2026 NFL Draft Goals Mock Draft

Detroit Lions:
The Lions have lost so much personnel on the offensive line that the odds of them targeting that area at No. 17 are -300. The pricing is correct, as the Lions need multiple blockers. They’ll also need to find another pass-rushing presence to complement Aidan Hutchinson.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
17. Kaydn Proctor, OT
50. Gabe Jacas, LB
118. Logan Jones, C
128. Seth McGowan, RB

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Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings have some defensive upgrades to make. They need a new edge rusher and some help in the defensive interior. They’ll also need to add talent at cornerback and safety. Quarterback remains a question mark, so perhaps a mid-round pick can be used on a future replacement if J.J. McCarthy is to be traded. Regardless of who the quarterback is, he’ll need a better center in front of him.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
18. Keldric Faulk, DE
49. Caleb Banks, DT
82. Jake Slaughter, C
97. Kamari Ramsey, S

Carolina Panthers:
Panthers owner Axe Tepper will always do whatever it takes to make his Bryce Young decision look good, so he could force another offensive player with the pick. The Panthers, however, need to improve their defense. They could target the best defensive player at No. 19 if Tepper doesn’t meddle again.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
19. Kenyon Sadiq, TE
51. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S
83. Keyron Crawford, DE
119. Emmett Johnson, RB

Green Bay Packers:
The Packers don’t have a first-round pick, so they’ll have to wait until Day 2 to plug some holes on the offensive line. In addition to improved blocking, the Packers need some defensive line and edge-rushing help, as well as a better backup behind Josh Jacobs.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
52. Chase Bisontis, OT/G
84. Mike Washington, RB
120. Tyreak Sapp, DE

Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Steelers need to find a quarterback of the future, but they’re not expected to do so in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. They need a better environment for this quarterback, which would entail upgrading the offensive line and finding more depth at receiver. The Steelers also have to clear up some aspects of their defense as well.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
21. Vega Ioane, G
53. Chris Brazzell, WR
76. Keith Abney, CB
85. Carson Beck, QB
99. Fernando Carmona, OT
121. Justin Joly, TE
135. Zakee Wheatley, S

Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers will be getting their two tackles back from injury, but they need an overhaul for their interior blocking to make sure that Justin Herbert is actually shielded well this year. There are certain areas the Chargers need to upgrade on defense, namely the interior defensive line, linebacker, and cornerback.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
22. Kayden McDonald, DT
55. Keylon Rutledge, G
86. Zachariah Branch, WR
123. Davison Igbinosun, CB

Philadelphia Eagles:
The Eagles need to concentrate on the offensive line and receiver corps. Lane Johnson is frequently injured and will retire soon, while A.J. Brown will likely be moved to the Patriots afte June 1. Philadelphia also has a need at guard, and it wouldn’t hurt if the team found an eventual replacement for Dallas Goedert.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
23. Monroe Freeling, OT
54. Chris Brazzell, WR
68. Drew Shelton, OL
98. Sam Roush, TE
114. Keionte Scott, CB
137. De’Zhaun Stribling, WR

Jacksonville Jaguars:
Charlie Campbell reported that the Jaguars plan on bolstering their defensive line, which is a good decision, considering that they have to slay the likes of Josh Allen if they are to advance deep into the playoffs. They don’t have a first-round pick, but they have five selections in the to 124, so they can have an impactful draft class.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
56. Caleb Banks, DT
81. Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE
88. Kamari Ramsey, S
100. L.T. Overton, DE/DT
124. Oscar Delp, TE

Chicago Bears:
The Bears had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL last year. Their pressure rate was in the bottom five, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they spend the five picks they have in the top 129 on multiple edge rushers and defensive tackles. Chicago must also address its secondary and find a left tackle and center.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
25. Kedric Faulk, DE
57. Brandon Cisse, CB
60. Jake Slaughter, C
89. Chris McClellan, DT
129. Austin Barber, OT

Buffalo Bills:
Even though the Bills traded for D.J. Moore, they still could stand to add one more receiver so they can fully turn their weakness into a strength. The Bills also need to address their putrid run defense by acquiring defensive tackle and linebacker help.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
26. Denzel Boston, WR
91. Dominique Orange, DT
126. Jimmy Rolder, LB

San Francisco 49ers:
Though the 49ers made it to the second round of the playoffs last year, they had severe issues pressuring quarterbacks. They’ll need several new defensive linemen. They’ll also have to find insurance for Trent Williams, while also addressing a receiver group that is led by a 34-year-old newcomer and a third-year injury-prone player.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
27. K.C. Concepcion, WR
58. Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE
127. Gracen Halton, DT
133. Markel Bell, OT
138. Mason Reiger, DE
139. Le’Veon Moss, RBs

Houston Texans:
The Texans have made some improvements to their offensive line this offseason after a sketchy start. They need to continue to add blockers. Houston otherwise doesn’t have any glaring needs, so it can stand to obtain the best player available.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
28. Max Ihenachor, OT
38. Peter Woods, DT
59. Derrick Moore, DE
69. Emmanuel Pregnon, G
106. Demond Claiborne, RB

Los Angeles Rams:
We know the Rams want another receiver because they tried to trade for A.J. Brown – and this was before Puka Nacua starting biting people. The Rams will likely use their first-round pick on a weapon for Matthew Stafford. Otherwise, they don’t have many needs. Linebacker and offensive line depth should be addressed.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
13. Makai Lemon, WR
61. Jacob Rodriguez, LB
93. Drew Shelton, OL

Denver Broncos:
The Broncos don’t have a first-round pick, yet they have several positions they’d like to address. In no particular order, they want to find upgrades at tight end, running back, linebacker, and edge rusher.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
62. Eli Stowers, TE
108. Emmett Johnson, RB
111. Deontae Lawson, LB

New England Patriots:
New England’s primary goal is clear. Drake Maye must be protected after he was sacked at least five times in every playoff game. Multiple offensive linemen must be acquired to give Maye a better chance next year. Meanwhile, the defense must acquire some help in the secondary, with both cornerback and safety being areas of need.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
31. Caleb Lomu, OT
63. Connor Lew, C
95. Antonio Williams, WR
125. Max Klare, TE
131. Michael Taaffe, S

Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks have only four picks, so they will want to trade down to acquire more resources. They’ll need to find a running back to replace Kenneth Walker. They’ll also have to obtain a cornerback to replace Tariq Woolen and an edge rusher to give them a better chance of defeating Matthew Stafford again.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
32. Colton Hood, CB
64. Jonah Coleman, RB
96. R. Mason Thomas, DE/OLB

Back to 2025 NFL Draft Goals: Picks 1-16

2025 NFL Mock Draft | 2026 NFL Mock Draft