The NFL Draft is about three and a half weeks away and the mock drafts continue to come out. This rookie class isn’t the strongest we’ve seen but production and effectiveness can be found. I don’t see a ton of superstar talent, but there are key pieces here that can help your team get over the hump. Below is a list of the top 10 picks in my first 2026 NFL mock draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders- QB Fernando Mendoza-Indiana
Biggest needs: QB, WR, OL, DL, CB
The biggest need for the Las Vegas Raiders now is a franchise quarterback. Fernando Mendoza should be the pick here. Mendoza has all the tools to run an NFL offense. He lacks elite arm strength, but he can still make the throws and has excellent decision-making and touch on his throws.
When it comes to his fantasy football outlook, I believe Mendoza could be a very solid secondary quarterback in a Superflex league. I think he could be worth a later round flyer in a redraft league. At his peak, Fernando Mendoza could be like Matt Ryan which is great news for Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty owners as well. He should be able to make more consistent throws to Bowers and should be able to help push the defense back for Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders will still need to add pieces to help him do this. The offensive line really needs to be built up to protect both Mendoza and Jeanty. More wide receivers need to be added as well to give him more reliable targets outside of Brock Bowers. I see them really targeting the offensive line and wide receivers with their picks to follow.
2. New York Jets- LB/Edge Arvell Reese-Ohio State
Biggest needs: QB, Edge, WR, CB, OL
The biggest need for the Jets right now is a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for them, after Fernando Mendoza there really isn’t anyone worth the pick at this point in the draft. However, Arvell Reese is not just a consolation prize.
Arvell Reese is going to be a menace to any offense from day one. He has the ability to play the linebacker position and excel at it. He can be moved all over the defense and rush the passer, play the run, and set the edge. His flexibility would allow the Jets to bring in talent around him and just move him around as they need him. He is a versatile game changer in the mold of Micah Parsons.
Arvell Reese’s effect on fantasy football may not be felt as much right out of the gate. The Jets have a lot of needs, but they hold two first-round picks in this year’s draft and three in next year’s draft. If they build around Reese, this defense could be a problem for fantasy players. Right out of the gate Reese could cause some issues for your fantasy quarterbacks if they are deploying him as an edge rusher. He could also prevent your running backs from having an elite day if he is deployed more as a run stopper or edge setter.
3. Arizona Cardinals- Edge David Bailey-Texas Tech
Biggest needs: QB, OL, Edge, DL, LB
The Cardinals have many directions in which they could go. However, there is not a quarterback or offensive lineman in this class worth this selection with the players still on the board. With that being the case, I think Arizona turns to edge rusher David Bailey of Texas Tech. Bailey has the skill set to cause havoc at the line of scrimmage. He has the power to bull rush and push linemen back and the quickness to mix in finesse moves.
Like Arvelle Reese, I think the Cardinals need to add more pieces around Bailey for them to have a big impact on any fantasy players in your lineup, but Bailey could make the day a little more difficult on your fantasy quarterbacks. He is mainly used as a pass rusher and may not affect the run quite as much as Reese but will make some plays on your running backs.
4. Tennessee Titans- RB Jeremiyah Love-Notre Dame
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, WR, RB, LB
Tennessee could use help on both sides of the ball, but I think the most important thing is to try to build around last year’s first-round pick Cam Ward. You can do this in multiple ways. An offensive lineman could be added to help keep pressure off the young quarterback, or a wide receiver could be added to give him another target. I believe at this point in the draft, the best thing that they could do for him is add the most talented offensive player in the draft.
Jeremiyah Love is one of those rare workhorse running backs. He can run inside, run outside, and catch the ball out of the backfield. Adding him helps to keep the defense honest. Defenses will be forced to play the run which could give Ward a little more time to dissect the defense. Love could also help control the flow of the game and should make plenty of big plays for the offense.
When it comes to fantasy football, this is the number one player in this draft class. You are immediately getting a top end dynasty running back in Love. He is the consensus number one pick in rookie drafts. Most teams picking at the number one spot are rebuilding teams and the shelf life of a running back is usually short, so I can understand people going with Fernando Mendoza as he provides a larger window of production to build around. However, if you have a more established team Jeremiah Love is the no-brainer pick.
5. New York Giants- LB Sonny Styles-Ohio State
Biggest needs: OL, DL, WR, LB, CB
John Harbaugh is taking over as the New York Giants head coach. Throughout his long career as a head coach in Baltimore, there is one thing he always had. A general in the middle of the field. He went from Ray Lewis to C.J. Mosely and eventually to Roquan Smith. There were a few years of patchwork in that position in between, but this is definitely a position that he values.
The Giants selection of Sonny Styles would bring a true young leader to this defense. Styles can line up the defensive front and make all the adjustments that are needed before the play starts. He is explosive and possesses great speed for a player of his position. He can get sideline to sideline and has the versatility to play the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage. Sonny Styles is a physical finisher and will strike fear into opposing offenses, especially behind the defensive front that the Giants have built the past few years.
From a fantasy perspective this move could be a nightmare for any fantasy players playing against the Giants defense. It could transform their front into a pack of wolves hunting prey. Quarterbacks will not be able to get comfortable and running backs will have a hard time breaking loose.
6. Cleveland Browns- WR Carnell Tate-Ohio State
Biggest needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, Edge
The Browns top needs are quarterback, offensive line, and wide receiver. There are no quarterbacks or offensive linemen that I feel are worth the value here. I think they can wait and get a similar offensive lineman later in the first round with their other pick. So here they go with the top wide receiver in the class and give their young quarterbacks a valid target to help them shine. This should be a big year for the two young quarterbacks that they selected last year. If they don’t seem to be working out after this season, next year’s quarterback class is a very talented one.
Carnell Tate adds an immediate threat to the passing game. He doesn’t have top-line speed, but he has enough speed to win on vertical routes mixed with a savvy route-running ability, allowing him to get open on short and intermediate routes. He can beat press coverage and has great body control which allows him to make great sideline catches. He has strong hands, can make adjustments on the ball and high points the ball when it is in the air.
Carnell Tate has the ability to be a solid starting wide receiver for a fantasy football team. I don’t see this class as being full of top-tier talent, but I think Tate can be a similar player to a healthy Chris Olave.
7. Washington Commanders- Edge Rueben Bain Jr.-Miami
Biggest needs: WR, CB, Edge, OL, RB
I think the biggest need for the Commanders is another weapon for star quarterback Jayden Daniels, but wide receiver is one of the deeper positions in this draft class and they can attack that need a little later. When a player with the collegiate production of Reuben Bain Jr. drops into your lap you run that card up to the table.
Not too long ago it seemed like Reuben Bain Jr. would go second overall in the draft. Then we got to the combine and his measurements came out. Bain’s arm length will hurt his draft stock. His arms are historically short, which even with his production in college makes him a risk. Most pass rushers with short arms (no matter the ability shown in college) end up flopping at the NFL level. Rueben Bain seems to be a guy that could buck that trend.
Bain has a unique ability to disguise his speed-to-power change, surprising offensive linemen. He has violent hands and incredible power which allows him to knock linemen back and manipulate them in tight spaces.
Reuben Bain can cause havoc at the line of scrimmage, both against the run and disturbing the passer. He may make it a rough day for fantasy running backs and he may leave quarterbacks unsettled in the pocket making them rush throws and take sacks.
8. New Orleans Saints- WR Makai Lemon-USC
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, DL, OL
The Saints are in need of more talent around Tyler Shough. As a second-round pick in last year’s draft they need to give him a real opportunity to show what he can do. Chris Olave is a talent at receiver, but he has a hard time staying on the field. Enter Makai Lemon.
Lemon is average in size, but a very tough receiver. He is not afraid to go across the middle and make plays. His route running is fluid and clean, allowing him to manipulate defenders. Lemon possesses good burst and elite ball tracking ability. Makai Lemon has drawn comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the similarities are noticeable in their gameplay.
Makai Lemon could be a fantasy stud. As mentioned above he has been compared to Amon-Ra St. Brown. He is primarily a slot receiver, but he will work the field and get open. He should rack up plenty of points in PPR leagues and would be a great safety valve and red zone target for quarterback Tyler Shough.
9. Kansas City Chiefs- OT Francis Mauigoa-Miami
Biggest needs: CB, WR, Edge, DL, OL
The first thing you need to do as an organization is protect your most valuable asset. Patrick Mahomes was unable to finish the season last year. Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in the week 15 matchup against the Chargers. The Chiefs released offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and could fill this hole with Francis Mauigoa.
Mauigoa is the top offensive lineman in this draft class, and you can plug him in at right tackle immediately. He has a thick build and can bully people at the line of scrimmage. He uses his hips well to generate power and clear out lanes.
Mauigoa should help give Patrick Mahomes more time in the pocket and allow him to get the ball to Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. The Chiefs went out and got Kenneth Walker III in free agency and Mauigoa should open big running lanes for him to really elevate his fantasy value.
10. Cincinnati Bengals-OL Spencer Fano-Utah
Biggest needs: DL, LB, OL, DB, Edge
Do you think the Bengals are tired of using their backup quarterbacks yet? Starter Joe Burrow hasn’t had a healthy season since 2022. The Bengals have failed miserably in putting a quality offensive line in front of their star quarterback and that needs to be the top priority at this point.
This would be a dream scenario for Spencer Fano to fall to the Bengals. Fano is a versatile lineman that can play any position on the line. He was a three-year starter for Utah and played both left and right tackle. However, I think his best football at the NFL level will be played as a guard. The Bengals can start him at guard from day one and move him around as needed.
Fano has great footwork, and athleticism, allowing him to both stay with blocks and get out on pulls very well to lead blocks down the field. Fano does lack top-notch strength and will need to get in the weight room and develop some more power to become the complete package.
Fano could have a major impact on fantasy football. He can help to keep Joe Burrow upright and healthy, which helps both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to produce at their highest levels. He could also be a very good run blocker for Chase Brown. Brown is known for being able to catch and run with the ball and get outside. Fano’s excellent footwork will allow him to get out and block on the edge for Chase, while also clearing holes up the middle.
That wraps up the top 10 selections in my Mock Draft 1.0. Selections 11 through 21 will be coming out very soon. Keep an eye out for that article as some selections may surprise you.
Continue to picks 11-21 here!
Check out more NFL related articles here.
Check out my rookie fantasy rankings here.
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