Two-time Huddle Report Top 100 board scoring champion Xavier Cromartie has released his latest 1st-round mock draft.
Xavier’s mock drafts are based upon his draft research and what his sources are communicating to him at this time -- and are not based on his personal scouting preferences. Xavier will have several Mock Drafts throughout the draft season as he works his way to the final mock draft submission for the national competition of mock draft analysts right before the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Mock Draft by Xavier Cromartie (FFM)
29 Mar 2026 | v 2.0
1: Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Top 100 picks (3): 1, 36, 67
Top needs: QB, WR, S
GM view: The Raiders expect to draft 3 starters and 7 depth players. A starting QB is the necessary pick at #1. With three 4th-round picks, they have to plan how to prioritize needs at CB, WR, DT, S, and OG. S and OG are arguably the biggest needs but also the least valuable positions. An Indiana WR at the top of round 2 or 3 is sensible, and the need at S may win out as the other top-100 pick.
2: New York Jets: DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Top 100 picks (4): 2, 16, 33, 44
Top needs: QB, DE, WR, CB
GM view: The Jets expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. Starting QB is a strong need but not at pick #2. Despite EDGE signings, they lack high-end talent. WR depth behind Garrett Wilson is bad. CB and S are similar needs, but CB in round 2 and S in round 4 makes more sense in value terms. A swing OT is essential but could be a round 4 pick.
3: Arizona Cardinals: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Top 100 picks (3): 3, 34, 65
Top needs: DE, OT, LB
GM view: The Cardinals expect to draft 3 starters and 4 depth players. A late-round developmental QB is likely. EDGE is a need but could be any pick in rounds 1-3. Starting OT is similarly urgent. They have a lot of mediocre CBs. The same could be said for DT, but they've invested their last two 1st rounders there. LB need is critical.
4: Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Top 100 picks (3): 4, 35, 66
Top needs: DE, RB, S
GM view: The Titans expect to draft 3 starters and 6 depth players. They lack quality at EDGE. With 3 young WRs and Calvin Ridley's return, WR is not as critical as it seems. DT is more of a depth need in round 4-5. They need a workhorse RB. They need to upgrade at TE. LB is likely a mid-to-late pick. S is a major need. OG should be addressed but is not urgent.
5: New York Giants: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Top 100 picks (2): 5, 37
Top needs: LB, OG
GM view: The Giants expect to draft 2 starters and 5 depth players. OT seems to be more of a depth issue. Their WR signings indicate they will not go in that direction. DT is another semi-needy spot but not necessarily worth 1 of their 2 premium picks. RB would be only for the right player (Love). A second starting LB is somewhat of a priority. Although not a premium position, they need a starting OG.
6: Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami FL
Top 100 picks (4): 6, 24, 39, 70
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DT
GM view: The Browns expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. They likely want to see what their 3 current QBs can do. OT is a clear need early. WR is a strong need. They need a third CB in the mid rounds or earlier. They need to add to their DT rotation in round 2-3. OG is a need but not necessarily early.
7: Washington Commanders: DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Top 100 picks (2): 7, 71
Top needs: DE, CB
GM view: Washington expects to draft 2 starters and 4 depth players. While EDGE doesn't look like a need, only Oweh is signed beyond this season. Their desperate WR signings signal that they won't take one early. CB is a blatant need and a clear candidate at #7. RB signings indicate they won't draft one, but Love could be available. LB may be a late pick. They will need to take both OG and OC with their mid-round picks, with OC as the greater need.
8: New Orleans Saints: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Top 100 picks (3): 8, 42, 73
Top needs: WR, CB, DT
GM view: The Saints expect to draft 3 starters and 5 depth players. They need to add to their EDGE rotation but not necessarily early. OT is a depth issue. WR and CB are clear needs. DT is likely a day-2 pick.
9: Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane, Louisiana State
Top 100 picks (4): 9, 29, 40, 74
Top needs: DE, WR, CB, DT
GM view: The Chiefs expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. They could add to their EDGE rotation. Upgrading at OT is a possibility. WR is shaky. They will draft at least 1 CB, maybe 2, but the value may be better at picks #29 or #40. They need to upgrade at DT. They could still add a late RB.
10: Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Top 100 picks (3): 10, 41, 72
Top needs: CB, LB, S
GM view: The Bengals expect to draft 3 starters and 5 depth players. They may give their young EDGEs another year to step up. They could use a low-cost third WR. CB is a clear need with a top-100 pick. They could use a complementary RB. The LBs that were drafted in 2025 were a weak point. Despite a big S signing, they still need another starter or 3rd S.
11: Miami Dolphins: DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami FL
Top 100 picks (7): 11, 30, 43, 75, 87, 90, 94
Top needs: DE, OT, WR, CB, TE, S, OG
GM view: The Dolphins expect to draft 7 starters(!) and 4 depth players. They can draft the best player available. They need at least 1 EDGE, possibly 2. They need a starting OT. They need to draft 2 WRs, 1 early. They need probably 2 CBs. DT is lower priority with so many other issues. TE is another weakness. They need both S spots. OG could be a later pick.
12: Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Top 100 picks (3): 12, 20, 92
Top needs: CB, LB, S
GM view: The Cowboys expect to draft 3 starters and 5 depth players. They should draft an OT at some point, not necessarily at #12. WR makes sense for one of their 5th-round picks. CB is a clear need. DT is likely a late depth pick. They could use an upgrade at LB with their round 3-4 pick. S could also be a consideration.
13: Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): WR Makai Lemon, Southern Cal
Top 100 picks (3): 13, 61, 93
Top needs: OT, WR, TE
GM view: The Rams expect to draft 3 starters and 4 depth players. One of their late picks could be a QB. They could add to their EDGE depth. They need a swing tackle who could be a future starter. Likewise they may want a WR to take an eventual starting role. They signed 2 big money CBs. With so few real needs, they could take an elite TE.
14: Baltimore Ravens: DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Top 100 picks (3): 14, 45, 80
Top needs: DE, TE, OC
GM view: The Ravens expect to draft 3 starters and 8 depth players. They wanted 2 elite EDGE players but got only 1 (Trey Hendrickson). WR depth is weak. Marlon Humphrey is a cut candidate at CB. DT is probably one of their many mid-round picks. RB is likewise a mid-round choice. TE is a clear need. They will take an OG at some point, but a starting OC is a higher priority.
15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Top 100 picks (3): 15, 46, 77
Top needs: WR, CB, LB
GM view: The Bucs expect to draft 3 starters and 4 depth players. EDGE could be upgraded. They need a swing OT. WR has become a weakness without Mike Evans. They need a CB at least for depth who could possibly start. They could use a second TE. LB is a major need. They could go S in a deep class.
16: New York Jets (via IND): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Top 100 picks (4): 2, 16, 33, 44
Top needs: QB, DE, WR, CB
GM view: The Jets expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. Starting QB is a strong need and possible in the back half of round 1. Despite EDGE signings, they lack high-end talent. WR depth behind Garrett Wilson is bad. CB and S are similar needs, but CB in round 2 and S in round 4 makes more sense in value terms. A swing OT is essential but could be a round 4 pick.
17: Detroit Lions: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Top 100 picks (2): 17, 50
Top needs: DE, OT
GM view: The Lions expect to draft 2 starters and 7 depth players. They need a backup QB in the mid rounds. EDGE is a major need with either of their top picks. They need a starting OT. CB could be better. DT should be a mid-round pick. LB could be a late pick. They need a backup S who can play right away. They will likely use a later pick on an OG or OC.
18: Minnesota Vikings: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Top 100 picks (4): 18, 49, 82, 97
Top needs: WR, DT, S, OC
GM view: The Vikings expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. They need better WRs behind Justin Jefferson. DT is an obvious need early. They could add a younger RB with a later pick. S is a need with a top-100 pick. They do not have a starting OC.
19: Carolina Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Top 100 picks (3): 19, 51, 83
Top needs: WR, RB, TE
GM view: The Panthers expect to draft 3 starters and 4 depth players. Developmental QB is likely a mid-round pick. They need better WR depth. They need to upgrade at slot CB. They can add depth at DT late. They are one of the neediest teams at RB. The same can be said of TE. Depth at LB is weak and is a possible mid-to-late pick.
20: Dallas Cowboys (via GB): S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Top 100 picks (3): 12, 20, 92
Top needs: CB, LB, S
GM view: The Cowboys expect to draft 3 starters and 5 depth players. They should draft an OT at some point, not necessarily at #12. WR makes sense for one of their 5th-round picks. CB is a clear need. DT is likely a late depth pick. They could use an upgrade at LB with their round 3-4 pick. S could also be a consideration.
21: Pittsburgh Steelers: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Top 100 picks (5): 21, 53, 76, 85, 99
Top needs: QB, WR, LB, S, OG
GM view: The Steelers expect to draft 5 starters and 7 depth players. Long-term QB is uncertain and they could take a chance on a value option. WR depth is still an issue. They could add more to DT. Quality at LB could be upgraded. Despite signing Jaquan Brisker, the future at S is a concern. OG is likely to be one of their many picks.
22: Los Angeles Chargers: OT/OG Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Top 100 picks (3): 22, 55, 86
Top needs: DE, LB, OG GM view:
The Chargers expect to draft 3 starters and 2 depth players. They need youth at EDGE. CB depth is lacking. LB is a weakness. A starting OG with the ability to play OT if injuries hit again would be ideal.
23: Philadelphia Eagles: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Top 100 picks (4): 23, 54, 68, 98
Top needs: DE, OT, TE, S
GM view: The Eagles expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. They likely want to add more at EDGE. They need a third OT who will be a starter eventually. They could use WR depth. TE is an issue long-term. S is perhaps their biggest need. They could use depth at OG.
24: Cleveland Browns (via JAX): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Top 100 picks (4): 6, 24, 39, 70
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DT
GM view: The Browns expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. They likely want to see what their 3 current QBs can do. OT is a clear need early. WR is a strong need. They need a third CB in the mid rounds or earlier. They need to add to their DT rotation in round 2-3. OG is a need but not necessarily early.
25: Chicago Bears: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Top 100 picks (4): 25, 57, 60, 89
Top needs: DE, OT, DT, S
GM view: The Bears expect to draft 4 starters and 3 depth players. EDGE is a clear need. They need a long-term OT. WR depth could be upgraded. Their CBs need to stay healthy. DT depth is weak. They are likely to draft a S.
26: Buffalo Bills: DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami FL
Top 100 picks (2): 26, 91
Top needs: DE, CB
GM view: The Bills expect to draft 2 starters and 5 depth players. EDGE depth is a big problem. CB is also lacking. They need DT, but with so few picks it may have to be later. LB is likewise a problem but may have to be a later pick. They might take a S in this deep class. OG and OC are a possibility.
27: San Francisco 49ers: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Top 100 picks (2): 27, 58
Top needs: DE, DT
GM view: The 49ers expect to draft 2 starters and 4 depth players. EDGE is weak. WR remains a long-term issue. DT depth is a major problem. Their S group is mediocre. They could add at OG.
28: Houston Texans: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Top 100 picks (4): 28, 38, 59, 69
Top needs: DE, CB, LB, OC
GM view: The Texans expect to draft 4 starters and 4 depth players. They need EDGE depth. Second starting WR is uncertain. They could use a third CB. LB could be better. They should upgrade the interior o-line, preferably at OC.
29: Kansas City Chiefs (via LA): DE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Top 100 picks (4): 9, 29, 40, 74
Top needs: DE, WR, CB, DT
GM view: The Chiefs expect to draft 4 starters and 5 depth players. They could add to their EDGE rotation. Upgrading at OT is a possibility. WR is shaky. They will draft at least 1 CB, maybe 2, but the value may be better at picks #29 or #40. They need to upgrade at DT. They could still add a late RB.
30: Miami Dolphins (via DEN): OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Top 100 picks (7): 11, 30, 43, 75, 87, 90, 94
Top needs: DE, OT, WR, CB, TE, S, OG
GM view: The Dolphins expect to draft 7 starters(!) and 4 depth players. They can draft the best player available. They need at least 1 EDGE, possibly 2. They need a starting OT. They need to draft 2 WRs, 1 early. They need probably 2 CBs. DT is lower priority with so many other issues. TE is another weakness. They need both S spots. OG could be a later pick.
31: New England Patriots: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Top 100 picks (3): 31, 63, 95
Top needs: DE, OT, OG
GM view: The Patriots expect to draft 3 starters and 8 depth players. They need a backup QB with a late pick. EDGE is a need. They could secure a third OT who will start in the near future. DT depth could be improved. The LB group could be better. They will need to draft an OG at some point.
32: Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Top 100 picks (3): 32, 64, 96
Top needs: DE, CB, RB
GM view: The Seahawks expect to draft 3 starters and 1 depth player. EDGE depth could be improved. CB is a clear need. All of their RBs are cheap short-term solutions. They could look at a TE.
Mock Draft Scoring (Huddle Report):
- 5-YR AVG: 42.8
- 2025: 39
- 2024: 47
- 2023: 35
- 2022: 41
- 2021: 52
- 2020: 43
- 2019: 37
- 2018: 40
- 2017: 37
- 2016: 37
- 2015: 48
