2026 NFL Mock Draft, AFC East: Largest Wants for Jets, Dolphins, Payments, Patriots

[ad_1] For the soccer obsessed, the expression "It’s essentially the most fantastic time of the yr," is just not a lot a mirrored image concerning the holidays as it's about mock drafts. They're like Thanksgiving meals — we seemingly can’t get sufficient of them.

So, shortly after releasing a conventional first-round mock draft, we thought it will be worthwhile to determine every workforce's most evident holes in addition to sturdy prospect matches to fill them.

With two golf equipment rising as respectable contenders for the No. 1 decide, the AFC East felt like the right start line to kick off the sequence. Listed here are early projections for your complete division's alternatives on Days 1 and a couple of of the 2026 NFL Draft.

First spherical, No. 3 total decide: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Jets’ resolution to commerce cornerback Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to load up on draft picks means that the membership is keen to endure an entire roster rebuild. Maybe that may permit New York to bundle picks to commerce for a veteran quarterback, with intriguing candidates comparable to Kyler Murray and divisional rival Tua Tagovailoa considered probably accessible this offseason. Ought to Jets normal supervisor Darren Mougey take the extra typical method, Mendoza’s inspirational play at Indiana may make him the primary quarterback off the board this yr. His dual-threat capability would make him an intriguing match within the offense that head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand have used with incumbent starter Justin Fields this season.

First spherical, No. 30 total decide (from Colts): Mark Fletcher, RB, Miami

Whereas the main target is understandably devoted to the Jets’ looming resolution at quarterback, it appears practically as seemingly that the membership will even be in search of a brand new operating again, with Breece Corridor within the midst of the ultimate yr of his rookie contract. Corridor is a gifted again — and continues to be simply 24 years-old — however the Jets had been seemingly anticipating a number of 1,0000-yard speeding seasons from him once they chosen him No. 36 total 4 years in the past, and he has didn't ship even considered one of them to date. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Fletcher is an even bigger, burlier again than Corridor and would possibly provide extra of the grit between the tackles Glenn and Engstrand had been accustomed to with the Detroit Lions.

Second spherical, No. 34 total decide: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Glenn may even see shades of his former playmaking self at cornerback in Terrell, an undersized however scrappy nickel cornerback with a penchant for making large performs. Terrell is the youthful, smaller brother of former first-round decide and present Atlanta Falcons standout nook A.J. Terrell. No marvel he performs with the chip on his shoulder of a sibling in search of to higher his predecessor. He has intercepted three passes over his first three years at Clemson (the place A.J. performed as properly), however has twice as many pressured fumbles, a testomony to his closing pace and competitiveness. For a workforce needing a brand new infusion of expertise at cornerback with Gardner (and Michael Carter II) now gone, Terrell would possibly show a steal if his slight body (5-foot-11, 180 kilos) left him accessible early within the second spherical.

Second spherical, No. 44 total decide: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Buying and selling Williams has left a gaping gap in the course of New York’s defensive position — frankly, one the Jets are going to wrestle to exchange on this draft. There merely aren’t many defensive tackles able to clogging up operating lanes and offering a constant go rush like Williams did over his first seven seasons within the NFL (59 tackles for loss, 40 sacks). Miller wants some refining, however he presents intriguing traits, together with spectacular agility for his burly 6-foot-4, 310-pound body, in addition to the facility to contribute instantly. I see a day one starter who, in a few years, may develop right into a standout.

The Jets are rebuilding once more, however Aaron Glenn and Co. might want to profit from their impending excessive draft picks. (Photograph by Logan Bowles/Getty Photos)

First spherical, No. 7 total decide: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

With all due respect to the aforementioned Jets, the Dolphins is perhaps the league’s most fascinating workforce this offseason, with head coach Mike McDaniel and beginning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa candidates to comply with former GM Chris Grier out of city. However ought to the membership decide to maintain each, this yr’s top-rated pass-blocker would possibly go a good distance in settling what till not too long ago had been one of many league’s most potent offenses. The 6-foot-6, 308-pound Fano has the look and athleticism of a decent finish, boasting terrific quickness and agility to reflect edge rushers. Placing him at proper deal with and pushing incumbent starter Larry Borom inside to his well-suited proper guard position would make numerous sense.

Second spherical, No. 40 total decide: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Whereas I imagine Miami’s offense can get again on monitor with some reshuffling, there was a steeper decline at cornerback for this franchise lately — and it completely fell into the abyss following the Jalen Ramsey commerce. Cisse performs with a level of physicality and competitiveness which may remind a few of Ramsey, whereas additionally possessing the agility and acceleration to deal with man protection.

Third spherical, No. 71 total decide: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Some Dolphins followers need the membership to chop bait with Tagovailoa. Others really feel that with improved go safety and a wholesome return of Tyreek Hill, Tua additionally will return to kind subsequent season. Spending a mid-round choice on a expertise like Allar could possibly be a top quality compromise. Standing a prototypical 6-foot-5, 235 kilos, and boasting one of many strongest arms within the class, Allar is a considerably totally different sort of quarterback than Tagovailoa. He additionally could possibly be had at a reduction after struggling a damaged left ankle earlier this season.

Third spherical, No. 77 total decide (from Texans): Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

One place that might appear to be in apparent want of an improve in Miami is tight finish, the place the Dolphins’ resorted to luring Darren Waller out of retirement. Waller performed properly — catching all 4 touchdowns thrown to Miami tight ends this yr — however at 33-years outdated and presently on IR, he’s not the long run. Stowers is a former quarterback with spectacular agility and acceleration for his 6-foot-4, 235-pound body. At that dimension, Stowers gained’t be a match for each membership, however I like his capability to assault the seam if complemented by Miami’s pace at operating again and receiver.

Third spherical, No. 95 total decide (from Eagles): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Just like the aforementioned Stowers at tight finish, Johnson’s comparatively slim body (6-0, 182 kilos) may knock him down some draft boards, however his tape is among the many better of this yr’s cornerback class. He's an instinctive, technically-sound participant who matches his pro-ready recreation with terrific quickness, altering instructions seamlessly to stay to the hip of receivers. Miami has 4 cornerbacks, together with starters Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas, slated at no cost company after this season.

It stays unclear if Mike McDaniel and/or Tua Tagovailoa might be with the Dolphins subsequent season. (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Photos by way of Getty Photos)

First spherical, No. 23 total decide: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

The Payments appear to be a Tremendous Bowl contender in practically each method, with one apparent exception: run protection. The membership presently ranks twenty eighth within the NFL in speeding yards allowed (1,328), thirty first in touchdowns surrendered on the bottom (14) and tied with the New York Giants for useless final in common yards given up per rush (5.5). A wholesome Ed Oliver would assist, however the Payments may use extra girth and vary at linebacker, as properly. Hill’s large performs have dropped this season, with Texas asking him to play extra of a conventional off-ball linebacker fairly than pass-rusher, however the 6-foot-3, 238-pounder performs with the instincts and tenacity to be a right away difference-maker, whereas offering the flexibility Sean McDermott would recognize.

Second spherical, No. 54 total decide: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

Even with the anticipated full restoration of Oliver, the Payments will virtually definitely be investing at the very least one early-round decide on a defensive deal with. In spite of everything, 4 of the membership's present inside defensive linemen (DaQuan Jones, Larry Ogunjobi, Jordan Phillips and Phidarian Mathis) will enter free company on the conclusion of this season. At 6-foot-4 and 325 kilos, Orange is aptly named (and nicknamed as "Huge Citrus"), bulldozing would-be blockers together with his dimension and energy.

Third spherical, No. 88 total decide: Keon Sabb, S, Alabama

With two safeties additionally pending free brokers (together with longtime starter Jordan Poyer), the Payments would possibly take into account restocking every stage of their protection over the primary two days of the draft. Sabb is a little bit of a throwback security, punishing ball-carriers with bone-rattling hits. The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder is a New Jersey native who gained a nationwide championship at Michigan. And after lacking half of final season with a damaged foot, he is emerged as one of many Crimson Tide's leaders.

The Payments once more have Tremendous Bowl expectations but additionally a roster to match. (Photograph by Erick W. Rasco/Sports activities Illustrated by way of Getty Photos)

First spherical, No. 32 total decide: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

It hasn’t taken lengthy for the Patriots to undertake head coach Mike Vrabel’s persona, and I anticipate the identical ultra-competitive nature can be going to be evident in New England’s draft picks this spring. Howell definitely would qualify, presently main the SEC with 10.5 sacks. He performs with as high-revving of a motor as you’ll see on this class and has additionally demonstrated nice versatility, together with dropping into protection when needed. Some groups will overthink issues with him, nonetheless, as he started his faculty profession at Bowling Inexperienced and has a "tweener" body at 6-foot-4, 245 kilos.

Second spherical, No. 64 total decide: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa

The Patriots’ terrific 2025 season is all of the extra spectacular given the large contributions of rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, who've collectively allowed 9 sacks by means of 11 video games whereas securing the left aspect. Their success would possibly embolden GM Eliot Wolf to handle the membership’s long-term future at proper deal with, as properly, with 34-year-old Morgan Moses presently manning the place and his major backup, Vederian Lowe, a pending free agent. Like so many earlier than him at Iowa, Dunker presents a prototypical body and recreation, permitting simply 4 sacks over the previous two seasons at proper deal with for the Hawkeyes.

Third spherical, No. 96 total decide: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas

Buying and selling away Kyle Dugger (to the Steelers) earlier than the deadline raised eyebrows for lots of Patriots followers, and with Jaylinn Hawkins a pending free agent, New England might be in search of reinforcements at security. Taaffe is a former walk-on flip three-year starter whose consciousness and instincts have helped him develop into considered one of this yr’s higher prospects on the place. He’s a dependable open-field tackler with sticky fingers, turning six of his 13 profession go breakups into interceptions.

Shock, shock: The Patriots presently have the very best report in soccer below new coach Mike Vrabel. (Photograph by Kathryn Riley/Getty Photos)

Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports activities. He has been masking the NFL Draft for greater than 25 years. He additionally works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Soccer League. Observe him on X @RobRang.

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