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NFL Mock Draft
Matthew Freedman breaks down his final NFL mock draft before the chaos of the 2026 free agency period ensues.
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The Jets would love a QB, but there's no reasonable candidate at No. 2, so they take the best player available.

The Cardinals have RBs James Conner and Trey Benson, but they're not good enough anyway to keep the team from selecting one of the draft's best players.

The Titans get the EDGE who has perhaps the best blend of production and potential in the class.

Styles could dominate in a defense with EDGEs Brian Burns and Abdul Carter.

He might not have the arm length (33.25 inches) or the technique to stick at OT in the NFL, but the Browns need help at OL.

The Commanders need a DL upgrade.

Tate will pair well alongside No. 1 WR Chris Olave.

Eventually the Chiefs will need a successor to TE Travis Kelce, and in the meantime they could use more playmakers on offense.

Downs is elite, but he could realistically fall out of the top 10. Here, I have him going No. 10 to the Bengals, who need all the secondary help in the world.

Dolphins need to upgrade their secondary for defensive HC Jeff Hafley.

The Cowboys could use another CB after releasing former first-team All-Pro Trevon Diggs in December.

With Lemon, offensive HC Sean McVay gets another weapon for MVP QB Matthew Stafford.


The Bucs need a replacement for free agent EDGE Haason Reddick.

The Jets need playmakers, and Tyson could be a great supplement alongside No. 1 WR Garrett Wilson.

The Lions OL is weakest in the interior.

He can play FS, SS, and slot CB, and that versatility will make him an attractive matchup chesspiece for DC Brian Flores.

The Panthers could use a potential difference maker alongside DT Derrick Brown.

He might already be an almost finished product, but that could still work for the Cowboys, who need an immediate DL contributor.

His inside/outside versatility will allow him to pair well with No. 1 WR DK Metcalf.

The Chargers have needed help on their interior DL for years.

The Eagles like to invest in the trenches, and Monroe Freeling could probably play either OT spot in the NFL.

The Browns need someone to push veteran Jerry Jeudy for the No. 1 WR role.

The Bears need more muscle in their interior DL.

The Bills just traded for WR DJ Moore, but they could still use another WR if they truly want to maximize QB Josh Allen.

The 49ers find a potential successor to longtime LT Trent Williams.

The Texans need all sorts of OL help.

After trading away No. 1 CB Trent McDuffie to get this pick, the Chiefs use it to draft his successor.

Allen makes sense for a defense that needs an off-ball LB upgrade.

The Patriots could lose EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency.

The Seahawks will likely need to add a CB in the draft given that CBs Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen are both free agents.
I don't think he's the most talented player in the class, but QB is the most important position in the league, and Mendoza is a worthy No. 1 pick.