NFL: First Round Mock Draft

1: Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Raiders are in the no-brainer position to select the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza. After the failed Maxx Crosby trade, the Raiders have built a solid core around Mendoza, who will be the pick at one. - Nick

2: New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

​​This draft pick comes down to a tight battle between Arvell Reese and David Bailey. Some analysts have Bailey ahead of Reese in the draft order, but what gives Reese the edge for the Jets is his versatility.

The Jets need to hit on a pick in this draft, and picking the player who could fill multiple positions is the best way to maximize their No. 2 pick. - Gwen

3: Arizona Cardinals (Brendan Kern) - Sonny Styles, LB, OSU

As we have seen in the past, the Cardinals easily fall in love with physical specimens in the draft. From Isaiah Simmons to Marvin Harrison Jr., Styles falls into this category after his 4.46 40 time to pair with his 6-5 frame.

In a toss-up between him and Bailey at this dire position of need, the Cardinals will likely lean to the better athlete (for better or for worse). - Brendan

4: Tennessee Titans (Brendan Kern) - Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame

If we learned one thing from last season, it is that Tennessee desperately needs playmakers. After several defensive free agent signings, this gives the Titans the freedom to splurge on a luxury position this early in the draft, landing them an immediate workhorse back for Cam Ward to lean on. - Brendan

5: New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, OSU

Carnell Tate is the consensus number one WR in this draft class because of his elite route running, natural soft hands and overall elite playmaking ability. The Giants need receiver depth, with Malik Nabers coming off a torn ACL, and the players behind him not being the best.

Tate would be a fantastic receiving option for second-year quarterback Jaxon Dart, and his pairing with Nabers would most likely prove to be one of the best duos in all of the NFL. - Nick

6: Cleveland Browns (Brendan Kern) - Caleb Downs, Safety, OSU

Downs is the most pro-ready prospect in this draft class. He will be a day-one starter and likely play at a Pro Bowl level as soon as he gets his NFL feet wet. A Kyle Hamilton-esque swiss army knife on the field will fit any modern defense, and in what is an already excellent Cleveland unit, the Browns would be (I can’t believe I’m saying this) nailing their draft pick. - Brendan

7: Washington Commanders - Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

His arms might be slightly shorter than the Commanders might want, but this is unlikely to dissuade them from drafting Rueben Bain Jr. Washington needs to upgrade their pass rush, and it seems like Bain Jr. will be the best player still available at the seventh pick. - Gwen

8: New Orleans Saints - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Saints desperately need a cornerback to pair with Kool-Aid McKinstry in that secondary, and Delane would be the perfect fit. He thrived in a Cover 3 scheme at LSU, which the Saints use, but he was also the best man-coverage corner in all of college football. - Nick

9: Kansas City Chiefs - Jordan Tyson, WR, ASU

Jordan Tyson is a no-brainer pick for the Chiefs, who do not have a whole lot of certainty at the wide receiver position. His 6-4 frame would give Patrick Mahomes a monster receiving option.

In an offense that added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Tyson could be another great piece of that puzzle, which allows the Chiefs to return to greatness. - Nick

10: Cincinnati Bengals - David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech

With Trey Hendrickson no longer with the Bengals, they’ll need to look for a replacement. David Bailey seems like he could be ready to fill those shoes, probably not this season, but in the future. As the Bengals retool this season, Bailey will be a solid addition to a Cincinnati team trying to return to the playoffs. - Gwen

11: Miami Dolphins - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Jermod McCoy is an athletic cornerback who should fit beautifully into Jeff Hafley’s defense. The Dolphins need to improve their cornerback group, and McCoy seems to be the best option for Miami. McCoy could be a staple draft pick for the new Dolphins coaching staff if his athleticism translates to the NFL. - Gwen

12: Dallas Cowboys - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

McCoy would have been an ideal pick for Dallas, but with him being off the board one pick before, the Cowboys get a nice consolation prize. While overshadowed by Rueben Bain last season, Mesidor still recorded 12.5 sacks and can form a fun, young edge rushing duo with Donovan Ezeiruaku. - Brendan

13: Los Angeles Rams via Falcons - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

KC Concepcion seems to be a solid addition to an elite Rams receiver core. His role in Los Angeles would be to support Puka Nakua and Davante Adams, but his experience on special teams could be a bonus for the Rams. As Adams nears the end of his career, Concepcion could grow to be a viable replacement. - Gwen

14: Baltimore Ravens - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Ravens have not given Lamar Jackson a true WR1 throughout his career, with Zay Flowers being the best option thus far. Makai Lemon was special last year, grading out as the 5th best WR in college football in 2025 according to PFF.

He posted over 1100 yards and 11 touchdowns and would pose as a dominant threat in that Ravens offense alongside Flowers and Derrick Henry. - Nick

15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Cassius Howell, EDGE, A&M

Defense has become an even more apparent need for Tampa Bay this offseason with the retirement of Lavonta David. Howell would instantly boost a middle-of-the-pack pass rush on an already aging team. - Brendan

16: New York Jets via Colts - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Denzel Boston could be the big-bodied receiver that the Jets need to complement Garrett Wilson. Boston excels at catching contested throws, and with Geno Smith at quarterback, many will likely be thrown. The Jets would also gain a wide receiver capable of blocking, which is a quality that many NFL teams value. - Gwen

17: Detroit Lions - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Lions saw an incredible turnover throughout the entire offensive line during the 2026 season. Their projected left tackle entering next year is… Larry Borom. Freeling and Detroit are a perfect pairing. - Brendan

18: Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Thienemen, S, Oregon

Following the release of longtime veteran safety Harrison Smith, safety became an immediate need for the Minnesota Vikings. Thienemen was a huge draft riser at the NFL combine when he ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and posted a 9.67 RAS score. With the talent Thienemen has paired with the Vikings' need at safety, this pick makes too much sense. - Nick

19: Carolina Panthers - T.J Parker, DE, Clemson

​​T.J. Parker is exactly what the Panthers need to have a more complete defensive front in 2026. Carolina will look for him to provide more consistent edge pressure if drafted, something he excelled in with Clemson. His high motor is going to make him a sought-after defensive end this draft, but it seems like he’ll be headed to the Panthers. - Gwen

20: Dallas Cowboys via Packers - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Cowboys picked up linebacker Jack Sanborn in free agency, but that should not stop them from making the addition of one of the top linebacker prospects in this draft, CJ Allen. Although he isn’t a top coverage linebacker, his aggressive style of play and run-stopping ability make him a perfect fit for this Dallas Cowboys defense. - Nick

21: Pittsburgh Steelers - Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

The offensive line in Pittsburgh was inconsistent at best, putting Aaron Rodgers in more harm than he can handle at his age. With this likely being his last year, picking up a player like Fano who can play nearly any position on the line will give the Steeler offense some much-needed versatility. - Brendan

22: Los Angeles Chargers - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Chargers would’ve loved to take an edge rusher here, but with the best ones off the board, Kayden McDonald is a guy who can still make an impact on the defensive line.

With his huge 6-2, 326lbs frame, he projects to be a dominant nose tackle in the NFL. While his pass-rush production needs improvement, his run-stopping ability will make him a starter on day one. - Nick

23: Philadelphia Eagles - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Eagles have expressed interest in Proctor, and if picked by them, he would be an ideal replacement for Lane Johnson in the future. Most of the concerns raised with Proctor have been about his inconsistency, but his physicality and general athleticism have always been strong points.

In Philadelphia, he would have the ability to develop under a solid core. Picking Proctor is a risk, but it will likely pay off. - Gwen

24: Cleveland Browns via Jaguars - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The Cleveland Browns' entire 2025 offensive line entered free agency this year, making the offensive line the number one priority for the team.

Blake Miller provides immediate help on the line, as on 529 snaps in 2025 for Clemson, he only allowed 2 sacks and 2 pressures all year. This move gives Shedeur Sanders some good protection on the right side of the offensive line. - Nick

25: Chicago Bears - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, FS, Toledo

For a contending team like Chicago, this spot in the draft is all about filling any glaring holes. McNeil-Warren recorded 77 tackles and five interceptions last season, emerging as one of the best safety prospects in this class.

McNeil-Warren is an elite run defender from the back end of the defense, an area of the field that the Bears would like to secure. - Brendan

26: Buffalo Bills - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

The Buffalo Bills made a big splash before free agency began in trading for WR DJ Moore, but they still need help at the position. Cooper is a true playmaker at all three levels of the field, and would be a perfect fit for what Josh Allen likes in a wide receiver.

Not to mention, his ability to perform in the clutch is remarkable, most notably, his game-winning touchdown against Penn State last season to keep Indiana undefeated. - Nick

27: San Francisco 49ers - Olaivavega Ioane, Guard, Penn State

It’s not often that the best player at a position falls to pick twenty-seven, especially at a premier position. The 49ers have unproven talent in both guard spots currently, and Ioane is likely one of the safest picks in this draft. At 6-4, 320 pounds, Ioane has all of the tools to be a steady piece of a shaky San Francisco line. - Brendan

28: Houston Texans - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

The Texans need offensive line help wherever they can get it, and Max Iheanachor has probably the largest developmental upside out of any player in this draft.

After starting football in 2021, Iheanachor has shown rapid growth that complements his 6-6, 320-pound frame and has him being taken in the first round of the NFL draft. If the Texans can take advantage of his ability to grow, this could be the start of the end for their offensive line woes. - Gwen

29: Kansas City Chiefs via Rams - Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

One of the Chiefs' glaring issues last season was an inability to get off the field on third down, ranking just 25th in the NFL in sacks. With a defensive line anchored by an aging Chris Jones, Faulk will bring his 6’6 frame to Arrowhead, looking to cause havoc off the edge in a way Kansas City has not seen in several seasons. - Brendan

30: Miami Dolphins via Broncos - Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

This pick may very well be a reach, but the Dolphins need a wide receiver desperately. Brazzell is a true field stretcher with his top-end speed, but he also has a 6’4 frame to go alongside that. With both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle out of Miami, Brazzell would be the number two playmaker on the field immediately for Malik Willis. - Nick

31: New England Patriots - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Patriots get lucky again, and the top tackle in the class falls to them at pick 31. The entire Patriots roster is stacked, with the only hole being at tackle, so Mauigoa being the pick here would ensure they have the opportunity to go back to the Super Bowl. - Nick

32: Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Brandon Cisse could be the perfect fit for this new age of defensive dominance in Seattle. With his athleticism and general football IQ, he’ll fit right in with the rest of the Seahawks secondary in addition to adding some consistency to the entire defensive unit.

Playing alongside Devon Witherspoon will allow him to grow into a larger role and give him time to fix some of the technical issues that he’s had. - Gwen

Gwen Evans is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email gme5218@psu.edu.

Brendan Kern is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bwk5372@psu.edu

Nicholas Smith is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please contact him at nbs5826@psu.edu.