The countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft has begun. With just over two weeks left leading up to draft night, the big question is who will go high off the board once Fernando Mendoza is selection with the No. 1 overall pick.
Unless something major changes from now till draft night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there is not much mystery over who goes first off, the board, but that does not mean the first night of the draft won’t be filled with suspense and some surprise picks as well as trade.
When it comes to trades, New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence was the most recent star to request a trade. Could that request lead to some major draft implications if he is dealt to a team willing to surrender a first-round pick or multiple high round picks for the star defensive lineman?
Could other big trades or unforeseen star player developments dismantle NFL Mock Draft predictions everywhere? Let’s get on the board.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: High talent defenders dominate top 10
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza will be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is such a sure bet that the former Indiana Hoosiers star will not be in Pittsburgh in person come draft night. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner plans to stay home and celebrate with his family and officially hear his name called as the top pick in the draft surrounded by family and friends. He will also be watching to see what the Las Vegas Raiders do with their additional picks to build around him.
No. 2: New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets enter the 2026 NFL Draft with big needs in key areas, including QB. With four selections in the top 50, the Jets are in position to draft talent that can come in and be day 1 impact players. With the No. 2 overall pick, they land a player in Arvell Reese who is not only the best athlete in the draft, but a player who could be a generational impact as a hybrid linebacker/edge. He will have their choice between Reese and Texas Tech’s David Bailey here, but the potential of Reese is off the charts, and he could help set the foundation of the Jets’ defense for years to come.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
The Cardinals stand pat here and select the next best player available in Texas Tech’s David Bailey with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Although Arizona will be watching the top quarterbacks on the board, primarily Ty Simpson, they will use this top 3 pick on a player who can come in and make an instant impact on defense. In leading the FBS in sacks in 2025, Bailey is much more than a player who can get to the quarterback, he is a defensive stalwart who can disrupt the game in multiple ways with the way he exudes his power along the defensive line. With this pick, Arizona finally gets their top-notch pass rusher.
No. 4: Cincinnati Bengals, via Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Bengals get aggressive here and move up to land Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. With rumors that the New York Giants are eyeing Styles, the Bengals don’t sit back and move up to grab the exciting off-ball linebacker with the No. 4 overall pick. This marks the third defensive player off the board and a player who can help shape the Bengals’ defense for years to come as Styles will wreak havoc in the AFC North for years to come.
No. 5: New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
With the Bengals slipping ahead of them and selecting Styles, the Giants select Caleb Downs with the No. 5 overall pick in the draft. John Harbaugh loves a good safety, and Downs has all the skills to be an anchor in the Giants’ secondary. As the fourth consecutive defensive star off the board in this draft, Downs gives the Giants an interesting defensive backfield playing alongside Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin. Out of the three, Downs has the elite safety upside.