Jordan ReidMar 3, 2026, 06:15 AM ETCloseJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on XMultiple Authors
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16. Dallas Cowboys (via IND and proposed trade with NYJ)
28. Arizona Cardinals (via proposed trade with HOU)
The headlining event of the NFL predraft process, the combine, concluded this past weekend in Indianapolis. More that 300 prospects for the 2026 NFL draft converged on Lucas Oil Stadium for drills, 40-yard dashes, interviews with team personnel and medical exams. So this is a great time not only for another mock draft but also to expand it to two rounds.
There is still more to be done between now and the start of the first round on April 23 in Pittsburgh. College pro days will take place all over the country in March and early April, and teams will host prospects for visits. Also, the upcoming free agency blitz will reshape the needs of every team. But this is where things stand right now after seeing prospects in person in Indy and conversations I’ve had with scouts, coaches and execs throughout the league.
Four teams had multiple picks entering this exercise: the Rams (from the Falcons), Jets (from the Colts), Browns (from the Jaguars) and Cowboys (from the Packers). I decided to add to the fun with a couple of trades of my own.
Here are my projections for all 64 first- and second-round picks in 2026, starting with the Raiders.
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Freeling’s stock has skyrocketed since the end of the season. At 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, he’s one of the few true left tackles of this class. He is also an excellent athlete who excels in space and on the move. His size, upside and athletic traits have prompted multiple teams to rank him as the top offensive tackle at the combine. The Browns have six offensive linemen hitting free agency and need help across the board, even after Monday’s trade for Tytus Howard.
Delane is my top-rated corner and would be the best defensive player available in this spot. Considering that the Bengals gave up the second-most yards per game and the third-most points per game last season, this pairing makes a lot of sense. Delane is a sticky cover corner who can play man-to-man with ease, but he is also equally savvy in zone coverage. With his easy movement, excellent hip mobility and ball skills, he has the potential to be a true No. 1 corner in the NFL.
Mauigoa has some of the cleanest film to evaluate of any prospect in this year’s class. He’s a model of consistency as a steady blocker who has the mauling power to generate movement and enough lower-body quickness. While there is talk of the 6-foot-5, 329-pound Mauigoa possibly kicking inside to guard at some point, drafting him here and pairing him with Patrick Paul would give the Dolphins’ new regime a pair of bookend offensive tackles to start their rebuild around.
A few months after teaming up in the Quinnen Williams trade, the Jets and Cowboys can make another deal. New York sends Dallas the first-rounder it acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade (No. 16), a fourth-rounder and a seventh-round selection to move up to the No. 12 pick.
After taking Dillon Thieneman earlier, the Cowboys double dip in the secondary with Terrell, a prospect scouts keep mentioning as a player who should go higher than expected. His physical mentality and competitive demeanor are easy to see, and he had one of the better on-field workouts of any corner at the combine. The Cowboys have holes to fill in the secondary around standout corner DaRon Bland, and Terrell would fit perfectly in the back end of new coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme.
Stephen A.’s message to Steelers GM Omar Khan: ‘Do your job!’
Future Hall of Fame right tackle Lane Johnson sat out eight games in 2025 and will be 36 next season. The Eagles are known for planning ahead and drafting heir apparents to long-term veterans before they are needed. Lomu has plenty of potential and can play either tackle spot, but he must improve his play strength. Ideally, he’ll get time to increase that strength while learning behind Johnson, but Johnson’s age and durability concerns could force Lomu to play earlier than expected.
Scouts have been enamored with Cooper since midseason, and his stock has skyrocketed as a response. He is a strong and tempoed route runner who can remain physical through route stems. The Browns have a severe shortage of proven pass catchers after veteran receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr., last year’s third-round revelation. Cooper would instantly play a big role in the Browns’ offense with his ability to win in traffic and gain yards after the catch.
The Bears badly need a disruptive defensive tackle, so let’s give them my top-ranked player at the position. Despite not having the 2025 season that many envisioned (30 tackles and two sacks), Woods still showed plenty of Round 1 flashes. He’s a bouncy athlete at 6-foot-3, 298 pounds who fits best as a 3-technique. His ability to create quick wins from the inside as an explosive penetrator is something that is sorely lacking in Chicago.
For the second straight draft, the Texans would trade out of the back end of the first round, receiving the Cardinals’ second- (No. 34) and fourth-round picks while sending Arizona their first-round pick (No. 28). Could the Cardinals use this spot to get their next franchise quarterback?
Getting more offensive playmakers for quarterback Bo Nix might be an option here, but the Broncos could use this pick to make their already-stout defense even stronger. Toledo has turned into a Group of 5 defensive factory (see: Quinyon Mitchell, 2024), and McNeil-Warren is the next prospect up. He would bring a diverse skill set to the Broncos’ secondary, with his 20% defensive completion percentage allowed being the best among all FBS defensive backs last season.
Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson is scheduled to become a free agent, but the Patriots still need help off the edge regardless of whether he returns. Leading sacker Harold Landry III (8.5 sacks) missed two games because of injury last season and will turn 30 before the upcoming campaign. Howell is a pass-rushing menace who tends to be a disruptive presence. He has an advanced repertoire of pass-rushing moves, and his 11.5 sacks last season ranked seventh among all FBS defensive linemen.
The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.
The Jets would continue to retool their defense with Cisse, a hyperathletic corner who is just scratching the surface of his potential. He’d be a fun pairing with Azareye’h Thomas, New York’s third-rounder from the 2025 draft.
With Howard off to Cleveland and Juice Scruggs headed to Detroit, the Texans could address the offensive line here. Losing Howard leaves Blake Fisher as their projected starter at right tackle. Miller started 54 career games at Clemson, so he is battle-tested and could potentially start right away with his run-blocking power and strong hands in pass protection.
Getting second-year quarterback Cam Ward more offensive playmakers needs to be at the top of the Titans’ to-do list. Boston is a strong-handed perimeter target who can provide Ward another vertical option on the outside.
The Raiders are switching to a 3-4 defense next season and need a centerpiece on their front. Hunter is a massive presence in the middle (6-foot-4, 318 pounds) and a player you can build a culture around.
If the Giants can’t re-sign right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, they could pivot to a younger option. Iheanachor makes a lot of sense here as a right tackle to protect Jaxson Dart. Iheanachor is a high-upside player who’s still growing into the position after not playing football in high school.
Nick Caserio’s reshuffling of the offensive front would continue here, as the Texans double down up front. Pregnon is a powerful, 6-foot-4, 314-pound player who would address Houston’s glaring hole at right guard.
The Browns would continue to revamp their offensive line with this pick, as Bisontis can provide the Browns with a rock-solid option at either guard spot. He’s a good athlete who has allowed only one sack over the past two seasons.
The Chiefs have preferred strong, well-put-together defensive ends who understand how to set an edge against the run. Parker provides that along with pass-rush upside and fits the mold of what Kansas City has gravitated toward in the past.
An explosive 3-technique is high on the Bengals’ wish list, and Miller is a potential-laden interior defender who didn’t get to show his true ability as an up-the-field penetrator in Georgia’s scheme. He has the potential to start very early in his career.
