Prisco’s final 2026 NFL mock draft: Picks, predictions for what should be a wild Round 1

It’s the one we will all get right. Mendoza has a lot of Matt Ryan to his game. The Raiders are getting their starter for a long time.

The idea that he is the safer pick rather than taking the chance with Arvell Reese’s potential is misguided. He will be a star edge player. The Jets need help with their rush, and he should be the guy.

They would love to trade down, but if they stay here, I think it’s Love as the pick. Word is, people at the top are pushing for Love to be the choice. They want to sell seats.

They probably didn’t think he’d be here, but he is. I think the talent and the things Robert Saleh could do with him in the defense will make him the pick if it plays out this way.

They would have wanted Love, but he’s gone. So they take an off-the-ball linebacker who will be a game-changer. Styles might end up as the best defender in this class.

They have to get help for their offensive line. They could trade down here, but Proctor is the best left tackle prospect in this class. So they take him.

They need help at receiver and Terry McLaurin turns 31 this year. Tyson is the best receiver in this class if he can stay healthy. That’s the key.

They add another Ohio State receiver to go with Chris Olave. They could also consider corner here, but Tate will help Tyler Shough and his development. That’s what this season will be about.

Short arms or not, he can play. The Chiefs have to improve their pass rush. Bain will do that. He’s not a prototypical player in their scheme, but Steve Spagnuolo will make it work.

John Harbaugh can come out of this draft with a playmaking linebacker and a playmaking safety. That would be a heck of a haul. They could also consider offensive line or receiver here.

They are rebuilding and there is no better way to make that better than to take offensive line help. Fano can play guard, tackle and even center.

They might look to move up to get edge help, but the way this plays out, they take a corner who can step in and start right away. Improving the defense is a must.

They have to add more juice to the receiver group and Lemon can do that. Davante Adams is almost certainly in the final year of his contract with the team.

I think there is a chance he goes higher than this, but he’s the cleanest offensive lineman in this class. He will be a plug-and-play starter.

He has been the guy I’ve put here in my mock all along. It just makes sense. They have to get better at rushing the passer. He will do that.

It’s time to get Garrett Wilson a running mate. Cooper is a guy the NFL has liked throughout this process far more than the draft cult has.

They have already talked about moving Penei Sewell to left tackle, so Mauiga would start on the right side. He could also be an all-world guard down the road in my book.

They have a big hole inside on their defense, so Woods would fill a major need. He didn’t play as well in 2025 as he did in 2024, but he has the tools to be a big-time player inside.

Getting a playmaker in the middle of the field will make life easier for Bryce Young. They could also consider the receiver here.

They have to get help off the edge and Lawrence is a guy with a lot of twitch. He’s been a riser up the boards throughout the process.

They have a ton of age in their secondary, so it’s time to get some youth. This kid will be a perfect Steelers player with this toughness and range.

He didn’t play as well last year as he did in 2024, but the traits are there. The Chargers have to get a young edge rusher with Khalil Mack up in the years.

They will consider the offensive line here, but they need to get back to being dominant in rushing the passer. Getting another body up front after losing Jaelen Phillips would help.

They go offensive line early and then take the big-bodied receiver from Washington. He will give whoever plays quarterback a nice, big target.

Their left tackle spot is a problem, so taking Freeling fills a need. They could also consider defensive line help here.

He is a perfect fit for their defense. He can come in and be a rotational rusher his first year to help give them more pop off the edge.

He would be the replacement when Trent Williams walks away. He needs to get stronger, so a year or two as a backup would work.

The interior of the Texans’ offensive line is suspect. There is age there with Wyatt Teller and the center spot needs upgrading. This kid is well-regarded by the league personnel departments and he played some center at the Senior Bowl.

Stukes is a guy I really liked throughout the process and he is hot right now. He would fit nicely as a chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. He can play slot, safety and outside.

Their corner room isn’t great, so adding a young player to it is something they need to do. I think they could also look to receiver here — maybe KC Concepcion.

They have some age at right tackle in Morgan Moses and Iheanachor might need a year of seasoning. So taking him for the future would be the move.

This is one I’ve had throughout the process because it works. They have to get a back to key an offense that is very run-centric. Price will be better than Kenneth Walker in their offense.