Jordan Reid's 2026 Seven-Round NFL Mock Draft: Comprehensive Pick Projections from No. 1 to Mr. Irrelevant
ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid released his final seven-round mock draft for 2026, projecting all 257 picks from the Las Vegas Raiders' selection of Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 to the final compensatory pick. The mock draft, based on extensive league intel, team needs, and months of scouting, provides a comprehensive forecast for every prospect's landing spot. Key highlights include the Raiders landing their franchise quarterback, the Jets bolstering their defense with Arvell Reese, and the Giants selecting Sonny Styles in the top five. The draft features a deep class of offensive linemen, edge rushers, and wide receivers, with several surprises and potential steals projected in later rounds.
The 2026 NFL draft is set to commence Thursday from Pittsburgh, and ESPN's Jordan Reid has unveiled his final seven-round mock draft, projecting every single pick from No. 1 to No. 257. Based on months of scouting, conversations with league sources, and analysis of each team's needs, this forecast offers a detailed look at where the top prospects might land. From the Raiders' selection of Fernando Mendoza to the final compensatory pick, Reid's projections provide a comprehensive roadmap for the draft.
Round 1 Analysis: Top Picks and Key Selections
The first round is headlined by the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to a national championship with an FBS-high 41 touchdown passes and only six interceptions, is seen as the franchise quarterback the Raiders have been seeking. At No. 2, the New York Jets are projected to take Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese, an explosive defender with positional versatility. The Arizona Cardinals address their offensive line issues at No. 3 by selecting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, a plug-and-play starter on the right side. The Tennessee Titans continue to build their defensive front at No. 4 with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, who led the FBS with 14.5 sacks last season.
Other notable first-round picks include the New York Giants selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 5, a rare top-five off-ball linebacker. The Cleveland Browns add a wide receiver for new coach Todd Monken's system, taking Ohio State's Carnell Tate at No. 6. The Washington Commanders land Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 7, pairing him with quarterback Jayden Daniels to create a dynamic offensive duo. The Kansas City Chiefs, picking in the top 10 for the first time in nine years, select Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9. The Dallas Cowboys use two first-round picks to bolster their defense, selecting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 12 and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson at No. 20.
Round 2 and 3: Building Depth and Addressing Needs
In the second round, the New York Jets continue their defensive overhaul by selecting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 33, a physical defender who excels near the line of scrimmage. The Arizona Cardinals address their quarterback depth by taking Alabama's Ty Simpson at No. 34, a signal-caller with impressive command and accuracy. The Tennessee Titans add a big, physical receiver in Washington's Denzel Boston at No. 35. The Las Vegas Raiders protect their new franchise quarterback by selecting Utah tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 36. The third round features several intriguing prospects, including Auburn edge rusher Keyron Crawford at No. 65 to the Arizona Cardinals, and Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell at No. 67 to the Las Vegas Raiders, a player compared to A.J. Brown before his ACL injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers add a versatile tight end in Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers at No. 54, while the Green Bay Packers select Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette at No. 84, a big, athletic defender fitting their historical preference.
Key Defensive Additions
The second round also sees several key defensive additions. The Cleveland Browns select Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 39, a player with the flexibility to play outside and nickel. The Kansas City Chiefs add a high-IQ receiver in Alabama's Germie Bernard at No. 40. The Cincinnati Bengals address their linebacker corps by taking Georgia's CJ Allen at No. 41, a downhill run defender. The Miami Dolphins select South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse at No. 43, a high-caliber athlete with scrappy man coverage skills. The Indianapolis Colts take Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez at No. 47, a playmaker who forced an FBS-best seven fumbles last season.
Rounds 4-7: Late-Round Steals and Specialists
The later rounds are filled with potential steals and specialists. In the fourth round, the Tennessee Titans select Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal at No. 101, and the Las Vegas Raiders add Arizona safety Genesis Smith at No. 102. The New York Jets take Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at No. 103, a developmental prospect with a strong arm. The fifth round features several offensive linemen, including Arizona guard Jeremiah Wright at No. 143 to the Cardinals and Notre Dame guard Billy Schrauth at No. 146 to the Browns. The sixth round includes Michigan State kicker Trey Smack at No. 197 to the Philadelphia Eagles, and the seventh round sees Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada at No. 219 to the Raiders and Georgia punter Brett Thorson at No. 220 to the Buffalo Bills.
Final Selections and Compensatory Picks
The draft concludes with compensatory picks in the seventh round, including the Denver Broncos selecting Washington guard Carver Willis with the final pick, No. 257, making him Mr. Irrelevant. Other notable late-round selections include Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson at No. 222 to the Detroit Lions, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels at No. 238 to the Miami Dolphins, and Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King at No. 253 to the Baltimore Ravens. These late-round picks often provide depth and special teams contributors, with some developing into starters over time.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Forecast for the 2026 Draft
Jordan Reid's seven-round mock draft provides a detailed forecast for the 2026 NFL draft, projecting every pick from No. 1 to No. 257. The draft is deep in offensive linemen, edge rushers, and wide receivers, with several quarterbacks expected to go in the first two rounds. The Raiders' selection of Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 sets the tone for a draft focused on franchise-building, while teams like the Jets, Giants, and Cowboys look to rebuild their defenses. Late-round picks offer potential steals and specialists, with the draft concluding with the Denver Broncos selecting Mr. Irrelevant. As always, actual draft day could bring surprises, but this mock provides a solid foundation for understanding the 2026 class.
