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While the 2026 NFL Draft is still more than two weeks away, the league’s 32 teams have most of their pre-event evaluations in the barn – pro day season completing another important part of the process. And while prospects can continue visiting the clubs through April 15, front offices are already finalizing their big boards.
That’s not to say there isn’t work left to be done, especially on the contingency planning front.
Many general managers like to wargame various draft scenarios as well as mulling prospective incoming or outgoing offers and how trades could alter their approach to the next aspect of roster building. And while it’s generally unlikely that any more Round 1 pick swaps will occur before the Raiders go on the clock April 23, you can bet more will materialize once names start to get called in Pittsburgh.
With the art of the deal in mind, USA TODAY Sports’ latest mock draft builds in some reasonably likely trade scenarios into this first-round projection:
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
He put a nice exclamation point on his college career as the Hoosiers wrapped up pro day season last week. There’s no doubt that national championship-winning Heisman Trophy winner will be the Silver and Black’s choice to resurrect their franchise – though he may not have to try and do it right away now that Kirk Cousins has joined the fold in Sin City.
2. New York Jets – OLB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Plenty of good players to choose from here but going with a potentially dominant pass rusher seems like the right intersection of value and talent – and perhaps no one in this draft has a higher upside than Reese, who won’t be 21 until August. He played off the ball more than he did on the edge in Columbus, but the rebuilding Jets could ease him in as a pressure player while also deploying him at the second level as he matures and progresses. A team that’s at least a few years away doesn’t need Reese to be a finished product in 2026.
3. Dallas Cowboys [Proposed trade from Arizona Cardinals] – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Could a team that quite clearly missed Micah Parsons in 2025 … trade up for a player who might be able to replicate some of his lost production? Moving up to this spot would almost certainly require both of Dallas’ first-round picks this year, but owner Jerry Jones fueled pre-draft trade speculation – as he does – at the recently completed league meetings by saying, "I've looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things. And absolutely, we'll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player."
Bailey, a Stanford grad, came into his own with the Big 12 champion Red Raiders in 2025, tying for first in the FBS with 14½ sacks while leading the field with a 20.2% pressure rate and mixing in 19½ tackles for losses. Bailey is scheme diverse, which could also be a boon for a team switching to a 3-4 front – which might not be ideal for incumbent Donovan Ezeiruaku, who’s also coming off hip surgery.
4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
What’s the best way to advance the development of QB Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 overall pick? How about giving him a player perhaps adjacent to Saquon Barkley or Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs in terms of game-breaking ability and versatility? Love is an every-down back, one who’s averaged 6.9 yards per carry and caught 55 passes over the past two seasons. The Titans could keep his usage in check as a rookie with RB Tony Pollard under contract for one more season. But pairing Love and Ward could potentially create an offense primed to surge ticket sales when the Titans move into their new stadium in 2027.
5. New York Giants – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Is Downs the best defender in this draft? Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field − a skill set Kyle Hamilton provided new coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore? Yep. Yet Downs' ability to anticipate and read the field and ability to play chess in real time could really render him a professional game changer at a position that normally isn't drafted this highly.
6. Cleveland Browns – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
“I don’t know that we’re going to be picking six,” GM Andrew Berry said recently, an indication he’d love to trade down again as he did last year – so stay tuned. But Tate, who averaged more than 17 yards per catch last season for the Buckeyes, would be a nice fit in a stick-and-pick scenario given the need to expand QB Shedeur Sanders’ options – or are they Deshaun Watson’s options? – as this organization continues to build out its roster … while hoping to find an answer behind center that may or may not come this year.
7. Washington Commanders LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
He’s widely compared to Fred Warner, whom GM Adam Peters helped bring to San Francisco. Yet, in addition to being a cerebral player, Styles is a luminary athlete who could assume the role in the middle of Washington’s defense given ILB Bobby Wagner has not re-signed – and neither recently signed Leo Chenal nor Frankie Luvu, who’s under contract for one more year, seem like ideal fits to fill his void.
8. Cardinals [Proposed trade from New Orleans Saints via Cowboys] – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Admittedly, we have Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort doing the move-back-move-back-up pattern he pulled off so deftly as the first round of the 2023 draft unfolded. In this scenario, the Cards drop from third to 12th with Dallas but then elevate back to eighth – probably at the cost of a Round 1 flip plus a third-rounder – to get Mauigoa, who would fill a gaping need at right tackle as Ossenfort builds the infrastructure for whomever is his next QB1 following the departure of Kyler Murray.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
You can bet they’d like to get their hooks into Mauigoa, too, which is why a tackle-needy team like Arizona might have to make a move to obtain him earlier than ninth. But Proctor’s performance at the Tide’s pro day, when he was clearly in optimal shape, helped showcase the kind of player and athlete he can be – which is to say one who could very nicely safeguard K.C. QB Patrick Mahomes as he returns from ACL surgery and a season when he was too often running for his life. And, yes, Proctor, played left tackle exclusively in Tuscaloosa, but he and 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons can sort that out – and Simmons manned the right side for part of his college career.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Any number of directions this team could go. But after revamping the defense in free agency, the best play might be simply getting this year’s best interior blocker in a bid to better cocoon QB Joe Burrow, who’s only played two full seasons during his six-year career – a pretty good indication he still requires better protection.
11. Miami Dolphins – WR Makai Lemon, USC
WR Jaylen Waddle's departure leaves a massive hole in the Fins’ passing game. Lemon would have been worthy of consideration here on merit after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs during his final college season. A slot machine extraordinaire, he’d immediately provide new Miami QB Malik Willis with a high-volume target – and, given the widespread comparisons Lemon draws to fellow former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown, might also be the kind of culture influencer a rebuilding organization badly needs.
12. Saints [Proposed trade from Cowboys via Cardinals] – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
They may be closer to contending than you might think – but no reason that GM Mickey Loomis shouldn’t attempt to accrue more picks for a roster that’s suddenly getting much younger. With a huge need at corner following the departure of Alontae Taylor, the Saints could solve it by bringing in a guy who's right up the road. Almost certainly the premier corner available this year, the 6-foot, 187-pound All-America has lockdown ability and might even be able to eat up some of Taylor's snaps in the slot – though Delane was rarely used there at Virginia Tech and LSU.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers [Proposed trade from Atlanta Falcons via Los Angeles Rams] – OL Spencer Fano, Utah
A team that’s proven more aggressive on the personnel front in recent years continues to be in a position of trying to thread the needle between winning with presumptive QB1 Aaron Rodgers – right? – and whoever follows him in the near-term future. Fano was a standout tackle in college and could still be in the NFL, but his shorter arms seem to suit him more for guard or center. Regardless, Rodgers, the next guy and the running game could use one more elite blocker as this organization strives to get out of the playoff friend zone.
14. Baltimore Ravens – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Picking Bain, who most certainly plays like a Raven − short arms and all − would allow for an alternate fulfillment of GM Eric DeCosta’s alleged plan to pair Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby before Baltimore backed out on its trade with the Raiders for the latter. Bain's T-rex limbs didn’t stop him from being extremely productive – often against NFL-caliber offensive tackles – for the ‘Canes. He bulled his way to 9½ sacks and 15½ TFLs last season and was a menace during the College Football Playoff.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The 4.37 40-yard dash he ran at the Vols’ pro day was a great sign he could be all the way back after missing last season with a torn ACL – and McCoy might be this draft’s top corner if not for the injury. He might also be a steal at this spot for the Bucs, who just lost topflight CB Jamel Deal during free agency.
16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
New York still doesn’t have a proven wide receiver beyond Garrett Wilson. With the pick obtained in last year’s trade of CB Sauce Gardner, the Jets must continue to refurbish a talent base with which to surround its next potential franchise quarterback – who probably won’t arrive before 2027. The Jets got very little production from the wideout position in 2025 for a variety of reasons, including Wilson missing 10 games. Tyson could be this draft’s top wideout based on pure talent, but a litany of injuries in college are a collective red flag.
17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The 21-year-old may be the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft, and his potential was evident during the scouting combine’s on-field drills. But with only 16 college starts, he’d have to get up to speed quickly in order to fill in for departed Taylor Decker immediately. But, don’t forget, the Lions plucked starting RG Tate Ratledge out of Athens a year ago. Detroit could also move RT Penei Sewell to QB Jared Goff’s blind side and let Freeling adapt to the right side.
18. Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
With Harrison Smith's future in doubt, Thieneman would make sense as both a short- and long-term solution. One of the combine's standouts, the Ducks All-American is a rangy player who can be weaponized all over the field.
19. Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
The first tight end in combine history to record a sub-4.4 40, Sadiq, who also had a 43½-inch vert, certainly made some money in Indianapolis. And maybe he gest paid in Charlotte, where the Panthers haven't gotten much from their tight ends in recent seasons.
20. Cardinals [Proposed trade from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys] – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Could Arizona be the team that comes up for the highly scrutinized ‘Bama quarterback, though Simpson is still widely regarded as this draft’s clear-cut No. 2 passer? It could make sense given veteran Jacoby Brissett remains in place as an ideal bridge option. And for anyone infatuated with the sterling tape Simpson compiled – in the first part of last season anyway – he could be a steal, especially at a time when clubs are more comfortable pivoting from Round 1 QBs anyway. Though Simpson only started for one season, he did throw (473) and complete (305) more passes than anyone in the SEC last year, so he did pack a fair amount of experience into 2025.
21. Rams [Proposed trade from Steelers] – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
L.A. has been mulling a reimagined receiver room, even coveting Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown, per reports, and amid coach Sean McVay’s recent admission that incumbent WR2 Davante Adams had been on the trade block. Puka Nacua’s entry into rehab further muddies the picture. Boston (6-4, 212) is the kind of supersized red-zone target (20 TD catches since 2024) and boundary receiver who could provide an easy transition from Adams while perfectly complementing Nacua, who will presumably be ready to go when the season starts.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
OLBs Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu aren’t under contract beyond 2026, and Mack, 35, played the second-fewest snaps of his illustrious career last season. Yes, Mesidor will be 25 by draft night, but he can also provide instant production and snap relief – for a team that should be an instant contender and is in win-now mode – after leading the ACC with 12½ sacks in 2025, including 5½ in the CFP.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Will Philly move on from Brown in June, when the salary cap ramifications of dealing him (and his contract) ease? Whatever EVP/GM Howie Roseman does in the draft could be a huge tell – especially if he chooses a tough, productive, shifty guy like Cooper, Mendoza’s preferred target at IU.
24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
A two-year starter at left tackle for the Utes, he’ll need to get a little stronger in the NFL. But Lomu could also nicely provide the final piece to Cleveland’s recently overhauled offensive line.
25. Chicago Bears – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Need a Monster of the Midway? How about a 6-foot-4, 200-pound DB with a penchant for big hits and finding the ball? And it certainly seems like the Bears could use one with All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leaving the back line during free agency. McNeil-Warren and recently signed Coby Bryant could equate to a nice recovery plan.
26. Buffalo Bills – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
An intriguing gem in need of some polish, Faulk can bolster an area of concern given the Bills’ wideout issue seems solved by the trade for DJ Moore. Faulk should be a three-down player who can kick inside on passing downs. He also has a reputation as being an excellent locker-room presence, always a huge bonus.
27. San Francisco 49ers – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson
A 6-foot-4, 263-pounder who had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2024, Parker would be a nice addition to a defense that values depth along its front – and needs it with DEs Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams on the road to recovery from 2025 knee injuries.
28. Raiders [Proposed trade from Houston Texans] – OT Blake Miller, Clemson
The Crosby trade fell through, but Las Vegas wouldn’t have to spend too much to get back into the first round – a fourth-rounder and maybe some extra sugar in this scenario could get the Silver and Black up from the 36th spot in a bid to get Mendoza and Cousins more quality protection given Miller, an All-ACC right tackle, might be too good to pass up.
29. Chiefs (from Rams) – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
K.C. needs to replenish its corners after losing starters Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams. Terrell, the brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell, may not be McDuffie, but he can play out wide or in the slot like the departed All-Pro did for the Chiefs.
30. Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Miami has very few positions with answers, and corner is among the most unsettled. But a second-team All-SEC performer like Hood could be a nice start for a team that will be regularly combatting MVP-caliber passers like Josh Allen and Drake Maye within the AFC East.
31. New England Patriots – DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
They got run over in the Super Bowl, then lost Khyiris Tonga during free agency. McDonald, who can do more than just eat up blocks and plug gaps, could help Milton Williams and Christian Barmore anchor the front here.
32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
While they would have liked to retain Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, other priorities – like re-signing WR/KR Rashid Shaheed – took precedence. But Seattle doesn’t have the luxury of standing pat in the run game, either, given RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January. Price is a slasher who starred in a timeshare with Love at Notre Dame and could nicely fill Walker’s role – maybe one of Shaheed’s, too, if the Seahawks opt to make him a bigger part of the offense in 2026. And it does make sense to get a back in Round 1 and the option of a fifth year of contractual control if he pans out.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades put Ty Simpson in first round, help Cowboys
