2026 NFL Mock Draft: Post-NFL trade deadline predictions – Jets control the board

The NFL Trade deadline has come and gone and for one NFL team it was highly eventful and impactful on the 2026 NFL Draft.

The New York Jets didn’t just make one blockbuster trade, but two as they sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2026 first-round pick and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick.

That give the Jets quite a haul when it comes to draft capital as they serve as the third team with two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.  How will the Jets, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys play the board?  It’s getting interesting especially with the top draft prospects starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

2026 NFL Draft: Who are the top non-QB prospects

While quarterbacks are always the buzz at the top of the NFL Draft, it doesn’t mean they are the best players or even present as generational talent. The 2024 NFL Draft was one of the best when it comes to quarterbacks with franchise potential and although Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson are Dante Moore are sparking buzz, this is shaping up to be a draft where the franchise altering prospect are at other positions.

One of the top defenders in the nation is Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who would tempt a team like the New Orleans Saints to pass on QB to take a disruptor off the edge who can transcend a defense.  There is also Ohio State defenders like Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese who can impact any NFL defense.

On the offensive side, wide receivers Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate as well as running back Jeremiyah Love are showing their ability to be franchise cornerstones for years to come.  Who will be the first non-QB off the board?

2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 5: Saints, Jets land franchise QBs – Dolphins, Giants target elite offensive playmakers

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 get the prize in this draft with the selection of Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.  There will be some debate on whether to trade down, but the Saints stand pat and take a quarterback in Mendoza who has been consistently good all season long and looks to be getting better by the week.  The bigger the game, Mendoza is checking all the boxes as a QB prospect with the ability to uplift and lead an offense.  Can he do it at the NFL level?

No. 2: Tennessee Titans– Rueben Bain Jr, ED, Miami (FL)

At 1-7, the Tennessee Titans are in position again to take a franchise-changing player with a top 2 pick and with the pick they select Rueben Bain Jr., who has emerged as the top defensive player heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.  The Titans have a lot of other needs but getting a game-changing edge rusher up front in Bain who can wreak havoc is a great building block on defense.  They can use the remainder of the draft to continue building around Cam Ward on the offensive side of the ball.

No. 3: New York Jets – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

The Jets have two first round picks and two second round picks in this draft after trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the NFL Trade deadline.  With an abundance of draft capital, the Jets are in position to reset their roster.  At the quarterback position, they use the No. 3 overall pick on Oregon’s Dante Moore.  There will be some pushback over the team passing on Alabama’s Ty Simpson, but the Jets and other NFL teams will fall in love with Moore’s ability to make plays with his arm and pocket mobility.  Like Simpson, he lacks a ton of experience, but his arm talent and ceiling intrigue the Jets here.

No. 4: Miami Dolphins – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Dolphins not selecting a quarterback here does not mean they will move forward with Tua Tagovailoa under center.  The idea here is to take the best player available who will address one of their needs and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson will do just that.  The Dolphins will likely move on from Tyreek Hill and the idea of pairing Jaylen Waddle with Tyson in the offense will be too hard to pass up and may even keep Tua as the starter with a chance to see what he can do with this dynamic duo.

No. 5: New York Giants– Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Back-to-back receivers go off the board as the Giants select Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate.  This could be high for Tate but given his latest play and emergence as one of the top receivers in the nation, the idea of teaming Tate with Malik Nabers will give Jaxson Dart a pair of playmakers who will help him take it to the next level as the Giants quarterback of the future.