Fernando Mendoza is Going No. 1 and the Rest of Round 1 Is a Complete Mess

Here's the thing about the 2026 NFL Draft: everyone knows the first pick. Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders as their quarterback of the future. Done. No debate.

After that? Total chaos.

The Jets and Cardinals Could Blow Everything Up

The New York Jets are torn between two prospects with the No. 2 overall pick: David Bailey from Texas Tech and Arvell Reese from Ohio State. They're leaning toward Bailey as the more pro-ready edge rusher, which matters because Aaron Glenn needs an immediate impact player in his second year coaching a team that's already on the hot seat.

But here's where it gets wild. The Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 reportedly want to trade down to grab a right tackle, which would make sense. Except nobody's biting. So now they're seriously eyeing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if they stay put. Many scouts view Love as the draft's top overall player period, period. His power, speed, elusiveness, and pass-catching skills would give Mike LaFleur a true centerpiece to build an offense around.

The ripple effect matters. If the Jets grab Bailey, Reese falls to Tennessee at No. 4, where Robert Saleh would likely jump at adding him. His hybrid linebacker and edge rusher skill set has drawn Micah Parsons comparisons.

Why This Draft Feels Different

The first round is shaping up to be unpredictable because the talent pool is weaker than usual, and some top prospects are dealing with injury concerns. The Giants at No. 5 are caught between Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, but they're leaning Tyson because wide receiver carries more positional value. Fair point, though Tyson does have injury red flags.

The Browns might surprise everyone by taking Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at No. 6 as their first tackle off the board. At 6-7 and 352 pounds with rare movement skills, Proctor could be a top-tier left tackle if he improves his consistency.

We're hours away from finding out how this actually plays out. Mock drafts are guessing games anyway, but this year feels genuinely unpredictable in a way we haven't seen in a while.

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