FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Brian 9.0

[Brian Bosarge]

We have arrived at the big day. The 2026 NFL Draft takes place tonight in Pittsburgh. After a long year of watching tape, grinding over numbers, and keeping our ears to the ground, we have arrived at the final moment. So now, we get my final 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Normally, I would abstain from any trades in my final mock. But this year, there was just one I had to make.

FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft (9.0)​

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana​

The only pick in this draft class that I have 100% confidence in. Mendoza has been the pick since January. And despite the signing of Kirk Cousins, I still believe that Mendoza starts in Week One.

2. New York Jets

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech​

It feels like we have gone back and forth between Bailey and Reese for this pick. But Aaron Glenn knows he needs to win now, and getting the sure-fire pass rusher in Bailey is the play.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)​

This is a prime position for a trade down, and ultimately, I believe that will happen. At some point in the top 10, Arizona will end up with an offensive tackle to play the right side. Mauigoa is the guy to do that.

4. Tennessee Titans

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

New head coach Robert Saleh will want to get his Fred Warner in the middle. He gets that with Sonny Styles.

5. New York Giants

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State​

The Giants are much more intriguing now that they have a pair of top-ten picks. New HC John Harbaugh knows the value of a game-changing safety. Downs is the smartest defender in the class. He is rangy, a good tackler, and will be the leader of the defense.

6. Cleveland Browns

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah​

Cleveland also has a pair of ones this year. They should be leaving the first round with an offensive tackle and a wide receiver. The order that comes in is the mystery. Here I have them going with the athletic tackle from Utah, Spence Fano. Fano has arm length questions, but it doesn’t appear to limit him on tape. He played on the right side at Utah, but I believe he projects to the left side with the Browns.

7. Washington Commanders

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame​

There is a very good chance that Love will have already been drafted by this selection. But if he hasn’t, I think the Commanders would jump at the chance to add him to their offensive backfield. Love’s skillset pairs extremely well with QB Jayden Daniels.

8. New Orleans Saints

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State​

I 100% believe that the eight picks the Saints currently have are burning a hole in GM Mickey Loomis’ pocket. New Orleans needs some defensive playmakers (or a WR), and a move up for Arvell Reese is in play. Reese, at worst, is a Pro Bowl-level linebacker. At best, he has a chance to make a similar conversion and impact as Micah Parsons.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU​

KC traded away Trent McDuffie to get the 29th pick. So, they need to get a corner at some point. Delane fits their defense like a glove, and he just so happens to be the best corner in the class.

10. New York Giants (F. CIN)

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State​

If not for the injuries, Jordyn Tyson would be the highest-rated wideout in the class. But he missed the equivalent of every third game he played in college. The thought is not lost on me that the Giants would be accenting their WR room with an injury-prone prospect with their #1 WR Malik Nabers coming off a torn ACL.

11. Miami Dolphins

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State​

The Miami roster is in tatters. Nearly any player would be beneficial. SO, drafting Tate will at least give free agent signee at QB Malik Willis a fighting chance.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)​

Bain should be long gone by this point, but for reasons, he has fallen to this point. Bain is an outlier with less than 31″ arms. But that doesn’t show up on tape, and he is a great pass rusher. At worst, he is the best run-defending defensive end in the class.

13. Los Angeles Rams (F. ATL)

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama​

The Rams would appear to be in “win now” mode. Matt Stafford can’t have much left in the tank. RT Rob Havenstein just retired, and WR Puka Nacua is off his rocker. I can’t shake the feeling that the Rams may be in on Ty Simpson. But in this mock, I go with them, replacing Havenstein with OT Kadyn Proctor.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State​

You could make the argument that Ioane is the best offensive lineman in the class. Ioane was a guard at Penn State, but I could see Baltimore maybe trying to see if he could replace Tyler Linderbaum at center. If not, he is plug-and-play at either guard spot.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon​

Tampa Bay is in a prime trade-down position for one of the teams in the early 20s, trying to get ahead of Detroit for the offensive tackles. Whether they stay and pick or move down, Sadiq feels like a great replacement for redzone targets with the loss of Mike Evans.

16. New York Jets (F. IND)

Makai Lemon, WR, Southern Cal​

I expect the Jets to come out this first round with a WR. Maybe it’s at 16…maybe it’s not. Either way, Makai Lemon is a bit on the smaller side, but he is a tremendous route-runner and would pair well with Garrett Wilson. A nice pairing for whatever QB they target in the 2027 NFL Draft.

17. Detroit Lions

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson​

After speaking with Lions’ expert Jeff Risdon the other day, he says that offensive tackle is likely the play at 17. And Miller and Monroe Freeling are the in-house faves. But don’t rule out edge rusher here either.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Peter Woods, DL, Clemson​

No clue what the Vikings do. Many needs on defense. Peter Woods is just a hunch. It could also be Dillon Thieneman.

19. Carolina Panthers

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon​

I have either had Kenyon Sadiq or an offensive tackle going to Carolina in nearly every mock I have done this year. And that could still be the case. But if Dillon Thieneman is still on the board, I think Carolina would love his athleticism and versatility.

20. Dallas Cowboys (F. GB)

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State​

Dallas would love to add a piece to the secondary at either 12 or 20. Chris Johnson feels like he has been climbing boards for the last month. Maybe he doesn’t go this high, but he is going in round one, I think.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia​

Do the Steelers take another toolsy greenhorn from Georgia in the first round to play tackle? Freeling had the highest R.A.S. this year amongst the tackles. If not OT, perhaps an edge? Or, dare I say…Ty Simpson.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn​

I believe the dream for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers is for Vega Ioane to fall here. If they don’t hit the o-line, I think edge is in play. Keldric Faulk is one of the younger players in the draft. With prototype size and athletic traits, it may be worth the risk.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State​

The Eagles feel like they are in on the offensive tackles. I love the idea of them getting to mold the big ole lump of clay that is Max Iheanachor.

24. Cleveland Browns (F. JAX)

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana​

I waffled between Cooper and Kevin Concepcion as the WR part of the OT/WR 1st round combo meal for Cleveland. ***Flips coin*** Cooper, it is.

25. Chicago Bears

T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson​

Bears need to add some rotational defensive pieces. If Peter Woods falls, he could be in play. Or maybe Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald. But if not the interior, Chicago could attach the edge. T.J. Parker has done a great job of rebuilding his draft stock this offseason.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Arizona received picks 26 (1st) and pick 168 (5th); Buffalo receives picks 34 (2nd), 104 (4th), 143 (5th)

26. Arizona Cardinals (F. BUF)

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama​

The only official trade I have projected in this mock. You can probably figure out a few others if you try. But Arizona is really the only team consistently linked to Ty Simpson. And this point in the draft starts a run of several spots they could target in a move up. Right now, their QB room consists of Jacoby Brissett (who is holding out) and Gardner Minshew.

27. San Francisco 49ers

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah​

I am way above consensus with Caleb Lomu. I believe he is the best pure left tackle in the class. He is my #1 OT in the class and #8 overall player. A perfect pick for the Niners at 27.

28. Houston Texans

Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)​

I believe Houston is one of the teams that could target trading up into the early twenties. If they stick and pick, I believe they would be thrilled to get edge depth with Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor is an older prospect (will be 25 as a rookie).

29. Kansas City Chiefs (F. LAR)

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington​

A big target at wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes to have fun with.

30. Miami Dolphins (F. DEN)

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee​

The knee injury is a major concern for all teams with McCoy. If not for that, he would be long gone by now. Maybe he doesn’t go in round one. But I think Miami takes the chance.

31. New England Patriots

K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M​

New England could use another weapon for Drake Maye. If the coin flip for Cleveland lands on Concepcion, then Cooper could be the pick…or Boston.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee​

Seattle doesn’t need much. Maybe a running back like Jadarian Price is in play. But they could use a corner prospect to replace Riq Woolen. I think Colton Hood slips into round one somewhere. So, this is a dart throw.

Follow Brian on Twitter @DeepFriedDraft

The post FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Brian 9.0 appeared first on NFL Draft Countdown.

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