2026 NFL mock draft: Final projection sees major shift in early picks

After months of preparation and speculation, the 2026 NFL Draft has produced a single pick that can be projected with any confidence. With the first round set to begin on Thursday, April 23 , things seem as unstable as ever beyond the Las Vegas Raiders' expected selection of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.

A class that once seemed light on intrigue now seems replete with it, with a variety of scenarios seemingly still at play in the early going. Each decision in the top five could send ripples throughout the rest of the order and challenge prevailing pre-draft wisdom. And that potential for chaos doesn't even factor in the likelihood of several trades further shaking things up.

While determining an exact roadmap for the first round still feels almost impossible, here's our final NFL mock draft for 2026: 2026 NFL mock draft 1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana The spotlight might not remain with the Heisman Trophy winner for long on draft night. Mendoza has been an obvious choice to be the No.

1 pick long enough that the discourse on him has run dry. Don't let that overshadow what the Raiders are getting here, though. The 6-5, 236-pound passer is a remarkably clean operator who not only can keep his offense out of trouble but also pull the unit out of any holes it finds itself in.