Undercover investigation of Meta heads to trial in New Mexico in first stand-alone case by state

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits againstMetais getting underway in New Mexico, with jury selection starting Monday.

Meta New Mexico Lawsuit

New Mexico's case is built on a state undercover investigation using proxy social media accounts and posing as kids to document sexual solicitations and the response from Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. It could give states a new legal pathway to go after social media companies overhow their platforms affect children, by using consumer protection and nuisance laws.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed suit in 2023, accusing Meta of creating a marketplace and "breeding ground" for predators who target children for sexual exploitation and failing to disclose what it knew about those harmful effects.

"So many regulators are keyed up looking for any evidence of a legal theory that would punish social media that a victory in that case could have ripple effects throughout the country, and the globe," said Eric Goldman, codirector of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law in California. "Whatever the jury says will be of substantial interest."

The trial, with opening statements scheduled for Feb. 9, could last nearly two months.

Meta denies the civil charges and says prosecutors are taking a "sensationalist" approach. CEOMark Zuckerbergwas dropped as a defendant in the case, but he has been deposed and documents in the case carry his name.

In California, opening arguments are scheduled this week for a personal injury case in Los Angeles County Superior Court that could determine how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out.

The allegations against Meta in New Mexico

Prosecutors say New Mexico is not seeking to hold Meta accountable for content on its platforms, but rather its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that can be addictive and harmful to children.

The approach could sidestep immunity provisions for social media platforms under a First Amendment shield andSection 230, a 30-year-old provision of the U.S. Communications Decency Act that has protected tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.

An undercover investigation by the state created several decoy accounts for minors 14 and younger, documented the arrival of online sexual solicitations and monitored Meta's responses when the behavior was brought to the company's attention. The state says Meta's responses placed profits ahead of children's safety.

Torrez, a first-term Democrat elected in 2022, has urged Meta to implement more effective age verification and remove bad actors from its platform. He's also seeking changes to algorithms that can serve up harmful material and criticizing end-to-end privacy encryption that can prevent the monitoring of communications with children for safety.

Separately, Torrez brought felony criminal charges of child solicitation by electronic devices against three men in 2024, also using decoy social media accounts to build that case.

How Meta has responded

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Meta denies the civil charges while accusing the attorney general of cherry-picking select documents and making "sensationalist, irrelevant and distracting arguments."

In a statement, Meta said ongoing lawsuits nationwide are attempting to place the blame for teen mental health struggles on social media companies in a way that oversimplifies matters. It points to the steady addition of account settings and tools — including safety features that give teens more information about the person they're chatting with and content restrictions based on PG-13 movie ratings.

Goldman says the company is bringing enormous resources to bear in courtrooms this year, including New Mexico.

"If they lose this," he said, "it becomes another beachhead that might erode their basic business."

Many other lawsuits are underway

More than40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuitsagainst Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms. The majority filed their lawsuits in federal court.

The bellwether trial underway in California against social video companies, including Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube, focuses on a 19-year-old who claims her use of social media from an early age addicted her to technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. settled claims in the case that affects thousands of consolidated plaintiffs.

A federal trial starting in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.

In New Mexico, prosecutors also sued Snap Inc. over accusations its platform facilitates child sexual exploitation. Snap says its platform has built-in safety guardrails and "deliberate design choices to make it difficult for strangers to discover minors." A trial date has not been set.

The jury weighs guilt, but a judge has final say on any sanctions

A jury assembled from residents of Santa Fe County, including the politically progressive state capital city, will weigh whether Meta engaged in unfair business practices and to what extent.

But a judge will have final say later on any possible civil penalties and other remedies, and decide the public nuisance charge against Meta.

The state's Unfair Practices Act allows penalties of $5,000 per violation, but it's not yet clear how violations would be tallied.

"The reason the damage potential is so great here is because of how Facebook works," said Mollie McGraw, a Las Cruces-based plaintiff's attorney. "Meta keeps track of everyone who sees a post. … The damages here could be significant."

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Undercover investigation of Meta heads to trial in New Mexico in first stand-alone case by state

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits againstMetais getting un...

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Blast in Iran port city kills 1, wounds 14 before Strait of Hormuz naval drill watched by US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An explosion tore through an apartment building Saturday inIran's port city of Bandar Abbas, killing a 4-year-old girl as local media footage purportedly showed a security force member being carried out by rescuers.

Iran

The blast happened a day beforea planned naval drill by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. The U.S. military has warned Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial traffic in the strait, on which Bandar Abbas sits.

State television quoted a local fire official as blaming the blast on a gas leak. Media reported at least 14 others injured in the explosion.

A local newspaper, Sobh-e Sahel, aired footage of a correspondent speaking in front of the building. The footage included a sequence that showed a man in a green security force uniform being carried out on a stretcher. He wore a neck brace and appeared to be in pain, his left hand covering the branch insignia on his uniform.

The newspaper did not acknowledge the security force member being carried out elsewhere in its reporting. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard did not discuss the blast, other than to deny that a Guard navy commander had been hurt.

Another explosion blamed on a gas explosion Saturday in the southwestern city of Ahvaz killed five people, state media reported.

Iran remains tense overa threat by U.S. President Donald Trumpto potentially launch a military strike on the country over the killing of peaceful protesters or the possible mass execution of those detained in a major crackdown over the demonstrations.

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Trump on Saturday night declined to say whether he'd made a decision on what he wanted to do regarding Iran.

Speaking to reporters as he flew to Florida, Trump sidestepped a question about whether Tehran would be emboldened if the U.S. backed away from launching any strikes on Iran, saying, "Some people think that. Some people don't."

Trump said Iran should negotiate a "satisfactory" deal to prevent the Middle Eastern country from getting any nuclear weapons but said, "I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us."

Ali Larijani, a top security official in Iran, wrote on X late Saturday that "structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing." However, there is no public sign of any direct talks with the United States, which Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly ruled out.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday called for de-escalation and said Egypt is working to bring the U.S. and Iran to the negotiating table to achieve a "peaceful and comprehensive settlement to the Iranian nuclear file," according to a statement on his phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Qatar in a statement said Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Tehran on Saturday and met with Larijani about "efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region."

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Will Weissert aboard Air Force One contributed to this report.

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Blast in Iran port city kills 1, wounds 14 before Strait of Hormuz naval drill watched by US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An explosion tore through an apartment building Saturday inIran's port city of Ban...

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Shooting at Louisiana parade leaves 5 people wounded, including 6-year-old, sheriff says

CLINTON, La. (AP) — A 6-year-old and four other people were wounded when gunfire erupted during a small-town parade Saturday in Louisiana, sending people in the crowd fleeing for cover, authorities said.

Shooting at Louisiana parade leaves 5 people wounded, including 6-year-old, sheriff says

East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis told reporters the shooting happened shortly after the midday start of the Mardi Gras in the Country Parade in Clinton, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Baton Rouge.

Investigators are trying to piece together what happened, why and who was responsible, but those answers weren't immediately clear even with extra law enforcement on hand at the time to help with the parade, he said. Travis said three people in the area who had firearms were taken into custody but that it wasn't clear whether they were involved in the shooting.

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Gov. Jeff Landry reacted to the shooting in a post on the social platform X, calling it "absolutely horrific and unacceptable" and urging people to pray for the victims.

Details about them and their conditions weren't immediately released. But Chief Criminal Deputy Bill Cox from the sheriff's office toldThe Advocatethat everyone was expected to survive.

The sheriff's office asked for anyone with photos or video of the shooting or nearby areas to share those with investigators.

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Shooting at Louisiana parade leaves 5 people wounded, including 6-year-old, sheriff says

CLINTON, La. (AP) — A 6-year-old and four other people were wounded when gunfire erupted during a small-town parade Satur...

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Nelly Korda leads Tournament of Champions; play suspended by high winds

Before the third round was suspended due to high winds, World No. 2 Nelly Korda shot an 8-under-par 64 to vault into the lead at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

Korda, who is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory since November 2024, sat in a tie for eighth through two rounds but is now at 13-under 203 and is the clubhouse leader pending those in contention finishing 54 holes.

With the 17th hole unplayable due to high winds, LPGA officials suspended the third round at 4:18 p.m. ET. The LPGA announced Saturday evening that the third round will resume and the final round will begin concurrently at 10 a.m. Sunday.

A native of Florida, Korda occasionally wore earmuffs and gloves Saturday, but the weather didn't affect her performance, especially early in the round.

"I started off great," Korda said. "Birdied the first two holes and then made an eagle from the fairway on No. 3, so I can't complain ever starting my round like that."

Korda added five more birdies and only ran into trouble on the par-3 17th hole, notching her lone bogey of the day.

"I knew the conditions were going to be tough, so getting off to a good start like that really helped," she said. "Overall, just stayed really focused and super committed on my lines. It's really easy to doubt yourself and your lines in winds and conditions like this."

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Amy Yang finished 16 holes and currently sits in second place at 10 under, followed by fellow South Korean Youmin Hwang (16 holes) and New Zealand's Lydia Ko (15 holes) -- a three-time major champion -- who are tied for third at 8 under.

Canada's Brooke M. Henderson (66) sits alone in fifth. Beginning her round on the back nine, she notched seven birdies and only one bogey, which came on the par-4 No. 8 hole. She then birdied the last hole to complete her best round of the tournament and sits at 7-under 209.

"My shot into 18 I was really pleased with," Henderson said. "That's not an easy shot at any time, and then the wind was coming left-to-right off the lake and pin was kind of on the left side there, so happy to hit it in there pretty close and then make the putt for birdie."

Japan's Miyu Yamashita (68) also completed the third round and is currently tied for sixth at 5 under with countrywoman Nasa Hataoka and England's Lottie Woad, who each have two holes remaining.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand endured a tough day, sitting alone in ninth at 4-under after shooting a sloppy 1-over round with four bogeys and three birdies.

Rose Zhang is among five players tied for 10th after her 2-under Saturday showing left her at 3-under through three rounds.

--Field Level Media

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Nelly Korda leads Tournament of Champions; play suspended by high winds

Before the third round was suspended due to high winds, World No. 2 Nelly Korda shot an 8-under-par 64 to vault into t...

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2026 NFL mock draft: Expert projections for top picks ahead of Super Bowl 60

Just one game remains in the 2025 NFL season. The New England Patriots andSeattle Seahawkswill face off inSuper Bowl 60to determine which team is able to emerge with the Lombardi Trophy in a Super Bowl 49 rematch.

What about the rest of the teams around the NFL? They have shifted their focus to the offseason and have begun preparing for free agency andthe 2026 NFL Draft.

The top of the 2026 NFL Draft could end up being unpredictable.Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendozais a near-lock to be the No. 1 overall selection, but Oregon quarterbackDante Moore's return to schoolhas thrown the remainder of the top five into flux.

Will the New York Jets go with a defensive talent at No. 2 with Moore off the board? If so, players like Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey will draw attention. Should the Jets want to continue building up their offense, they could roll with receiving weapons like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson or even Makai Lemon.

There are a few other blue-chip stars who play at lower-value positions that could interest the Jets. Notably, running back Jeremiyah Love and safety Caleb Downs could draw consideration as the team looks to improve in all facets of the game.

How could the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft look? Below are the latest expert projections with both the first-round order and the draft pool largely set.

2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action

2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Round 1

Here's how the first 32 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft could unfold, according to draft experts fromCBS Sports,NFL Media,The AthleticandYahoo Sportsas Super Bowl 60 draws nearer.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

• CBS Sports (Blake Brockermeyer): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• NFL Media (Eric Edholm): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• The Athletic (Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• Yahoo Sports (Charles McDonald and Nate Tice): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Yahoo Sports: "Mendoza is a clean operator whose sheer professionalism could lift the floor up for a franchise that's been in the doldrums for oh so long. Mendoza is accurate, has good size, moves well in the pocket, and constantly finds the right answer from the pocket (he's already a standout in situations like third down, the red zone and two-minute drives). He's not an overwhelming athlete, but can create and scramble for yards when things go astray."

2. New York Jets

• CBS Sports: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

NFL Media: "Reese is far from a finished product, and there will be pressure on the Jets to weaponize him early, but if they're patient, he could become a forceful pressure player and eventual game-changer."

3. Arizona Cardinals

• CBS Sports: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

• NFL Media: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• The Athletic: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

• Yahoo Sports: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

CBS Sports: "Francis Mauigoa excelled during the Hurricanes' playoff run and has been a model of consistency over the past two seasons at right tackle. He's thickly built with excellent power and can move defenders against their will in the run game. He's above average in pass protection with good technique and the feet to play in space."

4. Tennessee Titans

• CBS Sports: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

• NFL Media: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

The Athletic: "The Titans could go edge at No. 4 (Texas Tech's David Bailey), but everything in GM Mike Borgonzi's world right now has to be about helping quarterback Cam Ward. There are spots in need of upgrades all over the place, but the Titans are pretty desperate for a true WR1."

5. New York Giants

• CBS Sports: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• NFL Media: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• The Athletic: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

• Yahoo Sports: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

NFL Media: "Don't rule out an offensive lineman here, but Lemon and Malik Nabers could be an excellent duo for Jaxson Dart and a new Giants offense. Lemon is a tough, competitive, yards-after-catch specialist who'll fit a hard-nosed John Harbaugh team."

6. Cleveland Browns

• CBS Sports: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

• The Athletic: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• Yahoo Sports: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Yahoo Sports: "Cleveland has to rebuild its offensive line, no matter who is the head coach of this team next season. TheBrownsare getting a little old up front (and, frankly, bad) so it's time to add talent at offensive tackle. Spencer Fano has the ability to start right away with long-term development upside that the Browns need."

7. Washington Commanders

• CBS Sports: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

• NFL Media: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

• The Athletic: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

• Yahoo Sports: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

CBS Sports: "David Bailey is a natural edge rusher with the ability to win with speed and exceptional quickness in tight spaces. He's a dynamic player who can wreck a game and has shown improvement against the run."

8. New Orleans Saints

• CBS Sports: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

• NFL Media: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

• The Athletic: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

NFL Media: "The Saints don't need to splurge for a back this early, but Love might be too good to pass up. Kellen Moore thrived with a balanced Eagles attack in 2024, and he could add a terrific playmaker to a budding offense behind Tyler Shough. Imagine Love's spin moves on the Superdome turf – it could be electric."

9. Kansas City Chiefs

• CBS Sports: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

• NFL Media: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

• The Athletic: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

• Yahoo Sports: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Athletic: "Miami led the nation in sacks, and Bain was an offense-wrecking machine. He frequently drew double teams, yet still finished with 9.5 sacks and 83 total pressures, according to PFF. Lined up alongside Chris Jones, Bain immediately would revitalize the Chiefs' slumping defense."

10. Cincinnati Bengals

• CBS Sports: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

• Yahoo Sports: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

CBS Sports: "The Bengals' defense, especially the secondary, had a rough season, but help is on the way. Caleb Downs is a high-IQ leader who excels in both phases. He can erase tight ends, play in the box as a run stuffer and is an excellent tackler in space."

11. Miami Dolphins

• CBS Sports: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• NFL Media: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• The Athletic: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• Yahoo Sports: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Yahoo Sports: "McCoy is still in the running to be the first cornerback selected despite not playing this season due to a knee injury. The Dolphins could draft any position and it would make sense, but they could use a young cornerback with some pedigree."

12. Dallas Cowboys

• CBS Sports: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

• NFL Media: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

NFL Media: "It won't shock me if Styles ends up going higher than this come April, even if off-ball linebackers don't tend to come off the board in the top 10 very often in this era. Styles is a prospect bursting with upside and potential – and one of my favorite players in the entire class."

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13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)

• CBS Sports: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

• NFL Media: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• The Athletic: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• Yahoo Sports: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

CBS Sports: "[Simpson] has a strong arm, can hit every area of the field with velocity and touch and processes quickly with strong anticipation. Experience will be his biggest hurdle."

14. Baltimore Ravens

• CBS Sports: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• The Athletic: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• Yahoo Sports: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

The Athletic: "A big, powerful athlete with quick hands and plenty of grit in the run game, Ioane played both guard spots, right tackle and even a bit of center at Penn State. One of the few consistent bright spots for theNittany Lionsthis season, Ioane just feels like a Raven."

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• CBS Sports: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

• NFL Media: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• The Athletic: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Yahoo Sports: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Yahoo Sports: "Allen has been a steadying force for Georgia's defense ever since he stepped on the field as a freshman. He has intangibles and a well-rounded game that would fit in Todd Bowles' defense. And really any defense, to be fair."

16. New York Jets (via Colts)

• CBS Sports: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• NFL Media: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

• The Athletic: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

• Yahoo Sports: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

NFL Media: "The Jets probably can't afford to get out of Round 1 without some offensive firepower, and Tyson brings it. He's a splash-play machine and a deep threat, although his injury history could be a limiting factor."

17. Detroit Lions

• CBS Sports: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

• NFL Media: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

• The Athletic: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• Yahoo Sports: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Athletic: "The Lions' offensive line could use a youth infusion, and Lomu, more than any of the other available offensive tackles, would fit perfectly with what Dan Campbell wants. He is durable (800 snaps at left tackle last season) and allowed only two quarterback hits all year, according to PFF. It's possible he could step in at guard before shifting outside, if required."

18. Minnesota Vikings

• CBS Sports: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• NFL Media: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

• The Athletic: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre

• Yahoo Sports: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

NFL Media: "We don't yet know if Harrison Smith will return for another season, but either way, the Vikings must upgrade at safety. I'll bet Brian Flores will love watching the highly impactful McNeil-Warren meet ball-carriers and make plays all over the field."

19. Carolina Panthers

• CBS Sports: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• NFL Media: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

• The Athletic: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Yahoo Sports: "Woods could go much higher than this, or much lower. His flashes are as good as any defensive player in this draft class, but he had a maddeningly inconsistent year on an underwhelming Clemson team. ThePanthersneed to continue to add needle-movers to their defense and if Woods reaches his ceiling, the Panthers could have a monster front with Woods and Derrick Brown."

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)

• CBS Sports: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• The Athletic: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• Yahoo Sports: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Athletic: "Cisse was known as one of the fastest players in South Carolina's program last year after transferring from NC State. That's some serious gas on a team that includes world-class sprinter Nyck Harbor, who has topped 22 miles per hour on the GPS."

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

• CBS Sports: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• NFL Media: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• The Athletic: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• Yahoo Sports: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

CBS Sports: "Kadyn Proctor settled in this season and had his best year for the Tide. I'd consider kicking him inside to guard, where I think he can excel. He can maul in the run game and has shown better consistency in protection."

22. Los Angeles Chargers

• CBS Sports: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• NFL Media: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

• The Athletic: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

• Yahoo Sports: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

NFL Media: "The Chargers don't mind pass rushers with atypical measurements, and Howell matches the temperament they are looking for, with a violent, urgent play style. This feels like a great match to protect against Khalil Mack's potential departure/retirement."

23. Philadelphia Eagles

• CBS Sports: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

• NFL Media: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

• The Athletic: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

• Yahoo Sports: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Yahoo Sports: "Freeling has been a big riser over the back half of the college season and might go even higher than this when this cycle is all said and done. He has good size with long arms and a frame that could add even more bulk."

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)

• CBS Sports: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

• NFL Media: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

• The Athletic: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

• Yahoo Sports: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Athletic: "Trying to land QB2 in this draft class (whether it's Simpson or another prospect) should be on the table for Cleveland, either by trading up or sticking at 24 and hoping he falls. If that doesn't work, though, landing Boston – a big receiver who runs like a smaller receiver (with great ball skills) – would be a fine alternative."

25. Chicago Bears

• CBS Sports: Zion Young, edge, Missouri

• NFL Media: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

• The Athletic: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

• Yahoo Sports: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

NFL Media: "Parker's declined production in 2025 could keep him out of Round 1, but he checks a lot of boxes for the type of edge the Bears seek, with his long-arm rush a difference-making move."

26. Buffalo Bills

• CBS Sports: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• NFL Media: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

• The Athletic: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

• Yahoo Sports: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

CBS Sports: "Explosive on screens and slants, KC Concepcion can break tackles and also stretch the defense vertically. He has good acceleration, separates after the catch and attacks the ball in the air. He's also a dangerous return weapon."

27. San Francisco 49ers

• CBS Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

• NFL Media: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• The Athletic: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• Yahoo Sports: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Yahoo Sports: "Miller is a right tackle with good size, quickness and light feet as a pass protector. His agility would make him a great fit for a Shanahan offense that likes to have its linemen constantly on the move."

28. Houston Texans

• CBS Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• NFL Media: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• The Athletic: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

• Yahoo Sports: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

CBS Sports: "Kenyon Sadiq is a fluid mover who runs like a big wide receiver. He catches naturally away from his body, finds soft spots in coverage and is a dependable target you can count on. He offers big-play ability after the catch and is a solid blocker."

29. Los Angeles Rams

• CBS Sports: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• NFL Media: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

• The Athletic: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

• Yahoo Sports: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Athletic: "ACC offenses wisely stayed away from Terrell this year, but that didn't limit his impact. The younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, Avieon didn't record an interception but broke up nine passes and forced five fumbles. His play is reminiscent of former LSU and NFL star Tyrann Mathieu."

30. Denver Broncos

• CBS Sports: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

• NFL Media: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

• The Athletic: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• Yahoo Sports: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Yahoo Sports: "A long-term linebacker prospect is exactly what the Broncos need and they get a talented one here in Hill. He was injured to close the season, but the Broncos can use his talents here to give them a more complete defense with young talent at all three levels."

31. New England Patriots

• CBS Sports: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami (FL)

• NFL Media: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami (FL)

• The Athletic: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

• Yahoo Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

NFL Media: "The Patriots' first four picks a year ago were on offense, and though they could continue helping Drake Maye, a pass rusher also makes sense. Mesidor fits their needs, assuming his age and injury history are not overly concerning to New England decision-makers."

32. Seattle Seahawks

• CBS Sports: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

• NFL Media: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma

• The Athletic: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

• Yahoo Sports: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

CBS Sports: "Emmanuel Pregnon is physical at the point with excellent strength and leverage, and he's also effective as a puller. He can maul defenders and has held up well in pass protection with good hands and a strong anchor."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Pre-Super Bowl Round 1 picks, predictions

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

2026 NFL mock draft: Expert projections for top picks ahead of Super Bowl 60

Just one game remains in the 2025 NFL season. The New England Patriots andSeattle Seahawkswill face off inSuper Bowl 60to...

Read More