New Lance Zierlein 2026 NFL Mock Draft Drops With Latest Predictions Including Cowboys Trade Up

NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein dropped his final 2026 NFL mock draft Wednesday, highlighted by the Dallas Cowboys trading up for an impact defensive player.

Ahead of the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday, Zierlein's predictions for the top 10 picks in the draft are as follows:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

6. Dallas Cowboys (projected trade w/ CLE): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

While there weren't many shockers among Zierlein's early picks, the one that undoubtedly stands out above the rest is Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese dropping outside the top five.

Reese has been projected as a top-three pick by many experts with the BR NFL Scouting Department mocking him to the New York Jets at No. 2 overall, and both ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and The Ringer's Todd McShay projecting him to go third overall to the Arizona Cardinals.

In Zierlein's mock, Reese surprisingly falls outside the top five, prompting the Cowboys to move up from No. 12 to No. 6 in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in order to take him.

Given their deficiencies last season, the Cowboys are widely viewed as a team that could identify a defensive difference-maker and move up to take him with Reese, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs standing out as potential options.

Arvell Reese highlights

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While Reese was initially more of a traditional linebacker at OSU, he received more pass-rushing opportunities last season, leading to a career-high 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, and earning him consensus All-American and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors.

In Dallas, Reese could serve as a replacement for superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers shortly before the start of the 2025 season.

Other notable aspects of Zierlein's mock include six wide receivers coming off the board in the first round, and Fernando Mendoza being the only quarterback taken at No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Most mocks from draft aspects have projected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to go at some point in the first round, usually via the Arizona Cardinals trading up from No. 34 overall.

However, Zierlein views this year's draft as being the first one since 2022 without multiple quarterbacks getting taken in the first round.