PICK #1
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Mendoza arrives without much surprise here. Las Vegas gets their quarterback, who will hope to emulate his idol, Tom Brady.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, WR, DL, CB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: FERNANDO MENDOZA, QB, Indiana

 

 

PICK #2
NEW YORK JETS
New York has so many roster issues, but they’re going to bolster their defense with Bailey out of Texas Tech.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, QB, CB, OL
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DAVID BAILEY, EDGE, Texas Tech

 

 

PICK #3
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Arizona won’t be competitive in 2026 without a QB, so they can relax about Mauigoa’s back issues. He’s a starting RT when fit, but this could be a pick for 2027.
Biggest Needs
OL, QB, EDGE, RB, LB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT, Miami

 

 

PICK #4
TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans need to be more effective on defense and reset a culture that has waned in recent seasons. Rueben Bain Jr is relentless and could kickstart that reset.
Biggest Needs
EDGE, LB, WR, OL, RB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: RUEBEN BAIN Jr, EDGE, Miami

 

 

PICK #5
NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants will also look for defensive help in the form of Sonny Styles and his explosive blitz plays could bring chaos to an already strong defense.
Biggest Needs
WR, LB, OL, S, DL
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: SONNY STYLES, LB, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #6
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland are again needing to prepare for a future beyond 2026 and protecting their future QB. Spencer Fano will immediately improve them as an offense, whilst perhaps raising the value of Shedeur Sanders.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, QB, CB, EDGE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: SPENCER FANO, OT, Utah

 

 

PICK #7
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Reese’s ability to play off the edge will be a big help to a Washington defense that struggled last season.
Biggest Needs
WR, OL, S, RB, EDGE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: ARVELL REESE, EDGE/LB, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #8
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints offense will look to build on their improvement last year by taking the consensus top running back in the class.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, CB, OL, TE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JEREMIYAH LOVE, RB, Notre Dame

 

 

PICK #9
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Kansas City haven’t been able to rely on their receivers and will take an elite prospect in Tate.
Biggest Needs
CB, EDGE, OL, TE, WR
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CARNELL TATE, WR, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #10
NEW YORK GIANTS
Downs is an exceptional backfield player and will further improve the Giants’ defense.
Biggest Needs
WR, LB, OL, S, DL
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CALEB DOWNS, S, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #11
MIAMI DOLPHINS
McCoy comes into Miami to solve their issues at CB.
Biggest Needs
WR, CB, EDGE, OL, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JERMOD MCCOY, CB, Tennessee

 

 

PICK #12
DALLAS COWBOYS
Dallas were awful in the secondary last term, Delane will aim to prevent a repeat in 2026.
Biggest Needs
LB, CB, EDGE, DL, OL
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MANSOOR DELANE, CB, LSU

 

 

PICK #13
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Los Angeles will make a shock move here, protecting Matthew Stafford to make the most of the QB whilst he’s still around. Olaivavega Ioane will give them a nasty streak across their O-Line.
Biggest Needs
WR, LB, OL, EDGE, QB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: OLAIVAVEGA IOANE, OL, Penn State

 

 

PICK #14
BALTIMORE RAVENS
A new era in Baltimore sees them look to give Lamar Jackson another weapon in the air.
Biggest Needs
DL, OL, WR, CB, TE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KENYON SADIQ, TE, Oregon

 

 

PICK #15
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Mike Evans’ departure is something the Bucs need to deal with, and they do so with a premium speed receiver.
Biggest Needs
EDGE, LB, DL, CB, TE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JORDYN TYSON, WR, Arizona State

 

 

PICK #16
NEW YORK JETS
Another receiver comes off the board here as New York look to strengthen their roster.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, QB, CB, OL
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MAKAI LEMON, WR, USC

 

 

PICK #17
DETROIT LIONS
Detroit might need to have alternate plans to assist Aidan Hutchinson.
Biggest Needs
OL, EDGE, DL, S, LB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: AKHEEM MESIDOR, EDGE, Miami

 

 

PICK #18
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Brian Flores gets another toy to play with on defense — but it’s not the safety everyone expects.
Biggest Needs
S, OL, CB, DL, RB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: EMMANUEL MCNEIL-WARREN, S, Toledo

 

 

PICK #19
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Looking to protect Bryce Young, Carolina can’t believe their luck that Miller is still on the board for them here.
Biggest Needs
OL, S, DL, WR, TE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: BLAKE MILLER, OL, Clemson

 

 

PICK #20
DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys need more production on defense after Micah Parsons’ exit. Keldric Faulk can get to the QB.
Biggest Needs
LB, CB, EDGE, DL, OL
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KELDRIC FAULK, EDGE, Auburn

 

 

PICK #21
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh make a classic O-Line pick to try and steady the ship under a new coach.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, LB, WR, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CALEB LOMU, OT, Utah

 

 

PICK #22
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Freeling is one of the more versatile linemen in the class and can help keep Justin Herbert upright.
Biggest Needs
OL, EDGE, DL, CB, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MONROE FREELING, OL, Georgia

 

 

PICK #23
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philadelphia will try and replenish their roster with an addition on offense with Omar Cooper Jr. This gives Jalen Hurts another weapon.
Biggest Needs
EDGE, OL, WR, TE, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: OMAR COOPER Jr, WR, Indiana

 

 

PICK #24
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland look to add to their overall roster by focusing on defense here.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, QB, CB, EDGE
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CHRIS JOHNSON, CB, San Diego State

 

 

PICK #25
CHICAGO BEARS
Chicago need to take the next step. Their offense was brilliant last year and now they want their defense to catch up.
Biggest Needs
DL, EDGE, S, OL, WR
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DILLON THIENEMAN, S, Oregon

 

 

PICK #26
BUFFALO BILLS
Buffalo need a new strategy after changing head coach and will go offense with a receiver pick.
Biggest Needs
EDGE, WR, S, OL, LB
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DENZEL BOSTON, WR, Washington

 

 

PICK #27
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Changes on the defensive line are the agenda in San Francisco. Having already made moves at this position, they increase their chances of success by taking McDonald.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, EDGE, DL, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KAYDEN MCDONALD, DT, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #28
HOUSTON TEXANS
Houston need to protect their biggest asset, C.J. Stroud and will keep looking for answers on the O-line. Iheanachor has a tremendously high ceiling.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, LB, TE, WR
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MAX IHEANACHOR, OL, Arizona State

 

 

PICK #29
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Kansas City addressed their offense earlier, but now look to guard themselves against Chris Jones’ eventual departure with this selection.
Biggest Needs
CB, EDGE, OL, TE, WR
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: T.J. PARKER, EDGE, Clemson

 

 

PICK #30
MIAMI DOLPHINS
This is a difficult pick to predict, but I think Miami goes with roster need at WR, despite the top tier receivers having gone off the board.
Biggest Needs
WR, CB, EDGE, OL, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KC CONCEPCION, WR, Texas A&M

 

 

PICK #31
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
New England take a page out of the Bill Belichick playbook here and look for a physical answer at WR. They need help for Drake Maye and Bernard looks like a Patriot if ever I’ve seen one.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, LB, TE, S
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: GERMIE BERNARD, WR, Alabama

 

 

PICK #32
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Colton Hood will be a solid NFL starter and the Seattle defense gets even stronger in terms of depth.
Biggest Needs
RB, EDGE, OL, CB, WR
CHRIS’ MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: COLTON HOOD, CB, Tennessee