As the 2025 NFL season enters its final weeks, several teams are already looking ahead to the offseason. For many of them, the focus has shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft, especially franchises that simply lack enough talent to compete. The one exception near the top is the Rams, who are playoff-caliber but own Atlanta’s first-round pick as part of a trade from the 2025 draft.
With that in mind, here’s how the top 10 selections of the 2026 NFL Draft could unfold in my final mock draft of the regular season.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The team everyone seems to be projecting to move up to the top spot is the New York Jets, but a surprise team that could trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft is the Arizona Cardinals. It looks like the Cardinals will be moving on from Kyler Murray, which would leave a big void at the quarterback position.
With this pick, Arizona takes Oregon’s Dante Moore, who is the best natural thrower in this class. To move up and get him, the Cardinals give up their first-, second-, and third-round picks in this year’s draft along with their first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Another team in desperate need of a new quarterback is the Las Vegas Raiders. The free-agent signing of Geno Smith has not worked out, as he has struggled with turnovers and is a big reason why the Raiders are averaging an NFL-low 14 points per game.
With this pick, the Raiders select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza as their franchise quarterback. Mendoza has an extremely high football IQ and led college football with 33 touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. His play has Indiana in prime position to win the National Championship.
3. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
One team with no chance of taking a quarterback is the Tennessee Titans after selecting Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, look for them to add another Hurricane with their first-round pick, as they desperately need an edge rusher.
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is the most complete defender in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is the only Power Four edge defender ranking inside the top 10 nationally in both PFF run-defense grade (fifth) and PFF pass-rush grade (ninth). Bain has the quickness, strength, and power to eventually develop into a Pro Bowl–level defensive end.
4. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
No matter who the quarterback is next season, and most likely it will be Shedeur Sanders, the Browns will need a premier wide receiver to throw to. They currently have one of the worst wide receiver groups in the NFL, and if Sanders is going to prove he can play at an NFL starter level, he will need a wideout he can trust.
Tate is a big wide receiver who does a great job making plays downfield. He has hauled in 11 of his 15 deep targets this season and is averaging over 14 yards per catch. He is the type of receiver who would significantly improve the Browns’ passing game and help elevate Sanders’ play.
5. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets are in a tough spot here. They desperately need a quarterback, but there is no quarterback still on the board worth the fifth overall pick. Because of that, they turn to the defensive side of the ball and select Ohio State’s Arvell Reese.
Reese has the potential to line up all over the Jets defense, from edge rusher to middle linebacker, because of his unique skill set. He is one of the better pass rushers in the class, already recording 6.5 sacks this season. Reese is also strong against the run, using his strength to take on blockers and his closing speed to track down ball carriers.
Arvell Reese is QB nightmare fuel 😈@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/yFmlmkKBzV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 11, 2025
6. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Giants have several young playmakers on offense, including rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, along with Malik Nabers. However, to fully take advantage of that young talent, they must address the offensive line.
With this pick, the Giants select Utah’s Spencer Fano, a day-one starter at right tackle. This past season, Fano did not allow a single sack and earned an impressive 81.8 run-blocking grade, which helped him win the Outland Trophy.
7. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
With the solid play of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough lately, it looks like the Saints will be out of the quarterback market. While they would love to add a young, dynamic playmaking wide receiver with this pick, there isn’t great value at this point in the draft. Instead, they go after a dynamic pass rusher.
Texas Tech’s David Bailey led the nation with 74 pressures and a 93.6 PFF pass-rushing grade, and his 13.5 sacks ranked second nationally. While undersized, it’s hard to pass on a pass rusher this dynamic, especially with Cam Jordan potentially leaving after the season.
8. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
After making it to the NFC Championship game last season, things have not gone the Commanders’ way this year, as they sit at 4-10. A big reason for their disappointing season has been a poor defense that allows 26.8 points per game and ranks 29th in pass defense, giving up 246 yards per game. To address this, Washington adds Ohio State’s Caleb Downs.
Downs is one of the top five players in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the only reason he is available here is that he plays a position not highly valued in the NFL. Downs has all the tools to make an impact, including a high football IQ, excellent range, and the physicality to play in the box.
"To me, Caleb Downs is the man that makes it all happen. We all see what Caleb does on the field, but a big part of the success that we have is Caleb's presence on the field. Communicating, getting everybody on the same page and building confidence around him. That's probably one of the things that maybe has gone unrecognized a little bit"Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Cincinnati’s defense has been a disaster this season, allowing an NFL-high 31.2 points per game. Their most glaring weakness is at cornerback, which they address with the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jermod McCoy missed the entire season with a torn ACL and will need to pass medical evaluations to justify this high selection. When healthy, he’s a physical corner with excellent ball skills and the potential to immediately improve the Bengals’ secondary.
10. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Matthew Stafford is still playing at a high level, but at 37, the Rams can’t pretend the window is wide open forever. With Atlanta’s first-round pick from the 2024 trade, this is the ideal spot to plan for the future without forcing Simpson onto the field immediately.
Ty Simpson fits what Sean McVay asks of his quarterbacks. He shows elite accuracy from a clean pocket, processes quickly, and consistently works through his progressions. He’s one of the smartest quarterbacks in this class and has the mental makeup to handle McVay’s offense and complex defensive looks.