The 2026 NFL Draft is truly around the corner, and with the 2025 college football season coming to an end, it will soon make way for the NFL Combine, and then the draft at the end of April. There are going to be some very good NFL Draft candidates, and the QB class does appear to be quite solid as well.
At this point, the team slated to pick at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft will have some tough decisions to make, and we could even see the first overall pick getting traded depending on which team has that pick.
In our updated 2026 NFL mock draft, we do indeed see the first overall pick getting traded in a wild scenario that could legitimately happen.
Major trades shake up the top of latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. New York Jets (via NYG) - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The New York Jets trade up with the New York Giants and take Fernando Mendoza, the QB from Indiana. The Jets have a ton of draft picks to play around with due to their major trades of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.
And the New York Giants traded back up into the first round last year to take Jaxson Dart, so they are likely wanting to get some draft capital back. This deal could make sense for both sides, and the Jets bring someone in the building in Mendoza who really can do a little bit of everything at the position.
2. Las Vegas Raiders - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Las Vegas Raiders grab Dante Moore from Oregon and let that chaos ensure in front of them. With the second overall pick, the Raiders would be guaranteed to have one of Mendoza or Moore fall into their laps.
The Raiders have to cut ties with Geno Smith after the season and start fresh. Dante Moore could make a lot of sense for this desperate franchise in need of some stability at the most important position in sports.
3. Los Angeles Rams (via TEN) - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Los Angeles Rams get in on the fun and trade up with the Tennessee Titans to grab Rueben Bain Jr, the talented pass-rusher from Miami. The Rams have done an excellent job at rebuilding this roster and reloading it with young talent across the board.
GM Les Snead has hit on a countless number of picks everywhere, and it's hard to believe that Snead won't keep doing this in 2026 and beyond. LA shakes up the top-3 and grabs Bain in this mock draft.
4. Cleveland Browns - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Cleveland Browns have multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and make an even talented defense better with Caleb Downs, a safety from Ohio State. With Mendoza and Moore off the board, the Browns might feel the need to pivot.
And if you think about it, a QB is really all that is preventing the Browns from being good again, as the defense is amazing, and Myles Garrett is about to break the single-season sack record as well. With the Browns bringing in a very good rookie class, GM Andrew Berry could get another offseason in 2026.
5. New Orleans Saints - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The New Orleans Saints are getting some nice early returns from Tyler Shough, so they probably aren't pressed to take a QB in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, they grab Arvell Reese and add some juice to their defensive line.
The Saints could run it back with Shough in 2026, as he's played well given the overall bad situation he's in.
6. Washington Commanders - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Washington Commanders have had a season to forget. The team is now slated to pick sixth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and really need a bit of everything. Outside of drafting Jayden Daniels, what else has GM Adam Peters been able to do?
It really feels like the roster shortcomings were exposed this year, so Peters simply has no choice but to get better everywhere he can so the third year of Daniels' career is not a waste.
7. New York Giants (via NYJ) - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The New York Giants are now picking seventh overall in this mock draft. They grab Carnell Tate from Ohio State to eventually pair up with Malik Nabers. Nabers tore up his knee earlier this year and might not be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL Season.
With the Giants probably having a future franchise QB in Jaxson Dart, it would be smart of GM Joe Schoen, or whoever is making the decisions, ensure Dart has adequate weapons to use. Tate could pair up with Nabers to make one of the best WR duos in the league, which would do wonders for Dart's development.
8. Arizona Cardinals - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals are probably moving on from Kyler Murray in some capacity this coming offseason, and they would then be in a position to make a move for a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft. Currently slated to pick eighth, the Cardinals grab Ty Simpson from Alabama. They'd probably have to get some notable return from Simpson in his first year to inspire any sort of confidence for the future.
The Cardinals were once 2-0 but have since cratered.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Another team in need of some talent is the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that has fielded a horrendous defense this year, so you could really mock any top defensive player to the Bengals with this pick, and it would be just fine.
Mansoor Delane, a top CB in the country, is the pick for the Bengals at the no. 9 spot. With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, Cincy will constantly field an efficient offense. Heading into this offseason, the Bengals have to simply load up on defense as much as possible.
I'd go as far as to stay that their first-round pick has to be on this side of the ball.
10. Tennessee Titans (via LAR) - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With the Tennessee Titans trading back with the LA Rams, they are now picking 10th overall and will grab Jordyn Tyson, a much-needed weapon for Cam Ward. The rookie QB has shown flashes this year, but the Titans' skill players are simply not good enough, so GM Mike Borgonzi will have to load that side of the ball up so Ward can hopefully make a year two leap.