The NFL Combine is always a turning point for the NFL Draft conversations. Not only does it increase the fan fervor around April’s draft, but it gives us more athletic baselines and conversations. That’s not to say that the Scouting Combine should make or break a player’s draft stock, but it can certainly help, hurt, or further confirm what we know about these prospects. However, it’s equally important to know where we stand going into the Combine, which is why we have to deliver another 2026 NFL Mock Draft with a full projection for the first three rounds and Top 100 picks.
For some added fun as offseason rumors are beginning to pop up, we have some big-time trades involved, most notably in the first round, of this mock draft projection that seem realistic — even if they don’t cover every trade that could transpire. But with that, let’s lock in for our latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, starting again with the Las Vegas Raiders, who I don’t see moving off the No. 1 pick despite some recent suggestions.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza
- School: Indiana
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Draft Notes: Heisman Trophy winner; led Hoosiers to 16-0 and National Championship Game berth; more TDs than incompletions in first two rounds of CFP
While I love Fernando Mendoza’s make-up as a prospect overall, I do fully agree with the increasing volume around the idea that he’s not a Caleb Williams, a Drake Maye, or maybe even a Cam Ward in terms of his pedigree. At the same time, I still think he has the tools and mental ability at the position to be a franchise player for the Raiders. With the No. 1 pick and no long-term answer at the position, they’d be foolish to pass up on him, despite the concerns that are present with his pressure-to-sack rate.
2. New York Jets – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
- School: Miami
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Concerns about arm length; production doesn’t match that with 12 sacks, 68 hurries this year; nearly a 25% pressure rate in 2025
The more I think about it, the more I can’t ignore the fact that the Jets’ roster is so barren, that they simply can’t ignore who I feel is the surest bet on the board. I don’t care that Rueben Bain Jr.’s arms are shorter than the prototype on the edge. That didn’t stop him from consistently wreaking havoc against every offensive line he and Miami were up against. I see the goods of a franchise cornerstone pass-rusher, and New York can’t pass that up.
3. New Orleans Saints (via ARZ) – EDGE David Bailey
- School: Texas Tech
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: 15 sacks and 43 hurries in 14 games as senior; pass-rusher first, but above average run defender; strong, prototypical frame with elite first step
While you could make the case that the Saints could get Tyler Shough some help by sticking at No. 8, the Cardinals should be in the business of trying to stockpile picks (especially if they trade Kyler Murray). As such, the Saints could make a bold move for a premium player that will take their defense into a new era.
David Bailey is a complete and total monster off the edge, arguably the purest pass-rusher in the class, even more so than Bain. New Orleans’ defense has been aging for a few years now at its core, and the Texas Tech product can be the stalwart for this group for years and years to come.
4. Tennessee Titans – LB Arvell Reese
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Hybrid piece with off-ball and edge potential; 6.5 sacks, 10 TFLs, 69 tackles in 651 snaps this season
One of the beautiful things about the Titans is being able to go in a number of different directions with the fourth pick and all of them likely improving this team by a wide margin. Arvell Reese, however, would be a selection right in Robert Saleh’s wheelhouse. The versatile linebacker/edge hybrid is just simply a playmaker. In the wrong hands, he might not reach his ceiling, but Saleh is such a brilliant defensive mind that I see him being the right man to maximize the OSU standout’s talent.
5. New York Giants – WR Carnell Tate
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Breakout year in 2025 with 875 yards and 9 TDs in 11 games; movable around formation; exceptional balance in all phases
Speaking of Ohio State standouts, Carnell Tate is seemingly becoming the consensus WR1 in the class as we get deeper into the draft process. For the Giants, I love what he can be as a complement to Malik Nabers in the passing attack with Jaxson Dart. Make no mistake, New York has plenty of other needs, but they also can’t pass on a premier talent such as this just in the name of needs. Tate and Nabers could elevate this offense in a manner not dissimilar to the Bengals with Chase and Higgins.
6. Cleveland Browns – OT Francis Mauigoa
- School: Miami
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Monster with three seasons of experience; right tackle with Miami; well-rounded, but better pass-blocker than in the run game
Another year, another instance of dubious history for the Browns. They’re set to become one of the first teams in NFL history to potentially lose all five starting offensive lineman from last year in free agency. That means reinforcements have to be coming, and they’ll gladly take Francis Mauigoa in this spot. Miami’s behemoth has the overpowering frame you want, but moves extremely well with his feet and hands for a guy his size. He has consistent Pro Bowl potential that the Browns need in the trenches.
7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: Two-time unanimous All-American and three-time All-Conference; top-tier athlete with unreal versatility; return potential on special teams
Frankly, I’d be shocked if the Washington Commanders’ draft played out any other way than Dan Quinn pushing for the best defensive player left on the board when they come on the clock for the seventh overall pick. That’s clearly Caleb Downs in this spot. Whether you’re asking him to drop into zone coverage, defend in the slot, come into the box against the run, or even return kicks, Downs is just a stud. He’s too good to slip out of the top 10 and the Commanders get a true stud with their pick.
8. Arizona Cardinals (via NO) – OT Spencer Fano
- School: Utah
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: One sack allowed over two seasons and 800+ pass blocking snaps; right tackle for the Utes the last two seasons
After trading down, the Cardinals reap the benefits of doing so. Not only does a roster that will likely need a ton of help moving forward via the draft gain more capital, but they still are able to add a stud tackle to the mix on offense. Spencer Fano might not be the wowing physical presence of Mauigoa, but his college career showed that he’s steady as a rock as a bookend. He played on the right side at Utah, and can likely stay there in Arizona to pair with Paris Johnson Jr.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – RB Jeremiyah Love
- School: Notre Dame
- Class: Junior
- Draft Notes: 1,372 yards and 18 TDs this season despite just 199 carries; 60 forced missed tackles; elite acceleration and burst with contact balance
I go back-and-forth on whether or not the Chiefs should be using a Top 10 pick on a running back. At the end of the day, though, it really depends on how the board falls. If one of Bain, Bailey or Reese were to fall to the ninth pick, then Kansas City would be foolish to pass on them. In this spot, though, Jeremiyah Love is the best overall player on the board. He has the game to reignite the Chiefs rushing attack, as well as be a weapon in the passing game.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – LB Sonny Styles
- School: Ohio State
- Class: Senior
- Draft Notes: Complete linebacker with top-end run defense and coverage grades; Only two missed tackles in 600+ snaps in 2025; son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles
The quiet secret when it comes to Sonny Styles is that he’s not as far off from Arvell Reese as some would like to think. While Styles played more as a traditional linebacker, Ohio State still showcased his athletic tools and versatility to move around the defense, and he was flat-out dominant in doing so. The Bengals direly need all the defensive help they can possibly get this offseason, especially if Trey Hendrickson indeed leaves. Styles could be a chess piece for them to build around on that side of the ball moving for
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