The NFL is at the midway point and with the 2026 NFL trade deadline fast approaching, teams who are presenting as sellers already have their eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft.
One of those teams is the Miami Dolphins. With a 2-6 record going into the deadline, the Dolphins are a team that has multiple payers who can be dealt with a chance to rack up draft picks for the draft. As it currently stands, the Dolphins hold the No. 5 overall pick which puts them in position to get a franchise changing type player.
The question is, will that be at quarterback?
2026 NFL Draft: The Fernando Mendoza sweepstakes
Is Fernando Mendoza the prize of the 2026 NFL Draft? While Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Dante Moore will have a say in that, teams who currently have the top picks in the draft have their eyes on him.
The New Orleans Saints are starting 2025 NFL Draft second-round pick Tyler Shough for the remainder of the season to see what they have in the young QB. A team that is basically just playing out the season, the Saints need to see if they will use the No. 1 overall pick on a QB or can use that pick to gain more draft capital by moving down.
As for the New York Jets, Justin Fields continues to have up-and-down moments when he is in as the starter. The team must have their attention on a QB. Could that be Mendoza? If they feel it is, what are they willing to do (besides tank) to make sure they land the Heisman Trophy favorite.
In all, it will be an interesting draft for quarterbacks.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 5: Top QB’s drop off the board as Saints, Jets set the tone of the draft
In a draft order determined by current record, the New Orleans Saints start it off with the No. 1 overall pick.
No. 1: New Orleans Saints – Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana
The Saints are starting 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season to see what they have in the young quarterback. They also need to know how to approach the draft and what to do with the No. 1 overall pick. If Shough is not the guy, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is right there for the taking. The Heisman Trophy favorite has been lighting it up through the first 9 weeks of the college football season and has the poise in the pocket and accuracy to light things up in the Bayou. If Shough proves something, the Saints can use this No. 1 overall pick as trade bait for more draft capital.
No. 2: New York Jets – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The New York Jets need a QB in the worst way. This was the draft to get a franchise caliber quarterback, but the projections of who those top quarterbacks were has changed since the start of the season. Still, there are some intriguing quarterbacks out there playing tremendous football. Along with Mendoza, Alabama’s Ty Simpson has been lighting it up and emerging as a top 3 caliber QB. With Mendoza off the board, the Jets go with Simpson who has the size, mobility, arm strength and decision-making to be the answer the Jets have been looking for.
No. 3: Tennessee Titans– Rueben Bain Jr, ED, Miami (FL)
The Titans are taking the best player available here and a player who would be an explosive asset lining up off the edge alongside Jeffery Simmons and D’Vondre Sweat. With his versatility and power, Rueben Bain Jr has established himself as the top defensive player ahead of the draft. With his high motor in getting after the passer and his strong run defense, Bain will upgrade any team’s defense that selects him. As the Titans are a team rebuilding on both sides of the ball, Bain will be a great piece to the puzzle and help etch an identity for Tennessee’s defense.
No. 4: Cleveland Browns – LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers is the third quarterback off the board in this 2026 NFL Draft. More of a high-risk pick for the Browns due to his injury history, Sellers also has the talent and skillset to be the best quarterback in the draft. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Sellers could give the Browns what they thought they had in Deshaun Watson, a dual-threat quarterback with great arm strength and ability to torch defenses with his arm and legs.
No. 5: Miami Dolphins – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
In a bit of a surprise, the Miami Dolphins tell the NFL world that they are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa with the selection of Oregon’s Dante Moore with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In emerging as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft class, Moore’s poise under pressure and quick release will intrigue the Dolphins who may have a new GM and head coach in place to build around the young quarterback.