The 2026 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and the mock draft machine is running at full speed. With Pittsburgh set to host the three-day event from April 23 to 25, analysts across the league are locking in their boldest first-round predictions — and some of the most surprising moves involve two franchises hungry for a reset.
Here is what the latest mock draft projections are saying about the most talked-about picks heading into draft night.
Fernando Mendoza Goes No. 1 — No Debate
Indiana Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, heading to the Las Vegas Raiders with the arm, poise, and decision-making to step in immediately under head coach Klint Kubiak’s timing-based system.
That part of the mock draft is settled. What comes next is where things get genuinely interesting.
The Cardinals Pull Off Not One But Two Surprises
Arizona enters this draft in the middle of a full rebuild — and the mock draft community cannot agree on what the Cardinals will do with the No. 3 pick. That uncertainty is exactly what makes them the most compelling team in Round 1.
In the latest Yahoo Sports mock draft, the Cardinals are projected to draft offensive lineman Monroe Freeling — a bold call that bets on protecting the pocket long-term — before later trading back into the first round to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, gambling on his upside as a potential franchise starter.
Simpson suffered an injury that slowed the back half of his final college season, but the thinking is that pre-injury levels of play could make him a capable starter — enough for Arizona to secure fifth-year option control of his rookie deal.
Two first-round picks. Two completely different positions. Two massive bets on a franchise that desperately needs both stability and a spark.
Giants Make a Backfield Move at No. 5
New head coach John Harbaugh arrives in New York with a well-known philosophy — run the ball, win the line of scrimmage, and play suffocating defense. The mock draft projections reflect exactly that.
One prominent projection has the Giants selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 5, pairing him in the backfield alongside Cam Skattebo to give Harbaugh the ground game he has always built winning teams around.
With Skattebo coming off a significant leg injury, adding Love gives New York insurance and explosiveness — and if Malik Nabers returns to his rookie-year production, the Giants would suddenly have a genuinely exciting group of young offensive playmakers.
Not every analyst agrees on this pick. Other mock drafts have the Giants going defense — specifically targeting safety Caleb Downs, who would be the highest-drafted safety since Eric Berry in 2010 and would immediately address a secondary that ranked 25th in turnovers last season.
Either way, the Giants are making noise in Round 1.
Other Bold Picks Worth Watching
The Cardinals and Giants are not the only teams drawing attention in first-round projections. Here are more picks generating buzz:
- The Commanders are projected to select Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love at No. 4 in several mocks, pairing his 4.36 speed with Jayden Daniels to create one of the most dynamic offensive combinations in the league
- The Titans are projected to take Love as high as No. 4, making him one of the rare running backs selected in the top five since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 in 2018
- Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese is projected inside the top five in multiple mock drafts, bringing elite pass-rush potential to teams desperate for a dominant defensive presence
- The Browns hold two first-round picks and are widely projected to address both offensive tackle and wide receiver — two of their most glaring roster needs heading into 2026
What to Watch on Draft Night
The 2026 NFL Mock Draft cycle has been unusually chaotic — and that is a good thing for fans. Five teams hold multiple first-round selections, trades are expected throughout the night, and the Cardinals remain the single most unpredictable team on the board.
With the NCAA tournament and The Masters now in the rearview, the full attention of the football world is shifting toward Pittsburgh — and the first round of this draft is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
Draft night is April 23. The boldest predictions are already on the table — now it is time to see who gets it right.
Source: Yahoo Sports
