The vibe around the league right now is... weird. Usually, by mid-January, we’re arguing about which three quarterbacks are going to vanish in the first five picks. But this year? The math has changed. Dante Moore decided to stay at Oregon, and honestly, that sent a shockwave through every front office from East Rutherford to Vegas. Suddenly, the NFL 2 round mock draft board isn't about finding the next face of the franchise; it’s about surviving the most defensive-heavy class we've seen in a decade.
If you’re a Raiders fan, you’re breathing easy. Fernando Mendoza is the guy. But for the Jets at No. 2? The world just got a lot more complicated.
The Top 10: Chaos Without Dante Moore
When Moore announced he was heading back to school to chase another year of NIL money and a Natty, he didn't just hurt his draft stock; he broke the top of the board. The New York Jets were practically gift-wrapped a franchise savior. Now? They’re looking at a linebacker. It’s a tough pill to swallow, even if that linebacker is Arvell Reese.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Heisman winner is the only "safe" bet at QB in this entire cycle. He’s got that quick release that makes scouts drool and the poise that Pete Carroll (RIP to his Vegas tenure) would have loved. The Raiders are basically sprinting to the podium.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Drafting a linebacker at No. 2 feels like buying a minivan when you wanted a Ferrari. But Reese isn't just a tackler; he’s a unicorn. He can drop into coverage or rush the passer. After the Jets traded away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to start this "nuclear" rebuild, they just need a heartbeat on defense.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Kyler Murray’s future is the elephant in the room. But if you can’t get a QB, you protect the one you have—or the next one. Mauigoa is a mountain. He’s the safest pick in the draft, and the Cardinals’ offensive line has been a sieve.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Cam Ward showed some life late in the season, but he needs a vertical threat. Tyson is that guy. He’s explosive, and his route running has finally caught up to his track speed.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Giants have needs everywhere. Literally everywhere. But Caleb Downs might be the best overall football player in this class. He’s a playmaker who fixes the back end of a defense that gave up way too many explosives in 2025.
The Run on Pass Rushers
Once you get past the top five, this NFL 2 round mock draft becomes an "Edge Rusher Invitational." The league has become obsessed with disrupting the pocket, and the 2026 class is deep with guys who can bend the edge.
- No. 6 Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. Staying in-state, Tate gives the Browns a legitimate WR1 they’ve lacked since... well, a long time.
- No. 8 New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami. Violent. That’s the only way to describe Bain. The Saints need to replace the aging production on that defensive front.
- No. 10 Cincinnati Bengals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech. Bailey led the FBS in pressures. Putting him opposite Trey Hendrickson is just mean.
The Mid-First Round Identity Crisis
Teams like the Cowboys and Ravens are in a weird spot. Dallas, picking at No. 12, needs help on the defensive line. Keldric Faulk from Auburn is a popular name there because he’s a massive human who can play multiple spots. Meanwhile, the Ravens are likely looking at Sonny Styles (Ohio State). Yes, another Buckeye. Their recruitment pipeline to the NFL is getting ridiculous.
Round 2: Where the Real Value Lives
This is where the draft gets spicy. Since the QB class is so thin (Ty Simpson and Drew Allar are basically the only "maybe" guys left here), teams are going to load up on "Big Humans."
The second round is going to be dominated by offensive tackles and interior defensive linemen. If you’re looking for a sleeper, keep an eye on Max Iheanachor from Arizona State. He’s a massive tackle who has moved up boards faster than almost anyone this winter.
💡 You might also like: The University of Iowa Basketball Coaching Staff: What Really Happened with the 2026 Reset
Notable Round 2 Projections
| Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | Zachariah Branch | WR | Georgia |
| Chicago Bears | Kayden McDonald | DT | Ohio State |
| Buffalo Bills | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee |
The Falcons taking Branch at No. 48 is a steal. He’s the most electric player in the country with the ball in his hands. If Michael Penix Jr. is going to succeed, he needs guys who can turn a five-yard hitch into a sixty-yard touchdown. Branch does that in his sleep.
What People Get Wrong About This Mock
Most people assume that because there aren't five first-round quarterbacks, the draft is "bad." That’s just not true. Honestly, it’s refreshing. We’re seeing a return to valuing the "trench war."
The 2026 class is elite at:
- Offensive Tackle: Between Mauigoa, Fano, and Lomu, you have three Day 1 starters.
- Safety: Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles are better than any safety prospect from the last two years combined.
- Wide Receiver: It’s a "flavor of the week" group. Do you want the speed of Branch or the size of Tate?
The limitation here is obviously the signal-callers. If you don't get Mendoza, you’re basically looking at a veteran bridge like Mac Jones or hoping a trade for Kyler Murray materializes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking your team's needs, stop looking at the mock drafts that were published in November. The Dante Moore news changed the geography of the top ten.
🔗 Read more: how tall is sidney crosby: What Most People Get Wrong
- Watch the Combine for Arvell Reese: If he runs a sub-4.5, he’s a lock for the top three.
- Monitor the Veteran QB Market: Since the draft is thin at QB, guys like Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins have way more trade value than they did a month ago.
- Target Defense in Round 2: If your team needs a cornerback or a defensive tackle, this is the year to have multiple second-round picks. The drop-off from the end of Round 1 to the middle of Round 2 is almost non-existent for defensive players.
Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl invites next month. That’s where the small-school guys like Malachi Lawrence (UCF) will either prove they belong in the first round or slide into the third. For now, this NFL 2 round mock draft reflects a league that is terrified of a future without enough elite quarterbacks but is more than happy to draft the guys who hit them.