Can Colin Cowherd correctly predict the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? He isn’t sure, but he’s hopeful that he can guess five of the first 15 picks right based on what he’s hearing in his discussions with people around the league.
Cowherd unveiled how he thinks the top 15 picks will go in his most recent mock draft as we’re two weeks away from Round 1. While his top-four picks might be what you’ve seen in other mock drafts, he has the New York Giants making a move that might not seem to be too popular. He also has Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson getting some reinforcements around them on offense.
So, let’s take a look at how Cowherd thinks the first 15 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft will go down, based on what he’s hearing.
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Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Cowherd’s thoughts: “That’s the easy one. I’m going to go one-for-one. He threw 49 touchdowns and no interceptions the last two years in the red zone. Hyper smart, ball placement and toughness [are good]. I would not be shocked if the Raiders on the prime of the second [round] go get [Indiana wide receiver] Omar Cooper, who could be out there on the prime of Spherical 2.”
Odds to be No. 1 decide: -20000
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State
Cowherd’s ideas: “I believe the Jets take a giant swing on Arvell Reese, who I believe is the youngest prospect within the draft. He is solely 20 and he does not have a transparent, outlined place but. That is what the Jets do. I believe they want six or seven good gamers earlier than they take a swing. With the teaching workers and head coach they’ve, I simply do not belief them. I’d reasonably get a plug-and-play man who has an outlined, already-made place. Reese is an enchanting participant. The Jets had the second-fewest sacks within the NFL, so it is a place of want, however that is why I like [David] Bailey [more for New York]. You possibly can drop Reese into protection. So, I believe he is an ideal expertise, however I fear concerning the Jets and Aaron Glenn with the ability to bake this and make it work shortly.”
Odds to be No. 2 decide: -105
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech
Cowherd’s ideas: “They’ve a go rush difficulty. The Cardinals ranked twenty eighth in sacks final yr. So, this might be a little bit of a break, in my view, for the Arizona Cardinals. They will get my favourite go rusher in school soccer. I believe Rueben Bain is excellent as nicely, however [Bailey] led school soccer in sacks and stress price and he is getting higher. He is a a lot better participant now than he was at Stanford.”
Odds to be No. 3 decide: +235
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Cowherd’s ideas: “To begin with, Robert Saleh is aware of the worth of a star working again for a younger quarterback. He watched [Christian] McCaffrey with Brock Purdy. Saleh’s bought a greater offensive really feel than most defensive coaches. He truly does, I’ve texted with Robert on that. He likes offense, and he is aware of the worth. [Love] is a home-run hitter. I am telling you, the drop-off between Love and the second-best working again on this draft, it could be higher than Fernando Mendoza and the second-best quarterback. He is an absolute Jahmyr Gibbs[-type].”
Odds to be No. 4 decide: +150
What makes Jeremiyah Love an elite working again prospect?
5. New York Giants: Sonny Types, LB, Ohio State
Cowherd’s ideas: “I believe the Giants get possibly the cleanest participant within the draft, Sonny Types. He will are available and play. Linebacker, freak athlete, 182 mixed tackles over the past two years. John Harbaugh’s been speaking about toughness and perspective. That is Sonny Types. Individuals can say, ‘Linebacker? I don’t know.’ The Giants have spent some huge cash at nook within the final couple of years. They might go nook, possibly. This child’s going to come back in, play and get numerous tackles.”
Odds to be No. 5 decide: +175
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Cowherd’s ideas: “The very best receiver on this draft is Carnell Tate, and Cleveland’s gotten an egregiously unhealthy huge receiver corps. The Browns had the fewest receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. [Tate] simply walks in and stars. I believe he is nice. He is sturdy. He is bought velocity. I do not know if he has the route tree of [Jaxon Smith-Njigba], however I am going to inform you this: catching radius, toughness and velocity are actually good.”
Odds to be No. 6 decide: +150
7. Washington Commanders: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Cowherd’s ideas: “Effectively, Jayden Daniels wants safety. Laremy Tunsil, meet Francis Mauigoa. Many individuals suppose he might inside and play guard. He is not a left deal with. he is extra of a proper deal with. I do not suppose he has elite foot quickness, so possibly you progress him inside. However I’ve bought Jayden Daniels. Daniels is getting banged up on this league.”
Odds to be No. 7 decide: +2200
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.)
Cowherd’s ideas: “The Saints have numerous wants, however this child lives within the backfield. I care just a little bit about arm size. He is an ideal substitute for Cam Jordan, who’s a free agent and getting up there [in age]. So, you exchange him with a canine — a man that is going to come back in and stress the quarterback. All people I discuss to within the league loves Bain. Due to the measurements, he isn’t going to be a No. 1 or No. 2 decide. However I have never talked to anybody within the NFL that does not respect him as a participant.”
Odds to be No. 8 decide: +350
9. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Cowherd’s ideas: “This appears apparent. … The Chiefs have struggled to guard Mahomes the final two years — eighth most sacked quarterback in two seasons and now Mahomes is coming off an ACL damage. They solved their working again in free company, getting Kenneth Walker from Seattle. Do they want an edge rusher? They do, however Bailey might be gone, Reese might be gone and Rueben Bain might be gone. So that is a straightforward one. I believe it is a sensible one.
“They bought Josh Simmons at left deal with. When he performed, he was wonderful when it comes to the frequency and shortage of enjoying issues. However by the best way, you get Fano in. [If] Josh Simmons will get banged up or does not play, that is what they did with the Chargers in Joe Alt. Transfer him to the opposite facet. I believe he goes 9 to Kansas Metropolis.”
Odds to be No. 9 decide: +700
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Cowherd’s ideas: “I believe he might be the steal of the draft. I believe he walks in and begins Day 1. He is only a nice soccer participant, actually sensible, very instinctive. He is not enormous. I do not get too caught up on that. Individuals stated Troy Polamalu wasn’t enormous. He is only a nice participant. He is in-state and Buckeye followers will find it irresistible. Simply toughness, urgency, playmaking and the protection for now, that Trey Hendrickson is gone, you thought the protection was unhealthy for Cincinnati final yr? Might worsen.”
Odds to be No. 10 decide: +300
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Cowherd’s ideas: “Didn’t enable a single landing or commit a single penalty final yr at LSU. Primary cornerback within the draft and once more, right here comes Jeff Hafley, the defensive man from Inexperienced Bay. So with considered one of his two first-round picks, he is taking a defensive participant, both with one of many picks or two of the picks. Sure, they want a large receiver. Sure, they want some offensive line. You will get that within the second, third or fifth spherical. You possibly can’t get the most effective nook in these rounds.”
Odds to be first cornerback drafted: -240
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Cowherd’s ideas: “You have to cheapen up that protection since you’re spending some huge cash on offense and now you are spending some huge cash in your defensive entrance. They get Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. He can play zone. He can play man-to-man. Opposing quarterbacks final yr on the Dallas Cowboys 69% completion share and a passer score at 109. So that they have upgraded their defensive entrance. Now they have to go get some dexterity and flexibility on the again finish. He is an ideal participant.”
Odds to be second cornerback drafted: -195
13. Los Angeles Rams (through Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Cowherd’s ideas: “Davante Adams is 34 and bought banged up. Puka Nacua has simply entered rehab and bought some off-field stuff. Maturity points. This child doesn’t let the ball hit the bottom; 2.8% of balls thrown to him hit the bottom. Great child. He is bought numerous Amon-Ra St. Brown and might be productive Day 1. … Matt Stafford does not wish to educate any individual methods to play soccer. Makai Lemon walks in Day 1. He’ll determine the playbook out in three practices.”
Odds to be second huge receiver drafted: +155
14. Baltimore Ravens: Monroe Freeling, OT, Ravens
Cowherd’s ideas: “Lamar Jackson final yr pressured on 26% of his throws, a profession excessive. They go get Monroe Freeling, Georgia deal with. He is just a little uncooked, however has had, in 18 begins, one holding penalty. Hear, if you are going to pay Lamar Jackson, what you retain studying, they will pay him, you higher defend him. That is one other participant that everyone thinks goes to be actually good. No one’s fairly certain if he’ll be good as a rookie. Get him in [the] home.”
Odds Ravens use first decide on an offensive lineman: +140
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Cowherd’s ideas: “Native child. Performed [high school football] in Tampa. Bucs have been twenty seventh towards the go. They’d the worst crimson zone protection. Now Mike Evans is gone. They want a receiver. There are some nice receivers within the second, third and fourth spherical. He is a hometown child. He’s rangy. He runs ok. Once more, one other considered one of these small faculty [defensive backs] that we don’t watch sufficient of. Keep in mind when Sauce Gardner got here out? Might have been the No. 1 participant and defensive participant in that draft.”
Odds to be second security drafted: +290
