We interrupt your viewing of the NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs for a little football.
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is set for Thursday in Pittsburgh, and there are plenty of intriguing storylines.
As is often the case, the No. 1 overall pick doesn’t seem to be much of a secret as the Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.
But when the New York Jets start on the clock at No. 2, the real intrigue begins.
There could also be some Canadian content on Day 1 of the draft, as Ottawa's Ahkeem Mesidor out of Miami is one of the top edge rushers in the class.
To give you an idea of how things might play out on Thursday in Round 1, we've put together a consensus mock draft.
Results have been aggregated from ESPN, CBS Sports, NFL.com, Pro Football Focus and the Associated Press.
1. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Don't expect the Raiders to take long on the clock, as they will quickly select the 22-year-old Mendoza to be the future face of their franchise. In his Heisman Trophy-winning season, Mendoza led Indiana to a national title and a perfect 16-0 record while throwing for a FBS-high 41 touchdowns.
2. New York Jets — Edge/LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
This pick for the Jets basically comes down to Reese versus Texas Tech edge David Bailey. Reese's upside is expected to be higher, while Bailey could provide a more immediate pass-rush boost. With the Jets still a ways away from contention, betting on the long-term upside of Reese makes sense here.
3. Arizona Cardinals — Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
There are some reports that the Cardinals could look to trade this pick for more assets, but if they don't, Bailey is the next best option for a team that needs pass-rush help. Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in the class and led the FBS in pass-rush grade (93.8) last season, per PFF.
4. Tennessee Titans — RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Titans need a lot of help everywhere, so investing in a running back this high might be a bit of a risk. But Love's talent is undeniable, and he would be the perfect player to take a little bit of the pressure off second-year quarterback Cam Ward. The 20-year-old Love is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball, as he had 39 runs of 10 yards or more with Notre Dame last season and ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
5. New York Giants — LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Styles would fit perfectly with new Giants head coach John Harbaugh, as he's got the instincts to be a foundational piece in the middle of a defence for years to come.
6. Cleveland Browns — WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Browns take the first wide receiver of the draft in Tate, who can run every route and has consistent hands. Tate would immediately provide a boost to a Browns offence that lacks weapons in the pass game.
7. Washington Commanders — CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Commanders select Delane, who is the top corner on most draft boards. Washington's defence struggled mightily last season, and Delane's versatility projects him to be a shutdown option on the outside.
8. New Orleans Saints — Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Receiver is another area of need for the Saints, but Bain might be too hard to pass up. Despite some worries about how his short arms will impact him at the NFL level, Bain is the last of a clear top three of pass-rushing prospects in this year's draft.
9. Kansas City Chiefs — OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
It's rare that the Chiefs are picking this high in a draft, so selecting the highly-touted Mauigoa to bolster an offensive line that's struggled to protect Patrick Mahomes over the past season feels like a great option.
10. New York Giants (via Cincinnati) — S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Armed with two top-10 picks after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals over the weekend, the Giants double down on Ohio State prospects to solidify their defence. Downs is widely regarded as one of the smartest football players in this draft, and would give Harbaugh another foundational piece to work with.
11. Miami Dolphins — OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Much like the Titans, the Dolphins need a lot of help in a lot of places. Selecting a long-term option at right tackle that could also help give new QB Malik Willis a fighting chance this season seems like the right move for Miami.
12. Dallas Cowboys — CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The Cowboys' defence gave up the most points in the NFL last season, so that's what they are expected to address in this year's draft. McCoy has some risk as he didn't play at all last season due to an ACL injury. But his combine numbers were great, and when healthy, his tape shows that he has the ability to be a shutdown corner.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta) — WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Rams addressed their biggest need at corner via trade and free agency, which frees them up to add a weapon for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford's offence. Lemon is an ideal fit with the Rams' scheme and would also provide them with some long-term insurancek with Davante Adams headed into the last year of his contract.
14. Baltimore Ravens — G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Ravens need some help on their interior offensive line, and Ioane is a perfect fit. In his last two seasons with Penn State, Ioane didn't allow a single sack
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
With Mike Evans now out of the picture, the Bucs bring in another weapon for Baker Mayfield. Sadiq ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine, and is a player who can be used in a number of different ways on offence due to his superb athleticism.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis) — WR Jordan Tyson, Arizona State
After addressing defence with the No. 2 pick, the Jets flip to the other side of the ball with their second pick of Round 1. If it weren't for injury concerns, many experts think Tyson could be the top receiving prospect in the entire draft.
17. Detroit Lions — OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Offensive tackle seems like the popular pick for the Lions in Round 1 after the team released starter Taylor Decker this off-season. Freeling has a ton of upside and could form a dominant tackle duo with Penei Sewell for years to come.
18. Minnesota Vikings — S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
With long-time safety Harrison Smith's status up in the air, the Vikings bring in a replacement in the versatile Thieneman.
19. Carolina Panthers — S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Another offensive weapon for Bryce Young is another option here, but the Panthers also need help on defence, and McNeil-Warren can help solidify their back end.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay) — Edge Keldrick Faulk, Auburn
The Cowboys double-dip on defence in Round 1, taking the six-foot-six, 276-pound Faulk. He still needs to work on his pass-rushing abilities, as he had just two sacks last season, but he should immediately help as a run defender.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
The Steelers desperately struggled to move the ball through the air last season. Assuming Aaron Rodgers is back next season, Concepcion would form a great trio of weapons for him alongside DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
The top Canadian prospect in the draft goes at No. 22 to the Chargers. Mesidor's stock is hurt by some injury concerns and the fact that he's already 25, but he had 12.5 sacks with Miami last season and would be a great rotation piece on an aging defensive front.
23. Philadelphia Eagles — OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
With right tackle Lane Johnson now 36, the Eagles bring in his potential long-term replacement in Iheanachor.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville) — OT Blake Miller, Clemson
If the Browns don't select an offensive tackle at No. 6, expect them to target one with their second pick in Round 1. Miller made 54 starts over his college career, and should be able to play right away.
25. Chicago Bears — DT Peter Woods, Clemson
The Bears bolster their interior defensive front by selecting Woods, who is a big, strong body that could come in and immediately provide a huge boost to their run defence.
26. Buffalo Bills — WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Pass rush is another obvious area of need for the Bills, but if Cooper falls to this point, it will be hard for them to pass up giving Josh Allen another weapon alongside the newly acquired DJ Moore.
27. San Francisco 49ers — OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Despite reaching a contract agreement with Trent Williams this week, the 49ers still need to think long-term at offensive tackle, as Williams will be 38 next season. Lomu didn't allow a sack last season with Utah
28. Houston Texans — OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
The Texans have constantly struggled to protect C.J. Stoud over the past few seasons, and Proctor should be an immediate upgrade for their offensive line.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via L.A. Rams) — CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
After losing their top two corners to the Rams this off-season, the Chiefs need someone who could start from the get-go. Hood's versatility should allow him to do just that.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver) — WR Denzel Boston, Washington
With the pick they acquired by trading Jaylen Waddle to Denver, the Dolphins fill a glaring need at receiver by selecting Boston.
31. New England Patriots — Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
One of the Patriots' biggest weaknesses last year was bringing down the quarterback. And while Howell still needs work as a run defender, he can step in right away and help in clear passing downs.
32. Seattle Seahawks — RB Jadarian Price, RB
The defending Super Bowl champs could go a few different ways with this pick, but many draft experts have them selecting Kenneth Walker's replacement. Price may have backed up Love in college, but he has all the tools to be a No. 1 RB in the NFL.
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