Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Trades highlight Round 1

Over a hundred mock draft analysis pieces, dozens of scouting reports, and more full-first-round mock drafts later, we have arrived at the week of the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite us just highlighting so many of the exercises that we just mentioned, but whats one more? We have one final First-Round Mock Draft to work through.

For this one, we have three additional trades happening on top of the ones we have already seen unfold over the past year. Some teams will be moving up for a player they see as a difference maker, while others take advantage of the extra value. Without further ado, here is my final mock draft of the 2026 cycle.

1) Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Fernando Mendoza has been the pick for months. The only wrinkle is whether he will start right away after they signed Kirk Cousins or sit and learn. Either option, I think, will work for the Raiders, but the long-term play, of course, will be Mendoza.

2) New York Jets - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State Whether it is Arvell Reese or David Bailey, the Jets need to help their pass-rush situation. The best player to make an overall impact is Arvell Reese, so that is the direction we are going to go. Aaron Glenn needs difference makers, and his ability to patrol the middle and also have some pass-rushing chops makes him a fit.