NFL mock draft 2026 3.0: Final first-round predictions from Newsday's Tom Rock

The Giants certainly took a sledgehammer to the meat of most draft assessments — the mocks and the actual ones front offices have spent months compiling — when they traded Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick this past weekend. While there are no “projected” trades in our mock draft here (those are way harder to predict than the actual picks and just create undue chaos), we fully expect there to be plenty more movement as teams try to capitalize as best they can on a confusing class that is seen as having very few top-tier talents, lots of impressive players at positions that don’t normally have high-pick value and a slate of quarterbacks that are competing not only against each other but those already hovering in the 2027 draft. Don’t be surprised if the Giants and Jets wind up doing some more dealing with the two first-round picks they each hold.

Newsday’s first mock draft this offseason came out in February before the Combine, the second in March after NFL free agency. Now it’s April and the draft starts Thursday night in Pittsburgh, so here is our third and final iteration of how we see the first round playing out:

1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

It seems silly that we have to wait until shortly after 8 p.m. on Thursday for this pick to become official. It’s pretty much been a done deal since January and nothing that the Raiders or Mendoza have done since has altered their shared trajectory toward this marriage. For the second year in a row, the stars align between a quarterback-needy team at the top of the draft and the clear-cut top quarterback. Sorry, no drama here. Previous picks: 1.0 Mendoza, 2.0 Mendoza

2. Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

There’s been some debate throughout the process over whether the Jets should take Reese or David Bailey. Bailey would be a fine pick. He could come in and produce right away, and the Jets would be happy with that. But they aren’t a win-now team. Reese has a higher ceiling than Bailey and gives them more versatility for Aaron Glenn to play with. When the Jets are ready to win, he’ll be ready to be a big reason why. Previous picks: 1.0 Reese, 2.0 Reese

3. Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

If anyone wants to trade up to take Bailey or Jeremiyah Love or even Sonny Styles, this is probably the place they’ll do it. The Cardinals could then move back, pick up additional picks and probably take a swing at Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at some point in the 20s. But if Arizona does make this pick, they’ll go Bailey to give them an edge rusher in a division where getting to the opposing quarterback is almost as important as having a quarterback yourself. Previous picks: 1.0 Fano, 2.0 Bailey

4. Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

More than a few analysts have Love as the most talented player in the draft. There is a school of thought that running back should be the last piece a team adds as a finishing touch, but Love is dynamic enough to take with this pick and then build around. Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was the NFL Coach of the Year and took the Giants to the divisional round of the playoffs while having a home-run hitting running back at his disposal in Saquon Barkley. That’s undoubtedly something he learned from his time in New York. Previous picks: 1.0 Tate, 2.0 Love

5. Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

There are two positions where John Harbaugh’s defenses are always strong — safety and linebacker. That puts Buckeye teammates Styles and Caleb Downs front and center for this pick. The Giants would probably be happy with either of them but when it comes down to choosing one I think they’ll lean on the bigger, stronger player who can help in their run defense and make up for some of the up-the-middle density that the team suddenly lacks after trading Dexter Lawrence. Previous picks: 1.0 Delane, 2.0 Styles

6. Browns: Spencer Fano, T, Utah

Cleveland did a really nice job improving its offensive line this offseason, adding Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. All they need now is a left tackle, and Fano will come with Todd Monkin’s seal of approval. The Browns are still unsettled at quarterback, but when they do land on someone, at least he’ll be protected. Previous picks: 1.0 Downs, 2.0 Downs

7. Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Smart, physical and versatile, Downs is the complete package and can become the quarterback of the Washington defense with Bobby Wagner’s time there getting close to its end (he is a free agent and the door could be open for a return). For all the talk about positional value with safeties, Downs brings positional versatility: Last season, he lined up deep on about 35% of his defensive snaps, in the box for about 35%, and in the slot about 21%. Previous picks: 1.0 Bailey, 2.0 Bain

8. Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Michael Thomas and Chris Olave have had plenty of success as former Ohio State receivers in New Orleans, and now Tate should be the next big Buckeye in the Bayou. After addressing other offensive skill holes in free agency with David Edwards and Travis Etienne Jr., Tate comes along to provide production as the Saints build around quarterback Tyler Shough. Previous picks: 1.0 Love, 2.0 Tate

9. Kansas City: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

At a position where many teams like to see pure speed and quickness, Bain brings some old-school physicality and nastiness that will appeal to Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo. He doesn’t run past would-be blockers, he crushes them and disrupts plays. That was Spags’ model back when he won with the Giants, and it remains so. Previous picks: 1.0 Bain, 2.0 Mauigoa

10. Giants (via Bengals): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Is it a coincidence that the Giants pulled off the Dexter Lawrence trade that brought this pick to them just a few days after Tyson’s long-awaited workout for NFL teams to demonstrate his health? The offer from the Bengals was on the table a while, the Giants were front and center for Tyson’s display, then all of a sudden the swap takes place. Add it to the things that make you go, "Hmmm." Previous picks: 1.0 Mauigoa, 2.0 Fano (both for CIN)

11. Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami

The Dolphins need to reinvent their offense from the slashing speed they had been building into a more run-focused, heavy-handed philosophy. Mauigoa allows them to lean into that new identity. He is also the younger brother of Jets linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, a fifth-round pick last year, so there may be some intriguing AFC East matchups to keep an eye on. Previous picks: 1.0 McCoy, 2.0 Delane

12. Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Anyone who saw the Cowboys play even a few minutes last year could identify the secondary as their major weakness. They were the only team that made Russell Wilson look decent for the Giants last season. In fact, they made him look like an All-Pro! Delane helps to fix that flaw, and even with some new additions through free agency, he’ll be their top cornerback. By the way, Delane began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where he was recruited by current Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith. Previous picks: 1.0 Hood, 2.0 McCoy

13. Rams (via Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Sean McVay loves offensive weapons around whom he can create new and exciting concepts, and Lemon will give him just that. In a receiving corps that should also include Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, Lemon will give Matthew Stafford a full stable of options and, if/when Adams eventually hangs ‘em up or moves on, be able to step into that role. Oh, and just like Mauigoa in Miami, he’ll wind up playing his NFL career in the same city where he finished his collegiate one. Very convenient. Previous picks: 1.0 Lemon, 2.0 Lemon

14. Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State

After losing a lot of their up-the-middle power in free agency with the departures of center Tyler Linderbaum (Raiders) and fullback Patrick Ricard (Giants), the Ravens need to bolster that suddenly soft spot in their schemes. Ioane gives them a physical presence, and having him clearing paths for Derrick Henry and protecting Lamar Jackson should help Baltimore maintain its identity in the face of some pretty significant organizational changes. Previous picks: 1.0 Ioane, 2.0 Ioane

15. Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Tampa Bay had just 38 sacks as a team in 2025, and just 3.5 of those came from edge rushers. Mesidor had 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles for the 'Canes last season. His one drawback is his age; after six years as a collegian, he is already 25, an age when many draft picks are getting their second contracts. The Bucs have said they don’t have an issue with that. Previous picks: 1.0 Styles, 2.0 Mesidor

16. Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

If you can’t get the best quarterback in the draft, why not get the player who helped make him the best quarterback in the draft? Cooper was Fernando Mendoza’s primary target at Indiana, and without him making that spectacular catch in the back of the end zone against Penn State, there probably is no Heisman Trophy for Mendoza and no national championship for the Hoosiers. Pairing him with Garrett Wilson will make any quarterback better. Previous picks: 1.0 Boston, 2.0 Boston

17. Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Lions ranked 31st in pass block win rate last season and then moved on from starting left tackle Tyler Decker. That led to speculation that Penei Sewell could move from right tackle to left, but if Freeling is the choice the Lions wouldn’t have to do that. Freeling is raw but a monster at 6-7, 315 pounds. Previous picks: 1.0 Howell, 2.0 Freeling

18. Vikings: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Taking the cornerback here might be a little bit of a reach, but in this draft, basically everyone after the first seven or eight picks could be considered one anyway. Hood would come in and be an immediate starter and his ability to cover one-on-one on the outside is significant for that Brian Flores blitz-heavy scheme. Previous picks: 1.0 Woods, 2.0 Hood

19. Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Carolina has gone wide receiver in each of the previous two first rounds and general manager Dan Morgan has said he is not averse to making it three straight. But he can avoid doing that and still give Bryce Young a quality target to aid in his continued development. The Panthers haven’t had a playmaker at tight end since Greg Olsen, and Sadiq could develop into a key cog for the growing team. Previous picks: 1.0 Sadiq, 2.0 Sadiq

20. Cowboys (via Packers): Keldrick Faulk, Edge, Auburn

The Cowboys are pretty stout in the middle of their defensive front, but they definitely need some help on the outside. Faulk isn’t a pure pass-rusher — that wasn’t what he was asked to do at Auburn — but he can give some of that to the 'Boys along with the physicality to seal the edge against the run (and the running quarterbacks that now pepper the rest of the NFC East). Previous picks: 1.0 Mesider, 2.0 Faulk

21. Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Jordyn Tyson’s pre-draft tuneup showed how he has recovered from his injuries, which likely puts him out of Pittsburgh’s reach with this pick, but the Steelers still need someone to catch passes from . . . well, whoever their quarterback winds up being. Boston (just shy of 6-4) is the biggest of the projected first-round receivers and could become a fine target for Aaron Rodgers if and when he decides to play for the team. Previous picks: 1.0 Tyson, 2.0 Tyson

22. Chargers: Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy missed all of the 2025 season with a torn ACL, but he tested well in pre-draft workouts (he ran a 4.40-second 40 at Tennessee’s pro day). Before the injury, McCoy figured to be one of the top players in this draft class, nevermind top cornerbacks, so while getting him here may not be a need for the Chargers, it can still be a steal if he returns to the form he had as a sophomore with four picks in 2024. Previous picks: 1.0 Faulk, 2.0 Woods

23. Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Lane Johnson isn’t going to play forever, and the Eagles need to start thinking about his replacement. The Athletic said Proctor “screams Eagles draft pick,” and even if there isn’t a spot in the starting lineup for him right away, he could be a very good guard to begin with — he’s 6-7, 352 — then move outside when the time comes. Previous picks: 1.0 Terrell, 2.0 Proctor

24. Browns (via Jaguars): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

A lot of mocks have McNeil-Warren going to Cleveland, but at the top of the second round. Not sure they can wait that long. Having already helped their offensive line with the sixth overall pick, and with some enticing wide receivers who figure to still be around for that second round and beyond, the Browns could turn to their secondary here. They have Myles Garrett up front, last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger in the middle, and now they can have McNeil-Warren on the back end. Previous picks: 1.0 Proctor, 2.0 Lomu

25. Bears: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

Howell isn’t as well-rounded and versatile as some of the other edge rushers in this class, but he is very good at getting around tackles and making his way to the quarterback. He had 11 sacks last season, most of them by using his speed and agility. He’ll help the Bears defense, even if he isn’t a three-down player to start his career. Previous picks: 1.0 McNeil-Warren, 2.0 McNeil-Warren

26. Bills: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Brandon Beane needs immediate impact picks in this draft more than any other general manager in the league, maybe even more than Josh Allen needs immediate impact receivers. This selection satisfies both of them. The Bills did add DJ Moore in a trade with the Bears this offseason, but they haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2023, and that has hurt them in their abbreviated postseason runs. Previous picks: 1.0 Concepcion, 2.0 Concepcion

27. 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

In a perfect world, the 49ers would use this pick on Lomu and not plan to play him for a while as he sits and learns behind Trent Williams. Since when are there perfect worlds for this team, though? Williams is going to be 38 when the season starts, and while he started 15 games last season, he was hurt in 2024 and the team went in the tank because of that (and other injuries). That brief glimpse of life without Williams is why it’s worth taking Lomu. Previous picks: 1.0 Thomas, 2.0 Howell

28. Texans: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Houston made it clear it intends to build around its defense after giving Will Anderson Jr. a three-year, $150 million extension earlier this month. The Texans should keep building in that direction and put Woods between Anderson and Danielle Hunter to create one of the scariest fronts in the league. Woods wasn’t as productive last season as many expected, but with his wingmen around him with the Texans, he won’t face nearly as many double teams as he did at Clemson. Previous picks: 1.0 Freeling, 2.0 Miller

29. Kansas City (via Rams): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

With the pick Kansas City got back in the trade of Trent McDuffie, they can land his replacement. Cisse is probably more of a developmental player than a plug-and-play starter, but KC has long been able to coach up its corners better than most other teams (hat tip to longtime secondary coach and former Giants assistant Dave Merritt on that). That could help make Cisse a serviceable player with a big upside. Previous picks: 1.0 Cisse (LAR), 2.0 Cisse

30. Dolphins (via Broncos): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Miami traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Jets this offseason and needs to replace him. New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has come up coaching defense — and defensive backs — and he'll have a new starter for the back end of his system and a future leader for the unit as a whole. Previous picks: 1.0 Allen (DEN), 2.0 Cooper

31. Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did you see how Drake Maye was pounded? The Patriots need to keep their quarterback upright to be successful and not regress after being exposed in that game. Miller is bigger and longer than Will Campbell, last year’s fourth overall pick and starter at left tackle, which would allow New England to at least think about moving Campbell inside to guard where his dimensions are more apt. Previous picks: 1.0 Lomu, 2.0 McDonald

32. Seahawks: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

A quick, anticipatory and scrappy player who doesn’t overwhelm with measurables but shows up on film as a gamer and in locker rooms as a leader. It’s always dicey to bring a first-round pick into a Super Bowl-winning locker room but Johnson definitely has the personality to handle that task, and he’ll be a help in the secondary too. Previous picks: 1.0 Thieneman, 2.0 Thieneman