Image Source: Jacob Camenker
Key Takeaways:
- The 2025 NFL regular season has concluded, and the 14-team postseason field is set.
- The 18 teams that failed to make the postseason now know their first-round selections for the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 overall selection and are expected to take a quarterback, with Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore being top contenders.
- Pass rushers like Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., and David Bailey are potential top-10 selections.
- The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is projected to be filled with talented players, including running back Jeremiyah Love and wide receiver Carnell Tate.
Introduction to the 2026 NFL Draft:
The 2025 NFL regular season has come to a close, and the league’s 14-team postseason field is set. This means that the 18 teams that failed to make the postseason now know exactly where their first-round selections for the 2026 NFL Draft will fall. The Las Vegas Raiders earned the No. 1 overall selection, and it is widely believed they will take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick. As noted by ESPN, "The Raiders haven’t drafted a QB in the first round since 2007 (JaMarcus Russell). They’re in desperate need of a franchise quarterback after the Geno Smith trade didn’t work out, and Mendoza provides a long-term solution for a franchise that has been looking for a QB since Derek Carr was released following the 2022 season."
Quarterback Contenders:
Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, is a top contender for the No. 1 pick, but Dante Moore is also a possibility. As USA TODAY Sports notes, "Moore is no mere consolation prize, and he’s proven himself to be a highly composed and accurate distributor despite a limited body of work." The Raiders’ decision will likely have a significant impact on the rest of the draft, as teams adjust their strategies based on the Raiders’ choice.
Pass Rushers and Defensive Players:
Pass rushers like Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., and David Bailey are getting a lot of attention as potential top-10 selections. As The Athletic notes, "The most dynamic front-level defender in the class, Faulk is a more productive version of former Georgia standout Mykel Williams (No. 11 pick by San Francisco in 2025)." These players are expected to make an immediate impact in the NFL, and teams will be looking to strengthen their defensive lines and pass rush.
Offensive Players:
Running back Jeremiyah Love is also getting attention as a potential top-10 selection. As The Athletic notes, "The most dynamic offensive skill player available, Love was my pick for the Heisman Trophy this season and would be an absolute terror next to Patrick Mahomes." Wide receiver Carnell Tate is another highly touted player, with ESPN noting that "Tate is a polished wideout capable of executing every branch on the route tree." These players are expected to make significant contributions to their teams’ offenses.
First-Round Projections:
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is projected to be filled with talented players. Here are the latest expert projections for the top 18 picks:
- Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
- Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
- Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
- New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
- Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)
- New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- Kansas City Chiefs: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
- Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
- Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
- Baltimore Ravens: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
- New York Jets (via Colts): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Detroit Lions: Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (FL)
- Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Conclusion:
The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an exciting event, with many talented players expected to be selected in the first round. The Las Vegas Raiders’ decision at the No. 1 overall pick will have a significant impact on the rest of the draft, and teams will be looking to strengthen their rosters with the best players available. As the draft approaches, fans and analysts will be closely watching to see how the teams’ strategies play out and which players will be selected to start their NFL careers.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/01/08/nfl-mock-draft-roundup-expert-picks-2026/88044642007/