Giants, Cardinals and Jeremiyah Love emerge as wild cards in our NFL mock draft

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love could be selected as high as third overall during Thursday's NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

Published Apr 22, 2026  •  5 minute read

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine earlier this year. AP Photo

With two picks in the top 10, the New York Giants should have the biggest impact on Thursday night’s NFL draft while Arizona needs to make a decision on Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best overall prospect.

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1. Las Vegas

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Fernando Mendoza, QB, IND

There hasn’t been and won’t be any drama with the top pick year as this selection has been set in stone for months.

2. New York Jets

David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech

This one could come down to the buzzer, but we think the Jets side with the better pure rusher to kickstart their defence.

3. Arizona

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Reese has tremendous upside and the versatility to play off the ball, making a valuable addition to the Cards’ pedestrian defence.

4. Tennessee

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love is the most-debated player in the draft and arguably is the best overall player available. But as an RB, his positional value is low.

5. New York Giants

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

With two top-10 picks, the Giants have a lot in play. Styles is a great athlete and a good choice to lead John Harbaugh’s defence.

6. Cleveland

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Browns stay in state and grab the top receiver on most draft boards, a much-needed weapon for their lackluster passing game.

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7. Washington

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.

Tyson’s playmaking ability has seen his stock rise dramatically and he would be an excellent compliment to Terry McLaurin in Washington.

8. New Orleans

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

The biggest concerns about Bain are his arm length, but his other traits should make him an impact player for the Saints right off the bat.

9. Kansas City

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

According to reports, Andy Reid is desperate to upgrade his offensive line, which is an obvious need after seeing Patrick Mahomes injured last year.

10. New York Giants

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Giants once again have plenty of options here, but upgrading the offensive line makes the most sense after going defence with their top pick.

11. Miami

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

He’s the top corner in the draft and another prospect that should have an immediate impact as a starter while the Dolphins begin their rebuild.

12. Dallas

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Cowboys should consider themselves lucky to land a player like Downs, who arguably is a top-5 talent in the draft, but plays “less valuable” position.

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13. L.A. Rams

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Rams are in win-now mode and rarely have a pick this high in the draft. They’ll cash in with another weapon to help take another shot at the Super Bowl before Matthew Stafford hangs up his cleats.

14. Baltimore

Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State

This is one of the most widely predicted fits in the first round with Ioane set to anchor the Ravens offensive line for years to come.

15. Tampa Bay

Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

At 25 years old, he’s on the older side as a prospect, but the Ottawa-born edge rusher had more sacks than stud teammate Bain Jr.

16. New York Jets

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

A tough playmaker who has the ability to play both outside and in the slot, he’ll fill a need with the Jets severely lacking in receiving talent.

17. Detroit

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

He might not be the most highly touted tackle prospect available, but several insiders have claimed the Lions are in love with Miller.

18. Minnesota

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

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Even if Harrison Smith doesn’t retire, the Vikings certainly have to think about the future at safety considering how crucial the position is to their defensive scheme.

19. Carolina

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq rates as the draft’s best TE prospect and should provide good production as a receiving threat while also contributing as a blocker.

20. Dallas

Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Faulk’s combination of size, length and athleticism should help the Cowboys improve in both pass rush and run defence up front.

21. Pittsburgh

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The latest reports of Broderick Jones suffering a setback in recovering from a neck injury only adds to the Steelers’ need for offensive line help.

22. L.A. Chargers

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Chargers could be looking to trade out of this spot, but if they stay put, grabbing one of the draft’s better run defenders will serve them well.

23. Philadelphia

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Eagles are good at looking ahead and know they need a long-term replacement for Lane Johnson soon, especially after his injury-riddled 2025 season.

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24. Cleveland

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona St.

Coming into the draft with a reported goal of landing some help at receiver and on the offensive line, the Browns should accomplish their mission.

25. Chicago

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

It’s rare to see three safeties go in the first round of a draft, but McNeil-Warren has the talent and traits to complete the trifecta.

26. Buffalo

T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

While adding a receiver could be tempting, the Bills defence continues to be

27. San Francisco

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Some 49ers fans have been groaning about this pick, but Trent Williams — who just re-signed for two years — is 37 years old and the line has dealt with injury and depth issues for a while.

28. Houston

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

After missing out on a run of strong offensive linemen, the Texans should look to beef up the other side of the trenches and Woods would go great alongside Will Anderson.

29. Kansas City

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Chiefs should be looking to restock their defensive backfield after trading away TJ McDuffie earlier this year and acquiring this pick in the process.

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30. Miami

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

After an off-season overhaul, the Dolphins are in desperate need of some weapons in the passing game.

31. New England

Chris Johnson Jr., CB, San Diego St.

With and A.J. Brown reportedly all but completed, the Pats can address some other needs here.

32. Seattle

Jermod McCoy, DB, Tennessee

Injury concerns with his knee could see this highly talented prospect slide into the second round.

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