Field Yates dropped his first 2026 NFL mock draft of the offseason for ESPN, and several picks stand out as perfect fits. Here are the four best selections from Round 1.
Field Yates’ latest 2026 NFL mock draft for ESPN includes its fair share of aggressive projections. But there are a few picks that stand out for other reasons: they’re fantastic fits.
Mel Kiper’s understudy aligned talent, positional value, and team need in these four best selections of Round 1.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals (Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami)
Arizona’s offensive inconsistency in 2025 was often due to protection breakdowns, particularly against speed off the edge.
Enter Francis Mauigoa.
The Hurricanes standout is a physical and refined tackle who brings scheme versatility to the NFL. He’s powerful at the point of attack while also having the athleticism to redirect and recover against inside pass-rush counters.
What makes this pick especially strong isn’t just that Mauigoa is a very good offensive tackle; it’s the pairing of Mauigoa with Paris Johnson Jr. It’s a combination of high-ceiling tackles that should anchor the offensive line for the foreseeable future.
The Cardinals are expected to move on from Kyler Murray this offseason. Adding a first-round tackle like Mauigoa will do wonders for whoever Arizona’s QB-next is.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
The Titans need juice off the edge after struggling to generate consistent pressure in 2025. David Bailey addresses that immediately.
Bailey wins with explosion and bend. His first step stresses tackles vertically, and he’s schooled in converting speed to power when tackles overset. Bailey has counter moves and can finish in the backfield.
MORE: Post-Super Bowl NFL mock draft: Top pick is obvious, but room for surprises in Round 1
For the Titans, adding Bailey would take pressure off Jeffery Simmons, the team’s top defender and the weekly focus of opposing offensive lines.
Top-five picks should be game-changers, and Bailey has that potential.
No. 11: Miami Dolphins – Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Yates slots LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane just outside the top 10 picks. It’s one of his mock draft’s smartest value plays. Delane’s breakout 2025 tape was highlighed top-tier man-coverage technique. His ability to mirror receivers is impressive.
The Dolphins will undergo sweeping changes over the next several months. As a result, no position is off the table in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Locking up a potential No. 1 corner is a smart use of Jon-Eric Sullivan’s first-ever first-round pick as a general manager.
No. 30: Denver Broncos- Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
Sadiq falling to the bottom of the first round of Field Yates’ mock draft checks multiple boxes for the Broncos. The Oregon tight end is one of the more dynamic mismatch weapons in the 2026 class.
Sadiq moves like a big slot receiver. He has fantastic acceleration off the line, smooth transitions at the top of his route, and is an easy separator against linebackers.
For a Denver offense trending upward under Sean Patyon with Bo Nix entering the next phase of his development, adding a versatile weapon lke Sadiq could expand the playbook and create matchup stress across the middle of the field.
The post 4 Best Picks from Field Yates’ Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft appeared first on The Big Lead.
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