The NFL playoffs have eliminated five of 12 teams going into Monday night, which means the league is closer to having the first-round order set for the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the Packers and Jaguars losing in the wild-card round, the Cowboys and Browns now have clarity on their two picks in the top 32, much like the Rams and Jets already do.
The College Football Playoff semifinals didn't change too much in terms of top winning prospect value for some top prospects.
Here are the latest adjusted projections for what can go down on April 23:
MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:
- Full NFL playoff schedule
- Updated NFL playoff bracket
NFL Mock Draft 2026
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds)
The Raiders with the No. 1 pick for the second time in franchise history (first since taking JaMarcus Russell) in 2007, need to go after a non-bust quarterback right off the top. Mendoza, a prolific pocket passing winner, looks the part with his arm and intangibles, two things that should appeal to the influence of Tom Brady.
MORE: Ranking Raiders' top options for potential No. 1 overall pick
2. New York Jets
- Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (6-3, 206 pounds)
Moore has the leadership and intangibles to handle being the next shot at a franchise QB in New York as well as the savvy and strong arm. There's no more need to mess around at this position after the Aaron Rodgers-Justin Fields injury-marred messes. Moore, despite the tough performance opposite Mendoza in the CFP, is still worthy of a high pick.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
The Cardinals moved on from defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon but still should prioritize second-level big playmakers. Reese as an all-around force to fix a lot of their defensive issues away from a rather productive pass rush.
4. Tennessee Titans
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-3, 275 pounds)
The Titans also don't need a QB after taking Cam Ward No. 1 overall last year, but they can go back to the Hurricanes program to get the game-changing pass-rusher they desperately need for their latest defensive reboot. Bain has boosted his stock with the Hurricanes' surprise wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State in the CFP.
5. New York Giants
Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 195 pounds)
The Giants will hope Malik Nabers is recovered from his Week 4 torn ACL but with Wan'Dale Robinson unsigned for 2026, they should be looking for a new playmaker for Jaxson Dart. Lemon is a big-play option with slot sensibility to complement Nabers well downfield.
6. Cleveland Browns
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 200 pounds)
The Browns need to stop messing around at wide receiver and give either Shedeur Sanders or a different starting quarterback a true go-to all over the field, both in the slot and outside, in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba's vein, only lacking the hyphen.
7. Washington Commanders
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds
The Commanders need to get young, more explosive and tougher vs. The run in the pass rush and Bailey can give Dan Quinn all of that in the transition to a new defensive coordinator for his system.
8. New Orleans Saints
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 214 pounds)
The Saints couldn't keep their backs healthy in 2025, led by long-time star Alvin Kamara, who turns 31 in July. Love would give Kellen Moore his version of a well-rounded Saquon Barkley type workhorse he enjoyed while in Philadelphia.
MORE: Ranking 10 best NFL Draft prospects in 2025 College Football Playoff
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-3, 315 pounds)
The Chiefs need to think about the future of their interior defensive line behind fading Chris Jones. Woods can give them a dominant run stopper with promising pass-rush juice.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205 pounds)
The Bengals need to boost their secondary with playmakers in the middle of the field, long removed from the impact of Jessie Bates III. Downs can do everything in coverage to clean up vs. Run and in coverage as a hybrid all-around playmaker.
11. Miami Dolphins
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 193 pounds)
The Dolphins need to boost cornerback after trading Jalen Ramsey and McCoy gives them the size, toughness and physicality to be stronger in man coverage.
12. Dallas Cowboys
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 285 pounds)
The Cowboys must address their pass rush again early after trading Micah Parsons. Faulk is a natural dominant force against the run and has high upside in getting to the quarterback.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)
The Rams have relied on Rob Havenstein at right tackle for a long time but could use his fresh-legged successor. Mauigoa can be a rock for them, too, after raising his stock in the first three rounds of the CFP.
14. Baltimore Ravens
- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 248 pounds)
The Ravens will like this fluid, well-rounded pass-rusher to be very active in their scheme and give their secondary much-needed pressure support.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
The Buccaneers need to restore the versatility in their second level for Todd Bowles' defense. Styles is just a notch or two below Reese in providing that rangy playmaking.
MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:
- Divisional picks, predictions
- NFL playoff power rankings, 1-8
16. New York Jets (from Colts)
- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (6-4, 209 pounds)
Boston has a chance to creep into the conversation for top wide receiver, much like Tetairoa McMillan did as a first-round pick for the Panthers last year. Boston's classic size-speed-strength profile would complement Garrett Wilson well for Moore or another new QB.
17. Detroit Lions
- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (6-3, 326 pounds)
The Lions need more punch on their defensive line to support Aidan Hutchinson. McDonald can be a powerful asset vs. The run and also provide some extra inside pass-rush juice.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195 pounds)
The Vikings need to get more explosive in stretching the field with their passing game, as there was too much short-to-intermediate reliance. Tate can take the top off the defense and get open well in single coverage outside away from Justin Jefferson to boost J.J. McCarthy.
19. Carolina Panthers
Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds)
The Panthers need some interior line help and Fano is a candidate to take over for aging free-agent bust Robert Hunt on the right side as he could be dominant with his frame sliding inside to help Taylor Moton.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 190 pounds)
The Cowboys got tired of Trevon Diggs' inconsistency and need to have a sound, well-rounded cornerback who can handle different kinds of coverage for what will be a new-look defense minus fired coordinator Matt Eberflus. Delane can deliver that with high shutdown potential to complement DaRon Bland.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (5-11, 190 pounds)
The Steelers need to get a second big-play threat to support DK Metcalf and Concepcion would be the ideal throwback with his sharp route-running and quickness to add juice inside and out.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 235 pounds)
The Chargers are headed to needing to replace expected retiree Khalil Mack on the pass rush and Height is a dangerous, versatile player with a wide repertoire of sack moves with room to grow into every-down reliable against the run.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 245 pounds)
Dallas Goedert had a career year scoring touchdowns but he just turned 31 and is a pending free agent. Sadiq would add another welcome explosive element to create mismatches between A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to get open down the seam for Jalen Hurts.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
Kaydn Proetor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)
The Browns, should they go wide receiver early to fill one big offensive need, would need to come back an address their blocking issues with age and injury-related reboot needed up front. Proctor can be drafted most to provide a major run-blocking upgrade and his frame gives him the upside to grow into a steadier pass protector.