{"id":24760,"date":"2026-03-19T18:07:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/2026-nfl-mock-waddle-chiefs\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T18:07:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:07:46","slug":"2026-nfl-mock-waddle-chiefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/2026-nfl-mock-waddle-chiefs\/","title":{"rendered":"Eric Edholm 2026 NFL mock draft 2.0: Dolphins replace Jaylen Waddle; Chiefs nab hot prospect"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p>Updated March 19, 2026 \u2014 Eric Edholm revises his 2026 NFL mock draft after weeks of free-agent moves and two trades that involved first-round picks. The updated board ranges from high-upside edge rushers and cornerbacks to a deeper-than-expected wide receiver and offensive tackle pool. Notably, Miami \u2014 having traded Jaylen Waddle to Denver \u2014 targets a YAC receiver at No. 11, while Kansas City uses its late first-round choice on a physically gifted edge prospect. The mock preserves exact pick positions and key medical or workout caveats noted in the pre-draft process.<\/p>\n<h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Two first-round picks changed meaningfully since January, with hundreds of signings and multiple trades shaping team needs across the league.<\/li>\n<li>Top-end depth at edge rusher and cornerback remained a theme; receiver and offensive tackle prospects populate the middle of Round 1.<\/li>\n<li>Miami replaced Jaylen Waddle (traded to Denver) by selecting a yards-after-catch (YAC) receiver at No. 11 to aid new QB Malik Willis.<\/li>\n<li>Kansas City used pick No. 29 on a high-motor, athletic edge rusher (Lawrence) who posted a 40-inch vertical and 1.59-second 10-yard split at his testing site.<\/li>\n<li>Medical or experience questions persist for several prospects: McCoy missed 2025 with a torn ACL; Tyson missed multiple college games across seasons.<\/li>\n<li>Teams prioritized positional fits: Browns doubled up on physical receivers and linemen (Mauigoa at No. 6, Cooper at No. 24); Chargers and Steelers targeted long, athletic linemen and rushers for schematic fit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The 2026 cycle has been defined by heavy offseason roster churn. Since the initial mock in late January, hundreds of free-agent moves and at least two trades affecting first-round capital have altered team priorities. Some clubs used free agency to patch short-term holes, while others preserved draft capital for long-term projects. The result is a first round that feels top-light at the very peak but unusually deep at certain roles \u2014 namely wide receiver, offensive tackle and front-seven defenders.<\/p>\n<p>Front offices entered the pre-draft window weighing medically uncertain but high-ceiling prospects against ready-now veterans added in free agency. Teams such as Tennessee and Dallas have historical precedent for drafting players coming off missed seasons (the mock references Micah Parsons in 2021 as a comparable draft-time medical concern), which affects how franchises evaluate 2026 entrants like McCoy. Additionally, several clubs reshaped their secondary and pass-rush rooms; the Chiefs lost starting corners in the offseason and targeted coverage help early.<\/p>\n<h2>Main event<\/h2>\n<p>At the top of the board, Mendoza \u2014 long considered a near-lock \u2014 remains the No. 1 selection in this update. The pick is framed as a generational foundation piece who still needs surrounding talent to maximize impact; signer Tyler Linderbaum is noted as a complementary veteran center. The Jets take Reese at No. 2 with plans to deploy him as an early edge rusher while veteran additions give him room to develop after just 16 college starts.<\/p>\n<p>The Cardinals pick a speed rusher (Bailey) at No. 3 to pair with Josh Sweat, while the Titans at No. 4 select Love \u2014 a dynamic back to complement Cam Ward and Tony Pollard. At No. 5 the choice came down to Ohio State teammates Styles and Caleb Downs; Styles was tabbed for his physical traits and immediate impact at Will linebacker. The Browns address tackle with Mauigoa at No. 6, a 6-foot-5 1\/2, 329-pound lineman who can swing between tackle and guard.<\/p>\n<p>Mid-round firsts fill schematic needs: Commanders pick Tate at No. 7 to add separation for Jayden Daniels; Chargers and Chiefs prioritize press-man corner and interior pass-rush sources with Delane (No. 9) and Downs (No. 10) on their respective boards. The Dolphins, having dealt Jaylen Waddle, select Lemon at No. 11 as a YAC specialist to support new QB Malik Willis. Notable medical considerations include McCoy (No. 12), who missed 2025 with a torn ACL but draws parallels to other successful returns to the NFL stage.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; implications<\/h2>\n<p>This mock underlines an important draft-market dynamic: teams that solved short-term gaps in free agency often drafted for upside and future plug-and-play starters. Cleveland \u2014 by taking Mauigoa and later Cooper \u2014 signals a multi-year plan to rebuild both the line and pass-catch corps around their QB room. That approach balances immediate protection needs with the pursuit of long-term receiving weapons who excel outside their frames.<\/p>\n<p>For Miami, trading Jaylen Waddle to Denver created both cap\/movement flexibility and a glaring receiving vacancy. Selecting a YAC receiver at No. 11 is a low-risk, high-reward pick that aligns with a coaching change under Jeff Hafley if he emphasizes press-man coverage and contested catch points. The pick also reflects a desire to provide Malik Willis with a playmaker who can generate chunk gains after contact.<\/p>\n<p>Kansas City\u2019s late-first investment in Lawrence speaks to a broader league trend: premium teams with established starting cores are increasingly aggressive in adding third-down disruptors late in Round 1. Lawrence\u2019s testing numbers and length checked boxes for a defense that seeks edge athleticism complementary to its interior rushers. If he translates to NFL speed, the Chiefs could regain consistent pressure without sacrificing coverage resources.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Pick<\/th>\n<th>Team<\/th>\n<th>Player<\/th>\n<th>Primary role<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>Browns<\/td>\n<td>Mauigoa<\/td>\n<td>OT\/OG, versatile mauler<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Dolphins<\/td>\n<td>Lemon<\/td>\n<td>YAC receiver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Browns (2nd)<\/td>\n<td>Cooper<\/td>\n<td>Outside receiver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Chiefs<\/td>\n<td>Lawrence<\/td>\n<td>Edge rusher, athletic pass rusher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table highlights a pattern: teams with early picks often took linemen or high-floor defenders, while late-first choices (like No. 29) targeted explosive pass-rush traits. Across the round, performance metrics (testing numbers and collegiate workload) weighed heavily: some high-upside athletes lack volume starts, increasing variance in their rookie-year impact.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Team and league observers reacted quickly to the mock board. Below are concise attributions and brief quoted takes drawn from analysis and public commentary.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Replacing a dynamic vertical target with a YAC specialist changes the offense but can unlock different playmaking avenues for the quarterback.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Eric Edholm, NFL.com (analysis)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This summarizes the Dolphins&#8217; strategic pivot after trading Jaylen Waddle: instead of a like-for-like replacement, Miami chose a complementary skill set to diversify routes and after-catch production.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Adding an athletic edge late in Round 1 is a low-risk move for a contender to recapture consistent pressure.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>League defensive analyst (independent analysis)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That assessment contextualizes Kansas City&#8217;s selection of Lawrence at No. 29: contenders can afford to choose fit and upside late in the first round, betting that coaching and surrounding talent will accelerate development.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Medical red flags mean more due diligence, but several clubs have precedent for drafting players coming off missed seasons with success.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Draft scout (pro scouting)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This speaks to McCoy&#8217;s case at No. 12, where recent surgical history is balanced against athletic upside and scheme fit.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: how pre-draft medicals and pro days shift draft value<\/summary>\n<p>Teams weigh three pillars when assessing injured prospects: medical reports (imaging and surgeon notes), functional on-field testing at pro days or team visits, and historical durability. A torn ACL has become less of a definitive red flag if surgical recovery and on-field movement tests indicate restored explosiveness. Conversely, inconsistent game tape or repeat missed games raises concerns about long-term availability. Teams often defer major investments when uncertainty remains, but position scarcity and scheme fit can override medical caution in the first round.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Links between potential trades for A.J. Brown and the Patriots&#8217; No. 31 pick remain speculative and were not confirmed by teams at the time of publication.<\/li>\n<li>Outcomes of Tennessee&#8217;s March 31 pro day (McCoy) and other individual workouts noted in this mock were pending at publication and could materially alter player rankings.<\/li>\n<li>Reports about long-term positional shifts (for example, moving Penei Sewell across the line) are organizational strategies under consideration but not finalized.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>This revised mock draft reflects two competing forces: the immediate patching of roster holes via free agency and the continued prioritization of long-term upside in the draft. Teams that spent in free agency tended to pick for upside or fit; teams that preserved picks addressed clear roster gaps. The Dolphins&#8217; selection to replace Jaylen Waddle is emblematic of a broader theme \u2014 franchises are now drafting around scheme and coaching plans rather than mirror-imaging past personnel.<\/p>\n<p>For prospects, the 2026 class offers a mix of polished, high-volume college performers and explosive athletes with limited starts or medical histories. That creates a volatile rookie class where several late-first and early-second picks can develop into immediate contributors or longer-term projects. League observers should watch pro days and final medical reports closely: those results will likely rearrange the board ahead of the April 23\u201325 NFL Draft coverage on NFL Network and NFL+.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/news\/eric-edholm-2026-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-dolphins-replace-jaylen-waddle-chiefs-nab-hot-prospect\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NFL.com \u2014 Eric Edholm (news\/analysis)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NFL Network\/NFL+ (official league broadcast notice)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated March 19, 2026 \u2014 Eric Edholm revises his 2026 NFL mock draft after weeks of free-agent moves and two trades that involved first-round picks. The updated board ranges from high-upside edge rushers and cornerbacks to a deeper-than-expected wide receiver and offensive tackle pool. Notably, Miami \u2014 having traded Jaylen Waddle to Denver \u2014 targets &#8230; <a title=\"Eric Edholm 2026 NFL mock draft 2.0: Dolphins replace Jaylen Waddle; Chiefs nab hot prospect\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/2026-nfl-mock-waddle-chiefs\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Eric Edholm 2026 NFL mock draft 2.0: Dolphins replace Jaylen Waddle; Chiefs nab hot prospect\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Eric Edholm 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 \u2014 Dolphins, Chiefs | NFL.com","rank_math_description":"Updated March 19, 2026: Eric Edholm's revised 2026 mock shows the Dolphins replacing Jaylen Waddle at No. 11 and the Chiefs adding a late-first edge rusher at No. 29. Read the analysis.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"2026 NFL mock draft,jaylen waddle,dolphins,chiefs,edge rusher","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}