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Brian Lamb
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It’s NFL Draft day!! In just a few short hours, we’ll all be sitting down to watch 32 teams scour to find their next franchise cornerstone to build around. This Final mock draft features trades, as I believe that they’ll play out live.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
You can put this one in a permanent marker. Las Vegas gets its franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza.
2. New York Jets
There have been rumors surrounding Arvell Reese or David Bailey as the Jets’ pick here. I’ll trust my evaluation and go, Reese.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (Projected Trade with Arizona Cardinals)
It’s rare for the Chiefs to have a top ten pick, let alone two first-rounders. If they wanted to move up, they have the capability. I’m not sure if they’ll have to include picks 9 and 29, but OT should be the target.
4. Tennessee Titans
Once again, I’ll buy into the rumors that the Titans are infatuated with Jeremiyah Love. They’re not a running back away from competing, but it does shore up that offense quite a bit.
5. New York Giants
With two picks in the top ten, the Giants could start turning the franchise around. Sonny Styles looks to be their guy, locking down the linebacker position.
6. Cleveland Browns
Unlike other draft analysts, I don’t think that they really need to address the offensive line here. Rather, let’s go after a key playmaker, such as Ohio State WR Carnell Tate.
7. Washington Commanders
This really comes down to who HC Dan Quinn wants to build around on the edge. I’ll go with David Bailey, who has slipped a bit in this mock.
8. New Orleans Saints
If they stay put, the Saints should be able to walk away with a WR2, or in this case, a franchise piece on the edge.
9. Arizona Cardinals (Projected trade with Kansas City Chiefs)
Arizona moves back from 3 to 9, without really losing too much. Right tackle is a need for them, which is where Utah’s Spencer Fano has spent the last two seasons.
10. New York Giants (Via Cincinnati)
I won’t disagree that there are other needs, but if the Giants can walk out of the first round with two defensive playmakers, they’ll have a ton of flexibility later to shore up the offense.
11. Miami Dolphins
I don’t know that it happens, but I love what Makai Lemon could bring to this offense in the slot.
12. Dallas Cowboys
We know Jerry Jones would love to make a sexy pick here that the media could talk about. I’m not sure that Mansoor Delane necessarily fits that mold, but he does tick the box for Dallas, which is key.
13. Los Angeles Rams (Via Atlanta)
Maybe this is unconventional, but rather than load up on offense for a final push with QB Matthew Stafford, I’m going to address a glaring liability at safety.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has been so damn good at building through the NFL Draft over the last decade plus. They’re not worried about making a splash; rather, they’re addressing key needs. With that in mind, let’s find them a starter at guard.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There are several teams in the NFL Draft order that would love to add a TE like Kenyon Sadiq. This might not be his floor, but if another team wants him, I think they’ve got to leapfrog the Bucs.
16. Cleveland Browns (Projected Trade with New York Jets)
We’re going to see a run on offensive tackles; it’s just a matter of when. In this situation, I have the Browns trading up to snipe Monroe Freeling from the Lions.
17. Detroit Lions
I’m not sure who Detroit will target at offensive tackle, but I think that’s going to be their play in the first round.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota doesn’t have a cornerback on its roster who was selected in the NFL Draft. Jermod McCoy hasn’t been active during the pre-draft process due to a knee injury, but he’s a top ten talent in this class.
19. Carolina Panthers
With a couple of potential targets off the board, I think the Panthers would be happy to walk away with a defensive tackle here at 19.
20. Dallas Cowboys (Via Green Bay)
Akheem Mesidor might be drafted a bit early here, but I think he fills the need for Dallas.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
As much as I want to believe they might consider going QB here, I think they’d rather address a need in the secondary and move on.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Edge rusher should be the play for the Bolts in the first round, unless a top prospect falls to them at 22.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
It’s a bit tough to project what the Eagles will do, especially because I’m not sold on them staying put at 23. Regardless, I’ll go with offensive tackle Blake Miller
24. New York Jets (Projected Trade with Cleveland Browns)
In this mock draft, the Jets move back from 16th to 24th overall. Ty Simpson is on the board. As we discussed on the Draft Countdown show Tuesday night, Vegas has set the line for his draft position at 24.5. I’ll take the under.
25. Chicago Bears
Looking at what’s left on the board, edge makes a lot of sense for the Bears, as they select TJ Parker.
26. Buffalo Bills
As much as the offensive line is a need for them, I think Buffalo can let the pieces fall where they may and capitalize on the best available player.
27. San Francisco 49ers
I have Jordyn Tyson taking a nosedive in this mock draft. While I don’t quite believe that he’ll fall this far, I do think that the 49ers would be happy to see him still on the board here.
28. Houston Texans
Houston has done a solid job of piecing together their offensive line this offseason. However, I don’t think they’re done quite yet.
29. Arizona Cardinals (Projected Trade with Kansas City Chiefs)
Having picked up an offensive tackle earlier in this mock draft, the Cardinals are back on the clock. Caleb Banks and Peter Woods are both still on the board, so let’s pick Caleb Banks here.
30. Miami Dolphins (Via Denver)
The secondary for the Dolphins isn’t pretty. However, with two picks in the first round, they can afford to take a risk and address it here at 30.
31. New England Patriots
While Dianna Russini might have a better idea of what the Patriots are going to do, I think offensive tackle would be a position of need for them.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker chose to leave the Super Bowl champions and find a new home in Kansas City. While I’m not completely certain they’ll look to replace him in the first round, they do have a helluva opportunity to do so.
The post FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Brian Lamb 7.0 appeared first on NFL Draft Countdown.
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Brian Lamb FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft (V 7.0)
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
You can put this one in a permanent marker. Las Vegas gets its franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
There have been rumors surrounding Arvell Reese or David Bailey as the Jets’ pick here. I’ll trust my evaluation and go, Reese.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
It’s rare for the Chiefs to have a top ten pick, let alone two first-rounders. If they wanted to move up, they have the capability. I’m not sure if they’ll have to include picks 9 and 29, but OT should be the target.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Once again, I’ll buy into the rumors that the Titans are infatuated with Jeremiyah Love. They’re not a running back away from competing, but it does shore up that offense quite a bit.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
With two picks in the top ten, the Giants could start turning the franchise around. Sonny Styles looks to be their guy, locking down the linebacker position.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Unlike other draft analysts, I don’t think that they really need to address the offensive line here. Rather, let’s go after a key playmaker, such as Ohio State WR Carnell Tate.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
This really comes down to who HC Dan Quinn wants to build around on the edge. I’ll go with David Bailey, who has slipped a bit in this mock.
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
If they stay put, the Saints should be able to walk away with a WR2, or in this case, a franchise piece on the edge.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Arizona moves back from 3 to 9, without really losing too much. Right tackle is a need for them, which is where Utah’s Spencer Fano has spent the last two seasons.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
I won’t disagree that there are other needs, but if the Giants can walk out of the first round with two defensive playmakers, they’ll have a ton of flexibility later to shore up the offense.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I don’t know that it happens, but I love what Makai Lemon could bring to this offense in the slot.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
We know Jerry Jones would love to make a sexy pick here that the media could talk about. I’m not sure that Mansoor Delane necessarily fits that mold, but he does tick the box for Dallas, which is key.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Maybe this is unconventional, but rather than load up on offense for a final push with QB Matthew Stafford, I’m going to address a glaring liability at safety.
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Baltimore has been so damn good at building through the NFL Draft over the last decade plus. They’re not worried about making a splash; rather, they’re addressing key needs. With that in mind, let’s find them a starter at guard.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
There are several teams in the NFL Draft order that would love to add a TE like Kenyon Sadiq. This might not be his floor, but if another team wants him, I think they’ve got to leapfrog the Bucs.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
We’re going to see a run on offensive tackles; it’s just a matter of when. In this situation, I have the Browns trading up to snipe Monroe Freeling from the Lions.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
I’m not sure who Detroit will target at offensive tackle, but I think that’s going to be their play in the first round.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Minnesota doesn’t have a cornerback on its roster who was selected in the NFL Draft. Jermod McCoy hasn’t been active during the pre-draft process due to a knee injury, but he’s a top ten talent in this class.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
With a couple of potential targets off the board, I think the Panthers would be happy to walk away with a defensive tackle here at 19.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Akheem Mesidor might be drafted a bit early here, but I think he fills the need for Dallas.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
As much as I want to believe they might consider going QB here, I think they’d rather address a need in the secondary and move on.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Edge rusher should be the play for the Bolts in the first round, unless a top prospect falls to them at 22.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
It’s a bit tough to project what the Eagles will do, especially because I’m not sold on them staying put at 23. Regardless, I’ll go with offensive tackle Blake Miller
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
In this mock draft, the Jets move back from 16th to 24th overall. Ty Simpson is on the board. As we discussed on the Draft Countdown show Tuesday night, Vegas has set the line for his draft position at 24.5. I’ll take the under.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Looking at what’s left on the board, edge makes a lot of sense for the Bears, as they select TJ Parker.
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
As much as the offensive line is a need for them, I think Buffalo can let the pieces fall where they may and capitalize on the best available player.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
I have Jordyn Tyson taking a nosedive in this mock draft. While I don’t quite believe that he’ll fall this far, I do think that the 49ers would be happy to see him still on the board here.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Houston has done a solid job of piecing together their offensive line this offseason. However, I don’t think they’re done quite yet.
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Having picked up an offensive tackle earlier in this mock draft, the Cardinals are back on the clock. Caleb Banks and Peter Woods are both still on the board, so let’s pick Caleb Banks here.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The secondary for the Dolphins isn’t pretty. However, with two picks in the first round, they can afford to take a risk and address it here at 30.
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
While Dianna Russini might have a better idea of what the Patriots are going to do, I think offensive tackle would be a position of need for them.
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Kenneth Walker chose to leave the Super Bowl champions and find a new home in Kansas City. While I’m not completely certain they’ll look to replace him in the first round, they do have a helluva opportunity to do so.
The post FINAL 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Brian Lamb 7.0 appeared first on NFL Draft Countdown.
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