Doug Orth's 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
How will the draft unfold after Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1. Where will Jeremiyah Love land?
Find the answers to that and more inside.
Welcome to the first of what will likely be two mock drafts before the real thing kicks off in 1 1/2 weeks on Thursday, April 23. Be sure to check our NFL Draft Central page for the rest of our mocks, player scouting reports, and post-draft analysis of every key pick relevant to fantasy football. 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.
0 1. Las Vegas Raiders—QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana There is no reason to avoid the free square here. Everything from the hiring of Klint Kubiak to the signings of C Tyler Linderbaum and QB Kirk Cousins has been made with an eye on making Mendoza's transition to the NFL as smooth as possible.
2. New York Jets—EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State There are three reasons why Reese will likely be the pick here over Texas Tech's David Bailey: 1) the Jets' new 3-4 base will emphasize versatility (and Reece has proven he has more of it than Bailey), 2) Reese is two years younger and 3) Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is a former NFL play-caller who relies heavily on multiple fronts and versatile defenders, which will be a priority in New York this season. 3.
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