As we close in on NFL draft week, the first round of the 2026 class still feels about as clear as mud. The Cowboys are slated to make picks 12 and 20 as things stand today. Could that change in my mock? Let’s find out!
1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana This is the one true lock for this year’s class. Mendoza has everything you could ask for, from the frame and measurements to the mental makeup. His timing is NFL-ready and his decision-making is strong when it matters. His 39 touchdowns to zero interceptions in the red zone since 2024 is nothing short of incredible. With Kirk Cousins serving as the bridge, Mendoza will have time to develop even further.
2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State The Jets will be flipping a coin to decide their franchise cornerstone on defense between Reese and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. I don’t think there’s a wrong decision here, but the upside of Reese is more than exciting. Reese will barely be 21 years old at the beginning of the season and still has room to fill out his 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame. He has multiple pass-rush moves in his bag along with the ability to spy and handle man coverage assignments underneath. An absolute freak of nature.
David Bailey (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
3. Arizona Cardinals — David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech The Cardinals will be thrilled to take whichever pass-rush prospect is left from that proverbial coin flip by the Jets at No. 2. In this case, they land the best pure pass rusher in the draft who is as explosive as it gets. He somehow gets quicker and stronger as his rushes develop. Quick feet and hips allow him to shed blocks and be effective in run support. Once he develops an NFL-ready inside rush move, he will be a popular name in highlight packages.
4. Tennessee Titans — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame The Titans say you can take your positional value nonsense somewhere else. Real and rare explosivity to and through the hole, he is not afraid to lower his pad level to bounce off of defenders. He is equally as good running outside zone concepts by winning with his speed and acceleration. He has multiple moves to escape tackles, including a fun spin move. He is a lethal weapon out of the backfield that has buttery smooth routes like he’s a wide receiver. His pass protection is probably his weakest link, but it’s average at worst. Pairing him up with Cam Ward should be a very fun experiment.
5. New York Giants — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Here come the "G-Men" to ruin Cowboys’ hopes and dreams by taking the showstopper of the NFL scouting combine. Styles heads to New York where he will instantly be a "green dot" player who can do it all. He is a solid tackler that can cover sideline to sideline and blitz with incredible burst and twitch. To add icing on the cake, all of his best moments came in big games or important situations.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 29: Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
6. TRADE! Dallas Cowboys — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Here’s your draft night stunner. The Cowboys trade picks No. 12 and No. 20 for No. 6 and No. 39 from the Browns and take their future All-Pro safety. He can play anywhere in Christian Parker’s scheme, from single-high to the line of scrimmage. He has an incredible football IQ with a knack for tackling in both the pass and run games. He understands man and zone assignments and is rarely out of place. He is one of the cleanest prospects in this class, my second overall player.
7. Washington Commanders — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State This is easily a spot I could see playing spoiler for a couple of Cowboy-hopefuls. I’m a big fan of helping out your young QB as much as you can, and this feels like a very Adam Peters pick. Tall and lengthy with reliable hands and excellent focus on downfield assignments. He immediately opens up the passing game for an offense that needs help.
8. New Orleans Saints — Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami The Saints march into the draft and take one of the best players in this class. All the talk about his short arm length should be a nonstory after you watch his tape. Your mind almost certainly defaults to the T-Rex when I say the word dinosaur, right? It's the most feared species despite a couple of rulers for arms. Bain is as disruptive as they get. He has a full arsenal of pass-rush moves including a disgusting rip move. Tight ends will fear him and his relentless motor.
9. Kansas City Chiefs — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Writing about the Chiefs this high in the order just feels wrong. They haven’t picked inside the top 10 since they drafted Patrick Mahomes. That’s the man they aim to help with this pick. If you like plays that will go viral, here is your guy. He is explosive in his breaks with great speed that helps him run away from defenders in his very creative routes. A dense injury history makes him a polarizing choice, but if he stays healthy to start his career, Tyson will end up as one of the most overthought prospects in recent years.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 11: Cornerback Mansoor Delane #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers celebrates a pass defense during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.(Photo by Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)
10. Cincinnati Bengals — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Here’s a cornerback that can match up with just about any kind of pass catcher. Delane can keep up with vertical threats and lock down the bigger, physical archetype at the same clip. He has excellent press coverage skills with the patience and knowledge to run zone schemes. Simply put: He found out how to make covering elite athletes look easy.
11. Miami Dolphins — Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami A right tackle by trade, Mauigoa has the lower-body base equivalent of a tree trunk that prevents him from getting flat-out beaten in most instances. He has incredibly strong hands that do not tend to let go once he makes contact with a defender. He has a chance to be one of the better run blockers in the league early on, while his pass protection will be solid.
12. Cleveland Browns (via Dallas) — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama One of the most agile yet monstrous humans I’ve ever seen. He makes great use of his hands to keep defenders off of his chest along with that agility, but he often is late off the ball. Fluctuating weight will be the biggest detriment to his projection.
13. Los Angeles Rams — Makai Lemon, WR, USC Dominant in the slot with a unique build. He can win the 50/50 ball despite his size. He forces missed tackles and runs with authority, almost like a running back. This pick makes too much sense after the Rams attempted to trade Davante Adams this season.
14. Baltimore Ravens — Spencer Fano, OL, Utah I like this pick for the Ravens because they can essentially do whatever they want with Fano. He played left tackle and right tackle in college but told teams at the combine that he is willing to play inside, even doing drills at the center position. The latter of those options feels intriguing after losing Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, Fano could be a monster on the interior.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon How do you replace the production of a future Hall of Fame wide receiver like Mike Evans? Draft an absolute freak of nature that catches passes. Oregon used him in a variety of spots, including out wide and in the backfield, but he primarily plays attached to the offensive line. He is a rare vertical threat at his position thanks to his quick release and top-end speed, running a sub-4.40 in the 40-yard dash. He is an underrated blocker who does have some focus issues in the pass game.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 09: Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers warms up prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
16. New York Jets — Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana To put things simply, the Jets' wide receiver situation is miserable. Garrett Wilson is coming off a knee injury and then… that’s about it. Cooper may be the most NFL-ready wideout in this class. He can beat press coverage with his physicality that translates over the middle of the field where he is not afraid to draw contact. He can go up and high-point a pass for you as well. If Geno Smith really can take the Jets to the "promised land" (Aaron Glenn said it, not me), it will be because of a talent like Cooper.
17. Detroit Lions — Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State This is a Detroit Lion if I’ve ever seen one. Thick and strong. He is great in the pass game and will always finish a block in the run game. He is a really smart player that uses his gifts to his advantage.
18. Minnesota Vikings — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon If Caleb Downs wasn’t in this class, Thieneman would be the defensive chess piece that is discussed at length. He rarely takes a bad route to the football and is a sure tackler. He was asked to play in a lot of different spots at Oregon; you have to imagine defensive coordinator Brian Flores would do the same. Lots of games played under his belt will certainly help the cause.
19. Carolina Panthers — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia One of the more polarizing prospects that has been shooting up boards in recent days. He is extremely powerful but lacks in hand technique. He understands the assignment every play and found some consistency late last season. Injuries were an issue in 2025, but he could be a true starting left tackle in the NFL.
20. Cleveland Browns (via Dallas) — KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M Here’s another surprise pick based on consensus rankings. I have Concepcion as an early second-round pick grade, but the Browns never seem to care about consensus views. They hosted Concepcion for a visit that went well and for good reason. He gets ridiculous separation in his violent breaks. He has inconsistent hands but doubles as a special teams threat. He is a very intriguing prospect that would be higher up if he could finish catches.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson It took all of my strength to not pick Ty Simpson here. It would almost be the most Steelers pick ever, except Parker is the most Steelers pick ever. He has wonderful raw power moves and rarely beats you with speed but shows some quickness when rushing inside. A strong appearance at the Senior Bowl makes me feel better about his production drop-off from 2024 to last season.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Akheem Mesidor #3 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after sacking Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami Much like his teammate Bain, Mesidor has a motor that never stops. He is incredibly smart and seems to have a counter move for most pass sets. He has great bend, hands and closing speed. Age and injuries add concern, but he is NFL-ready.
23. Philadelphia Eagles — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson This is a very tricky pick with the future of A.J. Brown up in the air. Howie Roseman is incredibly good at addressing ailing positions before it’s too late. Miller played a lot of football in his college career with 54 starts and will slide in for Lane Johnson once his time is up. He has prototypical size with great power. The Eagles would hit a home run with this pick, sadly.
24. Cleveland Browns — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee The Browns, in this scenario, have three chances to really reboot their franchise. This pick could make or break that sentiment. McCoy would be CB1 if he never tore his ACL in 2024. He is a press coverage monster that follows the eyes of the quarterback in zone coverage and is always in position to make a play.
25. Chicago Bears — Zion Young, DE, Missouri After striking out on Maxx Crosby, the Bears would love to add some pass-rush help. This is a physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds with thunderous hands and power. He is solid against the run and the "want-to" factor is unquestionable. He is a three-down edge rusher that helps the Bears creep closer to contention.
AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 11: Keldric Faulk #15 of the Auburn Tigers lines up against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
26. Buffalo Bills — Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn One of the biggest "potential" guys in this class with his massive frame and lack of statistical production. He is a high-character player that has immense power and the ability to play across the defensive line. He needs to be more decisive off the snap but has all of the tools to be a quality player.
27. San Francisco 49ers — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah The future of Trent Williams is in flux regardless of his contract dispute as he enters his age-38 season. Lomu played left tackle for Utah and did not allow a single sack in 2025. He needs to add strength to be the road paver that he absolutely can be, but he is more than worthy of this slot. He would thrive learning from an all-time great.
28. Houston Texans — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State Iheanachor comes from Arizona State via Nigeria, moving to the States when he was 13 years old. He is another Senior Bowl guy that benefited a ton from his performance. He has the strength to overcome some of his technical issues, but plenty to learn.
29. Kansas City Chiefs — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee One of the more underrated players in this class for my money. He tracks the ball very well, has a great feel for positioning on the field and the ability to drive on the football. He tackles well and isn’t shy of contact. He’s going to look like an NFL starter in Week 1.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Chris Johnson #1 of the San Diego State Aztecs reacts as he returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the California Golden Bears at Snapdragon Stadium on September 20, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
30. Miami Dolphins — Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State A lot of love from Cowboys media for this to be the pick at No. 20, but I see him as more of a fringe first-round selection with a day two grade. He’s better in situations where he can play off the receiver but has great size and length. A shaky Senior Bowl was righted by a solid combine.
31. New England Patriots — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington In this situation, the Patriots are wiped out at offensive line fits in the first round. May as well settle for an electric wideout that can play the X and the slot. He can make all of the highlight-reel catches and runs with physicality. Think of the man they faced in the AFC championship game this past season: Courtland Sutton.
32. Seattle Seahawks — Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame This feels like a no-brainer. The Super Bowl MVP running back departs the team in free agency, creating a glaring need. Price played behind Jeremiyah Love, which makes some of his numbers less attractive, but I think he has the traits to be a three-down back in the league. He does have a fumble issue, but plenty of things to make up for it. He is a weapon in the return game, has great pass protection and runs with a low pad level.
In this trade scenario, you are giving up No. 12, No. 20 and likely a pick next year to make this deal sweet enough for Cleveland. A home run of a trade up for the Cowboys lands them my most coveted player in this class. Caleb Downs elevates the floor of a historically bad defense and will be a chess piece in the Christian Parker scheme. Pairing him up with the likes of Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker will provide offenses many problems looking downfield as long as the cornerback play holds steady enough. Now, for the second-round pick you get along with No. 6: I would keep an eye on Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and cornerback Treydan Stukes from Arizona. It is going to take a village to fix this unit, but this is a great starting point.
