NFL Execs Predict Fernando Mendoza to Raiders, Carnell Tate to Titans in Top 10 Mock Draft

Having identified their quarterback of the future last year, the Tennessee Titans might finally find a worthy successor to A.J. Brown this offseason.

The Athletic's Mike Sando projected the top 10 in the 2026 NFL draft after consulting with four executives around the league.

Not surprisingly, Sando led off with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza going to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1. A pair of edge-rushers (Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Texas Tech's David Bailey) were the next two picks.

At No. 4, Sando said a fifth and decisive vote was required before he pegged Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4 to the Titans.

Mike Sando's 2026 Mock Draft Top 10

1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. Jets: Arvel Reese, Edge, Ohio State

3. Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge Texas Tech

4. Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

5. Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT Miami

6. Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

7. Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

8. Saints: Makai Lemon, WR USC

9. Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

10. Bengals: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior in 2025. He's the No. 11 overall player on Bleacher Report's big board, with B/R scout Dame Parson comparing him to the Philadelphia Eagles' DeVonta Smith.

Carnell Tate TD

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One executive stated the obvious to Sando when lobbying for a wideout to land in Tennessee.

"They need receivers, I know that," they said. "(New offensive coordinator Brian) Daboll will want an offensive player. They took (Malik) Nabers when he was with the Giants. That guy in this draft is Jordyn Tyson."

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love going ninth to the Kansas City Chiefs is another choice that might go over well with the fanbase.

The Chiefs haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Kareem Hunt in 2017, which hasn't stopped them from winning multiple Super Bowls. With Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL, however, the front office and coaching staff have to change the way they've approached the ground game.

"They need a back, and they need to run the ball until their quarterback is fully ready," one executive told Sando.

Love ran for 2,497 yards and 35 touchdowns over the past two years, and he finished third in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting.

Beyond taking some pressure off Mahomes, having a ball-carrier as good as Love would help coach Andy Reid prove his offensive game plan hasn't grown stale.