2026 NFL mock draft: Is this the year Raiders grab QB of the future?
Published in Football
LAS VEGAS — The Raiders didn’t expect to be 2-5 going into their bye week.
Coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek were supposed to breathe new life into the organization. Instead, the Raiders are in the midst of another lost season.
That means, once again, fans will spend most of the second half of the campaign thinking about the draft instead of playoff scenarios. So here’s an early look at how the first round could play out in April, based on current records:
1. New York Jets
— Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Jets owner Woody Johnson openly complained about his team’s quarterback play at the NFL meetings in New York this week, so it’s a safe bet his club will be in the market for a passer. Mendoza isn’t a lock to be the first quarterback taken, but he gets the nod here for now.
2. Miami Dolphins
— Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (Florida)
The Dolphins have all kinds of holes to fill. Here they take a potential impact player from right down the road.
3. New Orleans Saints
— T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
The Saints could take another shot at a quarterback here, but there may not be one that interests them this early.
4. Tennessee Titans
— Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Titans have to get quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, some protection. And some more weapons. He needs help.
5. Baltimore Ravens
— Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Ravens won’t be picking this high when the season ends. But for now, they could look to bolster a defensive front that’s been awful this year.
6. Cleveland Browns
— Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Browns are another team that could dip their toes in the quarterback market, but instead they choose to add a strong weapon on the outside.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
— Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
There’s a reason some quarterback-needy teams didn’t take one ahead of the Raiders’ pick. It’s not a great draft for potential franchise passers.
Still, the Raiders have to do something at the position, just to give their fans some hope.
Moore has looked great at times and pedestrian at others. He has elite accuracy but is not super mobile. Other quarterbacks could emerge before the draft, but the bottom line for the Raiders is they need to find a successor for Geno Smith.
8. New York Giants
— Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Florida)
The Giants appear to have hit on quarterback Jaxson Dart, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Now they have to make sure he’s protected.
9. Arizona Cardinals
— Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese could be a good fit for coach Jonathan Gannon’s system. Assuming Gannon survives after a 2-5 start.
10. Houston Texans
— Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
It’s pretty tough to tell if quarterback C.J. Stroud is regressing for the Texans or if he’s just running for his life every week. Proctor would help Houston find out.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
— Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The Bengals have to keep loading up on impactful defensive players. Maybe some offensive linemen, too. But defensive help should be a priority.
12. Washington Commanders
— Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Commanders have gotten decent safety play, but they need more bodies in the secondary with some contracts coming up. Downs could be too good to pass on.
13. Minnesota Vikings
— Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Running back Jordan Mason is signed for another year, but Love would give quarterback J.J. McCarthy another playmaker to lean on as he grows into the offense.
14. Dallas Cowboys
— David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Cowboys are under a lot of pressure to find a replacement for Micah Parsons after he was traded to the Packers. Bailey probably can’t fill those shoes, but he will help Dallas’ pass rush.
15. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
— Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Matthew Stafford can’t play forever, can he? If the Rams do need to look for a replacement, Simpson has worked his way into the conversation for best quarterback in this class.
16. Carolina Panthers
— LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
This is probably Downs’ floor, as he would be a great fit for the Panthers. Carolina, since he’s off the board, goes with the best defensive player available.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
— Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Chiefs’ top three cornerbacks will all have their contracts expire in the next two years. Kansas City is going to need reinforcements.
18. Chicago Bears
— Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Bears have been atrocious against the run this year. Banks is going to be a star during the draft process, as he has freakish athleticism for a player listed at 330 pounds.
19. Browns (from Jaguars)
— Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Browns traded the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, which the Jaguars used to select two-way standout Travis Hunter, to get another first-round pick this year. Here Cleveland uses their two first-round picks to select a wide receiver and a cornerback. Oh, the irony.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
— Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The Chargers started to address their pass rush by trading with the Ravens for Odafe Oweh, but they still need to add depth on the edge.
21. Buffalo Bills
— Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Bills took cornerback Max Hairston in the first round of the 2025 draft, but he has yet to play in a game due to a knee injury. Buffalo probably needs more help in the secondary even when Hairston gets healthy.
22. Seattle Seahawks
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
— The Seahawks have done a good job investing in their offensive line and may be a guard away from a standout unit. Ioane could be Seattle’s missing piece.
23. Rams
— Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein is getting older and has an expiring contract. Lomu could be his replacement.
24. Detroit Lions
— Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
The Lions have been looking for the perfect partner for star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Uiagalelei could be it.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
— Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Steelers need another weapon to play alongside wide receiver DK Metcalf. Though there’s always a chance Pittsburgh adds one before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
26. Denver Broncos
— Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Coach Sean Payton wants a tight end for quarterback Bo Nix to work with. The Broncos tried Evan Engram, but he and Nix haven’t clicked.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
— Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles could be a perfect long-term replacement for linebacker Lavonte David. The only question with him is whether a team picking earlier falls in love with him.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
— Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Eagles need a running mate for cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Hood could fit the bill.
29. New England Patriots
— Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate is too good to still be on the board here. The Patriots wouldn’t pass up the chance to take him and give quarterback Drake Maye another weapon.
30. San Francisco 49ers
— Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn
Lew suffered a season-ending knee injury last week and it will be interesting to see how that affects his draft stock.
31. Cowboys (from Packers)
— Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
The Cowboys, after addressing their need at edge rusher earlier, bolster their interior with this pick. Their defense could use the help.
32. Indianapolis Colts
— A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
The Colts are looking for more playmakers on defense. Harris matches that description.
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