Identifying Every NFL Team's Dream Draft Target in 2026

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway this week—the next major step toward the draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. As players are put through their paces in Indianapolis, it will inevitably influence how teams view certain prospects, or at least make them revisit some of their evaluations.

The prospects in the 2026 draft class are largely known commodities at this point, and so are the needs of the NFL's 32 teams—whether it is the Las Vegas Raiders picking first overall or clubs such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons that do not even have first-round selections.

Match those team needs with this draft class, and certain prospects emerge as particularly strong fits. They may not all be first- or second-rounders, but every franchise can identify at least one player capable of making the kind of impact that makes an NFL general manager look good.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

OT Spencer Fano, Utah (Round 1)

The Arizona Cardinals have yet to decide on the future of quarterback Kyler Murray. But even if the Redbirds do move on from Murray, it's unlikely that the team will take a quarterback at No. 3. Not in this class.

However, regardless of who is under center in 2026, there's no arguing that the NFL's 26th-ranked offensive line from a year ago per Pro Football Focus needs work.

As B/R's own Brandon Thorn wrote, that's where Utah tackle Spencer Fano comes in.

"Arizona hasn't had a long-term answer at right tackle for years," Thorn said. "With Paris Johnson entrenched on the left side, Fano's selection provides long-term bookends for the team to build around. Fano is a quick-twitch mover with excellent balance, who can match up well with speed-rushers on the edge and be a weapon on the move in the run game."

This is a pick the Cardinals can't afford to miss on. And Fano appears to be a relatively low-risk call.

Atlanta Falcons

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WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana (Round 2)

The Atlanta Falcons do not have a first-round pick in 2026 by virtue of last year's trade up to snare edge-rusher James Pearce Jr. That increases the pressure on Matt Ryan to nail the team's Day 2 picks.

The Falcons have some fairly pressing needs. They could use some help in the secondary, and the wide receiver room thins out quickly after Drake London.

Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr. could help the Falcons in the latter regard, and ESPN's Todd McShay believes the 6'0", 204 pounder can help an NFL team in multiple ways.

"He's the most consistent, reliable, toughest son of a (expletive) blocker in this class at wide receiver," McShay said. "He's 6-foot, maybe just shy, but his effort, his angles, his ability to sustain, the way he fights is unparalleled."

With Darnell Mooney the subject of trade speculation and a potential cap casualty, the Falcons need a receiver who can contribute early.

Cooper could fit that bill.

Baltimore Ravens

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OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech (Round 3)

With the 14th overall pick in April's draft, the Baltimore Ravens are picking significantly higher than the team is used to. And after the Ravens finished the 2025 season with the third-fewest sacks in the NFL and the fourth-lowest pressure rate, it's not a huge stretch to imagine Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta targeting an edge-rusher in Round 1.

However, the Ravens need help in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and if Baltimore hits the defense on Day 1 it would be wise to flip the script and address the offensive line on Day 2.

As is to be expected from a third-round prospect, Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge needs to work on his footwork and improve his technique. But the 6'4" 330-pound mauler has impressive physical traits, a mean streak when attacking opposing defenders and the potential to become a quality NFL starter sooner rather than later.

Buffalo Bills

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WR Denzel Boston, Washington (Round 1)

This is a critical offseason for general manager Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills. And while the wide receiver position isn't their only need, it's hard to deny it's the biggest after no Bills wideout had even 720 receiving yards in 2025.

There are a number of options who could potentially be available to the Bills at No. 26 overall, but the dream scenario may well be Washington's Denzel Boston. The 6'4" 209-pounder isn't the fastest wideout in the class, but Lance Zierlein of NFL.com made an interesting pro comp for Boston.

"Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations," Zierlein said. "A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness."

Josh Allen would undoubtedly welcome his own Puka Nacua—a reliable, tough, high-volume target who can work all three levels of the field.

Carolina Panthers

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Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Round 1)

The Carolina Panthers were the surprise champions of the NFC South last season, but with just eight wins.

That leaves the team with work to do in the offseason, and one of the organization's biggest priorities is upgrading a pass rush that logged the third-fewest sacks in the NFL and didn't have a single player with more than six.

Joe Person of The Athletic suggested they could address that need with the addition of Miami edge-rusher Akheem Mesidor.

"General manager Dan Morgan has made no bones about the Panthers' need to improve their pass rush after finishing at or near the bottom of the league in sacks the past three seasons," he said. "Mesidor had huge production as a super senior for Morgan's alma mater and was a disruptive force during the College Football Playoff."

Mesidor will turn 25 this year, but the 6'3", 265-pounder is one of the more pro-ready pass-rushers in the class, and the fact that he will be 29 by the time his second contract comes due is a concern for another day.

Chicago Bears

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DL Christen Miller, Georgia (Round 2)

The Chicago Bears are looking to build on a wildly successful 2025 season that saw the team win the NFC North and nearly advance to the NFC Championship. The key to doing so probably lies on defense.

The Bears could use help at just about position group on that side of the ball, from edge-rusher to safety. It wouldn't be a stunner to see an edge-rusher or linebacker be the team's first choice at No. 25, but they could circle back in Round 2 and improve the middle of the defensive front with a player such as Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller.

Miller's numbers weren't great in college, and at 6'4" and 310 pounds, he's a bit undersized to play nose tackle. But he has an intriguing blend of speed and athleticism and has played all over the defensive front.

After a disappointing 2025 from tackle Grady Jarrett, Miller would be a welcome addition—especially after the Jarrett signing produced less-than-ideal results last year.

Cincinnati Bengals

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S Caleb Downs, Ohio State (Round 1)

This one will likely remain a dream.

Caleb Downs is one of the best overall players in this draft class, and New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh told reporters it wouldn't hurt his feelings to see the G-Men take the Ohio State safety fifth overall:

"We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me. We'll take the best player. When you draft that high, you take the best player. It's not a need pick, it's a best player pick because you're going for the guy that's going to be that kind of player. You're talking about a player that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible."

Safety isn't generally considered a premium position. It's not Cincinnati's biggest need on that side of the ball, especially if edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson leaves as expected.

But a miserable Bengals defense needs impact players wherever they can get them.

And make no mistake: Downs is an impact player.

Cleveland Browns

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QB Carson Beck, Miami (Round 4)

It might be easier to list the positions where the Cleveland Browns don't have a need than where they do. With a pair of first-round picks in 2025 and a relatively weak quarterback class, those selections are more likely to be used on wide receiver and offensive-line help.

However, just because the Browns don't have a first-round target under center doesn't mean the team shouldn't draft a quarterback.

At this point, the Browns cannot assume they have their long-term answer at quarterback. With uncertainty around both Shedeur Sanders and Dillion Gabriel, the organization should keep investing draft capital at the position, taking swings in the middle rounds each year until a true franchise starter emerges.

Miami's Carson Beck isn't an especially high-ceiling prospect—if he was he wouldn't be a Day 3 pick. But he's an experienced and accurate quarterback who the Bleacher Report scouting staff comped to Jared Goff-lite.

The Browns would kill for 75 percent of Jared Goff at quarterback.

Dallas Cowboys

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S Bud Clark, TCU (Round 4)

The good news for a Dallas Cowboys team coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign is that the team has a pair of selections inside the top 20 overall. The bad news is that after Pick No. 20, the Cowboys won't be on the clock again until Day 3.

There's a clear priority for the Cowboys in 2026—fixing a defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed and was the only team in the league that surrendered over 30 points per game last season.

Safety Bud Clark played a lot of football at TCU and was quite the ballhawk, logging 15 career interceptions. He told reporters at the Senior Bowl that he believes he brings a well-rounded skill-set to the pros.

"I have plenty of experience and have played 61 games at TCU," Clark said. "I am durable and seem to be in the right places in order to make a play. For the past three years, I played every game. I love to hit, and I am good at it. My coverage skills are really good, too."

The Cowboys need defenders who can play right away.

Getting one early on Day 3 would be a gift.

Denver Broncos

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LB C.J. Allen, Georgia (Round 1)

After losing the AFC Championship Game to the New England Patriots, the Broncos are looking to take that last next step in 2026. And while the team has a talented roster, there could be trouble brewing at linebacker.

Both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are pending free agents, and Dre Greenlaw's first season in the Mile High City was a mess. That could lead the Broncos to look at the position early, and Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network believes that Georgia's C.J. Allen could be a fit at No. 30.

"I think he'll run, like, a 4.5 (40-yard dash) once we get a chance to see him in Indy (at the Scouting Combine)," Jeremiah said. "He's just a real physical player. This is a fast defense, a lot of fastballs. And then, what that can do is sometimes it can create a little bit of space there. And he can suck it up. He can do it with speed; he can do it with physicality."

Sometimes a player just fits.

That's the case with Allen and the Broncos.

Detroit Lions

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Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (Round 1)

The Lions have work to do after missing the postseason altogether in 2025, and while Detroit got an 11-sack campaign from edge-rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad last year, it was the first big season of the 30-year-old's career and he's about to hit free agency.

That could lead the Lions to look for a new running mate for Aidan Hutchinson in a draft class replete with potential difference-makers in Round 1. For Benjamin Raven of MLive, Texas A&M edge-rusher Cashius Howell is a prospect who makes a lot of sense.

"Howell would represent the new flavor for Detroit's defensive line that I've been clamoring for a couple of years now," he said. "Howell is a battle-rocket pass rusher who has some truly elite disruption potential. He would be a change of direction from the mighty, inside-outside pocket-crushing edge defenders the Lions have preferred under Holmes -- and that could be a very good thing opposite Aidan Hutchinson."

At just 245 pounds, Howell isn't the looming physical presence the Lions have favored in recent years. But adding some "lightning" opposite Hutchinson's "thunder" isn't a bad idea at all.

Green Bay Packers

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DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (Round 3)

It's no secret that addressing the interior of the defensive line is a priority this offseason for the Green Bay Packers. But with no pick in the first round by virtue of the trade that brought Micah Parsons to Titletown, Green Bay will have to wait until Day 2 to take a bite at the big man apple.

Florida State's Darrell Jackson Jr. was one of the stars of both the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl—a massive player with long arms who generates a ton of power off the snap. Dane Brugler of the Athletic wrote that Jackson is a force against the run who should improve with time as a pass-rusher.

"A massive dude," Brugler said, "Jackson carries 330 pounds evenly distributed and has arms that dangle past his knees. He flashes dominance in the run game, with length to keep blockers out of his frame and play strength to dispose of single blocks. His pass rush is predictable, but it's not easy to slow down."

That's just the sort of anchor on the interior the Pack needs.

Houston Texans

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OT Caleb Lomu, Utah (Round 1)

There's no getting around this reality in Houston—the team has to do something about an offensive line that has seemingly been an issue for the team for years. For Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports, that means making Caleb Lomu the second offensive tackle from Utah selected on the 2026 draft's first day.

"Spencer Fano is the Utah OT who gets the most attention, but he may not be the only one off the board by the end of the first round," he wrote. "Caleb Lomu isn't an incredible athlete (in the context of NFL OTs), but he's a coach's dream when it comes to technique and fundamentals. He'll be starting at RT in the NFL for 10 years."

The 6'6" 308-pounder may not have the ceiling of some other tackle prospects. But the Texans already have a promising young left tackle in Aireontae Ersery—the team needs someone who can work into the starting lineup at right tackle quickly.

Lomu's excellent technique and footwork should enable him to do just that.

Indianapolis Colts

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LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (Round 3)

The Indianapolis Colts "all-in" gamble in 2025 didn't pay off, and after acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner in-season last year, they don't possess a pick in Round 1.

The priority once Day 2 dawns should be the defense—and the linebacker position is one that needs to be addressed. Germaine Pratt was decent after joining the team last October, but he's a pending free agent. Both Pratt and veteran Zaire Franklin were liabilities in coverage in 2025.

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez is a bit undersized at 6'1" and 235 pounds. But he was a turnover machine for the Red Raiders in 2025—seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He also claimed so much individual hardware he had to have additional shelves installed at his house—Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, The Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Award.

Pairing Rodriguez with, say, an edge-rusher on Day 2 would be an excellent start to the draft for Colts general manager Chris Ballard.

Jacksonville Jaguars

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CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (Round 2)

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off the second-most successful regular season in franchise history—13 wins and an AFC South championship.

However, as the team heads into 2026, there is potential for significant turnover at cornerback, and after the Travis Hunter trade last year, the Jaguars no longer have a first-round pick.

The reported switch of Hunter to a role as a full-time cornerback and part-time wide receiver could help ameliorate some of those issues, but the Jaguars still need to find cornerback help this offseason—players who can make an immediate impact.

Ohio State's Davison Igbinosun played a key role on one of the nation's best defenses last year at Ohio State, setting a career-high with 53 total tackles and adding two picks. Igbinosun is a physical corner who can play both outside and in the slot.

Perhaps most importantly for the Jaguars, Igbinosun has loads of experience, including quite a bit playing zone coverage last year in Matt Patricia's defense in Columbus.

Kansas City Chiefs

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WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State (Round 1)

It has been a long time since the Kansas City Chiefs picked inside the top 10 in the draft. But after last year's 6-11 fiasco, they have the ninth overall pick—and a glaring need at wide receiver.

The Chiefs have Rashee Rice, but off-field issues and his injury history cast doubt over his long-term viability. With not much behind him, Jesse Newell of The Athletic suggested the Chiefs take a long look at Ohio State's Carnell Tate.

"The Chiefs typically target run-after-catch guys," Newell said, "but too often last year, they were in need of an outside receiver who could create route separation and be a contested-catch option. Tate—he most often draws George Pickens comps from draft analysts—would be a welcome addition for new receivers coach Chad O'Shea, while also giving Patrick Mahomes a QB-friendly option for years to come."

Given the success of Ohio State wide receivers of the NFL in recent years, it's an easy argument to get behind.

Las Vegas Raiders

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CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State (Round 2)

There's not much point discussing the Raiders' first-round pick in 2026—it's going to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. But the Raiders need help at more position groups than not, including wide receiver, both trenches and the defensive backfield.

Using an early second-round pick on San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson might be a bit of a reach. But this presents the Raiders with an excellent opportunity to trade back, add some draft capital and still obtain a player who can contribute right away.

That's exactly what Bleacher Report's Daniel Harms thinks Johnson can do in the NFL.

"A precise technician on the outside, Johnson displays the scheme versatility to excel with his eyes in off, zone, and in a man coverage phone booth," Harms wrote. "He trusts in his athleticism to flip his hips and run while being patient and reading manipulation tactics."

Versatility, athleticism and experience. The Raiders need all three.

Los Angeles Chargers

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OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (Round 1)

This is one of the most important offseasons in Chargers history. For much of the 2025 season, the Bolts looked like one of the AFC's best teams. But as injuries ravaged the team's offensive line, quarterback Justin Herbert took a pounding and the Chargers made a quick exit from the postseason.

The return of tackles of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater will certainly help. But the team could also use upgrades inside, and that has made Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane a popular pick for the Chargers.

"Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, driven by very good play strength and power that allow him to routinely halt the bull-rush with a firm anchor while generating displacement as a drive-blocker," B/R's Brandon Thorn wrote. "While his movement skills grade closer to average, he has enough range to be functional on the move in the run game, and his patience and balance in pass protection consistently turn reps into a grind for rushers to work through."

Give the Chargers a dominant offensive line, and Los Angeles is going to be a hard team to beat.

Los Angeles Rams

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CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (Round 1)

There isn't a team in the NFL more firmly in "win now" mode than the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams nearly made it back to the Super Bowl last season. Matthew Stafford will reportedly be back under center for at least one more go-round in 2026. And the Rams have two first-round picks in this year's draft.

Per ESPN's Field Yates, one of those picks should be Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who could be the most talented player at his position in the draft.

"McCoy is a wild card," he said. "He is clearly talented enough to go in the top 10, but he missed the entire 2025 season after tearing an ACL last January. He's a long, confident and talented man-to-man cover corner who stood out in 2024 (four interceptions and seven passes defensed). If his medicals are fully on track, he'll go early."

If McCoy truly is 100 percent entering the 2026 campaign, he could provide a massive boost to a Rams pass defense that was only average in 2025.

Miami Dolphins

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Edge Zion Young, Missouri (Round 2)

By the time the 2026 draft arrives, the Miami Dolphins could have needs across the roster, with the current teardown resembling a full-scale liquidation of veteran talent.

The Dolphins appear to be embarking on a ground-up rebuild. The franchise's quarterback situation (assuming Tua Tagovailoa departs) is unlikely to be fully resolved in 2026. It is shaping up to be a long season, and Miami should be eyeing 2027 instead.

That makes Missouri edge-rusher Zion Young an interesting target for the Dolphins on Day 2.

The 6'5" 262-pounder has the measurables many covet on the edge, whether it's height, length, or frame he can add weight to.

Young's technique and footwork could use improvement, but that's not exactly rare among young edge-rushers.

With where the Dolphins are headed in the season to come, having to wait a year for a plus starter to emerge could be a blessing in disguise.

Minnesota Vikings

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CB Malik Muhammad, Texas (Round 2)

The quarterback position in Minnesota will dominate the offseason conversation surrounding the Vikings, but if the team adds competition for J.J. McCarthy this spring, it will likely come via a veteran free agent.

The Vikings were stout defensively in 2025, allowing fewer passing yards per game (158.5) than any team in the NFC. But the team has a potential issue on the back end—outside of Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, the team's depth at the cornerback position is essentially non-existent.

That should lead the Vikes to look to add a cornerback relatively early in this year's draft, and Malik Muhammad of Texas could be an intriguing target on Day 2. A 6'0" 188-pounder who spent the 2025 season matched up with opponents' No. 1 receivers, Muhammad has it all—size, speed, athleticism, fluidity in coverage…you name it.

He also has a background in track and basketball, which can't hurt at a position that involves a fair amount of running, jumping and whatnot.

New England Patriots

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OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State (Round 1)

The New England Patriots made it all the way to Super Bowl LX, and the team is young with a bright future. But after watching Drake Maye take a pounding in the postseason, it's clear that improvement on the offensive line is a key to continued success in 2026.

Veteran tackle Morgan Moses was steady at right tackle, but he's also about to turn 35. That leaves more than a few draftniks projecting a tackle to the Patriots at No. 31, with Josh Edwards of CBS Sports settling on Arizona State's Max Iheanachor.

"Morgan Moses gave New England exactly what they needed in the first year of the Mike Vrabel era, but the reality is that his career is drawing to a close," he said. "Max Iheanachor is a powerful right tackle with good athleticism and a higher technical floor than which he has been given credit."

Iheanachor is a raw prospect, but his physical tools and 6'6", 330-pound frame are imposing and his technique improved markedly over his time at ASU. He also shined at the Senior Bowl.

New Orleans Saints

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LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State (Round 1)

For the past eight years, Demario Davis has held down the middle of the defense for the New Orleans Saints. But while he played well for team in 2025 (logging a team-leading 143 total tackles), he is also about to hit free agency at 37.

The team needs to look to the future at the position, and Gennaro Filice of NFL.com believes Ohio State's Sonny Styles could be a solid choice.

"As a converted safety with true three-down ability, Styles feels like a prototypical modern linebacker," he wrote. "In fact, Lance Zierlein comps him to the prototypical modern linebacker: Fred Warner."

Off-ball linebacker isn't a position that churns out a lot of top-10 picks. But teams have valued the position more in recent years, Styles was the heart of the Buckeyes' defense in 2025 and the 6'4" 235-pounder missed all of zero tackles in the regular season last year.

He would be an immediate impact player for a Saints team looking to reinvent itself.

New York Giants

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OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Round 1)

It's the dawn of a new era in New York. The team has a new head coach in John Harbaugh. The Giants believe they have their quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart. There are some young building blocks on both sides of the ball.

As has been the case for years in the Big Apple though, the Giants need to improve the offensive line in front of Dart. And Bleacher Report's own Brandon Thorn believes the smartest path to doing so is selecting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa.

"New York is ushering in a new era with Harbaugh and a promising young QB in Jaxson Dart yet just one bona fide building block along the offensive line in left tackle Andrew Thomas," Thorn said. "Last year's starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is an unrestricted free agent. The team will need a long-term answer at the position regardless if he is brought back or not. Mauigoa is built similarly to Eluemunor but is sturdier and stronger, while possessing an elite anchor."

Drafting arguably the best offensive lineman in a class is never a bad idea.

New York Jets

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WR Makai Lemon, USC (Round 1)

The New York Jets have holes all over the roster, including at quarterback. But despite having a pair of first-round picks in 2026 (including No. 2 overall), their quarterback of the future likely won't be joining them until 2027. This is a ground-up rebuild that will take time.

However, it's still important that the Jets make good use of their draft capital this year, and for Zach Pressnell of SI, the smart play with the No. 2 overall pick would be passing on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in favor of USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.

"He's the talented playmaker that could take the Jets offense to the next level," Pressnell wrote. "They don't need to reach on Simpson unless they're in love with him as a prospect. Adding more talent around the quarterback position would make more sense because it would give the Jets the perfect situation to place a young quarterback in during the 2027 NFL Draft."

Whoever the Jets roll out under center this year, he is going to need more support than just Garrett Wilson and a rotating cast of complementary receivers.

Philadelphia Eagles

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Edge Derrick Moore, Michigan (Round 2)

If you have followed the Philadelphia Eagles at all in recent years, then you know that general manager Howie Roseman hoards defensive lineman like a squirrel filling a tree with nuts ahead of winter.

The Eagles will probably bring edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips back in 2026, and the team also has the likes of Moro Ojomo and Nolan Smith Jr. at the position. But Adam Holt of A To Z Sports expects Roseman to add even more talent at the position on Day 2 with Michigan edge-rusher Derrick Moore.

"Moore had a 36.0% pass rush win rate last season for the Wolverines defense," he wrote. "His production was consistent, and he's one of the better run stoppers off the edge in this class as well. He matches the sort of gritty style along the DL that I think Vic Fangio will really prefer. Relentless motor as well!"

Stockpiling talent on the defensive line has served the Eagles well in the past.

If it's not broke, don't fix it.

Pittsburgh Steelers

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RB Jonah Coleman (Round 3)

There's more than a little uncertainty in the Steel City in 2026. After two decades at the helm, head coach Mike Tomlin is gone. If Aaron Rodgers retires, the Steelers will have a massive hole under center.

How the Steelers address the quarterback position will be the offseason's biggest story in Pittsburgh. But with Kenneth Gainwell slated for free agency after a career year, the Steelers could also be looking to add depth at the running back spot.

Washington running back Jonah Coleman would be an interesting target in the second half of Day 2. Coleman doesn't have blazing speed, but the 5'9" 228-pounder is a physical downhill runner who topped 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 and averaged a robust 5.5 yards per carry over his time with the Huskies.

A capable receiver out of the backfield and one of the better pass-protecting backs in the draft class, Coleman and Jaylen Warren could combine to form a potent one-two punch in the Steelers backfield.

San Francisco 49ers

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TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (Round 1)

For years, tight end George Kittle has been a key part of the San Francisco 49ers offense. But Kittle is also a 32-year-old player who tore his Achilles in the playoffs. His availability for the early portion of the 2026 season is very much in doubt, and in any event the Niners need to look to the future at the position.

Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq could be that future.

"He can outrun nearly every linebacker he is matched up against and his route running is pristine for a tight end," Gabriel Duarte of SI wrote. "Sadiq could run routes at all three levels of the field and open up a team's pass attack significantly. Not only can Sadiq get himself open on a consistent basis, but he moves like a big wide receiver after the catch and can offer teams a legitimate downfield threat at tight end."

The 49ers don't just need a long-term answer at tight end. The team needs passing-game weapons—period.

Sadiq solves both problems.

Seattle Seahawks

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RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas (Round 3)

The Seattle Seahawks are riding high as the champions of Super Bowl LX, but there could be trouble brewing in the backfield. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is about to hit free agency, and Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs.

Given how much the Seahawks rely on the run, the team could be in quite a spot by the time the draft rolls around.

Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love will be long gone by the time they pick, but there are a number of backs who should be available on Day 2—including Mike Washington Jr. of Arkansas, who has every-down potential in the NFL, according to Ian Harper of NFL Mocks:

"Washington Jr. is a flat-out special linear mover; his downhill burst is a rare trait, and he absolutely explodes to a high-level top speed," he said. "He has the contact balance and above-average frame to be a physically-imposing runner, and can be a real home run threat with the ability for a handful of 10+ yard runs every game."

That skill set would be a welcome addition to the defending champions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (Round 1)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers imploded over the second half of the 2025 season, in part due to an inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Only one Buccaneers player had even five sacks a year ago, and Tampa had just 37 sacks as a team.

That makes adding pass-rush help a priority for the Buccaneers, and PFF's Trevor Sikkema believes that Cashius Howell of Texas A&M could be in play at No. 15.

"The Buccaneers' lack of pass rush was a major reason why their defense fell flat down the stretch of the 2025 season," he wrote. "Howell earned elite 90.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades in each of the past three seasons, and he would immediately be Tampa Bay's best pass rusher."

That last part really isn't a reach—Howell had a career-best 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last year for the Aggies and amassed 27 sacks during his time in College Station.

Tennessee Titans

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Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State (Round 1)

This one may be more wishful thinking than anything.

In many mock drafts, Ohio State's Arvell Reese is off the board when the Titans pick at No. 4. But that was Tennessee's pick in Bleacher Report's post-Super Bowl mock, and Matt Holder said they should sprint to the podium to make the selection.

"[Titans head coach Robert] Saleh should love the way this draft plays out because the recent San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator gets a versatile defender who can help in several areas," Holder said. "Whether Reese's best position at the next level is on the edge or as an off-ball linebacker, there's no doubt that he can play and would be a great addition to Saleh's defense in Tennessee."

Reese isn't a sure bet. Heck, folks aren't even sure what his NFL position will be. But there's more than a little Micah Parsons in Reese's ascension to elite prospect status, and there isn't a defender in the class with a higher ceiling.

Reese could be a game-wrecker.

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech (Round 1)

Like the Buccaneers, one of the issues that led to a disappointing 2025 season in the nation's capital was the lack of a consistent pass rush.

As Lance Zierlein noted for NFL.com, Texas Tech rusher David Bailey has the kind of elite potential that can reverse those fortunes quickly.

"Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of," Zierlein wrote. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles. His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead."

Zierlein goes on to compare Bailey to Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos, who just logged 14 sacks—fifth-most in the NFL.

As it happens, Bailey had more (14.5) last season with the Red Raiders.