2026 FIRST ROUND NFL MOCK DRAFT
With the NFL draft starting on Thursday, we have decided to put together our official 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Some of these selections seem to be common knowledge, and we also included some sleeper picks. The NFL Draft is always unpredictable, and these 32 players will be finding a new home this weekend. Here is the official EverythingU Network Mock Draft with NO trades.
(1) Raiders - Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana
FERNANDO MENDOZA - INDIANA
Fernando Mendoza is one of the most likeable players of all time. Whether you look at his personality, smile, competitiveness, and humor, Mendoza is loved by everyone.
However, being popular is not the reason he is predicted to be the next face of the franchise in Sin City. Mendoza is one of the best QB prospects of the past decade, and capped off his Heisman season by leading Indiana to their first National Championship.
All signs point towards the Raiders selecting Fernando Mendoza to be their franchise QB.
(2) Jets - Davis Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech
DAVID BAILEY - TEXAS TECH
David Bailey is one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft class. He went from an unknown player to one of the best players in the nation in a blink.
The 6’3 Senior totaled 14.5 sacks in his senior season, which alone was the same as his first three seasons combined. Bailey helped lead the Red Raiders to their first Big 12 Championship and CFP appearance this past season, and has franchise cornerstone written all over him.
By taking Bailey, the Jets are taking the best player available, and the future face of their defense.
(3) Cardinals - Arvell Reese | EDGE | Ohio State
(4) Titans - Rueben Bain Jr | Edge | Miami
(5) Giants - Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State
(6) Browns - Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami
(7) Commanders - Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame
JEREMIYAH LOVE - NOTRE DAME
Jeremiyah Love is a special running back prospect. More often than not, the best running back in the draft class will be a mid-late first round draft pick — but not this year. Love has been rumored to be picked as high as 4th overall, which is unheard of in today’s NFL.
The Heisman candidate averaged 6.9 YPC for each of the past two seasons, and was the focal point of Notre Dame’s offense. His blend of power, size, speed, and athleticism makes him one of the best overall prospects in this entire draft.
By taking him seventh, Love gives the Commanders a do-it-all running back who can help lighten the load on star QB Jayden Daniels.
(8) Saints - Makai Lemon | WR | USC
(9) Chiefs - Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU
(10) Giants - Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State
(11) Dolphins - Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State
(12) Cowboys - Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State
SONNY STYLES - OHIO STATE
If Sonny Styles falls to pick 12, Jerry Jones and Co. should be ecstatic. The Cowboys have two first round picks, and they should both be used to help their defense.
With one of the worst LB rooms in the entire NFL, this pick is a no brainer. Styles is the best LB prospect in this class. At 6’4 243 with a 4.46 second 40-yard dash, he is an athletic freak.
Styles will immediately bring his physical and relentless style to the Cowboys defense, which will make him a quick fan favorite out in Dallas.
(13) Rams - Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon
(14) Ravens - Spencer Fano | OL | Utah
(15) Buccaneers - Akheem Mesidor | Edge | Miami
(16) Jets - Omar Cooper Jr | WR | Indiana
(17) Lions - Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama
(18) Vikings - Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon
DILLON THIENEMAN - OREGON
If Thieneman is sitting there at pick 18, it would be a home run for the Vikings. With Harrison Smith's future still up in the air heading into the season, Thieneman is the perfect heir.
Thieneman is a guy who can step in immediately and play free safety, strong safety, or nickel. Over 39 college games at Purdue and Oregon, he racked up 306 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 10 TFLs, and then backed it all up at the Combine with a 4.35 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical.
Flores runs a pressure-heavy scheme that demands a smart, rangy safety who can disguise coverages and clean up in the backend, and Thieneman does exactly that.
(19) Panthers - KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M
(20) Cowboys - Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee
(21) Steelers - Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson
(22) Chargers - Olaivavega Ioane | OG | Penn State
(23) Eagles - Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia
MONROE FREELING - GEORGIA
If Howie Roseman ends up with yet another Georgia player, he might as well get the city of Athens named after him. Lane Johnson is one of the greatest offensive tackles in Eagles history, but with him being 37, the Eagles need to find a replacement sometime sooner rather than later.
Freeling is the answer. At 6'7 and 315 pounds with footwork as clean as any tackle in this class, he is already in perfect shape to take snaps right away. He only has 18 college starts, but this is a Georgia product who spent years practicing against NFL-caliber talent in Athens.
The Eagles know better than anyone that having a deep and talented OL is the first step to making a deep playoff run, and this pick helps with exactly that.
(24) Browns - Denzel Boston | WR | Washington
(25) Bears - Keldric Faulk | Edge | Junior
(26) Bills - CJ Allen | LB | Georgia
CJ ALLEN
The Buffalo Bills are an ideal landing spot for Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen. Having a 31 ½” wingspan and quality technique and body control, he will step in and take over inside linebacker duties immediately.
Allen totaled 205 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 10 pass deflections this past season. In his junior season, Allen led the Bulldogs with 88 tackles, and 8 tackles-for-loss. He was a First-Team AP All-American and a finalist for the Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker).
If the Bills select C.J. Allen with the 26th overall pick, he would become a key contributor to their defense with his ability to pop off blocks and make tackles in open space.
(27) 49ers - Max Iheanachor | OT | Arizona State
(28) Texans - Blake Miller | OT | Clemson
(29) Chiefs - Malachi Fields | WR | Notre Dame
(30) Dolphins - Kayden McDonald | DT | Ohio State
(31) Patriots - Cashius Howell | Edge | Texas A&M
CASHIOUS HOWELL - TEXAS A&M
The Patriots could use an edge rusher like Cashius Howell if they want to make another deep playoff run. Howell, a 6’2 250lb edge out of Texas A&M is a 5th year senior who can make an immediate impact.
He spent three seasons at Bowling Green where he recorded 56 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, and 11.5 sacks. He then transferred to Texas A&M and spent two seasons there, totaling 71 tackles, 22.5 tackles-for-loss, and 15.5 sacks. In the 2025 college football season, Howell was tied for 7th in the nation with 11.5 sacks.
Howell is a former First-Team AP All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All SEC. The Patriots could go a few different ways, but taking Howell is a safe move.
(32) Jets - Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee
