With Super Bowl 60 set, the NFL offseason officially begins. The 2026 NFL Draft order is locked, and experts are already mapping out the first round. We break down the consensus picks, the biggest surprises, and what these selections mean for the future of every franchise from the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 32.
The NFL’s 30 non-playoff teams are no longer looking back at a lost season; they’re looking forward to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. With the first 30 picks of the order officially set, the focus has shifted from the “who will pick where” to the “who will they pick.” A fascinating picture is emerging from the nation’s top draft analysts, with surprising consensus at the top and intriguing debate throughout the rest of the first round.
USA TODAY Sports, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, and NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah have laid out their latest mock drafts, offering a glimpse into how the offseason’s marquee event could unfold. While two teams remain in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy, the other 30 are already strategizing for their chance to build a championship roster.
The Top of the Board: Consensus and Strategy
There’s little mystery surrounding the top two picks, which will set the tone for the entire draft. The Las Vegas Raiders, holding the No. 1 selection, are all but certain to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. After a season defined by instability at the sport’s most important position, Raiders general manager Tom Telesco is expected to select the player who led the Hoosiers to a national championship.
Experts agree Mendoza is the clear-cut best player in the class. USA TODAY Sports notes he “showcased exactly why he’ll be the No. 1 pick,” while ESPN praises his “great ball placement” and envisions him forming a potent young core with running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. For a franchise in desperate need of a new direction, Mendoza represents the most significant potential franchise-altering move available.
Just one pick later, the New York Jets are also in lockstep with the experts. With Dante Moore returning to school, the Jets are poised to select the next best prospect: Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. Reese is a modern, athletic defender who can excel in multiple roles, a perfect fit for a Jets defense that needs an infusion of elite talent. NFL Media highlights his versatility, suggesting he’ll benefit from focusing on rushing the edge full-time.
Early Round Surprises and Key Team Fits
While the top two picks seem certain, the board immediately opens up for debate. The Arizona Cardinals, picking third, face a critical decision with a new head coach still to be hired. USA TODAY Sports has them taking Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, the top OL prospect in the class, to protect a new franchise quarterback. However, ESPN has them selecting Miami (FL) tackle Francis Mauigoa, another mauling lineman with 41 career starts.
This theme of offensive line versus pass rusher defines several early picks. The Tennessee Titans, with new head coach Robert Saleh, are linked to both Auburn edge Keldric Faulk (USA TODAY) and Texas Tech edge David Bailey (ESPN), both of whom fit Saleh’s desire for long, powerful defensive linemen. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are also in the market for an offensive lineman, with both Mauigoa and Fano in play to protect Carson Wentz or a new signal-caller.
Further down, the New York Giants at No. 5 present a fascinating case. They could address the offensive line, but USA TODAY Sports and ESPN have them selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate to pair with Malik Nabers. This would give second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart a dynamic, big-bodied target. NFL Media, however, has them taking the best player available in LSU’s Mansoor Delane, a move to drastically upgrade a struggling secondary.
The Middle Rounds: Where Needs and Talent Collide
The middle of the first round is where team needs and draft value truly collide. The Miami Dolphins, with a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, are expected to target the secondary. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is a popular choice, a top-tier prospect who could flourish under Hafley’s tutelage, similar to how Xavier McKinney did in Green Bay.
The Dallas Cowboys, with major questions in the secondary after parting ways with Trevon Diggs, are also linked to a cornerback. Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy is a popular name, though his 2025 season was lost to an ACL tear. His 2024 tape, however, shows a potential top-15 talent. The Cowboys also hold another first-round pick (No. 20 from Green Bay) and could look to add an edge rusher to complement DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
For teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, the focus is on building around established stars. The Ravens, with new head coach Jesse Minter, are linked to defensive linemen like Clemson’s Peter Woods. The 49ers, facing the potential departure of Brandon Aiyuk, are looking for a new weapon, with Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion a possibility to add a dynamic element to Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
The End of the Round: Value Picks and Future Planning
As the first round nears its conclusion, strategy shifts from immediate need to long-term value and future planning. The New England Patriots, for example, are focused on protecting Drake Maye. With veteran Morgan Moses aging, adding a young tackle like Caleb Tiernan (USA TODAY) or Caleb Lomu (NFL Media) makes sense. The Seattle Seahawks, who found success last year by moving a tackle inside, could do the same again with Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.
The final picks are often about the best player available or addressing a specific, nagging need. The Denver Broncos could look to bolster their defensive line before John Franklin-Myers hits free agency, while the Seattle Seahawks might address a cornerback group with impending free agents. Every pick tells a story about a franchise’s vision for the next several years.
This mock draft roundup is more than just a list of names; it’s a blueprint for the offseason. It shows where the consensus lies and where the real debates begin. For fans of the 30 teams not in the Super Bowl, the 2026 NFL Draft represents the most important opportunity to close the gap on the league’s elite.
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