NFL live mock draft: Latest updates, rumors impacting first round
NFL live mock draft: Latest updates, rumors impacting first round
Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYThu, April 23, 2026 at 1:01 PM UTC
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Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess what will happen.
While a consensus typically forms atop the NFL draft, it remains unclear how the first five selections in 2026 will unfold. The New York Jets are expected to choose between David Bailey and Arvell Reese with the No. 2 overall selection, and their choice could have a ripple effect on the remainder of the first round.
So too could the Arizona Cardinals' selection at No. 3 overall. Many initially assumed they would roll with whichever pass rusher the Jets didn't select. Now, it appears they might be legitimately considering Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick – if they can't trade down.
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Add in a weaker-than-average draft pool along with some injury concerns for a couple of the draft's top players, and the 2026 NFL Draft's first round should be as unpredictable as ever.
How exactly will the first 32 selections 2026 NFL Draft shake out? Below is USA TODAY Sports' live mock draft for 2026, which will be with the latest news, rumors, reports and leaks in the hours ahead of the draft.
1 / 0Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft -
Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio StateOn a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.
Live NFL mock draft 2026: Latest updates for draft day1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
There's no mystery about the 2026 NFL Draft's first selection. The Raiders are going to take Mendoza – the reigning Heisman Trophy winner – to be their quarterback of the future.
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2. New York Jets: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Jets are believed to be deciding between Bailey and Arvell Reese with the No. 2 overall pick. Bailey gets the nod here as the more pro-ready prospect, which will be critical for Aaron Glenn as he enters his second season in New York on the hot seat.
3. Arizona Cardinals: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Cardinals seemingly want to trade down – which would put them in better range to land a much-needed upgrade at right tackle – but it isn't clear whether they will find a willing partner.
Love is gaining buzz as the top option for Arizona if the team sticks and picks. Many view the Notre Dame product as the draft's top overall player, and his combination of power, speed, elusiveness and pass-catching skills would give Mike LaFleur a cornerstone around which to build his offense.
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4. Tennessee Titans: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Robert Saleh spent the offseason reshaping Tennessee's defense in his image. He would likely jump at a chance to add Reese, a one-year starter whose hybrid skill set as an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher has drawn him comparisons to Micah Parsons.
5. New York Giants: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Projecting what the Giants will do after acquiring a second, top-10 selection is tricky. They have been tied to both Tyson and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, so their choice at No. 5 overall may come down to which one they think is less likely to also be available with the 10th pick.
Tyson has injury concerns, but he the Arizona State product is a natural separator whose stock has steadily risen ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receiver carries more positional value than safety, so he'll get the nod over Downs for now.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
This may seem like a surprise, but there's a chance Proctor could be the first tackle taken Thursday. The Alabama product has a rare combination of size (6-7, 352 pounds) and movement skills that could make him a top-tier left tackle if he can perform more consistently.
The Browns need a left tackle to complete their offensive line rebuild. With Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano both profiling as better fits on the right side or along the interior, that could be enough for Proctor to be the No. 6 pick – unless the Browns think they can get him in a trade down.
7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Commanders general manager Adam Peters was with the 49ers when they drafted Fred Warner. He can get his own version of the All-Pro in Styles, a hyper-athletic linebacker who will be a sideline-to-sideline playmaker at the NFL level.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints will face an interesting choice between Tate, Mansoor Delane and Rueben Bain Jr. with this selection, but building around quarterback Tyler Shough should be the team's main goal. Tate is one of the draft's most polished receivers, and the smooth route runner would be an ideal counterpart for fellow Ohio State alum Chris Olave.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Andy Reid has always preferred building his team through the trenches. Taking a right tackle like Fano or Mauigoa could be in play, but Bain's motor and productivity could have the Chiefs envisioning him as a powerful partner for George Karlaftis, despite the Miami product's bottom-tier arm length.
10. New York Giants: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Giants could take Downs with the fifth overall selection. If he's on the board at 10, John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen will waste little time taking the safety, who has a well-rounded skill set and was among the best overall players in college football last season.
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11. Miami Dolphins: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
The Dolphins have a plethora of needs, but it may behoove the team to focus on improving Malik Willis' supporting cast as the 26-year-old gets his first crack as a full-time starter. Fano has elite athleticism and could play any position up front, though some believe his below-average arm length will ultimately render him a guard or center long term.
12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Cowboys should be ecstatic if any of the draft's top-six defensive players slide to the 12th overall selection. Delane is the consensus No. 1 cornerback, amid Jermod McCoy's injury concerns, and allowed just a 31.3 passer rating in his final season at LSU.
Dallas is also a team to watch for a potential trade up. The Cowboys don't have a second-round pick, but they could be interested in leaping up to the sixth selection for a do-it-all linebacker like Sonny Styles.
13. Los Angeles Rams: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
The Rams are in win-now mode with Matthew Stafford returning for his age-38 season. They are well-positioned to land a weapon to provide a boost to the team's already strong offense, but will they go with a wide receiver or a tight end?
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Given the success the Rams have enjoyed finding later-round receivers and their propensity for using multiple tight end sets in 2025, they may roll with Sadiq – a freak athlete who had eight touchdowns last season – over a player like Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr.
14. Baltimore Ravens: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Baltimore's interior offensive line was a major weaknesses last season, and it only got worse during the offseason when star center Tyler Linderbaum signed with the Raiders. Ioane would be a big-time upgrade at left guard, as his downhill power and thick 6-4, 320-pound frame should make him a plug-and-play NFL starter.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht typically values production when evaluating prospects, especially pass rushers. That will put Mesidor – who had 12.5 sacks in 2025 – firmly on the radar of a Tampa Bay team that hasn't had a player log more than 7.5 sacks in a season since Shaquil Barrett in 2021.
16. New York Jets: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Over Makai Lemon? It's possible. Cooper has been a riser throughout the draft process and has earned comparisons to Deebo Samuel because of his compact build and elusiveness with the ball in his hands. That may appeal to the Jets as they search for a long-term No. 2 receiver across from Garrett Wilson.
17. Detroit Lions: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
The consensus belief is the Lions will target an offensive tackle at 17 to help replace the departed Taylor Decker. That said, Detroit could also target a pass rusher to play across from Aidan Hutchinson. Faulk had just two sacks his final year at Auburn but the 20-year-old has the raw tools needed to develop into a star.
18. Minnesota Vikings: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Dillon Thieneman could be an option for the Vikings here, but they need to replenish talent along the defensive line after cutting Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave during the offseason. McDonald (6-2, 326 pounds) profiles as an elite run defender at the NFL level but also showed pass rushing chops at Ohio State, generating three sacks during his All-American 2025 campaign.
19. Carolina Panthers: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
Will Mauigoa actually fall this far? Maybe not, but injury concerns surrounding a herniated disc could open the door for players like Proctor and Fano to go ahead of him – especially if any teams picking in the top 20 view Mauigoa as more of a guard than a tackle.
The Panthers don't have a present-day need at tackle, but both Rasheed Walker and Ikem Ekwonu – who is coming off a torn patellar tendon – will be free agents after the 2026 NFL season. Mauigoa could eventually take over the left tackle position or serve as the successor to 31-year-old right tackle Taylor Moton.
20. Dallas Cowboys: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Getting Delane and Thieneman would provide a massive boost to Dallas' secondary. Thieneman is a great athlete and averaged more than 100 tackles per season across his three college campaigns at Purdue and Oregon.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Steelers added Michael Pittman Jr. to their receiving corps during the offseason but could still use an third wide-out to join him and DK Metcalf. Lemon is a good value at this point, as the 5-11 receiver has excellent separation skills and elite hands that should quickly allow him to become a safety valve for Aaron Rodgers.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Jim Harbaugh places an emphasis on defending the run, and loves having a deep rotation of interior defensive linemen to achieve that goal. Woods has the traits needed to be a three-down interior playmaker but struggled with consistency in his final season at Clemson. If Harbaugh can could him up and help fix those issues, Woods could become a steal.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The Eagles need to soon add a potential successor for the soon-to-be 36-year-old Lane Johnson. Freeling has the size (6-7, 315 pounds), flexibility and quickness needed to develop into a quality starter on either side of the line. Add in that Howie Roseman loves to build through the trenches and this seems like a great partnership.
24. Cleveland Browns: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Browns are expected to target an offensive tackle and wide receiver with their first two draft picks, in either order. After landing Proctor at No. 6, Cleveland takes Boston, a 6-4 wide-out with great contested catch skills who can quickly become a downfield playmaker for whoever its quarterback ends up being.
25. Chicago Bears: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The Bears lost four of their top five safeties in free agency. They brought in Coby Bryant to serve as a replacement at one spot but still need to add a partner for him.
McNeil-Warren generated five interceptions and nine forced fumbles across his four seasons at Toledo. Chicago will value that ball production, as well as the small school safety's sound tackling skills.
26. Buffalo Bills: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
This could be a great spot for a team looking to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to move up. If not, Allen profiles as a consistent, middle-of-the-field force who can help upgrade a Buffalo defense that was weak up the middle last season.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
The 49ers signed Trent Williams to an extension, but they have to think about soon finding an heir apparent for the 37-year-old tackle. Iheanachor has only played five seasons of organized football, but his athletic potential and demeanor have earned him plenty of fans among NFL front offices ahead of the draft.
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28. Houston Texans: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Braden Smith inked a one-year, free-agent deal to serve as Houston's right tackle in 2026, but the Texans still need to add a long-term option at the position. Miller started 54 games at Clemson and earned a reputation as a tough-nosed blocker. That should help Houston in its quest to better protect C.J. Stroud.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
The Chiefs are desperate for cornerback help after losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson during the offseason. Hood plays with great physicality and has the traits needed to become a No. 1 cornerback who excels in press coverage.
30. Miami Dolphins: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Concerns about McCoy's surgically repaired knee seem destined to make him slide, much like Will Johnson did last season. While Johnson lasted until the second round, McCoy could benefit from a weaker draft class and still emerge as a late, first-round selection.
The Dolphins desperately need help at cornerback and can afford to take a chance on McCoy, as they have two first-round picks.
31. New England Patriots: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Could the Patriots spend back-to-back first-round picks on offensive tackles? They need a successor for the 35-year-old Morgan Moses, so it wouldn't be surprising. Lomu has excellent athleticism but will need to add more strength to his 6-6, 313-pound frame before becoming a quality NFL starter. Doing so behind Moses would be ideal for the 21-year-old.
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
The Seahawks have just four picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, so they will almost certainly trade down from this spot if they can. If Seattle can't find a taker for the 32nd pick, going with a cornerback to help replace Riq Woolen could be in the cards.
Johnson thrived for the Aztecs, showing elite cover skills and allowing just a 16.1 passer rating in 2025 while intercepting four passes. He could go higher than this after quelling speed concerns with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL live mock draft: Latest rumors, intel shaping Round 1
Source: “AOL Sports”
