The New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals created a major shake-up atop the 2026 NFL Draft less than a week before the event was due to kick off.
The Giants acquired the draft's 10th overall selection from the Bengals in exchange for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The deal gives New York two, top-10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft while the Bengals are slated to be without a first-round pick for the first time since 1989.
Cincinnati was widely expected to use its first-round pick to upgrade its leaky defense. What New York will do with the selection is less certain, as the Giants could look to add a pass-catching weapon like Jordyn Tyson or a premier defensive talent like Caleb Downs – if available.
In a word, the 2026 NFL Draft is slated to be unpredictable. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will almost certainly be the No. 1 overall pick, but beyond that, it isn't clear exactly how the draft's top 10 selections – let alone its first round – will pan out.
That won't stop draft experts from trying to prognosticate exactly how the draft's first 32 selections will go. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis, ESPN's Jordan Reid and CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones all released their latest projections this week after the Lawrence trade.
Here's how the first round could play out, according to the three expert mock drafts.
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2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Predictions after Dexter Lawrence trade
1. Las Vegas Raiders
USA TODAY Sports: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
ESPN: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
CBS Sports: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
USA TODAY Sports:"Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ championship-minted Heisman Trophy winner, will be the man charged with leading the Raiders back to Super Bowl glory more than four decades after they last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy."
CBS Sports:"This is the one we've known about for months. The Raiders can say what they hope to do by signing Kirk Cousins, but if Mendoza outshines him this summer, they'll start the rookie in Week 1."
2. New York Jets
USA TODAY Sports: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
ESPN: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
CBS Sports: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
USA TODAY Sports:"It would make some sense that the NYJ would opt for a more proven player, and one with substantial upside and athleticism, over Ohio State’s Arvell Reese."
ESPN:"I believe the Jets would prefer Reese's upside even though Bailey is a more polished pass rusher right now. Reese is an interchangeable player with explosive power who has the ability to be a high-caliber starter at either linebacker or edge rusher."
3. Arizona Cardinals
USA TODAY Sports: Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
ESPN: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
CBS Sports: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
USA TODAY Sports:"In what feels like a probable stick-and-pick scenario, the Cards should probably take arguably the player with the most unrealized upside in this draft in Reese. He split time playing off the ball and rushing the passer for the Buckeyes, hence the inevitable Micah Parsons comparisons."
CBS:"Mauigoa has tackle/guard flexibility and can hold down the right side of the line as Arizona figures out who will be its QB in 2027."
4. Tennessee Titans
USA TODAY Sports: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
ESPN: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
CBS Sports: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
USA TODAY Sports:"What’s the best way to advance the development of QB Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 overall pick? How about giving him a player perhaps adjacent to Saquon Barkley or Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs in terms of game-breaking ability and versatility? Love is an every-down back, one who’s averaged 6.9 yards per carry and caught 55 passes over the past two seasons."
ESPN:"Bailey's first step is lethal, which helped him to an FBS-high 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last season. Tennessee already has All-Pro Jeffery Simmons and brought in John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson II this offseason, so adding Bailey could give the team a ferocious front four."
5. New York Giants
USA TODAY Sports: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
ESPN: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
CBS Sports: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
USA TODAY Sports: "With Jaxson Dart installed as the Giants’ new franchise quarterback, Downs would be a worthy defensive counterpart."
CBS Sports: " Ultimately, I see the Giants as viewing Love on that Bijan/Saquon tier that justifies taking a running back in the top five. Just because they didn't pay Barkley years ago isn't a good enough reason not to draft a runner here."
6. Cleveland Browns
USA TODAY Sports: OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
ESPN: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
CBS Sports: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
USA TODAY Sports: "The most sensible move for the Browns here is probably to complete this year’s offensive line overhaul … by taking this year’s best offensive lineman. And while the mauling Mauigoa was purely a right tackle the past three seasons for the Hurricanes, he’s the kind of tone-setter any offense would want – and Berry has said Cleveland pays little attention to the right tackle vs. left tackle debate."
ESPN: "Tate is a diverse route runner with excellent hands who could be an immediate starter in new coach Todd Monken's system."
7. Washington Commanders
USA TODAY Sports: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
ESPN: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
CBS Sports: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
USA TODAY Sports: "He’s widely compared to Fred Warner, whom GM Adam Peters helped bring to San Francisco. Yet, in addition to being a cerebral player, Styles is a luminary athlete who could assume the role in the middle of Washington’s defense."
ESPN: "Love is an explosive play waiting to happen and would unlock multiple layers of the playbook that Washington couldn't access last season."
8. New Orleans Saints
USA TODAY Sports: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
ESPN: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
CBS Sports: Projected trade with Dallas Cowboys – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
USA TODAY Sports: "A fellow Ohio Stater like the Saints’ Chris Olave, Tate is the latest ready-made wideout product emerging from the Buckeyes' pipeline."
CBS Sports: "Dallas moves up a few spots to get its green dot, but it won't part with its second first-rounder to do it. Plus, it jumps ahead of its NFC East rival to get Styles."
9. Kansas City Chiefs
USA TODAY Sports: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
ESPN: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
CBS Sports: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
USA TODAY Sports: "The 6-foot, 187-pound All-America has lockdown ability and might even be able to eat up some of some of the snaps departed Trent McDuffie used to provide in the slot – though Delane was rarely used there at Virginia Tech and LSU."
ESPN: "Bain is a rugged, high-effort edge rusher who brings an immediate identity to that position group."
10. New York Giants
USA TODAY Sports: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
ESPN: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
CBS Sports: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
USA TODAY Sports: "A lot of dots being connected between the Giants and Tyson given the Lawrence deal was struck just a day after GM Joe Schoen attended the wideout’s belated workout in Arizona. Tyson’s injury history is certainly problematic, but he’s also widely considered this draft’s best receiver otherwise."
CBS Sports: "Downs can play a number of spots across the field, a needed addition to his value as a safety."
11. Miami Dolphins
USA TODAY Sports: WR Makai Lemon, USC
ESPN: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
CBS Sports: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
USA TODAY Sports: "A slot machine extraordinaire, Lemon would immediately provide new Miami QB Malik Willis with a high-volume target."
ESPN: "With Austin Jackson entering the final year of his contract and having durability concerns, Fano would provide a clear long-term option at right tackle."
12. Dallas Cowboys
USA TODAY Sports: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
ESPN: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
CBS Sports: Projected trade with New Orleans Saints – Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
USA TODAY Sports: "Bain's T-rex limbs didn’t stop him from being extremely productive – often against NFL-caliber offensive tackles – for the ‘Canes. He bulled his way to 9½ sacks and 15½ TFLs last season and was a menace during the College Football Playoff."
CBS Sports: "This pick gives the Saints a quality rusher opposite Chase Young while offering some versatility in where he can be used depending on down and distance."
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)
USA TODAY Sports: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
ESPN: WR Makai Lemon, USC
CBS Sports: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
USA TODAY Sports: "He’s the kind of win-now player – coming off the Hoosiers’ national championship run – the Rams seem likely to target in a clear win-now season that could be league MVP Matthew Stafford’s last."
ESPN: "Lemon is a reliable and competitive target who would be an ideal fit in Sean McVay's scheme."
14. Baltimore Ravens
USA TODAY Sports: OL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
ESPN: OL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
CBS Sports: OL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
USA TODAY Sports: "Reloading the middle of the offensive line – especially with a guy who truly “plays like a Raven,” the ever-important mantra to this organization – makes so much sense as Baltimore tries to get QB Lamar Jackson back on an MVP trajectory."
CBS Sports: "As much as I would love to send Kenyon Sadiq to Baltimore, the Ravens have to rebuild the interior of their offensive line."
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
USA TODAY Sports: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
ESPN: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
CBS Sports: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
USA TODAY Sports: "He will be 25 by draft night but could provide instant production – for a team that should be an instant contender despite falling off its NFC South throne last season – after leading the ACC with 12½ sacks in 2025, including 5½ in the CFP."
ESPN: "McCoy missed last season with a torn ACL but has shown true shutdown ability when healthy."
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)
USA TODAY Sports: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
ESPN: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
CBS Sports: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
USA TODAY Sports: "Fano played both tackle spots for the Utes but almost exclusively on the right side the past two years. Yet his arm length (32⅛ inches) might necessitate a move inside – something he seemed open to at the combine, where he even worked out at center."
CBS Sports: "He was Fernando Mendoza's favorite target last year at Indiana, and his stock has been on the rise the past few weeks."
17. Detroit Lions
USA TODAY Sports: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
ESPN: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
CBS Sports: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
USA TODAY Sports: "The 21-year-old may be the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft. But with only 16 college starts, he’d have to get up to speed quickly in order to fill in for departed Taylor Decker immediately."
CBS Sports: "Ultimately, best player and positional need come together here for a Lions team that needs more protection up front."
18. Minnesota Vikings
USA TODAY Sports: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
ESPN: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
CBS Sports: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
USA TODAY Sports: "With Harrison Smith's future in doubt, Thieneman would make sense as both a short- and long-term solution."
ESPN: "Sadiq is a speedy (4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash) receiving tight end whom Minnesota could use in multiple ways in its offense."
19. Carolina Panthers
USA TODAY Sports: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
ESPN: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
CBS Sports: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
USA TODAY Sports: "The first tight end in combine history to record a sub-4.4 40, Sadiq, who also had a 43½-inch vert, certainly made some money in Indianapolis."
ESPN: "Cooper is an ascending player who helped the Hoosiers to the national championship last season and has continued to climb draft boards during the predraft process."
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay)
USA TODAY Sports: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
ESPN: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
CBS Sports: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
USA TODAY Sports: "A team in need of corner help would have to sift through some checkered options here – though Johnson, the Mountain West Conference’s co-Defensive Player of the Year, who’s stock has been surging in recent months, looks pretty clean and pretty promising as a long-term fix."
CBS Sports: "You wanted more production out of him this past season, but he has the tools."
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers
USA TODAY Sports: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
ESPN: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
CBS Sports: WR Makai Lemon, USC
USA TODAY Sports: "He’d nicely thread the needle of being an immediately helpful asset to presumed QB1 Aaron Rodgers while also being a long-term building block for an organization that refuses to embrace a full-on reboot."
CBS Sports: "He may not be their cup of tea when it comes to testing, but his play style screams Steelers."
22. Los Angeles Chargers
USA TODAY Sports: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
ESPN: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
CBS Sports: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
USA TODAY Sports: "A 6-foot-4, 200-pound DB with a penchant for big hits and finding the ball seems like a good fit for a team that also prizes physicality."
ESPN: "Los Angeles also needs an edge rusher to add to Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Mesidor would be an excellent fit into the pass-rush rotation as a relentless player with a repertoire of moves."
23. Philadelphia Eagles
USA TODAY Sports: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
ESPN: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
CBS Sports: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
USA TODAY Sports: "Boston (6-4, 212) is the kind of supersized red-zone target (20 TD catches since 2024) and boundary receiver who could provide an easy transition from Brown while giving Hurts quite a margin for error on 50-50 balls."
CBS Sports: "At 6-foot-7, Miller is only going to be a tackle. But Philly has to think about life after Lane Johnson."
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville)
USA TODAY Sports: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
ESPN: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
CBS Sports: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
USA TODAY Sports: "McCoy could be a steal at this spot – especially for a team that’s in more of a long-term planning phase and doesn’t need to rush him as his recovery from a torn ACL that cost him the 2025 season continues."
CBS Sports: "Cleveland needs another receiver, and he's the best one remaining."
25. Chicago Bears
USA TODAY Sports: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
ESPN: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
CBS Sports: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
USA TODAY Sports: "Proctor’s performance at the Tide’s pro day, when he was clearly in optimal shape, helped showcase the kind of player and athlete he can be – which is to say one who could very nicely safeguard QB Caleb Williams … and maybe catch a pass or two in the red zone given coach Ben Johnson’s propensity for gadget plays."
ESPN: "After an underwhelming season with five sacks (three coming in the regular-season finale), Parker was able to revive his draft stock with a strong predraft process."
26. Buffalo Bills
USA TODAY Sports: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
ESPN: DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
CBS Sports: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
USA TODAY Sports: "An intriguing gem in need of some polish, Faulk can bolster an area of concern given the Bills’ wideout issue seems solved by the trade for DJ Moore."
CBS Sports: "He's a big rusher who is incredibly explosive off the line."
27. San Francisco 49ers
USA TODAY Sports: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
ESPN: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
CBS Sports: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
USA TODAY Sports: "A team that’s typically at its best when rolling deep on the D-line – but had a league-low 20 sacks in 2025 – adds depth off the edge with a player who has 19½ sacks over the past three years and could be even more productive as a pro."
CBS Sports: "Iheanachor didn't start playing football until five years ago, so he's a ball of clay for offensive line coach Chris Foerster."
28. Houston Texans
USA TODAY Sports: Proposed trade with Arizona Cardinals – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
ESPN: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
CBS Sports: OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
USA TODAY Sports: "Maybe the Cards need to jump the Jets at No. 33 and maybe not. But coming up here from No. 34 probably only costs GM Monti Ossenfort a fourth-rounder while also conferring the fifth-year option that comes with being a first-rounder."
ESPN: "Offensive line has been a constant need for the Texans, and the 6-foot-7, 352-pound Proctor might have the most upside of any blocker in this class."
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams)
USA TODAY Sports: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
ESPN: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
CBS Sports: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
USA TODAY Sports: "Iheanachor could be the guy to better safeguard Mahomes into the future after he was too often running for his life in 2025 … until he wasn’t."
ESPN: "Hood is a polished technician who is capable of playing man, but his eye discipline in zone also stood out last season."
30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos)
USA TODAY Sports: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
ESPN: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
CBS Sports: Projected trade with Arizona Cardinals – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
USA TODAY Sports: "Miller, an All-ACC right tackle might be too good to pass up – especially with Dolphins RT Austin Jackson, who’s never truly asserted himself at the NFL level, entering the final year of his contract."
CBS Sports: "Arizona is linked to Simpson more than any other team, and it moves up a few spots from 34 to make sure it grabs him."
31. New England Patriots
USA TODAY Sports: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
ESPN: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
CBS Sports: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
USA TODAY Sports: "RT Morgan Moses is under contract for two more years but just turned 35. A two-year starter at left tackle for the Utes, Lomu will need to get a little stronger in the NFL. But he might not need very long to displace Moses opposite LT Will Campbell."
ESPN: "The Patriots generated only 35 sacks last season (tied for 22nd in the NFL), and Howell is among the best pure pass rushers in this class."
32. Seattle Seahawks
USA TODAY Sports: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
ESPN: OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
CBS Sports: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
USA TODAY Sports: "Price is a slasher who starred in a timeshare with Love at Notre Dame and could nicely fill Walker’s role – maybe one of Shaheed’s, too, if the Seahawks opt to make him a bigger part of the offense in 2026."
CBS Sports: "The Tennessee corner's ability is top-10, but the ACL injury from last year has really scared teams away. He'll go earlier than this if a team is comfortable with his medical information."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: New predictions with draft nearly here
