Our NFL Draft expert Will has been studying. After many sleepless nights, gallons of coffee, and a war room that would make Kevin Costner’s character in Draft Day jealous, Dr. Will turned in his final, legit, best-guess predictions for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Feel free to use this to compare to the actual draft tonight. He’s fairly accurate. We’re guessing he’ll be 65-75%. Without further ado, here it is. The OFFICIAL The Message Pitch 2026 Dr. Will NFL Mock Draft:
1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
WG: This has been projected since December. This is not a deep quarterback class, and Mendoza has shown enough and has the experience worthy of the No. 1 pick.
2. New York Jets — David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
WG: Bailey had a monster season at Texas Tech. The Jets need to rebuild their defense after trading Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. Bailey fits the bill.
3. Arizona Cardinals — Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)
WG: The Cardinals have several needs. With next year’s quarterback class already looking strong and no passer besides Mendoza worth taking this early, Arizona begins rebuilding the offensive line.
4. Tennessee Titans — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
WG: The Titans need to build around Cam Ward. Love might be the best offensive playmaker in the draft, giving Tennessee a throwback to the Derrick Henry era.
5. New York Giants — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
WG: The Giants must continue building around Jaxon Dart. Tate is the top receiver in the class and gives Dart another weapon alongside Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo once they return from injury.
6. Cleveland Browns — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
WG: Cleveland has needs across the board, especially on offense. With no quarterback worth taking here, the Browns add a dynamic receiving option after losing David Njoku.
7. Washington Commanders — Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
WG: Reese gives Washington an immediate starter on defense. Dan Quinn gets his own version of Micah Parsons.
8. New Orleans Saints — Makai Lemon, WR, USC
WG: Tyler Shough showed promise last season despite limited weapons. With Chris Olave struggling to stay healthy and Alvin Kamara declining, Lemon helps open up the offense.
9. Kansas City Chiefs — Reuben Bain, EDGE, Miami (Fla.)
WG: Bain might be the best edge rusher in the class, but off‑field issues hurt his stock. He forms a strong trio with George Karlaftis and Chris Jones as Kansas City rebuilds its defense.
10. New York Giants (via Bengals) — Olaivavega Ione, OG, Penn State
WG: The Giants continue building around Jaxon Dart. Ione is the top interior lineman in the draft and fills a major need.
11. Miami Dolphins — Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
WG: The new regime wants to build from the trenches. Fano’s versatility at tackle or guard makes him a foundational piece.
12. Dallas Cowboys — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
WG: Dallas uses its first pick to land a true linebacker presence it has lacked since Leighton Vander Esch retired.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons) — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
WG: Proctor becomes the long‑term replacement for Rob Havenstein. His athletic upside fits well with Sean McVay’s system.
14. Baltimore Ravens — Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
WG: The Ravens ranked last in sacks. With Jesse Minter taking over, Faulk gives them a relentless pass rusher.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Akheem Mesador, EDGE, Miami (Fla.)
WG: Mesador’s postseason surge, especially in the CFP title game, makes him an ideal fit for Tampa Bay’s defensive front.
16. New York Jets (via Colts) — Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
WG: The Jets need a long‑term quarterback solution. Simpson can sit behind Geno Smith while preventing other QB‑needy teams from drafting him.
17. Detroit Lions — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
WG: Downs would be a top‑10 pick if not for a knee condition discovered at the combine. Detroit takes the high‑upside swing.
18. Minnesota Vikings — Peter Woods, DT
WG: Minnesota is rebuilding its defensive line. Woods is the best defensive tackle in the class and fits Brian Flores’ system.
19. Carolina Panthers — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
WG: The Panthers made the postseason and want to keep building around Bryce Young. Sadiq fills a major need at tight end.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) — Mansoor Delane, DB, LSU
WG: Dallas continues rebuilding its defense. Delane replaces Trevon Diggs and eases the burden on DaRon Bland.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Monroe Feeling, OT, Georgia
WG: With Simpson off the board, Pittsburgh shores up the offensive line. Feeling can replace Broderick Jones or allow him to move inside.
22. Los Angeles Chargers — TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
WG: The Chargers need a strong pass rusher to complement their defensive core. Parker fits the Jim Harbaugh mold.
23. Philadelphia Eagles — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
WG: Thieneman rose quickly during the season and at the combine. He fills the Eagles’ biggest defensive need.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars) — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
WG: After adding a receiver earlier, Cleveland now adds protection. Lomu didn’t allow a sack in 2025.
25. Chicago Bears — Emmanuel McNeil‑Warren, S, Toledo
WG: Chicago revamped its safety room but still needs help. McNeil‑Warren is a turnover machine and strong in coverage.
26. Buffalo Bills — Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
WG: The DJ Moore trade addressed wide receiver needs. With a scheme change emphasizing edge talent, Howell — the SEC defensive player of the year — is a perfect fit.
27. San Francisco 49ers — Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
WG: With top offensive line prospects gone, the 49ers take one of the best players available. Young led Missouri in sacks and quarterback hits.
28. Houston Texans — Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
WG: Houston wants to bulk up the defensive line. Miller is a strong run stopper and comes from a proven system.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams) — Jermod McCoy, DB, Tennessee
WG: Kansas City continues its defensive overhaul. McCoy would be a top‑10 pick if not for a preseason injury.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Broncos) — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
WG: After trading Jaylen Waddle, Miami needs a big, physical target for Malik Willis. Boston fits the new regime’s vision.
31. New England Patriots — Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
WG: Reports suggest the Patriots want high‑upside edge rushers. Lawrence’s combine performance pushed him into the first round.
32. Seattle Seahawks — Chris Johnson, DB, San Diego State
WG: Seattle needs a running back, but not at this spot. Johnson adds depth and provides a potential replacement for Riq Woolen.
Other Names to Watch (Night 1)
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Brandon Cisse, DB, South Carolina
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Max Iheanocher, OT, Minnesota
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
There you have it. How’d your team do? And how did Will do? Shoot us a line at mail@themessagepitch.com and let us know your thoughts!
