🏈 2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Fever
Quarterbacks rise, defenses reload, and chaos lurks just off-stage
Welcome to Staten News — where mock drafts are treated like blockbuster movie trailers: loud, speculative, and guaranteed to upset at least one fanbase before noon.
With the college season in the books and front offices already whispering, here’s The Bandicoots’ take on a spicy NFL Draft first round. Helmets on. Twitter fingers ready.
🥇 Picks 1–5: Franchise Changers Only
1. Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana)
Heisman? ✔️ Perfect season? ✔️ Vegas swagger? Loading…
Mendoza becomes the Raiders’ long-term answer under center — flashy, fearless, and exactly the kind of QB that sells jerseys and hope.
2. Jets – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Miami)
New York adds jet fuel to the pass rush. Bain explodes off the edge and instantly becomes a defensive centerpiece.
3. Cardinals – Spencer Fano, OT (Utah)
Not sexy — but essential. Fano is the adult in the room, protecting the QB (Jacoby) and stabilizing an offense that desperately needs it.
4. Titans – David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech)
Versatile, violent, and relentless. Bailey gives Tennessee flexibility and bite on defense.
5. Giants – Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State)
Electric playmaker alert 🚨. Tate gives Big Blue another WR1 with separation speed and highlight-reel potential. Scary times with Malik returning!
🔥 Picks 6–12: Defense, Defense… Then Speed
6. Browns – Caleb Downs, S (Ohio State)
Swiss Army safety. Elite instincts. Cleveland locks down the back end.
7. Commanders – Arvell Reese, LB (Ohio State)
Athletic, physical, and rangy. Reese becomes the heartbeat of Washington’s defense.
8. Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame)
Yes, a RB in the top 10 — and yes, he’s worth it. Love is pure electricity with Alvin Kamara vibes.
9. Chiefs – Francis Mauigoa, OT (Miami)
Protect. Patrick. Mahomes.
Enough said.
10. Bengals – Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State)
Versatility is king. Styles does a little of everything — and does it fast.
11. Dolphins – Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU)
Speed meets instincts. Perfect fit for Miami’s aggressive secondary.
12. Cowboys – Jordyn Tyson, WR (Arizona State)
Fast, twitchy, and dangerous after the catch. Jerry Jones approves this message.
🧱 Picks 13–20: Trenches & Long-Term Plays
13. Rams – Kadyn Proctor, OT (Alabama)
Big. Mean. Reliable. Sean McVay sleeps better at night. (Especially since Stafford confirmed his return)
14. Ravens – Keldric Faulk, EDGE (Auburn)
Baltimore doing Baltimore things — drafting pass rushers who feast.
15. Buccaneers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Oregon)
Mismatch weapon unlocked. Red-zone problems? Solved.
16. Jets (via IND) – Jermod McCoy, CB (Tennessee)
Jets double down on defense. Almost a replacement for Sauce.
17. Lions – Peter Woods, DL (Clemson)
Detroit continues building bully-ball up front.
18. Vikings – Caleb Lomu, OT (Utah)
Quietly one of the smartest picks in the draft.
19. Panthers – Makai Lemon, WR (USC)
Smooth routes, sticky hands. Bryce Young finally gets help.
20. Cowboys (via GB) – Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama)
Future-proofing. Jerry plays chess while Twitter plays checkers.
⚙️ Picks 21–32: Depth, Upside, and Sneaky Steals
Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, OG: Smashmouth approved
Chargers – Monroe Freeling, OT: Protection upgrade
Eagles – Denzel Boston, WR: Big target, big moments
Browns – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S: Ball hawk value
Bears – KC Concepcion, WR: Speed injection
Bills – Zion Young, EDGE: Late-round menace
49ers – Avieon Terrell, CB: Scheme fit perfection
Texans – CJ Allen, LB: High-IQ defender
Rams – Eli Stowers, TE: Offensive flexibility
Broncos – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE: Pressure builder
Patriots – Cashius Howell, EDGE: Classic Pats pick
Seahawks – Caleb Banks, DL: Interior strength
🔮 Final Take
This mock screams defense is back, quarterbacks are still king, and smart franchises are investing in protection — not panic.
Will this order survive the combine?
Absolutely not.
Will it fuel arguments, podcasts, and bad trade ideas?
Without question.
Clear your calendars. Draft season is undefeated.
— The Bandicoots 🏈🔥