Draft season is in full swing for the NFL with pro days, top-30 visits, and rumors taking over media spaces across the country. No one can fully predict what will happen in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and that’s what makes the whole process fun.

With the process slowing down and the team’s needs becoming clear, it’s time to take a shot at predicting the first round of the draft with my first mock draft for EssentiallySports.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech

3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State​

7. Washington Commanders – Reuben Bain Jr., ED, Miami

Commanders may have addressed defense in free agency, but they can use more help. Bain is my No. 1 edge in this class and is a dominant presence along the line of scrimmage.

8. New Orleans Saints – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon

11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami​

12. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

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

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akeem Mesidor, ED, Miami

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

18. Minnesota Vikings – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia​

25. Chicago Bears – Zion Young, ED, Missouri

26. Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

27. San Francisco 49ers – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

28. Houston Texans – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles) – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver) – Keldric Faulk, ED, Auburn

31. New England Patriots – Malachi Lawrence, ED, UCF​

32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee