With the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix within the rearview mirror, draft boards are sharper, risers and fallers are clearer and staff wants are in razor-sharp focus.
Right here’s the most effective, most lifelike high choose for each staff heading into the NFL Draft (April 23-25, Pittsburgh).
The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs every have two first-round picks. Two alternatives had been made for every of these groups. Inexperienced Bay, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Jacksonville don’t have first-round picks, so second-round alternatives had been made for them.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | First-round choose (No. 12): Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy | Final season, the protection gave up a league-high 4,276 passing yards, so 2026 should be all about fixing the defensive backfield. McCoy is coming off an ACL tear in 2025, but with 16 passes defensed in his two seasons in college, his coverage skills are undeniable.
NEW YORK GIANTS | First-round choose (No. 5): Ohio State LB Sonny Kinds |
The 21-year-old shot up huge boards after his historic exhibiting for a linebacker on the combine. The Giants want an electrifying participant on the place. Pair Kinds with exterior linebacker Abdul Carter, and the long-term outlook of New York’s protection turns into formidable.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | First-round choose (No. 23): Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor | All-Professional proper sort out Lane Johnson, who turns 36 on Could 8, is coming again for his 14th season after battling accidents that brought on him to overlook the postseason. Iheanachor might be a possible successor, because the latecomer to soccer has excessive upside given his fifth-highest athleticism rank amongst tackles within the draft, per NextGen Stats.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | First-round choose (No. 7): Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. | Bain’s below-average arm measurement of 30 7/8 inches wasn’t sufficient to detract from the physique of labor he constructed at Miami. Nonetheless, it is likely to be sufficient to see him fall from the highest 5 and into the laps of the Commanders, a staff that desperately wants a younger difference-maker on a protection that gave up a league-high 384 yards per recreation final season. — Conor Killmurray
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | First-round choose (No. 3): Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey |
Though Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love’s inventory continues to soar after his sturdy mix efficiency, Bailey (6-foot-4, 251 kilos) is smart for a staff that was tied for the third-fewest sacks (30) in 2025. The Purple Raiders star was tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks final season and would inject a spark right into a defensive entrance that desperately wants it.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | First-round choose (No. 13): LSU CB Mansoor Delane | Following their blockbuster trade with the Chiefs to amass All-Professional CB Trent McDuffie, the Rams have just one first-round choose (by way of the Falcons). With it, the main focus ought to nonetheless be on including secondary assist. Delane (6-foot, 187 kilos) had a career-high 11 passes defensed final season.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | First-round choose (No. 27): Utah OT Caleb Lomu | Identified for his nimble ft and fast palms, Lomu (6-foot-6, 313 kilos) didn’t permit a sack in 2025. Guards Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch are coming into free company, whereas veteran left sort out Trent Williams is coping with contract uncertainty. The precedence needs to be on bettering the offensive line, and that begins with a younger expertise like Lomu.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | First-round choose (No. 32): South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse | With CBs Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe coming into free company, it could make sense for the Seahawks to reload within the secondary after main the league in scoring protection (16.9 PPG) final season. Cisse (6-foot, 189 kilos) might be an ideal match for the Tremendous Bowl LX champions. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | First-round choose (No. 25): Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald |
McDonald (6-foot-2, 326 kilos) is coming off a monster junior season wherein he recorded three sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 31 solo tackles and two compelled fumbles. The 6-foot-2, 326-pound run-stuffer is precisely what the Bears want after rating twenty ninth within the NFL in yards allowed per rush (4.9) final season.
DETROIT LIONS | First-round choose (No. 17): Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane | The Lions should get again to their identification as a dominant speeding offense that controls the road of scrimmage, and that each one begins with the inside offensive line. Ioane (6-foot-4, 320 kilos) is a powerful, bodily guard who can soar in as a starter, which is precisely what Detroit must get its swagger again within the trenches.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Second-round choose (No. 52): Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds |
The Packers don’t have a first-round choose due to the Micah Parsons commerce, however they’ll seize a succesful starter with the 52nd general choice. Ponds is undersized (5-foot-9, 182 kilos), however he’s a assured, productive cowl nook who was an enormous cause why Indiana received the nationwide title final season. Ponds would deliver athleticism and a canine mentality to a CB room that desperately wants each.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | First-round choose (No. 18): Florida DT Caleb Banks | The Vikings are in peril of dropping defensive linemen Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen and LB Jonathan Greenard this offseason, in order that they’d be sensible to reload with a blue-chipper within the first spherical. Enter Banks, who shocked groups on the mix together with his 6-foot-6, 327-pound body, 85-inch wingspan, 32-inch vertical and 5.05-second 40-yard sprint. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Second-round choose (No. 48): Alabama WR Germie Bernard | And not using a first-round choose because of final 12 months’s draft-day take care of the Rams, the Falcons may have an extended wait till they’re on the clock, barring a commerce. Atlanta’s depth at receiver is suspect behind Drake London, with the staff anticipated to chop Darnell Mooney, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport. If Bernard (6-foot-1, 206 kilos), who ran a 4.48 40-yard sprint, slides to No. 48 in a deep receiver class, he’d be an excellent second choice on an offense replete with weapons.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | First-round choose (No. 19): Texas A&M defensive finish Cashius Howell | The 2025 consensus All-American had 11.5 sacks for Texas A&M final season, two years after main the MAC in sacks (9.5) at Bowling Inexperienced. The productive edge-rusher posted the fifth-fastest 40 time on the mix, and Howell (6-foot-2.5, 253 kilos) can be a right away difference-maker for the Panthers, who had the second-lowest stress fee (16.5 p.c) in 2025.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | First-round choose (No. 8): Ohio State extensive receiver Carnell Tate |
Notre Dame operating again Jeremiyah Love seems more and more prone to be off the board by the point New Orleans picks. However nonetheless anticipate the Saints so as to add an offensive playmaker with their first-round choice. Tate (6-foot-2, 192 kilos) would be a part of an extended record of former Buckeyes to be chosen by GM Mickey Loomis.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | First-round choose (No. 15): Oregon tight finish Kenyon Sadiq | The highest tight finish in his class, Sadiq has the potential to go greater, but it surely’s arduous to think about him falling any decrease. Tampa would possibly want one other receiving choice if wideout Mike Evans and tight finish Cade Otton signal elsewhere in free company, and Sadiq, who ran a blistering 4.39 40-yard sprint at 6-foot-3 and 241 kilos on the mix, would give the offense a dimension it has been lacking. —
Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | First-round choose (No. 26): Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. |
The Payments have struggled with consistency and depth on the place not too long ago. Cooper (6-foot, 199 kilos) may line up within the slot or exterior towards press protection. Along with his athletic means alone and get in touch with steadiness post-catch, he may sneak into the primary spherical.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | First-round choose (No. 11): Miami OT Francis Mauigoa |
Go safety has been a devastating challenge for the Dolphins. Mauigoa (6-foot-5.5, 329 kilos) would supply inside-out versatility, permitting him to be moved round as wanted. With Austin Jackson’s inconsistency and Larry Borom heading to free company, this is a perfect choice.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | First-round choose (No. 31): Georgia OT Monroe Freeling | The Patriots may go a number of methods, together with offensive sort out, edge-rusher and extensive receiver. Freeling (6-foot-7, 315 kilos) has risen a number of draft boards due to his 4.93 40-yard sprint, 1.71 10-yard break up and 33.5-inch vertical soar.
NEW YORK JETS | First-round picks (No. 2): Ohio State LB Sonny Kinds; (No. 16): Washington WR Denzel Boston |
Kinds (6-foot-4, 243 kilos) was the discuss of the mix after operating a 4.46 40-yard sprint and posting a 43.5-inch vertical soar. The Jets want a defensive overhaul, and Kinds would supply versatility, athleticism and physicality. WR1 Garrett Wilson wants assist, so Boston (6-foot-4, 212 kilos) is smart. — Colton Edwards
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | First-round choose (No. 30): Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion | Many mocks have the Broncos taking Georgia LB CJ Allen (6-foot-1, 230 kilos), however they need to as a substitute get one other playmaker for QB Bo Nix, who didn’t push the ball downfield a lot in 2025, rating thirty second amongst 42 eligible QBs in yards gained per move try (6.4). Concepcion (6-foot, 196 kilos), who ranked fifth within the SEC in receiving yards (919) in 2025, would assist Denver stretch the sphere.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | First-round picks (No. 9): LSU CB Mansoor Delane; (No. 29): Clemson DE T.J. Parker | The Chiefs may choose Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (6-foot, 212 kilos) with choose No. 9, however nook is an even bigger want after they traded CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams. 2025 first-team All-American Delane (6-foot, 187 kilos) appears like a future lockdown nook after permitting a career-low 9 receptions on 34 targets in 2025 (via Sports Info Solutions). Parker (6-foot-4, 263 kilos), in the meantime, would give Okay.C. one other high quality pass-rusher after he logged 21.5 sacks in three seasons at Clemson.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | First-round choose (No. 1): Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza | This can be a no-brainer. Vegas appears poised to maneuver on from QB Geno Smith after he tossed a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 begins in 2025. Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 kilos) flashed franchise QB potential at Indiana, profitable the 2025 Heisman Trophy and main the FBS in QBR (90.3).
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | First-round choose (No. 22): Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane | This previous season, the Chargers’ incapability to guard QB Justin Herbert price them in a 16-3 AFC wild-card spherical loss to the Patriots, wherein he took six sacks. 2025 second-team All-American Ioane would bolster L.A.’s O-line, which allowed the second-highest stress fee (28.5 p.c) final season, per Pro Football Reference. Professional Soccer Focus gave the 6-foot-4, 320-pound O-lineman an elite 87 pass-blocking grade in 2025.
— Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | First-round choose (No. 14): Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor | The Ravens have quite a lot of wants for a staff that thinks it’s a Tremendous Bowl contender, and none of them are extra urgent than their move rush. The Ravens had been thirtieth within the NFL in sacks in 2025, they usually want extra individuals who can disrupt QBs. Mesidor (6-foot-3, 280 kilos) is older than your prototypical rookie (he turns 25 on April 5), however he’s a Day 1 difference-maker.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| First-round choose (No. 10): Ohio State LB Sonny Kinds | The Bengals should do higher defending QB Joe Burrow, they usually should do higher defensively. With their first-round choose, they need to tackle the latter, including a possible chief and influence participant to the center of their protection in Kinds. An off-ball linebacker this excessive is a danger, however he can reshape their protection.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | First-round picks: (No. 6): Ohio State WR Carnell Tate; (No. 24): Utah OL Caleb Lomu | The Browns protection is in largely good condition, however they actually need to work on all ranges of their offense. With two first-round picks, they’ll purchase each a big-time playmaker on the surface (Tate, 6-foot-2, 192 kilos) and any individual to assist rebuild their offensive line (Lomu, 6-foot-6, 313 kilos) to go together with current commerce acquisition Tytus Howard.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | First-round choose (No. 21): Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson | There shall be a temptation to take Alabama QB Ty Simpson, however the Steelers cannot repeat the Kenny Pickett mistake and attain for a QB. They’ve ignored their No. 2 extensive receiver spot for too a few years and have an opportunity to get an influence participant in Tyson (6-foot-2, 203 kilos) to pair with big-money veteran DK Metcalf. —
Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | First-round choose (No. 28): Clemson OT Blake Miller |
The Texans are as soon as once more revamping their offensive line following their current commerce of OT Tytus Howard. Miller (6-foot-7, 317 kilos) made 54 begins in faculty and is without doubt one of the extra skilled gamers within the draft. The 2-time first-team All-ACC choice is an elite move blocker who has the potential to be a right away starter.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Second-round choose: (No. 47): Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker |
The Colts struggled to get constant stress on QBs in 2025, and upgrading their move rush shall be an offseason precedence. Parker (6-foot-4, 263 kilos) noticed his inventory dip a bit after he completed with 5 sacks this previous season in comparison with 11 in 2024. That lack of manufacturing may benefit a staff like Indianapolis and make Parker one of many steals of Day 2.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Second-round choose (No. 56): Arizona State CB Keith Abney | The Jaguars don’t have a first-round choose, and Abney is the kind of participant they might like to have fall to them. Abney (6-foot, 190 kilos) is a bodily defender who excels in man protection. Even with Travis Hunter projected to play extra on protection than offense in 2026, Jacksonville wants consistency at nook.
TENNESSEE TITANS | First-round choose (No. 4): Ohio State WR Carnell Tate | The Titans should encompass QB Cam Ward with difference-makers, and drafting the subsequent nice Buckeyes extensive receiver can be an effective way to perform that. Tate (6-foot-2, 192 kilos) excels at beating man protection and might catch passes at each degree. Tennessee can present its dedication to Ward’s growth by touchdown a possible famous person wideout. — Steve DelVecchio
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