2026 NFL Mock Draft: Rueben Bain Jr. and Arvell Reese Prove Defense Never Rests

Well things changed a little since Thor Nystrom released his first 2026 NFL Mock Draft three months ago. Things changed A LOT. The first two picks—both quarterbacks—are not on this mock. The third QB taken looks like a candidate to go back to school. Don't fret, several players rose up the ranks and look like they could be names we'll be hearing plenty about in the coming months.

Now that it's mid-November, more players have shown their wares to the league to shake up draft boards. And we haven't gotten into the conference championship, bowl games and the College Football Playoffs. Buckle up! Since we all can't wait for the draft, let's get into Thor's second mock draft.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Defense Rules at the Top

1. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. | Miami (FL) | 6030/275 | JR

If the draft order ended this way, the Titans would presumably auction this pick off to one of the teams selecting a quarterback below. Bain would be a presumed target picking in the Nos. 3-5 range. With no trades projected in this mock, we simply slot Bain to Tennessee at the top. This is a really good fit. The Titans are sorely in need of an impact edge rusher. Bain would make a formidable tag-team partner for DT Jeffery Simmons. Bain, a sawed-off speed-to-power monster, is a two-way force against the run and pass.

2. New York Giants: LB Arvell Reese | Ohio State | 6040/238 | JR

The Giants need offensive line help in the worst way, but the upcoming class will not offer one that you could justify taking this early. The Giants also need help at linebacker, where Bobby Okereke is an offseason cut candidate, Micah McFadden is a free agent and Darius Muasau has failed to distinguish himself. Reese, a former defensive end, is a hybrid do-it-all weapon.

3. Cleveland Browns: QB Dante Moore | Oregon | 6030/210 | JR

There have been early reports that both Moore and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers will return to college for the 2026 season. For this exercise, we’re going to split the difference and have Moore declare while Sellers bypasses the draft to return to school. With Moore available—presumably following a long CFP run—Cleveland takes a swing on his upside. Moore knows how to work the pocket, and he’s got a throw for every occasion.

4. New Orleans Saints: QB Ty Simpson | Alabama | 6020/208 | rJR

It is possible that 2025 second-round QB Tyler Shough plays his way into undisputed 2026 starter status, and it is also possible that he plays the Saints out of this range in the draft, snuffing out quarterback speculation before it begins. But if the Saints finish with the No. 4 pick, it’s likely because Shough has flopped. That would put a quarterback prospect like Ty Simpson squarely on New Orleans’ radar.

5. New York Jets: QB Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | 6050/225 | SR

Monday’s news out of New York—that the Jets are benching QB Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor—all but confirms the Jets’ intentions to target a quarterback early in April. Mendoza is a big, strapping pocket passer who excels within structure. He has drawn soft comps to Jared Goff, perhaps of interest to the man who used to square off against Goff everyday in practice—HC Aaron Glenn.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: DL Peter Woods | Clemson | 6020/315 | JR

In this scenario—with QB LaNorris Sellers having returned to campus—we’ve already tapped the keg on first-round-worthy quarterbacks. The Raiders could consider LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier on Day 2 to put some pressure on Geno Smith. But with this pick, Las Vegas beefs up its defensive line with the draft’s best interior defender. Woods’ tape is filled with flash plays, and he’s a projectable athlete.

7. Washington Commanders: EDGE Keldric Faulk | Auburn | 6060/270 | JR

The sliver-lining of the Commanders’ lost season is a premium pick to add to a dangerous-when-healthy roster. The Commanders have been searching for a two-way edge rusher who also helps in run defense. Faulk fits that definition snugly. PFF has graded Faulk’s run defense in the 99th-percentile since the start of the 2024 season.

8. LA Rams (from ATL): S Caleb Downs | Ohio State | 6000/205 | JR

With the Falcons in a tailspin—3-7 with five-straight losses—and QB Michael Penix Jr. expected to miss the rest of the season, this pick suddenly holds great intrigue. If the Falcons keep losing, might the Rams use the occasion to draft Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent? We aren’t burdened by that question here. Instead, the Rams take the No. 2 overall player on my big board in Caleb Downs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane | LSU | 5111/191 | SR

The Bengals need help along both trenches, as well as in the secondary. Delane is the best investment in resources to begin the process of plugging those holes. Delane is enjoying his national coming out party in 2025—he’s been utterly dominant.

10. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa | Miami (FL) | 6060/329 | JR

Arizona’s starting RT Jonah Williams is a free agent after this season. Mauigoa would step into his spot in the lineup. A two-time member of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks “ list, Mauigoa boasts devastating short-area quickness and strength.

11. Miami Dolphins: WR Jordyn Tyson | Arizona State | 6020/200 | rJR

Tyson is my WR1, and No. 5 overall on my 2026 big board. But I wonder if he’ll slip further than that due to two factors: a suddenly-strong-looking 2026 WR class, and Tyson’s medicals. Tyson suffered a torn ACL, MCL and PCL as a freshman at Colorado, and he’s been shut down since mid-October with a hamstring injury.

12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell | Clemson | 5110/180 | JR

The Vikings desperately need to add a starting boundary CB to pair with Isaiah Rodgers. This would allow Minnesota to move Byron Murphy Jr. back to his natural nickel spot, and Josh Metellus back to his natural move-piece role. Vikings DC Brian Flores likes versatile corners who can attack downhill. Aveion, the brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell, is a fiery run defender and a weapon on the blitz. He’s also a sticky cover corner who can be trusted on an island when Flores sends everyone else.

13. Dallas Cowboys: RB Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | 6000/210 | JR

The Cowboys missed out on Ashton Jeanty last spring. One year later, they might get their shot to select a franchise-caliber running back. Love is a 210-pounder with 4.3s wheels and skill as a receiver. He’s drawn comps to Reggie Bush. If Javonte Williams is re-signed, he’d make for a fine meat-and-potatoes complement to save Love from excessive unnecessary touches.

14. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE David Bailey | Texas Tech | 6030/247 | SR

Kyle Van Noy and Dre’Mont Jones are both free agents this offseason. Mike Green is waiting in the wings, but Baltimore is going to need to acquire another starter if it loses both of its own. Bailey would be a fun complement to Green. Bailey is a pass-rushing demon who currently leads the nation in sacks with 12.5.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: DL Kayden McDonald | Ohio State | 6030/326 | JR

McDonald is a bit of a one-trick pony. Luckily for him, his trick is pretty cool, and it happens to be something the Chiefs covet. McDonald is an utterly dominant run defender—the nation’s best on the interior in 2025. He’d replace impending free agent Derrick Nnadi at nose tackle and provide a jolt to the team’s run defense.

16. Houston Texans: OT Kadyn Proctor | Alabama | 6070/366 | JR

There is a debate about whether Proctor is a tackle or guard in the NFL. If Proctor proved he could stay on the blind side in the NFL, Aireontae Ersery could shift back to his natural RT positon while Tytus Howard moved inside. In the worst-case scenario that Proctor proves to be a better fit inside, he’d at least provide the Texans with an inside hammer to run behind. Proctor needs to keep polishing his pass-pro technique, but he has physical attributes to dream on.

17. Carolina Panthers: WR Carnell Tate | Ohio State | 6030/191 | JR

Tetairoa McMillan has been as advertised, giving the Panthers an alpha WR1 for the foreseeable future. I believe Xavier Legette’s game is best suited to the slot, a position that Jalen Coker has primarily been used at. Tate would give the Panthers a legitimate boundary complement to McMillan, while setting up an interesting camp battle between Legette and Coker for the slot. The loser of that battle would provide quality WR4 depth.

18. Detroit Lions: EDGE T.J. Parker | Clemson | 6030/265 | JR

It’s finally time to give Aidan Hutchinson some help. Parker is a classic mid-Round 1 prospect. He has recruiting pedigree and a large sample of collegiate production. But his measurables are good-but-not-great, and his pass-rush plan is a bit straightforward at present. He’d present a long-term, cost-effective solution to a lingering problem.

19. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): WR Makai Lemon | USC | 5110/190 | JR

With Cleveland’s own first-round pick earlier, the Browns took Oregon QB Dante Moore. Cleveland stays out west to continue its passing-game revamp, tabbing USC’s Lemon. A natural slot, Lemon profiles as a good fit inside to Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. Despite Lemon’s size, he has shown he can also win on the boundary— important to think about situationally vis-a-vis his fit with Cleveland, which likes to use 12-personnel.

20. Tampa Bay Bucs: TE Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon | 6030/245 | JR

Cade Otton is a free agent after the season, and the Bucs don’t have much behind him. Sadiq is a plug-and-play starter with considerable ceiling left to untap. He’s an insane athlete with a reported 41.5-inch vertical. Sadiq is also one of the class’ best run blockers—don’t let his frame fool you, he’s looking to bury defenders.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Colton Hood | Tennessee | 6000/195 | rSO

The Steelers need a long-term complement to pair across from CB Joey Porter Jr. Hood is a well-built boundary corner with exciting potential. Hood has been a revelation for the Volunteers since transferring over from Colorado.

22. LA Chargers: OG Olaivavega Ioane | Penn State | 6040/334 | rJR

With Jamaree Salyer, Zion Johnson, Trevor Penning and Trey Pipkins all headed to free agency, the Chargers have holes to fill around franchise LT Rashawn Slater and RT Joe Alt. Ioane would plug one of them immediately. Always a bulldozer in the run game, Ioane has taken a leap in pass-pro in 2025—his man hasn’t so much as touched the quarterback once this season.

23. San Francisco 49ers: WR Denzel Boston | Washington | 6030/209 | rJR

Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are free agents after the season. Boston and a healthy Brandon Aiyuk would form an intriguing WR corps alongside Ricky Pearsall. Boston is a physically imposing boundary receiver with strong hands and premium ball skills.

24. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): EDGE Zion Young | Missouri | 6051/255 | SR

The Cowboys chose sizzle with their initial first-round pick above, selecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. This time they go steak with Missouri’s Zion Young, a necessary move to belatedly replace Micah Parsons. Young would pair with 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku. Young is an assignment-minded run defender and an ascending pass rusher.

25. Chicago Bears: OT Trevor Goosby | Texas | 6070/310 | JR

Would the Bears have taken Kelvin Banks Jr. in April had the Saints not taken him No. 9 overall? We may never know. But in this scenario, the Bears put their own spin on history by selecting Banks’ heir apparent at left tackle for the Longhorns, Goosby. Goosby is an elite athlete—No. 17 on Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List in August – with projectable traits.

26. Buffalo Bills: LB Sonny Styles | Ohio State | 6043/243 | SR

Wide receiver is also an obvious need, but that position group is a bit deeper than off-ball linebacker. So the Bills opt for Ohio State’s Styles over a prospect like Alabama’s Germie Bernard. Styles is a hybrid off-ball linebacker, a versatile former safety who still moves like a back-end defender even though he now weighs over 240 pounds.

27. Seattle Seahawks: OG Gennings Dunker | Iowa | 6040/317 | rSR

Last year’s first-rounder—North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel—was a collegiate left tackle who was a Day 1 starter at left guard. Might Seattle return to the well the next year and take Dunker—also a collegiate tackle (RT in Dunker’s case)—to replace Anthony Bradford at RG? Seattle’s run-heavy offense will appreciate Dunker’s forklift power.

28. New York Jets (from IND): DL Domonique Orange | Iowa State | 6016/328 | SR

The Jets kicked off their draft with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. New York might prefer to add a receiving weapon to help him with this pick, but value doesn’t meet that need with the way the board has fallen. The Jets instead defer that need to Day 2 in order to plug the iDL hole created with the trade of Quinnen Williams to Dallas. Orange—“Big Citrus”—is impossible to uproot and move backward when he anchors.

29. LA Rams: CB Jermod McCoy | Tennessee | 5011/193 | JR

The Rams began their secondary overhaul by taking Ohio State's Downs in the top 10. They come back here and continue that work by taking Tennessee’s McCoy. McCoy came into the year ranked as the consensus CB1. His evaluation is complicated by the torn ACL he suffered in January that has delayed his 2025 debut.

30. New England Patriots: OT Spencer Fano | Utah | 6060/302 | JR

New England needs a long-term bookend to play across from Will Campbell with Morgan Moses turning 35 in March. Fano is a superb athlete and a fluid mover who excels in the zone-run game.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Keith Abney | Arizona State| 6000/190 | JR

Philadelphia needs another boundary corner to play with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. That could potentially lead the Eagles to a prospect like Abney in late-Round 1. Abney has emerged as one of college football’s best cover corners in 2025, and he’s one of the class’ best run-defending corners.

32. Denver Broncos: LB C.J. Allen | Georgia | 6010/235 | JR

The Broncos have managed to build an elite defense while working around a mediocre LB corps. That LB corps, additionally, is old and injury prone. It could greatly use an injection of youth and impact. That’s where Allen comes in. Allen is a throwback—stout and violent, and a force-multiplier to a team’s run defense.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Rueben Bain Jr. and Arvell Reese Prove Defense Never Rests

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Defense Rules at the Top

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