It’s called free agency frenzy for a reason. From teams throwing big money contracts to land their targeted free agent to trades that were facilitated to those that were voided. It was exciting to see how things unfolded.
With the majority of free agency now behind us, we had a much better understanding of each organization’s remaining roster “needs” prior to the 2026 NFL Draft in April. With that knowledge, we attempt to predict how the first round could play out.
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1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Geno Smith out, Fernando Mendoza in. There’s very little doubt who will be the first overall pick this year. The Raiders need a new franchise signal caller and Mendoza’s the top-ranked QB in this year’s draft class.
2. New York Jets: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The Jets are a team in the middle of a rebuild and just need to continue to upgrade their roster with playmakers. Arvell Reese is a multifaceted defensive weapon who can be used in a variety of ways to help upgrade their defense.
3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigou, Miami
Arizona has done a good job bolstering their offensive line in free agency but still have a hole opposite LT Paris Johnson. Francis Mauigiou would step in and immediately fill the void.
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4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Titans most pressing roster “need” is to add more offensive weapons to help second-year QB Cam Ward. Jeremiah Love is a game changing RB who would immediately upgrade Tennessee’s entire offense.
5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
To help their second-year QB Jaxson Dart and find a WR who could complement Malik Nabers, the Giants draft Carnell Tate with fifth overall pick.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The Browns have focused on rebuilding their offensive line in free agency and drafting Monroe Freeling here will complete that rebuild. He’s an athletic plug-and-play LT whose best football is still ahead of him.
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7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Signing free agent LB Leo Chenal shouldn’t stop Washington from drafting Sonny Styles. Styles would be a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s defense, giving them a difference maker in the run and pass game.
8. New Orleans Saints: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Wide receiver could be in play here, but having arguably the best pass rusher in the entire draft class staring them in the face would be too hard to pass up.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Pass rusher is arguably the Chiefs biggest roster “need” remaining right now after their moves in free agency. Luckily for them, Rueben Bain Jr. slides a bit and falls right into their lap.
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10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Pass rusher should be the ideal pick here after losing Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai in free agency, but S Caleb Downs would be a good consolation prize. He has true game-changing ability with All-Pro potential.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Dolphins stick their board here instead of reaching for a player who could benefit their new QB Malik Willis. Mansoor Delane would be an immediate upgrade for them as a plug-and-play starter as a rookie.
*TRADE*
Cowboys receive 1.21, 2.53, 5.161; Steelers receive 1.12
In this scenario, the Cowboys board is pretty much wiped out. Looking for a trade partner, the Steelers answered the call. Pittsburgh has draft capital to part with, a second-round pick this year with three third-rounders in their back pocket. They could easily make this trade and then move back into the second-round if they wanted.
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12. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Steelers don’t have any glaring roster “needs” except maybe LG, which they can address later. Adding Makai Lemon with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. would complete their WR makeover for whoever plays QB.
13. Los Angeles Rams: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Davante Adams isn’t getting any younger and there are rumors he could be on the trading block. The Rams need another WR to complement Puka Nacua and Jordyn Tyson would fill that void easily.
14. Baltimore Ravens: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
The Ravens needed interior offensive line help at both center and guard. Spencer Fano, although right tackle at Utah, is expected to kick inside in the NFL. Baltimore just has to decide where he best fits, OC or OG?
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Keldric Faulk has the ideal size, length, and athleticism teams look for in a pass rusher, but unfortunately he just doesn’t have the proven production. His upside is worth betting on for Tampa Bay here though.
16. New York Jets: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Jets need to find some consistency opposite Garrett Wilson, and Denzel Boston would complement him well. Boston is a big receiver at 6’4″, 212-pounds, but he’s a three-level threat who should be an immediate starter.
17. Detroit Lions: OL Kaydn Proctor, Alabama
After releasing Taylor Decker, LT becomes Detroit’s biggest roster “need”. Kaydn Proctor still has some work to do with his technique and mechanics, but he seems to fit the Lions OL mold as a Dan Campbell type of player.
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18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
With Harrison Smith’s future hanging in the balance from possible retirement, the Vikings could look to upgrade their safety position in the first round. Dillon Thieneman fits versatility Brian Flores likes at the position.
19. Carolina Panthers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
The Panthers offseason has been all about upgrading their defense and they continue that trend here by drafting Peter Woods. Woods and Derrick Brown would be a formidable DT duo.
*TRADE*
Cowboys receive 1.30, LB Jordyn Brooks; Dolphins receive 1.20
The Cowboys swap first-round picks and move back 10 spots with the Dolphins to acquire All-Pro LB Jordyn Brooks, who is entering the final year of his contract. The point differential in the trade equates to an early third-round pick. Miami moves up to give their new QB some much-needed help and Dallas lands their starting MLB.
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20. Miami Dolphins: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq has the talent and skill set to step in and immediately as a rookie and be a difference maker in the passing game in Miami. He’s a mismatched type of weapon who would make QB Malik Willis’ job easier.
21. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Another trade down here shouldn’t be ruled out, but standing pat makes sense as well. The signing of Colbie Durant is only a one-year deal, and there are still concerns about DaRon Bland’s long-term health as well as Shavon Revel’s development. Drafting Jermod McCoy here is somewhat of a risk considering he hasn’t played since 2024 due to an ACL injury, but his medicals checked out at the combine lowering the risk a little. If he performs well at his Pro Day he could be a steal here for the Cowboys.
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22. Los Angeles Chargers: G Vega Ioane, Penn State
The Chargers biggest roster “need” right now is their interior offensive line after losing three starters to free agency. Vega Ioane is the top-ranked guard this year in an immediate plug-and-play starter.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Whether A.J. Brown gets traded or not, the Eagles could use another explosive weapon in the passing game. KC Concepcion is a dynamic weapon with special teams value and a potential house call anytime he touches the ball.
24. Cleveland Browns: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
After completing the rebuild of their offensive line earlier in the first round by drafting Monroe Freeling, the Browns address their next biggest need in Omar Cooper. He’s a YAC monster and a QBs best friend.
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25. Chicago Bears: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
After missing out on the trade for Maxx Crosby, it makes sense the Bears attempt to address their pass rush need here in T.J. Parker. He may not be on Crosby’s level, but he is a Day 1 starter as a rookie.
26. Buffalo Bills: Edge Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami
Buffalo signed Bradley Chubb to help upgrade their pass rush for their new DC Jim Leonard, but could still stand to add some juice to the position. Mesidor is someone who can step in and immediately help as a rookie.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Whether Trent Williams returns to the 49ers or not, finding his replacement should be a top priority for San Francisco. Caleb Lomu is capable of stepping in from Day 1 or could benefit sitting behind Williams for a year.
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*TRADE*
Texans receive 2.34, 2027 3rd; Cardinals receive 1.28
For a team rumored to be interested in trading back into the first round, the Cardinals could find their ideal trade partner in the Texans. This would be the second consecutive year in a row Houston traded out of the first round entirely and in doing so would give them three second-round picks this year.
28. Arizona Cardinals: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Jacoby Brissett will be Arizona’s bridge QB in 2026 after trading Kyler Murray, but he’s just a short-term solution. Ty Simpson could be their future and trading up for him would give them a fifth-year option.
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29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The Chiefs traded away Trent McDuffie to the L.A. Rams and are fortunate enough to draft another CB capable of playing inside/out here to replace him.
30. Dallas Cowboys: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary, re-signed Sam Williams, and brought back Tyus Wheat, but those moves didn’t add enough juice to their pass rush. Don’t be surprised if Malachi Lawrence ends up being the pick here. They had a formal visit with him at the combine and one of his former coaches at UCF was one of Dallas’ new defensive hires this offseason. Lawrence checks all of the boxes Christian Parker is looking for at the position and has the talent and skill set to become a future starter and potential Pro Bowl player in the not-too-distant future. With this pick the Cowboys have now added a potential starter at CB, LB, and OLB in the first-round.
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31. New England Patriots: Edge Zion Young, Missouri
Edge rusher is arguably the Patriots biggest remaining roster “need” right now after the moves they’ve made in free agency. Zion Young just feels like a Mike Vrabel type of player.
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Seattle lost Tariq Woolen to the Eagles in free agency, but re-signed Josh Jobe. He’s currently slated to start opposite Devon Witherspoon, but Colton Hood could push him for the starting job.
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