Steven Cheah’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

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Congrats to the Seattle Seahawks - Super Bowl Champions! 

Now that that's out of the way, it's officially Draft szn. Plenty of stuff to shake out over the next few weeks with staff hirings to be finished, the Combine, Pro Days, and Free Agency. But here's where I see things shaking out as of today, February 9th in Mock Draft 1.0:

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1. Las Vegas - QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) With Klint Kubiak expected to be the new HC and Tom Brady having a big voice, I’m fully expecting to hear Fernando Mendoza’s name at the top of the Draft. 

2. NY Jets - EDGE/LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State) The Jets need a lot of help in a bunch of areas but Reese can both rush the passer and cover on D which are both areas in need of help.

3. Arizona - EDGE Reuben Bain (Miami) Bain is an alpha and an ass-kicker, but his arm measurements will be key. If they’re way below average he could tumble a bit from here.

4. Tennessee - EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech) His lightning quick get off off the EDGE can help get the defense off the field so Cam Ward can go to work.

5. NY Giants - CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)  The G-Men have a great pass rush led by Brian Burns, but their back end needs to hold up longer so that Rush can eat more. Delane is the best CB in the class.

6. Cleveland - WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State) A dream jersey scenario for Browns/Ohio State fan Ohio’s State, Carnell can give their Pro Bowl QB a legit weapon on the outside.

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7. Washington - WR Makai Lemon (USC) Lemon is a problem after the catch with the ball is his hands than remind some of Commanders WR Deebo Samuel.

8. New Orleans - RB Jermiyah Love (Notre Dame) Alvin Kamara is on his last legs and a running attack would greatly help out Tyler Shough.

9. Kansas City - OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami) The Chiefs never did figure out their Left Tackle situation and Mauigoa could help bolster a line to keep the Quarterback healthy.

10. Cincinnati - S Caleb Downs (Ohio State) Cincinnati has a bunch of holes but their backend is leaky and they look in-state to get Downs here.

11. Miami - CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) Miami needs a ton of help at CB and Cisse has the athleticism new HC Jeff Hafley is looking for at the position.

12. Dallas - LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State) A few years ago a top flight defender fell to Dallas around this area and they jumped all over Micah Parsons. Styles is a much different player as a standup LB but he’s got similar value Dallas can’t pass up at #12.

13. LA Rams (via ATL) - TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) The Rams go get Terrance Ferguson’s former teammate in Sadiq. Trotting out so many TE heavy packages, the Rams should be able to get him on the field early and often.

14. Baltimore - S Emmanuel Mickniel-Warren (Toledo) We saw this season just how much the Ravens defense chances with Kyle Hamilton off the field. While Mickniel-Warren isn’t Hamilton, he has some similar traits that would appeal to new HC Jesse Minter.

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15. Tampa Bay - LB CJ Allen (Georgia) Lavonte David may be done and Sirvocea Dennis was a liability in coverage last year. Allen has outstanding athletic ability, good smarts and can start Day 1.

16. NY Jets (via IND) - WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) The Jets needs playmakers and Tyson makes some big time plays down the field. This is a good match.

17. Detroit - OG Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State) Detroit had a complete overhaul of their interior OL last year and they have a shot to upgrade here with the mauler Ioane.

18. Minnesota - S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) Harrison Smith ain’t getting any younger get and Thieneman can step in right away and contribute.

19. Carolina - DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) Derrick Brown’s impact was felt this year helping shore up that leaky run D. Hunter could give Carolina some big time juice on the interior DL.

20. Dallas (via GB) - EDGE Ahkeem Messidor (Miami) Dallas is trying to fill the Micah Parsons hole in their defense and Messidor was so good opposite Bain he’s worthy of a 1st round pick.

21. Pittsburgh - WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) The Steelers thought they replaced George Pickens with DK Metcalf but their receiving corps just couldn’t consistently win. Concepcion is a smaller WR with elite burst which typically fits how they draft that position.

22. LA Chargers - OT Spencer Fano (Utah) Yes they already have two great OTs, but they’re both on the mend and Fano can kick inside if needed.

23. Philadelphia - OT Blake Miller (Clemson) The Birds OL definitely took a step back and there are rumors of Lane Johnson retiring. Miller can also slide inside if needed.

24. Cleveland (via JAX) - WR Antonio Williams (Clemson) The Browns flood the WR market and go Carnell Tate Antonio Williams. The latter is an explosive slot WR that could give Cleveland some real playmakers.

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25. Chicago - CB Avieon Terrell (Clemson) Terrell is more of a Nickel CB but with Kyler Gordon only playing a handful of games this year and Jaylen Johnson always an injury risk, they need more CBs who can cover, big or small.

26. Buffalo - WR Denzel Boston (Washington) Boston is a big WR that could give Josh Allen a legit down the field threat that can win a 50/50 ball 

27. San Francisco - EDGE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) The 49ers weren’t quite the same after Nick Bosa went down. Howell can help provide the pass rush new 49ers DC Raheem Morris craves.

28 Houston - OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) CJ Stroud took a step back this year and a lot of that is due to pressure. Proctor can help keep Stroud clean.

29. LA Rams - QB Ty Simpson (Alabama) Sean McCay finally gets a young QB as reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford doesn’t have too much time left, but Simpson gets a year or two to learn on the sidelines.

30. Denver - WR Deion Burks (Oklahoma) Burks is lightning on a bottle and the Broncos need mode playmakers for Bo Nix

31. New England - EDGE TJ Parker (Clemson) The Pats need more pressure off the edge to take their defense to the next level and Parker has 16 sacks in the last two seasons.

32. Seattle - CB Colton Hood (Tennessee) The Champs dont have major needs but with Riq Woolen potentially leaving, Seattle gets to take an ultra talented, albeit injury prone CB at #32.