Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach has described the 2026 NFL Draft as “unique.” After running through a full first-round mock draft, I might add the word “challenging.”
There’s no doubt this isn’t a typical draft year. The NFL is still factoring in the COVID era of college football (one likely first-round pick played six college seasons) and the NIL and transfer portal eras mean this year’s class has fewer early entrants and more players who bounced from one college to another.
The only house rule here is that trades were not calculated into the equation. Another of Veach’s observations may also prove accurate; a flurry of trade activity could punctuate Thursday night’s action. More frequently than not, however, I found myself wishing to trade back rather than to trade up in the first round. There might be some opportunities where a trade works for both sides — and perhaps Veach is speaking to his own inclination not to patiently wait at No. 9 while his favorite players slide off the board.
Without further ado, here’s my take on how the first round might play out Thursday night.
No. 1 Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Unless the Raiders have delivered a completely unnecessary smokescreen, there shouldn’t be any drama with the first selection of the draft. Is Mendoza the right quarterback for Las Vegas? Only time will tell, but it’s a choice the Raiders must make. It’s up to the organization if they ruin Mendoza or give him a chance to flourish.
No. 2 New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Another selection that shouldn’t come with much drama, as the Jets have essentially been on the clock since the draft order was set in January. They cancelled a “30 visit” with David Bailey, seemingly paving the way for Reese as the choice here. Reese lacks experience as a full-time edge, but he possesses the athleticism.
No. 3 Arizona Cardinals: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
The only surprise here would arise if the Cardinals don’t take Bailey. He’s the more polished of the edge rushers at the top of the draft, although going from good at Stanford to great at Texas Tech in one year is at least a beige flag.
No. 4 Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Another reasonably slam-dunk decision here for General Manager Mike Borgonzi. The Titans need one of two things at No. 4: an elite running back to take the pressure off second-year quarterback Cam Ward, or pass protection to keep Ward off the ground. Offensive line isn’t a terrible choice, but Love is a potential superstar, and none of this year’s tackles are of high enough quality.
No. 5 New York Giants: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Giants have a lot of choices here, many of which impact the Chiefs and whom they may land at No. 9. Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles Jr. and receiver Jordyn Tyson appear in the mix. Downs is the most coveted, even if it’s not a premium position. The Giants are not necessarily a one-year turnaround, so draft for the future. Downs is the most NFL-ready player in the draft.
No. 6 Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Tate is the latest product of the Buckeyes’ wide receiver factory, coming off a second-team All-American season. Add the Ohio State connection, and the first supply of jerseys should sell out within an hour. However, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys or Chiefs try to land this pick for their preferred choice.
No. 7 Washington Commanders: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
The Commanders appear eager to add to the defense, and Bain is the best fit on the board. He’s a pass rusher who can line up across the defensive line, and given his stout frame, he might be best suited as an interior rusher on third downs.
No. 8 New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Injuries are the red flag for Tyson, but if he’s healthy, he’s widely considered the receiver with the most upside in this draft. The comparisons to Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson are premature, but Tyson might match them if his injury problems are in the past.
No. 9 Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane CB, LSU
This draft might be Veach’s worst nightmare. Three edge rushers, two receivers and Downs are off the board. The options are Sonny Styles Jr., who can replace Leo Chenal now and take over from Nick Bolton later; an offensive tackle such as Francis Mauigoa, which would burn more draft resources in the OL engine; the third-best receiver in Makai Lemon; cornerback Jermod McCoy coming off a torn ACL; or a reasonably safe selection like Delane. His best NFL comparison might be Trent McDuffie, right down to the undersized frame, quick catch-up speed, and versatility.
No. 10 New York Giants: LB Sonny Styles Jr., Ohio State
The calculation made for the Giants pays off here. Styles should be a consideration for every team in the second half of the top 10, but other needs drive the off-ball linebacker to the Giants. Maybe the Giants’ defense can be a one-year fix for new coach John Harbaugh.
No. 11 Miami Dolphins: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
The first offensive tackle goes off the board to the Dolphins, and it’s a short trip across town for Mauigoa. He’s a perfect fit for Miami, which has needs at both tackle and guard. He can start at guard and transition to tackle, or move to guard if tackle doesn’t work out, much like Kingsley Suamataia.
No. 12 Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
My first instinct is that McCoy would fall farther than No. 12 coming off the ACL injury in January 2025, but landing with the Cowboys makes too much sense. Dallas needs help in the secondary as well as the pass rush, but the likes of Keldric Faulk or Akheem Mesidor are a stretch here when a talent such as McCoy is on the board. It’s a Jerry Jones kind of selection.
No. 13 Los Angeles Rams: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
No team in the NFL cares less about positional draft value than the Rams, who simply view draft choices as a means to get the player they want. The Rams appear interested in Simpson as the future with Matthew Stafford entering a contract season at age 38. Trading back might appeal to the Rams, but with teams such as the Steelers at No. 21 also interested, it might be now or never for General Manager Les Snead.
No. 14 Baltimore Ravens: WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Ravens could go several directions here, but Lemon is a sure-handed, smooth route runner who will provide Lamar Jackson with another valuable weapon. The Biletnikoff Award winner showed steady improvement throughout his college career.
No. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
There is a gap between the top three edge rushers in the draft and the second tier, starting with Faulk. A big defender with length, the biggest knock is that his production was inconsistent at Auburn, and 2025 was a down season for Faulk.
No. 16 New York Jets: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Cooper wasn’t part of the transfer-portal rebuild Curt Cignetti led at Indiana, but rather a holdover from the previous regime who blossomed under the new coach. A big-play receiver who had 13 touchdown catches last season.
No. 17 Detroit Lions: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
The Lions wouldn’t be able to get the card with Fano’s name on it in the commissioner’s hand fast enough. The departure of Taylor Decker leaves an opening across from star tackle Penei Sewell, and Fano fills that opening nicely.
No. 18 Minnesota Vikings, S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
The Vikings would also be ecstatic with how this draft has played out, landing the second-best safety in a top-heavy safety class this year. He posted 106, 104 and 96 tackles during two seasons at Purdue and last year at Oregon.
No. 19 Carolina Panthers: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt are approaching 30, and Ioane is a long-term solution inside.
No. 20 Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
No one replaces Micah Parsons, but the Dallas pass rush fell apart after the three-time All-Pro was traded to Green Bay. Mesidor played parts of six college seasons and turns 25 this weekend, but he was outstanding last year with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss for the Hurricanes.
No. 21 Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Freeling is a potential day-one starter and would help ensure that the anticipated starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, feels well protected.
No. 22 Los Angeles Chargers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Woods is a high-motor player who is a tad undersized but makes up for it with quickness and stability. Athletic enough that the Tigers used him as a short-yardage back last season, tallying eight carries for 15 yards and two scores.
No. 23 Philadelphia Eagles: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Lane Johnson turns 36 this season, and his contract is built for a year-to-year decision on his future. If this is the last rodeo for him, Miller could be the long-term replacement for the two-time Super Bowl champion.
No. 24 Cleveland Browns: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor, at nearly 6-foot-7 and 358 pounds, would be the perfect complement opposite the 6-foot-8, 350-pound Orlando Brown Jr.
No. 25 Chicago Bears: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
The 6-foot-2, 326-pound nose tackle is a run stuffer (65 tackles last season) with some juice as a pass rusher (three sacks).
No. 26 Buffalo Bills: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Don’t sleep on the MAC safety, who tallied 77 tackles last year, along with seven passes broken up, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
No. 27 San Francisco: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
The 49ers have a hole at right tackle, and that’s before considering that left tackle Trent Williams turns 38 this season.
No. 28 Houston Texans: OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
The Texans have been searching for answers along the interior of the offensive line, and Bisontis looks like a long-term solution.
No. 29 Kansas City Chiefs: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Chiefs missed out on Tyson at No. 9, but they filled the need at receiver here with the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Boston. The opposite of the usual Kansas City receiver, and that’s the point — Boston has sure hands (just five drops in 53 college games despite less than blazing speed. It wouldn’t surprise if the Chiefs explored a trade up for an offensive tackle. Kansas City takes Boston here, betting there will be depth at edge rusher available at No. 40 in the second round.
No. 30 Miami Dolphins: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The Dolphins have plenty of holes, and Terrell fills another position of need at premium value. A bit undersized, yet quick, Terrell is the type of corner that can move from outside to the slot with ease.
No. 31 New England Patriots: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
With the departures of edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, the Patriots replenish the defensive line with a player who tallied 21.5 sacks in three seasons with Clemson.
No. 32 Seattle Seahawks: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
I know this won’t be a popular pick. Many will wonder why Sadiq didn’t go earlier — and likely a lot of Chiefs fans will wish he landed at No. 29. I concede his lack of length (6-foot-3 and 1/8-inch height) is a concern, as well as limited experience, which makes me less enamored with Sadiq than others. There aren’t a ton of teams where tight end is a high priority. Sadiq is among those players who could go in the early teens or slide a bit.
