- - 2026 NFL mock draft: Ty Simpson is ultimate QB wild card in first round

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAYDecember 19, 2025 at 5:05 AM

0

With the NFL's regular season drawing to a close, compiling a 2026 mock draft has gone from complete guesswork to ... educated guesswork.

With the top of the first-round order still not set and the underclassmen declaration cutoff almost a month away, there are still many moving parts that need to be settled before the full picture can come into focus. But the parts are moving more slowly, at least, with the College Football Playoff beginning and the top 18 slots nearly two weeks away from being set. And as the action on the field gears down, that's when draft season truly ramps up.

With that in mind, here's our latest 2026 NFL mock draft projection:

2026 NFL mock draft1. (PROPOSED TRADE) New York Jets (from New York Giants) – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

If the Giants do secure the top overall pick, they might as well start the bidding for the selection right after Week 18. With Jaxson Dart in tow and a robust pass rush, there's no reason for Big Blue to hang onto this spot when it has myriad other needs that don't necessarily align with the top of the draft board. The Jets could seize on that opportunity by flipping their own top-five pick and the Indianapolis Colts' selection from the Sauce Gardner trade, which is rapidly becoming more valuable amid the team's spiral. After a season of stasis, Gang Green would have every reason to strike out for Mendoza, a high-floor passer who also could help bring a cultural sea change. With much of the offensive line in place and Garrett Wilson at his disposal, the Jets could actually propel themselves a good distance in 2026 if they're able to bring aboard Mendoza as a pilot.

2. Las Vegas Raiders – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

The Silver and Black host the Giants in Week 17 in a matchup that likely will decide who secures the No. 1 overall pick. Given the way things are going, the Raiders might be the front-runners for the slot. The expansive scope of an undeniable rebuild is setting in for Las Vegas, which has to decide whether to make more expansive leadership changes after already firing Chip Kelly. And while the current setup hardly feels conducive to success for an inexperienced young quarterback, the front office has the cap space to go on a free-agent spending spree and fast-track a facelift at a few key spots. Moore could still return to Oregon for another year, but his composure and ability to thrive both within and outside of structure will make him a coveted prospect if he takes the leap.

3. Tennessee Titans – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

Losing out on the top draft pick isn't necessarily a devastating development for Tennessee, which could have benefitted from trading back but still lands arguably this class' premier prospect at No. 3. Reese increasingly looks ticketed for a move to the edge at the next level, as the shift would allow him to fully harness his rare tools to beat blockers and find the ball. There's no telling what scheme the new coach would bring on, but there has to be room to build around the 6-4, 243-pounder regardless.

4. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Take this not as any sort of referendum on Shedeur Sanders but rather an embrace of the work still to be done on this roster. The offense right now is essentially scorched earth, leaving this as an impossible turnaround for almost anyone the organization could put behind center. With Tate joining standout rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr, the passing attack could finally get some cornerstones in place, though the offensive line also looks due for an overhaul.

5. (PROPOSED TRADE) Giants (from Jets) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This seems like a much more natural spot for the Giants to settle in and address key areas of need, particularly receiver and offensive line. Injuries marred Tyson's final season in Tempe, and his medical history could complicate what once seemed like a pretty straightforward case to be a top-10 pick. So long as teams are comfortable with his outlook, however, the 6-2, 200-pound target sizes up as exactly the kind of weapon who could thrive alongside Malik Nabers and help ease the burden on Dart.

6. Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

As the Raiders and Ashton Jeanty demonstrated this year, taking a running back this high without the proper infrastructure to support him is a dangerous proposition. But Arizona is only a year removed from having one of the NFL's most efficient ground attacks, with this season's rushing output being derailed by backfield injuries. While the Cardinals still must address the offensive line in free agency, Love is an electric playmaker who could break big gains as both a runner and receiver.

7. New Orleans Saints – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Tyler Shough's impressive returns in a short window should be more than enough to entrench him as the starting quarterback for 2026. With that question resolved, New Orleans can turn its attention to a roster that still feels like a grab bag of talent that still skews too old. The edge group surely could stand to be reimagined, and Faulk can earn his keep as an upper-echelon run stuffer while he hones his pass-rush skills.

8. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

Dan Quinn and Co. finally seemed to submit to a lost season, keeping Jayden Daniels from further harm by putting the star quarterback on ice until next season. For Washington to come anywhere close to reclaiming its status as an NFC contender, it will need to reinvigorate a front that has largely looked lifeless. While Bain's burly build might spark some skepticism about whether he can be a prolific pass rusher off the edge in the NFL, Quinn might be able to look past that and to a skill set that enabled the 6-3, 275-pounder to become college football's most consistent disruptive force.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Taking a safety in the top 10 might be a non-starter for some talent-starved teams. The Bengals, however, should have no qualms about pouncing on Downs if he lasts to this point. After coach Zac Taylor's pleas for someone on the defense to step up and lead largely went unheeded, the Jim Thorpe Award winner could be exactly the kind of transformative figure required to jump-start the unit. Cincinnati owns the league's worst run defense and has been woeful when covering tight ends, and Downs could be an immediate force on both fronts.

10. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

With a couple of late-season wins by Atlanta preventing this pick from ending up too much higher, the Rams end up with a steal in April's trade rather than a full-on heist. Fano's fleet feet would make him an enticing fit for Sean McVay's offense, though he needs to become stronger to take on the NFC West's bevy of powerful pass rushers.

11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The calls for a quarterback here figure to grow considerably louder in the wake of Tua Tagovailoa's benching. But Miami needs to display patience in several aspects of a rebuild that could have an extended timeline. Going with McCoy might have an extensive payoff down he line, as the 6-0, 193-pound cover man still has a solid claim as this class' top cornerback despite missing the entire season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

12. Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

It's a new day in Kansas City after the franchise's 10-year playoff streak came to an end, and there's significant pressure to parlay a rare early first-round draft pick into an immediate contributor. Bailey figures to be exactly that for whichever team he joins, with a lightning-quick first step and deep bag of moves enabling him to make a smooth transition. His 6-3, 250-pound frame might necessitate some creative usage, but the Chiefs can't afford to be rigid given how far their pass rush has fallen off.

13. Minnesota Vikings – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

J.J. McCarthy's last two outings have given Minnesota some signs of encouragement as the franchise tries to sort out its significant step back from its 2024 form. One area for the team to address is its outlook at cornerback, where injuries have taken a significant toll. Delane is far from the prototype at the position given his modest size and speed, but his coverage skills are impeccable and would allow the team to optimize its secondary by moving Byron Murphy Jr. back inside.

14. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Quinnen Williams' arrival could only do so much to lift a defense that's very nearly at its breaking point. A linebacker this early might seem like a luxury, but Styles is hyperathletic and remarkably clean against the run. Putting the 6-4, 243-pounder alongside DeMarvion Overshown would make for an imposing pairing on a defense that has too often been undone by miscues at the second level.

15. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Ravens have made a habit of scooping up top talent after draft-day tumbles, and the trend could continue here with Woods. Originally seen as a potential top-five pick entering the season, the Clemson standout never managed to translate his occasional flashes of disruptiveness into the prolific production expected of him. At this point in the draft, however, he's worth the gamble for a defense that has the fourth-worst pressure rate in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats.

16. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

When the Panthers offense is at its best, it's chipping away at teams with its ground attack while mixing in downfield shots for chunk gains. But the unit still can't hang its hat on either of those areas. Sadiq can be of considerable help in both categories, as the vertical threat also makes a serious dent in the run game with his overpowering blocks.

17. Detroit Lions – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

Unable to recapture last season's magic, the Lions are now on the outside of the NFC playoff picture after seizing the No. 1 seed a year ago. While the defense has been weighing down this year's group, Detroit shouldn't blink at the opportunity to fortify its front on either side of the ball. Sliding from tackle to guard here, the physical Mauigoa could help the Lions better assert themselves as the rough-and-tumble outfit that they've long sought to embody.

18. (PROPOSED TRADE) Giants (from Colts via Jets) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Big Blue has a host of issues, so scoring another first-round draft pick would be a sizable win if the team can manage it. Though there could be an inclination to repair a ramshackle run defense or double-dip on offense via the line, the glaring problem at cornerback warrants addressing after various recent investments went bust. An explosive athlete who can clamp down on receivers in coverage or catch up to them to make a play on the ball, Cisse would give the Giants some much-needed assistance to allow its vaunted pass rush a chance to do damage.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

For a team that should be the clear front-runners in the NFC South, Tampa Bay is still too often undermined by its own errors, particularly at the second level of its defense. Allen might be an immediate salve, with his savvy approaches to coverage and stuffing the run sure to stand out to Buccaneers brass.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

At one point this fall, Simpson was coming along so quickly in his first season as a starter that he looked like he could be a legitimate challenger to be the first quarterback taken in the draft despite his shortage of experience. Now, that notion seems fairly distant, as he's struggled a good deal in the last month. Simpson still could threaten for a slot somewhere in the top 10, but his stock might be slightly volatile if he declares and lasts beyond that point. Pittsburgh might value his quick processing and pocket maneuvering more highly than some other teams, and his arrival could clear up a post-Aaron Rodgers future that long looked murky.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The story of Philadelphia's offseason might center on how the organization handles the long-running unrest on offense, but that won't be solved by plugging in a player or two. The outlook is much simpler in the secondary, where a No. 2 corner with Terrell's coverage chops and tackling prowess would firm up the last pressing weakness on the back end.

22. Houston Texans – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

To some, the defensive line might seem like the last place for Houston to be concerned with after the fearsome pass rush helped revive the team's season. But the Texans aren't nearly as settled on the interior as they are on the edge, and McDonald could create additional headaches for opposing lines by commanding double teams and pushing the pocket.

23. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

More change on the edge seems inevitable for the Cowboys, who face Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams and Jadeveon Clowney all hitting free agency. This might be early for Parker, who had a largely lackluster season after being projected as a potential top-15 pick in the spring. But the 6-3, 265-pounder is a well-rounded defender who served up a reminder of his potential with a three-sack outing against South Carolina.

24. Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

It's past time to break Josh Allen out of hero mode and give him the well-built downfield threat he's so sorely been lacking. At 6-4 and 210 pounds with a knack for coming down with contested catches, Boston ticks nearly every box of what the Bills should be seeking in a potential go-to target.

25. Chicago Bears – A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

Turnovers have been the life force of the Bears' defense, but the unit needs to depend on a more tenable formula after this season. The forceful Washington, who would be a fine running mate for Gervon Dexter Sr., could help Chicago better command the line of scrimmage.

26. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

A broken foot derailed Banks' season, but don't sleep on the 6-6, 330-pounder's chances of cracking the first round. He offers more pass-rushing upside than many of the other massive interior defenders in this draft, and he would still enable Jim Harbaugh to play the brand of bully ball he desires.

27. San Francisco 49ers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Brandon Aiyuk saga doesn't appear to be headed for any sort of reconciliation between San Francisco and the talented wideout, leaving the 49ers with a distinct lack of clarity beyond Ricky Pearsall in the receiving corps. Adept at freeing himself from coverage in the underneath and intermediate areas, Lemon could become a fast favorite of Kyle Shanahan, who could position the Biletnikoff Award winner to become a high-volume target early on in his scheme.

28. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

No matter what direction they go with their two first-round draft picks, the Browns need to take some sizable swings to close a significant talent gap with the rest of the AFC. Bringing aboard the 6-7, 360-pound Proctor would certainly qualify as that, as he could provide a major payoff if he's able to iron out some inconsistencies as a blindside protector.

29. Rams – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

What does the team that has very nearly everything give itself with a second first-round draft pick? The secondary surely stands out as a point of interest for Los Angeles despite the progress made this season, and McNeil-Warren's size (6-2, 202 pounds) and range would present more opportunities for the defense to stay aggressive and versatile.

30. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB/DE, Texas A&M

An undersized edge rusher who took the Southeastern Conference by storm after transferring from Bowling Green, Howell seems like the kind of player Mike Vrabel would pound the table for. New England could stand to add more juice to its pass rush, particularly if it doesn't re-sign K'Lavon Chaisson after his breakout season.

31. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

There aren't too many points of uncertainty for the Seahawks' loaded defense in the near term, but the 2026 cornerback room is one of them. Hood combines the size and spirit necessary to take on the likes of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, though taking on the talented duo is a tall task for any rookie.

32. Denver Broncos – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

An offense that once had to scrape along before putting things together late seems to be finding its stride. But Bo Nix surely wouldn't object to being given a threat like Concepcion, who could accelerate the unit's big-play progress and complement Courtland Sutton nicely.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Ty Simpson is ultimate wild card in first round

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”