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2026 NFL Mock Draft: First 12 Picks Predictions and Analysis

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn ImagesNov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

The NFL Draft is one month away.

Pittsburgh will become the center of the football world as college stars cross the stage to start their professional careers.

There are currently five teams with first-round draft selections. Certainly, the first-round will be shaken up a bit more before it concludes – as teams will trade around throughout the duration of the draft.

Let’s take a look at how the NFL Draft will start.

1. Las Vegas Raiders, Fernando Mendoza QB, Indiana

No brainer.

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

The bad news for the Jets is that there’s not a quarterback worth taking in this slot. The good news is that they have plenty more picks and Bailey is a stud pass rusher.

Even though he might never become a player like Myles Garrett, the Jets will take whatever they can get, and Bailey is one hell of a player.

3. Arizona Cardinals, Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

University of Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. talks at Media Day during the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.University of Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. talks at Media Day during the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.

New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur knows how good the AFC West is. You’re nothing without a stout defense. Bain Jr. changes everything for the Cardinals – who need a little bit of talent everywhere.

4. Tennessee Titans, Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

This could end up being the best player in the draft. The last time the Titans were good, Derrick Henry was unstoppable. This selection would take an unbelievable amount of pressure off of Cam Ward, which should be the objective.

5. New York Giants, Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Styles stole the show at the NFL Combine. When you turn on the tape, you see a tremendously complete linebacker.

New Giants head coach John Harbaugh might not be able to help himself. The Giants invested in a linebacker in free agency, but that’s never a guarantee.

6. Cleveland Browns, Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia

The Browns need everything offensively. A potentially franchise-changing left tackle is a great place to start. Freeling might need a little development so No. 6 overall could be a reach, but the Browns desperately need to address this spot.

7. Washington Commanders, Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesNov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Tyson and Terry McLaurin would be a dynamic receiving tandem. While Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is expected to be the first receiver drafted, the Commanders are in a spot to gamble on upside while Jayden Daniels is on his rookie deal.

8. New Orleans Saints, Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Saints can’t help themselves from drafting another Ohio State wide receiver. Tate at No. 8 overall is a tremendous value – even if he doesn’t have the early-career success of Emeka Egbuka.

9. Kansas City Chiefs, Jermod McCoy, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

It’s no secret that the Chiefs need immediate cornerback. Insert McCoy, who would immediately get thrown into a major starting role.

10. Cincinnati Bengals, Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Bengals need to continue to invest in protecting Joe Burrow. Lomu is arguably the best offensive lineman in this class.

11. Miami Dolphins, Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs for a first down before he is stopped by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30), defensive back Rod Moore (19) and defensive end Cameron Brandt (9) in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesOct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs for a first down before he is stopped by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30), defensive back Rod Moore (19) and defensive end Cameron Brandt (9) in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Dolphins desperately need wide receiver help after trading Jaylen Waddle and seemingly letting Tyreek Hill walk in free agency after releasing him. Lemon could be a game-changer with Malik Willis.

12. Dallas Cowboys, Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Arguably the best player in the draft, Jerry Jones lands himself a defensive star. The Cowboys would be tremendously lucky to be able to make this pick.

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Mammoth's Nick Schmaltz scores twice, including in OT to edge Kings

NHL: Los Angeles Kings at Utah MammothMar 22, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) skates with the puck against Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) and left wing Lawson Crouse (67) during the second period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Nick Schmaltz scored his second goal of the game 1:46 into overtime and the Utah Mammoth beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Sunday night in Salt Lake City.

Schmaltz entered the zone 2-on-1, kept the puck and beat Darcy Kuemper with a wrist shot.

Lawson Crouse had two goals and an assist for the Mammoth (37-28-6, 80 points), who have won three of four and hold the first wild-card spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Kevin Stenlund had two assists, and Karel Vejmelka made 33 saves.

Quinton Byfield had a goal and an assist for the Kings (28-25-17, 73 points), who have lost three straight and trail the Nashville Predators by two points for the second wild-card spot in the playoffs from the West. Darcy Kuemper made 30 saves.

The Kings’ Artemi Panarin tied it 3-3 at 16:30 of the third period, scoring in his third straight game. He entered the zone on the rush, briefly lost the puck but recovered it and sent a shot on net from a sharp angle along the right boards and it snuck under Vejmelka’s left pad.

Crouse gave Utah a 1-0 lead at 7:04 of the first period. John Marino stole the puck from Sam Helenius, skated behind the goal and fed in front to Crouse, who scored on a quick wrist shot from the low slot.

Alex Laferriere tied the game 1-1 just 36 seconds later when he entered the zone 2-on-1, kept the puck and scored on a snap shot from the right circle.

Crouse put Utah up 2-1 at 9:19 when he got a pass at the bottom of the left circle and chipped it up, off Kuemper and into the top of the net.

Byfield tied it 28 seconds later. Vejmelka made a save on Brandt Clarke’s long shot but couldn’t control the rebound. The goalie poked the puck away, but Byfield got to it and scored from the left circle.

The second period was scoreless until Schmaltz batted in his own rebound at 16:11 after winning a puck battle in front to give the Mammoth a 3-2 lead.

–Field Level Media

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Deep-shooting Alabama overwhelms Texas Tech, moves on to Sweet 16

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Texas Tech at AlabamaMar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Houston Mallette (95) celebrates after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Latrell Wrightsell scored 24 points and fourth-seeded Alabama unleashed a relentless 3-point attack in blowing out No. 5 Texas Tech 90-65 in the NCAA Tournament’s second round Sunday night in Tampa, Fla.

Houston Mallette scored all 15 of his points on 3s, Amari Allen had 12 points despite missing his four 3-point attempts and Aiden Sherrell had 10 points. Labaron Philon Jr. contributed nine points and a career-high 12 assists.

Alabama (25-9) meets top-seeded Michigan in the Sweet 16 on Friday night in the Midwest Region at Chicago.

LeJuan Watts’ 16 points and seven rebounds led Texas Tech (23-11), while Donovan Atwell provided 12 points and Leon Horner had 10. The Red Raiders lost four of their final five games, with a once-promising season veering off track after the loss of star JT Toppin to a season-ending injury.

The Crimson Tide led 90-56 with 4:41 remaining and didn’t score again. Substitutes helped finish the job for Alabama in a game that concluded after midnight.

Led by Wrightsell’s six 3-pointers on nine attempts, Alabama made 19 of 42 shots from 3-point spots (45.2%) compared to Texas Tech’s 4-for-25 shooting from long range (16%).

The Crimson Tide also controlled the boards to the tune of 47-35.

In two tournament games, Alabama didn’t look bothered by playing without suspended guard Aden Holloway, the team’s second-leading scorer. The Crimson Tide reached the 90-point level in both games, speeding past Hofstra on Friday.

Alabama, fueled by a 13-2 spurt, held a 49-25 halftime lead with seven different players hitting at least one 3-pointer. The Crimson Tide were 6-for-12 on two-point attempts as they relied almost exclusively on perimeter shooting.

The 49 points were the most scored in the first half in any NCAA Tournament second-round game this weekend.

Alabama made 11 shots from 3-point range in the first half, while Texas Tech shot 2-for-13 on first-half 3-point attempts

–Field Level Media

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Sebastian Korda stuns No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Miami Open third round

Tennis: Miami OpenMar 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Sebastian Korda (USA) celebrates after his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) (not pictured) on day six of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz took a surprising defeat to 32nd-seeded American Sebastian Korda, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in third-round action of the Miami Open on Sunday in Miami Gardens Fla.

Korda, who was 1-4 all-time against Alcaraz with the win coming in 2022 before the Spaniard won his first grand slam, was sensational on his serve, smashing 12 aces while committing no double faults. He had more winners than Alcaraz (33-30), won more service points (63% to 62%) and saved three of five break points while Alcaraz saved two of five.

“It was a lot of tense moments, for sure. But I think today the ultimate thing was belief, going back to just believing, committing in every shot. Luckily, I got it done at the end,” Korda said in his news conference.

It appeared Korda could be headed for a straight-set win when he led 5-3 in the second set, but Alcaraz won the ensuing four games, including his only breaks of the match, to force a third set.

Korda got the decisive break at 3-3 in the final set and finished off the match in his next two service games.

“(Sebastian) was incredible today,” Alcaraz said. “Played such a great game. A lot of tight, tight moments that I just didn’t make the most of it. I think he was better on those points, on those moments. I would say that was the key of the match.”

Alcaraz, who started the calendar year with 12 straight wins, is 5-2 since and failed to make the Round of 16 at Miami for the second straight year.

Of the eight third-round matches contested Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, the other seeded competitor to fall was No. 14 Karen Khachanov of Russia, who fell 6-3, 7-6 (2) to Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce.

Khachanov had more than double as many unforced errors (26) as winners (12), facing eight break points and saving four of them. Landaluce, 20, is through to the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time. He’ll face the 21-year-old Korda next for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Along with Korda, two other seeded Americans took care of business Sunday. No. 6 Taylor Fritz disposed of fellow American Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4 in 63 minutes, and No. 22 Tommy Paul outlasted Belgium’s Raphael Collignon for a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) win in 140 minutes.

Czech No. 21 seed Jiri Lehecka (6-3, 7-6 (6) over Ethan Quinn), No. 24 Valentin Vacherot of Poland (7-6 (5), 6-4 over Italy’s Matteo Berrettini), French 28th-seed Arthur Fils (6-0, 6-1 over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas) and No. 29 Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina (7-5, 6-4 over Spain’s Rafael Jodar) each advanced into the fourth round with straight-set victories.

–Field Level Media

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