'I Fell In Love' First-round Mock Draft: Commanders, Bosses And Cowboys Stun

What happens in years where there aren’t many elite prospects in the NFL draft? Normally, nothing is normal. Trades are more likely to happen as teams have noticeably different draft boards and are worried about not landing one of the few players they feel could make a difference. When a team sees their first-round ratings wiped, they are suddenly open to trading down, while the team with only one name left is desperate to trade up.

Players will be drafted in all sorts of unexpected places in April, so fans should prepare for shock and awe. Here in our first full first-round mock draft of the offseason, we try to capture that feeling as best we can. Predicting trades in an exercise like this is useless, so neither team will be able to move in this exercise. Instead, everyone sits out and operates under the premise that “the front office fell in love with this guy before the draft.” That fits perfectly with the Dallas Cowboys’ situation most years, so they’ll feel right at home.

1.1: Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass during spring football practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The obvious choice here — the front office didn’t make them tank for no reason — was to select the Heisman winner. Nothing crazy will happen here.

1.2: New York Jets – LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

A No. 2 linebacker is pretty crazy, but after Aaron Glenn retained the spot after a rough first season as HC, adding Reese gives him a force multiplier to rebuild the defense.

The Cardinals need plenty of help everywhere, but solidifying the offensive line for their free agent QB acquisition will likely be their top priority.

1.4: Tennessee Titans – Edge Rueben Bain, Jr., Miami

New head coach Robert Saleh gets his disruptor to lead the defense. There’s nothing crazy here yet.

1.5: New York Giants – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Giants make the first big trade of the draft, replacing big-time big man Wan’Dale Robinson with Arizona State’s exciting Tyson.

1.6: Cleveland Browns – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Browns escaped the Kevin Stefanski era and immediately begin rebuilding the offensive attack with a U wide receiver prospect.

December 20, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Dan Quinn has to fix his defense, but what if he realized how much better the offense could be by adding an unguardable tight end to the mix? Sadiq is not seen as a top 10 candidate, but Washington has fallen for it.

1.8: New Orleans Saints – WR Makai Lemon, USC

Pairing Lemon with Chris Olave makes too much sense for QB Tyler Shough as Kellen Moore rebuilds his Amari Cooper – CeeDee Lamb combo.

1.9: Kansas City Chiefs – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

The Chiefs don’t typically feature among the top RB draft picks, but Love’s drop to the No. 9 spot sparks something in their spirit. A game-changing RB who sits in the backfield will extend Patrick Mahomes’ window of dominance, bringing defenders into the box.

1.10: Cincinnati Bengals – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

The Bengals have to hit the reset button on their entire defense and there’s no better place to start than from the inside out, front to back.

1.11: Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

The Dolphins likely need to find a QB in free agency and may need a new WR, but Delane might be too good to pass up for new defensive-minded HC Jeff Hafley.

1.12: Dallas Cowboys – Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

October 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, United States; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (31) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Cowboys have huge defensive needs everywhere, but make a calculated assumption that the upside well will dry up before the defensive well.

1.13: Los Angeles Rams – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Los Angeles may already have its replacement for Rob Havenstein in house, but they have no solutions for a secondary that has given up more than 28 points per game in its last seven games. McCoy should make a full recovery from his season-long absence due to a torn ACL.

1.14: Baltimore Ravens – DE Keldrick Faulk, Auburn

The Ravens aren’t used to picking outside the 20, but they need to rebuild their defense from the inside out. With Minter’s 3-4 defense coming in, placing young Faulk as their 4i/5T is a much-needed building block.

After 15 seasons of Lavonte David, the Bucs find their next star linebacker in Ohio State’s Styles. It makes too much sense.

1.16: New York Jets – DT Caleb Banks, Florida

The Jets got rid of their best defender midseason by trading Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. Adding Banks to the interior of their defense will help rebuild the foundation and keep Reese clean.

1.17: Detroit Lions – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

The Lions stand to lose a ton of snaps at cornerback in free agency, so adding to their secondary makes a lot of sense, especially considering Terrell’s tenacity is a perfect fit for a Dan Campbell team.

1.18: Minnesota Vikings – Safety Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The team can seamlessly transition from the Harrison Smith era to the Downs era as somehow the best player in the draft, in the eyes of many, slides here.

1.19: Carolina Panthers – LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Hill is a downhill hitter and after spending most of last season in linebacker purgatory, the Panthers are eschewing more offensive weaponry and looking to fix the defense.

1.20: Dallas Cowboys – Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

December 23, 2025; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) celebrates a third stop against the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter of the Boca Raton Bowl at Flagler CU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

The Cowboys know they need secondary help and adding McNeil-Warren as Donovan Wilson’s replacement is a perfect place to start. Depending on the type of safety they get in free agency, they might prefer Dillon Thieneman here.

1.21: Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Steelers desperately need more firepower with their offense, and a tough, big-bodied receiver like Boston will be helpful both for the end of the Rodgers era and for whoever follows him in the black and yellow.

1.22: Los Angeles Chargers – Guard Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

With his tackles returning, adding an elite guard prospect should change QB Justin Herbert’s future in the best way. Easy adjustment here.

1.23: Philadelphia Eagles – Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Even if they retain Jaelen Phillips, the Eagles will look to increase their pass rush in the upcoming draft. Bringing in Howell should speed up the clock for opposing QBs.

1.24: Cleveland Browns – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

The Browns have been a disaster on offense for years, so after taking a top-tier weapon, they are focused on creating time for their quarterback to get Tate the ball.

1.25: Chicago Bears – LB CJ Allen, Georgia

The Bears already have the offensive firepower to compete, but adding a defender like Allen would greatly help an opportunistic secondary.

1.26: Buffalo Bills – Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami

January 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, United States; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) sacks Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Bills need to get the weapons of Josh Allen, but pairing Mesidor with former teammate Greg Rousseau would create a dominant advantage scenario that will result in more opportunities for the offense thanks to turnovers.

1.27: San Francisco 49ers – WR KC Concepción, Texas A&M

There has been an exodus of WR talent in San Francisco that will continue with the departure of Brandon Aiyuk. Adding Ricky Pearsall to Concepción will help stem the tide.

1.28: Houston Texans – DT Kaden McDonald, Ohio State

Houston’s biggest problem might lie at the QB position, but now is not the time to close the book on CJ Stroud. Instead, Demeco Ryans continues to strengthen the league’s best defense with a stud in the middle of the injured list.

1.29: Los Angeles Rams – QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

There is no doubt here. Picking up a fifth-year option on Matt Stafford’s heir.

1.30: Denver Broncos – TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Giving Bo Nix some extra firepower makes too much sense.

1.31: New England Patriots – OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Everyone watched the Super Bowl, right?

1.32: Seattle Seahawks – CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

There are too many pending free agents at the position for the Seahawks to ignore the cornerback, especially being able to land Cisse so late in the first round.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: ‘Fell In Love’ First Round Mock Draft: Commanders, Chiefs and Cowboys Stun

Source link