Wilson's final 2026 NFL mock draft: What I'm hearing with Round 1 one day away

One last prediction of the top 32 picks as teams finalize plans for the first round

Ryan Wilson

Apr 22, 2026

7:00 pm ET

•

1 min read

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This is it: my final 2026 NFL mock draft. It's the one where, after months of preaching "don't overthink it," I do just that one last time.

This is my best guess at how the first round will unfold, based on conversations with sources in recent days and weeks. Incidentally, my "what teams should do" mock drafts -- the ones that come out earlier in draft week -- fare better once the dust settles. Either way, enjoy (or get angry) one last time.

We all know who the Raiders are taking, but after that, it truly feels like anything could happen -- in a way that hasn't been the case in recent drafts. I keep hearing that the Giants love Jordyn Tyson at No. 5, and the teams I've spoken with think Ty Simpson will, in fact, go in the first round. There's also a good chance we could see nine offensive linemen come off the board on Day 1.

Alright, let's get to it!

After No. 1, it's all up in the air: Inside the NFL's split on the 2026 draft

Matt Zenitz

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place Thursday through Saturday 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

Indiana

• Jr

• 6'5"

/ 236 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

3535

RUYDS

276

INTS

TDS

Done and done.

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

Aaron Glenn doesn't have two years to fix the Jets. He might not have two months if the team gets off to a slow start. David Bailey is the most NFL-ready edge rusher in the class.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Jeremiyah Love

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6'0"

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1372

YDS/ATT

6.9

REYDS

280

TDS

Yes, the Cards just signed Tyler Allgeier. And yes, doubling down at running back would be a luxury for a team with plenty of needs in the league's best division. But there's been a lot of smoke around Love to Arizona, and I wouldn't be shocked if he came off the board here.

Round 1 - Pick 4

Arvell Reese

EDGE

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'4"

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

Robert Saleh is a defensive coach, and Reese has a chance to be one of the best players in the class -- he'll just need time to develop. And while we've spent a lot of time talking about the Saleh-Sonny Styles–Fred Warner connections, Reese could be even more menacing once he gets comfortable at the next level.

Round 1 - Pick 5

Jordyn Tyson

Arizona State

• Jr

• 6'2"

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

REYDS

711

YDS/REC

11.7

TDS

Two weeks ago, we were all concerned about Tyson's injury history. Then he put together an impressive private workout, and several sources indicated that not only do the Giants really like the Jodyn Tyson, but he could be the target at No. 5. We'll see how much truth there is to that Thursday night, but this would be a huge win for second-year QB Jaxson Dart.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Spencer Fano

Utah

• Jr

• 6'6"

/ 311 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

I've heard that the Browns like several offensive tackles and would also love to trade down (this is likely the spot the Cowboys would need to get to if they wanted, say, Sonny Styles). If Cleveland can't move off the pick, it could be Monroe Freeling or Fano, both of whom I have ranked higher on my board.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Rueben Bain Jr.

EDGE

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6'2"

/ 263 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

The Commanders spent free agency beefing up their pass rush, but there's still room to improve. Bain Jr. is an outlier when you look at the measurables, but he consistently took over games throughout his Miami career.

Round 1 - Pick 8

Carnell Tate

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'2"

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

REYDS

875

YDS/REC

17.2

TDS

The Saints are looking to get Tyler Shough some help, and while I've heard they prefer Tyson, Tate isn't a bad consolation prize.

Round 1 - Pick 9

Francis Mauigoa

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6'6"

/ 329 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

4th

Mauigoa is my OT1, but some teams are concerned about a lingering back issue. That said, Andy Reid wants to bolster the offensive line, and Mauigoa is a Day 1 starter at tackle or guard.

From

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1 - Pick 10

Sonny Styles

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6'5"

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y