2026 NFL worst mock draft ever: First-round picks designed to frustrate every NFL fan base

Garrett Podell rips through a 2026 NFL Draft scenario designed for maximum rage baiting

Garrett Podell

Apr 16, 2026

12:01 pm ET

•

1 min read

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Every mock draft yours truly has produced here at CBS Sports over the years has been about one thing: attempting to create as accurate a projection for how the first-round of the NFL Draft could unfold.

The 2023 NFL Draft was a crowning moment as Fantasy Pros graded my final mock that year as tied for the most accurate on the internet that year. However, that's not what's going on here. This mock draft is different: its aim is to rage bait every NFL fan base with the least desirable draft pick for their respective team.

Does this endeavor sound somewhat silly? Sure, but then you have to recall draft moves like the San Francisco 49ers surrendering four picks, including three first-round selections, to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 in 2021 to draft Trey Lance. Or perhaps six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick making N'Keal Harry the first-round wide receiver he wanted in a 2019 class that also had A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, one of the best executives in the game today, decided he'd rather have Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson in 2020. In 2018, the Arizona Cardinals needed a quarterback, and they chose to select Josh Rosen over Lamar Jackson.

Note: The aim here is to make horrific picks for every team, but the point of this mock is also that they have to be within the realm of being realistic as well.

NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1

Fernando Mendoza

Indiana

• Jr

• 6'5"

/ 236 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3535

RUYDS

276

INTS

TDS

Fernando Mendoza has to go somewhere, and new Raiders bridge quarterback Kirk Cousins is already talking about him like he's going to be teammates with the Indiana Hoosiers Heisman Trophy winner and national championship-winning QB. Let the party commence in Las Vegas because after a free agency spending spree and drafting Mendoza, you'll be near impossible to rage bait for the next few months and potentially much, much longer.

Round 1 - Pick 2

Jeremiyah Love

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6'0"

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1372

YDS/ATT

6.9

REYDS

280

TDS

While Jeremiyah Love is viewed as one of the best prospects in this draft, he plays one of the least valuable positions in football as a running back. New York making this move with Breece Hall on the franchise tag would be an exorbitant amount of resources spent on RBs. Exactly what a rebuilding team needs.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Arvell Reese

EDGE

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'4"

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

There's no issue at all with the Cardinals selecting one of the top two edge rushers in this draft class, but this selection would mark three consecutive years the team has allocated first-round draft capital to improve their defensive line. The offensive line and secondary, among other areas, could use more support.

Round 1 - Pick 4

Mansoor Delane

LSU

• Sr

• 6'0"

/ 187 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Tennessee Titans spent an NFL-most $316.1 million in free agency this offseason, with much of that going to the team's cornerback position after signing both Alontae Taylor (three years, $58 million with $42 million guaranteed) and Cor'Dale Flott (three years, $45 million with $32 million guaranteed). In an effort to make new head coach Robert Saleh's secondary air-tight, the Titans over-index their resources at the position by drafting another corner here.

Round 1 - Pick 5

David Bailey

EDGE

Texas Tech

• Sr

• 6'4"

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The New York Giants could use another running mate at wide receiver for Malik Nabers to help, offensive line support for Jaxson Dart and cornerback reinforcements. However, they select edge rusher David Bailey, the 2025 college football sacks leader, with another one of their former top-five-pick edge rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux likely out the door next offseason. That's a lot of draft capital to expend along the defensive line.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Sonny Styles

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6'5"

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

Yes, the Cleveland Browns just saw second-round pick linebacker Carson Schwesinger take home 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, they can't help themselves with a local product in Sonny Styles after he tested athletically similar to Calvin Johnson at the combine. More help for Myles Garrett while the NFL's 31st-ranked scoring offense (16.4 points per game) from 2025 goes hungry in the top 10.

Round 1