2026 NFL Mock Draft – Round 1 (17-32) – Charlie Campbell



* Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Last update: Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Round 3 added.
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21, and ’22
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024 NFL Drafts.
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021

2026 NFL MOCK DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S ROUND: 1

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/17): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/16)
2027 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/7): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2027 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/14)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


17. NFL Team Logo for Lions Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Taylor Decker is considering retiring, and that would open a huge hole on the offensive line. Even if Decker returns, the Lions could draft his replacement and let the rookie compete at left guard and then replace Decker in 2027. Lomu is a pure left tackle and a very similar player to Decker.

Lomu formed a formidable tackle tandem for the Utes with Spencer Fano. Lomu is an athletic blocker who could be a good pro left tackle. The 6-foot-6, 304-pound Lomu is agile, nimble, quick, and has natural size. Lomu needs to improve on his technique and get stronger as a run blocker, but he has upside to work with. Lomu is very adept at handling speed rushers and protecting the blindside of his quarterback.


Click links to see the Lions' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Lions' second-round pick.

18. NFL Team Logo for Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Vikings need more cornerback talent.

Terrell had 48 tackles with four forced fumbles, a sack, and nine passes batted. Terrell (5-11, 180) is a fast and fluid cover corner who is extremely adept at running the route to prevent separation. He has excellent ball skills, instincts, and plays bigger and stronger than his size. The size and future durability are the biggest concerns for the NFL. Terrell worked his way onto the field as a freshman and had five starts. He recorded 19 tackles with four passes broken up and an interception. In 2024, Terrell started every game and totaled 58 tackles with two interceptions, 12 passes broken up, three forced fumbles, and 4.5 tackles for a loss. Terrell is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell.


Click links to see the Vikings' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Vikings' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 18

19. NFL Team Logo for Panthers Carolina Panthers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

The Panthers grab a tackle to go next to Derrick Brown.

In 2025, Banks injured his foot in September and missed over two months. He had six tackles for the season, but Banks (6-6, 325) was excellent at the Senior Bowl. He is a quick interior pass rusher with the size and strength to defend the run. Banks is well-rounded, but gets in trouble when he stands up and plays too high. In his second season with the Gators, Banks showed his pass-rush ability in 2024. He recorded 4.5 sacks with 21 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. He had 19 tackles with a sack in 2023. Prior to that, Banks had two tackles with a sack while playing at Louisville. Banks has a good skill set with upside.



Click links to see the Panthers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Panthers' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 19

20. NFL Team Logo for Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: R. Mason Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma

The Cowboys grab an edge rusher to replace Micah Parsons.

Thomas is a fast edge rusher with serious speed off the edge. He shows some variety in moves and some functional strength to fight off blocks. In 2025, Thomas had 26 tackles with 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass batted while missing some time with injuries. In 2024, he totaled nine sacks with one forced fumble, one pass batted, and 23 tackles. The 6-foot-2, 249-pounder is undersized to be a defensive end in the NFL, so we will have to be an outside linebacker that moves to rush off the edge in the sub package.



Click links to see the Cowboys' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 1 Pk: 12

21. NFL Team Logo for Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Steelers need more wide receiver talent to go with D.K. Metcalf.

Tyson had 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns while missing some time with injuries. On top of being a good wideout, Tyson has blocked well. Tyson was a dangerous weapon for the Sun Devils in 2024 as he hauled in 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tyson is quick with easy acceleration. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has adequate size and showed big-play ability in 2022, averaging 21.4 yards per reception (22-470-4). Team sources have durability concerns with Tyson, as he missed time with injuries in each season in college.



Click links to see the Steelers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Steelers' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 12  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 21

22. NFL Team Logo for Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Young, DE, Missouri

The Chargers could use some young defensive line talent. Khalil Mack won’t play forever, and this could be a perfect replacement.

Young had 42 tackles with 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes batted, and was among the nation’s leaders in pressures. In 2024, Young had 41 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Young has good size, length, and upside to develop. While Young has good size, he is also quick to close and shows good instincts as a rusher. Young could be a riser throughout the 2026 draft process.



Click links to see the Chargers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Chargers' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 22

23. NFL Team Logo for Eagles Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Philadelphia could use some young tight end talent.

In 2025, Sadiq had 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. Sadiq flashed in 2024 with 24 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Sadiq is a dangerous receiver with upside. Team sources are raving about Sadiq as a talent and mismatch weapon. Even though he is not a big tight end, Sadiq blocks hard and really battles defenders. He is fast, athletic, an excellent route-runner, has good hands, and can pick up yards after the catch. He looks like a real weapon for the NFL.


Click links to see the Eagles' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Eagles' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 4

24. NFL Team Logo for Browns Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Browns need more receiver talent. Here’s a receiver that gives them a size mismatch.

Boston had 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. After Washington lost a trio of good receivers to the NFL, Boston enjoyed a breakout season for the Huskies in 2024. He had 64 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 209-pounder has mismatch size and looks like he is just scratching the surface of his potential.


Click links to see the Browns' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 1 Pk: 6  |  Click here to jump to the Browns' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 6

25. NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Chicago needs more interior defensive line talent next to Montez Sweat.

McDonald was a disruptive force and a dynamic run defender for the Buckeyes in 2025. He totaled 65 tackles with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass batted. The 6-foot-3, 326-pounder has size, quickness, and athleticism. With power and tenacity, McDonald could be an excellent starting nose tackle in the NFL. He has upside to improve as he gains experience.


Click links to see the Bears' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Bears' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 25

26. NFL Team Logo for Bills Buffalo Bills: Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M

Buffalo continues to add more pieces to the defensive line with a disruptive edge rusher.

In 2025, Howell had 11.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 31 tackles with six passes batted. The 6-foot-2, 248-pound Howell is fast off the edge with a repertoire of pass-rushing moves. Howell’s size might make him an odd fit as a linebacker/defensive end, but his production of getting after the quarterback is going to make him an early-round pick next April.


Click links to see the Bills' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Bills' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 27

27. NFL Team Logo for 49ers San Francisco 49ers: K.C. Concepcion, S, Texas A&M

The 49ers could use more receiving weapons for Brock Purdy. Concepcion has similarities to other receivers that Kyle Shanahan has targeted.

Concepcion caught 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns, and returned two punts for touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is a quick and shifty receiver who is very dangerous with the ball in his hands, over two seasons at N.C. State, Concepcion flashed some ability with the Wolfpack. In 2023, he had 71 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also ran for 320 yards that season on 41 carries. In 2024, he had 53 catches for 460 yards and six scores.



Click links to see the 49ers' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the 49ers' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 28

28. NFL Team Logo for Texans Houston Texans: Ola Ioane, G, Penn State

The Texans could use an upgrade on the inside of their offensive line.

The 6-foot-4, 334-pound Ioane is a strong blocker at the point of attack with the ability to generate movement in the ground game. He is also a reliable pass protector. Ioane is explosive, can mirror speed rushers, and plays with physicality with a nasty streak. Ioane looks like a guard for the NFL and probably does not have the length to kick outside to tackle.

Click links to see the Texans' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Texans' first second-round pick.  |  Rd: 2 Pk: 27  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 5

29. NFL Team Logo for Rams Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Even if Davante Adams returns, he is not a long-term starter at this stage of his career. Here’s another weapon for Matthew Stafford.

In 2025, Lemon played well for the Trojans and was productive. Despite not being big, Lemon (5-11, 190) has done a nice job of winning contested catches. He had 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lemon contributed 52 receptions for 764 yards and three touchdowns to the Trojans’ offense in 2024. For the NFL, he might fit best as a slot receiver.



Click links to see the Rams' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 1 Pk: 13  |  Click here to jump to the Rams' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 29

30. NFL Team Logo for Broncos Denver Broncos: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Denver could use some young talent at inside linebacker.

In 2025, Allen had 88 tackles with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes broken up. Allen came on for the Bulldogs during the 2024 season and showed improvement throughout the season. In 2024, he totaled 76 tackles with an interception and four passes broken up. As a freshman in 2023, Allen had 41 tackles with two breakups. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder is a smart linebacker with instincts, toughness, and versatility.


Click links to see the Broncos' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Broncos' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 30

31. NFL Team Logo for Patriots New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The Patriots add a right tackle to go with Will Campbell.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Miller was a solid starting tackle for Clemson with 54 consecutive starts. He is a good athlete with quickness and agility on the edge. Miller could stand to get stronger and play with more physicality, but he has the ability to develop into a solid pro starter.


Click links to see the Patriots' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Patriots' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 31

32. NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Seahawks have Riq Woolen entering free agency and could use more cornerback talent.

Cisse has been an impressive cover corner for South Carolina in 2025. He had 27 tackles with an interception, five 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.

Click links to see the Seahawks' picks across all rounds:
Click here to jump to the Seahawks' second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 32