Brent Schwartz’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Like most Shanahan tree schemes, the Raiders will likely major in wide-zone runs with Jeanty to set up play-action passing concepts. Bowers is a fantastic high-volume flex option but Las Vegas needs to add more at wide receiver to help set up Mendoza for success.

Bailey may be the safest 3-4 OLB projection. He possesses speed, quickness, length and the ability to bend. He’s a very polished rusher who should bring immediate pass rush production.

Reese, who Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia likened to former New England Patriot LB/Edge Jamie Collins, has the juice to play on the edge opposite Josh Sweat as a stand-up end, while also adding off-ball linebacker versatility.

Here, Tennessee lands one of the most athletic and rangy linebacker prospects we’ve ever seen. Cue the Fred Warner comparisons for Saleh’s defense.

The heavy crossover of Browns and Ohio State Buckeye fans would be glad to see this pairing. Tate could immediately become the Browns best receiver at either ‘X’/split end or ‘Z’/flanker.

But to be effective at play-action passing, you first have to be successful running the football.

Love is an explosive, game-breaker running back prospect that should help usher Jayden Daniels into their post-Kilff Kingsbury offense.

Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley needs help at stand-up edge rusher in his 3-4 and Nickel 2-4-5 fronts. Many project Bain as more of a hand-in-the-dirt 4-3 DE, but the Saints should not use that as a reason to pass on him here.

Mauigoa is a mauling presence at right tackle who can plug right in and excel in the run game. Recently signed Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker should have success running off tackle to the right with Mauigoa’s presence.

Here they attempt to improve the secondary with Delane, a top-flight cornerback prospect that can fit in any scheme.

He reportedly took snaps at center during the combine workouts, but Miami has an All-Pro center in Aaron Brewer. Fano would likely play right tackle or guard for the Dolphins in this scenario.

Tyson is a smooth-moving route-runner with size (6-2, 208) and ball-tracking skills.

He would work best as a Z in most NFL offenses, but has the ability to play in different spots. Here, he could at times play as an X-receiver in condensed formations, and maybe be an eventual replacement for Adams’s role.

In the meantime, the Rams can shuffle back to more 11 personnel (3-WR sets) like the earlier Sean McVay offenses in his Rams tenure, and Tyson can be a movement receiver who can pluck balls out of the air in middle-of-the-field route concepts.

He is a powerful body-mover on gap-scheme runs, which you can still expect the Ravens to deploy with monster back Derrick Henry.

Todd Bowles’s 3-4 defense in Tampa is a nice fit for Faulk, who will be a factor defending the run immediately, and can even move inside on select downs while he refines some of his pass rush skills.

Longtime NFL Films guru and film analyst Greg Cosell has said that Faulk reminds him of a Bill Belichick Patriots era player who could be used like Richard Seymour, moving all over the defensive line.

He has inside-outside versatility, YAC skills and downfield ability. He could immediately serve as a high-volume receiving option and compliment to Garrett Wilson.

Potential 3-WR sets of Wilson (Z/X), Lemon (slot) and Adonai Mitchell (X/Z) would make the Jets feistier on offense than many anticipated for 2026.

Thieneman is listed at 6-0, 206, and at the combine he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and posted a 41-inch vertical jump.

In terms of scheme fit, my mind thinks this way:

Dan Lanning -> Kirby Smart -> Nick Saban -> Bill Belichick -> Brian Flores.

Does that make sense? Good.

At 6-3, 241, Sadiq ran a 4.39 and posted a 43-inch vertical at the combine. Sadiq can both stretch the seams from the slot and act as an explosive tackle-breaking machine underneath. He can also help in the run game by being able to block while on the move on outside run concepts.

New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker comes over from rival Philadelphia, where Vic Fangio uses 3-4 and Nickel 2-4-5 looks.

Mesidor is already 25 years old, but he fits as a DE or OLB in any modern scheme and could provide immediate production versus the run and rushing the passer.

Cooper played 83.3% of his snaps out of the slot for Mendoza and the national champion Hoosiers, but he has the size (6-0, 199), speed (4.42) and vertical jump (37-inch) that allows him to play on the outside as well.

One of his best traits his his toughness and physicality, particularly after the catch as a tackle breaker. He fits the Steeler organization well.

The hiring of McDaniel should bring creativity and success on the ground due to the coach’s creative zone-rushing concepts and overall play designs.

Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis has the ideal traits (athleticism, quickness to reach multiple levels) to thrive in the Chargers new scheme.

Iheanachor has size, power and athletic ability, but needs to be developed behind the scenes before being thrusted into action. Even with longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland no longer in the building, Philly is a good landing spot here for the Arizona State prospect.

And with reported (likely tense) negotiations between the Eagles and Patriots involving A.J. Brown possibly ongoing into June, maybe Roseman gets some extra satisfaction here by landing a prospect that Mike Vrabel certainly seems interested in.

The Browns are completely rebuilding their offensive line, and Freeling is a high ceiling prospect at left tackle out of Georgia.

McDonald has the potential to be a dominant two-down force and run defender.

To use the Rams’ running game as an example, McDonald has the two-gapping ability to displace double teams versus ‘duo’ run concepts, and he has the movement ability to derail outside zone runs before they can materialize.

Concepcion is a dynamic route-runner and separator at the position. He is dangerous after the catch with his running back-level ball carrier vision that compliments his ability to violently cut on a dime and to change direction and accelerate.

He can beat man coverage or zone, and although he projects best in the slot, he should be able to play as a Z/flanker in Joe Brady’s 2-WR sets, which allows the Bills to continue using Dalton Kincaid and/or Khalil Shakir in the slot, depending on personnel.

Lomu is an athletic mover in space at the position, which would help in the 49ers’ wide zone runs concepts, even though Kyle Shanahan has diversified his run game menu with more inside runs as of recent.

They signed Braden Smith in the offseason to potentially play at right tackle, but Miller should be able to compete right away here as a long-term high floor option.

I also considered Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon here as a gap-scheme mauler for new running back David Montgomery on inside run concepts.

On a related note, I am a little surprised Sneed hasn’t resigned with the Chiefs already.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Howell posted the fastest speed around the corner in the pass rush drill since Will Anderson in 2023, per Next Gen Stats.

The Patriots need pass rush juice on the edge where they can get it. Howell may only be a one or two-down player initially, but he provides an immediate replacement for K’lavon Chassion in the LEO/weak-side speed rusher role on critical downs and late in ball games.

Many, including The Ringer‘s Todd McShay and Steve Muench, have compared Howell to current Patriot Harold Landry.

Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald comes from a Ravens system that values size/length and power on the edge. Young is nearly 6-foot-6 and weighs 252 pounds.

Young can play immediately on early downs and perhaps eventually fully replace strong-side end DeMarcus Lawrence, who turns 34 at the end of the month.