WE are just two weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft. So we will attempt to predict every pick that happens in the first round.
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – Fernando Mendoza (QB)
The Raiders are in desperate need of a star QB to be the face of the franchise for years to come. After a great college season Fernando Mendoza has cemented himself as the top choice on the board.
- NEW YORK JETS – David Bailey (Edge)
The Jets are in need of a playmaker on defense, and the Jets have two big options to choose from, Arevell Reese or David Bailey. I think the Jets will choose the mor natural pass rusher in Bailey to bring explosiveness to his back line.
- ARIZONA CARDINALS – Francis Maulgoa (OT)
Without a good option at QB, the Cardinals will have to look elsewhere with the third pick. I think they will look to protect whoever they end up leading the team at quarterback by finding the best option to fill in at right tackle, Francis Maugoa.
- TENNESSEE TITANS – Jeremiah Love (RB)
The Titans need to help Cam Ward out, and that will likely either come in form of a blocker or Jeremiah Love. With Francis Maulgoa taken I think that the titans will get the best offensive playmaker on the board in the backfield. Giving Ward a consistent option when the offensive line is struggling.
- NEW YORK GIANTS – Carnell Tate (WR)
The Giants need to help Jaxon Dart on offense, who struggled in his debut season with Malik Nabers being his only reliable passing option. Drafting Carnell Tate and cementing him as the number two wider receiver will give the Giants offense a much needed uplift.
- CLEVELAND BROWNS – Monroe Freeling (OT)
With Carnell Tate off the board, the Browns look to fill the left tackle spot by taking the most natural left tackle in this years draft, Monroe Freeling. The Browns have a later pick in the first round, which could be used to fill their other need at wide receiver.
- CINCINNATI BENGALS (Trade with Washington Commanders) – Sonny Styles (LB)
The Cincinnati Bengals are in desperate need of a star on defense, and after an unreal combine, they jump a few spots to make sure the get Sonny Styles, who proved himself to be an athletic freak and a monster on defense.
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Arvell Reese (Edge)
The New Orleans Saints will be licking their lips with versatile defender Arvell Reese still on the board at number eight. They could look at a receiver or a safety at this pick, but Arvell Reese will be too tempting a deal to pass up on.
- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Caleb Downs (Safety)
Kansas are in desperate need for a star in their secondary, and with Caleb Downs still on the board it feels like a no brainer choice. Downs is extremely versatile, which is a quality much needed for the Chiefs depleted defence.
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (Trade with Tennessee Titans) Makai Lemon (WR)
After trading down to 10, the Washington Commanders take the second best receiver on the board, whether they think Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson is better is unknown, but I think that Lemon’s run after catch quality will get him chosen first.
- MIAMI DOLPHINS – Mansoor Delane (CB)
The Dolphins are in a rebuild, and have a lot of needs, I think they focus and getting a key defender with the number 11 pick, and the athletic traits of Mansoor Delane will be the most enticing for the new regime.
- DALLAS COWBOYS – Ruben Blair Jr. (Edge)
The Cowboys need to fix their defence, after conceding the most points per game in the league. After signing Rashan Gary, I think they will find another edge rusher to partner him, with Ruben Blair Jr. being seen as a steal at number 12.
- LOS ANGELES RAMS – Denzel Boston (WR)
The Rams have no glaring needs for the number 13 spot, but Davante Adams is aging and entering the last season of his contract. I think that the Rams will use this pick to find his successor and Denzel Boston fits that role better than anyone else.
- BALTIMORE RAVENS – Spencer Fano (OL)
The Ravens need to fill the holes in the offensive line, especially at guard. Whilst Spencer Fano was a tackle at college, his arm length means that he could likely be transitioned to a guard and the Ravens feel like a perfect spot for that transition to take place.
- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Akheem Mesidor (Edge)
Tampa Bay haven’t had a player reach the 10 sack mark since 2021. To try and finally find their pass rushing dynamo, the Bucs select the ACC sack leader Akheem Mesidor, who could finally shape their defence and turn Tampa into credible contenders.
- NEW YORK JETS – Jordyn Tyson (WR)
After getting an edge rusher at the number two position, the jets use the 16th spot to cement themselves a top wide receiver, and with a strong receiving class the Jets will be happy if Jordyn Tyson makes his way down the board and falls to them at this spot.
- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (Trade with Detroit Lions) Olaivavega Ioane (OG)
The 49ers need to fill some positions on their ageing offensive line, and are willing to trade up 10 spots to pick arguably the best pass blocker in college this season, Olaivavega Ioane, whose stature will be a focal point of the 49ers offense long-term.
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Dillon Thieneman (Safety)
With Harrison Smith’s future still in doubt, the Vikings take safety Dillon Thieneman at 18. Either Dillon slots in as the key defender on the Vikings secondary, or he partners with Harrison Smith for a year, learning off the veteran before taking the reins. Either way, the Vikings taking Thieneman is a win.
- CAROLINA PANTHERS – Kenyon Sadiq (TE)
The Panthers don’t have any glaring needs, and they settle for taking the best player on the board, Kenyon Sadiq. The Tight end had an incredible combine, one of the best ever for a tight end, and will be a great option for the Panthers offense.
- ARIZONA CARDINALS (Trade with Dallas Cowboys) – Ty Simpson (QB) Arizona is desperate for a QB, and with fear that the Steelers will take the second best QB this year at 21 they trade back into the first round with the Dallas Cowboys, who after taking Ruben Blair Jr. won’t be desperate to keep this spot. The Cardinals take Ty Simpson which will be seen as a reach by the media and fans.
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS – Blake Miller (OT)
The Steelers could pick Ty Simpson if he is still on the board, but after the Cardinals take the QB the Steelers look to protect whoever they have leading the offense next season. They take Blake Miller who slots in at right tackle, with Troy Fautanu likely moving over to the left.
- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – Kadyn Proctor (OT)
The Chargers offensive line struggled with injuries deep into last season, becoming a major factor in the Chargers falling short in the playoffs. They pick Kadyn Proctor to improve their depth on the line, potentially finding him a permanent starting spot.
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Max Iheanachor (OT)
The Philadelphia Eagles look to find a future replacement for veteran Lane Johnson who enters the last year of his contract. Max Iheanachor has the raw ability and the Eagles coaching staff will spend the year turning Iheanachor into the perfect successor for Johnson.
- CLEVELAND BROWNS – KC Concepcion (WR)
After picking a top pass blocker, the Browns look to complete their offense with another target for Sheadeur Sanders. KC Concepcion showed last year that he can make plays from anywhere, which is something the Browns are in desperate need of.
- CHICAGO BEARS – Emmanuel Mcneal-Warren (Safety)
The Bears need a replacement for Jaquan Brisker, and with Emmanuel Mcneal-Warren still on the board they find it here. The 6’4” playmaker is the perfect replacement for Brisker and the Bears will leave the first day of the draft happy with their choice.
- BUFFALO BILLS – Jermod McCoy (CB)
Whilst the Bills don’t need a corner, depth at the position never hurts and Jermod McCoy is a steal at 26, the Bills take McCoy here and look to fill positions of more need later on in the draft.
- DETROIT LIONS – Caleb Lomu (OT)
After trading down to 27 the Lions find their replacement for Taylor Decker in Caleb Lomu. Lomu may not be the most notable of names in the position but he is a sold player with good experience in the position. His low floor is exactly what the Lions need right now.
- Kayden McDonald – Kayden McDonald (DL)
The Texans have a pretty good all-round squad. They go for the best player available here with Kayden McDonald, the best defensive lineman in the draft and the first one to be chosen. He will bring good depth at the least, and will be a good starter if he lives up to his potential.
- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Omar Cooper Jr.(WR)
After taking Caleb Downs earlier in the night, the Chiefs switch and focus on offense with Owen Cooper Jr. who will be able to give Patrtick Mahomes more options quickly, using his speed and agility in the slot or on the boundary.
- Miami Dolphins – Keldric Faulk (Edge)
The Dolphins need to find a wide receiver but after the Chiefs take Omar Cooper Jr. the dolphins will focus back on defense, this time getting some depth on the rush with Keldric Faulk, who at 30 is a fantastic pick.
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – T.J. Parker (Edge)
The Superbowl highlighted the need for depth on the pass rush and the New England Patriots look to further bolster theirs by taking Clemson pass rusher T.J. Parker. With a strong team around him, there won’t be a lot of pressure on Parker to perform instantly, a great environment for the young rusher.
- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Jadarian Price (RB)
The Seahawks have lost Kenneth Walker III this season and will be looking to find a replacement, as Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a torn ACL. Jadarian Price is a perfect replacement, with a high ceiling and potential to make an instant impact.
