2026 NFL Draft Notebook: Raiders eye big-play weapon as Broncos target TE

The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and the board is starting to take shape. With top picks becoming clearer and team visits ramping up, front offices are locking in their priorities. This week’s NFL Draft Notebook focuses on how two AFC West teams are building around their passing games, a tightening race for the top cornerback in the class, and several rising names across the draft board.

Dangerous weapon for Fernando Mendoza

While the Raiders appear set to take Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, the real question becomes who they will surround their future franchise quarterback with. One wide receiver who makes a lot of sense in the third round is North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance, who would give Mendoza a big, athletic target, something he favored at Indiana, especially on back-shoulder fades. If the Raiders wait until the third round to add a dynamic receiver, it would also allow them to use their second-round pick to address right tackle or bolster the defense.

Broncos poised to target a tight end early

The Denver Broncos are all but certain to take a tight end before the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, largely because of Evan Engram’s disappointing season and the team’s sustained focus on the position in preparation for the draft. Their latest move was bringing in Ohio State’s Max Klare for a visit. Klare, an All-Big Ten tight end with 94 receptions over the past two seasons, excels at catching the ball in traffic. If the Broncos target him, they will likely need to use a second-round pick to secure him.

Race for top cornerback spot

After Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy turned heads at his pro day with a 4.38 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical, the race for the top cornerback spot is heating up between him and LSU’s Mansoor Delane. While McCoy’s testing numbers are impressive, Delane still holds the edge based on his on-field production, earning First-Team All-SEC honors and leading the conference with 11 pass breakups this past season.

Elite ball hawk in the secondary

A cornerback flying under the radar is Josh Moten of Southern Miss, who didn’t earn an NFL Combine invite despite intercepting ten passes over the past two seasons. As a pro prospect, he projects best as a nickel corner due to his 6-0, 185-pound frame, but his quickness and agility allow him to stay with shifty receivers. His main limitation is a lack of strength, which makes him vulnerable against bigger, physical wideouts.

Physical mid-round linebacker turning heads

A mid-round linebacker drawing plenty of attention is Michigan’s Jimmy Rolder, who currently carries a fourth-round grade on my draft board. As an NFL prospect, he’s a big, physical linebacker and one of the better tacklers in the 2026 class. In 2025, he recorded 73 tackles, including seven for loss and two sacks. A few teams showing interest include the Bears, Saints, and Bengals.

Could the 49ers be a fit for 

One possible landing spot for Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen is the San Francisco 49ers, who need to upgrade the position after losing Skyy Moore to the Green Bay Packers. Wetjen is a two-time Jet Award winner, and his 28.3-yard punt return average last season set a Big Ten single-season record. Beyond special teams, he brings added value as an offensive weapon, with the kind of versatility that could allow Kyle Shanahan to use him in a role similar to how Deebo Samuel has been deployed, creating mismatches in space and adding another layer to the offense.

Speaking of special teams standouts

Another special teams prospect who could hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft is Florida kicker Trey Smack, the top-ranked kicker on my board. After a rough first week, Smack finished the season 16-for-17 on field goals, including a perfect 4-for-4 on attempts over 50 yards. A potential landing spot could be the Philadelphia Eagles, who may want to bring in competition for Jake Elliott.

Not a major concern for draft stock

While Francis Mauigoa getting additional imaging on his back is creating headlines, it shouldn’t have much impact on his 2026 NFL Draft position. The main reason is that it didn’t limit his playing time during the season, and he’s already proven durability by starting 42 straight games. When it comes to his draft outlook, Mauigoa still projects as a top-ten prospect and should be the best offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Underrated deep threat drawing NFL interest

An intriguing player likely to be signed after the 2026 NFL Draft is East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith, who has already drawn interest from the Buffalo Bills. The 6-foot-3 wideout put together an impressive season, recording 64 receptions for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also proven to be a legitimate deep threat, with 486 of his yards coming on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield, according to PFF, and he averaged 19.5 yards per catch in 2024.

Last player in the green room

The NFL released its list of draft attendees, and one player who could end up waiting the longest in the green room is Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood. He had a breakout season, but he’s still likely to fall out of the first round because of inconsistencies in his game. The biggest issue is that he’s slow out of his breaks at times, which lets receivers gain separation too easily.