The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be very interesting, as the quarterback class now does not appear to be all that strong this year, so things could get chaotic at the top, especially for teams that are in need of a young quarterback to try and build around.
In today's NFL, that is the one way to sustain success in this league, and there really isn't a way to cut corners, either. The NFL Draft is now about four months away already, which is hard to believe. With the 2025 college football season nearing the end, the attention will then pivot to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Until then, though, we'll have fresh mock draft predictions, and this mock draft will truly make your head spin.
Updated mock draft predictions sees New York Giants trading out of the top pick
1. New York Jets (via NYG) - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The New York Giants are not going to keep the first overall pick if they have a strong enough offer to move down, as Jaxson Dart is going to be the QB they decide to build around. Strapped with a ton of NFL Draft capital, the New York Jets move up a few slots, take that first pick, and grab Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner.
2. Las Vegas Raiders - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Las Vegas Raiders don't do anything fancy and take Dante Moore from Oregon with the second overall pick. The Raiders have to take the QB position seriously if they hope to get out of the cellar in the AFC West.
3. Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Tennessee Titans simply need much better players on both sides of the ball, so the best player available with the third overall pick could be top-tier pass-rusher, Rueben Bain Jr. Some might want a wide receiver here for Cam Ward, but an improved defense is going to help the offense.
4. Cleveland Browns - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Cleveland Browns might be left with scraps at the QB position in this mock draft. With the fourth pick, they grab Ty Simpson from Alabama. The Browns also have the Jacksonville Jaguars' first-round pick, so they could get frisky in Round 1 if they wanted to.
5. New York Giants (via NYJ) - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The New York Giants get a ton of NFL Draft capital by moving down in their trade with the New York Jets, and in a shocking turn of events, the Giants grab Jeremiyah Love, the best running back in the country. Love could be plenty good enough to warrant this pick, as he is the rare RB prospect who can literally do everything at the position.
6. Arizona Cardinals - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Arizona Cardinals are likely moving on from Kyler Murray in some capacity this offseason, and I have a feeling they could pursue some type of veteran QB trade. The Cardinals should take the best player available on the board, and the best non-quarterback in the country might actually be the talented safety from Ohio State, Caleb Downs.
7. New Orleans Saints - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Saints could have something special with Tyler Shough, so this offseason should be about stacking up as much talent as possible. They take Arvell Reese from Ohio State and hopefully inject more life into this defensive front for years to come.
8. Washington Commanders - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Washington Commanders need help everywhere, to be completely honest, as the Adam Peters GM tenure is really just Jayden Daniels so far. The Commanders take Keldric Faulk from Auburn and do have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, as that unit is missing a ton of talent.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cincinnati Bengals could really take any top defensive prospect with their first-round pick, and it would be the right move. They take Mansoor Delane here, as he is the best CB in the class and probably the best player available at this point.
10. Los Angeles Rams - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Los Angeles Rams own the Atlanta Falcons' first-round pick, which is something. The Rams are a juggernaut this year and could set themselves up even more for the long-term. They take Caleb Lomu and get younger at the tackle position. Investing in the trenches is a huge way to ensure long-term success, period.