2026 NFL Draft Pick-by-Pick Predictions For Round 1: Arvell Reese Falls To The Giants
Gene Clemons goes pick by pick in his latest Round 1 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
In my first mock draft of the season, before the prospects begin to run around in shorts and tees, we see the premier safety prospect drop out of the top 10. Is it justified, and did he just fall to the best landing spot for a prospect entering the NFL? Let's dive in to my pick-by-pick predictions for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft 2026: Round 1 Pick-by-Pick Predictions
1. LV | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana
The Raiders need a quarterback, and if they want the most polished one in this draft, the guy with the highest floor, then it is Mendoza. He is extremely accurate, tough as nails and more athletic than he gets credit for. Pair him with Ashton Jeanty, what has to be an improved offensive line, and a bevy of young pass catchers to throw to, and the Raiders are cooking with gas for new head coach Klint Kubiak.
RELATED: Ian Hartitz's Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Scouting Report
2. NYJ | Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami (FL)
Bain is an explosive, heavy-handed workhorse as a defensive end. He has the power and leverage to be effective on the interior as well. The Jets need elite playmakers on offense and defense. This is the guy who can bring dynamics to Aaron Glenn's defense in his second season at the helm. If you put Bain in a phone booth with another player, he's walking out of the booth.
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3. ARI | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah
Arizona needs help on the offensive line after a season in which it was unable to get its running game going. They also struggled in pass protection. In steps Fano, who mixes athleticism and technique with a 6-foot-6 frame. He comes from an athletic family with multiple uncles who played in the league. Add athletic pedigree and significant room to improve to an already impressive resume.
4. TEN | David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech
Many have argued that Bailey is the premier EDGE in this draft. He is the very definition of speed to burn, and he utilizes it to hunt down the opponent. The Titans need outside pressure to complement their interior force. Bailey and Jeffery Simmons could quickly become one of the best inside/outside duos on the defensive line in the NFL—it's a perfect match. Yes, they need to give Cam Ward help, and they will, but the value was too good to pass up here.
5. NYG | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State
It's been too long since the Giants have had a young, fierce linebacker running around like his hair was on fire, trying to destroy everything they touched. Well, welcome, Arvell Reese. What makes him special is that he is a legitimate inside linebacker who also has the ability to rush the quarterback. At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, he gives you that old school linebacker size with futuristic athletic ability. Some people believe he could be a pure pass rusher, but that would be like using a McLaren to deliver DoorDash; of course, it would be done at a high level, but it would be such a waste of his many talents. Imagine him and Bobby Okereke together, what a duo.
6. CLE | Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami (FL)
The Browns draft security for their quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, and upgraded the escort for Quinshon Judkins. He's got that nasty you like in an offensive lineman.
7. WAS | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State
The Commanders go with Tate over the other top receivers because they know he understands how to work in a full receiving corps, one where he is not the main target.
8. NO | Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU
The Saints take the opportunity to keep the talent in Louisiana. He just has to go from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and cover all the receivers in the NFC South.
9. KC | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame
This is the "holy smokes" steal of the first round, allowing Eric Bieniemy to get a hold of the most talented running back in the draft. It just seems unfair. Kansas City might be back before you know it.
10. CIN | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson
Woods is a versatile defensive lineman who can play all across the front. He is perfect for a defense that needs to plug holes in many areas in its front seven.
11. MIA | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee
McCoy could be the most talented cornerback in the draft. He is young and still has a lot of room to grow, and now he is going to be a cornerstone of new head coach Jeff Hafley's defense.
12. DAL | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State
In a surprise, Downs drops out of the top 10 but into a perfect situation on a team that could use a leader like him. The 11 teams in front may not regret the fact that they didn't take him, but they will have sleepless nights trying to go against him for a long time.
13. LAR | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson
Another Avieon Terrell enters the NFL. He will look to carve his own path on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
14. BAL | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn
Baltimore gets much-needed edge rush assistance to bolster a defense with athletes at the second and third level.
15. TB | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State
The Bucs get their heir apparent to a legend with Sonny Styles. It's amazing to think that he was the second-best linebacker on this Ohio State team.
16. NYJ | Makai Lemon | WR | USC
The Jets add a running mate to go along with their wide receiver number one. It's going to be hard for defenses to focus all their attention on one receiver now.
17. DET | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama
Detroit keeps adding fresh young offensive linemen to replenish that unit and prepare for another run with one of the best assemblies of offensive skill in the NFL.
18. MIN | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah
Minnesota picks up much-needed help on the offensive line to help bolster their rushing attack and protect whoever ends up at quarterback, whether it's J.J. McCarthy or someone else.
19. CAR | Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami (FL)
Carolina's defense needed help. They needed more athleticism and toughness on the edge, and they got it with Mesidor.
20. DAL | C.J. Allen | LB | Georgia
They say a defense must be strong up the middle. The Cowboys have traded for Quinnen Williams to shore up the interior defensive line. They already drafted Caleb Downs to be the third-level brain in the middle, and now they add one of the smartest linebackers in the draft from a school that just understands how to produce great interior linebackers: C.J. Allen. Things might be looking up for this defense.
21. PIT | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson had to wait longer than many expected to hear his name, but he lands with a team that could really use an explosive playmaker in Pittsburgh. Mike McCarthy now has a young weapon on the perimeter to work with.
22. LAC | T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson
With many defenders on the edge getting long in the tooth or finding new homes, the Chargers had to be ecstatic to see T.J. Parker still on the board at 22. Parker was one of the best edge defenders in all of the ACC during his time at Clemson.
23. PHI | Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M
Looking to bolster their pass rush, the Eagles add a guy who can be a pass-rushing specialist in Cashius Howell. Many think that he's a tweener, too small to be a real defensive end, but with the Eagles, they will just put him in a position to go make plays.
24. CLE | Olaivavega Ioane | OG | Penn State
The Browns are able to double up at offensive line. They add arguably the most talented offensive lineman in the draft and now have a tackle and guard combination in the trenches to build around.
The Rest of My Round 1 Mock Draft
- CHI | Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon
- BUF | KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M
- SF | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington
- HOU | Emmanuel Pregnon | OG | Oregon
- LAR | Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee
- DEN | Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas
- NE | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon
- SEA | Chris Johnson | CB | San Diego State
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