Daniel the Draftnick – Tyson doesn’t go #1, Cards go WR, Three QB’s in Round 1, more

Column by Daniel Rios “Daniel the Draftnick” 

With us entering the final week of the college football season and Week 14 of the NFL season, it’s a good point in time to see how the 2026 NFL draft is shaping up. There are still months between now and the draft, meaning that where teams select could change, and prospects could easily go back to school for another year. 

In this mock, we’re going to assume everyone eligible is available, and it’ll be a no-trade mock. 

 

1. Tennessee Titans (1-10) 

Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

 

The Titans have the ultimate luxury selection at No. 1 overall, not needing a quarterback. In 2025, they selected the face of the offense in Cam Ward, and here at No. 1 overall in 2026, they chose the face of the defense in Bain. 

Bain is the definition of power on the edge and can truly disrupt games. With Tennessee needing help on the defensive side of the ball, particularly getting pressure on the quarterback, Bain will help in that area quickly at the NFL level. 

 

2. New York Giants (2-10) 

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State 

The Giants are the only team in the NFL that is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Despite the disappointing record, Giants fans are optimistic about rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has shown promise in year 1. Like Tennessee, New York has the luxury of not needing a quarterback while picking in the top 5. 

With the pick, they go with Reese, who has easily boosted his stock the most in this college football season. Don’t know exactly where Reese will fit into this defense, but that’s the luxury of selecting him! He can be dominant as an edge player or find success in space as an off-ball linebacker. 

 

3. New Orleans Saints (2-9) 

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

 

This may come as a surprise to many, but rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has shown enough to have another year as the Saints’ starter. To help head coach Kellen Moore truly see what he has in Shough, New Orleans goes wide receiver in Tyson. 

Tyson is a crafty route runner who has it all with speed, ball tracking and catches everything. He can easily become a dominant X receiver on the outside, but he has the versatility to move in the slot as well. 

 

4. New York Jets (2-9) 

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

Another surprise here in the top 5 of the draft. While many think the Jets will go quarterback with this pick, I think they will wait until the 2027 draft, when prospects like Arch Manning and Julian Sayin will be available. 

As a result, general manager Darren Mougey will use the capital he gained from trading stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to load up his roster with talent for the eventual rookie quarterback he’ll select. Downs is considered the “safest” pick in the draft, with otherworldly skills on the defensive side of the ball. 

 

5. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) 

Dante Moore, QB, Oregon 

 

The quarterback frenzy starts with Vegas, and rightfully so. The Geno Smith sign-and-trade has been a disaster for the Raiders so far, and the experiment is likely over after a year if the Raiders find themselves in a position to take a quarterback in April. 

Moore may stay in college, as it’s his first year starting in college football, but it definitely doesn’t look like it when you watch him. He’s calm, isn’t scared to take shots down the field and accurate when operating an offense. 

 

6. Cleveland Browns (3-8) 

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Shedeur Sanders made his first start last week for the Browns and beat the Raiders. He may show enough to garner another year as the starter, but in this mock he doesn’t and the Browns select their third quarterback in the past two drafts. 

Mendoza is everything you look for in a quarterback when it comes to size. He can sling the ball down the field, particularly down the seams and knows how to layer it perfectly over defenders.

 

7. Washington Commanders (3-8) 

Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 

This season has been nothing that Commanders fans expected over the summer, but on the bright side, Washington gets a top 10 pick. With the pick, they address the elephant in the room in the edge rusher position on the team. Faulk comes in with a big frame, standing at 6-foot-6, and while he hasn’t had a crazy productive season, Faulk has all the traits to become a dominant edge in the NFL. 

 

8. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) 

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson 

The Bengals need defensive help. It’s as simple as that, and Woods, before the 2025 college football season, was a consensus top 3 pick. Like the Bengals, Clemson hasn’t had the season most anticipated, and neither has Woods. His 2024 tape is too good to ignore and his presence in the run game certainly hasn’t diminished. In 2025, Woods has a run-stop rate of 10.4 percent. 

 

9. Arizona Cardinals (3-8) 

Makai Lemon, WR, USC 

Quarterback is certainly in play here for Arizona, with Kyler Murray’s future with the team uncertain. Whoever the Cardinals’ quarterback is will be happy with this pick in Lemon. He’s quickly become one of my favorite prospects in this class and he answers a major receiver need for the Cardinals. 

Lemon can truly separate at an elite level, and what’s even more dangerous is his ability to make guys miss after the catch. He’ll be a true weapon at the next level. 

 

10. Miami Dolphins (4-7) 

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee 

The Dolphins, like the Commanders, have a glaring need at one position. For Miami, it’s the cornerback position, and they answer it with McCoy. He suffered an ACL injury in January and hasn’t played this season, but his 2024 tape clearly advocates for him being the best corner in this class. 

 

11. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta 4-7) 

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah 

Rams tackle Rob Havenstein has battled injuries all season long, indicating his time may be up in the NFL. It’s unclear if he’ll retire after this season, but the Rams have a luxury: the Falcons’ pick, which they can use to select Fano as a succession plan for Havenstein. 

 

12. Minnesota Vikings (4-7) 

A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon 

The Vikings aren’t having the season many anticipated, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s struggles are a big reason. Regardless, Minnesota needs to address the defensive tackle position, and Washington brings much-needed youth to the position. He’s a big and powerful tackle who can move the line of scrimmage wherever he lines up. 

 

13. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) 

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech 

All you need to know about Bailey is that he has a pass-rush win rate of 23.4 percent. He’s an explosive rusher off the edge, helping a Cowboys pass rush that saw major improvements on the inside with Quinnen Williams. With second-round pick Donavon Ezeiriaku slowly finding his footing in the league, he and Bailey can become a scary duo on the outside. 

 

14. Carolina Panthers (6-5) 

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 

The Panthers have leaped this season with Bryce Young and their offense. The defense could use some upgrades, but to help Young take another step in his game, Carolina selects Tate, a powerful receiver on the outside. He has an absurd catch radius and has some good size at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. Oh, and he’s from Ohio State, so surely he’ll work out. 

 

15. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) 

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Chiefs aren’t the contenders we’re used to seeing, but with Patrick Mahomes still on the team, anything is possible. With stars like Travis Kelce aging on the offensive side of the ball, Kansas City selects Love, who can bring some youthful energy to the offense. 

Love can do it all with his big frame. He’s agile, patient as a runner, and, most importantly, can catch the ball out of the backfield. Love would instantly raise the ceiling of the Chiefs’ offense the second he steps into the facility. 

 

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) 

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 

Simpson is like Dante Moore. Both are in their first year starting at the college level and can go back to school without declaring for the draft. In this mock, Simpson is available and the Steelers take another shot at a quarterback in the draft. Aaron Rodgers is up there in age, and it’s unclear if he’ll return after this season. Simpson has shown major promise at Alabama this year, and with a year of learning under Rodgers, he could become a quality starter in the NFL. 

 

17. Houston Texans (6-5)

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 

Houston doesn’t realistically need any upgrades on the defensive side of the ball, so with the 17th pick, they address the offensive line. The Texans’ line play has been better than anticipated going into this season, but it still needs some upgrades, and Mauigoa can easily help with that. He’ll likely shift over to guard in the NFL, which the Texans could use. 

 

18. Detroit Lions (7-4) 

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU 

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard loves to play man coverage, and at times this season, it’s clear his personnel hasn’t executed his vision. Delane has all the attributes to come into Detroit and make an immediate impact on the outside. He’s a smart, sticky cornerback who understands route combinations, making it easier for him to stay on receivers.

 

19. Baltimore Ravens (6-5) 

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State 

Like his teammate, Reese, these two have been on a mission all season long, leading the powerful Buckeyes’ defense. Ravens could use some help at the backer position, and Styles is an athletic downhill backer. He’s a converted safety, so the power he plays with on film is a bit surprising, but a major reason he’s considered a first-round pick. 

 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) 

Cahius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M 

Howell fits perfectly into Tampa Bay’s 3-4 scheme. He is undersized for a true edge rusher position in the NFL, but fits nicely into the outside linebacker position. As David Bailey picked earlier, all you have to know about him is his 21.8 pass-rush win rate. He’s dominant going after the quarterback, but struggles a bit defending the run. 

 

21. Buffalo Bills (7-4) 

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington 

The Thursday night game against the Texans just a week ago showcased the limitations of the Bills’ offense. The line could play better, but Buffalo doesn’t have a real threat on the outside, Josh Allen can target time and time again. Boston comes in with his 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame, making him an easy candidate to line up as the X receiver. 

 

22. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville 7-4)

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 

The offensive tackle class has been disappointing up to this point of the college football season, but Proctor has shown some upside throughout this season. He’s had his fair share of struggles, but his mauling size can be intriguing at the NFL level, being 6-foot-7, 366 pounds. He could come in and help protect the quarterback of the future for the Browns, and in this mock, that’s Mendoza. 

 

23. San Francisco 49ers (8-4) 

T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson 

San Francisco needs some juice rushing the passer outside of Nick Bosa. Parker hasn’t had the season many anticipated, but he’s still flashed the traits he showcased in 2024. He only has two sacks on the season for Clemson, but has a pass-rush win rate of 15.7 percent. He can do it all out on the edge and win any way he wants; he has to put it all together and show it more consistently. 

 

24. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay 7-3-1) 

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson 

Dallas uses the first pick via the Micah Parsons trade and upgrades the defense in other areas after addressing edge earlier in this draft. The secondary is headlined by Daron Bland, with Trevon Diggs out with an injury, making it clear the Cowboys need upgrades on the outside. Terrell started off the season strong and has only let up 50 receiving yards twice this season. 

 

25. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)  

Caleb Banks, DL, Florida 

The Chargers lost Poona Ford to free agency in the offseason, leaving a major need on the interior of their defensive line. Banks battled injury throughout this season at Florida, but came back a little rusty and still showcased his fast hands and power for his size. 

 

26. Chicago Bears (8-3)

Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech 

Things couldn’t be going better for the Bears right now. They’re atop the NFC North, and the Ben Johnson offense is getting better by the week. Chicago could use an upgrade at left tackle, but edge is another major need for the team, and they address it here with Height. 

Like his teammate, Bailey, both have been exploding off the edge for the Red Raiders all season. Height has a pass-rush win rate of 22 percent and six sacks this season. 

 

27. Seattle Seahawks (8-3) 

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina 

The Seahawks run a heavy zone scheme defensively, and Cisse fits it perfectly. He’s been a big riser this season in South Carolina, showing his traits on the outside. Seattle needs help in the secondary, with the future of Riq Woolen being on the team after this offseason in doubt. 

 

28. New York Jets (via Indianapolis 8-3)

Chris Bell, WR, Louisville 

If the Jets aren’t going to go quarterback in 2026, they absolutely need to ensure this roster has the talent to support a rookie quarterback in 2027. Outside of Garrett Wilson, New York doesn’t have a solidified receiver on the outside. Bell is a big, strong, and fast receiver who is lethal after the catch at 6-foot-2. 

 

29. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) 

Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa 

Eagles need some help on the interior after losing Mekhi Becton to the Chargers in free agency, and man, Dunker can answer that call for help. Like Mauigoa, Dunker will move on the inside at the NFL level. He’s used to the zone scheme the Eagles will run, and, more importantly, he’ll be coached by Jeff Stoutland, who can help him find his stride in the NFL early. 

 

30. Denver Broncos (9-2)

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon 

One thing that comes to mind when watching the Broncos play this year is that they need more athletic pass catchers. Not to knock any of the guys they have right now, but when you watch Sadiq play football at tight end, I envision him in a Broncos uniform next season. He can make acrobatic catches and, most importantly, block efficiently out in space or in-line. 

 

31. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee 

Chris Shula has gotten absolutely everything he can out of his defensive players. He’s been able to turn his main corners Emmanuel Forbes Jr and Cobie Durant into lockdown corners. With their second pick in the first round, the Rams opt to give Shula another talented defensive back to work with, as the future of Ahkello Witherspoon is unclear. 

 

32. New England Patriots (10-2)

R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma 

This is a familiar spot to pick, isn’t it, Patriots fans? From having the fourth pick a season ago to being projected to be the 32nd. Not enough can be said of what head coach Mike Vrabel has done to get his team to this point. Edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson has looked like an excellent signing so far for New England, but they can still use another body that can rush the passer and Thomas brings juice.