2026 NFL mock draft: Cowboys execute one of five first-round trades as every team makes at least one pick

Rumors are recklessly flying around this time of year. Some teams are more transparent with whom they have interest but others hold their cards close to the vest. The value in mock draft exercises is that teams are able to accumulate information and that could inform where a prospect may be taken. 

In today's mock draft exercise, we explore where runs on individual positions may occur and into which picks a team may need to trade in order to secure a specific prospect. There are five trades made in the scenario below and at least one pick is made for each of the league's 32 teams. 

Without further ado, let's kick this off!

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. You can find more draft coverage at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts and regular evaluations of the top prospects.

Teams without a first-round pick 

No. 47: LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Indianapolis has a need at the linebacker position and Allen may be available later than mock draft projections. 

No. 48: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

Bernard is taking a pre-draft visit to Atlanta. He is a clean receiver prospect willing to do the dirty work in Kevin Stefanski's offense. The team is likely to lean into its run game and Bernard is a more than qualified blocker. 

No. 52: DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State

Orange is a bigger body who will upgrade the team's run defense. 

No. 56: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati

Jacksonville is tasked with replacing Devin Lloyd, who departed in free agency. Golday is a bigger linebacker prospect with the athleticism to play sideline to sideline.

No. 62: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Denver continues adding explosive playmakers to the offense even after picking up Jaylen Waddle. Stowers is an unrefined talent as a recent convert from quarterback, but Sean Payton will have no problem designing his role in the offense.