2026 NFL Draft: CBS Sports shakes up mock draft ahead of Senior Bowl

In just 84 days, a new crop of talent will be joining the National Football League via the 2026 NFL Draft. The Draft, weak in some areas and strong in others, does not lack star power at all.

Some of the notable names projected to be selected in the First Round include Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and Heisman runner-up Jeremiyah Love. Also included are Fred Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon, Outland Trophy winner Spencer Fano, and Jim Thorpe Award winner Caleb Downs.

Heading into the month of February, CBS Sports shook up its latest mock draft. Below are the latest projections from CBS.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion Fernando Mendoza seems poised to be the pick to lead the Las Vegas Raiders into a new era. In his lone season at Indiana, Mendoza exploded into the best player in college football. The Cal transfer totaled 3,535 passing yards and 41 touchdowns with six interceptions, leading the Hoosiers to an unblemished 16-0 season.

The Raiders are thirsting for success, as they have not won a playoff game since 2002 (AFC Championship). They suffered their worst season since 2006 with veteran quarterback Geno Smith at the helm, and a shake-up is desperately needed. Mendoza has shown to be an instant impact player who could be the player to finally bring sunshine back to Sin City.

2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

It was yet another miserable season for the New York Jets, who missed the postseason for the 15th consecutive year. CBS Sports has the Jets landing on Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the second overall pick. Reese, a reigning First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection, recorded 112 tackles, seven sacks, and two pass deflections across two seasons.

The Jets’ defense, which did not record an interception all season, is in need of a massive boost. Reese, who helped the Buckeyes to a National Championship in 2024, would be a strong addition for organization. With defensive-minded Aaron Glenn coaching the Jets, this pick seems like a no-brainer.

3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The Arizona Cardinals remain in purgatory following a 3-14 season, unsure of what their future at the quarterback position looks like. Kyler Murray has played in all 17 games just once in the past four seasons, and multiple reports suggest that he could be on his way out. However, CBS Sports has the Cardinals bolstering their offensive line with Miami OT Francis Mauigoa at pick No. 5.

Mauigoa was an anchor of Miami‘s offensive line this past season. The Hurricanes snuck into the College Football Playoff and made a run to the National Championship before falling just short of their first title since 2001. Of the last five offensive tackles selected in the top-five picks in the NFL Draft (Will Campbell, Joe Alt, Andrew Thomas, Brandon Scherff, and Greg Robinson), two have been named Pro Bowlers (Alt and Scherff).

4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Reuben Bain Jr., Miami

CBS Sports has members of Miami‘s National Championship runner-up team going back-to-back in the top four picks of the NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans are projected to select superstar EDGE rusher Reuben Bain Jr., who absolutely dominated the College Football Playoff. The Miami native recorded 17 tackles and five sacks in four CFP games. On the season, Bain Jr. totaled 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Bain Jr. could be an organizational cornerstone with defensive-minded Robert Saleh as head coach. Selecting a Miami player has been a risk in recent history, however, as a former Hurricane has not made a Pro Bowl since Lamar Miller (who was drafted in 2012). With a player as talented as Bain, the risk is worth the reward for a Titans team that has missed the postseason in four straight seasons.

5. New York Giants: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

CBS Sports projects Utah OT Spencer Fano to be the first NFL Draft selection of the John Harbaugh era in New York. Harbaugh spent 18 seasons as Baltimore’s head coach before the organization decided to move on from him this offseason. The New York Giants quickly hired Harbaugh, a proven winner, to lead the organization to the postseason for the second time in the last 10 seasons.

Fano played three seasons under Kyle Whittingham at Utah, racking up multiple accolades, including the Outland Trophy and two-time All-American and All-Big 12 selections. He will be Utah‘s first offensive tackle selected in the NFL Draft since Jackson Barton (2019).

6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Although he may not have even been the best wide receiver at Ohio State last season, Carnell Tate is projected to be drafted No. 6 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Tate emerged as Julian Sayin‘s WR2 (behind Jeremiah Smith) last season, hauling in 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. He would be joining a WR core consisting of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Isaiah Bond.

After a wide-cast search, Cleveland landed on former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach. Monken has worked with wide receivers such as Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins, and Rashod Bateman in recent history, and could add Tate to that group.

7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

Just one season removed from making an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, the Washington Commanders are selecting No. 7 in the NFL Draft. CBS Sports projects that Dan Quinn and the Commanders will be boosting their defense with Texas Tech EDGE rusher David Bailey, who recorded 52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles last season.

Bailey, who transferred to Lubbock for his final season of college football, emerged as one of the biggest game-wreckers in the sport. His strong play was a catalyst for Texas Tech‘s first-ever Big 12 Championship, and in turn, its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

If the New Orleans Saints do in fact select Arizona State star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough would be adding a massive weapon to his repertoire. Shough, who was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, was a pleasant surprise in his rookie season. Tyson hauled in 136 catches for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns across two seasons in Tempe and would form a solid 1-2 WR punch alongside Chris Olave.

With Shough leading the way, New Orleans won four of its final five regular season games and just narrowly missed out on the postseason. Adding another playmaker to the Saints’ offense would surely make them a contender to win the NFC South next season.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t used to picking in the top-10 of the NFL Draft, and haven’t done so since 2017, when they selected future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes with the No. 10 pick. In order to boost their defense, CBS Sports has Kansas City selecting Auburn EDGE rusher Keldric Faulk, who totaled 110 tackles, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles across three seasons.

The Chiefs failed to win the AFC West for the first time 2014 and look to bounce back next season with a rehabbed Mahomes, who suffered an ACL tear near the end of the 2025 season.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

To round out the Top 10 of CBS Sports’ projection, the Cincinnati Bengals are projected to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. A pick that Bengals fans have been clamoring for, Downs would make an immediate impact on a struggling Bengals defense. Last season, Cincinnati ranked second-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (380.9 YPG) and third-to-last in points allowed per game (28.9 PPG).

Downs was one of the best defensive players in all of college football over the past three seasons (one at Alabama and two at Ohio State), racking up 256 tackles, 10 pass deflections, six interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. Cincinnati’s offense has been good enough year over year to take them to the postseason, but the defense has repeatedly let them down. Downs would be a much-celebrated pick for the organization.

Picks 11-32

11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
12. Dallas Cowboys: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
13. Los Angeles Rams: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
14. Baltimore Ravens: DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
16. New York Jets: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
17. Detroit Lions: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
19. Carolina Panthers: WR Makai Lemon, USC
20. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
22. Los Angeles Chargers: OL Vega Ioane, Penn State
23. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
24. Cleveland Browns: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
25. Chicago Bears: DE Zion Young, Missouri
26. Buffalo Bills: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
27. San Francisco 49ers: DL Peter Woods, Clemson
28. Houston Texans: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
30. Denver Broncos: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
31. New England Patriots: DL Akheem Mesidor, Miami
32. Seattle Seahawks: OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon