This year’s trade deadline brought plenty of fireworks. More than usual, actually, and plenty of teams got in on the action. The headliner, of course, was the Jets sending two-time All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner to the Colts for a pair of first-round picks and WR Adonai Mitchell . The Jets now join the Rams, Browns and Cowboys as teams with two first-round picks in next year’s draft.
With the immediate ripple effect this has on the draft, now is the perfect time for an updated mock. It’s been over a month since my last mock, and as the college football season rolls on, there is plenty to update.
As always, this far out, specific prospect-to-team fits are a little tricky to work out. But given the topic is the trade deadline, I worked to match team needs more than I normally would at this point in the season.
1 — Tennessee Titans: Miami ED Rueben Bain Jr.
The undisputed top player in the class in my eyes, the Titans get a defensive cornerstone to pair with their planned quarterback of the future in last year’s No. 1 pick, Cam Ward . Bain shuts down his side of the line in run defense, but his pass-rushing skills are what set him apart. With an elite bag of pass rush moves and freaky burst off the line of scrimmage, Bain has the makings of a true difference-making NFL edge rusher.
2 — New Orleans Saints: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Second-round QB Tyler Shough will have the rest of this season to audition for the Saints’ starting spot in 2026. For now, let’s get them another receiver to pair with WR Chris Olave after New Orleans traded away WR Rashid Shaheed at the deadline. Tyson is a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL, with a prototypical frame and fantastic ball skills. His ability to get separation at all three levels of the field is unmatched, and he wins at the catch point with strong hands.
3 — New York Giants: Ohio State LB Arvell Reese
Reese is an athletic freak who will test how high a linebacker can go in the draft in this era. He can line up on the edge and rush the passer, erase runs sideline to sideline, and blanket backs, tight ends and slot receivers in coverage. Reese is a versatile defensive weapon who can play multiple positions in the NFL — he’s shaping up to be the best linebacker prospect since Micah Parsons . His best home in the league might ultimately be in the role Parsons has settled into.
4 — Cleveland Browns: Utah OT Spencer Fano
It hasn’t been quite the banner year we all wanted to see from Fano, but he’s still easily the best offensive lineman in this class, and the Browns are in desperate need of offensive line help. Fano is a monster athlete with smooth movement skills. He creates serious vertical displacement in the run game and is nimble on his feet in pass protection. His potential is sky-high.
5 — New York Jets: Oregon QB Dante Moore
Moore’s frame and arm talent are both pluses in the NFL. He’s shown a great grasp of Oregon’s offense and consistently makes high-level, NFL-type throws. Unlike many college quarterbacks, Moore isn’t running a gimmicky offense, and he creates out of structure when he needs to. He could return to school, but if he declares, he’ll be in the mix for QB1 in this class.
6 — Las Vegas Raiders: Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Simpson stepped into his first season as a starter this year and looks like a seasoned veteran. He plays with such poise and confidence, executing Bama’s offense rhythmically and consistently. There’s no sense that he’s in over his head as a first-year starter in the SEC, and he can make every throw in the book. When attacking over the middle, Simpson is at his best, and he’s a bit of a surprise riser for me in recent weeks.
7 — Miami Dolphins: Ohio State S Caleb Downs
Much like Reese, Downs will test how high a devalued position can go in the draft. He’s the most complete player in the class, a lockdown coverage defender who can play single-high, two-high, or in the slot. He erases his man in single coverage and has excellent zone awareness on the back end. In run support, Downs truly excels, with highlight-reel run stops week after week.
8 — Washington Commanders: Auburn ED Keldric Faulk
A long, physical edge rusher, Faulk is still developing as a pass rusher. But his upside is tremendous. Right now, he’s an exceptional run defender, altering opponents’ game plans through his presence alone. He uses his long arms and intense strength to wall off and move offensive linemen backward. Some development as a pass rusher would make him a star in the NFL.
9 — Cincinnati Bengals: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Do the Bengals have bigger needs? Yes. Would this be super fun though? Also yes. Love is as dynamic a runner as you’ll find, with true breakaway speed in the open field. His jump cuts leave defenders grasping at air and he does a great job of reading his blocks and finding the rushing lanes. He’s still developing his route tree, but Love showcases good receiving skills with the versatility to split out wide.
10 — Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Clemson DT Peter Woods
The trade the Rams made with the Falcons during the last draft, to trade out of the first round in exchange for Atlanta’s 2026 first, is shaping up to be one of the defining moves for next year’s draft. It’ll allow Los Angeles — arguably the best team in the league this year — to pick potentially as high as the top 10. Here, they take Woods, adding another upside swing to an already stacked defensive line. While Clemson’s defense has underperformed this season, Woods is extremely disruptive on the interior. He’s athletic and fundamentally sound in run support, and he shows flashes of being a game-wrecker as a pass rusher.
11 — Arizona Cardinals: USC QB Jayden Maiava
The Cardinals seem destined for a divorce from QB Kyler Murray at this point, with insiders openly guessing Murray has played his last snap for Arizona. Maiava is one of my favorite quarterbacks in this class, with fantastic pocket awareness, accuracy and touch. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he can make every NFL throw, and his ability to hit timing routes in the intermediate parts of the field will play right away in the league.
12 — Dallas Cowboys: Tennessee ED Joshua Josephs
One of my favorite players in this class, Josephs has taken a notable step forward as a senior. He’s always been one of the best speed rushers in the SEC, but now he’s added a more diverse pass rush game and is making plays as a run defender, too. There isn’t a better first step off the line in this class, and Josephs has freakish bend and cornering abilities. Now that he can hold the edge against the run, there isn’t much to critique in his game.
13 — Baltimore Ravens: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
McCoy has yet to play a down in 2025 despite originally targeting a September return from an ACL tear suffered during offseason training in January. He’s not necessarily behind schedule, but the lack of clarity around his injury is concerning. Still, the tape McCoy put up in 2024 is elite, and if healthy, he’s a surefire top 15 pick and NFL starter. Few move the way McCoy does in man coverage, and he pairs that with great ball skills and some of the best route awareness I’ve scouted in some time.
14 — Minnesota Vikings: LSU CB Mansoor Delane
Delane chose to forgo the 2025 draft and instead transferred from Virginia Tech to LSU, a fantastic decision that’s earned him a bunch of money. He’s putting together a stellar season for an underwhelming Tigers team, showcasing his fluidity in space and his versatility in coverage. In both man and zone schemes, Delane knows how to manipulate space and bother receivers throughout their routes, staying sticky in man and mirroring routes through his area in zone. Unlike many smaller corners, Delane isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support, either.
15 — Houston Texans: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
An absolute mauler at right tackle, Mauigoa is built like a more traditional guard but has the skills of a tackle. In pass protection, he uses sound technique and refined footwork to keep his assignment at bay, keeping his head on a swivel to pick up stunts and communicate with his fellow linemen. In the run game, Mauigoa is a nightmare for defenders to see in the open field, just erasing them from the play and escorting the ball carrier down the field.
16 — Carolina Panthers: Texas CB Malik Muhammad
Muhammad doesn’t get a lot of ball production at Texas because the Longhorns play a ton of Cover 3. But he’s a rangy, long, physical corner who isn’t afraid to throw his shoulder in the mix in run support. Muhammad has the measurables of a prototypical NFL corner and he’s excellent in both zone and man schemes. I’m higher on him than most, and even this draft slot is a little lower than where I have him ranked.
17 — Kansas City Chiefs: Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington
Washington is a bit more of a developmental prospect at the moment, but his upside is absurd. He’s a big nose tackle who can also play 3-tech, and his combination of strength and lateral agility is almost unheard of. His best reps look like a top-five player in this class, but this is his first season starting and he’s still learning to put it all together. If Washington can develop more consistency with time, he has the makings of an extremely disruptive interior pass rusher.
18 — San Francisco 49ers: Texas Tech ED David Bailey
If you’re looking for a speed rusher, Bailey is your guy. The injury to ED Nick Bosa exposed the Niners’ lack of other consistent pass rushers, and Bailey has a lot of potential here. A transfer from Stanford, Bailey’s pass-rush production speaks for itself. Critically, he’s shown a lot of growth as a run defender this season, shedding the designated pass rusher title for a more complete skillset that allows him to be an every-down player.
19 — Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
The Browns have the worst receiving corps in the NFL, so let’s help them upgrade that. This honestly might be too low for Tate, who’s proving to be one of the best receivers in college football right now. His body control at the catch point is unreal — he will catch anything and everything that gets near him. With sharp route-running skills and soft hands, Tate is reminiscent of recent NFL success stories, such as fellow Buckeyes product Jaxon Smith-Njigba .
20 — Pittsburgh Steelers: USC WR Makai Lemon
Lemon’s skillset pairs perfectly with Steelers WR D.K. Metcalf . A versatile deep threat and yards after catch weapon who can line up inside or outside, Lemon can take the top off the defense or weave through traffic like a running back. He’s shown a more diverse route tree this season and dominates over the middle of the field, creating chunk plays on a consistent basis.
21 — Buffalo Bills: Washington WR Denzel Boston
The Bills need a true go-to receiver, and Boston can definitely be that. He dominates in contested catch situations and can play outside or in the slot. While he won’t generate the most separation relative to smaller receivers, Boston is a sharp route runner who isn’t afraid to catch tough passes in traffic and knows how to win at the apex of his routes.
22 — Chicago Bears: Clemson ED T.J. Parker
Chicago capitalizes on a bit of a down season from Parker, but he’s still one of the best pass rushers in this class. He’s physical and plays with excellent hands, holding the point of attack in run defense and dipping into his deep bag of pass rush moves to get after the quarterback. Parker’s lack of plus athleticism has been exposed at times this season, but in this range it’s hard to ignore his production and advanced skillset.
23 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Texas A&M ED Cashius Howell
Howell was the most productive pass rusher last season for the Aggies, on a line that included three players who went in the first two rounds. He picked up right where he left off, using his speed to win the edge despite lacking ideal length for the position. Howell makes up for it with a quick first step and next-level hand usage, ripping through tackles and using counters to create advantages and get after the quarterback.
24 — Detroit Lions: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
Although he plays tackle in college, Proctor is probably a guard in the NFL. He’s absolutely massive and has some trouble getting to his landmarks at tackle, but a move inside to guard would maximize his strengths and disguise his weaknesses. In the run game, Proctor demolishes entire sides of the defensive line, a welcome skill set in Detroit. In pass protection, he uses his hands well to keep his chest clean and has quick feet for his size.
25 — Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Ohio State’s other linebacker is pretty good in his own right. Despite being a senior, Styles is just 20 years old, and the converted safety has plus athleticism for the position. As you might expect given his background, Styles is best in coverage, showcasing exceptional range and fluidity in space to take on all sorts of assignments. He’s a good run defender, too, plugging his gaps and flying around the field to make plays.
26 — Los Angeles Chargers: Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane
The massive Ioane is the best interior offensive lineman in this draft, unless you count Proctor. He moves very well for someone his size and has quick, smooth feet that give him a firm base in pass protection. In the run game, Ioane moves defenders off the ball, paving lanes behind him for runners and connecting on blocks in the open field. The Chargers need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line, even when they get injured tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back, and Ioane is the best of the bunch.
27 — Los Angeles Rams: Duke QB Darian Mensah
Just a redshirt sophomore, Mensah is one of several underclassmen quarterbacks in this class who could easily return to school next year. But if he does declare, he’s absolutely worthy of a first-round pick. He’s absurdly accurate on short and intermediate throws, and he navigates the pocket and makes plays on the move as well as anyone. The Rams can redshirt Mensah behind Stafford for a season or two.
28 — New England Patriots: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
Sadiq’s production won’t jump off the page this year, but he’s stamped his claim as TE1 in this class. His potential as a receiver is off the charts, with eye-popping athleticism and refined route running, especially for a younger tight end. But it’s his blocking that’s been most impressive this season, something Sadiq dedicated himself to getting better at this offseason. Whether it’s in the run game or as a pass blocker, Sadiq can hold his own and then some, quieting any concerns about his fit in the NFL.
29 — Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson CB Avieon Terrell
Terrell is a chaos agent in the secondary. He can play on the outside or in the slot, despite being a bit undersized, and plays with intense physicality. In coverage, Terrell is a smooth mover with great ball skills, and he’s a demon in run support. No one hits harder than him and he forces fumbles in bunches — he’s a veritable turnover machine who can play in both zone and man schemes.
30 — Denver Broncos: Iowa State DT Domonique Orange
“Big Citrus” is a two-gapping run stuffer with a little wiggle as a pass rusher. He commands double teams and holds the point of attack with force, allowing others to penetrate and make plays. But he’s not a passive player, either, knifing into the backfield for more production than most nose tackles. As a pass rusher, he’s flashed some upside, generating pressure with a quick first step that catches guards by surprise.
31 — Seattle Seahawks: Oklahoma ED R Mason Thomas
Despite being a little undersized, Thomas has some of the best pound-for-pound strength in this class. He’s relentless chasing ball carriers and gets off blocks well for a smaller edge rusher. But Thomas will make his money in the NFL as a pass rusher, and his burst and get-off is fantastic. Tackles have to heavily compensate for his speed around the edge, which allows him to pull some well-timed counters for quick wins.
32 — New York Jets (via IND): Tennessee CB Colton Hood
He’s not Sauce, but Hood is stacking yet another great season on top of what he did last year with plus size and athleticism at cornerback. Hood excels in both man and zone coverages. When locked up one-on-one, he remains glued to his man and makes every catch tough, whereas in zone coverage he creates great ball production.
