After trading down from the 20th overall selection with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys will select UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lawrence spent his entire college career playing for UCF but did not carve out a full-time role on the defense until his second season. In 2023, Lawrence would tally 7.5 sacks with 105 tackles for loss. After a somewhat down season in 2024, where he logged only 5.0 sacks, Lawrence would return to form in his senior campaign, logging a career-high 11.0 tackles for loss with 7.0 sacks, and was named first-team All-Big 12. Per scouting reports, Lawrence has the skill set to win on the line with both his power and speed. Lawrence will join a Dallas defense that struggled to pressure the opposing quarterbacks last fall, logging just 35.0 total sacks.

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University of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman has been selected 25th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Thieneman was a playmaker across 15 games for the Ducks in 2025, recording 44 solo tackles, 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and one sack. The 21-year-old also posted elite testing numbers at the 2026 scouting combine, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and recording a 41-inch vertical jump. Thieneman is known as a versatile safety who can excel in a variety of different coverage schemes. In Chicago, Thieneman should have a chance to step in as a starter in the secondary right away.

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The Miami Dolphins have traded up from pick No. 30 to pick No. 27 to select San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Miami has sent picks 30 and 90 to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for picks 27 and 138. Johnson had a productive season as a senior at San Diego State in 2025, recording 36 solo tackles, nine passes defensed, and four interceptions. He returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns, showcasing his big-play ability. The Miami secondary figures to be a relatively open competition for playing time, so Johnson should have a chance to step in as a starter immediately if he can produce in training camp and the preseason.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 29th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Across 12 games as a junior at Clemson in 2025, Woods recorded 10 solo tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks. The 21-year-old is known as an explosive athlete who excels at getting into the backfield and disrupting plays. He needs to show more consistency as both a run defender and a pass rusher, but Woods profiles as a high-upside player for the Chiefs to mold for the future. With star Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones entering his age-32 season in 2026, Woods could be part of the team's eventual succession plan on the interior of their defensive line.

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The Tennessee Titans have selected Auburn edge prospect Keldric Faulk with the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Tennessee acquired the rights to select Faulk in a six-pick trade with the Buffalo Bills. He was a three-year contributor in the SEC, racking up 109 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks across 37 games at Auburn. The 21-year-old is capable of playing inside or outside on the defensive line, and this versatility makes him an immediate fit in a new-look Titans defense led by defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh. He'll join playmakers Jermaine Johnson II, Jeffery Simmons, and John Franklin-Myers on the defensive line in Nashville.

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The New England Patriots have traded up from pick 31 to pick 28 to select Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu. Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Patriots are sending pick 125 to the Buffalo Bills in addition to pick 31. Lomu spent his final two years in college as the starting left tackle for the Utes, but is generally considered to be a developmental prospect with plenty of room left to improve. The Patriots have 2025 number four overall pick Will Campbell at left tackle and veteran Morgan Moses at right tackle, so Lomu could either move inside or spend his first year in the NFL in a reserve role. Either way, New England has fortified the protection in front of franchise quarterback Drake Maye for the future.

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The New York Jets have selected wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the 30th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York traded the 33rd and 179th picks in order to move up and select Cooper at No. 30. The move has significant contract implications, as first-round picks are eligible for a fifth-year option. The Jets will now have control over Cooper through 2030, giving them a talented wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson. Cooper had an impressive final season at Indiana, catching passes from Fernando Mendoza in the national championship-winning Hoosiers offense. Across 16 games last year, he caught 69 passes, 937 yards, and 13 touchdowns. The Jets continue to supply quarterback Geno Smith with a plethora of weapons, adding Cooper and fellow first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq to an offense that already features Wilson, Breece Hall, and Mason Taylor. As it stands, Cooper ranks as the overall WR50 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

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The Cleveland Browns have selected wide receiver KC Concepcion with the 24th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. Concepcion is the fourth wide receiver selected in this year's opening round, joining Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon. Concepcion began his college career at North Carolina State in 2023 and 2024, before joining the Aggies for his final campaign. In 2025, Concepcion would enjoy his best season, totaling nine receiving scores, which led the SEC, and a career-high 919 yards on 61 receptions. The wideout was named a consensus All-American and was awarded the 2025 Paul Hornung Award. Scouts credit the wide receiver with having a full route tree and the skill set to play physically for his 6-foot frame. Concepcion could immediately carve out a role for fantasy in a weak Cleveland Browns wide receiver room that was led by Jerry Jeudy in 2025, who totaled just 602 yards and two touchdowns.

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The Los Angeles Chargers have selected defensive end Akheem Mesidor with the 22nd overall pick out of Miami. Mesidor began his time in college playing for West Virginia before joining the Hurricanes for his final three campaigns. During his first season in Miami (2022), Mesidor immediately made a significant impact, tallying 7.0 sacks with 10.5 tackles for loss, the second-highest of his career. He then missed most of the 2023 season due to a foot injury, but quickly found his stride and went on to string together two productive seasons to finish his career. In 2025, Mesidor totaled a season-best 12.5 sacks and emerged as one of the premier edge rushers in this class. While he is one of the older prospects in this class and has dealt with serious injuries, he has the potential to make a massive impact on the field. He will look to bolster a Chargers defense that totaled the 10th-most sacks in football last season.

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The New York Giants have selected Ohio State edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Reese has spent his entire three-year college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes and won a National Championship with them during the 2024 season. After playing a limited role in his first year, Reese would gradually find a role for them over the past two campaigns. In 2024, Reese would log 0.5 sacks with 18 solo tackles. In 2025, Reese would take another step forward, totaling 6.5 sacks with 34 solo tackles and 10.0 tackles for loss. He would be named consensus All-American at the conclusion of this season. Per scouting reports, Reese is credited for not shying away from contact and having strong instincts to track down ball carriers. Reese will join a New York defense that allowed a high 25.8 PPG last season and totaled 39.0 total sacks.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have traded up to the No. 6 overall pick to select LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane. The Browns initially held this pick at the start of the draft. Delane began his college career with Virginia Tech for three seasons before moving to LSU for his final campaign. With the Tigers, Delane enjoyed the best season of his collegiate career, being named a consensus All-American and posting the lowest passer rating allowed in the entire SEC. Across 11 games, he logged 26 solo tackles with 45 combined tackles and two interceptions. With Virginia Tech, across three seasons (33 games), Delane logged 82 solo tackles with six interceptions. Scouts viewed Delane as one of the top defensive back prospects in this year's class. Per reports, Delane is known for having a consistent technique in his coverage and brings much experience, given that he spent four seasons in college. He will join a Kansas City defense that allowed just 19.1 PPG last season and 195.8 passing yards per game.

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The Washington Commanders have selected Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Styles spent his entire four-year college career with the Buckeyes. While he logged only one tackle for loss in his debut campaign, he would begin to find his footing in his sophomore season, tallying 4.5 TFL and 2.0 sacks. In 2024, on the National Championship-winning team, Styles would lead the way, tallying a career-best 6.0 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. This past season, Styles would conclude his college career with 46 solo tackles, but added just one sack and was named second-team All-American. During the pre-draft process, Styles was credited as one of the top pure tacklers in the class and for having elite range in the open field. Styles will bring a much-needed spark to the Washington defense that allowed 26.5 points per game during the 2025 season.

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The Dallas Cowboys have traded up one spot from pick No. 12 to pick No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Dallas is sending picks number 12, 177, and 180 to the Miami Dolphins in return for the 11th pick. Downs earned All-American honors in both 2024 and 2025 while playing for the Buckeyes. Last season, he racked up 45 solo tackles, two interceptions, five TFLs, and one sack across 14 games. The 21-year-old is known as a high-level playmaker in the secondary who should make an immediate impact as both a run and pass defender for the Cowboys. Given the draft capital they surrendered to get their hands on Downs, Dallas may be planning on plugging him in as a starter right away in 2026.

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The Minnesota Vikings took University of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks (foot) with the 18th overall selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. Banks stands at a hulking 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, but he can do things on a football field that aren't typically associated with interior defensive linemen. Banks impressed with a 5.04-second 40-yard dash and 114-inch broad jump at the NFL scouting combine. The 23-year-old defensive tackle had a total of 6.5 sacks in his five collegiate seasons (his first two came at Louisville). A fractured foot that Banks suffered at the combine in February isn't expected to affect his availability for the start of his rookie season in the NFL. Banks had recurring foot injuries during his final collegiate season, which limited him to just three games played. The Vikings chose to overlook his foot issues in favor of his elite physical traits. If healthy, Banks could be a massive interior-line asset for the Vikes as a run-stopper and pocket pusher.

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The Carolina Panthers selected University of Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 21-year-old stands at an enormous 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, and he'll take the next step in his football career as a big body to help the Panthers up front in front of quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers are taking a bit of a risk with this pick, just based on the fact that Freeling only started one season with the Bulldogs. Freeling's specific position in his first year in the NFL will depend largely on the health of Ikem Ekwonu (knee), who is recovering from a torn patellar tendon in his knee. If needed, the Panthers could plug Freeling on Young's blind side right away, which would put a lot of pressure on the young offensive tackle. What Freeling lacks in experience, he can easily make up for with elite athleticism for his hulking size. He has the potential to be a franchise-changing left tackle.

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The Philadelphia Eagles swung a trade with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night to move up to the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The Eagles already have DeVonta Smith and acquired Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, so the selection of Lemon in the first round is more writing on the wall that star pass-catcher A.J. Brown will be traded after June 1. The 21-year-old Lemon is considered one of the best wideouts in this year's class, and he should immediately have a chance to be the Eagles' WR2 behind Smith if Brown is traded. Lemon stands at 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds and figures to see most of his playing time from the slot in Philly. The Eagles will be hoping that the Biletnikoff Award winner will once again make their offense more dynamic after they struggled mightily to stay on the field in 2025. He's regarded as a plug-and-play slot man with impressive technical route-running polish. Lemon isn't the strongest or biggest wideout, but he should give quarterback Jalen Hurts an explosive and productive weapon through the air. In dynasty/keeper drafts, Lemon should be considered a top-five pick.

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The Detroit Lions selected Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 22-year-old right tackle never missed a game in his four collegiate seasons with the Tigers. The 6-foot-7, 317-pounder is super competitive and is a mauler in the running game. The Lions definitely needed to address their offensive line early in this year's draft, and they have definitely done so with the selection of Miller. His presence on the O-line is great news for both quarterback Jared Goff and do-it-all running back Jahmyr Gibbs. With Penei Sewell moving to left tackle, Miller should immediately be a starter on the right side of the offensive line from the get-go in his rookie season in 2026. He's an iron man with no durability question marks, and he comes with a lot of experience. One of the few knocks on Miller is that he can often times play too upright, so that will need to be cleaned up when going against elite edge rushers.

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The New York Jets have selected Oregon tight end prospect Kenyon Sadiq with the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It's a bit of a surprising development, especially since the Jets drafted tight end Mason Taylor in the second round of last year's draft. This addition doesn't necessarily spell disaster for Taylor, though, as the Jets could benefit from running two-tight end sets. With that being said, Sadiq should immediately slot in as the Jets' No. 1 tight end, offering another key threat for Geno Smith in the passing game alongside wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Sadiq had 51 catches, 560 yards, and eight touchdowns during his final season with the Ducks. There had been rumblings about him going to the Panthers at No. 19 overall, but in the end, he didn't even make it that far. The Jets will face some growing pains with Smith at quarterback this year, but New York has made a respectable effort to build out a young core within its offense so that they can compete in years down the road. As a result, Sadiq has long-term upside, ranking as the TE9 overall in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

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The Baltimore Ravens have selected Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ioane was widely ranked as the best pure guard in the draft, as well as one of this year's top offensive line prospects. He had a terrific redshirt junior season in 2025, posting an 80.0 PFF grade with a spectacular 87.0 pass-blocking grade. Baltimore continues to place emphasis on improving its guard position, pairing Ioane with free agent signing John Simpson. Together, they'll be tasked with protecting Lamar Jackson and blocking for Derrick Henry in a strong offense led by new head coach Jesse Minter and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Miami defensive end prospect Rueben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Bain contributed during all three of his collegiate seasons, totaling 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks by the end of his NCAA career. In 2025 alone, he racked up 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, all of which were career-high marks. He posted an elite 92.8 PFF grade during his final year at Miami, including a 78.9 tackling grade in the national championship against Indiana. Bain, who was the 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, will offer the Bucs a key pass-rushing threat on the end of the defensive line. He projects to play opposite Calijah Kancey, who is averaging 6.7 sacks per 17-game pace throughout his NFL career.

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