The regular season is barely in the rearview mirror, but if you’re a fan of a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or the New York Jets, you’ve probably been looking at mock drafts since November. Honestly, the 2026 cycle feels different. Usually, by mid-January, we have a consensus "generational" quarterback or a clear-cut number one overall pick. This year? It’s a total scramble.
With the NFL Draft headed to Pittsburgh from April 23–25, the chatter is shifting from "who's the best" to "who's the safest."
Current draft picks NFL enthusiasts are currently obsessing over the top of the order, which was largely locked in after the regular season finale. The Raiders are sitting in that coveted (or cursed) No. 1 spot, followed by the Jets and the Arizona Cardinals. But here is the thing: the 2026 class is weirdly top-heavy with defensive talent while the quarterback market is surprisingly volatile.
The Fernando Mendoza Surge and the QB Conundrum
For a long time, scouts were lukewarm on the 2026 signal-callers. Then Fernando Mendoza happened. The Indiana quarterback has absolutely rocketed up draft boards over the last two months. He’s got the 6'5" frame that NFL GMs drool over, but it’s his postseason poise that moved the needle.
Most people get the QB rankings wrong because they look at raw stats.
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Scouts are looking at "escapability." Mendoza has it. Alabama’s Ty Simpson is right there with him, though Simpson is widely considered more of a "project" with a massive ceiling. If you’re the Raiders, do you take Mendoza and hope he’s the immediate savior, or do you trade down in a draft that is loaded with blue-chip edge rushers?
It’s a tough spot.
Just a few days ago, Oregon’s Dante Moore decided to return to school. That sent shockwaves through the league. Suddenly, the "sure thing" QB tier shrunk by one, making guys like Mendoza and Simpson even more valuable. The New York Jets, sitting at No. 2, are in a precarious position. They need a quarterback desperately, but some analysts—like those over at PFF—suggest they might actually be better off taking Rueben Bain Jr., the wrecking ball from Miami, to fix a pass rush that was basically non-existent last year.
Who is actually the best player?
If we ignore the "quarterback tax," many scouts believe the best pure football player in this class is Rueben Bain Jr. or Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
Reese is a freak of nature. He’s 6'4", 240-plus pounds, and moves like a safety. For a team like Arizona at No. 3, he represents a foundational piece for a defense that allowed nearly 29 points per game in 2025. You don't pass on a guy like that unless you’re absolutely convinced a quarterback is "The One."
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Current Draft Picks NFL: The Top 10 Projection
While the order can shift if trades happen—and they will—the current top 10 looks like a gauntlet of defensive stars and a few elite playmakers.
- Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
- New York Jets: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami)
- Arizona Cardinals: LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
- Tennessee Titans: WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
- New York Giants: S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
- Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)
- Washington Commanders: EDGE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
- New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
- Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
- Cincinnati Bengals: OLB David Bailey (Texas Tech)
Wait, the Chiefs at No. 9?
Yeah, they had a rough year. But seeing Jeremiyah Love in a Kansas City uniform should terrify the rest of the AFC. Love is the closest thing to a "blue-chip" offensive prospect this year. He’s a home-run hitter who put up over 1,300 yards at Notre Dame this past season. Putting him in a backfield with Patrick Mahomes almost feels like cheating.
The Wide Receiver Pipeline Never Ends
We have to talk about the receivers. It’s becoming a bit of a cliché, but Ohio State is once again providing the NFL with a ready-made superstar in Carnell Tate. He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but his route running is clinical.
Then you have Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State.
Tyson is a name that casual fans might not know yet, but he’s a contested-catch monster. He’s essentially Michael Pittman Jr. with a higher vertical. For the Saints, who are trying to support Tyler Shough, Tyson is a perfect "X" receiver who can win those 50/50 balls on third down.
Why Offensive Tackle is a Major Worry
If your team needs a left tackle, I have bad news. This isn't a great year for it.
Aside from Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano, there’s a significant drop-off. The Cleveland Browns are likely going to have to reach for a tackle because their line was, frankly, a disaster in 2025. When you’re choosing between a "good" tackle and a "great" defensive end, the value says take the end. But if your quarterback is constantly on his back, value doesn't matter much.
Critical Dates You Can't Ignore
The road to Pittsburgh is paved with three major events. If a player "wins" the Combine, their stock can jump 15 spots overnight.
- February 23 – March 2: The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. This is where we see if the "game speed" matches the stopwatch.
- March 11: The 2026 League Year begins. This is huge because free agency signings dictate draft needs. If the Jets sign a veteran QB, they aren't taking Mendoza at No. 2.
- April 23 – 25: The actual NFL Draft.
Don't Fall for the "Sleeper" Hype Just Yet
Every year, we hear about the small-school sleeper who is going to be the next Tyreek Hill. This year, keep an eye on Max Iheanachor, an offensive tackle from Arizona State, and Malachi Lawrence from UCF.
Lawrence is a situational pass rusher who might slide to the second round because he’s "undersized," but his get-off at the snap is elite. Teams like the Lions or Vikings, who pick later in the first round, could find a massive steal there.
What You Should Do Now
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on current draft picks NFL, stop looking at "Big Boards" and start looking at team needs post-free agency.
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- Watch the Combine Broad Jump: For edge rushers, this is often a better predictor of success than the 40-yard dash. It shows lower-body explosion.
- Monitor the "Medical" Rechecks: Guys like Jordyn Tyson have some injury history. If they clear the medical exams in Indy, they’re locks for the top 15.
- Follow the Coaches: Keep an eye on which teams are meeting with which players at the Senior Bowl and Combine. It’s the best "tell" in the business.
The 2026 draft isn't about finding a superstar at every position. It's about finding the few elite defensive anchors in a class that is otherwise very "workmanlike." Whether your team needs a savior under center or just someone to stop the run, the next three months will determine the next decade of your franchise.
Pay attention to the Senior Bowl on January 31—that's where the real evaluation begins for the guys who weren't on the national radar.