By MIKE HERNDON

As the final days tick down to the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh, there is really no drama around the No. 1 overall pick. It is widely presumed the Las Vegas Raiders will take Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, even while becoming the latest team to overpay Kirk Cousins as a bridge QB.

The real drama begins with the second pick, where the New York Jets are likely to take the first defensive player off the board. But will that be Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey? Both are supremely gifted pass rushers, though Reese is a bit more versatile. In recent weeks, Bailey has gradually come to be seen as the favorite here, but the Jets reportedly canceled their visit with him, so maybe those odds aren’t so good after all.

Some other big questions for the first round:

— Which team will take a swing on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love?

There’s little question about the talent, but many teams have shied away from drafting running backs early in the first round. There are three teams to watch in the top 10 — Tennessee, the New York Giants and Washington.

— How far will Jordyn Tyson fall?

Tyson would likely be considered the best receiver prospect in the draft — if he could stay healthy. His inability to do so throughout his college career and his ongoing issues with a lingering hamstring issue this spring make him a risky choice in the Top 10, however, particularly with two other excellent WR options in Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon. The closer we get to the draft, the more we’re hearing that Tyson may go higher than anticipated. Some potential landing spots are Cleveland, New Orleans, the New York Giants or, if he slips out of the top 10, the Los Angeles Rams or New York Jets.

— Will a second quarterback go in the first round?

Mendoza is be the only quarterback thought to be a sure thing in this draft, but Alabama’s Ty Simpson has been drawing a lot of attention and is considered a pretty clear choice as the second-best prospect in this draft. The Jets could use the second of their two first-round picks on him, or the Pittsburgh Steelers could be in the market at No. 21. I think it’s more likely that the Steelers position themselves for 2027 (assuming Aaron Rodgers is coming back) and Simpson falls into the second round — unless a team like the Cardinals gets antsy and decides to trade up into the bottom of the first.

— How many offensive linemen will go in the first round?

There’s not a particularly strong consensus as to which offensive lineman is the best prospect in this class, but there’s a deep group of them that could go in the first round. This mock has eight going in the first round, starting with Miami’s Francis Mauigoa at 6 to the Browns.

With the Lawrence trade changing the draft order, I’ve revised the initial mock. And what the heck, I decided to have some fun and throw in a blockbuster trade, with Dallas trading its two first-round picks to Cleveland for the Browns’ No. 6 overall pick and a second-rounder. There’s been a lot of smoke that the Cowboys want to move up for an impact defensive player and if Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles falls past the Giants at 5, they may find a willing trade partner in the Browns.

The Sportschasers 2026 mock draft:

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
4. Tennessee Titans – David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
5. New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
6. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
7. Washington Commanders – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
8. New Orleans Saints – Rueben Bain, edge, Miami
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
10. New York Giants – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
12. Cleveland Browns (from Dallas) – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
13. Los Angeles Rams – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
16. New York Jets – Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
17. Detroit Lions – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
20.  Cleveland Browns (from Dallas) – Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
24. Cleveland Browns – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
26. Buffalo Bills – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
28. Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
30. Miami Dolphins – T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Categories: NFL

Tags: Arvell Reese, College football, David Bailey, Fernando Mendoza, football, mock draft, NFL, NFL draft, sports