Field Yates Reveals Updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft, What Changed After Free Agency Day 1?

NFL free agency has begun and teams have started addressing their offseason needs.

After plenty of signings on Monday, ESPN's Field Yates gave his updated mock draft.

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Yates had Indiana's Fernando Mendoza going first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders since they have yet to sign a quarterback in free agency.

Mendoza is widely viewed as the candidate to go No. 1 overall, including in the most recent mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

Yates then had the New York Jets taking edge rusher David Bailey from Texas Tech at No. 2. The Jets have made a few moves since the end of the season, but addressing the pass rush is still key this offseason.

Yates also had the Arizona Cardinals picking up an edge rusher in Ohio State's Arvell Reese. The Cardinals will need a quarterback since they plan to release Kyler Murray, but there aren't many great options outside of Mendoza, so addressing another position makes sense at No. 3.

From there, Yates projected the Tennessee Titans to pick up wide receiver Carnell Tate from Ohio State, while the New York Giants pick up OSU safety Caleb Downs after filling their linebacker hole with the reported signing of Tremaine Edmunds.

Yates pegged Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love to land with the Washington Commanders at No. 7, so he's stayed consistent in that opinion.