Looking ahead to an offseason that will be big on quarterback movement, the 2026 NFL Draft may end up being one of the more hectic in recent memory due to the limited supply of top-flight passers out there. Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in need of pass rush help must also pay attention.
This draft is absolutely overflowing with great defensive linemen. As such, figuring out where the big names could go in a 2026 NFL Mock Draft can be an interesting exercise.
Joining me in this mock draft are two FanSided NFL Draft experts in Marcus Mosher and Ryan Fowler. These three mock drafts show just how wild this year is going to be.
Experts 2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans
Luciano: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
Mosher: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
Fowler: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
If Tennessee ends up holding onto the No. 1 pick and resists the allure of a trade down, Reese’s versatility and pure speed as a pass rusher might help him beat out Reuben Bain for the title of best overall prospect in this class. Cam Ward’s help will need to come later, as Reese looks like a player who will be at the heart of the Titans’ defense for the next decade. -Luciano
2. New York Giants
Luciano: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Mosher: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Fowler: Reuben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami
The best way to help Jaxson Dart’s development is to give him more weapons. And with Malik Nabers coming off a major knee injury and Wan’Dale Robinson hitting free agency, Tyson would give them a dynamic option to pair with Nabers for the foreseeable future.-Mosher
3. New Orleans Saints
Luciano: Reuben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami
Mosher: Reuben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami
Fowler: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Questions remain whether Moore will actually declare, but if he does, his combination of polish and upside fits New Orleans’ need for long-term direction. He’s comfortable operating in rhythm, hits timing throws with confidence, and has all the arm talent in the world to expand what has been a limited playbook since Drew Brees left years ago. While he still needs to speed up his processing when the pocket collapses, the Saints get a high-upside starter candidate who fits the timeline of a roster that needs to grow around a young signal-caller. - Fowler
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Luciano: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mosher: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fowler: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
No one would fault the Raiders for going BPA here due to how feckless the roster is at this point, but it is also clear that Geno Smith is not going to be the quarterback who turns this thing around. With a huge arm, tremendous downfield accuracy, and more mobility than many believe, Mendoza screams instant QB1. -Luciano
5. Cleveland Browns
Luciano: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Mosher: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Fowler: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
You could make a case that Moore is the best quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft and he would be a fantastic fit in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. But does he declare for the draft? And does he make it to Cleveland? Well, the answer is yes to both questions in this mock. - Mosher
6. Washington Commanders
Luciano: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
Mosher: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Fowler: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Bailey has arguably been the top pass rusher in the country this fall, and for me, he’ll likely end up as EDGE1 when things are all set and done. This is a perfect trade out spot for Washington, who has just six picks, but if they stay put and want to add much-needed talent on defense, Bailey is a clear option here. He can work around you, go through your chestplate, and has the length and explosiveness to bump up and down the defensive front. - Fowler
7. New York Jets
Luciano: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Mosher: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Fowler: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Jets: Justin Fields crashing and burning as hard as he did solidified the need for Aaron Glenn to find his franchise guy under center. Moore has shown off his whip of an arm, tremendous accuracy on intermediate throws, and great sack avoidance inside the pocket that could help him break the Jets’ QB curse. -Luciano
8. Arizona Cardinals
Luciano: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Mosher: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Fowler: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Kyler Murray will miss the remainder of the season with his foot injury and that leaves the quarterback position uncertain for the Cardinals moving forward. But regardless of who is under center, protecting the quarterback has to be priority No. 1 for Arizona. Fano would be a plug-and-play starter for Arizona and a strong pick here in Round 1.- Mosher
9. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
Luciano: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Mosher: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Fowler: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Drafting hogs along the front five doesn’t often draw attention, but it helps you win Super Bowls at the end of the day. Fano will be an elite presence in the ground game from Day 1, and is a prospect whose footwork and athletic profile at his mass (6-foot-6, 307 pounds - verified measurements) showcase one of the elite offensive linemen in the class. - Fowler
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Luciano: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Mosher: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
Fowler: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Bengals: With Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy both flopping and Trey Hendrickson ready to get out of dodge, the pass rush room should be addressed. Faulk can line up anywhere on the defensive line, set the edge, and use his power to overwhelm tackles in a way that should convince Cincinnati he is worth a top pick. -Luciano
11. Minnesota Vikings
Luciano: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Mosher: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Fowler: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Minnesota paid big money for two veteran defensive tackles this offseason, but they haven’t gotten their money worth yet. But they get value here with Peter Woods, who was in the conversation for the No. 1 pick going into the 2025 season -Mosher
12. Miami Dolphins
Luciano: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Mosher: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Fowler: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
It only takes one team to fall in love with a prospect, and Sellers has all the tools and traits that force GMs to think about the “what if…”. There are moments where you scratch your head with Sellers, but the highs are overwhelmingly obvious for an elite dual-threat weapon who fits here within an offense littered with speed. If the lightbulb clicks and he can hone in his mechanics, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure, he has the potential to become the best QB in the class. That word, however, potential, can also get coaches fired for what a prospect could be. - Fowler
13. Kansas City Chiefs
Luciano: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Mosher: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Fowler: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
2025 might be the wake-up call Kansas City needed, as they now know Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are not a viable running back room. In a weak class, Love stands head and shoulders above the rest, and his tremendous big-play potential could help him hit 1,000 yards right off the bat as a rookie. -Luciano
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Luciano: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Mosher: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Fowler: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Steelers have been in the market for a No. 2 receiver for a while, and they strike gold with Carnell Tate. Pittsburgh needs someone to complement DK Metcalf, and Tate would be the ideal fit if he were to fall this far. You couldn’t ask for a better pick here for the Steelers. - Mosher
15. Carolina Panthers
Luciano: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Mosher: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Fowler: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love is a top-five player for me in the class, and adding him here at 15 is immense value, regardless of how the consensus views the RB position. Love is in the class of Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Jahmyr Gibbs types coming out of school in my evaluations, and I expect him to become one of the NFL’s premier offensive weapons early in his NFL career. He has the bulk to be a bellcow, the speed to force defenses to adjust personnel, and a developing game in space that can take it the distance on every single touch. Carolina has other needs, sure, but you don’t get upset at adding a ballplayer like this, and what a fit he’d be for an offense that has its top back (Rico Dowdle) set to enter free agency. - Fowler
16. Dallas Cowboys
Luciano: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mosher: Sonny Styles, LB, LSU
Fowler: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The biggest need for the Cowboys this offseason is improving their off-ball linebacker room. Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson have been downright awful, and the room needs an influx of speed and athleticism. Styles isn’t the most fundamentally sound linebacker, but he has fantastic size and can fly to the football - Mosher
17. Detroit Lions
Luciano: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Mosher: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Fowler: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
It’s been an awful year for injuries for Detroit, and their secondary is starting to fall to pieces. But the 2026 draft is loaded with talent, and Terrell seems like a Dan Campbell cornerback as he’s forced five fumbles this season. Look for Detroit to address its secondary early in the 2026 draft. - Mosher
18. Houston Texans
Luciano: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Mosher: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Fowler: Francis Mauioga, OT/OG, Miami
Houston, flat out, needs more bodies along the front five. Mauigoa is a tackle/guard versatile piece who makes things look way too easy on tape. He has outstanding footwork, sensational hands, and can win reps seemingly with his hands behind his back due to his balance and understanding of leverage and angles. He’s a big-time prospect, wherever he finds his niche at the next level. The loss of Laremy Tunsil has been apparent, but the addition of Mauigoa should help take the nasty taste out of the mouths of the Houston faithful. - Fowler
19. Baltimore Ravens
Luciano: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Mosher: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Fowler: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
When healthy, Banks will show off some genuinely jaw-dropping athletic ability for someone that big. Baltimore has a history of taking premium athletes on the defensive line and molding them into starters, and Banks should have no trouble earning some playing time on what is a very thin unit. -Luciano
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Luciano: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Mosher: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
Fowler: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Edge rusher might be the biggest need for Tampa Bay this offseason, and Height would be a fantastic addition. He’s been a star for Texas Tech this season, and he’s a big reason why they are a legitimate National Championship contender. - Mosher
21. Buffalo Bills
Luciano: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Mosher: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Fowler: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Buffalo will always remain in the thick of things as long as Josh Allen is under center, but there’s been more talent needed on the perimeter for a few years now. The Keon Coleman situation remains a question mark despite his fundamental talent, but in this spot, what an addition it would be to insert a weapon like Carnell Tate. He has the ceiling of a legit ‘X’ wideout at the NFL level, and with other playmakers drawing attention within the offensive structure in RB James Cook and TE Dalton Kincaid. - Fowler
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Luciano: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Mosher: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Fowler: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Eagles have tried anyone and everyone to fill in their CB2 role next to Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and nothing has worked so far. Terrell can be as feisty as they come at the line of scrimmage, and concerns about his size can be alleviated by his perfect fit in Vic Fangio’s scheme. -Luciano
23. New York Jets
Luciano: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Mosher: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Fowler: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Jets can’t roll into 2026 with an iffy pass rusher in Jermaine Johnson II and a terrible run defender in Will McDonald as the only edge rushers worth a damn on the roster. With great size, a tireless motor, and a deep toolbox of pass rush moves, Uiagalelei should have a seamless transition to the pros. -Luciano
24. San Francisco 49ers
Luciano: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Mosher: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Fowler: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
49ers: San Francisco has to address their defensive line this offseason, and while they would love to add a pass-rusher, they might go in a different direction in Round 1. McDonald is a dominating run defender and a real weapon on first and second down. He gives a lot of effort as a pass rusher, which is what Robert Saleh requires on his defense. It’s not the best fit, but he’s too good a player to pass up here at this spot. - Mosher
25. Los Angeles Chargers
Luciano: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Mosher: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Fowler: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Josephs is an explosive, twitched-up pass rusher who will help the Chargers transition into a younger, more dynamic edge rotation. While questions remain about his three-down ability, his first-step quickness and knack for pushing the pocket in high-leverage situations give them a needed complement to their heavier-handed rushers. He’s totaled 30 pressures and five sacks in 11 starts this fall at the ‘LEO’ spot within the Volunteers' defense. - Fowler
26. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars)
Luciano: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Mosher: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Fowler: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
If the Browns land their new quarterback earlier, it would behoove them not to stick that guy behind the worst offensive tackle room in football. Lomu is a mauler in the run game with the strong anchor and mobility needed to eventually become an above-average left tackle in Cleveland. -Luciano
27. Dallas Cowboys
Luciano: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Mosher: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Fowler: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
It’s all but certain that the Cowboys will move on from Trevon Diggs this offseason and that opens up a big hole at cornerback. Dallas is hopeful that Shavon Revel and Caelen Carson could be future starters, but adding the LSU star to their secondary would make a ton of sense. - Mosher
28. Seattle Seahawks
Luciano: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Mosher: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Fowler: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Bell is going to continue to rise on boards as the predraft process kicks into second and third gear here over the next few months. One of the premier YAC threats in the class, the play just begins when the ball gets in his hands at 220 pounds. He’s a sudden route-runner, physical at the catch point, and projects as a three-level threat for an NFL aerial attack from Day 1. In this spot, he becomes WR2 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an offense desperate for another pair of hands on the perimeter. Come April, I don’t expect him to be available here at No. 28.-Fowler
29. Los Angeles Rams
Luciano: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Mosher: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
Fowler: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
Sellers is as talented as any quarterback in the class (perhaps more so), but his success will be determined by his situation. He needs a coach who can iron out his bad decision-making moments while harnessing his explosive arm talent, and no coach would be better for that than Sean McVay. -Luciano
30. Denver Broncos
Luciano: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Mosher: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Fowler: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Denver has to add talent to their receiver corps this offseason and the best option on the board is Boston. We’ll see what the future holds for Courtland Sutton and the rest of the receivers, but Boston could be an instant starter and a great fit in Sean Payton’s offense. - Mosher
31. Chicago Bears
Luciano: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Mosher: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Fowler: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
You always know what you’re going to get in ‘backers out of Georgia, but Allen is cut from a different cloth. As explosive a defender as you’ll find in the class, Allen runs to and through contact, can flip in coverage, and can also serve as a twister in delayed blitzes from the second level. He also won’t be beaten to the edge from athletic signal-callers. Big-time athlete and a ballplayer that projects as a green-dot in the middle of a defense for the next decade. - Fowler
32. New England Patriots
Luciano: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Mosher: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
Fowler: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
Drake Maye could use another offensive lineman here, but the Patriots’ pass rush is one injury away from really falling off a cliff. In much the same way his mentor Bill Belichick built his defenses, Mike Vrabel could target multi-faceted, oversized defensive ends who can star at stopping the run like Overton. -Luciano