John’s 2026 March Mock Extravaganza

Debacled Published on 3/25/2026

jpmccormick22

Feels like a tough one to predict this year. Draft night is on my birthday this year and I want nothing more than to listen to Mel Kiper scream about god knows what on national television. There could be a few picks out of left field this year but to be honest I don't know what that is in this draft. Disclaimer: This is not what I think they should do. It is what I think they will do.

Round:1

Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Only lock of the draft. Mendoza had an incredible season and solidified his spot as the number one pick in the draft. I think he is going to be a great quarterback.

John's Team Needs:
QB, WR, DL/EDGE

Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Somehow still a Jets fan so this is my annual complaint about drafting Zach Wilson to replace Sam Darnold. Actually, I will save it (see pick 16). But Zach Wilson will be playing in the CFL soon. Like what the hell, Woody. Anyway, right now I am 60/40 on Reese vs Bailey here. Bailey is probably the cleanest edge prospect but it all depends on the scheme. Reese fits the 3-4 OLB bill where Bailey hits more the 4-3 EDGE which is the main reason I am sticking with Reese here.

John's Team Needs: QB, WR, S, EDGE, LB, CB

Cardinals: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech

They need a right tackle, I am not sure you can pass up on some of the defensive prospects here at 3 though. I think they will be trying to trade out of this spot but it is way easier said than done, especially in the top 5. They are high on Spencer Fano but I believe they are also high on Mauigoa who is the better prospect.

John's Team Needs: QB, OT, EDGE

Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

After all the signings in free agency the Titans do have options here. Bringing in Saleh (who the Jets should have kept). They go best player available, who is arguably the best player in this draft. This would immediately help Cam Ward progress to the next level.

John's Team Needs:
LB, RB, WR

Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A team that has added at the right positions and have a bright future with the young talent they have. I have not seen any buzz about Caleb Downs' medicals moving him off any draft boards yet. As of now the Giants fill a huge gap and add the best defensive back prospect in the draft, in my opinion, and it fits the Harbaugh way. I don't see why they wouldn't pick him. Something is telling me Mauigoa is being considered here if available as well, but I have a hard time seeing them pass on Caleb Downs unless it is a Will Johnson situation. I am leaning toward Caleb Downs over Sonny Styles solely because they just signed Tremaine Edmunds to a three year deal.

John's Team Needs:
OL, S, WR

Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

I think this pick could go WR or OT While they do still need a QB, the value is not there. Take the best player available and see what happens in the 20s when they pick again. I've seen the buzz with Monroe Freeling but if I'm being honest I think they will trade up from 24 to get him if he slides. Carnell Tate is one smooth route runner. I think they give Sanders a year and see what he can do.

John's Team Needs:
OL, QB, WR

Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

I am torn between Carnell Tate and Sonny Styles here. I could see Rueben Bain as well but the Oweh signing gives them more options here. Also to note, if Love makes it here, he is the pick. But I think they would have to move up for him.

John's Team Needs: WR, LB, EDGE, CB

Saints: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Saints are always a bit of a mystery but I think they would have a hard time passing up on the best receiver in the draft, if available. Considering their WR2 had 25 catches. Huge need. Tyler Shough seems to be the guy. But they also have a big need at corner. I like this fit.

John's Team Needs: WR, EDGE, IOL

Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

They lost just about every corner they had but they have other needs and they really need to start protecting Mahomes. Get your other tackle.

John's Team Needs: CB, EDGE, WR

10.

Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

Best defensive player available. Two years ago Joe Burrow nearly won MVP and they missed the playoffs. They also just lost their two best edge rushers but did sign Boye Mafe to a three year deal. There's been concerns about the length of Bain which is why I have him sliding just a bit to 10.

John's Team Needs: Defense, OL

11.

Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Oh well, here comes the rebuild. I am not sure that Fano makes it here but I think he would be a perfect fit. I don't think they take a receiver just yet as they have glaring needs on the offensive line and defensive line. Not sure what Malik Willis got himself into here. Godspeed.

John's Team Needs: OL, DL, WR, CB, S

12.

Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

If Mansoor Delane makes it here, no question he is the pick. I have a weird feeling Sonny Styles ends up a Cowboy as well and I think there is a slight chance he makes it here. But they have a desperate need at corner. The medicals may be concerning given he did not play in 2025 but his 2024 season keeps him in the mix for a top 15 pick. If he did play it would be preference between him and Delane for first corner off the board.

John's Team Needs: CB, EDGE, RB, S

13.

Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Could this be a spot for Ty Simpson? This is sort of a bonus pick. However, I do think Makai Lemon makes a ton of sense as they need a slot receiver. Puka Nacua is also a loose cannon now. The medicals with Tyson may scare teams away but I think Lemon is the pick here. Staying in LA.

John's Team Needs: OT, WR, QB

14.

Ravens: Ola Ioane, G, Penn State

Was originally leaning edge here but after the Maxx Crosby trade that wasn't and then the Trey Hendrickson signing, it opens up the door to help out the offense. Ioane is the best guard prospect in the draft and the Ravens happen to need a guard.

John's Team Needs: OG, WR, TE, EDGE

15.

Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

They did take Egbuka out of shallow left field last year, if you will. After losing Mike Evans they are missing that red zone threat. Sadiq feels like a sneaky good fit here.

John's Team Needs: EDGE, LB, WR

16.

Jets: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

2021 was not a hard draft to get right. But instead, after giving Darnold negative help they decided to throw in Zach Wilson. They could have a good team right now if they did it right. It takes time to build a good team. They were on the right track. Anyway, Jordyn Tyson, if healthy, is in the running with Carnell Tate for WR1 of the draft. It all depends if Darren Mougey feels comfortable drafting him, and it is one big "if". I could also see a corner here.

John's Team Needs: QB, EDGE, WR, CB, LB

17.

Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

They do need a left tackle. The more I think about it the more I love this fit. Feels like a Lions pick.

John's Team Needs: OT, C, CB

18.

Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I do like the pick on defense here whether it's in the secondary or on the line. I have seen a lot of buzz about Thieneman to the Vikings as this could be Harrison Smith's final stand.

19.

Panthers: Kayden Proctor, OT, Alabama

I originally had Kenyon Sadiq slotted here but now I think he goes earlier. They were blowing a ton of smoke last year with Jalon Walker too. Just keep investing in Bryce Young. They gave him a true WR1 last year and look what happened. Protect the man.

John's Team Needs: OT, EDGE, WR

20.

Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Their defense is atrocious every year. Just figure it out in the draft. I think he is a guy that goes earlier than many mock drafts have.

21.

Steelers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

They have to fill the tackle hole that's been haunting them for who knows how long. Broderick Jones hasn't necessarily panned out so I think drafting the best offensive lineman available here could be the play. I don't think they will take Ty Simpson this early. But, new head coach.

John's Team Needs: OL, QB

22.

Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Peter Woods could be a steal if he falls to the 20s. Just loved the tape. Explosive and slippery. Quinnen Williams esque. I think this pick is either on the offensive line or defensive line. They have some work to do on both. Wide receiver is a bit of stretch here.

John's Team Needs: OL, DL, WR

23.

Eagles: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

They do have a hole at safety but this roster is still one of the best. They did just take Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo.

24.

Browns: Max Iheanaschor, OT, Arizona State

I think they will be aggressive in trading up for Monroe Freeling. But I am not going to go crazy predicting trades (yet).

25.

Bears: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

They need to grab an edge rusher to go with Montez Sweat. Or somewhere on the defensive line.

John's Team Needs: DL, S

26.

Cardinals: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

TRADE: I think the Bills will move out of this spot either way but this is the spot where it starts to make sense if a team wants to move up for a QB. The Cardinals and Jets are the two favorites to land Simpson right now, and the Jets will most likely have a top three pick next year in a QB loaded draft.

27.

49ers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

I believe Terrell may go earlier but I just couldn't find a spot for him. The 9ers have a hole across from Lenoir in the secondary that not many people are talking about.

John's Team Needs: DL, OL, CB

28.

Texans: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

They have the best defense in the league. Protect Stroud. He regressed due to how bad the offensive line was. The guy was just out there getting killed once he touched the ball. They did some good work in the offseason, keep it going.

John's Team Needs: OL, DT

29.

Chiefs: Zion Young, DE, Missouri

A few years ago they took Nick Bolton out of Missouri (who was my favorite player in the draft) in the second round. Oddly enough the Chiefs need to rebuild a bit.

30.

Dolphins: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

Build the lines. Rebuild it all.

31.