FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 2026 NFL Post-Free Agency Full One-Round Mock Draft For Every Team (Ep. 1983)
Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Joe Pisapia ("Joey P"), Derrick Brown ("DBRO"), Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

In this post-free agency mock draft special, the FantasyPros crew delivers a complete first-round mock for the fast-approaching 2026 NFL Draft. With most free agent moves settled, the hosts analyze team needs, recent signings, and draft tendencies to project picks for all 32 teams. The conversation is lively and packed with analysis, insights, betting talk, and some fun tangents on NFL history, player development, and fantasy football ramifications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Pre-Draft Landscape and NFL Free Agency Impact (Starts ~00:36)

• The hosts set the stage: “Now that free agency is over and done with, pretty much, we can start to get a much better picture of what some teams are going to do in the first round.” (Joe, 00:36)
• Joey P. remarks on recent notable guests and recommends the “Raise the Flags” Bucs documentary, emphasizing historical team-building patterns.

Early Draft Selections and Rationale

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB (04:12)

• Raiders’ free agency moves pave the way for Mendoza to start.
• Addition of Linderbaum at center is highlighted as key to rookie readiness.
• QB bridge speculation: “I keep hearing they want to bring in Kirk Cousins to be the bridge quarterback.” (Andrew, 05:10)

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, Edge (05:54)

• Jets fixed multiple holes, bodes for a “best player available” approach.
• “Reese…makes a ton of sense. It’s the high-upside swing that you take in this draft.” (DBRO, 06:10)

3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT (07:12)

• Despite many running backs, OL need trumps a new RB in the mock.
• “Monti Ossenfort drafts Ohio State guys and premium positions.” (Andrew, 07:12)
• Mauigoa slots in at RT opposite Paris Johnson Jr.

4. Tennessee Titans – Jeremiah Love, RB (Notre Dame) (08:54)

• Staff consensus: Love is a major offensive boost.
• “Pollard could be cut...They’re looking for which weapon can help Cam Ward the most.” (DBRO, 08:54)
• Joe: “When you have a run game, you’re giving your quarterback a chance. ...I think Jeremiah Love is absolutely the pick here if he’s on the board.” (09:37)

5. New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S (10:24)

• “John Harbaugh…says this guy has potential to be a Hall of Fame safety.” (Andrew, 10:24)
• Giants need major defensive improvement: "Second worst against the run in 2025." (Andrew, 10:24)

Mid-Round Notables

• Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT (Georgia) (12:18)
  • Complete OL overhaul, Freeling an "ascending stock" in draft circles.
• Washington Commanders – Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State) (13:37)
  • Drawing 49ers comparison: “Adam Peters comes from the 49ers. Well, he gets his version of Fred Warner here.” (Andrew, 13:37)
• New Orleans Saints – Carnot Tate, WR (17:45)
  • “Clear WR1 in this class...good fit with Olave, wonderful addition.” (DBRO, 17:45)
• Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, Edge (Texas Tech) (18:50)
  • Chief’s pass rush woes compel the pick: “They’re running up to the podium with this card for David Bailey.” (Andrew, 18:50)
  • Fun fact: “No Chief had double digit sacks last year.” (Joe, 19:53)

Picks 10–20: Trends and Debates

• Cincinnati Bengals – Reuben Bain Jr., Edge (22:32)
  • Physical limitations (short arms) debated, "Ring of Fame guy" more than Hall of Fame (Joe quoting NFLN, 23:00).
• Miami Dolphins – Spencer Fano, OL (24:03)
  • Emphasizing run-first direction, Fano's versatility a huge asset.
• Dallas Cowboys – Denylan Delane, CB (25:31)
  • “Best cover corner in the draft. Allows Duron Bland back in the nickel.” (DBRO, 25:31)
• LA Rams – Makai Lemon, WR (26:01)
  • Insurance for Devante Adams’ likely departure.
• Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE (27:45)
  • Njoku visit reveals tight end interest: “Declan Doyle is going to use a good bit of 12 personnel.” (DBRO, 27:45)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mezidor, Edge (Miami) (29:17)
  • “+110 to draft an edge rusher with their first pick.” (Andrew, 29:17)

Strategic and Positional Trends

• Many picks on the offensive line, edge rusher, and cornerback.
• “You fill your needs in free agency, then you draft best player available.” (Andrew, 40:01)
• Running tangent: The importance of locker room leaders (Mike Evans), impact of injuries, and how teams handle draft analytics.

Picks 21–32: Playoff Teams and Final First-Rounders

• Pittsburgh Steelers – Venga Ioane, G (Penn State) (43:00)
  • “Maybe he knows where the bathrooms are.” (Andrew, 43:00) – classic Steelers local pick joke.
• Eagles – Blake Miller, OT (Clemson) (45:11)
  • “Looking for another long term replacement for Lane Johnson.” (Andrew, 45:11)
• Browns – Jordan Tyson, WR (Arizona State) (45:45)
  • “If Philly doesn’t snipe them...then definitely Jordan Tyson.” (DBRO, 45:45)
• Bears – Malachi Lawrence, Edge (UCF) (46:13)
  • “He might end up having his name called at the end of round one. Good fit with Dennis Allen.” (Andrew, 46:32)
• Bills – Zion Young, Edge (47:32)
  • “They need more pass rush.” (DBRO, 47:32)
• 49ers – Cassius Howell, Edge (Texas A&M) (47:50)
  • "Their edge and pass rush sucked last year ... 32nd in sacks." (Andrew, 47:50)
• Texans – Caleb Lomu, OT (Utah) (48:47)
  • Internal debate on offensive line necessity due to recent signings:
    • “Do you feel good about Evan Brown at guard?” (DBRO, 49:09)
    • “Even if...this is a solved puzzle...what depth do they have?” (DBRO, 49:41)
• Chiefs (from Rams) – Aven Terrell, CB (Clemson) (50:43)
• Dolphins – Denzel Boston, WR (Washington) (51:30)
  • Long back-and-forth on Miami's pass-catcher approach and draft capital.
  • “They have seven picks inside the top 100. ...Are we still giving them so much crap about their WR room?” (DBRO, 52:12)
• Patriots – Max Onuchukwu, OT (Arizona State) (56:32)
  • “Protect Drake May...just draft good offensive linemen.” (Andrew, 57:26)
• Seahawks – Caleb Banks, DT (Florida) (58:19)
  • “Fell down the board...broke his foot night before the combine...Still posted a 9.8 RAS.” (DBRO, 58:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Free Agency’s Impact:
  “You fill your needs in free agency, then you draft best player available in the NFL draft.” (Andrew, 40:01)
• On Vegas and Mendoza:
  “I think the Raiders are going to look like a competent franchise now with an offense run by Fernando Mendoza.” (DBRO, 04:43)
• On Chiefs and David Bailey:
  “They are running up to the podium with this card for David Bailey, edge rusher out of Texas Tech. I mean, he could go number two overall and I don’t think anybody would be too surprised.” (Andrew, 18:50)
• On Prospect Evaluation Realities:
  “I don’t think there’s a lot of gold jacket guys in this class necessarily, but there’s a lot of guys...we’re talking ‘Ring of Fame’ kind of guys.” (Joe, 23:00)
• On Miami’s WR room:
  “The conversation...acts like the NFL draft isn’t going to happen, and we’re walking into week one in like next week.” (DBRO, 52:16)
• Humor & Banter:
  • “Dogs and cats living together—mass hysteria!” (Joe, 04:09)
  • “My bigger question is, when you walk into a restaurant and you take all the pictures of the food and stuff, do you stay and eat the food or do they just walk out?” (DBRO, 21:33)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:36 – Episode kickoff, documentary recommendation, free agency recaps
• 04:12 – Pick 1, Raiders (Mendoza discussion)
• 05:54 – Pick 2, Jets (Reese discussion)
• 07:12 – Pick 3, Cardinals (Mauigoa)
• 08:54 – Pick 4, Titans (Love)
• 10:24 – Pick 5, Giants (Downs)
• 12:18 – Pick 6, Browns (Freeling)
• 13:37 – Pick 7, Commanders (Styles)
• 17:45 – Pick 8, Saints (Tate)
• 18:50 – Pick 9, Chiefs (Bailey)
• 22:32 – Pick 10, Bengals (Bain)
• 25:31 – Pick 12, Cowboys (Delane)
• 27:45 – Pick 14, Ravens (Sadiq)
• 29:17 – Pick 15, Buccaneers (Mezidor)
• 40:01 – Panthers strategy (BPA discussion)
• 43:00 – Steelers pick (Ioane)
• 45:11 – Eagles pick (Miller)
• 46:13 – Bears pick (Lawrence)
• 47:32 – Bills pick (Young)
• 48:47 – 49ers pick (Howell)
• 51:30 – Dolphins pick (Boston) and WR room philosophy
• 56:32 – Patriots pick (Onuchukwu)
• 58:19 – Seahawks pick (Banks)

Episode Takeaways

• Trending NFL draft strategies: Premium positions (OL, edge, CB) carry first-round value; RBs only if elite.
• Teams often fill glaring holes during free agency, freeing up draft flexibility.
• Several franchises are planning around veteran contracts and succession at key positions.
• Betting odds are increasingly referenced alongside traditional scouting in projecting picks.
• Panel brings humor, candid opinion, and betting/fantasy context to each discussion.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a fast-paced, expert-driven mock covering all 32 teams’ first picks, full of actionable insights for fantasy footballers, NFL fans, and draftniks alike. If you want a summary of offseason moves, theory behind every projected pick, and some classic FantasyPros banter, this is your one-stop shop for the NFL Draft’s post-free agency landscape.