2026 NFL mock draft: Complete first round computer simulation

The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and it's shaping up to be a thrilling first round given the talent in this class. For the first time in four years, the Chicago Bears won't need selecting in the Top 10, as they're slated to pick 25th overall.

We've been sharing our weekly mock drafts throughout this pre-draft process, where we've tried to pin down realistic scenarios. But everyone's thought process when it comes into assembling mocks is different, which makes it exciting with any given week. So we decided to introduce a twist.

In this exercise, we let the computer do the selecting in the first round -- and there were both expected and surprising results. We used Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, which didn't include any trades and featured default settings with less care for positional value and more drafting for needs.

Here were the first round results:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

PFF rank: 1st

2025 PFF grade: 91.6

PFF analysis: "Mendoza doesn't have rare physical gifts, but his football IQ, football character and ball placement are top-class, making him worthy of a first-round selection as an early-impact projection and potential franchise quarterback."

2. New York Jets: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

PFF rank: 4th

2025 PFF grade: 88.6

PFF analysis: "Styles is an attacking linebacker with excellent anticipation who thrives when playing downhill. His movement skills are strong, though his experience in coverage is still developing."

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

PFF rank: 7th

2025 PFF grade: 82.6

PFF analysis: "Mauigoa is a well-built, well-rounded tackle prospect with a high floor as a projected starter. He brings power in the run game and quick feet in pass protection, though his ceiling may be limited by average length and kick-slide ability."

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

PFF rank: 3rd

2025 PFF grade: 93.1

PFF analysis: "Simply put, Jeremiyah Love is what a first-round running back looks like: frame, athleticism, coordination and playmaker mentality. He brings true impact value in the running and passing games."

5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

PFF rank: 2nd

2025 PFF grade: 75.8

PFF analysis: "Reese is an elite athlete for the position with exceptional strength. While still developing in coverage, he has the tools to become a versatile defensive weapon."

6. Cleveland Browns: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

PFF rank: 6th

2025 PFF grade: 93.3

PFF analysis: "Bailey lacks ideal size and length but compensates with elite explosiveness and twitch. He may not be a three-down player, but his pass-rush upside is significant."

7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

PFF rank: 10th

2025 PFF grade: 88.6

PFF analysis: "Tate offers one of the highest floors among true juniors, thanks to strong hands and a consistently reliable track record as a blocker. His understanding of route running and releases is already NFL-caliber, and if he continues to add functional strength, he has the potential to become an impact receiver at the next level."

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

PFF rank: 5th

2025 PFF grade: 92.8

PFF analysis: "Bain's lack of length will be a talking point, but his production and play strength outweigh those concerns. He consistently wins with power and intelligence as both a run defender and pass rusher."

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

PFF rank: 9th

2025 PFF grade: 90.5

PFF analysis: "Delane is a long, quick outside corner with excellent instincts and ball skills. He has the tools to start in both press and off coverage and match up against top receivers."

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

PFF rank: 8th

2025 PFF grade: 87.5

PFF analysis: "Downs lacks elite size or athletic traits, but his football IQ is exceptional. That gives him a high floor and ceiling, with All-Pro potential in a versatile defensive role."

11. Miami Dolphins: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

PFF rank: 11th

2025 PFF grade: 91.0

PFF analysis: "Thieneman has developed into a versatile safety who excels in coverage and downhill run support. He projects as a starting-caliber player in any scheme."

12. Dallas Cowboys: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

PFF rank: 13th

2025 PFF grade: 72.3

PFF analysis: "Freeling has ideal size for the position but remains inexperienced as a true junior entrant. He is a good mover best suited for an inside zone-heavy scheme, though he must continue to develop strength and anticipation to reach his starting potential."

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

PFF rank: 15th

2025 PFF grade: 90.8

PFF analysis: "Lemon lacks ideal size and top-tier NFL athleticism, but his football IQ, elite body control and competitive toughness make him a top-50-caliber prospect. He projects as a starting inside-the-numbers receiver, primarily in the slot, with added return value."

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

PFF rank: 16th

2025 PFF grade: 80.0

PFF analysis: "Ioane broke out in 2025, earning an 80.0 overall grade, including an 87.0 pass-blocking grade that ranked 12th among 374 FBS guards. He excelled in stable pass-pro situations, grading in the 90th percentile on true pass sets and 95th percentile on five- and seven-step drops. Across 311 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just four total hurries."

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

PFF rank: 12th

2025 PFF grade: 83.9

PFF analysis: "Fano is somewhat undersized for the position, which shows up in his power, but he is an impressive athlete with explosiveness, fluidity and balance. His grip strength and competitiveness make him a strong fit for an outside zone scheme."

16. New York Jets (via IND): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

PFF rank: 17th

2024 PFF grade: 87.0

PFF analysis: "McCoy's medical evaluations will be critical, but based on his measurables and 2024 tape, he profiles as a first-round talent with shutdown potential in press-man coverage."

17. Detroit Lions: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

PFF rank: 14th

2025 PFF grade: 70.4

PFF analysis: "Sadiq is an ideal modern tight end in terms of athleticism and versatility. He can impact both the receiving and blocking phases, allowing teams to align him all over the formation. While his college production was limited, his upside is significant, making him a strong first-round projection."

18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

PFF rank: 23rd

2025 PFF grade: 83.5

PFF analysis: "Terrell's lack of length may limit him to zone-heavy schemes, but his elite football IQ and playmaking instincts give him starting potential across multiple systems."

19. Carolina Panthers: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

PFF rank: 19th

2025 PFF grade: 82.9

PFF analysis: "Tyson has WR1 ability and versatility. His explosiveness is not just NFL-caliber but has the potential to be top-tier at the next level. If he continues to refine his technique — particularly his releases and route running — and can stay healthy despite a consistent injury history, he has the upside to develop into a Pro Bowl- and even All-Pro-caliber player."

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

PFF rank: 21st

2025 PFF grade: 91.9

PFF analysis: "McNeil-Warren is a big, explosive safety with a knack for creating turnovers. He projects as a potential impact starter in a box role."

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)

PFF rank: 20th

2025 PFF grade: 92.5

PFF analysis: "Mesidor will be one of the older prospects in the class, but his pass-rush traits and technique stand out. He projects as a top-50 pick with an impact role as a 3-4 outside linebacker."

22. Los Angeles Chargers: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

PFF rank: 18th

2025 PFF grade: 75.8

PFF analysis: "Allen is a physical, reliable middle linebacker with strong run-defense ability. His length limitations are notable, but he flashes enough in coverage to project as a starter."

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

PFF rank: 26th

2025 PFF grade: 81.2

PFF analysis: "Howell's measurables are not ideal, but his hand usage, burst and pass-rush arsenal allow him to be disruptive in one-on-one situations as a situational edge defender."

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

PFF rank: 24th

2025 PFF grade: 87.4

PFF analysis: "Cooper is a well-rounded, NFL-caliber athlete with a dense frame and strong hands, projecting as a WR2-type at the next level."

25. Chicago Bears: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

PFF rank: 25th

2025 PFF grade: 78.5

PFF analysis: "Miller has the frame and overall skill set of a potential starting NFL offensive tackle. His experience shows up in his patient, consistent pass protection, and if he continues to add strength, he can develop into an impact player."

26. Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

PFF rank: 22nd

2025 PFF grade: 75.8

PFF analysis: "Faulk is not a pure pass rusher, but his length and strength make him an ideal fit for multiple or odd fronts. He excels at holding the line of scrimmage and generating pressure through power."

27. San Francisco 49ers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

PFF rank: 30th

2025 PFF grade: 72.5

PFF analysis: "Iheanachor, who only began playing football in 2021, is still developing and can be inconsistent technically. However, he possesses the physical tools of a starting-caliber offensive tackle, particularly in zone schemes."

28. Houston Texans: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

PFF rank: 33rd

2025 PFF grade: 72.5

PFF analysis: "Woods offers an ideal blend of size, strength and athleticism, with true scheme versatility. His explosive first step and ability to convert speed to power make him disruptive at the line of scrimmage. If he expands his pass-rush plan, he can turn pressures into more impactful production."

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

PFF rank: 28th

2025 PFF grade: 86.7

PFF analysis: "McDonald posted a career-best 86.0 PFF grade in 2025, fueled by elite run defense, where his 91.2 grade ranked first among qualifying FBS interior defenders. He backed that up with top-tier stability, landing in the 99th percentile in run-stop rate and 95th percentile in run-defense grade. The pass-rush profile remains limited, though, with a 63.1 grade and sub-15th percentile marks in both overall and true pass-rush situations."

30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

PFF rank: 31st

2025 PFF grade: 88.0

PFF analysis: "Boston is a smooth-moving "X" receiver with the size and skill set to develop into a starting outside receiver at the next level. He is less comfortable and productive against zone coverage, but in single-coverage situations, he is often the player to bet on thanks to his elite hand strength."

31. New England Patriots: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

PFF rank: 27th

2025 PFF grade: 86.1

PFF analysis: "Proctor is a massive, powerful offensive line prospect with surprisingly good coordination and movement ability for his size. However, his lack of ideal foot speed and arm length for tackle likely makes him a strong candidate to move inside to guard."

32. Seattle Seahawks: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

PFF rank: 29th

2025 PFF grade: 80.6

PFF analysis: "Parker is a well-rounded edge defender who does many things at a solid level but lacks a true difference-making trait. He projects as a rotational player with starting potential if he develops more strength or explosiveness."

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Complete first round computer simulation