2026 NFL Draft Round 1 Mock Update, Top 6 Pick Odds & Analysis
As March winds down, we’re almost to April which is also known as “NFL Draft” month. Also, the final Pro Days are coming to a close, so we’ll get that last bit of information and intel on these players that we can.
Below is an updated mock draft, which I’ll provide each week leading up to the draft. While this one doesn’t include trades, the futures one will, so stay tuned.
With that, check out the latest mock draft and betting analysis for the first six picks using odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
2026 NFL Draft Round 1 Mock Update
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB – Indiana)
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese (LB – Ohio State)
3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano (T – Utah)
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love (HB – Notre Dame) | Player Draft Analysis
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa (T – Miami (FL))
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr. (ED – Miami (FL))
8. New Orleans Saints: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)
9. Kansas City Chiefs: David Bailey (ED – Texas Tech)
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)
12. Dallas Cowboys: Makai Lemon (WR – USC)
13. Los Angeles Rams: Monroe Freeling (T – Georgia)
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane (G – Penn State)
16. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor (T – Alabama)
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman (S – Oregon)
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon) | Player Draft Analysis
20. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller (T – Clemson)
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S – Toledo)
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Akheem Mesidor (ED – Miami (FL))
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)
25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks (DI – Florida)
26. Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen (LB – Georgia)
27. San Francisco 49ers: Keldric Faulk (ED – Auburn)
28. Houston Texans: Peter Woods (DI – Clemson)
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)
30. Miami Dolphins: KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)
31. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu (T – Utah)
32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood (CB – Tennessee)
No. 1 Pick Odds
It’s going to be Fernando Mendoza; there’s not even an argument to be had at this point.
Pick: Fernando Mendoza (-20000).
No. 2 Pick Odds
After the No. 1 pick, the “real draft” begins in terms of intrigue and possibility.
David Bailey is a great option. The Jets’ free agency included bringing in a veteran linebacker, Demario Davis, and several rotational pass rushers like Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. This leads me to believe Arvell Reese will be the pick.
With these pass rushers, Reese won’t be relied upon every down. The presence of Davis will help Reese learn more about being an off-ball linebacker and have him as a mentor.
Pick: Arvell Reese
No. 3 Pick Odds
The No. 3 pick is one that, from a betting angle, wouldn’t bother touching. This pick could go in so many directions with trades or just the Cardinals’ overall approach to this draft.
Look for a trade down or an offensive lineman, but Bailey has the best odds. He’d certainly be excellent for the Arizona pass rush, but if they were to stay at this pick then lean more towards Utah tackle Spencer Fano.
At his Pro Day, his arm length measurement was much longer than it was at the NFL Scouting Combine. Perhaps he could be a plug-and-play right tackle after all. If not, he’s versatile enough to play any position along the offensive line.
As we approach the draft, keep your ear to the ground for a possible trade-up situation. If so, it could only be for Jeremiyah Love.
Pick: Spencer Fano / Jeremiyah Love
No. 4 Pick Odds
If the Cardinals don’t take him or another team doesn’t trade up, I’m hard-pressed to believe Love makes it past No. 4 overall.
Some may say this is a luxury pick for a franchise like the Titans that needs talent all over the place, and it makes a ton of sense.
They have a new fantastic offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll, a young quarterback, and moving into a new stadium.
They have Tony Pollard, but he’s only under contract for one more year. He could either be cut/traded before the season, or just be there to help spell Love.
Pick: Jeremiyah Love
No. 5 Pick Odds
The Giants are one of those teams with so many holes that there’s an argument to address any of them. The odds-on favorite is Sonny Styles and I certainly understand that.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh knows what it’s like to have a premier linebacker, including Ray Lewis, or when the Ravens drafted Patrick Queen.
He had a phenomenal combine but there’s also the idea of getting Jaxson Dart another weapon and a running mate for Malik Nabers, who’s coming off a torn ACL.
The safest player would be Carnell Tate. He runs great routes, and as we saw at Ohio State, he works well in an offense where he’s not asked to be the WR1.
This would provide a massive spark to their offense.
Pick: Carnell Tate
No. 6 Pick Odds
The Browns could look to the offensive line. They brought in Zion Johnson, Tytus Howard, and Elgton Jenkins. However, drafting a player to come in and play in one of these key positions on a rookie deal would be great for setting up Shedeur Sanders or whoever the starter is up for success in 2026-27.
If Francis Mauigoa is on the board, he’d be the choice. They technically have a tight tackle in Tytus Howard, but would feel more comfortable with trying to convert him to left tackle over the often-injured Dawand Jones while plugging Mauigoa to the right (which was the only position he played in college).
Monroe Freeling could also be an option, but Mauigoa is a proven commodity and could play inside if needed.
Pick: Francis Mauigoa
Photo Credit: AP/Michael Laughlin
