We are just three weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft! With free agency in our rear view mirrors and the main players signed to large contracts, team needs have shifted as holes were filled and voids created.  As we come down the home stretch, it’s time to update the Essentially Sports Mock Draft, version 4.0.

1- Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza/QB/Indiana –

This is a natural fit for a variety of reasons. The Raiders need a quarterback, Tom Brady will fall in love with Mendoza, and the Hoosiers’ underclassman can be a franchise signal caller in the future.

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2- NY Jets: Arvell Reese/LB/Ohio State –

The Jets can’t miss on this selection, and Reese is safer than Caleb Downs, never mind being a three-down defender the Jets need in their new scheme. He’s more complete compared to David Bailey, who will also be a consideration here.

3- Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey/Edge/Texas Tech –

It’s too early to take Ty Simpson or a right tackle, so once again, the Cardinals draft a defensive front-seven player.

4- Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr./Edge/Miami-Fl –

I’m not buying into the Jeremiyah Love hype, considering Tennessee’s general manager and new head coach. Robert Saleh likes his pass rushers, and Bain is the next best with Bailey off the board.

5- NY Giants: Sonny Styles/LB/Ohio State –

Love receives consideration at this spot, but the Giants still need help at linebacker despite free-agent signings.

6- Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano/T/Utah –

Everything I’ve been told points to the Browns recently looking for a left tackle with their first selection. As I initially reported on Wednesday, they will consider moving down a few slots.

7- Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love/RB/Notre Dame –

With Bain off the board, the Commanders add the best player available and end their running-back-by-committee offense.

8- New Orleans Saints: Kenyon Sadiq/TE/Oregon –

The Saints need weapons as well as receivers. Consider that 2025 was a strong draft, yet Colston Loveland was the 10th pick, and Tyler Warren came off the board soon after. Sadiq is rated higher than both of those tight ends.

9- Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa/T/Miami-Fl –

Everything I’ve heard points to the Chiefs taking a right tackle with their first pick. Mansoor Delane will get consideration at this spot.

10- Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs/S/Ohio State –

The Bengals defense needs a nickel back/safety to replace Alontae Taylor, and Downs is more than capable of doing that. He’s also a great value at this spot.

11- Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane/CB/LSU –

If either top-rated tackle drops to this spot, that could be the pick.

12- Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy/CB/Tennessee –

Dallas is not afraid to roll the dice on injured players, and McCoy, who looked terrific during pro day, is close to 15 months removed from his injury.

13- LA Rams (via Atlanta): Makai Lemon/WR/USC –

Carnell Tate is the higher-rated receiver on my board, but it looks as though Davante Adams will remain on the Rams roster, and Lemon is the better fit.

14- Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane/G/Penn State –

Despite signing John Simpson in free agency, the interior offensive line still needs a lot of help.

15- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: T.J. Parker/Edge/Clemson –

This is earlier than most projects for Parker to be selected, yet he’s a perfect fit for the Todd Bowles scheme and fits a need.

16- NY Jets (via Indianapolis): Carnell Tate/WR/Ohio State –

The Jets add another highly rated Ohio State receiver to complement Garrett Wilson.

17- Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor/OL/Alabama –

An offensive tackle is badly needed after the team released Taylor Decker. Proctor is a terrific run blocker, which the Lions want.

18- Minnesota Vikings: Keldric Faulk/DL/Auburn –

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores wants more pass rushers and a better pass rush. Faulk will do that in the team’s three-man line.

19- Carolina Panthers: Jordyn Tyson/WR/Arizona State –

Carolina did a great job filling needs with top players in free agency, which gives them options in the draft. Tyson is polished and will start as a rookie if he can stay healthy.

20- Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): Monroe Freeling/T/Georgia –

I would prefer a linebacker at this spot, but left tackle has to be a consideration, as Tyler Guyton has been disappointing and injured since being selected in the first round of the 2024 draft.

21- Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson/QB/Alabama –

The quarterback position must eventually be addressed. The surprise pick here could be linebacker CJ Allen.

22- LA Chargers: Avieon Terrell/CB/Clemson –

The Chargers did a terrific job rebuilding the interior offensive line this offseason. Edge rusher Cashius Howell will be a consideration, but Terrell is higher-rated and brings talent to the secondary.

23- Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell/Edge/Texas A&M –

Howell fits what the Eagles want in their edge rushers, as he’s undersized yet explosive and fierce.

24- Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): KC Concepcion/WR/Texas A&M –

Concepcion is a game-breaker who takes the top off the defense and brings impact as a return specialist.

25- Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman/S/Oregon –

Zion Young receives a lot of consideration at this spot, but Thieneman’s style of play is perfect for the Bears’ defense.

26- Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen/LB/Georgia –

The Bills needed help in several areas after the 2025 season ended, and linebacker is one area of need they have yet to address.

27- San Francisco 49ers: Akheem Mesidor/Edge/Miami-Fl –

The Niners’ starting edges are returning from injuries, and depth is needed at the position. Peter Woods was considered for this slot.

28- Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald/DT/Ohio State –

McDonald did not have a good combine, yet he’s a defensive tackle with playmaking ability.

29- Kansas City Chiefs (via LA Rams): Omar Cooper Jr./WR/Indiana –

Xavier Worthy has never lived up to expectations, Rashee Rice is often in trouble with the law, and Tyquan Thornton has yet to prove he’s a consistent starter.

30- Miami Dolphins (via Denver): Zion Young/DE/Missouri –

The Dolphins have spent a lot of early draft picks on edge rushers, yet the return has been minimal. Young brings talent and upside.

31- New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor/T/Arizona State –

Morgan Moses was a great addition last year, but he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning.

32- Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood/CB/Tennessee –

Hood is fast, athletic, and has great potential; the type of cornerback Seattle knows how to develop.

Round Two

33- NY Jets: Peter Woods/DL/Clemson

34- Arizona Cardinals: Blake Miller/T/Clemson

35- Tennessee Titans: Chris Brazzell II/WR/Tennessee

36- Las Vegas Raiders: Lee Hunter/DT/Texas Tech

37- NY Giants: Denzel Boston/WR/Washington

38- Houston Texans (via Wash.): Emmanuel Pregnon/G/Oregon

39- Cleveland Browns: Chris Bell/WR/Louisville

40- Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Johnson/CB/San Diego State

41- Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Hill Jr./LB/Texas

42- New Orleans Saints: Derrick Moore/Edge/Michigan

43- Miami Dolphins: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren/S/Toledo

44- NY Jets (via Dallas): Chase Bisontis/G/Texas A&M

45- Baltimore Ravens: Gabe Jacas/Edge/Illinois

46- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Rodriguez/LB/Texas Tech

47- Indianapolis Colts: Romello Height/Edge/Texas Tech

48- Atlanta Falcons: De’Zhaun Stribling/WR/Mississippi

49- Minnesota Vikings: D’Angelo Ponds/CB/Indiana

50- Detroit Lions: Jake Golday/LB/Cincinnati

51- Carolina Panthers: Eli Stowers/TE/Vanderbilt

52- Green Bay Packers: Caleb Lomu/T/Utah

53- Pittsburgh Steelers: Zachariah Branch/WR/Georgia

54- Philadelphia Eagles: Oscar Delp/TE/Georgia

55- LA Chargers: Malachi Lawrence/Edge/Central Florida

56- Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Cisse/CB/South Carolina

57- Chicago Bears: Mike Washington Jr./RB/Arkansas

58- San Francisco 49ers: Germie Bernard/WR/Alabama

59- Houston Texans: Elijah Sarratt/WR/Indiana

60- Chicago Bears: Josh Josephs/Edge/Tennessee

61- LA Rams: Deontae Lawson/LB/Alabama

62- Denver Broncos: Josiah Trotter/LB/Missouri

63- New England Patriots: Malachi Fields/WR/Notre Dame

64- Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price/RB/Notre Dame