First-round NFL mock draft: Mendoza goes No.1, then who?

Mendoza’s draft preparation might embody taking a look at actual property within the Las Vegas space as a result of going first general seems to be a foregone conclusion. The Heisman Trophy winner and Nationwide Champ completed final season finishing 72% of his passes for 41 touchdowns, displaying exemplary accuracy and contact, and he might be the right match for brand new head coach Klint Kubiak‘s offense.

New York has already revamped its protection this offseason, however Reese offers the staff much more upside. The All-American had 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks final season, and reveals the flexibility to play as a cross rusher or in protection.

Arizona has made a number of offensive line additions already this offseason, however the rebuilding squad might nonetheless use one other offensive sort out to pair with Paris Johnson. Mauigoa is a plug-and-play at proper sort out, additionally displaying the potential to maneuver inside to protect.

Arguably the perfect operating again prospect since Bijan Robinson, Love has the flexibility to assist jumpstart the Titans’ offense alongside Cam Ward. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry at Notre Dame in every of the final two seasons and is a transparent three-down again with nice fingers.

John Harbaugh is used to having a star security from his days in Baltimore, and Downs might match the invoice in New York. The switch from Alabama is nice in protection and has a nostril for the ball, recording two picks in every of his three faculty seasons. He additionally has the flexibility to play within the field like a linebacker.

Because the whispers of a possible Myles Garrett commerce get louder, Bailey makes extra sense for Cleveland. He is coming off a spectacular season after transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech, recording 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 14 video games.

Types has elite athleticism that allowed him to play security, however the 6-foot-5 linebacker is a greater match at his present place. He has the upside to fully rework a run protection, recording 100 tackles and 6 sacks in 2024 and 82 tackles and one sack final season. Types can be set to interchange Bobby Wagner in Washington.

The Saints are out there for extra weapons to assist younger Tyler Shough, however they have been quiet at wideout this offseason. Tate is usually a nice complementary receiver for fellow Ohio State alum Chris Olave, displaying good dimension at 6-foot-2 and big-play potential, with 17.2 yards per reception final season.

A strong defensive finish, Bain can be an ideal slot in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo‘s 4-3 protection. He recorded 20.5 sacks in three seasons at Miami, and whereas barely undersized at 6-foot-2, Bain takes up loads of area. He’d be a breath of recent air for a protection that had some struggles attending to the quarterback final season.

Cincinnati must proceed rebuilding its protection, and including a nook can be a pleasant begin. Delane’s upside can be a pleasant begin. He took his sport to a brand new degree after transferring from Virginia Tech to LSU, recording 45 tackles and two interceptions in opposition to elite SEC competitors in 2025.

Miami wants to search out weapons for brand new quarterback Malik Willis, and Tyson can be a key addition after the staff misplaced Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Whereas Tyson has sturdiness issues, he may need essentially the most polish of any wideout within the 2026 class.

Dallas has shored up their entrance seven since buying and selling Micah Parsons, however the backend might nonetheless use some work. McCoy missed all of final season because of a torn ACL, however he nonetheless reveals massive upside and a nostril for the ball, recording 4 interceptions for Tennessee in 2024.

Freeling is a Day 1 starter at proper sort out, displaying all of the bodily instruments wanted to succeed on the place. The Rams have the offensive line as a transparent want heading into the draft as they attempt to maintain Matthew Stafford off the turf.

Fano is a flexible sort out who might transfer inside at guard within the short-term, and is an effective long-term possibility to interchange veteran Ronnie Stanley at left sort out. Because the Ravens offense tries to get again on observe below new head coach Jesse Minter, Fano fills a important want.

The Bucs entrance seven received previous rapidly, and will use a burst of power like Faulk. He is coming off a down yr after receiving extra consideration from opposing offenses, however recorded seven sacks in 2024.

The Jets nonetheless have elite wideout Garrett Wilson, however might use another assist they will get on offense. Lemon profiles nicely within the slot at 5-foot-11, displaying nice fingers and accumulating 1,156 yards and 9 touchdowns final season.

Regardless of his huge dimension at 6-foot-7 and greater than 350 kilos, Proctor is deceptively athletic. The Lions might probably have an enormous sort out duo by pairing Proctor with Penei Sewell.

Thieneman confirmed a nostril for the ball whereas in faculty at Purdue and Oregon, together with six interceptions in 2023 and two picks final season. He’d be a robust substitute to long-time Vikings security Harrison Smith.

Ioane is a superb match for the run-heavy Panthers offense. He has the potential to make Carolina’s run sport much more potent alongside Chuba Hubbard.

The Cowboys and Jerry Jones have by no means turned down a excessive upside offensive weapon, and Sadiq actually qualifies. He is a gifted cross catcher and risk within the Crimson Zone, scoring eight instances final season.

The Steelers nonetheless have Cameron Heyward, however might be on the hunt for a long-term substitute on the line of defense. Woods reveals pass-rushing upside, with 5 sacks during the last two years at Clemson.

Howell has been a sack machine at Bowling Inexperienced and Texas A&M, recording 27 sacks. The Chargers introduced again Khalil Mack, however nonetheless have a necessity for pass-rushing assist in the brief and long-term.

Mesidor had a protracted and productive profession at West Virginia and Miami, with 35.5 sacks in six seasons. His age is a priority, however the manufacturing is simple. He might add to a loaded Eagles entrance seven.

McNeil-Warren reveals big upside, measuring 6-foot-3 with good pace. The manufacturing at Toledo matches the measurables, and he would fill a place of want alongside Grant Delpit at security.

Ben Johnson has welcomed extensive receivers who can run after the catch, together with the drafting of Luther Burden final yr, and Cooper Jr. matches that description. He had a breakout 2025 season for the Hoosiers with 937 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns, and will make the Bears offense much more potent.

A powerful, productive linebacker at Georgia, Allen was an All-American final season with 88 tackles and three.5 sacks. He would fill a necessity for the Payments, who might lose Matt Milano in free company.

The 49ers proceed to depend on productive veteran left sort out Trent Williams, however the block is ticking for the 38-year-old. Lomu remains to be creating, however might sneak into the primary spherical with excessive upside.

The Texans proceed to aim options for his or her offensive line, and will make additional strikes within the draft. Miller has been a sturdy proper sort out and might be one other reply to assist defend C.J. Stroud.

NC State and Texas A&M manufactured methods to get the ball in Concepcion’s fingers, and his potential to run after the catch might be an ideal match for Andy Reid. With Rashee Rice’s disappointing manufacturing final season, Concepcion might play a giant function early in his profession.

The rebuilding Dolphins might be able to take the perfect participant out there at any place. In addition they have a serious want within the secondary, and the athletic Hood reveals intriguing upside after productive seasons at Colorado and Tennessee.

The Patriots have added Milton Williams and Dre’Mont Jones during the last yr, however would probably welcome extra assist in the fronts even. Parker’s inventory is down barely after a disappointing yr at Clemson, however he had 21.5 sacks in three seasons.

The youthful brother of Falcons star A.J. Terrell, Avieon reveals comparable upside after three seasons at Clemson. He is barely undersized however has been capable of deal with taller receivers in faculty.