The 2026 NFL Draft has changed dramatically over the last year. We started this year with almost 5 Quarterbacks being assessed as first-round talents. We ended this College Football season with only 1. The rise and fall of these prospects is what makes the NFL Draft so exciting. The offensive line and defensive back overran last year’s draft, and like every draft before, we will have no idea what’s gonna happen until it’s over. 

For me, the draft is probably one of the more exciting parts of the season. I love College Football, and probably watch more CFB than I do NFL. Being able to see the college players that I loved watching go to the NFL is pretty awesome, and for them, it’s a dream come true. The first round is usually the best of the best. College players who stood out above the rest and cemented themselves as one of the best at their positions. 

So with all of that being said, here are my choices for the first 12 picks of the NFL Draft.

• Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza – QB – Indiana (IU)

This is a little bit of an obvious pick. The Raiders need a quarterback, as their situation has been abysmal since the loss of Aidan O’Connell. Fernando flew under the radar at the start of the season, but after leading the Hoosiers to a CFB National Championship win, he skyrocketed to the Consensus #1 Pick. The raiders obviously still have holes, but their offseason signings have definitely made them scarier than they were this past year.

• New York Jets: Arvell Reese – RB – Ohio State (OSU)

Arvell Reese was the highest grower as of right now. After his freakish combine performance, he rose almost 10 spots from what he was projected.  Arvell is, in my opinion, the best linebacker in the whole draft and has shown his potential to a struggling team like the Jets. The Jets have been terrible for the past couple of years, and hope this big pickup will be what turns their poverty franchise around.

• Arizona Cardinals: Francois Mauigoa – OT – Miami

Francois is by far the best lineman in the NFL Draft this year. He has been since the start of the season, and showed it as he helped his team advance to the National Championship, shutting down elite Defensive Ends. For a struggling Cardinals team, without a good quarterback to draft, a Lineman is one of the most important factors for turning this team around, helping the little offense that they had this year.

• Tennessee Titans: David Bailey – DE – Texas Tech

The Tennessee Titans have been a struggling franchise ever since the loss of star running back Derick Henry. Drafting a Quarterback first overall last year gave hope to fans, but without an Offensive Line or receivers who could catch a cold, it was hard. However, David Baily is by far the best player on the board at 4, and I believe that this would for sure be the best pick for a defense that has struggled since I have been alive

• New York Giants: Caleb Downs – S – Ohio State (OSU)

In a lot of the mock drafts that I have seen, the Giants go with an offensive player, mainly Jeremiah Love. However, I do believe that the Giants will go with a defensive player, and without a doubt in my mind, Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft. If he played any other position with his skill level, he would be a top 3 pick, but safety just is not as valuable as some other defensive positions available, so I have him going at 5.

• Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate – WR – Ohio State (OSU)

With the sixth pick in the draft, I believe that Cleveland will go with one of the best receivers in this draft. I actually think that he might be even with one of the other WR prospects, but he definitely has the frame to be an extremely lethal receiver in the league. His film at Ohio State spoke for itself, and after the Browns’ terrible receiving season, they will try their best to extend the firepower on the outside. 

• Washington Commanders: Jeremiah Love – RB – Notre Dame

Jeramiah Love is projected as a top 5 pick in almost all of the drafts that I have seen. For some reason, I didn’t do that, but it’s fine. He is in the top 3 in athletic ability throughout the whole draft, and he is one of the most explosive backs we have seen in recent years. The Commanders currently have no usable running back, and if Love falls to them at 7, there is no doubt in my mind they will take him. 

• New Orleans Saints: Jordan Tyson – WR – Arizona State (ASU)

Tyson is, in my opinion, tied for the best receiver in the draft. He is obviously not as big as Carnell Tate, and he didn’t go to Ohio State (Which helps draft stock), which puts him a bit lower than Carnell Tate. Last year, the Saints went heavy on the defensive side of the ball, so I do believe they will go with a generational receiver who can create a deadly duo with Chris Olave in the first round.

• Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane – CB – Louisiana State (LSU)

This pick really makes sense to me. This offseason, the Chiefs gave up their best defensive player (who also played corner) and got a ton of firepower on the offensive side of the ball. So with their first round pick, taking the second-best defensive back in the draft would make a lot of sense. Delane will be an extremely tough corner who will be able to shut down #1 receivers while still laying the lumber on running backs weighing more than him.

• Cincinnati Bengals: Monroe Freeling – OT – Georgia 

The Bengals have had one of the most promising teams in the league for over 4 years now. However, without a defense or an offensive line, the Bengals cannot do much. I think that Freeling is one of the better linemen in this class, standing at 6’7, he would be a huge addition to the struggling Bengals offensive line. I do also think that the Bengals will want a defensive player, but with how my board has shaped, this would make a lot of sense to me.

• Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon  – WR – Southern California (USC)

The dolphins had recently gotten rid of their best receiver, trading him for a first-round pick. This to me makes me think that at the 11 spot, they really like one of the first round receivers. As well as their #1 leaving, their #2 wants to be traded asap. I am a huge fan of Makai and believe he could be an amazing receiver in the NFL; however, the Dolphins’ situation right now is really tough and might not be a good spot for a rookie receiver. In time, I do believe this pick will turn out to be great.

• Dallas Cowboys: Jermad McCoy – CB – Tennessee (UT)

The Cowboys have a great-looking offense. I cannot say the same thing about their secondary, though. Since Trevon Diggs’ prime, the Cowboys have had some of the worst coverage stats throughout the league. Jermad McCoy has not played for a while because of injury, but for McCoy, his Junior year film has brought him all the way to the top half of the first round. I cannot say much personally about him because I do not watch many Tennessee games, but his film definitely speaks for itself, and I believe that this would be an exceptional pick for the Cowboys.