NFL Mock Draft Season Is Here and the First Round is Getting Wild

Free agency is done. Teams have made their big splashes in March. Now comes the part where everyone gets to play GM from their couch: the 2026 NFL Draft is weeks away, and the experts are already throwing out their predictions for Round 1. Mock draft season has kicked off in full force, and the projections are coming fast from all the major outlets.

The Consensus Picks Are Already Clear

Some slots in the first round barely have any debate. Take the Las Vegas Raiders at pick one. USA TODAY Sports, ESPN, and CBS Sports all agree on the same guy: QB Fernando Mendoza from Indiana. The national championship-winning Heisman Trophy winner is heading to Sin City, especially now that Kirk Cousins has joined the fold. ESPN called it "all but a done deal" at this point. That's as close to a lock as you get in April.

The New York Jets at two show a little more disagreement. USA TODAY and CBS both have Edge Arvell Reese from Ohio State, while ESPN is going with Edge David Bailey from Texas Tech. USA TODAY's take makes sense: finding a potentially dominant pass rusher at that spot is the right mix of value and talent. CBS isn't worried that Bailey's pro day workout was underwhelming either. They're looking at the tape, not the drills.

Trades and Big Questions Starting to Form

Things get interesting when you get to Arizona and Tennessee. USA TODAY is projecting a mock trade where Dallas swoops in at three to grab Edge David Bailey before the Cards make a move. It's a head-scratcher unless you think Arizona really missed out on a guy like Micah Parsons last year. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are getting a running back according to both USA TODAY and ESPN: RB Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. Why? Because giving QB Cam Ward, last year's top pick, a game-breaking back could jumpstart his development in a big way.

The Washington Commanders at seven have ESPN and USA TODAY locked in on LB Sonny Styles from Ohio State. The comparison is flattering: he's got the same traits as Fred Warner, who GM Adam Peters helped land in San Francisco. Washington gave up 6.0 yards per play in 2025 and needs the defense bolstered, so finding a linebacker who plays like Warner makes sense.

The mock draft season is ramping up and the first round is shaping up to be loaded with talent. Check back in with the latest projections as we get closer to draft day.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.