With Super Bowl LX now in the books, the league’s focus can shift toward the 2026 NFL Draft, set to begin in Pittsburgh on April 23.
The Senior and Shrine Bowls wrapped up late last month. The NFL Combine, from Feb. 22 through March 2, is the next big step in the draft process. In the meantime, here’s a post-Super Bowl, three-round mock — picks Nos. 1 through 100.
(Note: An asterisk indicates a projected compensatory pick.)
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This draft’s clear QB1 in just about every area, Mendoza doesn’t really have holes in his game so much as roughish edges in need of further smoothing. Add in the level of improvement he showed year over year and it’s easy to see a successful future starter, so long as Tom Brady, Mark Davis and the Raiders can support him.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
The Jets need to be in “best player available” mode until further notice. In no way is this team ready to put the franchise on the back of a rookie quarterback, at least not without first providing him more help. New York could take a QB this year, just perhaps not this early.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
We’re going to see whether new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur can make it work with Kyler Murray. It’d be best for the roster, though, if the Cardinals can focus on non-QB positions early — especially if OT1 is available.
4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
I go back and forth on whether Bain is a top-five pick. Concerns about his length are real, and his production has been at times inconsistent. But his wire-to-wire College Football Playoff performance definitely helped ease minds.
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The WR1 debate between Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon should rage well beyond the NFL combine. However, Tate has the most potential and the fewest questions regarding his health and schematic fit.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Another Hurricanes prospect who solidified his status as a top-10 pick during the College Football Playoff, Mauigoa was a three-year warrior and culture-setter for Miami. He’s exactly the kind of player Cleveland needs.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
If Mendoza was the top offensive transfer this past college football season, then Bailey was the best defensive pickup. He exploded to become the country’s top pass rusher after moving from Stanford to Texas Tech. And though there are questions about what he’ll bring on early downs, his move set is deeper than anyone else’s in this class.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Medicals will be critical, as Tyson had notable injuries in 2022 (torn ACL), 2024 (broken collarbone) and 2025 (hamstring). When he’s right, though, he’s the most complete receiver in the draft. He is quarterback-friendly, reliable and versatile — like a bigger Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This already feels like the steal of the mock. Love and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs are top-three talents who could be available into the teens because of positional value. Don’t be surprised if a contender (looking at you, Ben Johnson) tries to move up for Love, the most dynamic playmaker in college football last year.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
Former Georgia standout Mykel Williams has been a popular comp for Faulk, mostly because both players were young prospects and didn’t have elite sack production in college. Trait-wise, though, there is a bit of Travon Walker in Faulk’s game. He’s a twitchy and relentless hammer off the edge who could line up anywhere once he gets comfortable.
11. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This would be an outstanding start to the Jeff Hafley era. The Dolphins’ new coach left Ohio State before the Buckeyes landed Downs, but the fit here would be nearly perfect. Miami could begin to rebuild its secondary around a potential superstar.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Another freaky Buckeye who doesn’t really fit into one position, Styles began college as a big safety who played like a linebacker and ended it as an uber-athletic linebacker who runs like a safety. He’s not Micah Parsons, but he can have a similar impact on a defense’s versatility.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The combine could be a big deal, because CB1 is hardly a settled spot. McCoy was the top corner on most boards entering this season, only to miss all of it while rehabbing a knee injury. If he tests well in Indianapolis and proves he’s ready, his 2024 film could be too good to knock him down the board.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks was one of the winners at the Senior Bowl late last month, after the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder had missed most of the season with a foot injury. Medicals may be the ultimate decider here, but Banks had dominant reps against both run and pass during Senior Bowl practices. He also came back to play Florida’s final two games.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Whether or not Lavonte David retires, Allen would be a great fit. If David comes back for another year, he could mentor his future replacement; if not, Allen is more ready to start (and possibly wear the green-dot helmet) than most linebackers his age.
16. New York Jets (from IND): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Utah’s other big, athletic tackle prospect, Lomu plays with extremely quick hands and feet. Like Fano, he can be an asset in the stretch or screen games. He’s also athletic enough to play multiple spots up front, if need be.
17. Detroit Lions: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
If the Lions are going to rebound next season, they have to reset the interior of their offensive line. Ioane, who has played right and left guard (and even some right tackle), is an absolute hammer in the run game and has enough power to make an impact as a rookie.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Vikings need back-end help, potentially at both corner and safety. Delane is one of the most competitive on-ball coverage players in this class and was among the most disruptive man-coverage corners in the country the past two seasons.
19. Carolina Panthers: Zion Young, edge, Missouri
Young also helped himself at the Senior Bowl. The 6-5, 262-pounder measured in with above-average arm length and displayed the type of twitchy, sudden move set that made him dangerous in college. He’s a potential three-down weapon who could rush from just about anywhere.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Cisse (6-0, 190) could be a player on the rise, especially if he runs at the combine — no one would be surprised with a 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range. He had seven pass breakups and forced eight incompletions during his lone year at South Carolina.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The first half of Simpson’s 2025 season was worthy of top-10 consideration. The second half, especially during Alabama’s stretch drive, barely looked like that of a top-100 prospect. But Simpson is an athletic, talented and smart passer whose best football is ahead of him. Being able to watch for a year might be ideal.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The combine will be a big deal for Woods, whose dominant flashes as a freshman and sophomore helped him generate some top-five buzz last offseason. His junior tape didn’t live up to that standard, but we can’t totally forget the past.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This feels too perfect, so it probably won’t happen. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a team in the top 20 — maybe even the top 15 — pull the trigger on Sadiq, whose potential as a three-down, scheme-proof, playmaking tight end is elite. He could become Jalen Hurts’ (and Saquon Barkley’s) new best friend.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
This could be too low for Lemon, whose combination of route nuance and ball skills remind me of fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown. Lemon’s size (5-11, 195) is a bit of a concern, but he is this year’s version of 7-Eleven — he’s always open.
25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Despite being just 20 years old, McDonald was a bit of a late bloomer in college — the 2025 season was easily his best, in terms of reps and production. He flashed true three-down potential as an explosive 320-pounder who could fit into any NFL front.
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
This feels like a draft in which some really talented receivers could slide because teams have too many needs elsewhere. But Boston and Lemon also could follow Tate and Tyson into the top 20. Boston would provide outstanding value at this spot.
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Another one of those player-scheme fits that feels almost too perfect. Concepcion is an oddly shaped receiver (5-11, 187), but he has unique talents. His open-field explosion might remind you of Deebo Samuel, as he attacks like an elite punt returner every time he’s in space.
28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
There could be a wide range for Proctor, whose blend of size and athleticism is a dream come to life for every offensive line coach with a pulse. However, Proctor’s inconsistencies on tape are impossible to ignore, and it’ll take a patient staff to make this work early.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Freeling is another tackle prospect out of central casting — 6-6, a lean 315 pounds, 34-inch arms and an 84-inch wingspan, with outstanding balance and quicks. “Lean” is a key word among those descriptors, though, as Freeling is still adding strength to his frame, especially in his upper half. His potential is tantalizing.
30. Denver Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Hill (6-3, 240) flashes plenty of the stuff that helped turned Reese and Styles into potential top-10 picks. His havoc rate was much better in 2024 than in 2025, but the position he plays could impact his range.
31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
Howell’s role in the NFL might be limited mostly to third downs — he’s just 6-2, 249. But his athleticism off the edge is scary good. The lack of size and length is a concern, but Howell moves like a basketball player on a football field.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Another Clemson defender who could use a great combine, Terrell had an outstanding sophomore season before a more average junior year. The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon would be a great fit with Mike Macdonald.
Round 2
33. New York Jets: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Plenty have asked why Chambliss, a legit NFL Draft prospect for 2026, fought the NCAA so hard for another year of college eligibility. Part of the answer: because he’s good enough that he potentially could have been in the 2027 draft’s QB1 mix. He might not be ready just yet, but the team that takes him will be hoping he becomes this year’s Jaxson Dart.
34. Arizona Cardinals: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
35. Tennessee Titans: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
36. Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
37. New York Giants: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
38. Houston Texans (from WAS): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
39. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Context is required to evaluate Nussmeier’s up-and-down 2025 performance. For starters, LSU’s program was on the verge of collapse. His offensive line was a nightmare, and he played through a core injury. He was healthy at the Senior Bowl and looked more like the quarterback we expected to see this season. Stock firmly up here.
40. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
42. New Orleans Saints: Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois
43. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
44. New York Jets (from DAL): Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
45. Baltimore Ravens: LT Overton, edge, Alabama
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma
47. Indianapolis Colts: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
Mesidor had the benefit of working opposite Bain during his Miami run, but he was relentless in his own right, both off the edge and inside as a pass rusher and run defender. He was as much the face of Miami’s extremely physical defense as Bain.
48. Atlanta Falcons: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
The Falcons gave up a lot for James Pearce Jr. last spring, and Pearce then led all rookies with 10.5 sacks. “Big Citrus” could be the perfect addition to Atlanta’s emerging defensive front.
49. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
50. Detroit Lions: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
51. Carolina Panthers: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
52. Green Bay Packers: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
A somewhat smaller version of Orange, Miller is another powerful and explosive interior pocket pusher who could wear multiple hats, play all three downs and help further ease the loss of Kenny Clark.
53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Moore, edge, Michigan
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
It would not shock me if a team rolls the dice on Golday in Round 1. He’s an ideal inside linebacker prospect from a physical standpoint (6-4, 237), with elite explosion and agility (reported 4.24-second short shuttle). Golday’s combine workouts may draw a crowd.
