The New York Giants and New York Jets rarely do business with each other despite sharing a stadium. A 2019 trade for defensive tackle Leonard Williams stands as an outlier in their otherwise arms-length relationship. That could change this spring.

Expect a seismic shift: the Giants, mired at 2-11, are positioned to land a top-three pick. The Jets, desperate for a quarterback and loaded with draft capital after trading away cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams mid-season, are primed to make a move.

Here's how the first round could unfold:

1. New York Jets (from Giants, 2-11): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Jets now control two first-round picks in 2026 and three more in 2027, giving GM Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn the firepower to reshape the roster immediately. While next year's quarterback class projects deeper, waiting carries risk—neither executive has job security if the Jets flounder in 2026.

Mendoza isn't a no-doubt franchise savior, but his prototypical size, mobility, lightning-quick release, and leadership make him the safest quarterback bet in this class. The Patriots proved it with Drake Maye: a stellar young QB transforms franchises fast.

2. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11): Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Geno Smith leads the NFL in two categories the Raiders desperately wanted to avoid: 14 interceptions in 13 games and 49 sacks taken. The 35-year-old, signed through 2027, becomes a mentor figure.

Moore won't turn 21 until May and sacrifices millions in NIL money by leaving Oregon early, but his ability to thread deep sideline throws screams future star. The Raiders play unconventional—why not draft that way?

3. Tennessee Titans (2-11): Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Reese is the most physically impressive prospect in this draft class. The linebacker can operate off-ball or rush the edge—a Micah Parsons-style skill set. Paired with elite defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Reese could anchor a dramatic 2026 turnaround.

4. Cleveland Browns (3-10): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Shedeur Sanders has flashed toughness, timing, and touch the Browns haven't seen in years. Surround him with elite targets.

Tate entered the season as a borderline first-rounder but elevated his game dramatically. His tracking skills, body control, and hand-eye coordination make him a quarterback's security blanket downfield.

5. New Orleans Saints (3-10): Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Mickey Loomis has spent 8 of the Saints' last 10 first-round picks on linemen. With 36-year-old Cameron Jordan leading the team with 6.5 sacks, fresh blood makes sense.

Faulk isn't polished, but his length, strength, and mobility combination is rare—an All-Pro ceiling.

6. Washington Commanders (3-10): Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

Projected as Super Bowl contenders, Washington crashed. The injury to Jayden Daniels mattered, but an aging defense was the real culprit.

Head coach Dan Quinn, a former defensive line coach, will push for edge help. At 6-3, 260 pounds, Bain lacks ideal size, but he plays with power and tenacity.

7. New York Giants (from Jets, 3-10): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Potential Rookie of the Year Jaxson Dart suggests the Giants found their quarterback. GM Joe Schoen won't pick another signal-caller or front-seven defender.

Downs is the cleanest open-field tackler and best overall player in this class. Address the leaky run defense.

8. Arizona Cardinals (3-10): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Cardinals appear ready to move on from Kyler Murray. A running back like Love—combining size, power, agility, and breakaway speed—delivers immediate impact. Backs with this skill set rarely fall beyond the top 10.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The Bengals are Super Bowl contenders when Joe Burrow plays, pretenders when he doesn't. Load him with playmakers.

Sadiq is the clear top tight end, bringing rugged blocking for the running game and soft hands for matchup versatility.

10. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons, 5-9): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Rams squeezed a top-10 pick from Atlanta—credit GM Les Snead. Right tackle weakness needs fixing. The 6-6, 309-pound Fano is surprisingly agile with NFL bloodlines and experience at both tackle spots.

11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores runs an aggressive blitz package that minimizes cornerback responsibilities. Vikings roster just three corners—half the NFL norm. They need true man-to-man cover skills.

Delane, a Virginia Tech transfer, surrendered just 13 receptions and zero touchdowns this season per Pro Football Focus.

12. Miami Dolphins (6-7): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

If Delane tops the cornerback class, it's only because McCoy missed the entire season with an ACL tear. His agility, speed, and ball skills stand out on tape when healthy.

The Dolphins have four interceptions from corners all season, and all three starters—Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones, and Ethan Bonner—are unrestricted free agents.

13. Baltimore Ravens (6-7): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Zay Flowers has 68 receptions; the next-closest Raven has 18. Flowers has just one touchdown grab despite the volume. Lamar Jackson's injuries hurt the passing game, but modern NFL success demands receiver production.

Grab arguably the best receiver in the class.

14. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Critics attack Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's suddenly pedestrian passing attack. The Chiefs once invested a second-rounder on Skyy Moore hoping his versatility would elevate the offense.

Lemon is an upgraded version—elusiveness, breakaway speed, and grit to resurrect a dangerous passing attack.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

Just two Bucs defenders generated more than three sacks. Bailey plays with a relentless motor and explosive burst off the edge, topping the second tier of pass-rushers.

16. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1): Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

No prospect replaces Micah Parsons. But Howell followed a similar path—off-ball linebacker to elite edge rusher. He leads the SEC with 11.5 sacks, showing awareness to make plays off the line and burst to close.

17. Detroit Lions (8-5): T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

Thirty-year-old Al-Quadin Muhammad leads the Lions with nine sacks opposite Aiden Hutchinson. Parker hasn't matched last year's production (11 sacks, now five), but his length and strength translate to the NFL.

18. New York Giants (from Jets via Colts, 8-5): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Giants rank 31st in yards allowed and surrendered 17 rushing touchdowns. Allen's physicality and leadership could spark an immediate turnaround despite the defensive line talent.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Unless the Steelers are quietly enamored with sixth-round pick Will Howard, a top quarterback belongs on the board. Simpson lacks elite physical tools for top-10 consideration, but his anticipation, accuracy, and intangibles project as a future starter.

20. Carolina Panthers (7-6): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Despite criticism, Bryce Young showed steady progress over three seasons. Protecting the diminutive quarterback matters. Mauigoa has frame and agility to remain at tackle, with potential guard flexibility as Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton near the final years of their deals.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Eagles found talent in 2024 cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. Modern offenses send top receivers into the slot—a strong nickel is critical.

Terrell excelled in this role at Clemson, showcasing closing speed and turnover creation.

22. Houston Texans (8-5): Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

Houston wisely invested in offensive tackles Aireontae Ersery and Tytus Howard but neglected interior offensive line with early picks. Pregnon shows mobility and physicality to project as a long-term starter, benefiting C.J. Stroud and the running game.

23. Chicago Bears (9-4): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Bears improved with veterans Andrew Billings and Grady Jarrett at defensive tackle, but both are past 30. McDonald emerged as one of the country's top nose guards, using mass, power, and underrated agility to disrupt inside.

24. Buffalo Bills (9-4): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Bills are Super Bowl contenders by most metrics but rank 28th in rushing yards allowed (1,758 in 13 games) and dead last with 19 rushing touchdowns surrendered.

Woods doesn't post eye-popping 2025 stats (30 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two sacks), but he's a proven three-year standout whose bulk and power translate to the NFL.

25. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Few offer more intrigue than Proctor's blend of size (6-7, 366 pounds), power, and mobility. He just won the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy. Scouts split on tackle versus guard fit, but Jim Harbaugh finds him a spot.

26. San Francisco 49ers (9-4): Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

The 49ers bullied opponents on both lines but age, injuries, and departures took their toll. Goosby is just 20 but surprisingly strong and agile. He needs development, but Trent Williams still ably mans left tackle.

27. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars, 9-4): Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State

The Browns need offensive line reinforcements. Ioane is remarkably agile at 6-4, 328 pounds, showing ability to anchor against power and generate movement—traits of a long-term starter.

28. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers, 9-3-1): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Trevon Diggs is talented, but Jerry Jones shipped out Micah Parsons this season, signaling willingness to cut ties with gifted players not buying Brian Schottenheimer's vision.

Cisse isn't the ballhawk Diggs is (two interceptions in three college seasons) but boosted his draft stock with grit, passion, and physicality against run and pass alike.

29. Seattle Seahawks (10-3): Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

The Seahawks boast arguably the NFL's best overall defense, but 41 sacks are widely distributed—Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II lead with seven apiece. Edge Boye Mafe has just one sack with three tackles for loss and hits free agency.

Mesidor's power could fit the bill.

30. New England Patriots (11-2): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Stark contrast to the Seahawks: the Patriots tie the NFL's best record despite a middling 24th-ranked defense (27 sacks in 13 games, 21 touchdowns allowed, eight interceptions).

Thieneman doesn't generate fanfare, but his awareness, speed, and ballhawking appeal to Mike Vrabel.

31. Los Angeles Rams (10-3): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Few receiver tandems match Puka Nacua and Davante Adams' production, but both struggle with durability. Boston offers similar size and ball skills, a cheap insurance policy for Matthew Stafford.

32. Denver Broncos (11-2): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Broncos own the league's top record and arguably its best defense. GM George Paton must replace departing off-ball linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.

Styles, a former safety, brings athleticism to spy mobile quarterbacks and cover backs and tight ends—especially valuable against AFC elite passers.