The 2026 NFL Draft is still weeks away, but the buzz is already deafening. The NFL Scouting Combine just wrapped up in Indianapolis, where more than 300 prospects descended on Lucas Oil Stadium for drills, 40-yard dashes, medical exams, and face-to-face interviews with team personnel. With pro days scheduled across the country through March and early April — and free agency about to reshape team needs overnight — this is the most telling snapshot of where things stand right now.
Five first-round picks have already been traded, and a pair of bold proposed deals shake things up even further. Here is a full breakdown of all 64 projected picks across Rounds 1 and 2.
Round 1 Picks That Are Turning Heads
The first round opens with one of the most clear-cut selections in recent memory
- Pick 1 — Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana. The Raiders have not drafted a quarterback in the first round since 2007, but this one is a near-certainty. Mendoza brings elite accuracy, decision-making, and resilience — pairing him with tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty gives new head coach Klint Kubiak a dynamic offensive core to build around.
- Pick 2 — New York Jets — Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State. With Jermaine Johnson traded away, the Jets desperately need a defensive cornerstone. Reese’s explosiveness and block-deconstruction ability make him an immediate foundational piece.
- Pick 4 — Tennessee Titans — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami. Bain was the talk of the combine’s defensive line group. His hand power and versatility are a perfect match for coach Robert Saleh’s defense alongside All-Pro Jeffery Simmons.
- Pick 8 — New Orleans Saints — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. Widely considered the best player in this entire draft, Love posted 39 runs of 10-plus yards in 2025 — fourth best in the FBS. He gives quarterback Tyler Shough a true offensive weapon.
- Pick 9 — Kansas City Chiefs — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. The Chiefs need a receiver who can beat man coverage, and Tate delivers. With only one drop on 67 targets last season, his hands are arguably the best in this class.
- Pick 29 — Kansas City Chiefs — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee. With Trent McDuffie now in Los Angeles, the Chiefs plug their cornerback hole with McCoy — a top-10 talent returning from an ACL tear who is expected to work out fully at Tennessee’s pro day on March 31.
Bold Trades That Shake Up the Board
Two proposed trades add serious drama to the first round
- The Jets trade up from No. 16 to No. 12, sending Dallas a first-rounder, a fourth, and a seventh to land wide receiver Makai Lemon from USC — a versatile, elusive playmaker who averaged 96.3 receiving yards per game last season.
- The Cardinals trade back into Round 1 at No. 28, acquiring the spot from Houston to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson — a move triggered by the expected departure of Kyler Murray.
Round 2 Sleepers Worth Watching
The second round is loaded with value, particularly at positions teams neglected in Round 1
- Pick 33 — New York Jets — Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina. A hyperathletic corner just scratching the surface of his potential.
- Pick 40 — Kansas City Chiefs — T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson. Fits exactly the mold of pass rusher Kansas City has historically targeted.
- Pick 42 — New Orleans Saints — Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama. A versatile playmaker who can line up anywhere, including the backfield.
- Pick 50 — Detroit Lions — Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame. After trading David Montgomery, the Lions need a physical back to complement Jahmyr Gibbs.
- Pick 57 — Chicago Bears — Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State. Safety is arguably Chicago’s biggest need, and Wheatley is an underrated free safety ready to contribute immediately.
- Pick 64 — Seattle Seahawks — Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas. If Kenneth Walker III prices himself out of Seattle, Washington is cut from a similar cloth — physical, fast, and comfortable as a pass catcher.
Why This NFL Draft Class Stands Apart
This year’s class is defined by its depth at edge rusher and cornerback, two positions where teams can find legitimate starters well into Day 2. Quarterback remains the glamour position, but the real story of the 2026 draft may be how many franchises walk away with immediate defensive starters in the second round — the kind of value that separates good front offices from great ones.
Draft night kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh. Between free agency, pro days, and pre-draft visits, the board will shift — but right now, this is where things stand.
Source: ESPN
