2026 Mock Draft: Fernando Mendoza Goes No. 1 to Raiders as Analysts Pick Top 100

In a new three-round 2026 mock draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza lands with the Raiders while edge rusher David Bailey joins the Titans after leading the FBS with 14.5 sacks.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana is the first overall selection for the Las Vegas Raiders in a new three-round 2026 mock draft conducted by analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates. This exercise, which covered the top 100 picks without trades, saw Kiper lead the rotation. Following Mendoza, the New York Jets selected Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese at No. 2, while the Arizona Cardinals took Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 3. The Tennessee Titans rounded out the top four by drafting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, who tied for the FBS lead in 2025 with 14.5 sacks.

Analysts acted as general managers, prioritizing personal rankings over league projections. At No. 5, the New York Giants selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to join quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Cleveland Browns followed at No. 6 with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who is the top-ranked player at his position for Matt Miller. Washington addressed a defense that allowed 8.1 yards per pass attempt last season—the third-worst mark in the NFL—by selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 7. The New Orleans Saints utilized the No. 8 pick on linebacker Sonny Styles, who was ranked fifth overall on Field Yates’ personal board.

Defensive Powerhouses and Skill Position Shifts

Oregon teammate Kenyon Sadiq joined the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9 as a future successor to Travis Kelce, who turns 37 next season. The Cincinnati Bengals upgraded their secondary at No. 10 with LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, while the Miami Dolphins selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 11 to replace the departed Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The Dallas Cowboys focused on their pass rush at No. 12 with Rueben Bain Jr., the ACC Defensive Player of the Year who recorded 9.5 sacks for Miami last season.

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson went to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 13, where he is currently ranked as Kiper's WR1. The Baltimore Ravens selected Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 14, a player who previously missed a full season due to a torn ACL. At No. 15, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor to their rotation. Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. moved to the New York Jets at No. 16 following a 2025 season featuring 13 touchdowns and an average of 7.3 yards after the catch.

Offensive Line Stability and Second Round Developments

The Detroit Lions selected Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling at No. 17, a prospect with 18 career starts. At No. 18, the Minnesota Vikings chose Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman as a replacement for Harrison Smith. Utah’s Spencer Fano, capable of playing all five line positions, went to the Chicago Bears at No. 19. The Dallas Cowboys doubled their investment in the edge position by taking Missouri’s Zion Young at No. 20, marking their third major offseason addition to the unit alongside Bain and trade acquisition Rashan Gary.

Pittsburgh addressed the departure of Isaac Seumalo at No. 21 by drafting Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, who has not allowed a sack since 2023. The Atlanta Falcons took Auburn edge Keldric Faulk at No. 22, while the Philadelphia Eagles selected Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 23 to mitigate the impact of Lane Johnson’s recent eight-game absence. Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor fell to the Cleveland Browns at No. 24. Rounding out the first round, the Chicago Bears took Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 25 to improve a run defense that allowed 5.0 yards per carry.

Quarterback Value and Depth in Round Two

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who made 15 starts in 2025, was selected by the New York Jets in the second round to develop behind Geno Smith. The Arizona Cardinals added Clemson edge T.J. Parker, while the Giants paired Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston with second-year quarterback Cam Ward. Georgia defensive lineman Christen Miller joined the Raiders to fit Rob Leonard’s new 3-4 defensive scheme. The Giants also added Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, Kiper’s No. 23 overall prospect, to play alongside Tremaine Edmunds.

In the latter half of the second round, the Houston Texans drafted Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis to play inside of tackle Braden Smith. The Browns continued their line overhaul with Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon. Miami added Utah tackle Caleb Lomu to bookend their line with Patrick Paul. San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson, who ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine, joined the Jets. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers replaced the retired Lavonte David with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., while the Atlanta Falcons gambled on Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, who is recovering from foot surgery after playing only 90 snaps in 2025.

Third Round Impact and Specialization

Kiper selected Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price for the Vikings to compete with 31-year-old Aaron Jones Sr. The Detroit Lions added Michigan edge Jaishawn Barham to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, standing 6-foot-4 with 4.37 speed, joined the Seahawks to complement DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Kentucky guard Jalen Farmer, who allowed zero sacks over 12 games last season.

Chicago bolstered their pass rush with Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton, who recorded 17 sacks over two years and 53 pressures in 2025. The Rams added Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, a defender with seven interceptions over three seasons. At tight end, Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers joined the Denver Broncos as a 32-year-old Evan Engram’s eventual replacement. Finally, Miami cornerback Keionte Scott joined the Seahawks after a 2025 campaign featuring 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, while the Cardinals took Miami quarterback Carson Beck to sit behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.