With Week 18 of the NFL season upon us, NFL playoffs seeding will be established through the weekend, but also the draft order for the 2026 NFL Draft. Who will land the No. 1 overall pick?
As it stands, that pick will go to the Las Vegas Raiders, a team in need for a franchise caliber quarterback. Another team in the sweepstakes for one of the top quarterbacks are the New York Jets. Both teams had their eye on the quarterfinals of the college football playoffs with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oregon’s, Dante Moore and Alabama’s Ty Simpson all on display.
While Mendoza and Moore fueled their teams to advancement in the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl respectively, Simpson became more of a question mark after Alabama got throttled by Mendoza’s Hoosier to a score of 38-3. If Moore declares, the top two QBs in this draft are established, but could Simpson be another potential first-round signal caller available?
That unknown makes the top picks in this draft more important. The team with the shot at Mendoza is set, while the other teams may have to aim towards the 2027 NFL Draft.
In projecting all three quarterbacks mentioned above declare for the draft, this Week 18 edition of the 2026 NFL Mock Draft features a big trade up which highly impacts the rest of the draft board.
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In a draft order determined by current record, the Raiders start it off with the No. 1 overall pick.
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Heiman Trophy winner proved his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL draft. With another outstanding performance on the big stage, Ferando Mendoza showcased his quick processing and ability to get the ball down the field to his playmakers. In leading Indiana to a 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, “Heismendoza” finished the game going 14-of-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Raiders fans can now dream of a Mendoza to Brock Bowers connection carrying the Las Vegas into the future.
No. 2: Arizona Cardinals– Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Cardinals throw a haymaker in this draft by leaping over the New York Jets to jump to the No. 2 overall pick after a major trade up with the New York Giants. Arizona finds their Kyler Murray replacement with the selection of Dante Moore who many will see as the QB with the higher upside. The 6-foot-3, 206-pound quarterback helped lead Oregon to a 23-0 Orange Bowl victory over Texas Tech going 26-of-33 for 234 yards. He now prepares for a college football playoffs semifinal matchup against Mendoza.
No. 3: New York Jets – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With both top QBs off the board, the Jets add another top playmaker with the selection of Jordyn Tyson with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. The Jets have the draft capital to trade for a veteran QB on the trade block like a Kyler Murray and select a QB prospect on Day 2 or Day 3. With two first rounders in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Jets will also be in position to select a franchise QB in that draft, which is projected to be deep in QB talent. In the meantime, build the supporting cast. Adding Tyson to the wide receiver group led by Garrett Wilson is a great start.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Titans make a questionable decision with the No. 4 overall pick by selecting a running back over top defensive talent. The idea in selecting Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is to build a supporting cast around Cam Ward. Love is an offensive weapon who can be a dynamic force on the field whenever he touches the ball. As he proved in 2025, he is a homerun hitter. In sharing the rock with Jadarian Price, Love rushed for 1,372 yards with 18 touchdowns and showcased his dual-threat ability with 280 yards on 27 receptions. Tennessee can use the remainder of the draft on adding another receiver and adding key pieces on defense.
No.5: New York Giants – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Giants take the best available player with the selection of Arvell Reese who they would’ve taken with the No. 2 overall pick, so the trade back is smart here. Reese, a 6-foot-4, 243-pound hybrid LB/EDGE, is a menace on the football field. Athleticism, speed, size, you name it, Reese is the total package and would look exceptional on the field with Abdul Carter, a top 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With additional draft capital, the Giants can add on the offensive line and land a No. 2 wide receiver to help support Jaxson Dart in Year 2.