2024 1st round pick, and Thornton would be best as a reserve/insurance option. Denzel Boston would be a good value at this point in the draft and would give the Chiefs another much needed pass catcher.

30. Miami Dolphins – WR Omar Cooper (Indiana)

The Dolphins had a desperate need at wide receiver even before trading Jaylen Waddle. Now it’s their biggest need, despite massive needs across the roster. I expect them to use one of their two first round picks on the position.

31. New England Patriots – DE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)

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.

32. Seattle Seahawks – DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)

Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed are going into their age 32 and age 34 seasons respectively, so the Seahawks could use another defensive tackle to go with 2024 1st round pick Byron Murphy long-term.

33. New York Jets – CB Colton Hood (Tennessee)

The Jets’ cornerbacks really struggled last season after trading Sauce Gardner. They added Nahshon Wright in free agency, but he isn’t a huge upgrade and he was only signed to a one-year deal.

34. Arizona Cardinals – OT Blake Miller (Clemson)

If the Cardinals pass on Francis Mauigoa at 3, they will need to find a right tackle in the second round, because right tackle is a huge weakness for them right now.

35. Tennessee Titans – DE Zion Young (Missouri)

The Titans traded for Jermaine Johnson this off-season, but they needed to add at least two new edge defenders this off-season, so they will probably add another one early in the draft.

36. Las Vegas Raiders – WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)

Most teams that take a quarterback in the first round use their next pick on another offensive player and the Raiders badly need a potential #1 wide receiver.

37. New York Giants – DT Caleb Banks (Florida)

Defensive tackle is arguably the Giants’ biggest need, but there isn’t one worth taking at 5. Instead, they can target defensive tackle help in the second round.

38. Houston Texans – G Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)

The Texans added Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith, and Evan Brown in free agency to try to improve their offensive line, which has been a liability for years, but those three are all on the wrong side of 30 so the Texans will still likely add a young offensive lineman at some point in the draft.

39. Cleveland Browns – CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)

The Browns really lacked depth at cornerback last season after Martin Emerson got hurt. Emerson is unlikely to be retained as a free agent, so the Browns could target a cornerback early in the draft to give them a better third option behind Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell.

40. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State)

The Chiefs lost both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this off-season, so they will need to add a young cornerback at some point relatively early in the draft.

41. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Malachi Lawrence (Central Florida)

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 need more depth behind him and free agent addition Kwity Paye.

42. New Orleans Saints – WR Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)

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 – DE R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)

Edge defender is another big need for the Dolphins, who have little on the depth chart behind Chop Robinson and the injury prone Josh Uche, who was only signed to a cheap one-year deal this off-season.

44. New York Jets – RB Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)

The Jets franchise tagged Breece Hall, but they might not be able to reach a long-term agreement with him. With four picks in the first two rounds, they could look to the draft for insurance and another running back to pair with Hall in the short-term.

45. Baltimore Ravens – TE Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)

The Ravens love running two tight end sets and are now thin at the position after losing Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. They could look for a new #2 tight end in free agency and a potential long-term successor to Mark Andrews, who is going into his age 31 season and had a down year in 2025.

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – G Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M)

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 early in the draft.

47. Indianapolis Colts – LB Anthony Hill (Texas)

The Colts have one of the thinnest linebacking corps in the league after trading away Zaire Franklin. They don’t have a first round pick, but they could still find an every down starting option in the second round.

48. Atlanta Falcons – LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

The Falcons lost Kaden Elliss in free agency and replaced him with Christian Harris, which is a big downgrade. They could look for a new starting linebacker on day 2 of the draft.

49. Minnesota Vikings – S AJ Haulcy (LSU)

The Vikings like to use three safeties on the field at the same time in sub packages, but they are thin at the position with Harrison Smith expected to retire.

50. Detroit Lions – DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)

Alim McNeill and Tyliek Williams are a solid starting duo at defensive tackle, but Levi Onwuzurike is their only reserve of note and he has had a lot of injuries in his career, including a lost 2025 season to a torn ACL.

51. Carolina Panthers – DT Christen Miller (Georgia)

The Panthers moved on from veteran A’Shawn Robinson this off-season and now are pretty thin at defensive tackle, so they will likely look to the draft to replenish depth.

52. Green Bay Packers – OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State)

The Packers lost a pair of starters on the offensive line this off-season. They have a pair of recent high draft picks in line to take those starters’ roles, but they are thin on depth now. They could use another relatively early pick on an offensive lineman.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Chris Bell (Louisville)

Michael Pittman is a huge upgrade as the Steelers’ new #2 receiver, but the Steelers are still very thin behind Pittman and DK Metcalf, so they could still use a relatively early draft pick on another receiver.

54. Philadelphia Eagles – DE Gabe Jacas (Illinois)

The Eagles signed Arnold Ebeketie in free agency to replace Jaelan Phillips, but he was only signed to a one-year deal and they could still use more depth at the position.

55. Los Angeles Rams (TRADE)  – WR Germie Bernard (Alabama)

Davante Adams had a great season in 2025, but he’s going into his age 34 season and a contract year in 2026. Bernard would give them a better #3 wide receiver in the short-term and a potential long-term replacement for Adams as the #2 receiver.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Derrick Moore (Michigan)

The Jaguars really lack depth on the edge behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker, the latter of whom is going into a contract year. They could address this need early in the draft.

57. Chicago Bears – CB D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)

The Bears should get better cornerback play in 2026 if Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are healthy, but if either one misses time, they won’t have any reasonable insurance options after letting Nahshon Wright and CJ Gardner-Johnson leave in free agency.

58. San Francisco 49ers – WR Zachariah Branch (Georgia)

The 49ers added Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency, but both are on the wrong side of 30. Including DeMarcus Robinson, three of their top-4 wide receivers are 30 or older, so they could add another young wide receiver through the draft.

59. Houston Texans – DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)

Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson are arguably the best edge defender duo in the league, but they lack depth behind them, which is especially a concern with Hunter going into his age 32 season.

60. Chicago Bears – DT Domonique Orange (Iowa State)

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.

61. Los Angeles Rams – CB Keionte Scott (Miami)

The Rams added two big upgrades at cornerback this off-season in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but they could add a new third cornerback to their overhauled cornerback room.

62. Denver Broncos – LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati)

The Broncos kept Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in free agency this off-season, but they released the injury prone Dre Greenlaw, so they could still be targeting a linebacker early in the draft. Both Singleton and Strnad are on the wrong side of 30 and Golday has the upside to be much better than both of them.

63. New England Patriots – OT Gennings Dunker (Iowa)

The Patriots need a long-term right tackle, with Morgan Moses set to go into his age 35 season.

64. Seattle Seahawks – CB Keith Abney (Arizona State)

The Seahawks don’t have a lot of needs, but Tariq Woolen left as a free agent this off-season. They did re-sign Josh Jobe, but he is better as depth than as a starter.