Defense dominates top half of first round, but then offensive linemen fly off the board
By Pete Prisco Apr 6, 2026 at 8:27 am ET • 1 min read 
Imagn Images We are just a little over two weeks away from the NFL Draft, which means mock season is coming to end.
I bet you are glad it is -- even if you eat them up. Let's get to the real thing, right? Enough of fantasyland.
But say what you want about the value of mocks, fans and media members and networks and producers of shows on those networks, like our CBS shows, love them. You can't get enough.
So here I go with Mock. 2.0. There is some change here from my first mock, but there are players in the same spots. Pro day workouts do not change my evaluations of players, nor should they yours. It's always about the tape.
This mock features more offensive tackles going off the board in the first round than my last mock. That's because of the axiom I would live by if I were a general manager: There are only so many big people on the planet who can play offensive line -- and even that's debatable by some of the line play we see these days. So this is a mock heavy on the big fellas.
There are two more mocks to go for me, one is "The who-they-should-take mock" coming in two weeks and then my final predictive mock.
Then it's over. And these mocks will be useless again, even if they do cause a whole lot of rage by some of you out there.
This will be no different.
NFL Mock DraftRound 1 Round 1 - Pick 1
Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana • Jr • 6'5" / 236 lbs Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PAYDS 3535 RUYDS 276 INTS 6 TDS 48 The idea that he isn't the best quarterback in this class is misguided. He will -- and should -- be the pick by the Raiders. Round 1 - Pick 2 
Arvell Reese EDGE Ohio State • Jr • 6'4" / 243 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 2nd Ok, so maybe his pro day workout wasn't great. But his tape is impressive. You don't draft off pro days. Round 1 - Pick 3 
Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'2" / 263 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st They have to get better on defense and Bain will help make that possible. He would join Josh Sweat to give them a nice pass-rush group. Round 1 - Pick 4 
David Bailey EDGE Texas Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 250 lbs Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 3rd They have three really good players up front, so why not add another speed rusher? Bailey isn't great against the run, but he has the explosive ability off the edge. Round 1 - Pick 5 
Sonny Styles LB Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 243 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 1st John Harbaugh loves having a playmaking middle linebacker on his defense. Styles is that and more. As a converted safety, he can really run. Round 1 - Pick 6 
Monroe Freeling OT Georgia • Jr • 6'7" / 315 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 52nd POSITION RNK 7th This is high for him in my book, but there are lot of teams that like him. The Browns need a left tackle for the long run and he could be that guy. Round 1 - Pick 7 
Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 214 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 1st RUYDS 1372 YDS/ATT 6.9 REYDS 280 TDS 21 They've added to their defense in free agency, which they needed to do, so why not take a playmaking running back to help the offense? Love has the explosive speed to turn short runs into home run touchdowns. Round 1 - Pick 8 
Carnell Tate WR Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 192 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 2nd REC 51 REYDS 875 YDS/REC 17.2 TDS 9 This would be continuing to build around Tyler Shough. They need a receiver to go with Chris Olave, so taking Tate works. Round 1 - Pick 9 
Mansoor Delane CB LSU • Sr • 6'0" / 187 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 3rd They have a glaring need at corner and Delane would be an immediate starter. They could go receiver here, but I think this is a must for them in the first round. Round 1 - Pick 10 
Caleb Downs S Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 205 lbs Projected Team Cincinnati PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 1st They need playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. He has range to allow him to do a lot of things in their defense. Round 1 - Pick 11 
Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee • Jr • 6'1" / 188 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 1st He is coming off a torn ACL, but he is back running and should be ready for the season. They have a messy corner room, so they need a guy who can step in and give them a true No. 1 corner. Round 1 - Pick 12 
R Mason Thomas DL Oklahoma • Sr • 6'2" / 241 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 41st POSITION RNK 6th I am sticking with this pick. With the two top corners off the board, it just works. Thomas is an ideal fit in their scheme. He will go higher than the draft cult thinks. Teams love him. From Atlanta Falcons Round 1 - Pick 13 
Spencer Fano OT Utah • Jr • 6'6" / 311 lbs Projected Team L.A. Rams PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 2nd Are they convinced their line is a finished product? I don't think so. So it makes sense to take a player in Fano who can play guard or tackle or maybe even center. Round 1 - Pick 14 
Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'6" / 329 lbs Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 4th He has played right tackle but has the look of a dominating guard. They have had great success moving college tackles inside to guard over the years with guys like Marshal Yanda. Round 1 - Pick 15 
Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Sr • 6'3" / 259 lbs Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 5th They have to get more pressure on the quarterback. He is an older player at 25, but that shouldn't matter to a team that needs help now. From Indianapolis Colts Round 1 - Pick 16 
Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State • Jr • 6'2" / 203 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 1st REC 61 REYDS 711 YDS/REC 11.7 TDS 9 They need to get somebody to play opposite Garrett Wilson. Tyson has played inside and outside in his career. When he's on the field -- and he missed time the past two seasons -- he might be the best receiver in this class. Round 1 - Pick 17 
Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State • Jr • 6'4" / 323 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 1st Their revamped line needs a mauler inside to help the run game, which keys the offense for this team. Ioane is the most complete guard in this draft. Round 1 - Pick 18 
Peter Woods DL Clemson • Jr • 6'3" / 298 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 1st The interior of their defensive line needs a boost after they let go of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Woods was dominant in 2024, but his play tailed off some last year. The talent is there. Round 1 - Pick 19 
Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon • Jr • 6'3" / 241 lbs Projected Team Carolina PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 1st REC 51 REYDS 560 YDS/REC 11 TDS 8 A playmaking tight end for Bryce Young would be a nice addition to the offense. They could also look at a receiver in this spot. Helping the offense is a must. From Green Bay Packers Round 1 - Pick 20 
Avieon Terrell CB Clemson • Jr • 5'11" / 180 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 2nd After getting an edge player with their first pick, they come back and add a corner with their second. They could consider linebacker here as well, but the corner position is more valuable. Round 1 - Pick 21 
Emmanuel Pregnon IOL Oregon • Sr • 6'4" / 314 lbs Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 51st POSITION RNK 5th They could possibly take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in this spot, but they should wait until next year to get one. Pregnon is a plug-and-play at left guard. Round 1 - Pick 22 
Caleb Banks DL Florida • Sr • 6'6" / 327 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 46th POSITION RNK 6th Adding him to Jamaree Caldwell would give them a nice, young inside duo. Banks just has to stay on the field since injuries have slowed his career. Round 1 - Pick 23 
Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State • Sr • 6'6" / 321 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 6th He is a raw player who could take a little time, but the tools are there. He would be the replacement when Lane Johnson retires. From Jacksonville Jaguars Round 1 - Pick 24 
Ty Simpson QB Alabama • Jr • 6'1" / 211 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 2nd PAYDS 3567 RUYDS 93 INTS 5 TDS 30 Their quarterback room isn't good right now, so why not add to it? They can wait until next year, but with a new coach in Todd Monken this works. Round 1 - Pick 25 
Blake Miller OT Clemson • Sr • 6'7" / 317 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 5th The left tackle spot is a concern and Miller has the tools to step in and play right away. They could also consider defensive tackle here. Round 1 - Pick 26 
Malachi Lawrence LB UCF • Sr • 6'4" / 253 lbs Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK 58th POSITION RNK 7th They need a young edge player to come in and supplement what they have there. Bradley Chubb isn't a kid, and they are seemingly in never-ending pursuit of speed off the edge. Round 1 - Pick 27 
Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 352 lbs Projected Team San Francisco PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 1st When focused, he is dominant. Spending a year learning from Trent Williams will really help his game. He just needs more from a play-to-play standpoint. Round 1 - Pick 28 
Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 326 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 3rd Adding to a dominant defense would seem strange, but they need some more help inside. McDonald is a power player who would be a nice addition to their defense. From Los Angeles Rams Round 1 - Pick 29 
Makai Lemon WR USC • Jr • 5'11" / 192 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 4th REC 79 REYDS 1156 YDS/REC 14.6 TDS 13 They need to get some juice on the offense and this kid can help with that. The Chiefs could also consider more defensive help. From Denver Broncos Round 1 - Pick 30 
Dillon Thieneman S Oregon • Soph • 6'0" / 201 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 35th POSITION RNK 3rd They get a corner with their first pick and follow that up with a rangy safety. Thieneman will excel in their scheme with his range. Receiver is in play here too. Round 1 - Pick 31 
Zion Young EDGE Missouri • Sr • 6'6" / 262 lbs Projected Team New England PROSPECT RNK 76th POSITION RNK 11th They need to get pass-rush help in the worst way. Taking Young would help fill what is a major need. They could consider receiver here as well. Round 1 - Pick 32 
Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M • Sr • 6'3" / 253 lbs Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 4th They lost Boye Mafe, one of their rotational pieces, to the Bengals in free agency, so they need more help. They won the Super Bowl because of their front. They could also consider a back here, but I think they wait. Join the Conversation comments 
