2026 NFL mock draft: Giants bypass wide receiver in Round 1, but two still taken in top 10
2026 NFL mock draft: Giants bypass wide receiver in Round 1, but two still taken in top 10
Mystery is what defines the 2026 NFL Draft with little certainty at the top
By
Josh Edwards
Apr 22, 2026
at
12:06 pm ET
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2 min read
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The 2026 NFL Draft is upon us and while it may lack the big names or the premium All-Pro-caliber talents, it offers a distinguishing trait that should excite fans: mystery. A year ago, it was known, within reason, that the first four picks were going to be Cam Ward, Travis Hunter Jr., Abdul Carter and Will Campbell. This year, the intrigue begins at No. 2 overall. Do the New York Jets take the polished performer or the prospect with more upside?
Players who start for a long time and likely a few All-Pros will come out of this draft class; those scenarios just may not be as easily seen on the surface. As such, there may be more trades facilitated as teams maneuver up and down the board to achieve team goals, but one surprise could bring down the whole card house.
Six teams will make two picks in the first round and the strategy deployed will allow the rest of the first round to take shape. Ear to the ground, sorting through rumors from all corners of the internet, I have settled on one final mock draft projection.
Without further ado, let's kick this off!
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. You can find more draft coverage at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts and regular evaluations of the top prospects.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Fernando Mendoza
QB
Indiana
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 236 lbs
Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
PAYDS
3349
RUYDS
284
INTS
6
TDS
47
No one's considering alternatives for Las Vegas. The Tyler Linderbaum signing supports the assumption that Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick, as a veteran center is a huge benefit for a young quarterback. The Raiders need a quarterback, and there's a player worthy of that selection. Pretty cut and dried.
Round 1 - Pick 2
David Bailey
EDGE
Texas Tech
• Sr
• 6'4"
/ 250 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
20th
POSITION RNK
3rd
The Jets are likely deciding between Ohio State pass rush Arvell Reese and Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall. Reese has a higher ceiling, but Bailey is more ready to see the field now. New York may be feeling the pressure to compete in 2026, so Bailey is more conducive to that goal.
Round 1 - Pick 3
Arvell Reese
EDGE
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 243 lbs
Projected Team
Arizona
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
2nd
The odds of Francis Mauigoa going here seem to be dwindling. The buzz suggests that Arizona would lean toward whichever edge rusher New York leaves on the board rather than Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
Round 1 - Pick 4
Jeremiyah Love
RB
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 214 lbs
Projected Team
Tennessee
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
1st
RUYDS
1372
YDS/ATT
6.9
REYDS
280
TDS
21
Is Tennessee's roster to a point that would justify the selection of Jeremiyah Love? Probably not. There is an argument that Brian Daboll and Robert Saleh were fired from their previous head coaching gigs because the offense fell short of expectation. Prior trauma may inform their thought process.
Round 1 - Pick 5
Caleb Downs
S
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 205 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
1st
Thinking about the tenets of John Harbaugh's Baltimore teams, there was a lot of emphasis on being strong up the middle: defensive line, linebacker and safety. The Giants have invested in the safety position with Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, but Caleb Downs answers those questions unequivocally.
Mock Trade from
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 6
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 243 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
1st
A Browns trade down with the Cowboys has been publicly negotiated and most scenarios do not result in a win-win for both parties. Dallas wants to win now whereas Cleveland is probably more comfortable acquiring resources into the future. The Cowboys can move up to No. 6 overall and keep No. 20 overall, but part with Day 2 picks each of the next two years. Dallas comes up to select a star defender in an effort to make a 2026 push.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Carnell Tate
WR
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 192 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
3rd
REC
51
REYDS
875
YDS/REC
17.2
TDS
9
If Washington misses the run on defensive talent and Jeremiyah Love is gone, where do they go? Wide receiver is the most logical path. The Commanders pair one Ohio State receiver with another.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Rueben Bain Jr.
EDGE
Miami (Fla.)
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 263 lbs
Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
New Orleans lands a powerful edge rusher opposite Chase Young as the Saints embrace the post-Cameron Jo