LAS VEGAS — The confetti from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory has barely been swept away, but the NFL never sleeps. With the combine around the corner, ESPN’s Field Yates dropped a bombshell Mock Draft 1.0 that completely rewrites the narrative on the Class of ’26.
The headline? It’s lonely at the top for signal-callers. While Fernando Mendoza is the consensus QB1, he stands as the only quarterback projected in the top 20, signaling a defensive-heavy first round that will have GMs scrambling for talent in the trenches.
The Top 10: A New Era in Vegas and Big Blue
Here is the breakdown of Yates’ top 10 projections, featuring major coaching implications and immediate roster shuffles.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana)
Klint Kubiak’s first massive decision as head coach is the easiest one. After transferring from Cal to Indiana and delivering the Hoosiers a national title and himself a Heisman, Mendoza is the undisputed prize of this class. The 6’5″ gunslinger brings the swagger and the arm talent Vegas has craved for years. He isn’t just a pick; he’s the face of the franchise from Day 1.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE (Ohio State)
New head coach Aaron Glenn is a defensive mind, and he lands the draft’s premier disruptor. With the QB market thin, the Jets double down on violence up front. Reese pairs with Will McDonald IV to form a terrifying pass-rush duo in the AFC East. Expect Glenn to unleash Reese immediately.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT (Miami)
Mike LaFleur’s arrival in the desert signals a shift to the Rams-style offense he knows so well. That scheme demands elite protection. Mauigoa is a road grader who secures the pocket, giving Arizona a bookend tackle situation alongside Paris Johnson Jr. that rivals any in the league.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech)
Robert Saleh didn’t wait long to put his stamp on the Titans’ defense. Bailey, who led the FBS with 14.5 sacks last season after arriving from Stanford, is the exact type of explosive edge threat Saleh covets. He’s a plug-and-play starter who changes the math for opposing offensive coordinators.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S (Ohio State)
Welcome to the John Harbaugh era in New York. The former Ravens boss prioritizes smart, physical secondary play, and Downs is the perfect chess piece. While some expected a receiver here, Harbaugh grabs the best defensive back on the board to instill a new culture of toughness in the Giants’ locker room.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT (Utah)
Protecting the quarterback—likely Shedeur Sanders—is priority number one in Cleveland. Fano is a technician, allowing zero sacks in 2025. He anchors the right side instantly, giving the Browns the stability they desperately lacked last season.
7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State)
Jayden Daniels gets his guy. Tate is a polished, pro-ready route runner who complements Terry McLaurin perfectly. This pick is about maximizing the Commanders’ investment in their franchise QB, ensuring the offense has enough firepower to compete in the NFC East.
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR (Arizona State)
With Rashid Shaheed now sporting a Super Bowl ring in Seattle, the Saints have a massive void at receiver. Tyson is the answer. He’s a dynamic playmaker who gives QB Tyler Shough a reliable target to stretch the field. A necessary move to keep the Saints’ offense breathing.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame)
The rich get richer. Andy Reid adding the best running back in college football to a backfield with Patrick Mahomes feels unfair. Love offers a dual-threat capability that could make the Chiefs’ offense nearly impossible to defend if Isiah Pacheco stays healthy.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Miami)
The Bengals need help everywhere on defense, but it starts in the trenches. Bain, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, possesses quick hands and natural leverage that you can’t teach. He fits the mold of the rugged, high-motor ends Cincinnati has historically favored.
The Rest of Round 1
| Pick | Team | Player | Pos | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State |
| 13 | LA Rams | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Bucs | Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M |
| 16 | New York Jets | Caleb Banks | DT | Florida |
| 17 | Detroit Lions | Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | Brandon Cisse | CB | South Carolina |
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama |
| 22 | LA Chargers | Vega Ioane | G | Penn State |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | Max Iheanachor | OT | Arizona State |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | Zion Young | EDGE | Missouri |
| 26 | Buffalo Bills | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
| 27 | SF 49ers | KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M |
| 28 | Houston Texans | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama |
| 29 | LA Rams | Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee |
| 30 | Denver Broncos | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon |
| 31 | New England Patriots | Caleb Lomu | OT/G | Utah |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks | Chase Bisontis | G | Texas A&M |
Draft Room Whisper
“Everyone is waiting for the QB run, but looking at this board, it might not come until Day 2. If you need a tackle or an edge rusher, this is your year. If you need a quarterback and you aren’t the Raiders… good luck.” — NFC Scout via Text
What’s Next?
The NFL Combine in Indianapolis is the next major hurdle. For guys like Ty Simpson (Steelers at 21), the workouts will be critical to prove they belong in the first-round conversation alongside Mendoza. Meanwhile, the Seahawks sit comfortably at pick 32, looking to reinforce the interior line with Bisontis as they prepare to defend their Super Bowl title.
