1 of 5 | Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 24 (UPI) — Fernando Mendoza and Arvell Reese lead mty initial NFL mock draft for 2026, ahead of this week’s scouting combine.
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy and national championship-winning quarterback from Indiana, is the consensus projected No. 1 pick of the draft, which will be held April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh.
Reese, Spencer Fano, Reuben Bain Jr. and Francis Mauigoa are among my other projected Top 5 selections. My first-round mock draft features just one quarterback, one running back, one tight end, two linebackers, two defensive tackles, five wide receivers, six edge rushers, seven offensive linemen and seven defensive backs.
Hundreds of the nation’s top collegiate prospects will participate — to varying degrees — in activities this week at the 2026 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. The event, which includes interviews with teams and reporters and skill showcase drills, will be held from Monday through March 2.
The Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants hold respective pick Nos. 1 through 5 in the first round of the draft. The Jets, Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams get two picks apiece in the first round.
The Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars do not have first-round selections.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets
Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
4. Tennessee Titans
Reuben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
5. New York Giants
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
6. Cleveland Browns
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
7. Washington Commanders
David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
8. New Orleans Saints
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
11. Miami Dolphins
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
12. Dallas Cowboys
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
13. Los Angeles Rams
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
14. Baltimore Ravens
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
16. New York Jets
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
17. Detroit Lions
Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
18. Minnesota Vikings
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
19. Carolina Panthers
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
20. Dallas Cowboys
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
24. Cleveland Browns
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
25. Chicago Bears
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
26. Buffalo Bills
Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
27. San Francisco 49ers
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
28. Houston Texans
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
29. Los Angeles Rams
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
30. Denver Broncos
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
31. New England Patriots
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
32. Seattle Seahawks
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
