With the 2025 NFL season is approaching Week 15, it is becoming clear which teams will likely land in the top 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Currently, the New York Giants hold the top pick in the draft. Should they trade the pick or use the pick?
As a team not in need of a quarterback, the Giants hold the cards of the draft. They will have an opportunity to dangle that pick for more draft capital which could propel their rebuild around Jaxson Dart. A team who is desperate for a franchise-caliber quarterback and has the draft capital to pull off such a move are the New York Jets.
Could the two New York teams pull off a blockbuster trade that could set the future for both franchises? In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, we explore that possibility as the Jets send 2026 first round picks and additional future picks to move up to No. 1 to take either Indiana’s Franciso Mendoza or Oregon QB Dante Moore. The trade sets up the opportunity for the Giants to address areas of needs.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 5: Jets and Raiders land top rated QB’s
In a draft order determined by current record and the projected trade, the New York Jets get the ball rolling with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft
No. 1: New York Jets (via New York Giants) – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The New York Giants are in perfect position to control the 2026 NFL Draft and their future. They are also in position to help the future of their cross-town rivals, the New York Jets. With two first round picks in the next two drafts, the Jets will have the capital to move up in this draft to secure the best quarterback in the class. That is Fernando Mendoza who continues to prove his value as a starting quarterback. The Heisman Trophy frontrunner led the Indiana Hoosiers to a Big Ten championship win over Ohio State and has then as the No. 1 overall seed heading into the college football playoffs.
No. 2: Las Vegas Raiders– Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The most physically talented of the two top quarterbacks in the draft, Oregon’s Dante Moore lands with the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. After being snubbed in the Heisman Trophy voting, Moore will have a grind to ax and something to prove at the next level (if he declares).
The Raiders would be a perfect situation for Moore to learn behind a veteran QB like Geno Smith and leadership of Pete Carroll and show off some of that talent that has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. The Raiders, who have passed on selected a QB early in the last two drafts, have an opportunity to land a franchise-caliber QB in the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 3: Tennessee Titans– Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
With another top 3 pick, the Titans jump at the opportunity to land a game-changing defender off the edge with the selection of Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. Tennessee will have their choice between Reese and Rueben Bain Jr., but ultimately leans towards Reese who has that Micah Parsons type impact given his combination of speed, athleticism and playmaking skills off the edge. Reese’s versatility also allows him to drop back in coverage and be a nuisance for any offense in multiple ways.
Arvell Reese wasn't stopping until he reached the QB 😤@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/u8EmTjwxq7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2025
No. 4: Cleveland Browns – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
If Shedeur Sanders continues to show promise at the quarterback position, the Browns can use the 2026 NFL Draft to strengthen other areas of need, including adding a top-notch receiver to the mix in Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. In Tyson, they get a big, athletic X receiver who offers excellent route-running and a dynamic ability to go up and get the ball. Sanders to Tyson could be an intriguing connection in 2026. Fun fact here is that Tyson was at Colorado (before transferring to Arizona State) in 2022, the year before Sanders transferred to the school and his father Deion Sanders took over as head coach.
No. 5: New Orleans Saints – Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Saints will take a longer look at 2025 NFL Draft second-round pick Tyler Shough in 2026 and use the No. 5 overall pick to add a pass rusher on defense. In Rueben Bain Jr., they get a sack master who would not only serve as the replacement for Cameron Jordan, but game-changing ability on defense. As one of the top defenders in 2025 throughout the college football season, Bain Jr. has established himself as a feared playmaker. He will inject that fear into the NFC South in a Saints’ uniform.