2026 NFL Draft Goals Mock Draft

Posted April 18, 2026.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

What does every team need to accomplish in the 2026 NFL Draft? We’ll look at each team’s goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. See how the goals are being addressed in the 2026 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).

Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders will have a new franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, but they have to make sure that he doesn’t fail because of poor protection or a lack of weapons. The Raiders must surround Mendoza with as much talent as possible to make sure Mendoza has the best chance to succeed in the pros.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB
36. Omar Cooper, WR
67. Emmanuel Pregnon, G
102. Drew Shelton, OL
117. Jalen Farmer, G
134. Bryce Lance, WR

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

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New York Jets:
The Jets have holes everywhere. They need a franchise quarterback, but won’t have the chance to land one. They can at least set it up so that they have a friendlier environment for the one they draft in 2027. Interior line help and receivers are needed. The defense must be overhauled as well.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
2. Arvell Reese, DE/OLB
16. Jordyn Tyson, WR
33. Colton Hood, CB
44. Chase Bisontis, G/OT
103. Garrett Nussmeier, QB
140. Beau Stephens, G

Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals don’t have a right tackle on their roster, and No. 3 is too early to draft one, so they’ll be looking to trade down. They have so many needs, so they need the extra resources anyway. They had the worst defense in the NFL in the second half 2025, so they’ll need to find tons of talent on that side of the ball.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
12. Francis Mauigoa, OT
20. Kedric Faulk, DE
34. Lee Hunter, NT
65. Ty Simpson, QB
104. Jake Golday, LB

Tennessee Titans:
Cam Ward showed improvement over his rookie year. The Titans added Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, but they need many more offensive play-makers to make sure Ward lives up to his potential. Defensive pieces are needed as well because Tennessee had issues stopping most of its opponents.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
4. Jeremiyah Love, RB
35. Chris Bell, WR
66. Jaishawn Barham, DE/OLB
101. Billy Schrauth, G

New York Giants:
The Giants need to spend several of their picks to help Jaxson Dart. Adding talent on the offensive line and to the receiver group would make a lot of sense, though New York is smitten Jeremiyah Love. The Giants also need to focus on improving their defensive line and secondary.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
5. Spencer Fano, OT/G
37. Omar Cooper, WR
105. Daylen Everette, CB

Cleveland Browns:
The Browns don’t really seem to have a plan at the moment. They have two big needs – receiver, left tackle – which they can address with their two first-round picks. This will help either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, but Cleveland’s road to competitiveness is long and impossible.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
6. Carnell Tate, WR
24. Monroe Freeling, OT
39. Zion Young, DE
70. D’Angelo Ponds, CB
107. Michael Trigg, TE

Washington Redskins:
The Redskins have just two picks in the first four rounds, so they need to draft very carefully. They somehow have to both find Jayden Daniels another weapon and improve their horrible defense that has issues at every level. Good luck, Washington.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
7. Carnell Tate, WR
71. Javon Kilgore, CB/S

New Orleans Saints:
The Saints appear to have hit a home run with Tyler Shough, so they need to put him in the best position possible to succeed. This means giving him some new weapons to go along with Chris Olave. The Saints also have to look at pass-rushing help and improved secondary play.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
8. Caleb Downs, S
42. Chris Bell, WR
73. Keyron Crawford, DE
132. Deion Burks, WR
136. Jack Endries, TE

Kansas City Chiefs:
It’s truly amazing how many needs the Chiefs have, considering that they were in the Super Bowl recently. Aside from their backfield, the Chiefs need to address everything. The Chiefs lost their entire secondary in the offseason, so they need to focus on that and the pass rush. However, helping Patrick Mahomes recover from his torn ACL is essential, whether it’s via a receiver, a tight end, or more offensive line help.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
9. Spencer Fano, OT/G
29. K.C. Concepcion, WR
40. Malachi Lawrence, DE
74. Eli Stowers, TE
109. Treydan Stukes, CB

Cincinnati Bengals:
Defense, defense, defense. And then, more defense. The Bengals can’t stop anyone, so they need to address every level of their defense. They could stand to add another offensive lineman and a better backup for Chase Brown, but most of their picks need to be spent on the stop unit.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
10. Caleb Downs, S
41. Gabe Jacas, DE
72. DeMonte Capehart, DT
110. Kage Casey, OT

Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins are in a rebuild. They have so little talent on their roster that every position is a need, excluding the two in the backfield. They need to draft the best player available, though at least one early selection needs to be used on a receiver to give Malik Willis a chance.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
11. Jordyn Tyson, WR
30. Dillon Thieneman, S
43. Chris Bell, WR
75. Keylon Rutledge, G
87. Daylen Everette, CB
90. Caleb Tiernan, OT
94. Max Klare, TE
130. Josiah Trotter, LB

Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys have an explosive offense, but couldn’t stop anyone last year. They added Rashan Gary to their defense, but still need one more superstar to make the appropriate improvement to give themselves a chance to make a playoff run in 2026. They’ll need to consider moving up for an edge rusher or Sonny Styles and then use some other picks to add another potential defensive starter or two.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
3. David Bailey, DE
92. Anthony Hill, LB
112. Tacario Davis, CB

Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons don’t have a first-round pick, so they’ll have to wait until Friday to find a replacement for the retired Kaleb McGary. Once right tackle is addressed, the Falcons will need to continue helping Michael Penix Jr. in the form of another receiver to complement Drake London. The defense could stand to add some upgrades as well.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
48. Gennings Dunker, OT/G
79. Elijah Surratt, WR
122. Josiah Trotter, LB

Baltimore Ravens:
The Ravens already needed another weapon for Lamar Jackson before losing Isaiah Likely to free agency, so they could add a receiver and a tight end with some of their early picks. The Ravens also need to rebuild their offensive line after losing some players on the blocking unit recently. Some pieces should be added to the defense as well, and don’t forget that a successor for Derrick Henry should be acquired.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
14. Kenyon Sadiq, TE
45. Jadarian Price, RB
80. Billy Schrauth, G
115. Skyler Bell, WR

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Buccaneers lost some key free agents like Mike Evans and Jamel Dean, who must be replaced (Evans perhaps in the form of Kenyon Sadiq). Otherwise, the Buccaneers need help defensively, particularly in their front seven. The edge rush must be addressed, while Lavonte David will need to be replaced.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
15. Kenyon Sadiq, TE
46. Malachi Lawrence, DE
77. Anthony Hill, LB
116. Treydan Stukes, CB

Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts don’t have a first-round pick, so they’ll need to wait until the second round to address their pass rush. They lost countless defensive ends recently, with Laiatu Latu being the only viable threat remaining. The Colts will need to address a few other needs as well, including linebacker and right tackle.

Ideal 2026 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
47. Cashius Howell, DE
78. Anthony Hill, LB
113. Malachi Fields, WR

Go to 2026 NFL Draft Goals: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.

2026 NFL Mock Draft | 2027 NFL Mock Draft