This is Matthew’s second mock draft after the combine.
(Raiders) 1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana This pick is obvious, after cutting Geno Smith this solidifies that they are going to pick Mendoza. Smith’s passer rating was 33rd in the league with 84.7, 34th in PFF pass grade with 58.2, and last in the league with 17 interceptions. (Jets) 2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State The Jets finished 31st in yards allowed and 31st in points per game allowed. They also set an NFL record with just 4 turnovers this season and became the first team ever to go a whole season without an interception. 64.68% of opponent passes were either a first down or a touchdown and the team ranked 29th in sack percentage with 4.8%. (Cardinals) 3. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami The Cardinals offensive line this year was PFF’s 26th ranked offensive line. I could see them trying to go Ruben Bain Jr. or David Bailey to get the best player available. But I think they will get their biggest need (besides QB) in offensive line. Their pass-block win rate was 52% (which ranked 30th in the league) and their pressure rate was 39.3% (which was 26th in the league). (Titans) 4. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech The Titans could go Ruben Bain Jr. here but I think they will pick Bailey because they got WR Wan’Dale Robinson to help Cam Ward so they don’t need a WR. After releasing Harold Landry III they need edge rushers. They ranked 28th in blitz rate with 20.8% and ranked tied for 26th in yards per play against with 5.8. (Giant) 5. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State The Giants need to help Jaxson Dart with a WR 2 since Wan’Dale Robinson is entering free agency fresh off of a career-high 1,014 yards. Malik Nabers can’t be the only target for Jaxson Dart. They ranked 21st in pass yards per game with 204.4 and tied for 20th in overall pass yards with 3,703. (Browns) 6. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah The Browns ranked last in the league in pressure rate allowed with 45.5%. PFF ranked the unit as the leagues second-worst group this year. They also have 4 starting lineman leaving for free agency: LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, and LT Cam Robinson. (Commanders) 7. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Norte Dame The Commanders have Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols, and Austin Ekeler are entering free agency. They signed one of the best edge rushers in free agency which was Odafe Oweh so I don’t think they will pick an EDGE. They can’t pass up this guy here, he is too good to not draft because Jayden Daniels needs a little bit of help with one of the best talents in the draft. (Saints) 8. Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State The Saints need to help Tyler Shough with a WR 2 in Jordan Tyson. After trading Rashid Shaheed they need more help than just Chris Olave. They ranked 27th in EPA per pass with -0.03 and ranked 26th in yards per play. They also ranked 26th in down conversion rate and ranked last in the league in explosive play rate with 3.5%. (Chiefs) 9. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State The Chiefs need secondary after losing S Bryan Cook and CB Jaylen Watson to free agency, they also traded Trent McDuffie to the Rams. They ranked 6th worst in the league in completion rate allowed with 66.8%. The Chiefs desperately need secondary depth and this could help them try to get back to the playoffs. (Bengals) 10. Ruben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami This guy is a steal this late in the draft and the Bengals desperately need this position. The Bengals ranked 26th in pressure rate and were also a bottom-10 defense in running back rush yards allowed before contact per carry. They were the league’s 6th-worst defense in havoc rate and their EPA per rush against is 30th in the league. They have EDGE Trey Hendrickson and EDGE Joseph Ossai hitting free agency. They need to help the offensive side of the ball with more pass rush. (Dolphins) 11. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Bringing back secondary pieces like Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Ashtyn Davis won’t fix the Dolphins secondary problems. They were just one of four pass defenses to allow an opposing passer rating of at least 105. And Minkah Fitzpatrick has one year left on his deal in 2026. (Cowboys) 12. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU The Trevon Diggs “era” is over when they released him and their high priced CB Daron Bland is not playing anywhere near his 9 interception season. Also Donovan Wilson is a free agent, they need to upgrade their secondary being the seventh-highest single-season opponent passer rating in NFL history. (Rams) 13. Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama This probably is a reach here but they don’t really need any other position because they fixed their CB problem by resigning Cobie Durant, trading for Trent McDuffie, and signing Jaylen Watson in free agency. They were PFF’s 4th ranked offensive line but they face some free agent questions. RT Rob Havenstein is hitting free agency with backup tackles D.J. Humphries and David Quessenberry. RT Warren McClendon is entering his last year in his deal and adding depth is always needed. (Ravens) 14. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State RG Daniel Faalele and Tyler Linderbaum are free agents. Lamar Jackson’s career worst 10.7% sack rate reflects that the Ravens need to help Jackson not just rely on him. They are ranked 22nd in EPA per pass with +0.04 and they have to face Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt 4 times per year. (Buccaneers) 15. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State LB Lavonte David is contemplating whether to retire or stay. Even if he decides to stay it will probably be his last year. The Bucs will need LB depth when David leaves and I can see them drafting Styles for depth. They have had a good run stopping team in the past because of Vita Vea but he is getting old and they need younger players who can stop the run. (Jets) 16. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The Jets threw for just 2,385 yards in 2025 (the lowest single season mark since the 2022 Bears, who were not coincidentally led by Justin Fields). Tyrod Taylor is entering free agency and they desperately need a QB. They ranked 30th in EPA per pass with -0.14 and ranked 29th in yards per play with 4.4. They also ranked 30th in explosive play rate with 4% and ranked 29th in down conversion rate with 64.2%. (Lions) 17. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn The Lions need offensive line after Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler left, but it would be a reach to draft an offensive lineman still on the board this early. They have DJ Reader, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Marcus Davenport, and Roy Lopez entering free agency on the defensive line. Faulk can play anywhere on the defensive line, which would give the Lions the ability to move him around the defensive line if they need. (Vikings) 18. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The Vikings longtime stud S Harrison Smith is a free agent and could potentially retire (after the Vikings last game it looked like he is gonna retire). They also have Jeff Okudah and Fabian Moreau entering free agency. They need secondary as they ranked 18th in PFF team coverage grade with 57.4 and this would help their depth problems at the CB position. (Panthers) 19. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon The Panthers TE room ranked 27th in yards with 595 and tied for 25th in touchdowns with 3 collectively in 2025. Bryce Young has shown some flashes but needs to prove himself and this could be his last year to do it. This pick would give them Young another target to make a playoff push. (Cowboys) 20. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson Woods can play anywhere on the defensive line for the Cowboys. He can rush off of the edge or be a pass-rushing nose guard. After drafting a CB in this mock draft, I think they will draft one of their biggest needs in pass rush. Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler, and Sam Williams are all hitting free agency. They were 22nd in sacks and were 30th in EPA per rush against with +0.03. This would help one of the worst defenses in the league with these two picks. (Steelers) 21. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington Calvin Austin is a free agent and Roman Wilson hasn’t produced much through two seasons. Only the Giants, Browns, and Jets received a worse PFF team receiving grade than the Steelers in 2025. This could help Aaron Rodgers lead the Steelers to a deep playoff run. (Chargers) 22. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State The Chargers lost five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa last season and now they lost nine-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack this offseason. Throw in DT Teair Tart and numerous depth pieces, they need more bodies there. They were good at getting to the QB but they weren’t great (they ranked 16th in pressure rate), but with Mack leaving those numbers could slip even more. This would help Jim Harbaugh and his defensive make a playoff run this year. (Eagles) 23. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M Jaelan Phillips left and Brandon Graham is a free agent, this would thin out the Eagles pass rush which isn’t good for the Vick Fangio lead defense. They need a good pass rusher in the draft and this pick could provide them with a young pass rusher to help them get back on top of the league. (Browns) 24. Kevin “KC” Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M The Browns already drafted an offensive lineman in Spencer Fano. Their biggest need is WR now (besides QB, but it would be a reach to draft a QB here). Their EPA per pass was 32nd with -0.21 and their points per game was 31st with 16.4. This is the best WR left on the board and they need to take him here if they want to help their young QB’s. (Bears) 25. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson The Bears ranked 29th in pressure rate with 31.5%, tied for 22nd in sacks with 35, and 26th in havoc rate with 31.6%. They also gave up 24.4 points per game which was 23rd, showing that they need to spend their picks on the defensive side of the ball and this pick would help with one of their biggest needs. (Bills) 26. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida After the Bills got DJ Moore they don’t need a WR, but they do need defensive line. They have EDGE Joey Bosa, DL DaQuan Jones, and DL Larry Ogunjobi leaving for free agency. They were ranked 31st in EPA per rush against with +0.05 and seven different opponents wound up rushing for 160-plus yards against this group (tied for the most in the NFL). (49ers) 27. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Longtime All-World LT Trent Williams will be 38 next season and sooner rather than later the 49ers need to get some offensive line depth. They signed Mike Evans so they don’t need a WR and it would be a reach to draft a CB or a DL with this pick. This pick could help protect Brock Purdy and help Christian McCaffery after his great season. (Texans) 28. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia The Texans were PFF’s 27th-ranked offensive line and with RG Ed Ingram and RT Trent Brown potentially leaving, they need offensive line depth. Their EPA per rush was -0.15 (30th) and need to get Woody Marks going. This pick could help protect CJ Stroud after what happened in their playoff game against the Patriots when he threw 4 interceptions. (Chiefs) 29. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville It depends if the Chiefs number 1 WR Rashee Rice will face any discipline surrounding his off-the-field issue. Otherwise they have JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and Tyquan Thornton are all hitting the open market. They ranked 28th in total explosive plays during the last two seasons and need to help Mahomes get back on top. (Dolphins) 30. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson In this mock draft the Dolphins already drafted secondary and since they just traded Jaylen Waddle they need pass catchers but there are no good WR or TE left to draft in the first round. They need offensive line depth after RG Cole Strange and RT Larry Borom are both free agents. They were PFF’s 25th-best group and need to protect Malik Willis. (Patriots) 31. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo After PFF’s fifth-highest graded S Jaylinn Hawkins left in free agency the Pats need a safety. They ranked pretty good in the metrics but without Hawkins those good numbers could slip. This pick could help them get Pats get back to the Super Bowl and maybe win it all. (Seahawks) 32. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee The Seahawks won the Super Bowl but they really only have one need and that is CB. They lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant to free agency and need some depth. This pick could help them win the Super Bowl for a second straight year. That concludes my second mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft.