New Lance Zierlein 2026 NFL Mock Draft Drops with Surprise Trades and Ty Simpson Slide Out of 1st

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein produced his third 2026 mock draft on Wednesday, and it features a pair of trades as well as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson falling out of the first round.

Zierlein had the Carolina Panthers moving from No. 19 to No. 14, where the Baltimore Ravens currently reside, to select Miami edge-rusher Akheem Mesidor. The Ravens selected Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 19.

The mock draft also featured the Arizona Cardinals moving back into the first round at No. 26 with the Buffalo Bills, who moved out of Round 1 entirely for some "much-needed draft capital," per Zierlein. Arizona selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 26 after previously taking Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey at No. 3.

"Arizona trading back into the first round to take Alabama's Ty Simpson has become popular among mock drafts, but my guess is the Cards make the jump for the ascending right tackle," Zierlein wrote in part. "Buffalo brings in some much-needed draft capital in the move out of Round 1."

Simpson was selected 29th to the Los Angeles Rams in Zierlein's first mock draft, but he was not featured in his second mock.

The latest B/R NFL Scouting Department big board has Simpson at 26th overall and the second-best quarterback in the draft. Coincidentally, B/R's latest mock also has Arizona moving back into the first round with Buffalo, although Simpson is the choice there.

The Dallas Cowboys are the big winner in Zierlein's third mock draft, as Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles fell to them at No. 12. Styles is No. 6 on the latest big board.

Zierlein has Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza going first overall. Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese (New York Jets, No. 2), Bailey, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (Tennessee Titans, No. 4) and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate (New York Giants, No. 5) rounded out the top five.