We have already gone over my 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 picks 1-10 and the fantasy football impact of those picks. Below are the picks for my 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (picks 11-21):
Missed picks 1-10? Read here!
11. Miami Dolphins- S Caleb Downs-Ohio State
Biggest needs: WR, CB, Edge, OL, S
Miami has sold the house and is looking to rebuild. They could use a wide receiver for new starting quarterback Malik Willis, but wide receiver is one of the deeper positions in the draft and they can get a contributor in the next couple rounds. Instead, they pick the best player available in Safety Caleb Downs. Downs is not your centerfield ball hawking safety, but he is a force to be reckoned with. He is a nightmare when he lines up in the box. He will be disruptive in pass rushing and getting into the backfield to blow up plays. He is a ball magnet and plays with incredible awareness. His style of play reminds me of Budda Baker.
In fantasy football, Caleb Downs will help lock down short to mid-range plays in the air and will disrupt quarterback timing with his play at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. He will be that extra man running free that takes your running backs down for short gains and losses.
12. Dallas Cowboys- CB Mansoor Delane-LSU
Biggest needs: Edge, LB, CB, DL, OL
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of needs on the defensive side of the ball. The best player available for them right now is cornerback Mansoor Delane. Delane is one of the safest cornerbacks in this draft class.
Mansoor Delane has great awareness and can track the quarterback without losing sight of the route that he is covering. He is very athletic and fluid in movement. Delane gets his hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage and has a great jab to throw their release off. He is a hard hitter and wraps up the ball carrier quickly.
Delane could have a huge impact on fantasy football, as he could be asked to cover some of the top receivers in the league. If he comes on fast, he could be a guy that holds some of your star receivers to low point totals when they have to stand across from him.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)- WR Jordyn Tyson-Arizona State
Biggest needs: WR, OL, Edge, LB, DB
It has been rumored that the Rams were in talks with the Eagles regarding the acquisition of wide receiver A.J. Brown. Nothing came of that, but they may be thinking of life after Devante Adams. Now today with the news of Puka Nacua checking himself into rehab, I am even more confident that wide receiver might be the move for the Rams here.
Jordyn Tyson would be a great fit for the Rams. I honestly think that if you take his injuries out of the picture and just look at the tape, he might be the best receiver in this class. He can play any receiver spot on the field. His routes are smooth and he can run any route. He doesn’t have top-notch speed, but he has enough speed to run vertical routes and get downfield. Tyson has a great ability to make contested catches and excellent body control. He has a unique ability to high point the football.
Tyson could have a huge impact on fantasy football going forward. With Nacua and Adams in Los Angeles he could have a slower start, but his ability if he can stay healthy could make him a big-time fantasy football asset. When I watch Tyson, I think at his peak he could be like DeAndre Hopkins. I think his floor could be Rashod Bateman.
14. Baltimore Ravens-IOL Olaivavega Ioane-Penn State
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, DL, WR, CB
Going into the draft the Baltimore Ravens biggest hole is the interior of their offensive line. Lucky for them, the best interior lineman just happens to fall into their lap. Spencer Fano is the most versatile lineman, but when you are strictly talking about playing the guard position, I think Olaivavega Ioane is the number one prospect in this draft class.
Ioane is a fierce and mean offensive lineman and his nasty mentality would fit the Ravens culture. Olaivavega Ioane has incredible power and body control. His size and power allow him to create momentum and drive through interior pass rushers. He sets with great posture and can anchor down in pass blocking situations. Ioane is made for a downhill up the middle run game that the Ravens bring to the table with Derrick Henry and this would be a great fit.
Olaivavega’s impact on fantasy football would be instantaneous. He would immediately provide better protection for star quarterback Lamar Jackson, giving him more time to throw and helping to keep him healthy. He would also open up running lanes for both Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Edge Akheem Mesidor-Miami
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, LB, OL
Tampa Bay’s focus should be on the defensive side of the ball in this draft. Their biggest need is a pass rusher to get after the quarterback and they get that here in Akheem Mesidor.
Mesidor is a relentless pass rusher with an endless motor. Akheem doesn’t quit on plays and will go until the whistle blows. Mesidor is more of a power rusher than a speed rusher. He utilizes his bull rush and small hands to manipulate and dominate offensive linemen and tight ends. He is at his best when he works his way inside and causes problems for guards. Akheem continuously pursues the play with speed and intelligent angles. He has the ability to drop and spy the quarterback as well.
Mesidor’s pass rushing ability will put pressure on fantasy quarterbacks to get rid of the ball early, making it hard for them to get the ball to your fantasy receivers and causing sacks and turnovers in the process. Mesidor’s relentless pursuit for the football will make him a terror for fantasy running backs as well.
16. New York Jets (via Colts)- CB Jermod McCoy-Tennessee
Biggest needs: QB, Edge, WR, CB, OL
The Jets have needs on both sides of the ball. They addressed their need at edge with pick two, and now they will continue to add young assets to the defense with cornerback Jermod McCoy.
McCoy may be the best cornerback talent in this draft. He had a great 2024 season in college but missed the entire season last year because of an ACL tear. He is incredible in press coverage. McCoy uses a one-handed jam and keeps his balance while staying in stride with receivers. McCoy has an unusual talent to bait the quarterback while in zone coverage. He has the ability to show space and recover to make a play on the ball. He is not an enforcer, but he is able to make tackles in space
Jermod McCoy could be a nightmare for your fantasy receivers. He could be a shutdown corner causing some down weeks for both your fantasy receivers and quarterbacks.
17. Detroit Lions- OT Monroe Freeling-Georgia
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, LB, S, DL
The Lions parted ways with tackle Taylor Decker this offseason and they find their answer to that opening with this selection. Monroe Freeling is raw but may have more upside than any offensive lineman in this class.
Freeling only has one season under his belt as a full-time starter at right tackle. He would immediately start at right tackle for the Lions. Monroe Freeling is a long-limbed athletic offensive lineman with quick feet. He can make all the move blocks, but will need to be coached up in pass protection and will need to increase his strength to reach his full potential.
Freeling should start immediately and help take pressure off quarterback Jared Goff while giving him time to get the ball to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams. His pass and run blocking will both help in freeing up star running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
18. Minnesota Vikings- S Dillon Thieneman-Oregon
Biggest needs: DL, OL, S, WR, CB
Most of Minnesota’s needs fall on the defensive side of the ball. Here the Vikings select safety Dillon Thieneman.
Thieneman is a do it all safety who possesses the ability to both play in the box and play center field. He has great range in the back end and can cover ground to make a play on the ball. He has great closing speed both with the ball in the air and on the ground. Dillon Thieneman is a reliable tackler in the open field.
Thieneman will cause problems all over the field for fantasy players. He can make plays in the back end affecting your fantasy quarterbacks and receivers and play up in the box limiting your fantasy running backs.
19. Carolina Panthers- WR KC Concepcion-Texas A&M
Biggest needs: OL, S, WR, CB, DL
The Panthers use this selection to add another young weapon to their offense. KC Concepcion will add a downfield speed threat on the opposite side of last year’s first-round pick, Tetairoa McMillan.
I don’t necessarily think that Concepcion is the next best receiver in the class, but I think the Panthers will see this as a perfect complement to McMillan. Concepcion would add a receiver with elite speed to truly stretch the field for the Panthers. KC Concepcion creates large amounts of separation on a consistent basis. He can beat defenders long and gain yards after catch on quick hitting routes. The biggest knocks on Concepcion are his small size and his drops. He will need to limit the concentration drops at the next level to live up to being the first-round pick here.
Even with Concepcion being drafted in the first round, he would play second fiddle to McMillan as a receiving option. In fantasy football I believe his peak value would be as a number two receiver if he can live up to the hype as a first round pick.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) LB CJ Allen-Georgia
Biggest needs: Edge, LB, CB, DL, OL
At pick 12 the Cowboys started the transformation of their defense. They continue this trend here with the selection of linebacker CJ Allen.
Allen isn’t the fastest linebacker when talking about sideline-to-sideline speed, but he is smart and puts himself in the right position, while using angles to make effective plays. He was the green dot linebacker and team captain, so he can move pieces around and be a field general. He has adequate size and plays even bigger than his size shows. Allen has a high motor and is an explosive tackler.
CJ Allen will set the defense up for success before the snap. His ability to read plays pre-snap and move pieces around could allow not only him, but his teammates to make plays against your fantasy players. Allen is an adequate pass defender but will be more of a problem to your running backs and not so much for your wide receivers or quarterbacks.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers- TE Kenyon Sadiq-Oregon
Biggest needs: QB, OL, WR, TE, LB
The Steelers could use a quarterback, but there are none here worth that pick. Instead, they add another pass catcher for their quarterback. Kenyon Sadiq is a do it all tight end that would be a three-down player for the Steelers.
Sadiq is an efficient blocker. He is smaller than you would like and lacked some consistency with his pass catching in college, but his athleticism is through the roof. He displayed his elite speed at the combine with a 4.39 second 40-yard dash. His vertical speed was not on display too much in college as he was mostly used on quick routes using his athleticism to get yards after the catch. He has an explosive release and can separate with his speed.
Tight ends don’t always have an immediate impact on fantasy football. We have been spoiled the last few years with the years that Sam LaPorta, Brock Bowers, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland have had. I don’t think that Sadiq is as pro ready as these players, but he has all the athletic tools to come in and make a difference. Don’t be surprised if it’s a slow start for the rookie. His success could very much depend on his quarterback situation going into this season.
That wraps up my Mock Draft 1.0. Selections 11 through 21. Selections 22-32 is out now!
Continue to picks 22-32 here!
Check out more NFL related articles here.
Check out my rookie fantasy rankings here.
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