Catrell Simpson’s 2026 Mock Draft 1.0

1. Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana 

The Raiders have been searching for the Derek Carr replacement for 4 years. While I may not be as high on Mendoza as others, this is a no-brainer decision. The clear QB1 will call Las Vegas home and try to return the Raiders to their glory days. 

2. Jets - EDGE Reuben Bain, Miami

With Dante Moore deciding to go back to school, this pick really could go in a number of directions. The Jets lack talent. Period. With that being the case, I believe the Jets mindset should be to take the best player available (BPA). Bain would be a cornerstone piece to a Jets defensive line that over the years has been the glimmer of hope for New York fans.

3. Cardinals - EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State 

Just like the Jets, the Cardinals are a team that has a void of talent. Many questions remain around if Kyler Murray will ever take another snap under center in Arizona. With the uncertainty on offense and ranking 28th in the 2025 for total sacks, Reese feels like the perfect fit in Arizona. 

4. Titans - WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State 

While 2025 was far from perfect, you saw flashes with rookie QB Cam Ward. The most production from a Titans receiver came from Elic Ayomanor, with a pedestrian 515 yards. How do you make a young QB more comfortable? You give him protection and you give him a reliable weapon. Tyson will be an immediate upgrade in a WR room that needs a complete revamp.

5. Giants - CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Although they are picking in the top 5, the Giants find themselves in a favorable position. You have stability at QB, RB and WR1 on offense, and you have arguably the best front 4 defensively in all of football. With Harbaugh now patrolling the sidelines, the Giants will look to bolster their secondary. Caleb Downs could be in play here as well, but I see Delane donning the NYG blue come draft day. 

6. Browns - WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State 

This should be the easiest pick of the 1st Round. While the Browns had a revolving door at QB, one thing remained the same: WRs did not do their part. Jerry Jeudy led the group with 602 yards, but he was 2nd in the league in drops at 10. Tate would instantly be the number 1 option and provide an outside weapon that the Browns have not seen consistently in a really long time. 

7. Commanders - S Caleb Downs, Ohio State 

Commanders have a few different directions I could see them going, but I think Dan Quinn pushes to take a swing and land the best player in the draft. Washington ranked dead last in total yards on defense. Downs’ football IQ mixed with his athletic ability makes him the safest prospect in my book and can have an immediate impact in the nation’s capital. 

8. Saints - WR Makai Lemon, USC

Tyler Shough showed a lot of promise in his first season with the saints. Similar to what was said about Cam Ward and the Titans, the Saints will go out and give Shough another weapon to pair opposite of Chris Olave. Lemon, coming off of a Biletnikoff season, would add the spark that Kellen Moore is looking to see in his offense. 

9. Chiefs - RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame 

For a large majority of the season, Patrick Mahomes was the team’s leading rusher. With Kareem Hunt on the backside of his career and Isaiah Pacheco being more of a complementary back, this feels like the perfect opportunity to bring in a major change to the backfield. Mahomes is an all-world talent, but Love would add a dynamic that the Chiefs have not seen in this current dynasty’s era. 

10. Bengals - iDL Peter Woods, Clemson

This feels like a doomsday scenario for Cincinnati. It feels like the Bengals are in need of a game changer on the defensive side of the ball, but Woods would be one of the best defensive players still on the board while also addressing a need. The Bengals ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed per game. Woods would be an excellent addition to help clog that interior. 

11. Dolphins - CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

It was a “Fly Zone” in Miami pretty much all of last season. The Dolphins ranked in the bottom third of the league in passing yards given up. The team dealt with a plethora of injuries in the DB room and really lacked the stability that was needed to have success. Terrell is arguably the best corner in the draft. He has the ability to walk in that room on day 1 and be the best player in that unit. 

12. Cowboys - EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech 

It is no secret that the Cowboys had a massive void on the edge after trading away Micah Parsons to the Packers. Dallas would only have to go just down the road to Lubbock to find more production off the edge. Bailey is a naturally gifted pass rusher. While there may be concerns with his current size, Bailey has the talent to one day be one of the best players in this class. 

13. Rams - CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee 

The Rams find themselves in a position, drafting in the top half of the draft, that they have not been in, in what feels like, quite some time. One of the only positions on the roster that I wouldn’t view as a strength would be Corner. McCoy has an excellent feel for the game and has the ability to play zone or Man and excel. His excellent ball tracking ability will mesh well with the pressure the Rams front 4 can cause. 

14. Ravens - iOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State 

    
    

At pick 14, the Ravens should be looking to target help on offense. This pick could go towards a WR, but I think that may be a bit of a reach this early. Instead, it would make a ton of sense to draft the best Guard in the class. Ioane has the ability to turn what was a weakness in 2025 to a strength rather quickly. Will be important for Baltimore to address the interior, especially with Center Tyler Linderbaum slated to become a free agent. 

15. Buccaneers - LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State 

Time for Tampa Bay to go back to THE well. Last season, Emeka Egbuka turned out to be an excellent addition to the WR core. The Bucs take another top athlete from Ohio State in Styles. Lavonte David could call it a career at any point, and Styles would be an ideal replacement. While David is still playing, Styles has the IQ and athleticism to play beside him until he’s handed the keys. 

16. Jets - QB Ty Simpson, Alabama 

The first real shock of the draft. Would this be a major reach? Yes. Would you be able to potentially get Simpson later in the draft? Also, yes. However, this class is weaker than most other years when it comes to QBs. If the Jets think Simpson can be their guy long term, they can’t play waiting the game hoping he comes back around to them. 

17. Lions - OT Spencer Fano, Utah 

Under Dan Campbell, Detroit has made it an emphasis to be strong on the offensive line. Taylor Decker is going on year 10 and could potentially be a cap casualty since he is in the last year of his deal. Even if he isn’t cut, Fano has the ability to play Guard for a year or more until his time comes at Tackle. 

18. Vikings - OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami 

Minnesota has built an excellent collection of offensive talent. While the jury is still out on “9”, it can always help when you add pieces to the offensive line. Christian Darrisaw is a cornerstone piece at LT, but he has not been able to stay healthy the last couple years. Mauigoa can sure up the right side of the offensive line and also has the versatility to play LT if Darrisaw has to miss any time in the future. 

19. Panthers - TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon 

Carolina has to be impressed with the way Bryce Young played in the second half of the year. Tet McMillan looks like he’s going to be your Offensive Rookie of the Year and a star in the making. Why not draft another weapon on that offense? Saddiq is the best TE in the class and has the ability to take that Panthers offense to new heights. 

20. Cowboys - CB Colton Hood, Tennessee 

    
    

Dallas would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t address defense with both of these first 2 picks. While I was a fan of the additions of Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, there’s still a major void of talent on that side of the ball especially with the surprising release of Trevon Diggs. Hood has the ability to be a #1 CB, and Dallas would be getting exceptional value selecting him here. 

21. Steelers - WR Denzel Boston, Washington 

    
    

Outside of DK Metcalf, that WR room in Pittsburgh was rendered useless. While I think QB should be the top priority, it would be hard to ignore the best WR still on the board. Boston’s ability to create space with his route running and ability to work the intermediate game would provide the perfect compliment paired with Metcalf. 

22. Chargers - WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia 

Branch is one of the toughest to fully grade at this point in the process. His speed and elusiveness are undeniable, but some nuances needed for successful NFL wideouts  remain to be seen. The Chargers need to first and foremost get healthy on the offensive, but they also need a spark (pun intended) and Branch would be just that. 

23. Eagles - OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama 

Philadelphia has always been a team that has prided themselves on having one of the best offensive lines in the league. Proctor is an elite athlete that I believe would be best suited to play guard. His film reminds me so much of Mekhi Becton, who had a ton of success in his lone season with the Eagles. Proctor would also be a good candidate to replace Lane Johnson when he decides to hang ‘em up for good. 

24. Browns - OT Caleb Lomu, Utah 

Cleveland needs a ton of help on the offensive line. The Browns gave up 51 sacks in 2025, with only 6 teams giving up more. Lomu would INSTANTLY be the best offensive lineman the team has. There’s a possibility that Cleveland could be replacing all 5 linemen, and Lomu would be an excellent piece to build around. 

25. Bears - iDL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State 

Ryan Poles has done an excellent job with rebuilding the Bears roster. Chicago has put themselves in a position where they could take BPA. McDonald was an absolute force in 2025 for the buckeyes. Adding him to that front 4 would absolutely be an embarrassment of riches for Dennis Allen. 

26. Bills - EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn 

Faulk is a player that many believe should go somewhere in the top 15, potentially even top 10. I would be cautious about drafting an Edge that high with very little production rushing the passer. However, Faulk is elite in stopping the run. At 26, I think Buffalo should be comfortable taking the game because while there are concerns, there is also good reason to fall in love with the upside. 

27. 49ers - EDGE Cassius Howell, Texas A&M

    
    

Howell at this point in the draft would be an absolute steal. Pairing him opposite of Nick Bosa would absolutely wreak havoc. Howell finished the 2025 regular season 2nd in the country in total sacks at 11.5. 

28. Texans - iDL Caleb Banks, Florida 

    
    

Houston already has arguably the best defense in the league. Whether it’s offense or defense, this pick should absolutely be dedicated to the trenches. Banks would add a new dynamic at 3T. His explosiveness and ability to maintain gap integrity could make the Texans even scarier. 

29. Rams - QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss 

    
    

Another absolute shocker! Chambliss is a certified gamer. No doubt about it. Would this be considered a pretty bold gamble? Yes. But with Chambliss’ skill set and McVay’s brilliant offensive mind, this has the potential to be a match made in heaven. The other thing that could be enticing to make the move is Matthew Stafford is still playing at an MVP level. Chambliss would have some time to sit on ice and learn the nuances of an NFL QB.  

30. Broncos - LB CJ Allen, Georgia 

Allen gives you some tenacity at the LB position to fit a gap, but he also possesses the ability to drop into coverage or rush the passer. Allen is the perfect addition to an already loaded Denver defense. 

31. Patriots - EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson

Parker absolutely dominated the Senior Bowl week. His power makes him a force in the run game, but he has some finesse to his game that also allows him to rush the passer. This Patriots team had a sack by committee approach in 2025 with Harold Landry leading the charge with 8.5 sacks. Parker has the ability to have double digit sacks yearly while being stout in the run game. 

32. Seahawks - WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Talk about a team that’s absolutely loaded from top to bottom. There are some question marks with potential pending free agents this offseason, but this feels like a spot where you can’t pass on BPA. Concepcion has proven he can win on the outside or in the slot. That versatility would allow him to see the field early in a crowded WR room before slowly turning into the long term running mate opposite of JSN.