Graphic featuring the title 'Mock Draft II 2026' over an image of a football player in action, with the text 'new year, new mock' at the bottom.

You know what you got for Christmas. You know what you want in the 2026 draft. It’s New Year’s Day. And that means it’s time for NFL teams to reload, refurbish, or totally overhaul their roster. And the 2026 class, has plenty of options to do that.

Even if it is a weaker QB class, the wide-receiver group has a top-end with talent to spare. We are looking at a strong tackle class as well. But let’s not mistake it, this is another standout draft on the defensive side of the ball. Top tier players from Ohio State’s defense like Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese headline. Texas Tech’s defense that just pillaged the NCAA is sending up several of its biggest stars, starting with David Bailey. And once Miami is through plowing through the CFB playoffs, their single biggest star, Rueben Bain, will be headed to the NFL.

This is CutCall‘s Mock Draft 2.0 — the post-trade-deadline edition. Full positional boards and top-five rankings for every spot are available on CutCall’s rankings.

Fernando Mendoza
1
LVR
Fernando Mendoza | QB
Blue
School banner
The Raiders are in dire need of a new direction. And with the first overall pick they re-author their franchise by taking Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. Equal parts cool and accurate, Mendoza racked up wins in Bloomington, and helped turn the program around. The fans and ownership hope he has the same effect on their franchise.
Team needs: QB, IDL, OT, S, LB

Rueben Bain
2
NYG
Rueben Bain | EDGE
Blue
School banner
The Giants can’t turn up a pass rusher. So you know they can’t turn up Rueben Bain. Miami’s monster is having a season to remember, and would give the Giants free reign to move on
from Kavon Thibodeaux and improve their front in the process. Bain brings full-time four-wheel drive, power, and a plan.
Team needs: IOL, IDL, WR, LB

Dante Moore
3
NYJ
Dante Moore | QB
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Even if the Jets didn’t have a talent like Dante Moore drop into their laps, they would be duty bound to take a quarterback. After failed draft picks and failed experiments at the most critical position, Moore would be an upgrade. He has a lightning quick release and accuracy to all fields, as well as command of the offense.
Team needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL

Jordyn Tyson
4
TEN
Jordyn Tyson | WR
Blue
School banner
There is no getting around the Titans WR group. And for Cam Ward to grow, they need to pay their QB investment off with a WR. And Jordan Tyson is the most phenomenal talent at the position the year has. He can play across the field, threaten all quarters, win before and after the catch. Outside of injury history, his prospect record is impeccable.
Team needs: RB, EDGE, OT, LB, WR

Spencer Fano
5
ARZ
Spencer Fano | OT
Blue
School banner
The Arizona Cardinals could stand to upgrade along their line, and Spencer Fano would be the best option in the draft. Utah’s RT is a technician and terrific athlete who’ll fit Drew Petzing’s outside-zone/play action scheme to a tee. With run blocking chops at the top of the class and some of the most balanced pass protection tape you’ll find, he is an easy addition.
Team needs: EDGE, CB, OT, WR

Ty Simpson
6
CLE
Ty Simpson | QB
Blue
School banner
The Cleveland Browns have an answer for their QB room ready made in Ty Simpson, who might be the best QB in the class all said and done (we have him graded the highest). He is a high IQ gunslinger, with elite accuracy and underrated movement skills, in and out of the pocket. Simpson can run an offense now, while he grows.
Team needs: QB, LT, WR, IDL, TE

Makai Lemon
7
WAS
Makai Lemon | WR
Red
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The Washington Commanders offense needs gas. And Makai Lemon is the kind of playmaking slot to bring it. Coming in from Lincoln Riley’s USC machine, there won’t be a ton lost in translation to young WR. And his ability to create yardage on screens, as well as find grass and win man to man, are staples of what Washington is trying to get done on offense.
Team needs: RB, LB, CB, WR, S

Carnell Tate
8
NOS
Carnell Tate | WR
Blue
School banner
The Saints need to re-up their passing game, and Carnell Tate gives them a long-term answer at receiver. With Chris Olave locked into a contract but rarely healthy, New Orleans needs another true difference-maker to support rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Tate brings polish, body control, and reliable separation ability, giving the Saints a receiver who can win at all three levels and stabilize the offense.
Team needs: WR, EDGE, CB, IDL

Jeremiyah Love
9
KCC
Jeremiyah Love | RB
Red
School banner
Kansas City’s offense has become overly dependent on Patrick Mahomes creating outside of structure. Jeremiyah Love helps diversify the attack. He’s a dynamic runner with burst, vision, and receiving ability, giving Andy Reid a weapon who can stress defenses horizontally and vertically while taking pressure off Mahomes to do everything himself.
Team needs: OT, WR, IOL, RB

David Bailey
10
CIN
David Bailey | EDGE
Blue
School banner
The Bengals’ defense has quietly become one of the league’s biggest liabilities. David Bailey brings immediate juice to a front that struggles to disrupt games. He plays with urgency, length, and violence, offering Cincinnati a pass rusher who can change downs and give their offense more favorable game scripts.
Team needs: EDGE, CB, LB, IOL, OT

Mansoor Delane
11
MIA
Mansoor Delane | CB
Blue
School banner
Miami’s pass defense has sprung too many leaks, and Mansoor Delane gives them a stabilizing presence on the back end. Delane is a smooth, disciplined cover defender with range and ball skills, capable of matching up across alignments. He fits a Dolphins defense that needs reliability just as much as splash plays.
Team needs: WR, EDGE, CB, S

Francis Mauigoa
12
LAR
Francis Mauigoa | OT
Blue
School banner
Protection remains a core issue for the Rams, and Francis Mauigoa is a direct answer. He brings size, power, and composure to the edge, with the ability to hold up against speed and anchor versus power. Mauigoa gives Los Angeles a building block as they continue reshaping the offense around their quarterback.
Team needs: WR, OT, LB, QB

Arvell Reese
13
TBB
Arvell Reese | LB
Blue
School banner
The Buccaneers take the best player available in Arvell Reese, a versatile defender who fills multiple needs. Reese can rush, drop, and flow to the football, giving Tampa Bay flexibility in how they deploy him. While edge help is a priority, Reese’s all-around skill set makes him a foundational defensive piece.
Team needs: EDGE, LB, CB, IOL, TE

Jermod McCoy
14
DAL
Jermod McCoy | CB
Red
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After releasing Trevon Diggs and trading Micah Parsons, the Cowboys need to reassert their defensive identity. Jermod McCoy brings high-end coverage ability and competitive toughness to the secondary. Jerry Jones prides himself on sporting a defense, and McCoy is the type of corner who restores credibility on the outside.
Team needs: RB, OT, IDL, WR

Peter Woods
15
DET
Peter Woods | IDL
Red
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Detroit could look elsewhere, but Peter Woods is simply too good to pass up. Woods adds interior disruption and rare power, stacking perfectly with Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill up front. He gives the Lions a defensive line that can overwhelm protections and dictate games from the trenches.
Team needs: EDGE, CB, WR, OT

Keldric Faulk
16
BAL
Keldric Faulk | EDGE
Red
School banner
The Ravens continue to build through the front by adding Keldric Faulk. A powerful interior presence, Faulk fits Baltimore’s odd-front 3–4 scheme and brings the ability to control gaps and collapse pockets. He gives the Ravens another tone-setter in a defense built on physicality.
Team needs: OT, IOL, EDGE, WR, RB

Combine Results

Official 2026 NFL Combine measurables and testing results, organized by position for…
Draft Wire