2026 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders Grab Mendoza No. 1 as QBs, Edges and RBs Dominate Volatile Top 10

PITTSBURGH — With the 2026 NFL Draft set to open Thursday at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, the Las Vegas Raiders are poised to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, according to the near-unanimous consensus of scouts, executives and mock drafts released in the final days before the event.

Mendoza, a 6-foot-5 redshirt junior who threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2025, has emerged as the clear top prospect in a class defined by intriguing but polarizing talent at the quarterback, edge rusher and running back positions. Multiple mock drafts from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., NFL.com, CBS Sports and Tankathon project the Raiders taking the big-armed passer to anchor a rebuild under new coach Klint Kubiak.

The 2026 draft order reflects the league's bottom feeders from the 2025 season. The Raiders (3-14), New York Jets (3-14), Arizona Cardinals (3-14) and Tennessee Titans (3-14) hold the top four selections, with tiebreakers and strength of schedule determining the exact sequence. Several teams, including the New York Giants, have already made notable moves, such as trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 pick, injecting extra volatility into the first round.

Beyond Mendoza, the top 10 remains fluid. Many mocks slot Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge David Bailey at No. 2 for the Jets, who desperately need pass-rush help. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, viewed by some as one of the best pure rushers to enter the league in years, frequently appears in the top five for teams like the Titans or Giants. Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa also draw significant first-round buzz.

Kiper's latest two-round mock has the Raiders taking Mendoza first, followed by the Jets selecting Bailey, the Cardinals landing Reese and the Titans grabbing Love. Other projections vary slightly, with some sending Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson or additional edge prospects into the upper half of the first round. Scouts describe this class as deep in skill-position talent but thinner at premium positions compared with recent years, leading to aggressive trading speculation.

The Raiders' selection of Mendoza would mark a clear pivot. After years of quarterback instability, the franchise appears ready to invest in a developmental prospect with starter upside. Mendoza's size, accuracy and poise in the pocket have drawn comparisons to a taller version of early-career Justin Herbert, though questions linger about his athleticism and ability to improvise under pressure.

For the Jets, the choice at No. 2 centers on defensive impact. Arvell Reese, a twitchy off-ball linebacker with edge-rush traits, or David Bailey, a productive pass rusher from Texas Tech, would address a clear weakness. New York's secondary and offensive line also need attention, but most analysts expect the team to prioritize the front seven early.

Arizona at No. 3 and Tennessee at No. 4 face similar dilemmas. The Cardinals could target edge help or offensive line reinforcement, while the Titans might view Love as a three-down back capable of transforming their run game. Love's combination of vision, burst and receiving skills has some executives comparing him favorably to Saquon Barkley or Bijan Robinson.

Further down the order, the Giants (picking at No. 5 and potentially No. 10 after the Lawrence trade) have flexibility to double-dip on defense or add offensive weapons. Cleveland, Washington and other early picks are expected to target offensive tackles, cornerbacks or interior linemen to support young quarterbacks or shore up porous units.

Trades could shake up the board. Mock drafts frequently project the Dallas Cowboys or other contenders moving up for defensive playmakers or a developmental quarterback. One scenario has the Giants trading back into the first round or multiple teams swapping picks to secure favorite prospects before compensatory selections complicate later rounds.

Beyond the top 10, several storylines will dominate the three-day event. Quarterback depth is considered solid but not elite after Mendoza, with Ty Simpson and others potentially sliding into the late first or early second round. Wide receivers like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State and others could hear their names called early, reflecting the premium placed on skill-position talent in today's pass-heavy NFL.

Defensive backs, particularly cornerbacks such as Mansoor Delane from LSU, and safeties like Ohio State's Caleb Downs also feature prominently in projections. Offensive line prospects, including Miami's Francis Mauigoa, are expected to come off the board steadily as teams address protection for their quarterbacks.

The draft's location in Pittsburgh adds local flavor. The Steelers, picking later in the first round, will look to bolster their roster around quarterback Russell Wilson or his successor while leveraging the hometown crowd. NFL legends and active players are scheduled to announce selections in Rounds 2 and 3, adding ceremonial excitement.

Analysts note the 2026 class lacks a generational talent at the very top but offers strong value in the middle rounds. Running backs, often devalued in recent drafts, could buck the trend if Love or others deliver immediate production. Edge rushers and interior defenders remain priorities for rebuilding franchises.

For teams with multiple first-round picks, including the Giants and potentially others via trades, the focus will be on best-player-available strategies versus strict need. The compensatory pick system and future draft capital considerations will influence decisions, especially for contenders eyeing short-term windows.

Scouting reports highlight Mendoza's leadership and football IQ as intangibles that could accelerate his transition. Reese's versatility allows him to play multiple roles in modern defenses. Love's elusiveness and power make him a potential bell-cow back in an era when committees dominate.

As the clock ticks toward Thursday night, general managers and coaches are finalizing big boards and trade charts. The Raiders appear locked in on Mendoza, but the rest of the top 10 carries genuine uncertainty, with as many as 15-20 players in play for early selections.

The event will unfold over three days: Round 1 on April 23, Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25. Television coverage on ESPN, ABC, NFL Network and ESPN Deportes will bring every pick to fans nationwide, while social media buzz will track risers, sliders and surprise reaches.

This draft represents a fresh start for several franchises mired in mediocrity. The Raiders, Jets, Cardinals and Titans all hope their top selections can anchor long-term contention. Success stories from past drafts — where mid-first-round picks became stars — remind teams that value often hides beyond the obvious names.

Whether Mendoza becomes the face of the Raiders' rebuild or Love reinvents the running back position, the 2026 class will shape NFL rosters for years. With Pittsburgh hosting and the football world watching, the stage is set for drama, deals and new beginnings when the first name is called Thursday night.