This is nothing more than a fun exercise before the 2026 NFL Draft, which is just about here. Given how uncertain everything has been this offseason, the only real guarantee for the draft this year is the Las Vegas Raiders selecting first overall.
Fernando Mendoza wearing the silver and black is just about guaranteed, but after that, all bets are off, and a huge reason for that is due to the lack of blue-chip talent, so there could be teams wanting to trade down and others that may want to come up for those prospects.
Let's get wacky here and dive into what the top-10 picks if the draft might look like if the order was totally flipped.
NFL Mock Draft if the first 10 picks were totally flipped
1. Seattle Seahawks - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This would be a fun time for the Seattle Seahawks. Losing Kenneth Walker III in free agency was a notable loss, and while Seattle might have their eyes on a pass-rusher to further enhance that unit, adding an explosive weapon like Love would give the Seahawks an elite run game and another weapon in the passing game.
2. New England Patriots - Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
The New England Patriots could snag Arvell Reese at pick two. New England made a run to the Super Bowl last year, but the roster talent on this team now just isn't quite as solid as you might think. Getting more explosive on defense is something this team will do, and with an AJ Brown trade seeming likelier by the day, defense is the way to go.
3. Miami Dolphins (via DEN) - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Miami Dolphins would love Fernando Mendoza with the third overall pick. Miami just signed Malik Willis and might be hoping that he enjoys the career arc into a solid starter that we've recently seen from players like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones for half a season.
This would also get the franchise on the right track for the first time in a while.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Kansas City Chiefs would have the fourth overall pick in this 'reverse' NFL mock draft, and could stay put to select David Bailey, a hyper-productive pass-rusher in college and someone who is going to quickly emerge as a pass-rush specialist early in his career.
In a similar mold to Nik Bonitto, Bailey isn't going to thrive against the run, but his upside as a rusher is what stands out.
5. Houston Texans - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Houston Texans did sign Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller in free agency, but both players are getting up their in age and are clearly short-term solutions. Getting a long-term prospect down along the offensive line would be a wise move.
Francis Mauigoa does have some questions about if he can survive at right tackle in the NFL, but whether at the tackle spot or kicking inside to guard. he's a player who has largely been mocked as the first offensive line prospect off the board.
6. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Getting a do-it-all defensive back like Caleb Downs would elevate the San Francisco 49ers defense. The Niners again dealt with a ton of injuries, but did manage to finish 12-5. The one area where this roster has needed a boost is in the secondary, as we've kind of seen some elite coaching cover up weak spots on defense.
7. Buffalo Bills - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Buffalo Bills traded for DJ Moore earlier this offseason, and while Moore can still be a no. 1 target, he might be best suited in a no. 2 role alongside Carnell Tate, a long, rangy receiver in the mold of George Pickens.
Tate is the best wide receiver in the class and obviously comes from a long line of notable Ohio State reiceivers. Tate feels like a lock to be a success.
8. Chicago Bears - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Chicago needs some more pass-rush help, and Rueben Bain Jr. is there for the taking at pick eight. The Bears may have had interest in Maxx Crosby, but they're probably not mad about how that Crosby situation shook out. Adding Bain, a prospect people are overthinking, to this defense line immediately gives the unit a much-needed boost.
Bain has elite bend and is also someone who can win with raw power.
9. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Cleveland Browns, to their credit, overhauled the offensive line this offseason, but a long-term left tackle solution is not yet obvious. Enter, Monroe Freeling. With exceptional size and length, Freeling looks and plays like a franchise tackle. This could not be more obvious a pick for the Browns.
10. Philadelphia Eagles - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Finishing up in this reverse mock draft, the Philadelphia Eagles, who are likely trading Brown in the summer, use the 10th overall pick on Jordyn Tyson, a receiver prospect whose spot in mock draft is all over the place due to injury concerns.