2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Rams take QB to learn from Matthew Stafford
The first wave of free agency is in the books.With teams across the NFL spending an incredible amount of money to fill needs, everyone is starting to turn their attention to the draft.Here is a look at our first mock draft, following the opening week of free agency:Everything the Raiders have done thus far this offseason points to them drafting Mendoza, whom they envision as their long-awaited franchise quarterback, and making sure the infrastructure around him is supportive enough to help him reach his ceiling.
He is the perfect quarterback for what the Raiders and Tom Brady want that position to be.Conventional wisdom says you don’t draft an off-ball linebacker this high in the draft, but this is not a conventional draft with a number of the top players playing non-premium positions.It’s on the Jets to figure out how best to utilize this dynamic playmaker.They desperately need a tackle, but there aren’t any good enough at this point in the draft.
They need their long-range quarterback, but Ty Simpson would be a massive reach — although a trade down to grab Simpson later in the first round could be a possibility.Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in the draft.Tennessee has needs all over the roster, but the Titans did a decent job in free agency to address the defense, so this figures to be an offensive player to give young quarterback Cam Ward a weapon to play alongside.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is a possibility, but Love is arguably the best player in the draft and a certified playmaker.The pick comes down to a trio of Ohio State stars: Styles, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate.All three have unicorn tendencies, but with Styles, the tape doesn’t lie and the athletic ability is freakish.
He gives new Giants coach John Harbaugh a multifaceted defensive weapon to unleash.The Browns still have a million questions at quarterback but will have to wait until the much stronger 2027 draft to try to land their long-term guy....