As we approach the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026, members of the Pulse will mock up what we believe to be the results in the 1st round of the NFL Draft this year. We set ourselves to mock two trade maximums throughout the process. Each pick we made is with consideration of potential later-round picks, team needs, and overall opinions on certain players.
This, of course, would be impossible to fully predict, but it is fun to share opinions and wonder what teams will do before the highly anticipated draft. The NFL draft is an event for every football fan as we sit on the edge of our seats and watch what teams are planning to do with the future of their franchise. So, let us take you through what we believe the result of day 1 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will be.
1: Las Vegas Raiders Selection – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza is the QB1 of the 2026 draft class, as the Raiders have had a need at quarterback for the last 5 seasons at least. Mendoza comes in as Kirk Cousins’ backup, potentially. This is very critical for his development as they gear up for improvement and a playoff spot in 2026. Mendoza could be the franchise quarterback the Raiders have been longing for.
2: New York Jets Selection – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The reports on Bailey have been interesting because the Jets declined his top-30 visit, as they, according to Adam Schefter, said they “felt there was no reason for a visit.” Bailey brings much-needed pass rush to the Jets’ exterior defensive line, as they have completely revamped their defense, trading Superstar CB Sauce Gardner and Superstar DT Quinnen Williams for multiple first-round picks. Bailey is the most league-ready pass rusher in the draft and has a lot of great traits that make him an intriguing prospect.
3: Arizona Cardinals Selection – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The Cardinals have been at a standstill in the league since their last playoff berth in 2021, dealing with injuries over the course of the five seasons. And along with that, not-so-inspiring first-round picks in the past few years, with Marvin Harrison Jr. not panning out as planned so far ( tons of potential), the Cardinals need to accumulate as much talent as they can, when they can. And with this pick, they are picking the player with possibly the most potential in the draft. Reese provides excellent traits for a talent-deprived team. He can play off the edge or as an on-ball linebacker, who has the potential to play some coverage.
4: Tennessee Titans Selection – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Tennessee just needs a threat of a run game; the O-line needs work still, but as the Titans have gotten younger and already have their franchise QB in Cam Ward. They need someone who can provide a spark when needed, and that is what Jeremiyah Love brings to the organization. Love is the best player in the draft. He brings stability and consistency, which is what the Titans have strived for since entering rebuild mode.
5: New York Giants Selection – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles is one of the most anticipated talents that is hitting the NFL in some time. He’s a freak athlete and an excellent tackler. He gives such a huge boost to a depleted Giants defense. Sonny Styles is a very exciting player who can stand out on the stat sheet for New York.
6: TRADE! Carolina Panthers trade with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers Selection (From CLE) – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Trade Details:
Panthers receive – picks 6, 107
Browns receive – picks 19, 159, 2027 1st, 3rd, 4th
Despite the Panthers coming off their best season since 2015, storming into the postseason as NFC South champs, they need to improve in their secondary. Downs, being the second-best player in the draft, certainly will provide that.
7: Washington Commanders Selection – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Commanders had tough luck when it came to injuries last year, though they had great success in 2024; it was difficult for them to repeat that due to them being one of the older teams in the league. One of those position groups included is receiver. With Deebo Samuel and Terry McClaurin, two older veterans with recent histories of injury, they need to freshen up their receiving room, and Tate does just that.
8: New Orleans Saints Selection – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Bain gives New Orleans a fresh piece at the edge position, with the departure of Cam Jordan and the emergence of a hole at edge. Pairing Chase Young, who just had a career year with Bain, should be a lethal piece of New Orleans’ foreseeable future.
9: Kansas City Chiefs Selection – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Coming into this draft, the Chiefs are looking to get younger while also taking a league-ready prospect. Mauigoa is the perfect pick here for Kansas City, as they were bottom-five in pressures allowed last season. Their run game was weak as well, so bolstering the offensive trenches and taking the best player available kills two birds with one stone for the Chiefs.
10: New York Giants Selection (From CIN) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
After trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals, the Giants will definitely have someone in mind with this pick. One of the players they have met the most with through the draft process is Jordyn Tyson, as he would be a perfect WR2 to the other side of Malik Nabers.
11: Miami Dolphins Selection – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
If I’m Jon-Eric Sullivan, the new GM for the Dolphins, I’m looking at this roster and wondering where to start. I think with this 11th pick, you have to get the best player available, and Delane is arguably the best cornerback in this draft, which is a big need for Miami. This would be a solid start to Sullivan’s career in Miami.
12: Dallas Cowboys selection – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Jerry Jones has to know that in this draft, he needs to go defense, defense, defense. The only thing that held Dallas from having one of the better teams in the league last season was the atrocious defensive side of the ball. The secondary specifically was a huge concern, so going to get the scrappy corner from Tennessee would be the best move for Dallas in this situation.
13: Los Angeles Rams selection – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
With the concerns of Puka Nacua in his wild offseason, and the aging Davante Adams, McCvay will want to go and get a playmaker, and Lemon is a guy that has been on LA’s radar for months. Lemon can expand the already elite offense in LA and get them over the hump in the NFC.
14: Baltimore Ravens Selection – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
After losing Linderbaum, there is a gaping hole in the interior offensive line for the Ravens. The guard from Penn State is the best interior lineman in the draft so filling that void, protecting Lamar, and the run game, is the safest option here for Baltimore.
15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Selection – Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
There are a few options here for Tampa Bay, but with the roster getting older, you have to get younger. With Todd Bowles still at the helm, he will want to take priority in the defense. Faulk is a 20-year-old raw edge rusher, but given the right development, which is highly likely given the buttoned-up nature of this franchise, his potential is bright in Tampa Bay.
16: New York Jets Selection (From IND) – Omar Cooper Jr. WR, Indiana
Getting two first-round picks while having a hole-riddled roster, you have other priorities after going edge rusher with the second-overall pick. Priorities like obtaining any offensive firepower to pair with Garrett Wilson in the Jets’ wide receiver room. Building a solid supporting cast for an unknown future quarterback is the best option for the Jets.
17: Detroit Lions Selection – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Fano gives the Lions much-needed help on the line. Goff and the Lions had a very disappointing year, and part of that was their inconsistent play at the tackle position when they dealt with injuries. Fano is potentially the best tackle in the draft and has a sky-high ceiling.
18: Minnesota Vikings Selection – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Vikings dropped off compared to the 2024 season, though it was a little more amplified because of the success Darnold had and the shortcomings JJ McCarthy had. Despite the offensive ugliness, the Vikings’ secondary was getting torched the entire season, and with the regression and, ultimately, the release of Harrison Smith, they needed to find the Minnesota legend’s replacement. Thieneman brings stellar coverage in the back end and good tackling.
19: TRADE! Cleveland Browns trade with the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns Selection – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Trade Details:
Panthers receive – picks 6, 107
Browns receive – picks 19, 159, 2027 1st, 3rd, 4th
Monroe Freeling adds length and incomprehensible agility for his size to the Browns’ weaker offensive line. With potentially a second-year QB in Shedeur Sanders starting, he’s going to need a reliable offensive line, and Freeling is a fresh body they can put there and be the lead guy for them.
20: Dallas Cowboys Selection – Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (FL)
Edge was a weaker spot for one of the weakest defenses in the league with Dallas; given that, they need to go all-in on the defense this draft. Mesidor provides good pass protection and is a solid run defender as well, which they struggled with both last season. Putting pressure on the QB will help out a weaker secondary.
21: Pittsburgh Steelers Selection – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Steelers struggled in the later part of the season including the playoffs, and a big reason for that was the play of the line. Even though we still don’t have an idea who’s the QB, Rodgers is an older player, who can’t move like he used to. And most of the season he didn’t get enough time to really tear defenses down the field. Regardless of who’s QB they need to be able to have time and Proctor will come in with the athletic tools to do so.
22: Los Angeles Chargers Selection – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Peter Woods is a guy who brings stability to a line that has been inconsistent over the last few seasons, while helping take attention off of the edge rushers they have. The Chargers are really a great all-around team, unfortunately the injury bug crawled it’s way all throughout the locker room. As they look to get healthy they can afford to add to their interior defensive line. Woods provides a big body who can fill the gaps and tackle in the backfield.
23: Philadelphia Eagles Selection – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The tackle position is arguably a top-three most valuable position and the Eagles have a really talented bunch, but they are an older team in the league, which includes one of the older Tackles in the league, Lane Johnson. Lomu, who can be a depth piece, will be a huge part of the future of Philly’s line and has the opportunity to learn under one of the best tackles of the generation.
24: Cleveland Browns Selection (From JAX) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Denzel Boston brings a much needed change to their wide receiver room. The Browns have needs at many positions, but a priority is to find out who their QB is for the future and Boston can help them figure that out if he can provide a reliable target.
25: Chicago Bears Selection – TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Coming off a huge season for Ben Johnson first year with Chicago, the Bears have to hit on this pick to get themselves over the hump. With aging Montez sweat being their best edge rusher, I think they have to bolster their pass rush here. TJ Parker fits the mold for the Bears defense, as he has lengthy arms and is great at engaging at the point of attack, which is great for the blitz schemes that Chicago likes to run, this may seem as a reach to some, but it’s a great fit for the Bears.
26: Buffalo Bills Selection – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Even after trading for DJ Moore, the Bills can still look at the wide receiver position as a need. Moore is 29 and started to regress in Chicago. With his injury history as well, improving the depth at the wide receiver position is important, and Concepcion has breakout potential once Moore inevitably leaves Buffalo.
27: San Francisco 49ers Selection – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Toledo safety McNeil-Warren fits the description for being a 49er: a tall and fast guy in the secondary who is a point-of-attack safety who gets involved in the run game as well. Something that the 49ers have struggled with in the last few years.
28: Houston Texans Selection – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
After having one of the worst offensive lines in the league for the last two seasons, the Texans have to look at upgrading the unit. Miller is the best available offensive lineman at this spot, so this is the right fit for Stroud and the Texans offense. Stroud has struggled with a weak offensive line, so protecting your franchise quarterback is even more of a priority if you are Houston.
29: Kansas City Chiefs Selection – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This would be a no-brainer pick for the Chiefs, with Sadiq falling to the bottom of day 1, and Kelce getting old and nearing the end of his career, giving Andy Reid and Mahomes the Swiss Army Knife in Sadiq would be perfect. Rashee Rice’s availability is questionable, Worthy is inconsistent, and Kelce is becoming frail. Getting a guy like Sadiq opens up the offense for Mahomes. Sadiq can play out wide, in the slot, and inside as a tight end. It would be some interesting football to watch if Andy Reid got the Oregon tight end.
30: TRADE! Arizona Cardinals trade with the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals Selection (From DEN) – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Trade Details:
Cardinals receive – Pick 30
Dolphins receive – Picks 34, 143, and 2027 5th
Arizona makes the elusive trade up back into the first-round, jumping ahead of the Jets at the start of the second-round and taking their potential franchise quarterback in Ty Simpson. This is a great fit for Simpson, who is more of a raw quarterback, needing development. With the core that the Cardinals have offensively, and the accessibility to sit behind veteran Jacoby Brissett, Simpson’s future could be bright in Scottsdale.
31: New England Patriots Selection – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
After Will Campbell struggled in his rookie year, and Morgan Moses became a dinosaur on the right side of the offensive line, the Patriots need to prioritize the safety of Franchise quarterback Drake Maye. Iheanahcor is a great fit here, as he is a versatile player and can play from day one if needed. Would be a great pairing in the run game as well with the right side of the Patriots’ offensive line.
32: Seattle Seahawks Selection – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Losing Riq Woolen in free agency was a big loss for Seattle after winning Super Bowl 60, so there is a hole on the outside of the defense for Mike McDonald. Terrell is an experienced corner whose raw skill and feisty play fit the Seattle secondary.
