Two Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

My predictions for the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, with lots of trades, top players falling, and a quarterback sneaking into the back end of the first round. This is not necessarily what I would do, but rather what I think will happen 

April 21st, 2026 - Jason Keith

Round 1

1. Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana 

Not much explanation needed here, Mendoza has been the clear favorite for the first overall pick since the college football season ended. Even recently traded for QB Kirk Cousins said he can’t wait to help Mendoza learn, just another signal that he will be taken here. 

2. New York Jets - LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

There’s been a lot of talk about this pick being Reese or David Bailey out of Texas Tech, but I ultimately think the Jets will opt for Reese. He has elite physical traits to be an edge rusher and has a high floor as an off-ball linebacker if it doesn’t work as a full-time pass rusher. 

3. Kansas City Chiefs (via Trade w ARI) - EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

I think Arizona is desperate to move back, and Kansas City needs to add a pass rusher to this defense. They do have a lot of other holes to fill, but think adding Bailey, a proven pass rusher, is an opportunity that Kansas City doesn’t usually have, and they need to take advantage of. 

4. Tennessee Titans - RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

While I am not super high on taking running backs this early, this is a unique draft class where the top players mostly don’t play the highly valued positions. Love is the best player in the class, in my opinion, and the Titans need to help out Cam Ward in any way they can. 

5. New York Giants - S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

I wrestled between Downs and Styles, but ultimately think Downs is a cleaner and higher IQ prospect who Harbaugh will love. They could try to wait until ten to see if Downs falls. I don’t know if they want to miss out on who they see as the future leader of their defense. 

6. Dallas Cowboys (via Trade w CLE) - LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

I think the Cowboys are trying to move up for Styles, and I don’t think Washington would pass up on him if he got to seven. They move up to get a leader on a defense that desperately needs one. The Browns now have three first-round picks, while giving Dallas back their second. 

7. Washington Commanders - WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Commanders quietly have one of the worst receiver rooms in the league, with nothing behind Terry McLaurin. Tate provides them another serious threat for Jayden Daniels after they miss out on their likely top defenders on the board in the two edges, Styles, and Downs.

8. New Orleans Saints - CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Saints need cornerback help, and Delane is the cleanest prospect here due to all the injury concerns around McCoy. I also considered Bain here, but think the arm length could cause him to drop a bit, though I still think he is a high-level prospect. 

9. Arizona Cardinals (via Trade w KC) - OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Cardinals are able to pick up an extra first-round pick while swapping their third for KC’s fourth and still get the right tackle that they desperately need. Mauigoa gets to play his natural right tackle position, and Arizona sets up their next QB with a young, talented tackle duo.

10. New York Giants - WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

While, as a Giants fan, I would love for them to go corner or offensive line here, there has been a ton of speculation around this pick. With Delane gone, I don’t see them taking the risk on McCoy, but I could see them taking Fano or Ioane if they are worried about the offensive line. 

11. Miami Dolphins - EDGE Reuben Bain, Miami

With many of the other top defenders gone, Bain makes a ton of sense as he likely is their top defender on the board, even with his shorter arms. They have a ton of holes to fill, and going with the best player available makes the most sense. 

12. Cleveland Browns (via Trade w DAL) - OT Spencer Fano, Utah

The Browns are rumored to take Freeling at 6th overall, but I think Fano is a much better prospect and has experience on the left side. They still have 20 and 24 to fill other holes, more specifically, wide receiver, but can take a sigh of relief filling out their left tackle spot here. 

13. Los Angeles Rams - WR Makai Lemon, USC

The Rams don’t have a ton of holes to fill, but with the aging and injury-prone Davante Adams, they could look to add another receiver to create one of the best rooms in the league. Lemon could be the long-term pairing with young superstar Puka Nacua.

14. Baltimore Ravens - OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

There is a clear need on the interior of the offensive line for the Ravens, and Ioane is a plug-and-play guard for them. They have been rumored to take Sadiq here as well, but I think Ioane is a better prospect and is a more pressing need to help protect Lamar Jackson.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Trade w TB) - OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

I think the offensive tackle run is about to start, and Pittsburgh wants to get ahead of Detroit and take their long-term answer at left tackle. They give up one of their three third-round picks as well as a Day 3 pick to move up six spots and grab their guy. 

16. New York Jets - CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

With the top three wide receivers taken, I don’t think the Jets force the WR pick with two second-round picks to fill that hole. Instead, they opt for my top corner in McCoy, who gives them a replacement for Sauce Gardner. He has the traits to be an elite cornerback.

17. Detroit Lions - OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

While he is not my highest tackle on the board, I don’t think Proctor gets past the pick unless Freeling or Fano were to somehow fall. Proctor will likely be a guard in my opinion, but Detroit has to take a swing on tackle, and there aren’t a lot of people his size who move the way he does.

18. Minnesota Vikings - S Dillon Thienenman, Oregon

I’ve had this pick in each of my mock drafts, and it makes a ton of sense. The Vikings need a difference maker on the back-end, and he is my top player on the board here. I didn’t find any homes for him before this, so if he’s here, I think that’s Minnesota’s pick. 

19. Carolina Panthers - TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Another pick I love, Carolina needs another weapon, and he is the top weapon on the board. They have Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble there, but I don’t think that would stop them from taking Sadiq, who gives them a high ceiling and a tight end who is a solid blocker as well. 

20 . Cleveland Browns (via Trade w DAL) - WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M 

The Browns already filled their biggest hole at left tackle, but need to find receivers for whoever starts for them at quarterback. While Concepcion isn’t my top receiver available, I think Monken finds his version of Zay Flowers, and Concepcion has a ton of upside.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Trade w PIT) EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

The Buccaneers can trade out of fifteen and take the player I likely would have had them go. They need to add to their pass rush, and despite Mesidor already being twenty-five years old, he has shown a ton of ability to get to the quarterback, and he seems like a safe pick.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - EDGE Keldrick Faulk, Auburn 

The Chargers need to add to a thin pass rush group with an aging Khalil Mack. I think Faulk provides them a solid run defender who can set the edge, with upside as a pass rusher learning from Khalil Mack. I could see them reaching for a guard, but I don’t think it’s worth it this early.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Lane Johnson realistically has one to two seasons left, and Iheanachor has a ton of upside but might not be ready to play just yet. Having him sit behind Johnson and then eventually take over as their right tackle is something the Eagles would do, and I think it would be a smart plan.

24. Cleveland Browns - CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

After filling massive needs at receiver and left tackle, the Browns are able to take one of the top corners in this year's class, who can play either outside or in the slot. I could see them even doubling up on wide receiver in this scenario, but I think Terrell is the smarter pick.

25. Chicago Bears - S Emmanuel McNeil Warren, Toledo 

While there is a massive need on the defensive line, I think the Bears could look to address those needs on Day 2, with there being so much depth at those positions and them having two second-rounders. He is the best player available, and the Bears have said they want to pick that way.

26. Buffalo Bills - EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF 

After trading for DJ Moore, I don’t think that receiver is their top priority, and their pass rush has been a real problem in recent years. Though not my top edge available, Lawrence has been a hot name rising on draft boards, and there are a lot of tools to work with there. 

27. San Francisco 49ers - OT Caleb Lomu, Utah 

Even after resigning Trent Williams, Lomu gives them a developmental future left tackle, who can operate as their swing tackle for the upcoming season. I considered Omar Cooper Jr. here as well, but I think the depth at receiver in this draft causes him to fall.

28. Houston Texans - OT Blake Miller, Clemson 

I could see Houston opting for an interior defender, but they pick again at thirty-eight, and there is a lot more depth at that position than at offensive tackle. Miller has a ton of starts and should come in right away to compete with Braden Smith for the starting right tackle spot.  

29. Arizona Cardinals (via Trade w KC) - QB Ty Simpson, Alabama 

Due to the trade with Kansas City, Arizona doesn’t have to trade back up to take their potential signal-caller for the future. They have been heavily linked to Simpson, and if they don’t trade back, look for them to jump back into round one to grab Simpson for the fifth-year option.

30. Miami Dolphins - WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

After taking Bain with their first of two first-round picks, the Dolphins need to give Malik Willis a weapon. Cooper Jr. has been mocked as high as 16 to the Jets, but I think his value is right around this spot and makes perfect sense for the Dolphins, who have zero receiving threats.

31. New England Patriots - EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson

The Patriots need to add to a pass rush that was their only real defensive weakness last season, and Parker has a ton of upside. Though not my top available edge rusher, I think Vrabel will be able to work with Parker’s tools and get the best out of him. 

32. Seattle Seahawks - CB Chris Johnson, SDSU

I thought about adding an edge rusher here, but I think corner is a more pressing need at the moment, and Johnson is a solid prospect who has been rising up draft boards. I also thought about running back here, but I'm not sure Seattle would take one this early.

Round 2

33. New York Jets - WR Denzel Boston, Washington

After grabbing a pass rusher and a corner with their first two picks, I think it’s time for the Jets to find a receiver to help out Garrett Wilson. I did consider CJ Allen here as the best player available, but there is a drop-off at wide receiver after Boston. 

34. Arizona Cardinals - CJ Allen, Georgia 

The Cardinals found their franchise quarterback as well as his right tackle; now it’s time to address the defense with a leader in the middle of their defense. I considered edge rusher here, but Allen falling this far made this choice a bit easier. 

35. Tennessee Titans - OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Outside of Peter Skoronski, the Titans' interior offensive line is a mess. They just drafted Jeremiyah Love. I think they need to find someone to help block for him to make the pick worth it. Pregnon is my top guard available, and I think he will be the second pure guard to go.

36. Las Vegas Raiders - DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

The Raiders could use a receiver, but with the top six gone, I think they will wait until their later picks to address that need. McDonald is a player who could very well go in the first round, so getting him at the top of the second fills a huge need for the Raiders at good value. 

37. New York Giants - DL Caleb Banks, Florida

Though this doesn’t replace Dexter Lawrence, there is a clear hole in the middle of their defense. Banks is my top-rated interior defensive linemen, but I think the injury concerns will cause him to fall a bit. That being said, I think he’ll come off the board early in round two.

38. Houston Texans - DL Peter Woods, Clemson

The Texans could very well go interior defensive line in round one, but I think this part of the draft is where many of those guys go, and they would be smart to address the offensive line in round one. Woods is another guy who could go on day one, good value for Houston.

39. Dallas Cowboys (via trade CLE) - EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Dallas traded up for Sonny Styles, which should help their defense, but the pass rush still needs some work done to it. Howell was one of the most productive pass rushers last season, but due to his historically short arms, he’ll likely fall to day two. 

40. Kansas City Chiefs - CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

The Chiefs traded up for pass rusher David Bailey, but still have a huge hole at cornerback. Hood has been mocked in the first round a ton, even to the Chiefs at twenty-nine. I think coming away with Bailey and Hood with their first two picks is a massive win for Kansas City.

41. Cincinnati Bengals - OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

After trading for Dexter Lawrence, I think this is a good spot for the Bengals to look to try to protect Joe Burrow. Rutledge has been a hot name as of late, and I think he would come in and be a day-one starter for a Cincinnati offensive line that needs improvement. 

42. New Orleans Saints - EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

The Saints went corner in round one, and will continue to add to their defense. Young gives them a relentless run defender with some upside as a pass rusher. I did strongly consider wide receiver here, but think the best value was at the edge rusher position.

43. Miami Dolphins - CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana 

Another Indiana guy for the Dolphins, who already grabbed a pass rusher and wide receiver in round one. I think Ponds is the best corner available, and Hafley loves to run zone, where Ponds excelled at Indiana. The Dolphins desperately need to add to their secondary.

44. New York Jets - OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

The Jets have already gone linebacker/edge, corner, and wide receiver. They lost Alijah Vera Tucker in free agency and have a clear hole there. Bisontis could come in right away and compete for the left guard position. A great haul for New York with their first four picks.

45. Baltimore Ravens - WR Chris Bell, Louisville

There is a lot of talk about Baltimore taking a weapon in the first round, and while I would be surprised if they did that, it doesn’t change the fact that a playmaker is a need. I could see them taking a tight end here, but I think Bell gives them a true threat on the perimeter. 

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

The Buccaneers double down on defense after trading back and selecting Mesidor at twenty-one. Here, they address the other massive need for their defense. Cisse gives them a potential outside corner to try and replace Jamel Dean. He is a high-risk, high-reward draft pick.

47. Indianapolis Colts - EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

The Colts have a major need at edge rusher opposite of Latu. Thomas is a pure speed rusher and brings a different element than they have with Latu. I thought about going secondary here, but a lot of the corners are gone, and it is a deep safety class; they can address those needs later on.

48. Atlanta Falcons - DL Christen Miller, Georgia

Miller is a fantastic run defender and could go much earlier than this, but with him on the board, I don’t think Atlanta would pass on him. I think he is a perfect fit for their defense and is my top player left on the board by a wide margin. Atlanta bolsters a weak defensive line.

49. Minnesota Vikings - RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

If Price were to fall to forty-nine, I don’t think the Vikings would hesitate to put his card in. They have Jones, who is aging, and Jordan Mason, neither of whom should stop them from picking Price. Theinenmen and Price would be a very strong start to the Vikings' draft class.

50. Detroit Lions - LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

Detroit already picked up who they projected as their other starting offensive tackle, but they need off-ball linebacker help next to Jack Campbell. Rodriguez feels like a perfect fit for Dan Campbell and was one of the most productive players in all of college football last season.

51. Carolina Panthers - S Treydan Stukes, Arizona 

After taking Sadiq in the first round, Carolina addresses a huge need in their safety room. They have Moehrig, who is more of a box safety, but Stukes can give them more of a high coverage safety. He's got tons of range and great ball skills that the Panthers back-end desperately needs.  

52. Green Bay Packers - CB Keionte Scott, Miami

The Packers' cornerbacks leave a lot to be desired. Scott projects more as a slot cornerback, but is likely going to go in the second, maybe third round. I thought about going with Anthony Hill here, but corner is a more pressing need, and I think that’s what they address first. 

53. Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

The Steelers traded up for their left tackle in round one, and even after adding Michael Pittman through trade, I think they need a reliable route runner on the inside. Bernard isn’t super flashy, but he is a good route runner with reliable hands. I think he fits perfectly in Pittsburgh.

54. Philadelphia Eagles - WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss 

The Eagles are rumored to be trading AJ Brown to the Patriots at the start of the new league year, so taking a wide receiver in the first two days makes a ton of sense. They already took their future tackle prospect, so adding a tall deep threat to try and replace Brown makes sense. 

55. Los Angeles Chargers - DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

The Chargers went edge in round one and desperately need to add a guard, but with Pregnon, Bisontis, and Rutledge all gone, I don’t think it is worth reaching for one here. Instead, continue to build up your defensive line with Hunter, who was very productive at Texas Tech last year. 

56. Jacksonville Jaguars - LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Losing Devin Lloyd in free agency was a massive loss for their defense, and I don’t think Hill can completely replace him, but there is a clear need at off ball linebacker and Hill can fill that void. A very athletic linebacker who has a ton of upside, but not the cleanest prospect. 

57. Chicago Bears - EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois 

After opting for the best player available in round one, Chicago fills a void on their defense by addressing the pass rush. Jacas is a pure pass rusher and needs to improve against the run, but he finds a way to get to the quarterback, something the Bears desperately need.

58. San Francisco 49ers - WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

After addressing the offensive line in round one, San Francisco looks to add to an older wide receiver room. Brazzell II has great size and speed for the position, but lacks a ton of polish. He can learn behind Mike Evans and become an instant deep threat for the 49ers in the meantime. 

59. Houston Texans - TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

The Texans addressed both the offensive and defensive lines with their first two picks, adding a playmaker feels like the next step here for Houston. Stowers gives them a big-slot type tight end with a ton of upside to be a long-term replacement behind Dalton Schultz. 

60. Chicago Bears - CB Daylen Everette, Georgia 

The Bears continue to add to their defense, this time with an outside cornerback. Everette has all the measurables and athleticism, but is not the most polished prospect. That being said, I think he fits perfectly on a defense that needs to upgrade in the secondary.

61. Los Angeles Rams - LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati 

The Rams don’t have a ton of needs, and after taking Lemon with their first-round pick, the only hole I am seeing is in their off-ball linebacker room. This is about where I think Golday should end up, and the Rams need a linebacker, which makes this a perfect match.

62. Denver Broncos - EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan

I think Moore should end up in the back-end of the second round, and Denver needs to add to their edge rusher room. I could see Denver looking to add a tight end, but with the depth of that position, and Stowers and Sadiq being gone, I think they address that later on. 

63. New England Patriots - S AJ Haulcy, LSU

The Patriots are rumored to be getting AJ Brown, so no need to force a wide receiver pick here. There aren’t any offensive linemen prospects worth taking still on the board, so taking Haulcy, who fills a position of need and will likely start for them in year one, makes sense.

64. Seattle Seahawks - Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

The Seahawks have a massive hole at running back after losing Walker in free agency and Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL. I could see them trying to move up into the second round to grab Price, but if not, they should take their top running back with their second pick.