2026 NFL mock draft: Cowboys trade into top 10

No one’s considering alternatives for Las Vegas. The Tyler Linderbaum signing supports the assumption that Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick, as a veteran center is a huge benefit for a young quarterback. The Raiders need a quarterback, and there’s a player worthy of that selection.

The Jets are likely deciding between Ohio State pass rush Arvell Reese and Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall. Reese has a higher ceiling, but Bailey is more ready to see the field now. New York may be feeling the pressure to compete in 2026, so Bailey is more conducive to that goal.

At No. 3 overall, the decision would boil down to Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Reaching for a lower graded prospect would be a bad start for a new regime, but there is no question the offensive line is the biggest need. I may opt for a different path in the final mock draft next week, but was curious what would happen if Mauigoa was taken No. 3 overall.

Arvell Reese is the best prospect available and he offers energy currently unattained by the Titans. There may be a draw to add to Cam Ward’s supporting cast after spending so heavily on defense, but Reese is best for roster construction.

New York is a mystery because they do not really need edge rusher and linebacker is less of a priority after signing Tremaine Edmunds. Carnell Tate is the most useful prospect in the short and long term if they hope for Jaxson Dart to pan out. Malik Nabers may come along slowly, coming off an injury and the Titans now sign Wan’Dale Robinson’s paychecks. Tate gives Dart an outside threat in the pass game immediately and is a great complement to Nabers long-term.

A Browns trade down with the Cowboys has been publicly negotiated and most scenarios do not result in a win-win for both parties. Dallas wants to win now whereas Cleveland is probably more comfortable acquiring resources into the future. The Cowboys can move up to No. 6 overall and keep No. 20 overall, but part with Day 2 picks each of the next two years. Dallas comes up to select a star defender in an effort to make a 2026 push.

Washington addresses the running back room with a no doubt feature back. A run game featuring Jayden Daniels and Jeremiyah Love will test the discipline of opposing defenses if used correctly. The Commanders also need pass catchers, but that does not necessarily mean it has to be a running back. Love can be an asset on pass downs.

Cornerback was a point of weakness for New Orleans and Alontae Taylor departed in free agency. The Saints run a higher rate of zone coverage, which happens to be Mansoor Delane’s specialty. Delane is a smart cornerback who tested better than his athletic profile may have suggested.

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has gotten some pop in this spot and that would satisfy the prerequisite of drafting a premium position. However, what has changed from the time Tyson had been mocked into the late teens and 20s until now? His workout has not yet happened. As it stands, Kansas City takes a right tackle to replace Jawaan Taylor.

It looks more likely that Rueben Bain Jr. may be available for Cincinnati’s pick at No. 10 overall. Teams may not be caught off guard by the report of Bain being involved in a fatal car accident but it is new information to the public and the court of public opinion matters. Could the Chiefs take Bain at No. 9 overall after recent events involving Rashee Rice? As a player, he is incredibly powerful, wins with leverage and would be a quality replacement for Trey Hendrickson.

Miami lands a player who has drawn comparisons to Minkah Fitzpatrick throughout this process. The Dolphins have a ton of needs and need to take best player available, which happens to be Downs in this scenario. He is an intuitive player who will bring accountability to that secondary.

Cleveland trades back, picks up additional draft capital and still lands a raw, but extremely talented left tackle. Monroe Freeling was playing his best football at the end of the season, but no one has to tell Browns coach Todd Monken about his potential; Monken helped recruit him to Athens as Georgia’s offensive coordinator.

The Rams are all in on this championship window with Matthew Stafford. A pass catcher — whether that be wide receiver or tight end — would be the most impactful player Los Angeles could add to the roster at No. 13 overall. Makai Lemon is a polarizing prospect, but is at his best post-catch.

If Carolina is hellbent on adding a safety, which is not to say that they are, it may require them trading up a bit to secure one of those prospects. Dillon Thieneman has risen as high in mock draft projections as his vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine.

If Jermod McCoy’s medicals are clean, then he is a top-5 prospect in this class. After losing Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean in recent years, the Buccaneers replenish the room. Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison would presumably compete for the other starting position.

The Jets are in an interesting position because they feel primed to hit the reset button with three first-round picks in 2027 but Aaron Glenn may be feeling the pressure to compete this year. There are competing agendas within the organization. Jordyn Tyson could prove to be the best wide receiver in this class if he is able to stay healthy.

Giovanni Manu is set to start at left tackle with Taylor Decker and Detroit parting ways. One would imagine Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes seek an alternative at the position. Kadyn Proctor is a big body who does a good job executing some of the blocks in space that the team has executed in the past.

It appears as though Harrison Smith’s watch has ended in Minnesota. He was a key player for that team for over a decade but they are ushering in a new era with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Three safeties taken in the top-20 overall is proof of an unconventional draft.

After trading back from No. 14 overall, the Ravens still get a player who had been a popular projection for them. Ioane is a thick, physically imposing offensive guard whose play style is reminiscent of Baltimore’s history.

Dallas retained its second first-round pick despite its bid to move up the board from No. 12 overall. It may hamstring future plans, but the Cowboys add two key defenders with Sonny Styles and now Keldric Faulk.

Troy Fautanu moves back to his more natural left tackle position and Blake Miller is installed as the right tackle. Mike McCarthy had a collection of interchangeable bullies in Green Bay and are now building that in Pittsburgh.

Miami first selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and now move up the board, ahead of Philadelphia, for Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq is like a running back at the tight end position. When he gets the ball in his hands, he is able to run through arm tackles and get chunks of yardage post-catch.

There was a viral clip going around of Mike Vrabel inciting Max Iheanachor to put his hands on him (which is more common than fans may expect, especially among defensive coaches). If New England is going to nab a right tackle, it will require them to trade up a bit in this scenario because several are off the board.

General manager Andrew Berry would likely be thrilled with this outcome: drafting Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion and picking up additional resources in a trade back.

Chicago is likely to address the trenches in some capacity. Would they consider a left tackle or take advantage of the edge rusher depth? In this case, they take the first defensive tackle off the board. Peter Woods is a prospect who had been mocked in the top-10 overall frequently dating back to the summer.

Buffalo lost David Edwards (no relation) in free agency and now replaces him with one of the best pass-blocking offensive guards available in the draft. Chase Bisontis had a strong performance at the NFL combine.

San Francisco’s receiver room may look a lot different in 2026 with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings all gone. Enter Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and now Omar Cooper Jr. Three wide sets would include Ricky Pearsall, Evans and Cooper.

Houston plugs Kayden McDonald between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The Texans get a proven run-stopper to catch all the debris created by those pass-rushing maniacs.

Arizona trades back up into the first round to get the fifth-year option on quarterback Ty Simpson. They had previously taken Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and are now getting the quarterback, a similar strategy the Giants and Saints used last season with Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough, respectively.

The Chargers trade back, which allows Miami to move up, then take edge rusher T.J. Parker. Jim Harbaugh likely prefers using premium draft capital to address the trenches and now has a viable eventual replacement for Khalil Mack.

Howie Roseman is typically the aggressive general manager moving up the board, but in this scenario, he sees an opportunity to move back and address a position of need. Philadelphia lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency and now needs to restock the room.

Seattle has been a patient bystander in the running back market, which may be a sign that they are willing to take a player at the position in the first round. Jadarian Price may have more untapped potential on third down after taking the backseat to Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame.