It’s already been a wild offseason in the NFL. Could that spill over into the 2026 NFL Draft?
In an offseason that has already seen Maxx Crosby traded then untraded to not be undone by a shocking trade that saw the Miami Dolphins trade Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, it will be only fitting if there are more surprises come draft night.
With Fernando Mendoza a lock as the No. 1 overall pick, the drama will likely come once he is off the board. Which prospects are other teams eyeing after the first wave of free agency? Which top prospects rising up draft boards have teams willing to make bold moves to get their guy?
If things haven’t been wild enough in the NFL, this NFL Mock Draft is impacted by more wild moves.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Big trades, surprise picks and notable slides
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza in a Las Vegas Raiders’ uniform is a lock at this point in the pre-draft process. With the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, new Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor recently expressed excitement about catching passes from Mendoza.
“The touch he has on his passes, you know, those accurate passes that he makes, it really pops out, and he’s a mobile quarterback,” Nailor said during an episode of Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams. “Like, he can get on the ground, and he can run a little bit. So, just to have those aspects of him as a quarterback. He’s on the taller end as well. So, seeing over the line won’t be an issue. But, I mean, he has all the things that you would want in a quarterback.”
No. 2: New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets spent some money in free agency and could dangle this pick as trade bait for even more draft capital, but they ultimately select Arvell Reese who is the popular choice at No. 2 here. A complete all-around player with the ceiling of an elite Pro Bowl level player, Reese has the talent to anchor the Jets’ defense from years to come. Can he be the NFL’s next Micah Parsons? Absolutely!
No. 3: Cincinnati Bengals via Arizona – Caleb Downs, S , Ohio State
The Bengals make an eye-popping trade to land the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In trading the No. 10 overall pick, a third-round pick and a future 2027 first round pick, Cincinnati plays it aggressive and lands a generational talent in Caleb Downs. While there is a possibility the top safety in the draft slide down to 10, the Bengals assure they land who some draft experts believe is the best defender in the draft.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr. , ED, Miami (FL)
The Titans go defense with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with the selection of Rueben Bain Jr. New head coach Robert Saleh wants to build a new energy on defense down in the Nashville and Bain can deliver a new tune off the edge. With Jeffrey Simmons dominating inside, Bain will have blockers on skates as he uses his power and high motor to create havoc off the edge.
No. 5: New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The third Ohio State star goes off the board in the top 5 here with the New York Giants taking Sonny Styles with the No. 5 overall pick. Despite signing Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, the appeal of adding Styles to the mix could give New York a trio of linebackers who can create havoc playing the Giants’ font line. Styles, Edmunds and Abdul Carter with a year under his belt…oh my!