Kody Malstrom

Kody Malstrom

April 6, 2026

NFL Mock Draft

Kody Malstrom breaks down his Round 1 NFL Mock Draft with pick-by-pick analysis.

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Rd 1Pick 1

LV
IU
Indiana
BIG-TEN
QB 1JR
Fernando Mendoza

No need to overthink this one. Even after the recent signing of Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza is the Las Vegas Raiders' future.

Rd 1Pick 2

NYJ
OSU
Ohio State
BIG-TEN
EDGE 1JR
Arvell Reese

With each passing day, Arvell Reese’s odds to be the second overall pick continue to grow, listed as high as -300 at Caesars Sportsbook

Rd 1Pick 3

ARI
TT
Texas Tech
BIG-12
EDGE 2JR
David Bailey

Rivaling Reese is David Bailey, a more prototypical EDGE with a higher ceiling than his counterpart.

Rd 1Pick 4

TEN
ND
Notre Dame
IA-INDEPENDENTS
RB 1JR
Jeremiyah Love

A dream landing spot for the star running back, Jeremiyah Love would instantly receive a heavy usage rate with the Tennessee Titans

Rd 1Pick 5

NYG
OSU
Ohio State
BIG-TEN
LB 1JR
Sonny Styles

A freak athlete who can be utilized in multiple positions, Sonny Styles would mirror Kyle Hamilton in regards to how he can be rotated under John Harbaugh to fit various defensive schemes.

Rd 1Pick 6

CLE
OSU
Ohio State
BIG-TEN
WR 1JR
Carnell Tate

Like Freedman, I am also skeptical of Carnell Tate, yet he is still in a tier of his own when compared to the rest of his class per our Rookie Super Model.

Rd 1Pick 7

WAS
OSU
Ohio State
BIG-TEN
S 1JR
Caleb Downs

While I am aware safeties normally slide down the draft boards, it’s hard to ignore how talented and decorated Caleb Downs is, giving the Washington Commanders a ball hawk in the backfield who is just as effective at stopping the run.

Rd 1Pick 8

NO
MFL
Miami
ACC
EDGE 3JR
Rueben Bain

With the New Orleans Saints in need of an edge rusher, it’s hard to pass up on his talent.

Rd 1Pick 9

KC
MFL
Miami
ACC
OT 1JR
Francis Mauigoa

Like Bain, Francis Mauigoa’s short arms have also created some cause for concern. Luckily for Mauigoa, he’s still regarded as the top tackle in his class, stopping his slide in the top 10 with the Kansas City Chiefs looking to bolster their line.

Rd 1Pick 10

CIN
LSU
LSU
SEC
CB 1JR
Mansoor Delane

A team in desperate need of fixing a defense that ranked near the bottom of the board in Def DVOA, Mansoor Delane would give the Cincinnati Bengals a versatile cornerback who can be slotted at multiple positions.

Rd 1Pick 11

MIA
UGA
Georgia
SEC
OT 2JR
Monroe Freeling

I have them taking Monroe Freeling, who can anchor either side of their offensive line.

Rd 1Pick 12

DAL
UTH
Utah
BIG-12
OT 3JR
Spencer Fano

After ranking 31st in True Pass Set Grade, Spencer Fano immediately stands out as the top option for the Dallas Cowboys

Rd 1Pick 13

LAFalcons
ASU
Arizona State
BIG-12
WR 2JR
Jordyn Tyson

With the Los Angeles Rams addressing their defense in free agency, they may use their first-round pick on Jordyn Tyson to give Matthew Stafford another weapon to help make a run at the Super Bowl

Rd 1Pick 14

BAL
PSU
Penn State
BIG-TEN
G 1JR
Olaivavega Ioane

A boulder of a human being who can open up holes in a flash in the interior, Olaivavega Ioane would complement Derrick Henry, as well as reduce the amount of Havoc Lamar Jackson has to deal with in the pocket.

Rd 1Pick 15

TB
ORE
Oregon
BIG-TEN
TE 1JR
Kenyon Sadiq

With wide receiver speed, Sadiq can be lined up on the outside to help pull defensive attention away from Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka.

Rd 1Pick 16

NYJColts
USC
USC
BIG-TEN
WR 3JR
Makai Lemon

With the Jets selecting the most talented player with their first pick, they will then look to address their wide receiver room at 1.16

Rd 1Pick 17

DET
AUB
Auburn
SEC
EDGE 4JR
Keldric Faulk

If Ioane is gone, expect the Detroit Lions to finally address the edge position.

Rd 1Pick 18

MIN
TEN
Tennessee
SEC
CB 2JR
Jermod McCoy

While I do agree with Thor Nystrom that the Minnesota Vikings need to address their secondary, I have them taking Jermod McCoy instead of Dillon Thieneman

Rd 1Pick 19

CAR
BAMA
Alabama
SEC
OT 4JR
Kadyn Proctor

With injuries looming over the Carolina Panthers offensive line, they would be wise to take Kadyn Proctor

Rd 1Pick 20

DALPackers
MFL
Miami
ACC
EDGE 5JR (r)
Akheem Mesidor

In an attempt to recoup the loss of production from the Micah Parsons trade, the Cowboys can use their second pick on Akheem Mesidor

Rd 1Pick 21

PIT
ORE
Oregon
BIG-TEN
S 2JR
Dillon Thieneman

Assuming Aaron Rodgers comes back for another year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will avoid using this pick on Ty Simpson and can target a different position of need.

Rd 1Pick 22

LAC
CLE
Clemson
ACC
DT 1JR
Peter Woods

After Caleb Banks broke his foot, Peter Woods is now the new DT1 in this year’s class, giving the Los Angeles Chargers a disruptive body in the middle

Rd 1Pick 23

PHI
UTH
Utah
BIG-12
OT 5
Caleb Lomu

With no edge rusher fitting this range, the Philadelphia Eagles will turn their sights towards their offensive line

Rd 1Pick 24

CLEJaguars
CLE
Clemson
ACC
OT 6
Blake Miller

One of the more popular trade targets for Ty Simpson (Over/Under 24.5), if the Browns keep their pick, then expect them to address their offensive line by selecting Blake Miller, who is skyrocketing up the boards after a stellar combine.

Rd 1Pick 25

CHI
OSU
Ohio State
BIG-TEN
DT 2JR
Kayden McDonald

Like Miller, Kayden McDonald has also shot up the draft boards over the past month, giving the Chicago Bears the violent presence they need in the middle of the trenches

Rd 1Pick 26

BUF
TOL
Toledo
MID-AMERICAN
S 3JR
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

After the trade for DJ Moore, the Buffalo Bills turn their sights towards Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, giving their defense a dynamic safety who excels in coverage.

Rd 1Pick 27

SF
IU
Indiana
BIG-TEN
WR 4JR
Omar Cooper

Even after signing Mike Evans, the San Francisco 49ers continue to add to the position, selecting Omar Cooper, who will thrive against single coverage when opposing defenses are forced to turn their attention elsewhere.

Rd 1Pick 28

HOU
UGA
Georgia
SEC
LB 2JR
CJ Allen

With no offensive lineman fitting this range, the Houston Texans may elect to trade this pick or use it on CJ Allen to help give them more depth at linebacker.

Rd 1Pick 29

KCRams
CLE
Clemson
ACC
CB 3JR
Avieon Terrell

After their secondary was gutted in free agency, the Chiefs address the position with their second pick in the first round

Rd 1Pick 30

MIABroncos
TXAM
Texas A&M
SEC
WR 5JR
KC Concepcion

With the Dolphins' wide receiver room void of talent, they attempt to give Malik Willis the support he needs to succeed, selecting KC Concepcion to give them some firepower at the slot position.

Rd 1Pick 31

NE
WAS
Washington
BIG-TEN
WR 6JR
Denzel Boston

While Romeo Doubs is a talented receiver in his own right, the New England Patriots are still in need of another playmaker.

Rd 1Pick 32

SEA
TEN
Tennessee
SEC
CB 4
Colton Hood

With the departure of Tariq Woolen, I keep going back and forth between Colton Hood and Brandon Cisse to replace him.