Check out The Beast, The Athletic’s 2026 NFL Draft guide rating the top prospects.
The Athletic has stay protection of the 2026 NFL draft.
Buckle up.
The 2026 NFL Draft is lower than every week away and we’ve already seen our first huge twist, because the Cincinnati Bengals sent the No. 10 pick to the New York Giants for 28-year-old All-Pro defensive sort out Dexter Lawrence. It’s a transfer that changes a lot for each franchises, with potential speedy affect.
After some wobbly drafting through the Joe Burrow period, the Bengals have lastly decided to push their future chips into the middle in an try to maximize their famous person quarterback’s window. Whether or not Lawrence might be sufficient to make that occur shouldn’t be a query we are able to reply in the present day.
It’s additionally a query the Giants don’t care about, as New York is now in place to make an enormous splash forward of John Harbaugh’s first season with the franchise. With all that mentioned, let’s run by a fast top 10 mini-mock with the adjusted, post-trade draft order.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This continues to appear to be a protected wager, because the Raiders seem ready to make the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner their quarterback of the future. The resolution to usher in Kirk Cousins as each a veteran competitor and a seasoned mentor was one of many smartest pre-draft selections I’ve seen.
Cousins will assist push Mendoza early and have the opportunity (and, as historical past exhibits, keen) to present invaluable recommendation and perception to the rookie as his first 12 months progresses. The Raiders have a great distance to go, however this could be a terrific first step.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
There’s some debate over whether or not or not the Jets choose David Bailey over Reese right here, which is honest. Bailey is the higher cross rusher proper now. But Reese, for me, is the closest factor we’ve seen to Micah Parsons since Micah Parsons.
His potential as a positionless front-seven chaos creator feels very actual. And whereas Bailey is a extra polished cross rusher in the present day, I’m undecided we’ll have the opportunity to say that endlessly, as Reese has simply scratched the floor.
3. Arizona Cardinals: (*10*), edge, Texas Tech
The finest cross rusher within the draft, Bailey is a tick behind Reese for me on first and second down. On third down, nevertheless, Bailey’s higher proper now — which is why this could possibly be a troublesome name for the Jets.
Either means, the Cardinals are in line to snag a cross rusher who must be ready to present outcomes instantly. Bailey approached final season at Texas Tech like a professional and bought skilled outcomes. I’d anticipate one thing related in 2026.
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
If the Titans are going best-player-available, that is the transfer. Moreover, it is also a terrific addition for brand new coach Robert Saleh, who by no means had a expertise like Styles in the course of his Jets’ defenses. Is this excessive for an inside linebacker? Yes. Styles isn’t an extraordinary inside linebacker, although, and it’s not possible to ignore that.
5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
To be frank: The Giants hit the jackpot with this trade. New York was already in a terrific place to add expertise to an already intriguing younger roster earlier than Harbaugh’s first season. Now, the Giants can add two premium abilities to a hungry group. Love’s presence as a true three-down weapon with legit receiving capacity is ideal for Harbaugh-ball.
And if New York is hell-bent on touchdown Styles, it now has the capital to make it possible for occurs. This must be an thrilling draft for Giants followers.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Fano has been my OT1 since October. Francis Mauigoa’s return journey to Indianapolis for a medical recheck on his again solely solidifies this for me. I feel Fano is proficient sufficient to play both sort out spot within the NFL and doubtless both guard spot, too, if want be. A particular athlete.
7. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Jermod McCoy’s bodily potential is certainly tantalizing. But Delane, for me, is the most secure cornerback and essentially the most assured man-coverage defender within the draft. A managed ball hawk who could be very troublesome to idiot or stack, what you see is what you get right here — and he could possibly be among the many NFL’s top shelf at CB briefly order.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
When it comes to Ohio State broad receivers, individuals mustn’t overcomplicate issues. Tate’s 40 time was middling, however in case you’ve actually studied his tape you already knew that — and also you don’t actually care. Like present Saints WR and fellow former Buckeye Chris Olave, Tate is a well-schooled, full receiver prospect who will make an affect as a rookie.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
Another man I just about refuse to overcomplicate on this class is Bain. The size issues are actual, however solely to a degree. I choose Reese and Bailey as line of defense prospects over Bain, however the record stops there. His play power, violence and quickness off the snap render his arm drawback ineffective — greater than many understand. If you need to play him inside, he’ll dominate individuals there, too.
10. New York Giants (from CIN): Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
We’ve been operating by 2025 mocks for 4 months now and the 2 gamers I’ve been torn about slotting to New York at No. 5 have been Love and Downs. Two of my favourite X-factors on this draft, two gamers who can enter an NFL locker room and make an affect on Day 1. Thanks to the Bengals, the Giants now get each.
