The most recent big-time NFL trade went down on Tuesday morning, with the Miami Dolphins sending star WR Jaylen Waddle, along with a 4th-round pick, to the Denver Broncos for their 1st, 3rd, and 4th round selections. Another blockbuster, the deal gives Miami a second pick in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and could have massive implications as to how Day 1 unfolds.
With the dust still settling and the draft continuing to inch closer, let's take a look at how the top of the draft board could unfold!
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza might not start right away, but Las Vegas' offseason moves have solidified that he's their pick, if it wasn't already obvious. Throwing out major contracts all over free agency, including a hefty price for All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, the Raiders have taken care of some of the heavy lifting around the roster. The Heisman winner will enter an intriguing situation, and he has the tools to be their next franchise quarterback.
No. 2: New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
This pick has swayed back and forth between Arvell Reese and his Buckeye counterpart Sonny Styles, but the former seems like a better fit for New York. He's an elite defensive talent, with the all-around abilities to be a game wrecker from the moment he sets foot in the Jets' facility. Their front office could view his versatility and pass rush upside as too good to pass up, and, despite adding multiple edge rushers in free agency, take the Ohio State product at #2 to hopefully become the future of their defense.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The popular pick for Arizona seems to be Hurricanes' offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, but there's definitely a chance that they invest their top pick on the defensive side of the ball. Rueben Bain Jr.'s prospect profile shows all of the potential to be a perennial 10+ sack defender, something that the Cardinals could absolutely use. He would provide an excellent pair with Josh Sweat and could immediately make their pass rush a formidable unit.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This pick is just too fun not to put, especially after Tennessee's major offseason additions thus far. They got Cam Ward a reliable wideout in Wan'Dale Robinson, reworked the secondary, and brought some talent in the trenches. Jeremiyah Love would be a huge ceiling raiser in their backfield, and is arguably the top talent in the entire class. He could give the Titans a backfield duo for the foreseeable future and lay the foundation for a rebuilding offense.
No. 5: New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
New York added veteran Tremaine Edmunds through free agency, and Sonny Styles would form a linebacker room that could take their defense to the next level. The Ohio State product has a case for the best defensive prospect in the draft, and getting him at No. 5 would be fantastic value for the Giants. He's just so technically sound in all aspects of the game, and is as sure a defender as they come.