DKDB

Lou Pickney
2026 NFL Mock Draft

Last Updated: April 21, 2026 (3:48p EDT)

NOTE: This mock draft is featured in the DKDB Curated 2026 NFL Mock Draft Database.

From 2021–2025, Pickney is tied for the third-highest score from The Huddle Report.

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1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

It would be a colossal shock if it were anyone but Mendoza here at #1 overall. The Raiders aren't allowed to say ahead of time who they're going to pick, but it's been obvious for some time now.


2. New York Jets
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

It's expected that the Jets will select either Bailey or Arvell Reese here at pick #2. Late word is cutting sharply toward Bailey.


3. Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love is a special talent with tremendous receiving skill to go with his proven ability as a high-end running back.


4. Tennessee Titans
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Arizona isn't expected to select Reese if he's on the board at #3. It's been long-believed that the Titans want either Reese or David Bailey here.


5. New York Giants
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Lots of late buzz connects the Giants with Tyson here at #5. When healthy, Tyson is an explosive playmaker.


6. Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

There have been a variety of offensive tackles connected with the Browns here at #6. Late word suggests that Mauigoa is the most likely of the bunch to go here.


7. Washington Commanders
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Styles had a tremendous showing at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He's a linebacker with the speed of a safety who could be used in a variety of ways.


8. New Orleans Saints
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Tate's uncanny ability to get open in three seconds or less and catch practically anything thrown his way sets him apart.


9. Kansas City Chiefs
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

This is the first time for Kansas City to draft in the top 10 since 2017. There are some late in the process who believe Fano will be the pick here for the Chiefs if he's still on the board.


10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals)
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Delane is seen by many evaluators as the best cornerback in this year's draft and would fill a major need for the Giants.


11. Miami Dolphins
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A pure safety hasn't gone in the top 10 of the NFL Draft since 2016, but Downs in a special talent with incredible read-and-react capability. If he does make it to #11, Downs would be a good fit for the rebuilding Dolphins.


12. Dallas Cowboys
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Bain is a ferocious pass rusher who really shined in 2025 for the Miami Hurricanes. Arm length is a concern, but Bain has a tremendous motor and the size to be effective against the run.


13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons)
Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon had a great 2025 season at Southern Cal. He's a very reliable receiver with tremendous explosiveness.


14. Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State

Baltimore had been slated to send this pick to Las Vegas as part of the nixed Maxx Crosby trade. Many evaluators see Ioane as one of the safest prospects in the draft, offensive line or otherwise.


15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq has exceptional speed and will be a matchup problem for opposing defenses. Late word suggests Sadiq will be given strong consideration here if he's on the board.


16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury, but he had an outstanding showing in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee's pro day.


17. Detroit Lions
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama

Proctor is a massive prospect with overwhelming size and strength to go with the athleticism to play guard at the NFL level. If the Lions like Proctor as much as some believe, the expectation is that Detroit would want him to play tackle.


18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. I knew he was fast from watching his game video from Purdue and Oregon, but even that surprised me. He'd be a perfect fit for Minnesota at a need position.


19. Carolina Panthers
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Few interior defensive tackles in this draft can stop the run as effectively as McDonald.


20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers)
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Dallas is expected to strongly consider cornerback at #12 or here.


21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

After a good showing at the NFL Combine, Cooper is in play as a potential night one selection. Cooper's route-running is on-point.


22. Los Angeles Chargers
Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

Bisontis is trending up late in the process. Projections suggest a surge of offensive line picks starting around this point.


23. Philadelphia Eagles
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Still seen somewhat as a work in progress, Freeling had an outstanding showing at the NFL Combine.


24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars)
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

If the Browns address offensive tackle with their #6 pick, they'd have the latitude to target a top wide receiver prospect here.


25. Chicago Bears
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

McNeil-Warren is a tall safety with a wide wingspan and the capacity to impact the game near the line of scrimmage.


26. Buffalo Bills
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Lots of late rumbling suggests that the Bills are strongly considering going with Rodriguez here.


27. San Francisco 49ers
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Faulk has great size for the position and wouldn't be a liability against the run.


28. Houston Texans
Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah

Lomu is a physical blocker with good play strength and the versatility to kick inside or outside as needed.


29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams)
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

Mesidor is 25 years old and thus he'd seem to be the best fit for a team with a serious chance to contend for a championship in 2026.


*PROJECTED TRADE*
30. Arizona Cardinals (from Denver Broncos via Miami Dolphins)
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

I'm not fond of projecting trades in mocks, but some people in the know believe the Cardinals will look to trade up from #34 to get Simpson.

Part of the reason for trading up is because the fifth-year team option only applies to first-round selections. This would be similar to what the New York Giants did last year, trading with Houston for the #25 pick to select QB Jaxson Dart.


31. New England Patriots
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Some have faded Howell due to arm length, but his strong production as a pass rusher for the Aggies in 2025 has kept Howell in first-round consideration.


32. Seattle Seahawks
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks need to secure at least one reliable cornerback in this draft.


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