We have finally made it to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Weeks of speculation are now over, and teams will make selections that could change the future of their franchise for better or for worse. The Denver Broncos currently do not own a first-round selection due to the blockbuster Jaylen Waddle trade, and are scheduled to make their first selection in the second round on Friday.
Despite that, the first round is expected to be an eventful one. There are a lot of unknowns, and we could see plenty of trades and surprise picks throughout the night.
This pick has been known since the Raiders clinched the top pick in the draft, and now the Raiders officially land their hopeful franchise quarterback.
Arvell Reese or David Bailey? There is smoke for both edge rushers, but at the end of the day, I think they’ll land with David Bailey to improve their pass rush.
TRADE ALERT – New Orleans Saints trade up with the Arizona Cardinals
3. New Orleans Saints via Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State LB/EDGE Arvell Reese
TRADE! With Reese not going 2nd overall, the Saints jump up to the 3rd overall pick to land the explosive edge rusher. It’s a big trade for a Saints team looking to make a leap this upcoming season.
The Titans could go Sonny Styles here, but I think they’ll give Cam Ward an explosive backfield weapon in Jeremiyah Love.
Caleb Downs is arguably one of the top players in this entire draft, and John Harbaugh lands his Kyle Hamilton with the Giants.
The Browns’ offensive line is in flux, and they add their hopeful long-term left tackle here in Utah’s Spencer Fano.
7. Washington Commanders: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
The Commanders need some wide receiver help, and they land the WR1 in Ohio State’s Carnell Tate
8. Arizona Cardinals via New Orleans Saints: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
The Cardinals trade down and still land one of the top offensive tackles in this draft, and hopefully, their long-term left tackle moving forward.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
The Chiefs are a trade-up candidate, but in this mock, I have them sticking at 9 and landing Jordyn Tyson. He is a talented wide receiver, but has some injury concerns, and has the potential to be a dynamic weapon for QB Patrick Mahomes.
10. New York Giants via Cincinnati Bengals: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Styles slipped farther than I anticipated, and if he were available here, I believe the Giants would turn this pick in quickly. Landing both Downs and Styles would be quite the haul for the Giants.
The Dolphins need a lot of help. After losing Bradley Chubb, I have them landing edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who will stay in Miami and play for the Dolphins.
The Cowboys need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball, but with this pick, they land the top cornerback in the draft in Mansoor Delane.