With the NFL Wild Card Weekend set to take center stage, teams looking for a quarterback had their eyes on the Peach Bowl matchup between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon. In leading the Hoosiers to a 56-22 win, Fernando Mendoza solidified himself as the top pick, but what about Dante Moore?
The question set forth now is will Moore declare for the 2026 NFL Draft or will he remain in Oregon for another year. This decision has major implications on the draft because suddenly it will become Fernando Mendoza and everyone else if Moore returns to school.
Although it will set up an intriguing 2027 NFL Draft QB class, teams like the New York Jets may have to reach for QB talent. A player who was considered a top 3 QB and could raise his stock back to that level is Alabama’s Ty Simpson who declared for the draft. A player who also lacks experience as a starter like Moore, Simpson is wagering on himself.
Could Moore head in the same direction?
What Simpson’s decision proves is that it is no guarantee a player will return to school after a disappointing end to their season. Moore didn’t perform great in the Peach Bowl, but that along does not swing the pendulum in either direction. NFL teams will be awaiting that decision, a decision that could change the landscape of the 2026 NFL Draft.
In this NFL Wildcard edition of the 2026 NFL Mock Draft, we assume Moore is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 5: Quarterbacks, Ohio State stars dominate the top 5
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
There will be a new coach and new franchise quarterback in Vegas. With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders will try to talk themselves into betting on Dante Moore due to his talent and upside, but the sure bet here is Ferando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winner served no doubt that he is the best pro-ready QB in this draft by leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a 56-22 win over Moore’s Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl.
No. 2: New Yor Jets– Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Jets may be tempted to throw together a trade package appealing enough for the Raiders to move down a spot. But, the Jets have too many needs to wager their draft capital on Mendoza. If Dante Moore declares for the draft, the Jets stand pat at No. 2 and take him. If he returns to Oregon, things will get mighty interesting in this draft. Alabama’s Ty Simpson could impress enough during pre-draft events, interviews to impress the Jets into selecting him this high.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Kyler Murray trade rumblings won’t fade in the offseason, but Murray’s future in Arizona could depend on who they hire as their next head coach. What they do with the veteran QB could determine their need here, but with him still on the roster as of the end of the regular season, the Cardinals address one of their top defensive needs here by taking the top defensive back in the draft. In Caleb Downs, they not only get their safety of the future, but a versatile defender who makes plays all over the field. The ceiling only gets higher in Arizona, especially learning from an aging star like Budda Baker.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Arvelle Reese, LB, Ohio State
Back-to-back Ohio State stars go off the board as the Titans select Arvell Reese with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Titans will field offers to move back in this draft for more draft capital but ultimately go with a player in Reese who is an impact player all over the field. Fast, athletic and versatile, Reese adds a pass rush option for the Titans as well as a player who has the talent to be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
No.5: New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Let’s make that back-to-back-to-back Ohio State stars going off the board in the top 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Giants can go in any direction at this spot. They could also trade back with the pick. They stay put and make Carnell Tate the first wide receiver off the board. With Malik Nabers coming off a season-ending ACL, the Giants need to add another playmaker on offense. Tate gives them that big-play receiver until Nabers is back to being fully Nabers. When he is, the Giants will have a dynamic duo at receiver with Nabers and Tate. This will also help the growth and progression of Jaxson Dart. The pick here could also depend on who the Giants bring in as their next head coach.
2026 NFL Mock Draft 6-10: Browns add a top receiver to the mix, Chiefs land their playmaker of the future
No. 6: Cleveland Browns – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Browns are an intriguing team in this draft. With two first round picks, do they add another young quarterback to the mix or do they continue to build the rest of the roster. They have enough players on defense with Myles Garrett leading the way. On offense, they have a couple players to build around outside of the QB position. They keep building with this pick by adding Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to the mix. His size, athleticism on the outside will intrigue the Browns. If Sheduer Sanders is their choice in 2026, it gives him another big target and down-the field threat to get the ball to.
No. 7: Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr, ED, Miami (FL)
Rueben Bain Jr is proving he’s a big-play defender. As the top pass rusher in this draft, the outstanding edge out of Miami instantly gives the Commanders that young edge rusher they have been in search of. Coming off a disappointing season, the Commanders have some aging defensive veterans and need an influx of young talent to get back to where they were in 2026. Bain Jr. will bring the energy and he will bring the power off the edge.
No. 8: New Orleans Saints – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
Edge rush will be a big need for the New Orleans Saints in this draft. With Bain off the board, the next top option is Texas Tech’s David Bailey who led the nation in sacks with 13.5. With unclarity surrounding both Cameron Jordan (age) and Chase Young (contract), the Saints need to get an explosive pass-rusher on the roster as at least the successor to Jordan. Despite going down to Oregon in the college football playoffs, Bailey proved his disruptive nature as he was getting pressure on Dante Moore, batting down passes and just was a nightmare to defense. The Saints will love him.
No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs– Jeremiyah Love, HB, Notre Dame
The Chiefs drafting this year wasn’t in consideration at the start of the 2025 NFL Season. But, after missing the playoffs, losing Patrick Mahomes towards the end of the season with a torn ACL and a possible retirement ahead for Travis Kelce, the Chiefs find themselves in the position of a roster reset. They need young, impact players on both sides of the ball. At No. 9, they take the nation’s best running back in Jeremiyah Love. The dynamic running back not only fills the teams need for a pure, lead running back, but he is a playmaker out of the backfield who will quickly become a favorite target of Mahomes once he does return.
No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Peter Woods makes too much sense for the Cincinnati Bengals at no. 10. Coming off somewhat of a down season at Clemson, Woods was a project top 10, potentially top 5 player headed into the 2025 college football season. With a blend of size, athleticism and versatility, his ceiling is high at the NFL level. The Bengals need to get stout along the defensive line and Woods is a player they can build around along with 2025 first round pick Shemar Stewart.
2026 NFL Mock Draft 11-15: A top QB lands in the AFC East and another Ohio State star goes off the board
The Miami Dolphins moved on from head coach Mike McDaniel, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have the QB position high on their radar in the 2026 NFL Draft. After declaring for the draft, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is an intriguing option. He could go as high as the top 5, but if teams drafting in the top 10 go in a different direction, Simpson could slide a bit. He won’t slide past the Dolphins at No. 11. Rounding out the top 15, another Ohio State star comes off the board with Sonny Styles landing with the Cowboys and the Ravens add another explosive receiver to the mix.
No. 11: Miami Dolphins – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
No. 12: Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
No. 13: Los Angeles Rams– Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
No. 14: Baltimore Ravens – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
No. 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
2026 NFL Mock Draft 16-20: Jets land top cornerback prospect; Panthers add another big weapon on offense
Selections 16-20 sees two cornerbacks come off the board. With their second first-round pick acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for Sauce Gardner, the Jets look to replace his talent with LSU’s Mansoor Delane who has surged as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings, who just miss out on Delane, add to their secondary with Clemson’s Avieon Terrell. The Cowboys also address their defensive backfield by reaching a big for Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman to fulfill their safety needs.
No. 16: New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
No. 17: Detroit Lions – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
No. 18: Minnesota Vikings– Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
No. 19: Carolina Panthers– Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
No. 20: Dallas Cowboys via Green Bay – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
2026 NFL Mock Draft 21-25: Steelers find their WR2; Eagles land top tight end prospect
The Peach Bowl featured two of the top QBs in the draft. But, on the stage was also two of the top playmakers in the country including Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Both players land on playoff teams as the Steelers select Sarratt giving them a solid No. 2 receiver to pair with D.K. Metcalf while the Eagles jump at the opportunity to grab Sadiq at the tight end position. Both players could be key pieces in both teams making a playoff run in 2026.
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers – A’Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
No. 24: Buffalo Bills – C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
No. 25: Chicago Bears – Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
2026 NFL Mock Draft 26-32: OL talent dominates late round; Broncos land second-best RB
Some of the top offensive lineman fall off the board late in the first round. The 49ers jump at the chance to draft Francis Mauigoa who is versatile enough to play either tackle positions or slide inside to play guard. The Texans, Browns, Rams and Patriots beef up their offensive line and the Broncos become the second team in the first round to land a Notre Dame running back. In fact, both Jeremiyah Love and Jaderian Price land in the NFC West.