The New Orleans Saints’ decision to draft Fernando Mendoza signals a seismic shift in the NFL, echoing the chaos of political upheaval as teams scramble to redefine their futures amidst uncertainty and desperation, while the Jets’ ambition to build a formidable QB-WR duo ignites fierce debates over franchise identities and directions.
The NFL season has reached a critical juncture as the midway point approaches, and with the conclusion of the trade deadline for the 2025 season, teams are now turning their attention to the 2026 NFL Draft. The excitement and tension surrounding the draft reflect the high stakes involved, as franchises seek to secure their futures by acquiring top talent from the collegiate ranks. With the college football season nearing its playoff phase, the draft order and prospect rankings are beginning to take shape, offering a clearer picture of team needs and potential selections.
The New Orleans Saints, having struggled with quarterback stability, are projected to select Fernando Mendoza, a standout QB from Indiana. Mendoza’s impressive physical attributes—standing at 6’5″ and weighing 225 pounds—coupled with a breakout season, make him an attractive option for a franchise in need of a new face under center. The Saints have been evaluating their options following the underwhelming performances of Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough, leaving the door open for Mendoza to step in as a franchise-defining player. His strong arm and ability to make plays could be the fresh start the Saints are looking for, especially if they can lure homegrown talent Arch Manning to rethink his decision regarding the NFL draft.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are set to bolster their defense with Rueben Bain Jr., an EDGE rusher from Miami. After selecting quarterback Cam Ward first overall in the previous draft, the Titans are now focused on enhancing their defensive lineup. Bain’s versatility and dynamic pass-rushing skills have made him a top prospect, and his addition promises to provide the Titans with the edge they need to compete in a challenging AFC South.
The New York Jets are in a similar position, looking to solidify their future with a new quarterback. Dante Moore from Oregon is projected to be their pick, showcasing leadership and big-play ability that could revitalize the Jets’ offense. Moore’s accuracy and poise under pressure make him a strong candidate to take the reins as the franchise quarterback, instilling hope for Jets fans who have long awaited success.
The Miami Dolphins, while still considering their quarterback situation, are projected to select Peter Woods from Clemson. The defensive tackle brings considerable strength and quickness, vital for reinforcing the Dolphins’ defensive front against the run. As the team evaluates the future of Tua Tagovailoa, securing a strong defensive presence could prove beneficial regardless of the quarterback situation.
In New York, the Giants are projected to select offensive tackle Spencer Fano from Utah. The Giants’ offensive line has faced challenges in run blocking and pass protection, and Fano’s athleticism and blocking prowess could be the solution they need to protect their quarterback, potentially Jaxson Dart, and improve their offensive efficiency.
The Cleveland Browns are also in search of a new quarterback and are expected to take Ty Simpson from Alabama. With a strong arm and a knack for making plays under pressure, Simpson’s addition could be a game-changer for a franchise desperate to break free from its historical struggles.
As teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals look to enhance their rosters, the 2026 Draft offers a wealth of talent. The Raiders are projected to select Jordyn Tyson, a wide receiver from Arizona State, to bolster their receiving corps after recent trades. Meanwhile, the Bengals are eyeing Caleb Downs, a safety from Ohio State, to shore up their defense and address weaknesses in run support and coverage.
The Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Rams also have pressing needs that they hope to address through the draft, with edge rushers and cornerbacks among their primary targets. Teams are making strategic decisions that reflect their current standings and aspirations, ensuring that the 2026 NFL Draft will be a pivotal moment for many franchises.
The draft not only impacts team rosters but also the landscape of the league, as teams make bold moves to secure their future and redefine their identities. As the playoff picture begins to take shape and the trade rumors swirl, the anticipation for the draft grows, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling event in Pittsburgh next April.
NFL Mock Draft 2026: Jets find next QB-WR duo, Saints land Fernando Mendoza in latest projections originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL season is past its halfway point, as the NFL trade deadline has passed for the 2025 season. The college football season is nearing the playoffs, while the NFL playoff picture is also coming into focus.
Which means, it’s starting to become clear which teams need to think about what they want to do in the 2026 draft.
With a remixed order and the top prospects in flux, here’s Sporting News’ third set of first-round projections for what will go down next April 23 in Pittsburgh:
MORE WEEK 10 NFL:
NFL Mock Draft 2026
(No. 1-18 order courtesy of Tankathon; No. 19-32 from Week 9 playoff picture)
1. New Orleans Saints
-
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds)
The Saints are taking a look at Tyler Shough after confirming Spencer Rattler isn’t the answer as the franchise QB. They will still hope that hometown hero Arch Manning changes his mind and decides to come out, but if not, they need to go after this strong breakout passer
2. Tennessee Titans
-
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-3, 275 pounds)
After going to the Hurricanes to take QB Cam Ward at No. 1 overall in 2025, the Titans go for some needed punch for the defense with the dynamic, versatile defender who has emerged as the best pass rusher in the cast.
3. New York Jets
-
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (6-3, 206 pounds)
Moore has lived up to his recruiting hype with his savvy, big-play ability, and leadership skills. He can make all the throws with accuracy from short to intermediate to deep. He has the makeup to handle the responsibility of being the next franchise QB shot.
MORE: Ranking Jets best QB options in next two NFL Drafts
4. Miami Dolphins
-
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-3, 315 pounds)
The Dolphins still might get into the QB run depending on what happens with Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel, but for now, they also need a ton of help defensively, starting with beefing up vs. the run. Woods is powerful in that facet and also has some quickness to rush the passer inside.
5. New York Giants
- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Fano can help the Giants‘ run blocking either outside or inside, likely at right tackle, given his pass-protecting upside to upgrade the Andrew Thomas bookend for Jaxson Dart.
6. Cleveland Browns
-
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (6-2, 208 pounds)
Simpson is a strong-armed and accurate pocket passer with the dash of athleticism to remind some of Joe Burrow. He could handle playing in the weather of Cleveland and provide a lot of hope to break their continuing curse, a second shot at a Baker Mayfield type.
MORE: Everything to know about Alabama QB Ty Simpson’s family
7. Las Vegas Raiders
-
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 200)
The Raiders need to invest more in wide receiver after trading Jakobi Meyers to the Jaguars vs. choosing to extend him. Tyson can turn into a smooth go-to guy all over the field in the Jaxon Smith-Njigba vein.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
-
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Bengals need someone who sets the table and cleans up the defense at any leve,l and going from Cincy to Columbus to land Downs to help solve their myriad problems vs. the run and inside coverage makes a ton of sense.
9. Washington Commanders
-
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-3, 265 pounds)
Dan Quinn needs to further boost his defense after the aging dropoff in 2025. Parker is quick and instinctual to be active and productive right away in the Commanders‘ scheme.
10. Baltimore Ravens
-
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
Reese has shot up boards because of showing awesome versatility in the Buckeyes’ defense under Matt Patricia, an instinctive, rangy cover ace who is also showing some major impact vs. the run.
11. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
-
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 193 pounds)
The Rams have built a strong, youthful defensive front seven but cornerback remains a weakness behind it. McCoy is a size cover man with zone versatility and big-play ability for their scheme.
MORE: Full list of every deal completed on deadline day
12. Arizona Cardinals
-
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 214 pounds)
The James Conner complete breakdown was getting inevitable with his volume, wear and age and the Cardinals need to clean up the running game with a powerful home-run hitter with underrated receiving skills.
13. Houston Texans
- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)
The Texans tried to throw some duct tape to protect C.J. Stroud in 2025. Mauigoa can clean up that with his natural athleticism and also improve their run blocking.
14. Dallas Cowboys
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 285 pounds)
After trading for former Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the Cowboys can further boost their pass rush to help replace Micah Parsons as part of their huge defensive rebuild.
15. Minnesota Vikings
- Caleb Banks, DT. Florida (6-6, 330 pounds)
The Vikings will think a lot about the best defensive player available for their scheme. Banks is a massive presence against the run and keeps showing more upside as a disruptive inside pass rusher.
16. Carolina Panthers
- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 190 pounds)
The Panthers could use a cornerback to complement Jaycee Horn in their fast-improving complete defense. Delane has a ton of great coverage qualities and can round into a great all-around corner if he learns to use his size better.
MORE: Ranking all the trade deadline deals from best to worst
17. Kansas City Chiefs
- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Chiefs need to boost their defensive ends behind George Karlaftis. He provides the relentless and explosive that Steve Spagnuolo covets.
18. Chicago Bears
- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)
Proctor has shown great athleticism for his size in front of Simpson and can be the engulfing rock the Bears need to plant to better protect Caleb Williams.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195 pounds)
The Browns would need a big-time potential No. 1 to go with their new franchise QB (in this case, Simpson) and Tate has come out of the shadow of 2027 No. 1 overall pick candidate Jeremiah Smith to dominate in his own right for the Buckeyes.
20. Detroit Lions
- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 248 pounds)
Howell’s explosiveness and relentlessness wreaking havoc would make him the perfect fit to match the playmaking energy of just-extended Aidan Hutchinson.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 180 pounds)
Jesse Minter and Jim Harbaugh need to improve cornerback with some answers in the rest of the defense. The brother of the Falcons’ A.J. Terrell plays bigger than his size with some shutdown potential.
22. San Francisco 49ers
-
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (6-4, 330 pounds)
Ioane has natural appealing power in his compact frame, with a chance to really improve his athleticism and technique to dominate in the NFL.
MORE: Sporting News 2025 Midseason All-America college football team
23. Buffalo Bills
- Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 195 pounds)
The Bills need to give Dalton Kincaid some more reliable help from wide receiver and Lemon fits their offense well with his strong, big-play route-running, lining up anywhere, especially dominant in the slot such as the Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown.
24. Los Angeles Rams
-
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-6, 304 pounds)
The Rams need to develop a worthy successor to long-time stalwart Rob Havenstein and Lomu is ideal for right tackle with his blend of power and athleticism.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (6-1, 205 pounds)
The Steelers still should expect Aaron Rodgers to be a one-year solution despite his first-year success in Pittsburgh. This strong-armed pocket passer with good moxie and toughness should remain on their radar this late.
MORE: Complete trade grades, from Colts acing Sauce Gardner deal to Jets flunking
26. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 195 pounds)
The Cowboys extended their big corner playmaker, DaRon Bland but Trevon Diggs has turned into an injury-marred liability in coverage. Hood can handle all styles of coverage and assignments well with his sound technique, blending well with ballhawking skills.
27. Seattle Seahawks
-
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon (6-,5, 272 pounds)
Defensive-minded Mike Macdonald should be plenty drawn to this massive natural pass rusher who can also use his bulk to turn into a consistent force vs. the run.
28. Denver Broncos
-
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 245 pounds)
The Broncos should consider having a real impact answer at tight end and Sadiq can be that kind of go-to guy for Bo Nix to upgrade from their Evan Engram-led committee.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
The Buccaneers have seen Lavonte David get closer to the end of his fine career. Styles’ all-around playmaking and pedigree say he can be a seamless replacement.
30. New England Patriots
- Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee (6-5, 200 pounds)
The Patriots are executing an aggressive downfield passing attack with Drake Maye at a high level and can use a needed boost with a nice-sized No. 1, given Stefon Diggs may not have too much more left.
31. New York Jets (from Colts)
-
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (6-4, 209 pounds)
The Jets need a big, big-play threat to help Garrett Wilson and Boston has the ideal size and speed to be their version of Mike Evans on the outside for their new QB, in this case, Moore.
MORE: Who are the biggest winners and losers from 2025 deadline?
32. Philadelphia Eagles
-
Connor Lew, G/C, Auburn (6-3, 300 pounds)
Lew’s season being cut short by a knee injury dropped him a bit on some boards but whether he makes Cam Jurgens slide or starts right away at right guard, Lew is ideal for another key offensive line reload in Philadelphia.