Gaffney's 2026 Midseason NFL Mock Draft

With Broncos-Raiders last night officially kicking off the back nine of the 2025 NFL season, now feels as appropriate a time as any to look down the road to the 2026 NFL Draft. A class that definitely has some more options at QB than a year ago, but certainly a ton of question marks as to who is all actually coming out and who'll stay in the college ranks for another year. On the flipside, if you're a fan of a team in need of help on defense, this is a great draft for you. Lots of talent on the defense front, and perhaps the best outright safety prospect in the draft cycle since Kyle Hamilton. Here's how I see things as we settle into November.

Notes:

- Draft order is per Tankathon as of the conclusion of NFL Week 9.

- The only quarterback that we have effectively taken out of consideration is Arch Manning (who under no circumstances should declare for the 2026 Draft). Everyone else is/was fair game.

2026 NFL (Mock) Draft

Pick 1) New Orleans Saints - Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana)

Had 2025 been better for LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, I completely believe that the Saints, whose OC is his father Doug Nussmeier, would've gone out of their way to get him if they were around the top five of the draft, seeing as the Saints have benched Spencer Rattler, and Tyler Shough hasn't looked too hot so far in his place. With the outright top pick, though, this would have to be Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who unequivocally has the best blend of size, athleticism, throwing ability, and especially starting experience of anyone in this class. At 6'5 and 225 lbs, he's helped turn Indiana into a legitimate playoff contender for the second year in a row and has a legit shot to take home the Heisman trophy as well. I'd also say Mendoza is the QB in this class I'd feel best about starting right away to boot.

Pick 2) Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain, EDGE (The U)

Looking ahead at some of the upcoming free agents for the Titans, and after their trade of Dre'Mont Jones, they should be in the EDGE market in 2026, but barring some unforeseen Micah Parsons-level trade, their best bet would be University of Miami product Rueben Bain, who plays as mean and physical as his name would suggest. He's gone a few games without a sack now, but his motor, ability to defend the run, and first step are terrifying to watch. One last thing: Bain's listed at 275 lbs and 6'3", which puts him in range around where Myles Garrett was at the combine out of Texas A&M. Not saying he is/will be Garrett, but he's a horrifying physical specimen who feels like a logical guy to take in this spot.

Pick 3) New York Jets - Dante Moore, QB (Oregon)

Quite the trade deadline for the Jets, eh? Realistically, I wouldn't hate this team getting their future QB pick out of the way next year, even if that means he isn't the starter right away. Oregon's Dante Moore would be a logical option in that regard. What would scare me about him (and more so with Alabama's Ty Simpson) would be the lack of seasoning compared to guys like Mendoza and Nussmeier, but things that should get people into Moore is how good he gets the ball out, his ability to extend plays while not inherently being a pure scrambler, and while I think he didn't answer the bell in Oregon's biggest game of the year vs. Indiana, he was dynamite the week prior against Penn State dealing with the 100,000 plus in the stands.

Pick 4) Miami Dolphins - Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB (Ohio State)

How Miami deals with Tua Tagovailoa's contract this offseason will be nothing short of fascinating, but I wouldn't rule out the idea that whoever assumes control of Miami full-time bites the bullet with Tua for one more year to soften the eventual dead cap hit, let things bottom out, and use the 2026 draft to bolster up/get younger on both lines. For as bad as the Miami offensive line has been this year, though, there's a riser on defense who I don't think is all that far off from Bain: Ohio State's Arvell Reese. Part linebacker, part on-ball defender, he's simply a freak of nature chess piece who'd make any defense better and more dynamic on day one—perfect guy to add after dealing with Jaelan Phillips.

Pick 5) New York Giants - Spencer Fano, OT (Utah)

As enticing as it would be to add Jordyn Tyson to their offense, the wiser move for the Giants would be to bring aboard Utah's stud right tackle Spencer Fano, who's a great athlete currently listed at 6'6' and 308 lbs. Definitely helps out things for New York that he's been used exclusively as a right tackle in the last two years, and I can't imagine the Giants would have any plans in 2026 that don't include Andrew Thomas on the opposite end of the line.

Pick 6) Cleveland Browns - Jordyn Tyson, WR (Arizona St.)

At this point, the Browns clearly don't believe enough in Shedeur Sanders to play him, and that Dillon Gabriel is both probably not the guy and was put in an awful situation with Cleveland's offensive personnel. Would I be stunned if the Browns go QB next spring? No, but they have both of their starting guards on expiring contracts, and their wideouts haven't been too hot in 2025 to this point. Try to hold off on the QB for at least one more year, and bring in a stud, high-end route-running wideout in Jordyn Tyson, who'd be a good pick here with no guards worthy of a top 10 selection in this class at a first glance.

Pick 7) Las Vegas Raiders - Peter Woods, IDL (Clemson)

I get the sense the Raiders may wait until after Pete Carroll packs away his final packet of gum to draft a quarterback this high, and honestly, this would be a great draft to add an impact defender. Clemson IDL Peter Woods has multi-tech usage upfront, and the athleticism and first-step disruption that would play really well on the inside of Maxx Crosby. You know what they say: second time's the charm with Clemson interior defenders.

Pick 8) Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, SAF (Ohio State)

Any first-round Bengals pick that isn't defensive next April would be equal parts malpractice and hilarious, given their issues this year, and they have no excuse not to get a guy like Caleb Downs, the best player in this entire class, under the guise that "he's a safety". The younger brother of Colts wideout Josh Downs is phenomenal in coverage with elite instincts and tackling ability to boot. I loved Malaki Starks out of Georgia last cycle, and Downs is even better. He'd be a grand slam addition to a defense out in Cincinnati that needs impact players.

Pick 9) Washington Commanders - Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU)

Washington's defense didn't improve at all with an infusion of older vets this offseason, and it wasn't exactly one of the younger units in the league to begin with. The Marshon Lattimore ACL tear last Sunday night would certainly make me lean corner here, and given one of the best in this class, Jermod McCoy from Tennessee hasn't played all year due to the same injury, the next best choice would be LSU's Mansoor Delane; another in a prolific line of Tiger defensive backs who's largely been ignored by opposing offenses this year. He'd be the best outside corner on the Commanders roster by default.

Pick 10) Baltimore Ravens - David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech)

Hard to say if Baltimore will pick in the first half of round one in actuality, but no matter what, they have no one (healthy) who can consistently apply pressure or get sacks, and there are single-digit guys, at that, in this class who've been able to do that in 2025 than Texas Tech's David Bailey. His first step and bendiness have gotten him to 12 sacks to date this season, and the folks over at PFF gave him a 94.4 grade for his outing some time ago against Houston. 

Pick 11) Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) - LaNorris Sellers, QB (South Carolina)

My gut feeling right now is that LaNorris Sellers will opt to stay at South Carolina one more year, but if he does decide to enter the NFL draft, I can't think of a more perfect storm than him going to the Rams, who have two first-round picks to burn, and wait for his time behind Matt Stafford for x-years. His numbers in 2025 won't blow you away, and he's not a finished product as a passer despite having some crazy arm talent, but his ability to avoid hits in the pocket is otherworldly, and Sellers' athleticism is off the charts. In this exact scenario, he'd have every chance to succeed as an NFL QB, and this would be a worthy gamble for a Rams team that won't have Stafford forever.

Pick 12) Arizona Cardinals - Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama)

Especially after Monday Night Football, a Kyler Murray-Arizona Cardinals divorce certainly feels like it's on the table now. It wouldn't be a surprise if they give Jacoby Brissett the same opportunity he got in New England back in 2024, but with much more leeway and better personnel, with a younger guy behind him. In this case: Ty Simpson.

I'm going to be real: the fact that he doesn't even have 10 starts yet is a concern, but there's something to say about him sticking it out on the bench at Alabama behind both Bryce Young and then Jalen Milroe, waiting for his shot. Very impressed with his level of play on the road vs. Georgia and Mizzou, and Simpson's zip on the ball and outright release is phenomenal. It'd be a tough sell to start him day one based on everything we have right now, but his rise this year has been commendable, and I'd like him in a spot like Arizona, where he could possibly get a redshirt year.

Pick 13) Houston Texans - Francis Mauigoa, OT/IOL (The U)

Aireonte Ersery has started to settle in quite nicely for the Texans at left tackle, but they could use upgrades at every other spot as well, with their interior OL sitting as one of the worst in the league. Someone like Fracnis Mauigoa, who plays right tackle at Miami but could absolutely kick inside, would give the Texans some options, and they could use any bit of help they can get up front.

Pick 14) Dallas Cowboys - Jermod McCoy, CB (Tennessee)

The Cowboys cutting Trevon Diggs in the offseason as a cap-related move wouldn't surprise me, and their secondary, including him, is pretty rough to begin with. Have to get another corner in the mix, and even with the ACL tear likely costing him this entire year, Dallas is not in a position to pass up on Jermod McCoy. Not exactly one of these bigger, lengthier corners like in recent years, like Christian Gonzalez or Will Johnson, but his fluidity and ability to impact at the catch point are two things you'll notice right away. It'll be interesting to see how his draft stock will/won't be affected by his absence in 2025, but his 2024 tape is very good.

Pick 15) Minnesota Vikings - Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame)

In the middle of round one, the Vikings going running back wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, especially when it's Jeremiyah Love, whose home running, hitting ability would add a ton to any offense he gets dropped into. Love is a super hard guy to corral once he gets into high gear, and as a former high school wideout, he is someone who can and has been used as a receiver for the Irish. He'd add a serious wrinkle to an offense that already has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at its disposal.

Pick 16) Carolina Panthers - Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State)

As interesting a strategy as drafting a wide receiver round one, two years in a row would be, the Panthers could absolutely justify bringing in Carnell Tate, who's been dynamite for Ohio State this year alongside Jeremiah Smith. His game is incredibly well-rounded, and he'd be another big-bodied, big catch radius target for Bryce Young alongside Tet McMillan, and at this stage of things, I definitely like Tate more right now than I do/did the Arizona product.

Pick 17) Kansas City Chiefs - Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Oregon)

Travis Kelce's reitrement isn't going to be held off forever, and if the Chiefs wanted to bring in a long term replacement for him, Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, who definitley can fit into that "receiver in a tight end body" archetype, but he's not a zero as a blocker either, which is more than you can say about the guy the Chiefs have now. It could be a bit early for him here, but there's going to be a need for Kansas City sooner or later, and Sadiq's raw athleticism and smoothness will translate to the league right away.

Pick 18) Chicago Bears - Cashius Howell, EDGE (Texas A&M)

The Bears' pass-rush woes have been documented ad nauseam over the last few years. If arm length isn't a deal breaker for them, Cashius Howell is the best available option for them to pick things up off the edge. His speed/explosiveness was on full display against LSU a few weeks ago, and he's got the Von Miller ghost rush down to a T. Very impressive ascent for Howell, who transferred to A&M from Bowling Green a couple of years ago.

Pick 19) Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) - Caleb Lomu, OT (Utah)

With a shiny new receiver out of the way, the Browns could/should go after one of several offensive line prospects still on the board. While guard is a bigger need, they have six picks between rounds 2-5 to play around with as well, so why not go and get a guy like Caleb Lomu? Dawand Jones hasn't worked out like the Browns would've hoped at left tackle, and Lomu, assuming he bulks up a bit more from where he's at currently, has high potential at either tackle or guard at the next level. 6'6" 304 lbs, and has a ton of starting experience as a true junior. 21 years old too; his best ball is certainly ahead of him.

Pick 20) Pittsburgh Steelers - Jayden Maiava, QB (USC)

Regardless of Aaron Rodgers' future, Pittsburgh should be proactive with its quarterback plan. USC's Jayden Maiava is a pretty intriguing QB prospect, with a good amount of starting experience at both USC and UNLV, plus plus mobility and arm talent. His decision-making isn't 100 percent there yet (he had a couple of bad red zone picks vs. Michigan earlier this year), but I wouldn't call it alarming based on what I've seen. No guarantee he comes out in 2026, but I'd definitely feel better about taking him over Garrett Nussmeier or John Mateer right now if I were the Steelers.

Pick 21) Detroit Lions - Keldric Faulk, EDGE (Auburn)

Al-Quadin Muhammad could very well be playing himself into a big contract elsewhere in 2026, and if so, the Lions' best option to make up for that production would be through the draft, in which they'd have some good options to choose from, even in the 20s. Take Keldric Faulk, for example. The production isn't there this year on a bad Auburn team, unfortunately, and he's not exactly the bendiest edge rusher you'll ever see, but his run defense will get him plenty of run as a rookie, and he's a physical freak at 6'6' and 285 lbs.

Pick 22) Los Angeles Chargers - Kayden McDonald, IDL (Ohio State)

A sneaky player Los Angeles may have to replace this offseason is Teair Tart up the gut of their defense, and if so, Kayden McDonald would be a phenomenal replacement. A guy who can be disruptive as a true 0-tech but can also give you good reps further out, and his run-stopping ability has been heavily touted in what's been a spectacular Buckeyes defense this year.

Pick 23) San Francisco 49ers - Kadyn Proctor, OT (Alabama)

It's worth noting that Trent Williams has no more remaining guaranteed money on his deal with the 49ers and will be 38 next July. It could mean nothing, but if he does decide to call what's been a Hall of Fame career, replacing him is paramount. Alabama's Kadyn Proctor would be a perfect option, as he's a freakish athlete at 6'7 " and 366 lbs and has been a steady presence at left tackle for the Tide over the last three years. No, seriously. They get him involved on offense as a ball carrier, and it's maybe the coolest thing ever.

Pick 24) Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) - Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE (Oregon)

Even before the tragic news of Marshawn Kneeland's passing earlier this week, EDGE was going to be a need for the Cowboys with several of their guys set to hit free agency in the middle of a cap crunch. Matayo Uiagalelei (younger brother of DJ) is on the bigger side of things at 6'5" and north of 270 lbs, but moves around very well with a better first step and bend than you'd expect. Lots of potential for a guy who's been one of the best pass rushers in the Big 10 the last couple of years, as it is.

Pick 25) Buffalo Bills - Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane, IOL (Penn State)

The Bills will have some options next April, depending on who they decide to prioritize in an intriguing free-agent class. Realistically, I can see them allowing likely All-Pro guard David Edwards to walk and find his replacement here, in which case, Vega Ioane from Penn State is their best bet. He appears to be the consensus top (pure) IOL prospect for 2026 at the moment, and it's not super hard to see why. He'd be a day one plug-and-play guy at his natural spot of left guard as well in Buffalo, which cannot hurt.

Pick 26) Seattle Seahawks - Colton Hood, CB (Tennessee)

The trade rumors that persisted around Riq Woolen around the deadline would lead me to believe he's probably on the way out of Seattle this offseason as a free agent. Tennessee (by way of Colorado)'s Colton Hood doesn't have the freakish size/length combo that Woolen has, but he has good size at 6'0" and at 195 lbs. He's hyper competitive at the catch point this year for the Vols, even if that means he's a bit too grabby at times. Wouldn't call him a lock for round one as of November, but a team that could be in Seattle's position could definitely roll the dice.

Pick 27) Los Angeles Rams - Gennings Dunker, OT (Iowa)

A long-term replacement for Rob Havenstein could be on deck for the Rams this offseason, and while some are already projecting Iowa right tackle Gennings Dunker to kick inside at guard (smaller than average arms), I wonder if he may get some grace by NFL teams based on Will Campbell's season so far in New England. Dunker is a run game mauler if there ever was one, but from what I've seen, he isn't nearly as good in pass pro. Definitely should be a guy teams like the Rams are interested in, especially with the Iowa pedigree.

Pick 28) Denver Broncos - Christen Miller, IDL (Georgia)

Speaking of positional pedigrees as they relate to certain schools, Christen Miller would be a logical fit for a Broncos team that may want to get a bit younger in between the edges defensively. He's been nothing short of exceptional as a multi-tech usage interior guy for the Bulldogs this season, and he's another one of these great athletes for a guy who's 300-plus pounds. He and Zach Allen would be quite the long-term pairing out in Denver.

Pick 29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State)

If Lavonte David is playing football for anyone next year, I'd be absolutely floored. GM Jason Licht will almost certainly try to get his successor in this draft, no matter what, and 6'5" converted safety Sonny Styles would be a great man for that job. He's done a great job this year eliminating some tackling woes that stuck with him last year, and those coverage instincts didn't just magically disappear. Also helping his stock is that he's been carrying the green dot for Matt Patricia's defense in Columbus.

Pick 30) New England Patriots - Anthony Hill Jr., LB (Texas)

Bob Spillane has settled in nicely for the Patriots in year one, but the Patriots' situation at linebacker behind him isn't exactly anything to write home about. Anthony Hill is the guy who brings a bit of everything to the table as a linebacker, and his ability as a pass rusher from the second level is very enticing. I also like Hill's size (6'3" and 235 lbs) compared to, say, Georgia's CJ Allen in this equation.

Pick 31) Philadelphia Eagles - Romello Height, EDGE (Texas Tech)

Assuming the Jaelan Phillips acquisition is nothing more than a pure rental, the Eagles going back to the time-honored "draft a round one edge rusher" tradition of the last five years should not only not be ruled out, but perhaps expected. Romello Height isn't the complete package EDGE that his teammate David Bailey is, but in a pure pass rush specialist role, he could definitely be an impact defender right away. My only concern would be his weight. Height is listed as 240 lbs, but whoever gets him will get him to pack on around a dozen pounds.

Pick 32) New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) - Denzel Boston, WR (Washington)

Offense or defense for the Jets with the pick they now possess, thanks to their trade of Sauce Gardner? We go offense and more speciffically receiver, with Denzel Boston appearing to be great value at the end of the first round. The 6'4" junior is a silky smooth mover with a phenomenal catch radius and hands to match. As good as Garrett Wilson is, the Jets' passing game solely relying on him would be malpractice, and having someone like Boston could allow him to get some more favorable matchups if defenses want to match up with the Washington product's size.

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