2026 NFL Mock Draft: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Goes No. 1 to Jets
FOX Sports provides a 32-pick mock draft influenced by team projections and trades before the CFP quarterfinals, with standout prospects like Fernando Mendoza leading the board.
With a month of College Football Playoff football still to come, the draft landscape remains fluid. FOX Sports has assembled a 32-pick mock draft based on aggregated team projections and factoring in trades, ahead of the CFP quarterfinals.
Several top prospects have delayed declaring to compete in the playoffs, so these projections reflect their expected selections upon season's end.
1. New York Jets (from Giants): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Jets have a desperate need at quarterback, and Mendoza checks every box scouts want: elite arm strength, precision into tight windows, and surprising mobility for a 6-foot-5 frame. The Heisman winner leads all FBS with 33 pass touchdowns—also an Indiana single-season record. A couple of stellar CFP performances could lock him in at No. 1.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Geno Smith's age and underperformance have left the Raiders searching. Moore was the third-ranked QB recruit and fourth-ranked player overall (247Sports) and flashed brilliance throughout the season. He boasts 72.4% completion rate—one of only three Power 4 QBs to exceed 70% completions, 30+ TDs, 3,000+ yards, and fewer than 10 interceptions. (The other two: Julian Sayin and Diego Pavia, both Heisman finalists.)
3. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
A blue-chip prospect with freakish athleticism, Mauigoa allowed just three sacks across 1,015 pass-blocking snaps over two seasons. He earned freshman All-America honors in 2023 and possesses the frame and mobility to move inside. Brown's two first-round picks allow them to address receiver value later.
4. New York Giants (from Jets): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
At 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, Fano epitomizes the modern athletic tackle. Over three seasons, he's surrendered just three sacks and seven QB hits. Remarkably, in 2025 he didn't allow a single sack in 382 pass-blocking snaps. With Jaxon Dart locked in at QB, this move shores up the offensive line. Fano and Mauigoa are the 1A and 1B tackles in this class.
5. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The draft's clearest top receiver, Tate continues Ohio State's pipeline of NFL-ready wideouts. At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, he dominates the red zone while threatening deep. Nine receiving TDs and 800+ receiving yards puts him in elite company among Power 4 receivers. With Calvin Ridley's disappointing, injury-plagued season, he'd become Cam Ward's security blanket.
6. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
A major riser on draft boards, Reese has cemented himself as the clear-cut best linebacker in this class. Elite speed for his size lets him drop into coverage or attack off-ball. 6.5 sacks, two passes defended, and 105 total tackles in two seasons for the Buckeyes. He's an immediate defensive anchor for struggling Arizona.
7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Possibly the smartest football player in this draft, Downs has lined up everywhere—34 snaps on the D-line, 214 in the box, 134 at slot corner, nine at wide corner, and 226 at free safety this season alone. For his career: 248 tackles, 158 solo tackles, 10 passes defended, and six interceptions. A perennial Pro Bowler awaits.
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Bain's film is sensational, dominating top-tier opponents. Against Texas A&M in the CFP's first round, he recorded three sacks against an O-line that had given up just 12 in 12 games. An elite run stopper who can shift inside, Bain is the only FBS player with 400+ pass-rushing snaps and a 90+ grade (according to PFF). Run defense grade of 86.7. He's the perfect Cam Jordan successor.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Despite Clemson's down year, Woods possesses too many tools to ignore. At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds with a lean muscle mass of 77%, he's played both end and tackle. A freshman All-American in 2023, he posted 30 tackles and two sacks in 2025. Dominant interior presence incoming.
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Chiefs rank in the bottom 11 in rushing at 108 yards per game. Love has 35 rushing touchdowns since 2024—the most in the league—and averages 6.9 yards per carry over two seasons with 2,497 rushing yards. As Patrick Mahomes returns from a torn ACL, Kansas City needs to lean on the run game. Love is the answer.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
No Power 4 corner posted a higher coverage grade than Delane's 90.9 (PFF). In 357 coverage snaps, he allowed just 13 receptions for 147 yards, zero TDs, with opposing QBs posting a 26.7 passer rating when targeting him. Miami has four cornerbacks on injured reserve—Delane becomes an instant starter.
12. Los Angeles Rams: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
With Matthew Stafford as the MVP favorite at 37, the Rams must maximize his window. Proctor—6-foot-7, 366 pounds—allowed five sacks in two seasons. Rob Havenstein is 33 and battling injuries. This is a perfect fit to protect LA's aging star.
13. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
A 6-foot-6, 288-pound monster, Faulk has blown past SEC offensive tackles. In his 2024 true sophomore campaign: 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 45 total tackles. Less production in 2025, but his tools and athleticism scream Ravens player.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Overshadowed by Arvell Reese, Styles delivers 181 tackles, 94 solo tackles, eight passes defended, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles over two seasons at Ohio State. A truck hitter who moves well in space. Lavonte David is 35—time to plan succession.
15. Dallas Cowboys: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The heartbeat of Georgia's defense, Allen is a tenacious tackler who dominates the run and covers slot receivers. Dallas has fortified its D-line with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams but needs an off-ball backer with high football intelligence. Allen's 202 tackles, 115 solo tackles, 10 passes defended, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles over three seasons seal the deal.
16. Detroit Lions: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Second in FBS with 13.5 sacks—leading all Power 4. Even across his Stanford tenure, Bailey posted 28 sacks from 2022-2025, third-most in that span. Though undersized at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, his bend and burst off the edge are undeniable. The Lions defense desperately needs help.
17. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The brother of All-Pro A.J. Terrell, Avieon has delivered 25 passes defended, 125 total tackles, eight forced fumbles, four sacks, and three interceptions across 1,860 defensive snaps. He complements Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers perfectly.
18. New York Jets: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy would easily be the first corner off the board if not for his January ACL tear that cost him the entire 2025 season. A first-team All-American last year with four interceptions, seven passes defended, and a 53.6 passer rating allowed (PFF). With Sauce Gardner departing, he's a massive addition to New York's secondary.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The draft's best tight end by a wide margin. Sadiq can run, block, and possesses great hands. Eight receiving touchdowns—the most of any FBS tight end—make him a red zone monster. Bryce Young's progression this year merits offensive weapon investment. Expect Carolina to build around its young QB.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson remains the clear No. 3 QB in this draft, though his future remains unclear. He's mixed incredible performances with dud games, but his decisiveness and accuracy are coachable assets. 3,500 yards, 28 TDs, five interceptions this season. He just beat Oklahoma on the road in the CFP's first round. Pittsburgh needs its QB of the future.
21. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland both battled injuries, leaving Dallas vulnerable. The Cowboys defense surrenders 253.6 passing yards per game—worst in the league. Cisse is a tough corner unafraid to tackle with 10 passes defended over two seasons and just 18 receptions allowed with one TD in 2025 (PFF).
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Fano isn't Utah's only offensive line stud. Lomu allowed two sacks in 807 pass-blocking snaps over two seasons and is a high-ceiling prospect with just 28 collegiate games played. Lane Johnson, 35, likely won't last much longer. Lomu mirrors Jordan Mailata's trajectory—drafted as a project, now First Team All-Pro.
23. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Sheldon Rankins has been solid at 31 and on a one-year deal. McDonald has been an absolute monster in Ohio State's middle, with the defense holding opponents to 8.2 points and 84.5 rushing yards per game. The 6-foot-3, 326-pounder has three sacks and two forced fumbles on the year.
24. Buffalo Bills: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
It's remarkable what Josh Allen has accomplished without a true deep threat. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award as college football's best receiver. He can play slot and is tough to tackle, adding two rushing scores. He's the only FBS player with 10 receiving TDs and multiple rushing scores.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
An ultra-strong 6-foot-5, 270-pounder, Uiagalelei posted 10.5 sacks in 2024 with five this year. He can play inside and out, dominating as run stopper and pass rusher alike. He's got "John Harbaugh player" written all over him.
26. San Francisco 49ers: A'Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
Washington has rapidly climbed draft boards after a dominant 2025 campaign in his first season as a full-time starter. At 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, he exhibits elite power and quickness. Strong CFP performances could push him into the top 20 by April.
27. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson could easily land top 10-15 depending on receiver demand, but with Tate as the consensus No. 1, Tyson slides to the round's end as teams prioritize trenches and defense. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder catches everything, delivering exactly the explosive playmaking Cleveland needs. 136 receptions for 1,812 yards and 18 TDs in two ASU seasons.
28. Los Angeles Rams: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
It's rare seeing an interior lineman lead the team in pressures, but Banks did for Florida in 2024 with 29, adding 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He played just three games in 2025 due to injury, but his 6-foot-6, 330-pound frame projects to dominate. A steal for LA's secondary defense.
29. Chicago Bears: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Overton fits the Alabama defensive lineman mold—incredibly athletic, nasty, physical, relentless. At 6-foot-5, 283 pounds, he can play inside and thrive in multiple schemes. A game-wrecker if available for a defense seeking edge help.
30. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Like most Clemson stars this season, Parker's 2025 was less productive—five sacks, 37 tackles—but his 2024 tape was undeniable: 11 sacks, six forced fumbles. He's showcased above-average bend and can drop in coverage. His 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 set a true freshman school record. Mike Vrabel could unlock that potential.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell ranks fourth in FBS sacks since 2022 with 27, though undersized at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds. His incredible burst off the edge makes him a great complement to aging DeMarcus Lawrence (33, two years remaining).
32. Denver Broncos: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Denver sits comfortably at 13-3 but Ioane is easily the draft's best guard and a potential steal. Ben Powers has one year left after 2025. Ioane was the only Big Ten guard playing 300+ pass-blocking snaps with an 87+ grade who didn't surrender a single sack or QB hit this season.
No. 1 Overall Pick Odds
- Fernando Mendoza: -200
- Dante Moore: +250
- Rueben Bain Jr.: +750
- Arvell Reese: +1400
- Ty Simpson: +2200
- Keldric Faulk: +5000
- Jordyn Tyson: +8000
- Francis Mauigoa: +10000
- T.J. Parker: +10000
- Spencer Fano: +10000
- Peter Woods: +10000
- David Bailey: +10000
- Cashius Howell: +10000
- Garrett Nussmeier: +10000
- Drew Allar: +10000
- Carson Beck: +10000
- Carnell Tate: +10000
- Caleb Downs: +10000