2026 NFL mock draft 8.0: Ty Simpson goes late first round after trade back in, while 4 Buckeyes are gone by pick No. 10

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With March Madness come and gone, attention is turning formally toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Five teams have multiple first-round selections, but in the eighth edition of Nate Tice and Charles McDonald’s mock, it’s a team that trades back into the late first round that makes the most noise.

In this mock draft, Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald makes the odd-numbered picks, and Nate Tice makes the even.

More 2026 NFL mock drafts: 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0

1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

NFL’s newest buddy cop film, “Kirk & Fernando,” will begin filming at the end of the month when the Raiders take Mendoza to be their new franchise quarterback. If Cousins is willing to play mentor role once the season gets going this is a nice setup for Mendoza. Given his age, Cousins was fine last year for the Falcons and can’t claim that he didn’t know the team he signed with wasn’t going to pick a QB this time.

2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State

After a midseason fire sale, the Jets desperately need needle movers on defense. Reese aligned around the front seven for Ohio State and was asked to impact the game in a variety of different roles. And boy did he. Reese can play off the ball or on the edge, and his pass rush ability is just getting tapped into. Defenses, and the roles they ask players to fill, have become more varied in today’s NFL. Reese is a modern day weapon that every defensive play caller would love to get their hands on.

3. Arizona Cardinals — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Surprise? There’s going to be a couple unexpected picks this month, so let’s take a stab at one here. The Cardinals have launched a rebuild in the roughest, toughest division around. If new head coach Mike LaFleur is going to have a chance to see this reset through, Arizona needs to get as stable as possible as fast as it can. In a year like this one, drafting an offensive lineman might be the move. There isn’t a player with more upside this year at the position than Freeling, who could easily land as a long-term right tackle across from Paris Johnson Jr. as the Cardinals figure out what’s next.

4. Tennessee Titans — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Titans really need to keep adding to their offensive skill players and continue to add speed around Cam Ward. And I’m sure new head coach Robert Saleh would love to keep adding to the defensive line after a flurry of moves this offseason, just like the defenses he’s helmed in the past have had. What those 49ers defenses also had that allowed Saleh to live in zone coverages was the game’s premier linebacker in Fred Warner. (His Jets defenses also had a strong duo in C,J. Mosley and Quincy Williams, too). Styles has the talent, smarts, and skills to be that man in the middle to solidify the whole unit. Ward still needs help, but the thought of Styles flying around behind Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers has me giddy.

5. New York Giants — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

John Harbaugh loves to have a team that can run the ball and being able to pair Love in the backfield with Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart. Skattebo is coming off a major injury to his leg from last season, giving the Giants a reasonable opportunity to add Love to the roster without overloading at the position. If Malik Nabers can pick up where he left off and get back to his rookie-level production, the Giants would have a talented group of young playmakers to try and be competitive with.

6. Cleveland Browns — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Offensive tackle and wide receiver. I think the Browns’ paths for their two first-round selections is pretty straightforward to address two of their biggest roster needs (outside of *gestures in general direction of the quarterback room assembled in Cleveland*. We’ve gone offensive tackle in the past in these mocks, but with Freeling swooped up, the other potential candidates don’t fit so cleanly in the Browns’ reworked offensive line room. This might be a little rich for Tate, but he is as reliable as they come at the wide receiver position. He’s can be a winning player in a variety of roles. So no matter how else the Browns continue to fill out their pass catching room and offense in general, Tate and Harold Fannin Jr. are a young combo that will give whoever is going to be throwing passes sound surroundings to build alongside.

7. Washington Commanders — David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

There might not be a more Dan Quinn-coded pass rusher in this class than Bailey, who thrives with his speed to hawk down quarterbacks off the edge in a way that should translate cleanly to the NFL. However, there’s plenty of room for him to improve as a run defender and to get stronger in those areas, which may be a liability early in his pro career. Still, Bailey is not completely hopeless in that area and should be a high impact player who racks up pressures and sacks.

8. New Orleans Saints — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The Saints could go in a few different directions and it would make sense. Wide receiver to give Chris Olave that desperately needed running partner was tempting here. But instead, the Saints go with Delane to not only shore up a glaring hole in Brandon Staley’s sneaky good defense from last year (11th in FTN’s weighted defensive DVOA metric), but turn a below-average spot into an outright good one with Delane, whose intelligence, ball skills and twitch would flourish in a zone-heavy defense that likes to mix it up.

9. Kansas City Chiefs — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Downs is arguably the best player in this year’s draft class, so getting him with the ninth pick to bolster a secondary that lost some talent would be a smart play. He’s the exact kind of talent that would thrive in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense as playmaker wherever he’s asked to play. He can instantly be one of the best safeties in the league, a necessary weapon for a weaker Chiefs secondary to have as they retool.

10. Cincinnati Bengals — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

The Bengals go with the antithesis of their first-round selection from a year ago, trading the high-end tools and low-end production of Shemar Stewart with the top-end production and effort but lack of ideal length of Bain. Jermod McCoy is another player I thought about here to help add a playmaker onto a defense that really needs it. But the Bengals instead look at Bain to be a tone-setter on their defense for the future. If Stewart taps into even a small portion of his talent and with Boye Mafe joining in free agency, the Bengals’ edge spots could be more impactful in a hurry and feel a lot different soon.

11. Miami Dolphins — Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

Well, Miami is fielding a team this coming season because it has to, but the Dolphins have clearly punted on 2026 due to the massive chunk of dead cap sitting on their books. As always, grabbing trench talent is a good way to set up for future success. Here the Dolphins can stay local and grab the talented Mauigoa who could play long-term at guard or tackle. If they’re going to hold De’Von Achane hostage, at least give him a bodyguard.

12. Dallas Cowboys — Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

Faulk’s draft position varies wildly from evaluator to evaluator. I am personally a fan that is willing to bet on his youth (doesn’t turn 21 until September), S-tier run stopping ability, and pocket-pushing upside, but I understand if his lack of pass rush production and refinement could have you taking a more glass half-empty outlook. The Cowboys need to keep bolstering their defense to match their potentially high-octane offense, and nabbing Faulk would add even more stoutness to the reworked front, with the added bonus of having experience playing from the inside as well.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons) — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

This is a clean fit for both parties involved. Longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein retired this offseason, opening the door for the Rams to grab a talented right tackle prospect in Lomu. He would be a perfect fit in Sean McVay’s running game, routinely showing off ideal power and athleticism that prototypical tackle prospects possess in the NFL.

14. Baltimore Ravens — Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Whether Fano can hang at tackle doesn’t really matter for the Ravens, who would be more than happy to add his athleticism, versatility, and movement ability as they look to rework their interior. Fano could even be a potential Tyler Linderbaum replacement at center. Either way, his run blocking will be highlighted, and if the Ravens look to become more of a zone-heavy team again under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, then Fano’s light feet and run blocking chops will be a perfect fit opposite of John Simpson.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy might be one of the most talented players in the draft class, but he didn’t play last season while recovering from a torn ACL. At only 20 years old, he’s one of the younger players in the draft. His film from 2024 showed a player who can be a top-flight NFL cornerback with gobs of potential as a press-man corner.

16. New York Jets (via Colts) — Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

After losing John Simpson and former first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency, the Jets look to reinforce their offensive line with another first-round selection. Ioane has good size and is comfortable in space. He showed off improved awareness this past season, which is encouraging for him to hit the field early in the pros. The Jets could go in a few directions with this pick, but I think they defer to the trenches (again) here to bolster the surroundings of whoever their quarterback of the future is down the road.

17. Detroit Lions — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

There’s a lot of moves the Lions can make here, but one hole they can patch up in a hurry is figuring out who is going to play tackle across from All-Pro talent Penei Sewell. Ihenachor began his football career in JUCO a few years ago, but he has legitimate first-round traits and tape, which is an impressive amount of improvement in a short time. He could help reset Detroit’s offensive line as the Lions close the door on the old faces that made up one of the elite offensive line units in the league.

18. Minnesota Vikings — Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Vikings have a few flavors of prospects they could go after with their first-round pick. There are a couple of interesting safety options: They could look to find the T.J. Hockenson replacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line. Brian Flores is going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football. McDonald isn’t the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to the Donovan Jackson selection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative.

19. Carolina Panthers — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Carolina spent a lot of money on defense the past two offseasons so here it can take another first-round offensive playmaker. Sadiq is an explosive weapon in the passing game who gives just enough as a blocker to show promise as a high-impact, every down tight end. Sadiq and Tetairoa McMillan would give defenses a lot of headaches with their size and athleticism as pass catchers.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Cowboys look to take the best player at the cornerback position that can hang on the outside, and in this exercise that ends up being the talented Hood. The other Tennessee corner near the top of this draft class is a dynamic player in his own right, and he would give the Cowboys another body to throw at a position that has Shavon Revel (who has size and talent, but was recovering from a college injury) and the recently signed Cobie Durant (a stopgap option for Dallas that I actually liked as a middle-class add). Cornerbacks can be looked at like pitchers in baseball: You can’t have enough of them.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This could wind up being one of the steals of the draft. Tyson has immense talent and would likely find himself going a good deal higher than this if it weren’t for a slew of injuries that plagued his college career. Tyson and DK Metcalf would be a strong, physical duo for … whoever ends up being the quarterback of this team for the long term.

22. Los Angeles Chargers — TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson

Do the Chargers reach for the next best guard option here? To me that would be Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon. Instead, they continue to bolster their run defense with Parker, a rugged player that might not have high sack producing upside, but is a strong run defender that will help set the edge in the run game and give the Chargers another player with that skill set that’s not Khalil Mack. Parker’s hard working style will give him fans, and the fact he can also kick inside on pass rush downs to open up creative defensive packages is a bonus.

23. Philadelphia Eagles — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Lane Johnson won’t be playing forever on the right side of Philadelphia's offensive line and it might make sense to try and stash his replacement for a season or two like the Eagles did with Cam Jurgens at center when Jason Kelce was transitioning out of football. Like just about every offensive tackle who could go in the first round of this draft, Miller has prototypical size and athleticism with plenty of room to grow as a player for the long term.

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars) — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Browns went wide receiver with their first pick, and it works out for them with Proctor still available to complete the offensive lineman run that looks like might happen in the teens and early 20s. Proctor has enormous size, much like current Browns tackle Dawand Jones, but flashes much more explosiveness as a run blocker and when getting out of his stance than Jones. The Browns signed a lot of linemen with inside versatility, Proctor will help balance out the skill sets in that reworked room.

25. Chicago Bears — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Chicago could use an impact safety on its defense as it tries to even out some of the problems that plagued its defense last season. The Bears made a lot of splash plays, but down-to-down consistency escaped them throughout the season. Chicago has some nice pieces in the secondary and plugging in Thieneman could be the last piece it needs in that area before attacking the defensive line.

26. Buffalo Bills — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Linebacker was tempting here with Anthony Hill Jr. and CJ Allen still available. Instead, the Bills bolster their spine at the safety spot. Even after signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, I think the Bills could use another centrally located long-term option that new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard could weaponize (I picture Gardner-Johnson being used more in the slot). McNeil-Warren is such a fun player. He is a quick diagnoser and loves to fit the run, and has experience working in the box or as the deep safety in single-high schemes. Experience that makes him a clean fit in a Leonhard defense that asks a lot out of its safeties.

27. San Francisco 49ers — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The 49ers added some talent to their defensive line when they traded for Osa Odighizuwa from the Cowboys, but they could use another young body along the line to pair with Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins, whom they drafted early last year. Coming into the season, Woods was projected to be one of the first players drafted, but a quiet campaign could have him falling to the bottom of the first round — where he can play on a talented defensive line right away.

28. Houston Texans — Anthony Hill, LB, Texas

Trust me, I wanted to find an offensive lineman that made sense here. Perhaps Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon? Instead the Texans add even more venom to their dangerous defense. But it actually makes timeline sense as you marinate on this selection: Both of the Texans’ current starting linebackers will be free agents after this season, and as talented and violent as the Texans defense has been the last couple of seasons, it has ebbed and flowed with whether Azeez Al-Shaair was on the field or not. Hill Jr. would insulate the Texans from any injuries that could hinder their defense and championship aspirations for this season, while also giving DeMeco Ryans that keystone player for the future whose athleticism, range, and intelligence make him a great fit for the always-attacking Houston defense.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) — Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

If their first pick was a sure bet, the Chief’s second selection is a dice roll. Banks has all the talent in the world to be elite in the NFL, but injuries and an inability to finish plays have knocked him down to the bottom of the first round. Still, the idea of what he can be if he improves his tackling ability should be enough to get him into the first round, especially if he can pick up tips from Chris Jones, who would be playing next to him in this scenario.

30. Miami Dolphins (via Broncos) — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Dolphins could address just about any position here and it would make sense. But the run on linemen leaves Boston available for the Dolphins to swoop up at 30. Boston has the size and skill set to be a true X wide receiver; a player that can line up on the ball and on the outside and win on a vertical route tree. I’m sure new head coach Jeff Hafley would like to add to the defense in the first round, but Malik Willis needs somebody to throw to after the Jaylen Waddle trade. And Boston is a way better prospect than just “somebody.”

31. Arizona Cardinals (via Patriots) — Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Arizona gets a quarterback to try and see if it can quickly get back into contention for the division without staying in the gutter too long. Simpson has caused a ton of debate over the past few weeks, but he has a chance to be a viable starter, which is probably enough for a team to jump up and snag fifth-year option control of his rookie contract, like the Cardinals do here. Simpson suffered an injury that plagued him for the back half of his final season with the Crimson Tide, so maybe there’s room for him to stabilize his play back to pre-injury levels and be a capable starter for Arizona. At worst, he could be playable enough to allow the rest of the offense to be competently evaluated.

32. Seattle Seahawks — Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Right guard could be looked at here (for my third Emmanuel Pregnon mention) or cornerback as well to help bolster some recent departures at the position (San Diego State’s Chris Johnson could be a good fit). Mike Macdonald loves his rugged edges and he loves to have loads of them to throw at offenses. Hello, Zion Young, whose heavy hands and pocket pushing ways make him a clean fit with the Seahawks, a figurative term here because Young loves to dirty it up.

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