Combine weeks is officially here! It’s one of my favorite times on the NFL calendar and draft hype and speculation gets into full swing with all the tidbits of information that trickle out during this time. Is it a smokescreen or a real nugget? Only time will tell….

To kick off the week, it’s time for an updated mock draft. We’re firmly into the realm of predictive mock draft, so I’m veering further away from my own rankings and relying more on the consensus board and the intel I hear to make these picks.

For my full Top 100 Big Board, check out this link here. As always, I’ve linked my position ranking articles below if you want to check out full scouting reports on many of these players:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Tackles
• Interior Offensive Linemen
• Edge Rushers
• Defensive Tackles
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties

1 — Las Vegas Raiders: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

What more needs to be said? The Raiders have already unofficially confirmed this is the pick. Mendoza is the lone quarterback in this class who could even be considered here. A new era begins in Las Vegas.

2 — New York Jets: Miami ED Rueben Bain Jr.

Until I hear otherwise, I’m going to continue to assume Bain will be the pick here. He’s the type of player you can build a defense around, and I’m sure Jets HC Aaron Glenn would love him. Power, quick-twitch athleticism, burst, bend — Bain has it all, and he’s a plus run defender too.

3 — Arizona Cardinals: Texas Tech ED David Bailey

Bailey isn’t getting a lot of top-three hype right now, but there’s a world in which he ends up here. He proved everything he needed to with the Red Raiders this year, improving his technique in run defense and adding some power moves to his arsenal. Bailey just wins so cleanly so consistently, and the Cardinals need a lot more juice in their pass rush.

4 — Tennessee Titans: Ohio State LB Arvell Reese

After Mendoza, there are three defensive studs who should all go in this range. Reese is the last of them in this mock, as his schematic fit in the NFL is the most questionable. He’s expected to transition to the edge full-time much like Georgia’s Jalon Walker did a year ago with the Falcons, but there’s some inherent risk in that projection. Still, from a build and athleticism standpoint, it doesn’t get any better than Reese. He has all the tools to succeed.

5 — New York Giants: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa

The Giants have been searching for a bookend tackle to pair with LT Andrew Thomas for years, and Mauigoa is sitting right there. He played right tackle in college and is an absolute mauler, owning the line of scrimmage and playing with an infectious level of physicality. In 2025, he got a lot smoother in pass protection, and that raises his floor in the NFL considerably.

6 — Cleveland Browns: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

The Browns need to overhaul their offensive line and their receiving corps. They jump on the opportunity to take the first receiver of the board here, taking Tate to be their WR1. He wins in a lot of the same ways guys like Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba do — insane body control and toughness combined with a cerebral level of route running and intuitive awareness. Even though he’s not quite as athletic as some of the other players in this class, Tate is every bit talented enough for this spot.

7 — Washington Commanders: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles

This fit just makes so much sense on paper. Styles is the type of elite, do-it-all linebacker that changes how a defense can play. With Bobby Wagner likely retiring, the Commanders need to get a lot younger at linebacker and retool that room. Styles is an elite coverage defender with absurd athleticism to make plays all over the field.

8 — New Orleans Saints: USC WR Makai Lemon

After trading away Rashid Shaheed at the deadline last season, the Saints are in the market for a new running mate next to WR1 Chris Olave. Enter Lemon, a dynamic slot weapon that can win in multiple ways. He’s such a crafty route runner and makes defenders look silly after the catch. In a lot of ways, he complements Olave similarly to how Shaheed did, and will provide second-year QB Tyler Shough another trusted target.

9 — Kansas City Chiefs: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

There’s a reason this is such a common connection to make in mock drafts. Love would provide this Chiefs team with so much of what they’ve been missing. He’d immediately make their rushing attack far more dynamic, with the type of speed out of the backfield Kansas City hasn’t had in years. The way Chiefs HC Andy Reid could scheme up Love with WRs Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy is borderline unfair to defensive coordinators everywhere.

10 — Cincinnati Bengals: LSU CB Mansoor Delane

Widely considered the top cornerback in this class, Delane had a sensational 2025 season. His ability to play off coverage with plus awareness or lock down his man in press makes him an appealing target for basically every team, as he can play across schemes. The Bengals need to add some playmakers on defense, and Delane fits the bill.

11 — Miami Dolphins: Utah OT Spencer Fano

Defense is usually mocked to the Dolphins with this pick, but Miami’s roster is so bad they just need to accrue talent, and the chance to draft a potential franchise tackle outside the top 10 is too juicy an opportunity to pass up. Fano needs to get stronger, but his fluidity in pass protection and road-grader mentality in the run game gives him such a high ceiling.

12 — Dallas Cowboys: Ohio State S Caleb Downs

I’ve heard there’s a chance Downs slips outside the top 10. He’s not expected to test like a world-class athlete this week, and teams are hesitant to take even elite safeties in the top 10 unless they test absurdly well (see: Kyle Hamilton). Still, there’s zero chance he makes it past the Rams at No. 13, especially with the string of teams here that need safeties. The Cowboys need any upgrade to their secondary they can get, and Downs is a major floor-raiser.

13 — Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

If this is how the board falls, the Rams are sprinting the card in. McCoy’s 2024 tape is the best in this class, but he didn’t play at all last year after tearing his ACL in January. We’ll learn more about his rehab at the Combine this week, but assuming everything checks out, he’s the perfect pick here. The Rams need more size and speed at the cornerback position and McCoy checks both boxes with flying colors.

14 — Baltimore Ravens: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson

There’s a chance Tyson drops a bit in the draft due to his medicals. I consider him a top-five prospect, but he’s dealt with a series of injuries throughout his college career that could give teams pause. Baltimore would love to pounce on his potential fall, however. He’s a very different type of receiver than Zay Flowers and would open up this Ravens offense immediately.

15 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Texas A&M ED Cashius Howell

I’ll be interested in how Howell tests this week. If he’s even an average athlete, this would be a great value pick. He wins in so many subtle ways, with a refined set of pass rush moves and the right kind of effort in run support. The Bucs are desperate for more pass rush help and Howell would provide that.

16 — New York Jets (via IND): Alabama QB Ty Simpson

I’m growing more confident that Simpson will come off the board somewhere in the first round. I’m just not quite sure where yet. The Jets are a strong candidate with this pick, as this coaching staff and front office enter the 2026 season firmly on the hot seat. The 2027 class should be much stronger at quarterback, but will they still be around to make that pick next year? There’s no guarantee, but swinging on Simpson at least gives them a chance.

17 — Detroit Lions: Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane

I know the Lions have a pair of young guards they really like in Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany. But that offensive line simply wasn’t good enough last year, and Ioane is easily the best one left on the board. He’s a starting-caliber NFL guard right now, and I think his ceiling is a lot higher than what gets talked about. Ioane is already a fantastic pass protector and he keeps getting better and better with his run blocking.

18 — Minnesota Vikings: Clemson DT Peter Woods

Woods might be the forgotten man in this defensive line class. He’s a ridiculous athlete and a good run defender who shows flashes of being a game-breaking pass rusher. Even though he didn’t have his best season in 2025, the league hasn’t forgotten about his potential. Woods is set to dominate the Combine this week and we could start seeing him projected in the top 15 again if he puts up the numbers he’s reportedly capable of.

19 — Carolina Panthers: Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald

The Panthers are likely to focus on defense in this draft, and the defensive line is a great place to start. McDonald is a game-wrecking run defender, casually taking on double teams and holding the point of attack with impunity. He doesn’t have a ton of upside as a pass rusher, but his fit next to Derrick Brown is nearly flawless. Together, they’d be a menace to opposing offensive lines each week.

20 — Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Georgia LB CJ Allen

I’m lower on Allen than this, but the first-round buzz continues to grow. Dallas’ defense was so bad last year and with two first-round picks, they have a chance to add a pair of cornerstones. Allen’s range and advanced run defense skills would help the Cowboys immensely. He has a ways to go yet in coverage, but the tools are there for him to be a plus NFL backer down the line.

21 — Pittsburgh Steelers: Utah OT Caleb Lomu

The Steelers have drafted two offensive tackles in the first round recently and neither looks like a capable starter right now. Lomu is a smooth mover in pass protection who got better and better over his two years starting for the Utes. His run blocking is still a work in progress but guys who can mirror the way he can while still having the power to anchor against bull rushes get taken in the first round.

22 — Los Angeles Chargers: Auburn ED Keldric Faulk

With length and power for days, Faulk is already a plus run defender. He has some reps where he shuts down his side of the line single-handedly, and he’s not passive either. As a pass rusher, he still has a lot of development left to do, but players with his combination of size and bend don’t come around often.

23 — Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson ED T.J. Parker

Parker reminded everyone at the Senior Bowl that he’s still a factor in this class. His first step isn’t the quickest, but he’s so strong and technically refined that it may not matter. The Eagles were shuffling through some bargain-bin options on the edge last year after Nolan Smith went down, but Parker would be a factor in their rotation right away. He could even start as a rookie.

24 — Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor

I’m still not sure if Proctor is a tackle or a guard in the NFL, but that’s fine, because the Browns need both. A massive human being, Proctor’s movement skills at his size are eye-catching and, as expected, he’s extremely powerful in the trenches. The fastest edge rushers he faced did give him some problems, but he’s so fluid in space and can reset the line of scrimmage.

25 — Chicago Bears: Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter

A quick, penetrating 3-tech, Hunter is another player who had a phenomenal showing at the Senior Bowl. His speed and hands are often too much for interior offensive linemen to keep up, and he always stays on-balance and in-control. Chicago needs more pass rush production, and Hunter would go a long way towards providing that.

26 — Buffalo Bills: Washington WR Denzel Boston

It’s no secret that the Bills need a true X-receiver on the outside to open up this offense. Thankfully, Boston is still on the board in this mock, and he’s the perfect fit in Buffalo. He can produce as a deep threat but will make his money over the middle of the field. Despite his size, he’s an excellent route runner, and he creates enough separation to get open at the next level.

27 — San Francisco 49ers: Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion

With Brandon Aiyuk’s time in San Francisco over and Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne pending free agents, the 49ers need a receiver. Concepcion would be so much fun to see in a Shanahan offense, with the type of short-area quickness and after-the-catch dynamism that excels in this scheme. In 2025, Concepcion developed as a route runner and is a more complete player, something that will only make him more dangerous in the NFL.

28 — Houston Texans: Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor

After his performance at the Senior Bowl and based on the numbers he’s supposed to put up in the tests this week, don’t be shocked if Iheanachor starts seeing some first-round buzz. He’s absurdly athletic, with movement skills at his size that shouldn’t be possible and the strength to dominate in the NFL. He’s still raw, having only played football for about five years, but he’s on a sharp development curve at the moment. The Texans desperately need a tackle, and Iheanachor is the next one up.

29 — Los Angeles Rams: Georgia DT Christen Miller

I think the Rams are unlikely to make both of these picks if they can help it, but they’d be hard-pressed to pass up the talent of Miller if he’s sitting there. One of my favorite players in this class, Miller has a ridiculous production profile for an interior defensive lineman, racking up a ton of pressures and tackles despite his usual role in the Bulldogs’ scheme. He’s so quick and strong that he gets wherever he wants. Los Angeles would love to add to their already deep pool of young defensive line talent.

30 — Denver Broncos: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

Yeah, this connection gets made a lot, but that’s because it just makes too much sense. The Broncos haven’t been shy about their desire to improve the tight end position, and Sadiq is the TE1 in this class by most evaluators. His absurd athleticism and improving blocking technique make him an intriguing prospect.

31 — New England Patriots: Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.

Cooper is a guy I watched recently who really impressed me. He’s a plus-plus athlete who can make defenders look silly after the catch. While he needs to improve his versatility as a route runner, he comes into play in this range. The Patriots need to get more explosive at the skill positions on offense, and Cooper certainly helps achieve that.

32 — Seattle Seahawks: Miami ED Akheem Mesidor

Cue the groans from rival fans. Mesidor is likely to drop a bit due to his age (he’ll be 25 on draft night) but for a team like the Seahawks, he’s just about perfect. You could have dropped him onto an NFL team last year and he’d have been a productive part of their pass rush rotation. Seattle is deep on the defensive line but they are set to lose Boye Mafe in free agency. Here, they reload and replace him with Mesidor.