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Nfl Mock Draft 2026 Post Trade Deadline The Draft Network

Bonisiwe Shabane
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nfl mock draft 2026 post trade deadline the draft network

Now that the 2025 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, team needs have changed — and that means a new mock draft is in order. Here’s how our post-trade deadline 2026 NFL mock draft looks right now. Simpson could be the first quarterback drafted, after a very impressive first season as a full-time starter. He owns a 92.3 intermediate PFF passing grade as one of the best intermediate and middle-of-the-field passers in all of college football. He has made 14 big-time throws and just seven turnover-worthy plays this year. Bain has cooled down a bit after a red-hot start to the season, but the 6-foot-3, 270-pound edge rusher still boasts PFF run-defense and pass-rush grades above 90.0 for the year.

He’s the total package for any defensive front. Game grades, positional splits and high-level metrics for Bain's 2025 season. Moore, just a redshirt sophomore in his first season as a full-time starter, is not certain to be in this quarterback class. But there are signs of a top-five player if he declares. He has a 96.0 PFF passing grade on throws of 20 or more yards this year, with a 7.5% big-time throw rate to just a 1.7% turnover-worthy play rate. The NFL Trade deadline has come and gone and for one NFL team it was highly eventful and impactful on the 2026 NFL Draft.

The New York Jets didn’t just make one blockbuster trade, but two as they sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2026 first-round pick and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for... That give the Jets quite a haul when it comes to draft capital as they serve as the third team with two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. How will the Jets, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys play the board? It’s getting interesting especially with the top draft prospects starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. While quarterbacks are always the buzz at the top of the NFL Draft, it doesn’t mean they are the best players or even present as generational talent. The 2024 NFL Draft was one of the best when it comes to quarterbacks with franchise potential and although Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson are Dante Moore are sparking buzz, this is shaping up to...

One of the top defenders in the nation is Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who would tempt a team like the New Orleans Saints to pass on QB to take a disruptor off the edge... There is also Ohio State defenders like Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese who can impact any NFL defense. The Draft Network is your go-to source for NFL Draft coverage—featuring expert scouting reports, exclusive interviews, and the top-rated Mock Draft Machine. Be the GM and create your own mock draft today. The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline is in the rearview mirror, and with it comes a shuffle-up of team needs and some new draft picks. How will these moves reshape the 2026 NFL Draft?

Let’s dive in and break down what the first round could look like this April in our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft. The Tennessee Titans don’t need a quarterback, so they’re free to draft the best player available without a second thought. No player has done more to raise his 2026 NFL Draft value than Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. Reese has been playing more on the edge in 2025, and I expect that to continue into his NFL career. He’s a true game-changer and a potential cornerstone for Tennessee.If the New Orleans Saints end up with a top-three pick, they must consider drafting a quarterback despite spending a second-round pick on Tyler Shough... Neither Shough nor Spencer Rattler appears to be a franchise QB.

Fernando Mendoza has the ideal frame and arm strength to succeed in the NFL and displays impressive poise and maturity in the pocket. He’s my QB1 in the 2026 class.While it’s tempting to add a wide receiver here to pair with Malik Nabers and give Jaxson Dart a top young receiving duo, the New York Giants have... Downs is a high-IQ defender who can thrive at every level of the defense. He also possesses the leadership traits and mentality to become a team captain during his rookie contract.The Cleveland Browns have a choice to make if the board falls like this. Do they take a quarterback here? How about a wide receiver?

With QB1 off the board, a second first-round pick, and a strong wide receiver class to choose from, Cleveland passes on adding to their offense here. Instead, the Browns give Myles Garrett a running mate in Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr., the most disruptive player in the draft.As the New York Jets commit to a full teardown, I’m of the mind... If you fall in love with a player during the pre-draft process, sure. But the more prudent approach is to build the roster overall, with the intention of inserting a quarterback in 2027. Clemson’s Peter Woods excels as a run-stuffer and has the potential to develop into a major disruptor in the passing game. He's not a one-for-one Quinnen Williams replacement, but he'll help fill that hole.

He will help New York rebuild their defense under Darren Mougey’s vision.The Geno Smith trade-and-sign has proven to be a disaster. I expect the Las Vegas Raiders to move on in the offseason, even if it means eating an $18.5 million dead cap hit . After sitting and waiting his turn at Alabama, Ty Simpson is thriving in his first season as a starter. He makes NFL-level throws every Saturday. Simpson is a quick processor who isn’t afraid to work through his reads and is comfortable setting and adjusting protections. The entire field is available to him, and he throws with excellent anticipation and velocity over the middle to attack tight windows.I fully expect Tua Tagovailoa to be the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback in 2026,...

So if the Dolphins end up picking this high, they should consider drafting their next starting quarterback with the benefit of not needing to start him right away. Oregon’s Dante Moore has a quick release and is an accurate passer. While he may not have the elite deep-arm strength of some other first-round quarterbacks, he wins in other ways. As a redshirt sophomore, Moore may not declare for the 2026 NFL Draft—but if he does, he’ll garner high first-round consideration.While Jayden Daniels’ injuries, body composition, and other related factors are garnering all the... Whether the Commanders bring back Deebo Samuel or not, more pass-catching weapons are needed, and Jordyn Tyson would be a great addition. Tyson is my clear WR1 in the 2026 class.

He’s a big-play threat who also excels as a precise route-runner capable of winning at all levels of the field. He can line up anywhere in the formation and produce.Shoring up the right tackle spot should be a high priority with Rob Havenstein’s contract set to expire. Spencer Fano is a plug-and-play right tackle with tremendous upside as a run blocker, in addition to his strong ability in pass protection.2025 appears to be Trey Hendrickson’s final season in Cincinnati, making it... That effort starts with Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker. Parker is a true three-down defensive end with more than adequate ability against the run.Who knows who’ll be the Arizona Cardinals’ starting quarterback next season?

Regardless, more weapons beyond Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. are needed. Playing in the shadow of all-world sophomore Jeremiah Smith made Carnell Tate a bit underrated coming into the season, but Tate has made a name for himself with his stellar play so far this... He is a versatile, technically refined receiver who can win consistently in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field.The linebacker play for the Dallas Cowboys has been subpar this season. Logan Wilson isn’t likely to change that much. While many balk at drafting pure linebackers in the top half of the first round, Sonny Styles fills an immediate need for a Dallas defense in desperate need of reinforcements.

Styles can contribute at every level of the defense, bringing energy and some pass-rush upside. He’s excelling as the green dot for Ohio State.With Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and David Ojabo all pending free agents, it makes sense for the Baltimore Ravens to target an EDGE here. Keldric Faulk is a versatile defender who can line up anywhere along the defensive front and is equally disruptive against the run and as he is as a pass rusher.The Minnesota Vikings need an... Jermod McCoy is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in January and won’t return to the field until later this season . However, when he’s healthy, he’s arguably the top cornerback in the class. McCoy brings an impressive blend of size, ball skills, and man-coverage ability—more than enough to project him as a starter at the next level.The Houston Texans have major needs along their offensive line.

Francis Mauigoa can compete for a starting spot at tackle or slide inside to guard. Some members of the TDN scouting staff believe Mauigoa has elite potential on the interior. No matter where he plays, he can provide an upgrade to Houston’s offensive line.One could argue that Mansoor Delane has been the best draft-eligible cornerback in college football this season. He could’ve been a day-two pick in last year’s draft, but he decided to return to school and transfer to LSU. He has had a fantastic season thus far, showcasing his physicality and high football IQ. He can lock down the CB2 role in Carolina behind Jaycee Horn.Improving the pass rush is going to be key for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason.

They’ll have a few choices at this spot, but here they land on Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei plays with a relentless motor—whether he’s rushing the passer or chasing down ball carriers—and has the upside to develop into a true three-down defensive end.The future of the San Francisco 49ers’ left tackle... It’s time to start planning for his successor. After some major struggles against Florida State to open the season, Kadyn Proctor has turned things around and looks like the surefire first-rounder he was projected to be. As alluded to earlier in this NFL mock draft, the Browns nab a new wide receiver here. USC’s Makai Lemon is having a fantastic season and has catapulted himself into the first round conversation—some have him as WR2.

Lemon looks primed to be a productive NFL slot weapon right away. He’s quick, intuitive in finding holes in zone coverage, and isn’t afraid to get physical at the catch point.It’s starting to feel like Aaron Rodgers could actually return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for another... If that happens, I don’t see Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan forcing the issue with a rookie quarterback. Instead, they’d likely focus on strengthening a receiving corps that badly needs a reliable secondary option behind D.K. Metcalf. Chris Bell fits that mold perfectly.

At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he can really move—his acceleration turns modest gains into chunk plays, and he brings a legitimate deep threat presence from day one.The Buffalo Bills keep adding wide receiver pieces... KC Concepcion is supremely talented and has really blossomed this season after transferring from NC State to Texas A&M. Concepcion is a RAC monster who has also developed as a deep threat this season. He would help the Bills’ passing offense in multiple ways.Theo Benedet has done an admirable job at left tackle in his brief stint so far, but he’s still a ways away from being a... I think that will prompt the Bears to consider adding a left tackle in the first round. Caleb Lomu, who anchors the left side for the Utah Utes, has taken big strides as both a pass protector and run blocker this season.

He’s a young, ascending prospect who should continue developing even if he starts right away.I want to apologize to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans for mocking CJ Allen here for the third time in a... Given their draft position, long-term needs at the position, and the type of talent Allen is, this fit just feels like a perfect match. Allen is physical, instinctive in coverage, and tackles with sound technique.Al-Quadin Muhammad is having a solid season for the Detroit Lions, but a long-term running mate for Aidan Hutchinson is still needed. Enter David Bailey. Bailey is coming off a strong performance against BYU this past weekend and is firmly in the first-round conversation. He’s a great athlete who uses his physical tools to consistently disrupt the quarterback.Olaivavega Ioane is the best interior offensive line prospect in the class, and he can slide right into the Los Angeles...

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