2026 NFL mock draft: How Wild Card Weekend impacts first-round picks

The Heisman winner and chief of the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers retains passing each check thrown his manner. Fernando Mendoza carved up Alabama Crimson Tide’s protection in his first playoff sport. We are able to debate his ceiling all we would like, however his ground is unusually excessive for an incoming quarterback prospect. That is the separating issue between Mendoza and Dante Moore in any debate between the 2. The Raiders are merely on the lookout for baseline competency at quarterback. Given Mendoza’s performances below stress at each Cal and Indiana, there’s little motive to doubt he can maintain up behind the Raiders’ offensive line.

Dante Moore has a number of the most easy arm expertise you may see, with a throwing movement straight out of a textbook. For the Jets, he profiles as a great developmental choice amid a long-term rebuild. Moore would not venture as a high-end rapid starter, given his restricted expertise — simply 675 profession faculty dropbacks — and a number of the cracks he has proven below stress this season. Nonetheless, what he may change into in years 3 and 4 is particular. If Moore would not declare, the Jets seem poised to pursue a veteran quarterback, as there is not one other passer on this class price reaching for within the high 5 — and even the highest 20.

The Cardinals would clearly like a franchise quarterback to interchange Kyler Murray, however beggars cannot be choosers right here. This is not a draft class with a slam-dunk No. 3 general choose the way in which Marvin Harrison Jr. was a number of years in the past, so Arizona could go for a safer participant at a premium place like David Bailey. Bailey is essentially the most explosive edge rusher within the class and may make a direct influence primarily based on athleticism alone. He saved his finest for final with an elite all-around efficiency in opposition to Oregon’s vaunted offensive line within the playoff. A 12 months in the past, Bailey could not even crack the beginning lineup at Stanford due to his timidness in opposition to the run. Now, he was single-handedly shutting down Oregon’s speeding assault, recording 4 run stops within the loss. Bailey has skyrocketed up draft boards this season.

The Titans have loads of wants, with broad receiver and edge rusher chief amongst them. I lean edge right here, given how constantly groups can discover receiving expertise later within the draft, nevertheless it would not be stunning if Carnell Tate had been the choose as an alternative. Arvell Reese, although, is extra of a wildcard — a traits-based projection with high-end upside as a go rusher. He is a contemporary hybrid linebacker who would add pass-rushing juice from anyplace on the Titans’ entrance seven.

In the event you watched the Giants’ worst-ranked run protection this previous fall, you realize physicality up entrance is a serious want. Keldric Faulk could also be listed as a defensive finish, however his physique kind matches extra like a defensive sort out in most NFL schemes right now. At 6-foot-6 and 285 kilos, Faulk is a Calais Campbell-esque tweener who’s already a handful within the run sport. Slot him subsequent to Dexter Lawrence, and the Giants’ entrance 4 can be a terrifying group to dam.

Jordyn Tyson has an harm historical past that has value him time in three straight seasons, however when wholesome, he has confirmed to be the most effective pure separator within the draft class. For the Browns, that is actually all that issues. They desperately want somebody they will depend on to get open on cash downs.

With each Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel getting up there in age, the Commanders have to consider somebody to pair with Jayden Daniels long run. Carnell Tate is the precise sort of rangy vertical menace that might pair completely with Daniels’ feathery deep balls.

Kellen Moore loves himself a operating sport however may by no means fairly discover one in his first 12 months in New Orleans whereas biking by way of quite a few backs. That cycle would finish with Jeremiyah Love, as he is the sort of dwelling run menace who may be the focus of an offense.

If Rueben Bain Jr. falls due to his arm size, the Chiefs aren’t more likely to hesitate so as to add him to Steve Spagnuolo’s protection. He is the precise kind of energy defensive finish that Spagnuolo has beloved relationship again to his days because the Giants’ defensive coordinator.

Caleb Downs is the dependable secondary participant the Bengals desperately want. He is not solely assignment-sure in protection but in addition hardly ever misses tackles.

Kenyon Sadiq was born to play tight finish for Mike McDaniel for 2 causes. The primary is that he is electrical after the catch. With a squattier body than most operating backs, he resembles a jumbo operating again with the ball in his arms. The opposite is that Sadiq is a ferocious blocker in house. That is a much more frequent project for a Dolphins tight finish than inline blocking a defensive finish.

Sonny Types appears like precisely what the Cowboys want of their entrance seven: somebody with elite vary who is also assignment-sure. The previous security turned linebacker is definitely the most effective tackler on the place within the draft class.

The Rams’ cornerback place has been their greatest level of competition this season. One of many important points is their dimension — or lack thereof — exterior of Ahkello Witherspoon, who’s on the improper facet of 30. McCoy not solely has the dimensions, however he additionally has the man-coverage expertise to broaden the playbook for defensive coordinator Chris Shula. The ACL tear from final January that saved him out all fall complicates his analysis, however he has blue-chip potential in a category brief on it.

Francis Mauigoa would doubtless begin at guard early in his profession, with the choice to kick out to sort out when Ronnie Stanley retires. The Ravens merely should get higher at guard, and Mauigoa is strictly the sort of butt-kicker who may make the change.

The Buccaneers may look to bolster their guard place, which was a problem for a lot of 2025. Spencer Fano was a sort out at Utah however seems finest fitted to the inside within the NFL.

Makai Lemon is the lacking hyperlink within the slot on what’s been an overhauled receiving corps. Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Mason Taylor and Makai Lemon can be a formidable entrance 4 for years to come back.

Mansoor Delane was the most effective man nook in faculty soccer this fall, and the Lions are one of many man-heaviest groups within the NFL. Whereas the Lions have choices within the pipeline, like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, they’ve but to show something significant two years in.

Avieon Terrell is the sort of versatile protection weapon Brian Flores loves. He can play within the slot, exterior, zone or man — you identify it. He is an incredible tackler and distinctive at filling within the run sport. He is additionally recorded a ridiculous eight pressured fumbles over the previous two seasons. That is a weapon that would take the Vikings’ protection to an elite stage.

The Panthers have some huge cash dedicated to their defensive sort out place, however they want influence wherever they will get it on the defensive facet of the ball. Peter Woods was a projected top-five choose primarily based on his sophomore movie earlier than a lackluster junior marketing campaign. That expertise did not disappear, although, and would look nice subsequent to Derrick Brown on early downs.

T.J. Parker is, at minimal, an improve for the Cowboys within the run sport. He is a robust defensive finish who’s been productive ever since his freshman 12 months at Clemson. It might bolster their by-committee method within the wake of the Micah Parsons commerce.

It looks as if it is time to admit Broderick Jones cannot be Plan A at left sort out for the long run. Caleb Lomu is a way more refined go blocker popping out than Jones ever was and will permit Jones to kick inside.

Caleb Banks is perhaps the most important wild card within the draft class. He is a fifth-year defensive sort out who’s averaged fewer than 200 snaps per season for his profession and performed solely 96 this fall with a foot harm. The high-end reps he has for a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder, although, are jaw-dropping.

This solely is smart if the Eagles and A.J. Brown finalize the divorce that appears inevitable this offseason. Denzel Boston is the sort of big-bodied vertical menace on the surface who may exchange a lot of Brown’s function within the offense.

May the Browns nab a franchise left sort out and proper sort out in a single spherical? Max Iheanachor is among the draft’s most intriguing prospects, as he by no means performed soccer earlier than he bought to school. He has all of the traits to be an NFL sort out however is clearly uncooked.

With how properly Ben Johnson has protected his tackles within the passing sport, Chicago is among the few schemes wherein Kadyn Proctor may stick at sort out. His capability to maneuver the road of scrimmage can be put to good use within the offense.

KC Concepcion is a pure separator, the likes of which the Payments haven’t had since Stefon Diggs was in his prime. That is the most important lacking piece hampering the Payments’ offense this season.

Spencer Burford has been a ache level in go safety at left guard ever since he entered the beginning lineup in 2022. With the emergence of the Rams’ and Seahawks’ defensive interiors, that is an enormous drawback going ahead. Olaivavega Ioane can be an enormous improve in that regard.

A’Mauri Washington is the sort of explosive one-gap defensive sort out who may take the Texans’ protection into the all-time class. He is not near a completed product, however he would not want a lot polish to be disruptive together with his bodily instruments.

Ty Simpson could not have completed his 2025 season on a excessive be aware after getting trounced by Indiana’s vaunted protection, however his physique of labor remains to be very intriguing for a first-year starter. His 28-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio is indicative of how he saved the ball out of hurt’s manner, even when issues went south at occasions. He is an intriguing developmental choice price a flier for a staff whose quarterback want remains to be a number of years away.

The Patriots would favor edge assist right here however would accept a playmaking nostril sort out like Lee Hunter. Hunter is the uncommon 330-plus-pounder who can constantly get into opponents’ backfields.

CJ Allen would add much more oomph to the Broncos’ blitz packages, and that is a scary thought. He is a downhill thumper who sends offensive linemen backward.

This feels unfair. The Seahawks including the draft’s finest run-defending nostril sort out to the league’s finest run protection in six years would ship a powerful message to the remainder of the league: You are not operating on Seattle.