Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft:
Tennessee Titans:
Tennessee lost to Seattle to maintain their draft slot. As the only one-win team in the NFL, the Titans could land the No. 1 pick for the second straight season. If Tennessee gets the No. 1 pick, it would make sense to auction the pick to load up on draft picks to rebuild the Titans’ roster.
New York Giants:
The Giants lost in overtime to the Lions, and New York stays in the second slot as of now. If New York gets the No. 1 pick, it could look to trade down and get a lot of picks to build around Jaxson Dart.
New Orleans Saints:
For the time being, New Orleans is nipping at the heels of the No. 1 pick. The Saints will find out over the back half of the season if Tyler Shough can be the long-term starter, but if they land the No. 1 pick, they should probably target a franchise quarterback to build around.
New York Jets:
After trading Sauce Garder and Quinnen Williams, the Jets improved their chances of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York is now loaded with four first-round picks and three second-round picks in the next two draft classes. If the Jets land the No. 1 pick, they should target Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, Oregon’s Dante Moore, or Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Top General Manager Candidates:
- Notre Dame general manager Mike Martin
- Atlanta Falcons vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior personnel executive Byron Kiefer
- Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew
- Detroit Lions senior personnel executive John Dorsey
- Houston Texans assistant general manager Chris Blanco
- Former Indianapolis Colts chief personnel executive Morocco Brown
- New England Patriots senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith
- Buffalo Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray
- Las Vegas Raiders vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt
Top Head Coach Candidates:
- Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman
- Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard
- Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
- Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard
- Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia
- Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
Head Coach Hot-Seat Tracker:
- Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
- Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
Cleveland Browns: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville 
The Browns enjoyed a win in their first start from Shedeur Sanders. Myles Garrett destroyed the Raiders, and Cleveland had two rushing touchdowns from Quinshon Judkins. Whether Sanders can lock down the starting job or not, the Browns could use more receiving talent for whoever is the quarterback.
To open 2025, Bell has 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns.. Bell (6-2, 220) was a solid receiver for the Cardinals in 2024, catching 43 passes for 737 yards and four touchdowns. With a strong build, Bell is physical and tough, but he also has good speed and runs well for a thick-built receiver. Bell could be a nice pick for the Browns in the back half of the first round with their selection from the Jaguars.
Atlanta Falcons: Will Lee, CB, Texas A&M 
The Falcons broke their losing streak with a win over the rebuilding Saints. Atlanta’s defense shut down the Saints’ ground offense, but Tyler Shough did throw for 243 yards. In the second round, the Falcons could land a cornerback to pair with A.J. Terrell and improve their pass defense. Having tighter coverage would give their young pass rushers an extra second to get after the quarterback.
To open 2025, Lee has 42 tackles and six passes broken up. Lee (6-0, 190) has solid size for the NFL. Some sources say he is tough and good in man coverage. In 2024, Lee totaled 42 tackles with two interceptions, 10 passes broken up, and one forced fumble. He had 42 tackles with two picks and six breakups in 2023.
Dallas Cowboys: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech 
The Cowboys pulled off a massive comeback with an incredible second half. The Eagles gave the game away with turnovers and penalties, but Dallas made some huge plays through the air to get the comeback win over Philadelphia. The improved Cowboys’ interior defensive line played well, but Dallas could use more edge rush talent to go with them.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey is a fast edge rusher with serious speed off the ball and the ability to bend around the corner. In 2024, he recorded 31 tackles with seven sacks and five forced fumbles with Stanford. hus far in 2025, he has 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 33 tackles. T Bailey has natural quarterback hunting ability and could be a riser through the 2026 draft process.
Detroit Lions: Damon Wilson, DE, Missouri 
The Lions almost had a crushing loss to the Giants at home, but Detroit scored 17 unanswered to get an overtime win. New York almost pulled off the upset thanks to 14 points coming off two trick plays. Aidan Hutchinson came alive in the fourth quarter and overtime, but Detroit could use more edge rush talent across from him.
In 2025, Wilson has 19 tackles, eight sacks, and one interception thus far. Wilson was a rotational backup at Georgia in 2024, totaling 22 tackles with three sacks and two forced fumbles. He transferred to Missouri after the season, and Wilson has been impressive with the Tigers. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Wilson has quality size with speed off the edge. Sources say he has good character as well. He could be a nice fit for the Lions in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame 
The Bears improved to 8-3 with a home win over the Steelers. Caleb Williams threw three touchdowns and made up for a terrible fumble in the end zone that gifted Pittsburgh a score. Kyle Monangai (12-48) led Chicago in rushing, and D’Andre Swift had only 15 yards on eight carries. Ben Johnson ran a two-back offense in Detroit and the Bears could use another back for his scheme.
Price has averaged 6.2 yards per carry for 659 yards with 10 touchdowns. He has three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. He has also been a dynamic kick returner with two returns for touchdowns. Price (5-10, 203) would be a starter at most schools, but at Notre Dame, he is stuck behind Jeremiyah Love. Price is a tough runner with speed, good instincts, and elusiveness. In 2024, Price averaged 6.2 yards per carry for 746 yards with seven touchdowns. Price is an early-round talent and could be a good starter in the NFL. He would be a nice fit in Johnson’s offense.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington 
The Chiefs came back to get a big home overtime win over the Colts. Kansas City’s defense came up big in the fourth quarter and overtime, while the offense was able to get 14 points for the win. Kareem Hunt (30-104-1) led the Chiefs in rushing, but he also had a huge fumble and Kansas City clearly needs a better ground game to help Pat Mahomes. On day two, they could target a running back to help bring some more consistency to their offense.
In 2025, Coleman has averaged 4.8 yards per carry for 651 yards with 14 touchdowns. He has 29 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns. In 2024, Coleman averaged 5.5 yards per carry for 1,053 yards with 10 touchdowns. He had 23 catches for 177 yards. Coleman ran well for the Arizona Wildcats in 2021, averaging 6.8 yards per carry for 871 yards with five touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 283 yards with a touchdown. Coleman has a short, strong build with some quickness. He would be a good fit in Andy Reid’s scheme.
Seattle Seahawks: Branson Cisse, CB, South Carolina 
Seattle was way up on Tennessee before allowing 21 points in the second half to hold on for a six-point win over the Titans. The Seahawks have had some issues in coverage this season, and Riq Woolen is entering free agency after this season. Seattle could target some cornerback help to help their defense be more stout next season.
Cisse has been an impressive cover corner for South Carolina in 2025. He has 23 tackles with an interception, four passes batted, and a forced fumble. In 2024, he had 28 tackles with five passes broken up. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has quality size to go with speed and athleticism. He could be a starting man corner in the NFL. He would be a great fit in the Seattle defense across from Devon Witherspoon.
Team Draft Report:
In this section, we take a deeper look at specific teams and where they stand regarding the 2025 NFL Draft.
Houston Texans:
The Texans got a huge win on Thursday night football as their defense was outstanding in leading them to a win over the Bills. Houston is working their way back into the AFC playoff race, and they are playing inspired football under head coach DeMeco Ryans. In the 2026 NFL Draft, Houston needs to continue to improve their scoring attack.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, continuing to build up the offensive line could make a lot of sense. Rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery has had a promising start to his career, but the Texans need more help to go with him. In my latest mock 2026 NFL Draft, I have them taking a bookend tackle to go with Ersery with Utah tackle Caleb Lomu. Lomu needs some development, but he is athletic and has a good skill set. He also has left tackle experience, so he could move to the blind side if Ersery gets injured. Aside from Lomu, they could target other tackle options like Lomu’s teammate Spencer Fano, Oregon’s Isaiah World, Alabama’s Kayden Proctor, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, and Boston College’s Jude Bowry.
On the second day of the draft, the Texans could consider adding some interior offensive line talent as well. To improve their guard play, they could consider Penn State’s Ola Ioane. Ioane would be a nice road-grading run blocker for Woody Marks. They could also consider a center like Florida’s Jake Slaughter or Auburn’s Connor Lew. Both of them have the flexibility to play guard as well. With a pair of second-round picks, the Texans are well-equipped to find some long-term solutions for their offensive line.
Another intriguing weapon for Houston to consider would be Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. He is a freak with his speed, athleticism, and strength for his size. He would be a great fit and a mismatch weapon for C.J. Stroud. Dalton Schultz is a solid pro, and he will be in the last year of his contract in 2026. Sadiqu could be a nice receiving weapon to pair with Schultz if Houston re-signs the veteran.
Defensively, Houston has good young talent at all levels, but the one position that lacks some long-term starting talent is the interior of the defensive line. If the Texans go defense in the first round, tackle would make the most sense. Some tackle options to consider include Clemson’s Peter Woods, Alabama’s L.T. Overton, and Oregon’s A’Mauri Washington. If the Texans don’t like the offensive line options in the first round, taking an interior defensive line talent would make sense.
The Texans have a quality young roster, and adding more young talent in the 2026 NFL Draft could make them more potent and help them make a run in the AFC. If Houston can build a good young offensive line, it could become one of the elite teams in the AFC and a true Lombardi competitor.
Tennessee Titans:
Once again, Titans fans are enduring a painful season of football as Tennessee struggles on a weekly basis. Owner Amy Adams Strunk is the catalyst for the franchise losing as she has made some poor decisions with hiring head coaches and general managers. It remains to be seen if Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi were good hires as president and general manager, but the early results look bad. Like many owners who tried to duplicate the Patriots with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Strunk looks like she tried to follow the Chiefs model, but she can’t bring Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid with her new hires. The Titans have to make a good hire at head coach to help get the team pointed in the right direction.
If the Titans land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for the second straight draft, the first decision they have to make is whether they want to replace Cam Ward with a quarterback like Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Indiana’s Francisco Mendoza. If they do, they could look to trade Ward and might get a first-round pick for him. Perhaps a team like the Rams, Steelers, Jets, Dolphins, Browns, or Raiders would be willing to give their first-round pick for Ward. If Tennessee prefers to stick with Ward, then they will undoubtedly look to trade down and add more picks from a team that wants one of the quarterbacks.
In my latest mock 2026 NFL Draft, I have the Titans taking Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, and Tennessee needs to improve its line in front of Ward. Ward has taken way too many hits, has seen consistent pressure, and has had his development stunted with a weak supporting cast and coaching change. Fano would be an upgrade and has the skill set to play left or right tackle. Aside from Fano, there are other tackle options to consider, like Oregon’s Isaiah World, Alabama’s Kayden Proctor, and Utah’s Caleb Lomu. Fixing the offensive line has to be a top priority.
Along with better blocking, Tennessee needs more receiving talent. If they are able to trade down and there isn’t a good value along the offensive line, they could consider adding a wide receiver on the opening night of the draft. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, and Louisville’s Chris Bell are prospects to consider. However, they might be better off targeting one of them at the top of the second round.
The only position the Titans might be tempted with in the first round on defense could be an edge rusher. They have some solid pros, but not a difference-maker or elite pass rusher. If they don’t like the offensive line or receiver options, they could consider a speed rusher like Texas Tech’s David Bailey. He could provide a true replacement for Harold Landry.
The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be critical for the Titans. They have to spend wisely in free agency and hit on their draft picks. If they don’t show progress in 2026, Strunk will have to consider replacing Brinker and Borgonzi. Tennessee will be a fascinating team to watch in the spring of 2026.
