Thor Nystrom is back for a guest appearance and providing an NFL Mock Draft, featuring the first round selections. Thor has been busy with two new ventures, as he's one of the voices of Skor North that covers all things Minnesota sports. For anyone who wants Minnesota Vikings content, Thor Talks Purple is ready to serve up plenty of chatter on Justin Jefferson and the purple crew. And for his great NFL Draft content, the Football Takes Podcast will get you set for that three-day fest in Pittsburgh next month.

For now, let's get into his latest mock draft.

2026 NFL Mock Draft Keeps Carnell Tate In State

  1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | 6046/236

The Raiders entered free agency with the most effective cap space in the NFL ($95.6 million), and they aggressively used that war chest to set the table for Mendoza’s arrival. Las Vegas landed C Tyler Linderbaum with a mammoth $27 million AAV contract, and added WR Jalen Nailor to a skill group that includes TE Brock Bowers and RB Ashton Jeanty. Mendoza is a good fit for new HC Klint Kubiak’s West Coast offense. He’s a prototypical in-structure pocket passer with stylistic similarities to Matt Ryan and Jared Goff, capable of stressing defenses deep and testing tight intermediate windows without putting the ball at risk.

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2. New York Jets: EDGE David Bailey | Texas Tech | 6035/251

The Jets are amid a major offseason remodel of the EDGE position—trading out Jermaine Johnson and signing Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai in free agency—and this pick would be the exclamation point of that pursuit. Bailey, who led the FBS with 14.5 sacks and 81 pressures last season, might be the most destructive defender in this class. Bailey’s calling card is relentless heat on the quarterback, but the notable strides he made on run defense in 2025 haven’t gone unnoticed by the NFL.

3. Arizona Cardinals: OL Francis Mauigoa | Miami | 6054/329

The Cardinals sure appear to be eyeing the 2027 quarterback class from a distance. And, with that in mind, the organization invests in infrastructure with the selection of Mauigoa—a ballyhooed five-star recruit who lived up to the billing and then some with the Miami Hurricanes. With the contracts of OTs Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum having expired, Arizona’s current projected starter at RT is Josh Fryar. Mauigoa and LT Paris Johnson Jr. would give the Cardinals an ascending young offensive tackle duo in what could become an enticing young offensive corps for a first-round quarterback to step into in late-April 2027.

4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE/LB Arvell Reese | Ohio State | 6041/241

The Titans, on the other end of that Jermaine Johnson trade, still need help not only at EDGE, but a level back at off-ball LB as well. Reese is this class’ premier EDGE/LB hybrid, following Jalon Walker and Abdul Carter, two players he shares characteristics with. With this move, new Titans HC Robert Saleh could send out a defensive front of Reese and offseason acquisitions Johnson and DL John Franklin-Myers around franchise stalwart DL Jeffery Simmons on passing downs. Reese would also provide a huge boost to Tennessee’s barren off-ball LB corps.

5. New York Giants: RB Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | 6000/212

With the re-signing of RT Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year, $39 million contract and the free agent signing of six-time Pro Bowl FB Pat Ricard, the Giants’ run-first new administration is setting the groundwork for a shift in offensive philosophy. There were reports that the Giants were interested in RB Kenneth Walker III, who ultimately signed with the Chiefs. Cam Skattebo is coming off a devastating season-ending ankle injury. Enter Love, who would pair with Skattebo to form an electric thunder/lightning duo. Remember: Love always had a platoon partner in college (Jadarian Price), and he’ll likely be more effective with a similar arrangement in the NFL.

6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate | Ohio State | 6022/192

Cleveland shops local, tabbing Tate from nearby Columbus. The Browns simply cannot enter training camp with a starting WR trio of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond. Tate taking over as Cleveland’s alpha boundary WR1 would kick Jeudy back inside to the slot, giving the Browns a legitimate receiving corps again. Tate is a big-bodied chain-mover in the vein of a George Pickens or Tee Higgins.

7. Washington Commanders: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. | Miami | 6022/263

The Commanders have needed a two-way EDGE for years now, so they’re going to particularly appreciate Bain’s game. A sawed-off power end, Bain makes up for a lack of length with devastating power and enough twitch to ensure you can’t just sit back on his heat. New Commanders DC Daronte Jones is a Brian Flores disciple—the central tenant of the defensive pass-game philosophy is to force the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quickly. It is a system that fetishizes havoc-wreaking edge defenders, and Bain is certainly that.

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon | USC | 5111/192

Outside of Chris Olave, the Saints’ receiving corps is a wasteland. Saints HC Kellen Moore and OC Doug Nussmeier each have historically featured slot receivers, and they’d be getting a premier one here with Lemon. This class’ Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Lemon would be a high-volume target immediately for QB Tyler Shough. His presence will also lessen some of the coverage attention Olave gets from opponents.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane | LSU | 5116/187

With the signing of RB Kenneth Walker, the Chiefs probably feel good enough about the offensive side of the ball to use this pick to help shore up a secondary that recently lost CB Trent McDuffie (traded to the Rams—more on that below) and CB Jaylen Watson and S Bryan Cook (to the Rams and Bengals, respectively, in free agency). So Kansas City pops the secondary lid of the 2026 defensive back class with its top corner, LSU’s Delane. Delane Island allowed a miniscule 0.4 yards per coverage snap with zero penalties in 2025.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs | Ohio State | 5115/206

One of the best pure football players in this class, Downs still seems destined for a small drop in the draft due to non-elite measurables, an in-the-box game and medical questions. Corey Kinnan reported that combine medical checks revealed a torn meniscus and a potentially degenerative ACL. We are awaiting further clarification from Downs’ return to Indianapolis for medical rechecks —but there have already been reports that his condition won’t severely damage his draft stock. Either way, Downs and his dynamic game are juice well worth the squeeze for the home-state Bengals in this slot. 

11. Miami Dolphins: OG Olaivavega Ioane | Penn State | 6042/320

The Dolphins’ new HC (Jeff Hafley) and GM (Jon-Eric Sullivan) both came from Green Bay, and the duo’s first major splash was securing ex-Packers QB Malik Willis. This pick would be a safe investment in infrastructure, a Green Bay staple. Ioane is a sure-thing bet in a class that doesn’t have many of them. Last April, the first offensive guard (Tyler Booker) came off the board at 1.12 (Dallas). In a 2026 draft light on blue-chip talent at the top, it’s reasonable to assume that this class’ clear best guard, Ioane, will go in the same neighborhood.

12. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles | Ohio State | 6050/244

This would be a surprising “fall” for Styles based on current projections, but the NFL once again in free agency signaled its lack of respect for the LB position when the top players on the board— LBs Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean. Quay Walker, Devin Bush—all signed for less than $30 million guaranteed. But Dallas, which coughed up 30.1 PPG under fired DC Matt Eberflus in 2025, would be thrilled to get Styles with this pick. New DC Christian Parker, who prioritizes rangy, sure-tackling defenders, is going to love Styles.

13. Los Angeles Rams: WR Omar Cooper Jr. | Indiana | 6001/199

When this offseason began, the Rams had a far bigger need at CB, but they’ve soundly addressed that with the acquisitions of former-Chiefs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. So the Rams, in a hyper-win-now window with another year of QB Matthew Stafford, elect to add another reliable aerial weapon in Cooper to team with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. As many in the media have noted, Cooper’s skill set appears to have been constructed in a lab for a Sean McVay offense. Cooper decimates zone coverage, he makes tough catches in congested quarters, and he’s a dangerous runner after the catch.

14. Baltimore Ravens: TE Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon | 6031/241

This pick was originally traded to the Raiders in the Maxx Crosby trade before the Ravens nixed it, citing Crosby’s physical. The Ravens like to use multiple tight ends, and they now have only one that is playable on the roster following TE Isaiah Likely’s free agency defection to the Giants. Drafting Sadiq would give Mark Andrews a worthy play-now running mate, while serving as his long-term successor. 

15. Tampa Bay Bucs: CB Avieon Terrell | Clemson | 5106/186

Following CB Jamel Dean’s defection to the Steelers, the Bucs’ projected starting boundary CB duo is Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison with Jacob Parrish at nickel, and very little behind that trio. I think Terrell can hang on the boundary in the NFL, but he’s going to be an awesome nickel defender even if I’m wrong about that. Terrell is a really good fit for HC Todd Bowles' defensive scheme, the philosophy of which throws exotic coverage behind aggressive blitzes, sometimes sending defensive backs.

16. New York Jets: WR Jordyn Tyson | Arizona State | 6021/203

The Jets began this exercise by taking Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey at No. 2 overall. Without pressure to contend next year, the Jets can use the pick to swing on upside. If he didn’t have medical concerns, Tyson would likely be this class’ consensus WR1—he has great ball skills, he wins at all three levels and he’s inside-outside interchangeable. Medical questions—he suffered a torn ACL, MCL and PCL as a freshman and missed time last season with a hamstring issue—have Tyson’s stock up in the air at the moment, but he could return huge value for this slot. At long last, the Jets could have a legitimate complement to WR Garrett Wilson.

17. Detroit Lions: OT Monroe Freeling | Georgia | 6073/315

The Lions have a major tackle need following the release of RT Taylor Decker. Detroit signed OT Larry Borom to a one-year deal, but that feels more like an insurance/depth play than a legitimate answer. It’s the sort of move that sets up a pick like this. Freeling has the highest ceiling of any offensive linemen in this class, but the athletic freak remains raw. If Freeling isn’t ready to start immediately, Borom can keep the spot warm until he is.

18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman | Oregon | 6001/201

S Harrison Smith’s impending retirement opens up a big hole for the Vikings. Not only has Smith occupied a starting spot for the past 14 years, but he also makes all the defensive calls in DC Brian Flores’ hyper-aggressive, hyper-exotic scheme. You can’t replace Harrison Smith, but Oregon’s Thieneman is a heck of a start. Over his three years in college, Thieneman proved capable of being a difference-maker as a deep center field free safety, and also when deployed closer to the line of scrimmage as a nickel defender. He might have locked himself into the top-20 at the NFL Scouting Combine by running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash with a 41-inch vertical jump.

19. Carolina Panthers: OT Spencer Fano | Utah | 6054/311

In a bit of a pickle at offensive tackle at the moment, and in need of offensive line help in general, the Panthers grab the Utah product. Panthers starting LT Ikem Ekwonu is recovering from a ruptured patella tendon and will almost assuredly not be ready for the start of the season, and could ultimately miss a majority of it. On the other side, Taylor Moton, and the only depth piece was recently signed Stone Forsythe. Carolina is also thin on the inside. Fano is a ridiculous athlete who profiles to have four-position position versatility at the next level.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy | Tennessee | 6006/188

After taking Ohio State LB Sonny Styles above with their own first-round selection, Dallas uses the pick acquired from the Packers in the Micah Parsons trade to add more help to the defensive side of the ball, a unit that buckled without Parsons’ help in 2025.  Following the November trade addition of DL Quinnen Williams, the recent trade for EDGE Rashan Gary, the signing of S Jalen Thompson, and now the additions of Styles and McCoy, Dallas’ defense suddenly doesn’t look so feeble.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | Toledo | 6034/201

The Steelers have made upgrading the secondary an offseason priority, recently signing CBs Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr., and S Darnell Savage. But the Steelers still have a lot of question marks in the safety room—DeShon Elliott is coming off a season-ending knee injury, Jalen Ramsey is entering his first season as a full-time safety at 31 and Savage was a depth signing. McNeil-Warren is a stretched-out box safety with range. He has star potential, and his skill set perfectly compliments Ramsey’s.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Kadyn Proctor | Alabama | 6065/352

The Mekhi Becton signing didn’t work out, but the Chargers could fill the hole in the starting lineup created by his release by selecting a prospect with similar elephantine dimensions in Proctor. There is debate as to whether Proctor—a collegiate left tackle—will be a right tackle or guard at the next level. With the Chargers, he’d begin at guard, but would also provide primo tackle insurance, something Jim Harbaugh surely would appreciate after what he suffered through last season.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE T.J. Parker | Clemson | 6035/263

The Eagles were devastated to lose the bidding war with Carolina to retain EDGE Jaelan Phillips. Philadelphia explored trades for Maxx Crosby, and, more recently, Jonathan Greenard, but, as of this writing, had not consummated one. The Eagles signed EDGE Arnold Ebiketie to a one-year, $4.3 million contract, but that was a depth signing. More legitimate help is needed, and, if the Eagles don’t ultimately make a splashy trade for an edge defender, that’ll likely come via an early pick in April. Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker never really ascended to the superstar status expected of him, and he’s not a freaky athlete. But let’s not toss out the baby with the bathwater: Parker is a two-way defender who pressures the quarterback and defends the run. 

24.  Cleveland Browns: OT Blake Miller | Clemson | 6066/317

As opposed to reaching for QB Ty Simpson, in this slot, Cleveland should keep its eyes on the 2027 quarterback class while continuing to build up its supporting cast. So after selecting an alpha boundary receiver at 1.6 with WR Carnell Tate above, the Browns bolster the offensive line here with Clemson’s Miller, a premium athlete with length who is battle-tested at the highest level of college football.

25. Chicago Bears: WR Denzel Boston | Washington | 6035/212

The Bears reunite Boston with WR Rome Odunze, his former teammate with the Washington Huskies. Boston is a play-now prospect who would step right in to DJ Moore’s vacated spot in the lineup. The big-bodied Odunze/Boston perimeter duo would force defenses to play multiple deep safeties, opening up the kind of intermediate spacing that slot WR Luther Burden and TE Colston Loveland thrive with.

26. Buffalo Bills: EDGE Keldric Faulk | Auburn | 6057/276

Faulk’s stock understandably slipped following a lackluster 2025 season. But he’d be good value here, and he plays the brand of edge defense that the Bills have typically prioritizes—power ends who defend the run. Faulk needs to continue improving as a pass rusher, but he’ll be a value-add to the run defense immediately.

27. San Francisco 49ers: WR Kevin Concepcion | Texas A&M | 5115/196

Even after signing WR Mike Evans, the 49ers still could still use an upgrade in the slot. And long term, this position remains one of San Francisco’s thinnest. Concepcion, an explosive playmaker with inside/outside versatility, would be a really good fit in this offense.

28. Houston Texans: OG Emmanuel Pregnon | Oregon | 6042/314

Houston has a long-standing offensive line problem. But the tackles look set with young LT Aireontae Ersery now joined by free-agent signing RT Braden Smith. The Texans also feel they have one guard spot locked up after giving OG Ed Ingram a long-term deal. The selection of Pregnon would solve the other guard spot. And finally, the unit protecting QB C.J. Stroud would be rounding into shape.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: DL Peter Woods | Clemson | 6024/298

Woods is having a terrible draft process, but he may end up as DL1 by default following Florida DT Caleb Banks’ broken foot at the NFL Scouting Combine. Woods measured in smaller than expected at the combine, and then he posted a middling 74th-percentile size-adjusted athleticism percentile at his pro day—despite hand-selecting his tests, including an extremely rare decision to do the 10-yard-split but not the 40. Either way, Woods moves around well on the field (97th-percentile in-game athleticism), he has a history of being disruptive going back to his true freshman year, and we’ve seen him play extended snaps at 3-tech, nose and EDGE in college—which, while displaying versatility, may not have helped his development. If nothing else, Woods should be a Javon Hargrave-like 3-tech at the next level.

30. Denver: LB Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech | 6013/231

Surprise! The Broncos are starving for help at inside linebacker, and Rodriguez has done enough in the pre-draft process—including a 9.5 RAS—to open up this kind of possibility. Rodriguez, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting last fall, will become a leader of this strong defense very quickly.

31. New England: OT Max Iheanachor | Arizona State | 6057/321

Patriots starting RT Morgan Moses, 35, is nearing the end, and New England’s offensive line depth, generally speaking, is shoddy at the moment. Iheanachor is newer to the sport of football, but the former high school basketball standout has slick feet for a big fella and lots of tools to work with.

32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood | Tennessee | 5115/193

After losing the aforementioned CB Riq Woolen in free agency, the Seahawks are precariously thin at cornerback. Hood is the kind of feisty boundary corner that Seattle likes. Last fall, Hood’s 20 run stops were tops among all draftable corners in the 2026 class.

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