NFL Draft Shocker: Mendoza's Fate Decided?! What Happens Next?!

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Will Fernando Mendoza Be Lone QB Selected In First Round?

NFL Draft Shocker: Mendoza's Fate Decided?! What H...

The buzz is building for the 2026 NFL Draft, and all eyes are on Fernando Mendoza. He's practically a lock for the Raiders at No. 1, but the real question is: will he be the *only* quarterback taken in the first round? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? This year, we’re seeing a clear trend – teams are clearly trying to emulate the Patriots and Seahawks, the Super Bowl LX champions. And what did they have in common? Stifling defenses. Look for teams to invest heavily in their secondaries.

Any whispers of the Raiders trading out of the top spot or going with someone other than Mendoza seem to have vanished the moment Kubiak signed on as head coach. Smart move, Las Vegas. But what about the Jets? Well, this might be a tough pill for Jets fans to swallow, but it buys GM Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn some time. The truth is, their best shot at getting some real competition for Justin Fields probably lies in free agency or a trade for a veteran. Of course, Mougey isn't exactly shy about making big trades; let's not forget the fire sale he had back in November, shipping out Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off.

This draft class is being called "thin" on elite talent, but Reese is a clear exception. He's drawing comparisons to Micah Parsons! That's high praise. And don't sleep on Jeremiyah Love; he's considered one of the best running back prospects we've seen in years. It's going to be fascinating to watch where these guys land.

Like the Titans, the Giants' draft picks will probably mirror their new head coach’s vision. And speaking of good fits, Mauigoa seems almost tailor-made for John Harbaugh. This guy is a dominant, imposing three-year starter, and arguably the most NFL-ready offensive lineman in the class. With Jermaine Eluemanor hitting free agency, the Giants would be wise to prioritize protecting Jaxson Dart by beefing up that O-line. It's a no-brainer, really.

The Saints? It’s time for an overhaul. They desperately need to inject some youth and build around some fresh talent. They've been stuck in neutral for far too long, and this draft could be their chance to finally turn the page.

Safeties – specifically, those old-school "box" safeties – just aren’t valued as much in today's game. The league is all about passing, and those hard-hitting plays that used to define the position can get you penalized. But Downs is different. He brings so much more than just tackling ability. Adding his instincts and playmaking skills to that already stacked Chiefs secondary is a genius move, especially considering all the quarterback talent in the AFC West. Also, if this mock draft holds true, Downs would be the *fourth* Buckeye selected in the top 10. That's insane. Unprecedented, even.

With their star quarterback healthy and all three AFC North rivals bringing in new coaching staffs, the Bengals could be in a great spot. Having a top-10 pick now could really pay off a year from now, maybe even put them in contention for the division. Bailey, at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, might not exactly fit Duke Tobin's usual preferences, but he's the best pass-rushing prospect available. Sometimes you have to break your own rules, right?