2026 NFL Mock Draft: Debut

Round 1 Picks 17-32

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: August 4, 2025.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
    
    
    Pittsburgh is hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Aaron Rodgers is probably retiring after this season. Even if he does not, I am not sure Pittsburgh brings him back. Pittsburgh drafting a quarterback in the NFL Draft they host makes way too much sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is the only quarterback with a first round grade still on my board.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 200 lb Sam Leavitt had 2,885 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 443 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns, 29 total touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a 61.7% completion percentage as a freshman redshirt in 2024. Sam Leavitt was the 2024 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and led Arizona State to a Big 12 Championship last season.
    
    
    
    Sam Leavitt can make 5/6 progressions. His accuracy and decision making does need a lot of improvement heading into his sophomore redshirt season though. He looked flustered against Texas Tech.
    
    
    
18. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Tiernan, LT, Northwestern
    
    
    Cleveland needs a left tackle. Dawand Jones can still work at right tackle, but getting a quality blindside for whoever plays quarterback on the Cleveland Browns in 2026, which will most likely be Shedeur Sanders has to be the goal for the Cleveland Browns.
    
    
    
    Caleb Tiernan began his freshman redshirt season in 2022 starting as a bookend right tackle next to eventual Tennessee Titans 2023 first round pick Peter Skoronski. Caleb Tiernan took over as the starting left tackle following in the foot steps of two first round offensive linemen that played left tackle at Northwestern in Rashawn Slater and Peter Skoronski.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 325 lb Caleb Tiernan has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, run blocking footwork, zone blocking, pancake blocking, and pull blocking you want in an NFL left tackle. Cut blocking is the only area of improvement. His ceiling may not be as high as someone like Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, but his film was much better in the two games I watched against Duke and Ohio State. Ohio State had 4 NFL players on the defensive line as there were plays where Caleb Tiernan kept JT Tuimaloau, Tyleik Williams, and Jack Sawyer in check on blocks. I got a 93/99 potential on Tiernan which is slightly lower than the 94 I got on Fano and Proctor. I think you could make an arguement that Tiernan has a better floor than Proctor.
    
    
    
    Cleveland would have a much better offensive line with Caleb Tiernan. Cleveland would have Caleb Tiernan at left tackle, Joe Thuney at left guard if he returned in 2026, Ethan Pocic at center, Wyatt Teller at right guard in a contract year, and Dawand Jones in the final year of his rookie deal at right tackle. Cleveland could let Jack Conklin whose currently starting at right tackle walk after this season with the addition of Caleb Tiernan.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Los Angeles Chargers: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
    
    
    Los Angeles drafts a center. Jake Slaughter is the top center in the 2026 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 303 lb Jake Slaughter has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, run blocking footwork, zone blocking, pancake blocking, and pull blocking. Cut blocking might be the only area of improvement as Jake Slaughter has 2 seasons of experience as the Florida Gators starting center. Before that, he played on special teams.
    
    
    
20. Arizona Cardinals: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
    
    
    Arizona needs a legit number two wide receiver next to Marvin Harrison Jr. I do not trust anyone outside of Marvin Harrison Jr. or Trey McBride long-term when it comes to the playmakers that Kyler Murray has to work with on the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has drafted Ohio State players with their last two first round picks on offense with Paris Johnson Jr. in 2023 and Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024 before drafting Walter Nolen on defense in 2025. I have Arizona getting another Ohio State player on offense in 2026 as Carnell Tate is a perfect number two wide receiver next to Marvin Harrison Jr.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 191 lb Carnell Tate had 52 receptions, 733 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns in 2024. With Emeka Egbuka now on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carnell Tate should see an increased role in his draft year this upcoming season.
    
    
    
    Carnell Tate ran all thirty routes on the route tree from the 2024 tape I watched running 30/30 routes. Ohio State had three wide receivers that ran all thirty routes on the route tree in Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate which explains why they won the first 12 team College Football Playoff last year. Marvin Harrison Jr. also ran all 30 routes on the route tree before Arizona drafted him fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. I got Arizona drafting Carnell Tate here to compliment him as I got a 93/99 potential on Carnell Tate which was the same grade I had on Emeka Egbuka leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Carnell Tate caught a pass in double coverage against Northwestern showcasing the ability to catch in traffic.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Los Angeles Rams: Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
    
    
    Los Angeles will have Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as their top two wide receivers. Getting a slot receiver to compliment those two with this second first round pick makes a lot of sense here.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 180 lb Eric Rivers had 62 receptions, 1,172 yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns at Florida International in 2024. Eric Rivers transferred to Georgia Tech for this upcoming season in 2025.
    
    
    
    Eric Rivers ran 16/30 routes on the route tree, but what stood out with Rivers was not only his deep threat ability he made 3 one-handed catches. Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Eric Rivers are my top 3 wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. Draft Tyson if you want a possession receiver that gets you 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown. Draft Tate if you want a route tree receiver that runs every single route on the route tree. Draft Rivers if you want a slot receiver, deep threat, or a guy who makes one-handed catches consistently. I think draft boards will differ drastically among wide receivers this year and that is largely due to what specific skill sets teams are looking for at the wide receiver position.
    
    
    
22. New England Patriots: Mikail Kamara, 3-4 ROLB, Indiana
    
    
    New England drafts a pass rusher here to anchor their defense. Mikail Kamara is a pass rusher I would pound the table for and he has the skill set that Mike Vrabel will gravitate towards as well.
    
    
    
    Mikail Kamara can play 4-3 right end, 4-3 left end, 3-4 right outside linebacker, and 3-4 left outside linebacker. I think Mikail Kamara has the best speed and motor among any pass rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 265 lb Mikail Kamara had 19 solo tackles, 28 assisted tackles, 47 total tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 deflection from a pass breakup in 2024. Drafting this sack artist to pair with Harold Landry will give the New England Patriots two sack artists at 3-4 outside linebacker moving forward. You would also have Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and Keion White on the defensive line with a secondary that featured Christian Gonzalez at field cornerback, Kyle Dugger at strong safety, Jabrill Peppers at free safety, and Carlton Davis at boundary cornerback.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts a tight end here. Dallas Goedert enters the final year of his contract. Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers is the top tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft with a 93/99 for potential which edges out Houston tight end Tanner Kozoil a 92/99 and Ohio State tight end Max Klare 91/99. I do not believe any of the tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft have the potential of a guy like Brock Bowers or Colston Loveland who I gave a 94 to for potential. I also do not see a tight end with the floor of Tyler Warren as Bowers, Loveland, and Warren all ran 30/30 routes on the route tree.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 235 lb Eli Stowers had 49 receptions, 638 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns in 2024. Eli Stowers ran 10/30 routes on tape as Eli Stowers is excellent in terms of blocking for a tight end as he is an excllent run blocking tight end and an excellent pass blocking tight end pancaking a cornerback coming in on a cornerback blitz. Tanner Kozoil and Max Klare may end up impressing me more once the College Football season starts, but Eli Stowers did just enough to hang on by a thread as the top tight end in my 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
    
    
    
24. Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, RT, Miami FL
    
    
    Kansas City can cut right tackle Jawaan Taylor next season while also saving $20 million in cap space before Taylor becomes a UFA in 2027. Drafting a bookend right tackle to Josh Simmons the Ohio State left tackle that the Kansas City Chiefs drafted with the thirty second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft makes a lot of sense for the Kansas City Chiefs in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 315 lb Francis Mauigoa has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork you want in a right tackle. His zone blocking, pancake blocking, pull blocking, and cut blocking need to improve in 2025, but he did enough as a pass blocker with top draft pick Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez to assert himself as a first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    Kadyn Proctor and Francis Mauigoa were the two five star offensive tackles that were day 1 starters in college in the 2023 recruiting class with Proctor playing left tackle at Alabama and Mauigoa playing right tackle at Miami FL. Kansas City would have Josh Simmons at left tackle, Kingsley Suamatia at left guard, Creed Humphrey at center, Trey Smith at right guard, and Francis Mauigoa at right tackle allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to reload at the other offensive tackle spot using the 2025 NFL Draft to reload at left tackle and the 2026 NFL Draft to reload at right tackle. Patrick Mahomes would also have Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice in the final year of his rookie deal, Jalen Royals at slot receiver. I am not speculating on what Travis Kelce would do yet, but Kansas City would have a great offensive line if Francis Mauigoa replaces Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Washington Commanders: Tanner Kozoil, TE, Houston
    
    
    Washington drafts a young tight end to replace Zach Ertz. Tanner Kozoil is the best tight end on the board at this point in the first round.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 240 lb Tanner Kozoil had 94 receptions, 839 receiving yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns at Ball State in 2024. Tanner Kozoil ran 9/30 routes in the two games I watched against Miami FL and Ohio. Like Eli Stowers, Tanner Kozoil is an excellent run blocking tight end as well as an excellent pass blocking tight end. The tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft may not have the route tree down like Brock Bowers, Colston Loveland, and Tyler Warren, but these two tight ends Eli Stowers and Tanner Kozoil may be the two best blocking tight ends in terms of both run blocking as well as pass blocking since Rob Gronkowski which is certainly saying something.
    
    
    
26. San Francisco 49ers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
    
    
    San Francisco drafts a defensive tackle. Peter Woods is the top defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. San Francisco would have a defensive line with Nick Bosa at 4-3 right end, Peter Woods at 4-3 defensive tackle, Alfred Collins last years 2025 second round pick as the other 4-3 defensive tackle, and Mykel Williams their 2025 first round pick at 4-3 left end.
    
    
    
    Peter Woods was the top true sophomore in the country behind only Caleb Downs heading into last season. I got a 94/99 on Peter Woods as he is the final of the 5 players in the top 9 on my big board with that grade still on the board. I did not see a team outside of San Francisco and Buffalo with a glaring need at 4-3 defensive tackle which is the biggest reason Peter Woods dropped as far as he did.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 315 lb Peter Woods had 18 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, 28 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hurries, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 2024. Peter Woods is an elite run stuffer that will clog up lanes. Peter Woods reminds me the most of the two first round picks that Clemson produced on the defensive line at defensive tackle in the 2019 NFL Draft in Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Houston Texans: Austin Romaine, MLB, Kansas State
    
    
    Houston drafts a middle linebacker to replace Azeez Al-Shaair as not only does Azeez Al-Shaair have a low floor and a limited ceiling, but he also now has a reputation as a dirty player after his hit on Trevor Lawrence. Kansas State middle linebacker Austin Romaine is a player I really like.
    
    
    
    Austin Romaine is best used as a 4-3 middle linebacker, but he can also play 4-3 right outside linebacker and 3-4 right outside linebacker as an edge rusher with his versatility. Austin Romaine can rush the quarterback as he had a quarterback pressure on Shedeur Sanders versus Colorado, he can stop the run, and he can also drop back in coverage. The 2026 NFL Draft has two first round middle linebackers in Anthony Hill Jr. on the Texas Longhorns and Austin Romaine on the Kansas State Wildcats. Both middle linebackers excel at pass rushing, run stuffing, and coverage as I gave both Anthony Hill Jr as well as Austin Romaine an A+ in zone coverage.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 242 lb Austin Romaine had 54 solo tackles, 42 assisted tackles, 96 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, and 2 deflections from pass breakups in 2024. As long as Austin Romaine can get to 100 total tackles in 2025, he should be a first round pick because he checked off every box at middle linebacker just like Anthony Hill Jr. since Austin Romaine ended up with a 92/99 for potential in terms of ceiling just three points lower than the 95/99 that Anthony Hill Jr. got for potential. I think his floor is better than advertised as well.
    
    
    
28. Buffalo Bills: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
    
    
    Buffalo gets a 4-3 defensive tackle to pair with Ed Oliver. Peter Woods might be the best run stuffing defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Dontay Corleone is the best pass rushing defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft as I have a 93/99 potential on Corleone.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 320 lb Dontay Corleone had 22 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 39 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, 1 deflection from a pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble in 2023. Dontay Corleone had 14 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 26 total tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hurries, and 3.5 sacks in 2024.
    
    
    
    Peter Woods may be the best run stuffing defensisve tackle and the highest rated defensive tackle in terms of just potential alone as Woods was in my top 9 overall. Dontay Corleone has the pass rushing, run stuffing, and coverage you want from a defensive tackle that swats passes down consistently despite only being one point lower than Woods in terms of potential. The fact that Dontay Corleone also nicknamed Don Corleone and the Godfather does everything well says a lot. His teammate Matthew McDoom nicknamed Dr. Doom was the first true sophomore cornerback with 10 deflections since Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and is a player to keep an eye on in the 2027 NFL Draft because I doubt McDoom declares in 2026 with all the competiton at cornerback.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, 3-4 ROLB, Penn State
    
    
    Tampa Bay gets a pass rusher. Dani Dennis-Sutton lined up at 4-3 right end, 4-3 left end, 3-4 right outside linebacker, and 3-4 left outside linebacker across from Abdul Carter in 2024. Now with Abdul Carter gone, Dani Dennis-Sutton becomes the main pass rusher on Penn State in 2025.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 266 lb Dani Dennis-Sutton had 24 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, 42 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 9 quarterback hurries, 8.5 sacks, 3 deflections from pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception in 2024. Dani Dennis-Sutton has the pass rushing, run stuffing, and coverage you want from a 3-4 right outside linebacker as Dani Dennis-Sutton ended up with a 92/99 for potential. If Tampa Bay can end up getting a sack artist here with this first round pick, they could be a serious contender to challenge for Super Bowl 61 next season.
    
    
    
30. Baltimore Ravens: Ar'Maj Reed-Adams, RG, Texas A&M
    
    
    Baltimore drafts someone on the interior offensive line. Fernando Carmona played left tackle at San Jose State and Arkansas after transferring there in 2024, but is moving inside to left guard for the 2025 season.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 340 lb Ar'Maj Reed-Adams has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, run blocking footwork, zone blocking, pancake blocking, pull blocking, and cut blocking you want from a guard. I have a 93/99 for potential on Ar'Maj Reed-Adams making this an excellent value pick for Baltimore who loses Daniel Faalele at the end of this season in the final year of his rookie deal unless he is extended.
    
    
    
    Baltimore already has a strong offensive line and adding Ar'Maj Reed-Adams only makes it stronger. Baltimore would have Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Tyler Linderbaum at center, Ar'Maj Reed-Adams at right guard, and Roger Rosengarten at right tackle. This offensive line will continue to do damage to help quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
    
    
    
    
    
31. Detroit Lions: Trey White, LE, San Diego State
    
    
    Detroit gets a pass rusher to compliment Aidan Hutchinson at 4-3 left end. Trey White can line up at 4-3 right end, 4-3 left end, 3-4 right outside linebacker, and 3-4 left outside linebacker on San Diego State.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 245 lb Trey White had 40 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, 60 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, 2 deflections from pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble in 2024. Trey White dominated on San Diego State last year as a sophomore.
    
    
    
    Trey White had a 91/99 for potential which is tied for the lowest potential among any first round prospect. I also considered Ruben Bain Jr. here who I have a 92/99 on for potential. I think Trey White has a slightly higher floor than Ruben Bain Jr. after Ruben Bain Jr. missed all of last season. Bain has the better athletic traits on film and I am fairly certain that most mocks have Ruben Bain Jr. ranked higher. Do you value a defensive end with elite production and a high floor despite having a slightly lower ceiling or do you want the high ceiling defensive end with elite athletic traits even if there are medical concerns in Ruben Bain Jr. If this is the decision Brad Holmes has to make, I say he swings for the fences and drafts Trey White out of San Diego State since something tells me Dan Campbell will fall in love with the high character that Trey White has.
    
    
    
32. Cincinnati Bengals: Ashton Stamps, CB, LSU
    
    
    I have the 10-7 Cincinnati Bengals going on an insane run in the 2026 NFL Playoffs during the 2025-2026 NFL Season defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead during the wild card round doing gods work in the AFC before defeating the 17-0 Buffalo Bills in the Divisional round, before getting revenge on the team that swept them the last two years in the AFC Championship by defeating the 15-2 Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. Cincinnati ends the year defeating the 13-4 Detroit Lions in Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco in this first 2026 NFL Mock Draft. What Joe Burrow does in these four road games will topple both the 2005-2006 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2010-2011 Green Bay Packers when they won the Super Bowl as wild cards.
    
    
    
    Cincinnati drafts a cornerback. This pick came down to LSU cornerback Asthon Stamps and Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers. I went with Ashton Stamps.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 190 lb Ashton Stamps had 32 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 51 total tackles, 14 deflections from pass breakups, and 2 quarterback hurries in 2024. I gave Ashton Stamps an A grade. in man coverage, a B grade in zone coverage, and an A- in press coverage. Ashton Stamps can play in a cover 0, cover 1, cover 2, and a cover 3 defense where he is the one cornerback playing man coverage. I gave Ashton Stamps a 91/99 in potential as he would replace Cam Taylor-Britt and Daxton Hill if either cornerback hits the open market in the 2026 NFL Free Agency period.