NFL mock draft 2026: Picks based on intel from coaches, scouts, agents

This is my sixth annual NFL mock draft based on intel I’ve gathered from coaching, scouting and agent sources over the past month-plus.

My aim here with this project, as always, is to provide unique insight directly from the eyes of rival coaches who have not only studied and scouted these prospects, but also game-planned for and then faced each of them. These sources know exactly what they’re dealing with and what they’ve tried to do against these players in real-game situations, and some of them faced these prospects in multiple games.

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

This is quite the rocket-ship ride from a two-star recruit ranked the 140th-best quarterback in the Class of 2022 to the first pick of the draft. Along the way, the Miami native, initially committed to Yale, progressed from throwing 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in two seasons at Cal to posting a 41-to-6 TD-to-INT ratio while leading Indiana to a 16-0 season and the national title.

The Raiders desperately need a QB, and Mendoza seems to be the best option in what is not a deep quarterback draft. The 6-foot-5, 236-pounder made his biggest strides last year in improving his footwork, his pocket feel and his discipline in tying his eyes to his feet, according to his Hoosiers coaches.

The most impressive thing about him, from my perspective, was his uncanny knack for bouncing back from disaster, which he did on several occasions in crucial moments last season: Whether it was his INT in a tied game at Iowa or his game-tying pick six at Oregon or another fourth-quarter interception at Penn State, Mendoza responded with touchdowns to win the game.

As one rival defensive coordinator told The Athletic, Mendoza can be affected by pressure, but what makes him special is that you can’t rattle him.

“The teams that have caused him problems are when they’ve pressured him,” the DC said. “Typically, they played man, and he overthrew the ball or got antsy in the pocket and took a sack. But it doesn’t matter what you did in the play before; he’s just gonna go right back to work.”

“It seems like he’s made of the right stuff,” said a Big Ten linebacker coach. “What impressed me the most about Mendoza is that one of our D-linemen got a hell of a shot on him and knocked the wind out of him. But he came right back.”

Mendoza’s composure was cited a lot by opposing coaches, as was his improvement, specifically over the course of the 2025 season.

“The biggest thing I saw from him was the growth he made throughout last season,” said one coach who faced Indiana in the first half of the season. “The first game against Old Dominion, he was OK, but he just kept taking big jumps from week to week.”

That same coach did admit, though, that he is “kind of surprised” that Mendoza will be a first-overall pick.

“I don’t know if he has an elite skill set. He does a lot of things really well. But those first-pick-in-the-draft guys, they usually have some kind of elite skill, whether it’s freaky arm strength or athleticism. Generational talents. I was in the NFL and we had one of those guys, and it was easy to see why he was the first pick of the draft, the first day he went to OTAs. It’s that tangible ability.”

“He has good stature and is very composed,” said a Big Ten DB coach. “He played really well against us, but I just don’t think he’s Drake Maye as far as arm talent and athleticism. If he was coming out with C.J. Stroud, I’d take C.J. I do think Fernando’s intangibles are through the roof. But I think he’s the first quarterback in the draft more based off circumstance.”

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge/LB, Ohio State

I think this is the surest bet for future stardom in this draft. There’s a handful of other guys with really high ceilings; Reese not only has a sky-high ceiling but an extremely high floor, too. Point blank: Not even the Jets can screw this one up.

At 6-4 and 241 pounds, Reese (who turns 21 in August) overtook teammate Caleb Downs as the biggest star of the Buckeyes’ terrific defense in 2025. By mid-September, rival Big Ten coaches were raving about Reese’s ability to menace their offensive game plans. He’s rangy. He’s explosive — he ran a 4.46 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine — and he strikes violently on the field with elite knock-back. His stats might not have been eye-popping (69 tackles, 6.5 sacks), but his film is.

“They asked him to do a ton, and he’s elite at everything that they asked him to do,” said a Big Ten offensive coach. “He’s playing stack linebacker better than the guy who only plays stack linebacker, and then he goes to edge and rushes the passer better than the guys who only have to rush the passer. He’s setting the edge and is just as good as guys who are 40 pounds heavier than him. Then, he’s covering just as well as the nickel and Caleb Downs are covering.

“This guy is an alien. And he’s clearly very smart because he’s doing so much for them. He’s playing that ‘adjustor’ spot, which is what they call that position in the (Bill) Belichick tree. You’ve got to be really smart to play that spot. I think he’s incredible. I hope he goes somewhere that is going to be aggressive in how they use him. The same way as Mike Macdonald with (Nick) Emmanwori and Dallas was with Micah Parsons.”

“Man, he is super impressive,” said a Big Ten offensive coordinator. “They did so much different stuff defensively. He was so dangerous as a spy. He is really freaky. He’s different.”

3. Dallas Cowboys (from Arizona)*: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

Projected trade: Dallas receives pick No. 3; Arizona receives picks Nos. 12 and 92

Arizona really needs O-line help, but this spot seems too high for what is available in this draft, so trading back is the Cards’ best move. The Cowboys didn’t get Maxx Crosby and still could use more juice attacking offenses. They would love for Reese to fall here, but Bailey is another true difference-maker in a draft that isn’t all that deep with them.

“He has this ability to switch gears in an instant,” said one Big 12 assistant coach. “He’ll get off the ball really quick but then shut it down and make a move as fast as he got off the ball. That’s why he’s such a problem for tackles in space or when he’s one-on-one with a guard, because they can’t stop and go like he can and still have power. I thought that was his superpower. He also has this ability to bend and be strong, and not get pushed by the pocket. He’s just a different dude.”

The former Stanford player isn’t as versatile as Reese, but he is a little bigger and longer at 6-4, 251 with 33 3/4-inch arms. He’s almost as fast — he ran a 4.50 40 and vertical jumped 35 inches. He was vertically unblockable last season for Texas Tech on what was a very talented D-line, as he had 14.5 sacks, tied for No. 1 in the FBS. I think he’s an even better edge rusher than Abdul Carter, who went in this spot last year to the Giants. (And that’s not a knock on Carter.)

“He has such a great combination of speed and agility. … He’s also so physical and can bull-rush right through you and put an offensive lineman on their back,” said a Big 12 offensive coordinator. “He’s also good against the run. He’s a super smart guy, too. You could see on film that he knew where he fit in the defense, and he wasn’t just freelancing. He’s doing his job. He’s a complete player. Really special.”

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Last year, the Titans took Cam Ward with the first pick. By grabbing Love, by far the best back in this draft and a more dynamic talent and more complete player than last year’s No. 6 pick, Ashton Jeanty, the Titans will help their second-year QB immensely.

The 6-0, 212-pounder, who ran a 4.36 40, is in the Bijan Robinson class of backs. Love is super explosive but more than just a breakaway back; he brings a punch, is hard to corral and finishes runs with force. He’s also an outstanding receiver (Irish coaches thought he could legitimately play wide receiver if he wasn’t so good at RB) and the best in pass protection of this class. On top of that, because the Irish had a really good backup in Jadarian Price, Love hasn’t had that many carries. In the past two seasons, he had 362 carries combined. That’s a dozen fewer than Jeanty had in 2024 alone at Boise State.

“This guy is super fast and runs so hard,” said one defensive coordinator who faced Love. “Explosive is the best word to describe him. He is a true home-run hitter. He was the best back we’ve faced in years. Only knock I probably got on him is that he loves to leave his feet. He’s gonna have to learn to be smarter with that, but I think he is really special.”

“I think he’s probably the best player in this draft,” said a Big Ten DB coach. “He’s outrun some 10.5 100-meter guys on some of those long touchdown runs. And I think he has the right mentality.”

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Giants have loaded up on some Freaks List honorees in recent years and Styles is about as freaky as they come. The fit here makes a lot of sense with the Giants’ talent up front and Styles’ ability to roam the field as a former safety. At 6-5, 244 pounds, with almost 33-inch arms, he ran a 4.46 40 in Indianapolis and his jump numbers were even more impressive — 11-2 in the broad jump and 43 1/2 in the vertical. He started 41 games for the Buckeyes and was a co-captain. He also received the program’s Block “O” award, honoring his toughness, accountability and character. He made 82 tackles and 6.5 TFLs on a star-studded defense in 2025.

“On the film, he’s massive,” said a Big Ten running backs coach. “They just stuck Sonny in the middle and let him roam. He was really good and he can fly, but you didn’t feel him as much as you did Arvell.”

“He’s a beautiful athlete, like he was created in a lab. He looks like a power forward,” said a Big Ten OC. “I just can’t believe he was a safety, but you see that frame and that closing speed, it’s impressive, man. He’s not the same kind of player (Reese) is. He doesn’t have that kind of violence to his game, and I don’t know if he’s that instinctive out there.”

6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

A former five-star recruit who lived up to his hype, Mauigoa was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes and team captain of a squad that made it to the national title game. The Browns need a lot of help up front, and the 6-5 1/2, 330-pounder should be a good fit. Some scouts told The Athletic they think he might be better as a guard (he has 33 1/4-inch arms). His coach, Mario Cristobal, has raved about Mauigoa’s versatility, power and technique, saying he could play at any of the five offensive line spots and do well.

“He could just maul guys in college,” said an ACC defensive coordinator. “This guy is really good with his hands. He’s also surprisingly fluid. I don’t think he has great feet, but he does move well. But we felt like he’s much better as a run blocker than a pass protector.”

7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami

There’s been a lot of chatter about how Bain, the most dominant D-lineman in college football in 2025, would become the first edge rusher in over two decades to get selected in the first round with sub-31-inch arms. At 6-2, 263, Bain has an arm length of 30 7/8 inches. He was still a nightmare for opponents. His production and intangibles are as good as you’ll find. He also had more to do with changing the culture of a Miami program that had been spinning its wheels for two decades than any other player. He was just a relentless ass-kicker.

“All those people who talk about how short his arms are are idiots,” said a Big Ten assistant coach. “This is just asinine conversation that people are having. Watch his film. He’s gonna be a dude. He’s gonna be an elite pass rusher. He gets off the ball. He has elite power. You turn speed into power, arm length doesn’t matter. He’ll neutralize their length. He’s elite, man. Did you watch his (pro day)? He can get his right shoulder almost on the ground when he’s turning the corner, and the violence he’s coming out of it with — what he did in that drill is rare.”

Bain, who led the nation with 68 QB hurries in 2025, was at his best when Miami began its College Football Playoff run, producing 5.5 TFLs and four sacks as the Canes upset Texas A&M and Ohio State. PFF gave him the highest grade (81.8) of any defensive player in the two semifinal games when Bain powered Miami to a win over Ole Miss. In the national title game against Indiana, Bain had a season-high eight tackles, with 2.5 TFLs and three pressures. He also had 10 pressures in a game against Florida State.

“He causes all sorts of havoc,” said one head coach who faced Miami, calling Bain the best defensive player he saw all season. “He’s such a violent player with heavy hands. He abused some really good O-linemen last year.”

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

The Saints could use a D-lineman here, but with Bailey and Bain gone, they’ll look to a familiar spot: a program that has done well for them with wideouts. Michael Thomas caught a ton of passes for the Saints, and Chris Olave caught 100 passes last season. The 6-2, 192-pound Tate isn’t a blazer, clocking a 4.53 40 with a 1.61-second 10-yard split, but he’s a very good route runner and has a really good feel for space. Ohio State’s receiver pedigree also helps boost his stock. Every top guy over the past decade or so seems to have a very high floor, and that feels like the case with Tate.

“He’s really smooth and polished,” said a Big Ten DB coach. “He’s not (Jeremiah Smith) where you’re just floored by his size and physical ability. Tate’s a very good wide receiver. I do wonder about his top end, and I didn’t think he was as quick as some of the other top guys they’ve put out lately. If he played at Minnesota or Michigan, I’m not sure if people are talking about him as a top-five or top-10 pick.”

“I like him. He runs really good routes and he finds a way to get behind people,” said a Big Ten DB coach. “But he doesn’t scare you. He’s not a speed threat. We didn’t roll coverage or anything, and we probably still wouldn’t if (Smith) wasn’t on their team. I hear people saying he’s gonna go top-10. I don’t think he’s top-10 good, but I don’t think this is a good draft.”

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Andy Reid is in position to fill a big need with a top protégé of his old BYU teammate Kyle Whittingham. The 21-year-old Fano started 11 games as a freshman at left tackle before spending the past two seasons as the starting right tackle. The 6-5 1/2, 311-pounder doesn’t have ideal arm length to play at left tackle (32 1/8-inches), but he moves exceptionally well. Fano clocked a 4.91 40 at the combine, had an impressive 4.67 shuttle time and vertical jumped 32 inches. He did not allow a sack in 2025 on 382 pass-protection snaps, per PFF.

“I really liked him,” said a D-line coach who faced the Utes in 2025. “He has some traits that remind me of (former Packers two-time All-Pro) David Bakhtiari in that he might not be the biggest tackle, but he has this athleticism and the ability to recover when he was in bad body positions and still block guys. He has that core strength where he can be at a bad angle or bad position and correct himself in both the run game and in protection. I know people think his arms are too short, but I think he’s athletic enough to play tackle in the NFL.”

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The decision here is Downs or LSU’s Mansoor Delane, the draft’s top corner. My gut tells me that it’d be really hard for Cincinnati to pass on a star player from Ohio State who has excelled in a lot of big games and has a winning pedigree to go with off-the-charts football intelligence.

Downs made a name for himself quickly in college football, leading Alabama in tackles as a true freshman in 2023 by a huge margin before transferring following Nick Saban’s retirement.

“It’s crazy to be a true freshman playing in that system the way he is,” one SEC coach told The Athletic at the time, spotlighting the challenge of mastering a Saban defensive scheme in that pivotal position that early in his college career.

Some scouts we’ve spoken to say the 6-0, 206-pound Downs reminds them of a bigger version of Budda Baker. That’s high praise. Baker, a former second-rounder, has been to eight Pro Bowls in his nine-year career.

Coaches who have worked with Downs gush about his smarts. Former Buckeyes DC Jim Knowles told us that when he went down to meet with Downs after he went in the portal, the DB was grilling him on scheme “harder than any interview that I’ve had from a head coach for a job” because Downs was so into the details.

Other coaches I’ve spoken to felt like folks need to pump the brakes a little on the hype around Downs.

“Instincts-wise, he’s elite,” said a Big Ten assistant coach. “His zone awareness is as good as I’ve seen. But he doesn’t play man-to-man. I didn’t see him covering anybody and that alarmed me. They used him very well. You don’t see him making plays in the deep part of the field.”

“He has an extremely high floor,” said a Big Ten offensive coach. “I think he’ll start immediately and you won’t have to worry about him. He’s really smart and consistent, a good tackler, but I don’t think he can cover well enough in man on a legit slot or one of these freaky tight ends in the NFL.”

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

This could be a wideout, as Miami has a big need after trading Jaylen Waddle, but I think the Dolphins go with the best corner rather than picking between Makai Lemon and Jordyn Tyson here.

The Virginia Tech transfer was a bright spot for the Tigers in a disappointing 2025. The 6-0, 187-pounder was a true lockdown corner, not allowing a touchdown pass all season while opponents connected on only 40 percent of passes thrown in his direction, per PFF. Delane, a former high school wrestler, picked off two passes, had 11 pass breakups and made 45 tackles.

At one point, there was a big question about his speed, but sources inside the LSU program shot that down by pointing out they have a bunch of speedsters on offense and Delane never had an issue keeping up with them. At LSU’s pro day, he further strengthened his case by clocking a 4.38 40 last week.

“We basically told our quarterback, don’t even try it,” said one SEC offensive coordinator. “This guy is really good. He’s aggressive. Runs well. He’s just a really smooth athlete. Has a ton of confidence. Good nose for the ball. Plays with physicality. He’ll get in there and tackle you. He’d jump routes and wasn’t afraid to get beat. Those are the hardest ones to deal with.”

12. Arizona Cardinals (from Dallas): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

With Mauigoa and Fano gone, Arizona goes with a tackle whose stock has risen throughout draft season. Freeling, who has almost 35-inch arms and almost 11-inch hands, clocked a 4.93 40 along with a 33 1/2-inch vertical and a 9-7 broad jump at the combine — all really impressive numbers for someone listed at 6-7 and 315 pounds. He did start for only one season at Georgia, at left tackle, but he is an intriguing talent.

“He looks like a giant tight end with the way he can move and bend,” said an SEC D-line coach. “He’s a very impressive big athlete. He’s still pretty raw and gets off-balance and isn’t great with his hands — at least he wasn’t when we played him — but all the tools seem to be there. He needs to keep getting stronger.”

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

The L.A. native stayed home to play at USC and will have a short commute for his family to watch him in the NFL. Sean McVay should have a lot of fun with Lemon, who was by far the best player in the program the past few years. USC defensive coaches thought he would’ve been the team’s best cornerback if he had played on that side of the ball. His instincts, quickness and toughness are that good.

Lemon was USC’s go-to guy whenever it needed a big play or a spark. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wideout, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs. He also had two rushing touchdowns.

“He is that guy who plays like he’s 6-4, 220,” said a Big Ten DC of Lemon, who measured 5-11 and 192 pounds at the combine. “He’s really good in traffic and on 50-50 balls. He’s also really efficient and crafty as a route runner. He’s got a suddenness there. I don’t know if he’s faster than a mid-4.5 (40) guy but he’s just really shifty and strong and can burst out of tough angles and get separation. He’s real good with the ball in his hands, too. Like a running back.”

14. Baltimore Ravens: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Baltimore could use some O-line help and has some pretty good options here, but the Ravens make a point not to bypass big value. This feels like one of those spots.

McCoy missed all of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL but displayed some elite skills in 2024, when he had four interceptions and nine pass breakups. He allowed only one touchdown pass in 640 snaps that season, and it came against the great Jeremiah Smith in the first-round Playoff loss to Ohio State.

McCoy was a Texas high school state champion in the long jump and triple jump and also made all-state in baseball. If he was able to play last season, he might’ve overtaken Delane as the top corner in this draft. It feels like he’s still just beginning to blossom.

“He was an incredible player (in 2024),” said an SEC offensive coordinator. “I think he’s awesome. He’s really long, really athletic. I’m not sure how straight-line fast he is. I think he’ll test very well but I know he’s really twitchy.”

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Signing Al-Quadin Muhammad takes away some urgency from needing an edge here and linebacker can come a bit later. Sadiq is a rare athlete who was a matchup nightmare in college. At 6-3, 241 (he was 255 entering last season), he has exceptional burst and explosiveness. It showed up in a big way at the combine, when he ran a 4.39 40 with a 1.54 10-yard split to go with a 43 1/2-inch vertical and 11-1 broad jump. Sadiq will be a weapon in the screen game as well as a deep threat, although he had only one catch of more than 30 yards last season. He’s also shown to be a capable blocker. The one negative with him has been inconsistent hands. One Big Ten coach compared him to Vernon Davis.

“Physically, he’s freaky, man — he’s everything you want,” said a Big Ten DB coach who faced Oregon. “He’s agile. He’s twitchy. I think he fits more in the NFL in college. They’ll split him out and flex him and let him do his thing. I’d have thought they would’ve forced the ball to him, but they didn’t. He routed-up our safety and it would’ve been a touchdown easily, but the ball didn’t come his way.”

“He’s such a freak,” said a DB coach whose team faced Oregon late in the season. “He did it all. His in-line blocking was pretty solid. On the perimeter, he was really good. He could stretch us vertical. He was a problem for our linebackers and some of our safeties. He has a big catch radius. He runs routes like a wide receiver. You turn on that tape and he’s blowing by people. He’s catching streaks up the hash and running by people who are 8 yards off of him, which is pretty dang impressive for a tight end. We had a game plan for him because he definitely has a skill set that can take a game over.”

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Jets could also go with Omar Cooper Jr. or Denzel Boston here, but pencil them in for the star who made more than his share of spectacular plays as the Sun Devils went from being a mess to the Playoff in 2024. Tyson won Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year after catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 TDs, but he did miss the Big 12 title game and the CFP quarterfinals due to a broken collarbone.

Last season, Tyson and Arizona State were derailed by some injuries. He has had an assortment of injuries in his college career, but he is a gifted playmaker. Tyson seems to really have benefited from his time with ASU WR coach Hines Ward, the former Steelers great. There are elements of Ward’s legendary grit and toughness in how Tyson plays. At 6-2, 203 pounds, Tyson has good size and is really strong for a wideout. He did 26 reps on the bench at the combine.

“Of all the guys we played, he was the most complete,” said a Big 12 DB coach. “He has really good body control, route running. He was so physical at the top of the route, he could create separation. He has really strong hands and he just had a good knack for playing the game. We weren’t sure just how fast he is. I thought he’s probably a mid-4.4 guy. He’s more efficient than he is fast in terms of coming in and out of his breaks; he gained ground. He played through some injuries in our game and came back and competed. I’ve got a lot of respect for that kid.”

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

With no more Taylor Decker, Detroit needs help at tackle. The Lions have had a lot of luck with Iowa products, so why not grab an Iowa native?

The 6-7, 352-pound Proctor, an All-American in 2025, has as much potential as any O-lineman in this draft. He moves quite well for his size and is an explosive athlete, having vertical jumped 32 1/2 inches at the combine despite weighing north of 350 pounds. How many other guys this enormous can do a backflip like he can? His 5.21 40 is impressive given how massive he is.

Alabama coaches I’ve spoken to are big fans of Proctor. He lost the weight last year that he was asked to lose, and a year before, when he tore his labrum in pregame warmups in their opener, he came back in the next game and played the rest of the season with it.

“The guy is a giant of a man,” said an SEC D-line coach. “He can move whoever he needs to move. He’s got some freakish ability with just how strong he is, and how well he can move in terms of his agility. I’d guess he’ll be a right tackle in the NFL, but he might be even better as a guard — as long as he controls his weight. I think he can be a hell of a player.”

“He’s a behemoth,” said a secondary coach who faced Alabama early in the season. “He’s so huge, but we kind of walked away and were like, ‘eh.’ Our guy got after him pretty good. Does he have the feet to play against a Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt? I don’t know. He might be better as a guard.”

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

With the great Harrison Smith now 37 and uncertainty about whether he’ll retire, Minnesota can grab one of the best defensive players in this draft in the ball-hawking Thieneman, a 6-0, 201-pound freak of an athlete. He made 306 tackles and eight INTs in his three college seasons. At the combine, he ran a 4.35 40 with a 1.52-second 10-yard split, vertical jumped 41 inches and broad jumped 10-5. That elite athleticism shows up on tape too, and it has since he first got to Purdue, where old Boilermakers coaches say he was the best player in the program from his first day on the team.

“He’s good at everything,” said a Big Ten offensive assistant who said he was more impressed by Thieneman than Downs. “You felt him more throughout the game.”

“He has really good ball skills, so you’ve always got to pay attention to where he’s at,” said a Big Ten OC. “He’s very physical as that middle guy in their three-high safety defense and he did a great job of filling once he read that it was run. He’s really versatile.”

19. Carolina Panthers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Even though it added Jaelan Phillips in free agency after picking Nic Scourton last year, Carolina still could use another edge to crank up the defense GM Dan Morgan is looking for. But this big safety from the MAC is too good to pass up here. The 6-3 1/2, 202-pound McNeil-Warren ran a 4.52 40 at the combine after a third-team All-America season in which he became just the second Rocket in almost two decades to make the AP All-America teams (Quinyon Mitchell is the other).

McNeil-Warren made 77 tackles and had three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Rival coaches watched him on tape and were surprised why someone at a Power 4 conference wasn’t able to lure him away from the MAC, but he did miss almost half of the 2024 season due to injury (though he still made 61 tackles).

“He is a freakshow,” said an OC who played Toledo last year. “He was super rangy, super athletic, played downhill. Had the ball skills. He could close space so fast and didn’t miss tackles. It’s pretty cool that he didn’t leave. I’m sure he had opportunities. You’d turn the tape and immediately could see, he’s different. He just pops when you watch them on the tape. His athleticism and how smooth he was and how long he was, it all translated. He was the best kid we played all year and we played (a bunch of programs that at one point were ranked).”

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Dallas has an interesting choice here between the 6-4, 212-pound Boston and Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., who is smaller but came up big for the national champions in 2025. Boston caught 125 passes for 1,715 and 20 TDs over the past two seasons. Washington coaches who were around Tetairoa McMillan (the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) when they were at Arizona say the Panthers’ first-rounder is more fluid and has better body control, but Boston is faster and also has strong hands and is very competitive — much like McMillan.

One big plus with Boston: He is physical and smart and was a dynamite special teams player.

“He will be a Pro Bowl gunner,” said one coach.

“He’s a vertical threat and a big-play guy,” said a Big Ten coach. “He’s fast, probably high 4.4 guy, but is not sudden at the top of breaks. He’s a little stiff, so he’s limited route-wise because of that. He doesn’t separate enough.”

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

Pittsburgh lost Calvin Austin but can grab the dynamic Hoosier standout, who is best remembered for his acrobatic touchdown catch, where he contorted his body in the back of the end zone to win the game at Penn State. The 6-0, 200-pounder, who ran a 4.42 40 at the combine with a 1.55-second 10-yard split, had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. IU coaches loved his versatility and see a lot of Deebo Samuel in his game. The former high school basketball star also has great body control, which was quite evident in his spectacular catch to beat Penn State.

“I thought he was very underrated,” said one head coach who faced IU. “There are a lot of really good receivers in the Big Ten, not just the Ohio State guys. Nobody talks about Cooper, and he wasn’t their go-to guy. Elijah Sarratt was, and then Charlie Becker comes on later in the season and makes a bunch of big plays. Cooper plays really strong and is very slick in space. You can tell he was a good basketball player. He’s so good with the ball in his hands after the catch too. He’s a problem to get on the ground.”

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

No NFL head coach loves physicality like Jim Harbaugh, and with guards Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton gone, the Chargers sorely need help in the trenches. The 6-4, 320-pound Penn Stater who everyone calls “Vega” should be a good fit. He’s a pure guard and is in the road-grader mode. He got himself in better shape in 2025 and showed a lot of improvement. According to PFF, Ioane didn’t allow a single sack or QB hit in 311 pass blocking snaps.

“He grew on me,” said a Big Ten D-line coach who faced Ioane in each of the past two seasons. “He’s your typical right guard in the NFL and I think he’ll have a good career. He is athletic. In that (Penn State under then-OC Andy Kotelnicki) system, it’s hard to project their guard with all their unbalanced formations and motioning guys and motioning him sometimes. He’ll fit in a pro-style/gap-scheme offense but he’s versatile enough to play in a West Coast, outside zone scheme.”

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah

Philly had a superb O-line for a long time under Jeff Stoutland, but now he’s gone, and some of the Eagles’ stalwarts are getting up in age. Deals for right tackle Lane Johnson and left guard Landon Dickerson are now structured to be up after 2027. Lomu started at left tackle for the Utes the past two seasons, although Utah’s offensive system was much different last year, when it shifted away from a pro-style attack to more of a QB run scheme.

Opposing coaches felt like Lomu was one of the best linemen they faced in 2025, but that his teammate, Fano, was a bit better. At 6-6, 313 pounds, Lomu (33 3/8-inch arms) has better length than Fano but isn’t quite as athletic. Still, his 4.99 40 with a 32 1/2-inch vertical jump and 9-5 broad jump were better than some of the coaches I spoke to were expecting from him.

“He reminded me of (Patriots top-five pick) Will Campbell a little in terms of people are super high on him as a tackle, but I’m not sure if he translates to tackle in the NFL,” said a D-line coach who faced Utah last season. “I thought he was more of a guard. He’s good but I don’t think he was as good of an athlete as Fano is. I wondered about Lomu’s feet and his quickness.”

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

With the Browns getting some O-line help earlier with Mauigoa, receiver is the big need to help spark a suspect offense. Concepcion’s wheels should help a lot. This guy has dazzling playmaking ability. He’s stronger than you think at 6-0, 196. In 2023, he was the ACC Rookie of the Year at NC State, with 839 receiving yards and 320 rushing yards, averaging almost eight yards per carry. At A&M last season, he averaged 14 yards per offensive touch. He is a terror for opponents as a punt returner, averaging 18.2 yards and taking two back for touchdowns in 2025. He’d be projected to go sooner if his hands were more reliable. Last season, he had seven drops, according to PFF.

“He torches guys with his burst,” said an SEC DC. “You gotta know where he is because he could kill you with bubble screens or slants, and he’s gone before you know it and no one is catching this dude. His hands are shaky. If he can become more consistent, he’ll be a star in the NFL.”

25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami

If McNeil-Warren were still on the board, Chicago would’ve loved to scoop up the big safety, but Mesidor fills a big need too. The Ottawa native, who began his college career at West Virginia, was the other edge guy on a Miami D-line that gave QBs nightmares. Mesidor had 17.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2025. Like his teammate Rueben Bain, the 6-3, 265-pound Mesidor was at his best in Miami’s Playoff run, notching 5.5 sacks.

“Because Bain’s such a beast, people tend to overlook what a monster this guy is,” said an ACC head coach. “He’s really violent with his hands and can really bend too. And he’s got a really good motor. He won’t stay blocked and he just keeps coming.”

26. Buffalo Bills: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

Von Miller was the first explosive speed rusher with great get-off from Texas A&M that Buffalo brought in, though Miller came late in his career. The Bills hope Howell can give them some of the juice the other Aggies great gave the Broncos when he first left College Station.

The 6-2, 253-pound Howell lacks ideal length. His arms measured only 30 1/4 inches, but he turned heads at the combine when he clocked a 1.58-10 second split on his 4.59 40. Like Miller, Howell can really bend — maybe not quite as well as Miller, but few ever could. Howell, who began his career at Bowling Green, should be a pass-rushing force for Buffalo. He had 14 TFLs and 11.5 sacks in 2025.

“He’s not long, but I doubt that’s gonna be a big problem for him because he has such great get-off and bend. He gets people on their heels,” said an SEC O-line coach. “We also thought he has a really good feel for things and changes things up well.”

27. San Francisco 49ers: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

With three safeties already off the board, it’s a stretch to think the 49ers can address that need at this spot, so they grab the Tigers’ big edge. The 6-6, 276-pound former five-star recruit with 34 3/8-inch arms didn’t have the production or the impact a lot of recruiting folks expected coming out of high school. He had only two sacks in 2025 after posting seven in 2024, his second season at Auburn. People at Auburn really like this guy, and he’s an intriguing talent. At the combine, he displayed some impressive explosiveness in the testing, vertical jumping 35 inches and broad jumping 9-9, impressive for someone this big. At Auburn’s pro day, he clocked a 4.67 40, also very impressive.

“He was really good when he wanted to be,” said an SEC OC. “He’s big and talented. He’s very heavy-handed. When he comes off the ball and wants to go, he’s hard to deal with. Not that twitchy but is more of a bull-rush, run-over-you kind of guy. I just never thought he played that hard. Same thing (in 2024). But there were a lot of things off with Auburn the past few years.”

28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

This is a need spot for Houston, and McDonald is a load against the run. He’s 6-2, 326, and just turned 21. McDonald was a force for the Buckeyes in 2025, making 65 tackles with nine TFLs and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Against Texas to start the season, he had eight tackles, the same as he had against Miami to finish the season. That’s a lot of production for an interior D-lineman.

“He’s a heck of a player,” said a Big Ten OC. “He was so physical, tough and violent, and he can run better than you’d think.”

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LA Rams): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Chiefs have a big need here and they take the Volunteer over Clemson’s Avieon Terrell and Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun. The 6-0, 193-pound Hood, who has 31 3/8-inch arms, tested well in Indy, running a 4.44 40 to go with a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-5 broad jump. Hood pulled off the unique triple of going to three schools in three years, starting at Auburn, then playing at Colorado before finishing in Knoxville and making it a three-and-out. Last season, Hood had 50 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, one pick six and eight pass breakups

“He’s tough and physical and has the speed to run with guys,” said an SEC OC. “We thought he’s pretty handsy and not as talented as (Jermod) McCoy, but he is a good player. He plays the run well and will tackle.”

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Miami)*: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Projected trade: Jacksonville receives pick No. 30; Miami receives picks Nos. 56 and 203

With Miami grabbing Delane earlier in the draft, the Dolphins can address their need for a receiver here, but there’s not one worth a late first-round pick, so they deal with Jacksonville, which needs a defensive tackle. The 6-2, 300-pound Woods is an extremely powerful, big athlete who some coaches at Clemson thought would be a top-five pick when he finished his career.

Last offseason, he clocked a 4.86 40 at 310 pounds and bench pressed 490 pounds. His 2024 film was probably better than his 2025, but that also reflected a program that backslid. He had 40 tackles and 3.5 TFLs last year.

“He’s very explosive and powerful,” said an ACC OC. “And he’s got some good pass-rush moves and he plays hard, but you wonder about his feel. He just doesn’t make as many plays as you think he should.”

31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Miller, a former wrestler, started 54 games for the Tigers. The 6-7, 317-pounder with 34-inch arms had a strong week at the combine, running a 5.04 40 with a 32-inch vertical and a 9-5 broad jump as well as 32 reps on the bench press.

“He’s a giant and he’s got enough athleticism to hold up against speedy edge guys,” said an ACC DC. “He’s a good run blocker, not a great one, but the guy is pretty solid and probably will be a solid starting right tackle for a long time in the NFL.”

32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The run on Clemson players continues. This is a big need for Seattle, as is running back, but this spot seems too high to grab Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. or Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price. The younger brother of Falcons first-rounder A.J. Terrell is 5-11, 186 pounds. He tested OK in Indy, jumping 34 inches and posting 10-3 in the broad jump. The 2025 season was a huge disappointment for Clemson, but don’t blame Terrell; he made a ton of plays. He had 46 tackles (4.5 for loss), three sacks, 11 pass breakups and a Clemson-record five forced fumbles.

“He’s super quick and smart and probably will be an excellent nickel in the NFL,” said an ACC OC. “He’s pretty wiry but he’s gritty and instinctive.”

Teams without first-round picks

47. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Linebacker and edge are two of the biggest needs the Colts have. Fortunately, Allen is still around. The 6-1, 230-pounder is a legitimate Mike backer who probably will wear the green dot for the next dozen years. He led Georgia in tackles with 88 and had a team-best eight TFLs.

“He won’t impress you physically,” said an SEC OC. “There’s nothing about him that’s great. He is stiff. He’s not that big or fast. And he will get swallowed up at times. Until you look up at the stat sheet at the end of the game and he’s got 11 tackles. He plays with great instincts and he tackles the s— out of people. I really like him.”

48. Atlanta Falcons: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma

The off-field issues with James Pearce Jr. make edge a big need for Atlanta. An undersized prospect at 6-2, 241 pounds with 31 5/8-inch arms, Thomas ran a 4.67 40 with a 1.63-10-yard split. The Sooners were really salty on defense last year and Thomas played a big role in that. He had 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks last season after producing 12.5 and nine in 2024.

“He’s got good get-off, can really bend and is very slippery,” said an SEC OC. “He’s also more powerful than you think, but there are games where you see him getting mauled.”

52. Green Bay Packers: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

The Canes were dramatically better on defense last season and Scott, a transfer from Auburn, was a major reason as their playmaking nickel. He had 64 tackles with 13 TFLs. ACC coaches raved about how much of an impact Scott made, and when he was hurt in November, they noticed it. He came back for the Playoff and played as well as any DB in the country in the postseason, highlighted by his game-changing pick six against Ohio State. The 5-11, 193-pound California native clocked a 4.33 40 at Miami’s pro day and he plays that fast. His age is a concern for some folks, as he’ll turn 25 this summer.

“Hell of a player,” said a coach whose team faced Miami in the Playoff. “His tape at Auburn wasn’t great or amazing. But his tape at Miami, whoa. He’s very twitchy and smart. You could tell he does his homework and he plays with such an edge.”

62. Denver Broncos: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Sean Payton and new OC Davis Webb should have fun deploying the former four-star QB all over the field. The 6-4, 239-pound former Texas high school state high jump champion is a spectacular athlete. He vertical jumped 45 1/2 inches and broad jumped 11-3. He also ran a 4.51 40. As Diego Pavia’s go-to guy, he caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four TDs. He put on a show when Vanderbilt almost beat Texas on the road, catching seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

“Linebackers can’t cover this guy,” said an SEC DC. “His athleticism is rare and he can really go get the ball. He also tracks the ball really well.”