2026 NFL mock draft: Post-regular season projections
Draft season is officially here.
The conclusion of regular-season play means the selection order is now set for all non-playoff teams. And with College Football Playoff action giving us additional looks at some of the top prospects available, it's the perfect time to take another mock spin through the first round.
* - Underclassmen we're projecting to declare for the draft.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana*
This could be a virtual lock already. Mendoza's Heisman Trophy season makes him the likely top passer in the class, and his ability to win from the pocket will be particularly appealing to Las Vegas with Tom Brady having such a prominent role in the decision-making process. The Raiders have a mountain of other needs, but opportunities to draft a potential franchise quarterback don't come around often.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon*
The final week of the regular season worked out nicely for the Jets' future, as they jumped into the No. 2 overall slot with the Giants beating the Cowboys. Assuming Moore declares, the Jets will have the opportunity to draft a top quarterback without needing to use any of the picks they acquired in this year's deadline blockbusters to trade up. That's a dream scenario for a franchise that also needs a complete rebuild on defense.
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Arizona may have to go with a veteran quarterback given such a thin rookie class at the position. Finding a right tackle to slot in opposite Paris Johnson Jr. long term will be critical for that passer's chances of success. The Cardinals surrendered 59 sacks this season, their most since 1997.
Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State*
Tennessee needs help everywhere. While getting a receiver for Cam Ward might also be a logical move, it'd be tough to pass up Reese in this spot. Whether he's a linebacker or an edge rusher (or both), the Ohio State star seems like a lock to be an impact player in the front seven.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State*
The Giants should do everything they can to set Jaxson Dart up for success heading into Year 2. While those efforts could start on the offensive line, it's equally important to find a running mate for Malik Nabers at receiver. Tate is the latest in a long line of Ohio State wideouts with star potential at the next level.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*
Unfortunately for the Browns, there's a major drop-off after the top two players in this quarterback class. And with both the Raiders and Jets having clear openings at the position, Cleveland would likely have a hard time trading up. There's no need to reach into the second tier of quarterbacks when a game-changer like Downs is on the board. He's the rare safety worth drafting this early.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami*
Washington's disappointing year wasn't just about injuries - a porous defense was always going to make it difficult to replicate last season's success. Bain will face questions about his lack of length throughout the draft process, and perhaps he'll eventually shift inside as a result. His dominant showing through two games in the College Football Playoff - three sacks versus Texas A&M and one sack against Ohio State - is further proof that he has a chance to be a force either way.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyler Shough earned the opportunity to establish himself as the Saints' franchise quarterback next year. Having solidified the offensive line with top-15 picks in each of the last two years, receiver should be the focus for New Orleans. Tyson working opposite Chris Olave would give Shough an impressive young tandem of pass-catchers.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Kansas City has the foundation for a great run game with recent top picks Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia slotting in alongside a pair of Pro Bowlers in Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith up front. The Chiefs actually tied for eighth in rush yards before contact this year. Love is the kind of home-run hitter who could maximize that situation, giving Patrick Mahomes some support coming off a major knee injury.
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Nobody could blame the Bengals if they allocated all eight of this year's draft picks to the defensive side of the ball. That dreadful unit needs all the help it can get, and the once-problematic offensive line has quietly become a strength under new position coach Scott Peters: Joe Burrow faced a 30.2% pressure rate this season, third-lowest among quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks. Woods provides a significant upgrade both as a pass-rusher and as a run defender on the interior.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Miami might be a logical landing spot for Ty Simpson if he declares, but a rough finish to his lone season as the starter could make him more of a borderline Day 1 prospect. A playmaker like Delane would help Miami start the process of retooling a thin secondary.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Dallas has two first-round picks as a result of the Micah Parsons trade. Teams won't always draft for need, but the Cowboys should use the first pick to help address the primary issue created by the superstar's departure. Faulk can provide some pass-rush juice off the edge while also contributing as a run defender.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
A thin quarterback class probably ruins any plans the Rams had to use Atlanta's pick on a passer to develop behind Matthew Stafford. Styles is a great fallback option, rounding out an outstanding young front seven.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Ravens will hope that Mike Green's development takes off in Year 2, but finding him a bookend should be a priority in order to solve their edge-rush issues once and for all. Bailey was a sensational transfer-portal addition for Texas Tech, leading the FBS with 12.5 sacks in the regular season.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Much like the Ravens, it's something of an annual tradition for the Bucs to have a need on the edge. Howell earned All-American honors after racking up 11.5 sacks as a senior this season and could be a nice fit opposite YaYa Diaby.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Jets took care of their biggest need with Dante Moore at No. 2. Up next: picking up the pieces on defense. New York has to find playmakers on the back end after becoming the first team in NFL history to finish a season without a single interception. Terrell adds exactly that via the first of two first-round picks acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade.
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami*
Some will see Mauigoa as a tackle, while others will prefer him as a guard. He can provide value for the Lions in both spots. The powerful Miami product immediately solidifies Detroit's interior offensive line in the short term before eventually sliding outside to replace Taylor Decker opposite Penei Sewell.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy would probably come off the board well before this point if he hadn't missed the entire 2025 season. While his knee injury creates some risk, this is a potential steal for a Vikings defense that becomes even more dangerous with an upgrade at corner.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Carolina spending another premium pick on a receiver probably seems like overkill. It's been three straight years of top-40 picks at the position with Jonathan Mingo (No. 39 in 2023), Xavier Legette (No. 32 in 2024), and Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8 in 2025). Considering last year's first-rounder is the only hit of the bunch, though, the Panthers have no choice but to keep swinging. Lemon stepping in alongside McMillan gives Bryce Young the help he needs heading into a make-or-break year.
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia*
The Cowboys already addressed their most pressing need at defensive end with Faulk. Allen completes the new-look front seven, adding another every-down linebacker to pair with DeMarvion Overshown. This first-round haul would help Dallas avoid wasting another excellent offense next season.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Steelers can't go into another season with DK Metcalf doing it alone at receiver. Boston racked up 20 touchdowns over the last two years at Washington. He gives Pittsburgh's next quarterback another physically imposing target who can go up and win over the top of defenders.
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama*
Proctor may have the ability to play tackle at the pro level, but his powerful skill set also makes him a natural fit inside at guard. The Chargers' offensive line would be poised for a rebound by adding a talent like this to the mix and getting Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back healthy at tackle.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon*
Sadiq could easily come off the board in the top half of the first round, but perceived position value often causes tight ends to fall further than they should. The Oregon product is a dynamic receiver, and his ability to contribute as an in-line blocker would be especially valuable to Philly after a shockingly tough year in the run game.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Keon Coleman still has a chance to emerge as a reliable playmaker, but it's not looking good after a 404-yard sophomore season. The Bills can't afford to sit back and let the receiver group weigh down the offense again in 2026. Concepcion's route-running skills and playmaking ability after the catch can help unlock Buffalo's passing game.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State*
The Bears need a run stuffer to help Dennis Allen's defense take the next step in 2026. McDonald, this year's Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, fits that description as well as anyone in the class.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams returning healthy might be all the 49ers need to solve their defensive woes up front. But you can never have enough pass-rushers, and Williams' inside-out flexibility helps justify another big addition like Parker at defensive end.
Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
The Texans have everything they need on defense, and last year's Day 2 investments in receiver should start to pay off soon. Second-round rookie Jayden Higgins only has 525 yards on the year, but he's tied for the team lead with six touchdowns. That clears the way for Houston to continue its makeover of the offensive line, adding a physical presence at guard in Ioane.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama*
Scooping up one of the best players in the draft at No. 6 and then taking a swing on a quarterback with the second of two first-rounders is an ideal outcome for the Browns. Simpson struggled after a hot start to the year, but there's some talk that he was battling injuries. This would be a steal for Cleveland if it turns out Simpson's early production was the more accurate representation of the player we'll see at the next level.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Rams double up on potential impact defenders with their second first-round pick. The shortcomings in their secondary started to get exposed down the stretch, with L.A. tying for 18th in EPA/dropback since Week 13. Hood could be a key upgrade for that group after taking his game to another level this season at Tennessee.
R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
It didn't take Mike Vrabel long to orchestrate a major turnaround on the defensive side of the ball. The addition of an explosive edge-rusher like Thomas would have that unit poised for another leap in Year 2.
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Broncos simply don't have many obvious needs on the roster. That enviable situation allows them to take a swing on a talented defensive lineman whose stock may have been on the rise were it not for an extended injury absence this season.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon
A big-play passing attack was behind Seattle's offensive breakout this season. Pregnon joining 2025 first-rounder Grey Zabel on the interior would help the Seahawks pair that explosiveness with some consistency in the run game.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.