Happy NFL Draft weekend everybody! This is the last, 2026 NFL mock draft that we will create and post. And as far as we know, The Sports Bank is the only independently-owned, mom and pop shop website to publish a mock draft in all four of the major North American sports.
And also in the nation’s top women’s professional sport. So that’s five pieces of mock draft, organic content, served fresh from Chicagoland.
The NFL is the world’s most heavily wagered on sport, so football betting is very popular right now. Mostbet provides the best option for your football betting needs. You can bet on the draft picks themselves too. With that in mind, here is the link to our current 2026 NBA mock draft. Our latest WNBA mock draft can be found here. Here’s the link to our first 2026 NHL mock draft.
And our last MLB mock draft can be found at this link.
Past NFL Mock Drafts, final editions: 2024 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009
As always, enjoy our 50 worst NFL Draft buzz phrases, cliches and other assorted word salad. This NFL mock draft is listed on NFL Mock Draft Database, EDS Football’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft Database and also linked on USA Today Draft Wire.
This year’s edition of The Sports Bank NFL mock draft has a new feature. Sports Bank Founder Paul M. Banks is a Contributor to Draft Wire, USA Today’s Draft site.
So in every update we include snippets from Banks’ articles in the player descriptions of our 2026 NFL mock draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders, Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
In the words of 1970s Swedish pop superstars Abba:
There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernando
Quoting our USA Today, Draft Wire piece: “Mendoza is not, never has been and won’t ever become a 400+ yards, 15+ yards-per-attempt in a single game kind of guy. He’s a bona fide football version of a true point guard.
Like a floor general on the hardwood, he distributes and gets others involved. That’s his game- being efficient, effective.”
2. New York Jets, Arvel Reese, LB, Ohio State
Former ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay believes Reese can buck the trend of off-the-ball linebackers not going very high in the draft. Reese could become a top five, maybe even top three, overall pick come April.
More on Ohio State and their defense here.
3. Arizona Cardinals, David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Cards badly need to improve their pass rush, so they should take this fast-rising prospect.
4. Tennessee Titans, Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
There is a big drop off in RB prospects after this guy, so “After the Love has Gone…cc Earth Wind & Fire/Philip Bailey, the quality of draft stock diminishes among tailback prospects in this class.
Quoting our Draft Wire piece on Love:
“Agility is another strong suit of the St. Louis native, and that is conveyed every time he makes a cut in the open field. Very few defenders are “too fast for love” (with apologies to Motley Crue), as the focal point of the Fighting Irish offense consistently conveyed an ability to set the edge.
“And despite all opposing defenses keying in on him, during the Irish’s national runner-up season, he still averaged an eye-popping 6.9 yards per rush. That includes a long of 98 yards.”
5. New York Giants, Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Quoting our Draft Wire piece on Styles: “Last season, Styles put up the kind of numbers (six sacks, five passed defended) that conveyed how strong he is in pass defense.
“And in today’s pass happy NFL, Styles will only see his stock continue to rise. He may be a second round prospect now, but don’t be surprised if he plays his way into the first.”
Giants have plenty of issues on that side of the ball, so they should go best defender possible.
6. Cleveland Browns, Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
OSU is, has been for awhile, and will be for at least the immediate future, WRU. We covered that at USA Today Draft Wire here. And yes, here comes the run on Buckeyes!
7. Washington Commanders, Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Quoting our Draft Wire article:
“The 20-year-old Hoschton, GA native transferred in from Alabama last offseason, and his run stopping capabilities are top-notch. A true “run stuffer,” he can fill gaps to shut down rush lanes effectively.
He’s probably the best overall prospect in this class, regardless of position.
8. New Orleans Saints, Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
NOLA really needs help on the defensive side of the ball, so they really should go best defender possible.
9. Kansas City Chiefs, Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Maybe the biggest fall in the predraft process! This guy was once in the mix to become the first overall pick! Now he’s lucky if he goes top ten.
10. New York Giants, Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Blue chip prospect had a monster of a private workout, in front of 20 teams, and with that, propelled himself into the top 10. Go here for more on how the Giants are completely remaking their passing attack.
Attn: “road graders,” “day 1 starters” and
can’t miss prospects” everywhere!Have a listen on #NFLDraft night! I’ll be on the @thedolphinswire @FinsFaithfulPod The War Room pod with @Jason_Sarney
for the 1st 14 picks! https://t.co/eFI0whJTNj pic.twitter.com/aW0WEFE1he— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) April 21, 2026
11. Miami Dolphins, Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Facing Lemon and the USC passing attack was quite a challenge this past season. Former Illinois free safety Miles Scott provided an insightful take on defending Lemon. Go here for that.
We went in-depth on what the Dolphins might do, at pick #11 in an article on Draft Wire here at this link.
12. Dallas Cowboys, Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Go here for much more on all the top draft prospects coming out of Oregon this year.
13. L.A. Rams via Atlanta, Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Rams look poised to have another win-win kind of draft! They already dealt away their pick to get a star player, but they still have a very nice first round selection to work with, on top of it.
14. Baltimore Ravens, Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
With Tyler Linderbaum now off to the Raiders, the interior of the Ravens offensive line is severely weakened. Time to strengthen it back up again, even though yes, Ioane plays a different position than Linderbaum.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Keldrick Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Dude has kind of fallen down the boards, as the 2025-26 draft season progressed.
16. NY Jets via Indianapolis, Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
Quoting our Draft Wire article on Cooper, he
“brings a whole lot to the table- strong route-running acumen, top tier hands, an elite tendency to get yards after the catch and a level of speed that is higher than you might first expect. He isn’t a pure speed, totally take the top off the defense kind of guy, but at the same time, he is much more than just a slot receiver.”
17. Detroit Lions, Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
18. Minnesota Vikings, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Eliminated in Wild Card Round
19. Carolina Panthers, Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
We covered Oregon’s plethora of NFL prospects here and here.
So follow those links to learn more about this guy, and the other Ducks who will get drafted this year.
20. Dallas via Green Bay, Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
21. Pittsburgh Steelers, Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
With his strong arm, excellent accuracy, great ball security and prototypical size for a star QB, he should be the second QB off the boards tomorrow. Go here for more on Simpson, in our Draft Wire profile of him.
22. L.A. Chargers, Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
23. Philadelphia, Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
24.Cleveland via Jacksonville, Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Browns may not need to prioritize a defensive back in this draft, as overall the defense is the much stronger side of the ball, but hey, this is great value right here.
Divisional Round Exit Teams
25. Chicago Bears, Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Go here for more on all the first round prospects coming out of OSU this year.
26. Buffalo Bills, Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
27. San Francisco 49ers, T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
28. Houston Texans, Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Conference Runners-Up
29. Kansas City via L.A. Rams, CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
30. Miami Dolphins, Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
We went in-depth on what the Dolphins might do, at pick #30 in an article on Draft Wire here at this link.
Attn: “road graders,” “day 1 starters” and
can’t miss prospects” everywhere!Have a listen on #NFLDraft night! I’ll be on the @thedolphinswire @FinsFaithfulPod The War Room pod with @Jason_Sarney
for the 1st 14 picks! https://t.co/eFI0whJTNj pic.twitter.com/aW0WEFE1he— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) April 21, 2026
Super Bowl Teams
31. New England Patriots, Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
32. Seattle Seahawks, Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.