PICK #1
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
This has seemingly been inked long enough that Mendoza could have been playing for Vegas last year. However, with Kirk Cousins in town, the rookie can sit a while longer.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, WR, DL, CB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: FERNANDO MENDOZA, QB, Indiana

 

 

PICK #2
NEW YORK JETS
Was cancelling David Bailey’s visit a smokescreen by Darren Mougey et al? Or a cunning double bluff? Whatever the case, the best pass rusher comes off the board at two.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, QB, CB, OL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DAVID BAILEY, EDGE, Texas Tech

 

 

PICK #3 TRADE WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
They may have to wait until the Cardinals are on the clock to know who they’re going up to get, but the Chiefs swing for the fences to land a player with apparently limitless talent.
Biggest Needs
CB, EDGE, OL, TE, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: ARVELL REESE, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #4
TENNESSEE TITANS
It might not be the Titans’ biggest need, but it’ll be hard to pass up on potentially the best offensive player in the entire 2026 draft class to add to a lineage including Earl Campbell, Eddie George, Chris Johnson, Derrick Henry…
Biggest Needs
EDGE, LB, WR, OL, RB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JEREMIYAH LOVE, RB, Notre Dame

 

 

PICK #5
NEW YORK GIANTS
Knowing they can likely wait to add to their receiving corps at #10, the Giants run the card up to grab the best linebacker, and fastest-rising prospect, in the draft.
Biggest Needs
WR, LB, OL, S, DL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: SONNY STYLES, LB, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #6
CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns could look to vacate this pick but, with Arizona having dropped behind them, the entire OT field is open for Cleveland. Kadyn Proctor has been mocked here elsewhere, but might be a bit rich for six.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, QB, CB, EDGE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: SPENCER FANO, OT, Utah

 

 

PICK #7
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Having explored the possibility of the Giants getting feisty for the same player — and possibly shipping an RB to DC as part of the deal — the Dan Quinn Commanders decide to stick and pick easily the best safety prospect for several years.
Biggest Needs
WR, OL, S, RB, EDGE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CALEB DOWNS, S, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #8 TRADE WITH NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Pre-empting the expected run on receivers, Miami gives up pick #11 and one of their myriad third-round picks to get the wideout they want by jumping ahead of the Giants.
Biggest Needs
WR, CB, EDGE, OL, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MAKAI LEMON, WR, USC

 

 

PICK #9 TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Despite dropping six spots in their trade with Kansas City, the Cardinals still land the OT they have most been connected to through the pre-draft process, ignoring late injury reports to bolster the O-line protecting a journeyman QB room.
Biggest Needs
OL, QB, EDGE, RB, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT, Miami

 

 

PICK #10
NEW YORK GIANTS
Having resisted the temptation to cash in the pick they received from Cincinnati in the Dexter Lawrence trade and pair Downs with Buckeyes team-mate Sonny Styles, Big Blue still double dips in Columbus to get their receiver.
Biggest Needs
WR, LB, OL, S, DL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CARNELL TATE, WR, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #11 TRADE WITH MIAMI DOLPHINS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Having gambled on dropping a handful of places, the Saints will be delighted to find a leading edge rusher still in the green room. Receiver could be an option here, but NOLA opts to attack opposing QBs rather than please their own.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, CB, OL, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: RUEBEN BAIN Jr, EDGE, Miami

 

 

PICK #12 TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS
NEW YORK JETS
Having seen two of the ‘big three’ receivers come off the board in quick succession, the Jets decide not to tempt fate with the Rams scheduled to pick ahead of them, returning pick #44 (gained in the Quinnen Williams trade) to Dallas along with the exchange of #12 and #16.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, QB, CB, OL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: JORDYN TYSON, WR, Arizona State

 

 

PICK #13 TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS
CHICAGO BEARS
Sensing similar urgency from the likes of Detroit, Carolina and Philadelphia, the Bears strike a deal with a Los Angeles team thwarted by the Jets’ jump to snare a top five OT prospect to shore up Caleb Williams’ protection. The additional cost is pick #57 and a seventh-rounder next year.
Biggest Needs
DL, EDGE, S, OL, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MONROE FREELING, OT, Georgia

 

 

PICK #14
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Although they have needs on both side of the line of scrimmage, Baltimore falls in favour of the offense as by far the best guard in the field lands in their lap.
Biggest Needs
DL, OL, WR, CB, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: OLAIVAVEGA IOANE, OG, Penn State

 

 

PICK #15
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bucs also see an ideal candidate fall to them in the search for an edge rusher, albeit a young, raw and mouldable one. Anything will be considered an improvement, however, if Tampa can rise from the poorest sack total of any Todd Bowles’ campaign.
Biggest Needs
EDGE, LB, DL, CB, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KELDRIC FAULK, EDGE, Auburn

 

 

PICK #16 TRADE WITH NEW YORK JETS
DALLAS COWBOYS
Although corner might be the bigger need in Jerrah World, the Cowboys have seen enough mocks sending this ‘do-it-all’ safety to Minnesota to know that they need to act now and ask questions later. And, knowing the Cowboys fanbase, there will be questions…
Biggest Needs
CB, LB, S, EDGE, OL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DILLON THIENEMAN, S, Oregon

 

 

PICK #17
DETROIT LIONS
The offensive line is the target firmly in Detroit’s blinkered first round sights, and Dan Campbell will be relieved to see a top OT prospect still on the board as the round moves into its second half.
Biggest Needs
OL, EDGE, DL, S, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KADYN PROCTOR, OT, Alabama

 

 

PICK #18
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Denied the object of their affections even as they’re writing his name on the card, the Vikings pivot to claim the best — and also read into that ‘healthiest’ — corner in the class, not quite believing he’s still there at 18…
Biggest Needs
S, OL, CB, DL, RB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MANSOOR DELANE, WR, LSU

 

 

PICK #19
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Similarly to the Lions, Carolina is able to sit and take a top-five OT rated higher than the candidates for their other positions of greatest need. Bryce Young exhales and turns his attention to building on the flashes of improvement from 2025.
Biggest Needs
OL, S, DL, WR, TE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: CALEB LOMU, OT, Utah

 

 

PICK #20
DALLAS COWBOYS
With Delane gone and fresh doubts surrounding Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy’s long-term fitness prognosis, Dallas deviates to address another defensive need — and it’s not linebacker, which can wait until pick #44.
Biggest Needs
CB, LB, S, EDGE, OL
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: AKHEEM MESIDOR, EDGE, Miami

 

 

PICK #21
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Philadelphia toyed with the idea of trading up with their Pennsylvania neighbours for an unexpected target, but decided it could sit and wait, allowing Pittsburgh to snag an offensive player that, while not a red hot priority, simply could not be left on the board.
Biggest Needs
QB, OL, LB, WR, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: OMAR COOPER Jr, WR, Indiana

 

 

PICK #22
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
With the remaining O-line contenders a little lukewarm for pick #22, despite the regularity with which their incumbents succumb to injury, the Chargers instead look to strengthen the other side of the ball by grabbing the intake’s leading DT.
Biggest Needs
OL, EDGE, DL, CB, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KAYDEN McDONALD, DT, Ohio State

 

 

PICK #23
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Although there are potential long-term replacements for Lane Johnson still waiting to hear their name called — and multiple opportunities where the Eagles could possibly trade up for one of the ‘big five’ OTs — this mock sees them catch the draft’s clear #1 tight end who can be more than simply an understudy to Dallas Goedert in 2026.
Biggest Needs
EDGE, OL, WR, TE, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: KENYON SADIQ, TE, Oregon

 

 

PICK #24
CLEVELAND BROWNS
With a fresh protector added for whoever lands their QB1 role, Cleveland turns its attention to providing said playcaller with a large, fluid ‘X’ receiver with good hands and proven YAC ability.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, QB, CB, EDGE
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: DENZEL BOSTON, WR, Washington

 

 

PICK #25 TRADE WITH CHICAGO BEARS
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Eschewing the opportunity to again ‘f- dem picks’ or drop out of the first round entirely, the Rams back up the decision to trade with Chicago by landing the other WR option open to the Browns, a versatile, if smaller, ‘Z’ receiver with added ability in the return game.
Biggest Needs
WR, LB, OL, EDGE, QB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: K.C. CONCEPCION, WR, Texas A&M

 

 

PICK #26 TRADE WITH BUFFALO BILLS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
When he predicted ‘a lot of fun and excitement’ on opening night, few would have expected Chiefs GM Brett Veach to put his team at the heart of it. However, having protected pick #29 in their earlier trade with Arizona, KC moves up again, sending Buffalo a 2027 third-round pick in order to add protection for QB Patrick Mahomes.
Biggest Needs
CB, EDGE, OL, TE, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: BLAKE MILLER, OT, Clemson

 

 

PICK #27
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Miller may have been the name being written on San Fran’s first draft card of the night, but the 49ers are at least able to fall back on another OT, albeit one that has only been playing football for a handful of years, as they seek a long-term replacement for Trent Williams.
Biggest Needs
OL, WR, EDGE, DL, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: MAX IHEANACHOR, OT, Arizona State

 

 

PICK #28
HOUSTON TEXANS
Having seen the OT class depleted in front of their very eyes, Houston decides to exact revenge by adding to an already formidable defense with a DT that Pro Football Network describes as having ‘a near-inhuman attack explosiveness’ and ‘violent disposition’.
Biggest Needs
OL, DL, LB, TE, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: PETER WOODS, DT, Clemson

 

 

PICK #29 TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
BUFFALO BILLS
Trading back three positions, even if it was with a bitter AFC rival, makes the Bills’ selection a little more palatable, even if some may say it was still too high for the player in question. 
Biggest Needs
CB, EDGE, OL, TE, WR
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: ZION YOUNG, EDGE, Missouri

 

 

PICK #30
MIAMI DOLPHINS
If the Bills’ pick caught many by surprise, AFC East rivals Miami aren’t complaining as it allows them to complete their WR-CB first round combination with one of the more versatile corners, solid in press man coverage and equally happy against the run game.
Biggest Needs
WR, CB, EDGE, OL, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: COLTON HOOD, CB, Tennessee

 

 

PICK #31
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
With the remaining edge and wideout options a little thin for a first round pick, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel pounds the table for his own position, with an eye on an old-school linebacker with enough football IQ to be a potential ‘green dot’ day one starter.
Biggest Needs
WR, EDGE, LB, TE, S
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: C.J. ALLEN, LB, Georgia

 

 

PICK #32 TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Is anyone willing to admit they didn’t see this one coming? Despite not getting pick #29 in their early-evening trade with Kansas City, the Cardinals are able to capitalise on Seattle’s need for more picks and package #40 and #104 to jump back into round one for their QB of the future. And they’re back on the clock at #34…
Biggest Needs
OL, QB, EDGE, RB, LB
LLEW’S MOCK DRAFT 1st Round Selection: TY SIMPSON, QB, Alabama