New Field Yates NFL Mock Draft Drops For Rounds 1-2, What Changed After 2026 Free Agency?

In the wake of free agency and first wave of high-profile pro days, ESPN's Field Yates has released a new mock draft of the first two rounds.

The top of the class features most of the same names, just in a slightly different order, but the most notable change comes near the back of the first round with Yates projecting the Arizona Cardinals to trade up to select Ty Simpson at No. 26 overall.

Here are the top-10 projected picks in Yates' latest mock:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Yates' projection has the Cardinals trading their second- and third-round picks this year, plus a 2027 third-rounder, to the Buffalo Bills to move up eight spots for Simpson.

The deal makes sense on paper for the Bills, who only have two picks in the first three rounds after sending their second-round selection to the Chicago Bears as part of the DJ Moore trade.

Simpson's stock seems to be rising as the pre-draft process continues. B/R's NFL scouting department noted the Alabama star solidified his spot as the No. 2 quarterback in this year's draft class with his performance at the scouting combine.

If Simpson were to come off the board at pick 26, it would match his overall ranking on B/R's big board. His pro comparison from B/R NFL scout Dame Parson is Tony Romo, which would be an incredible outcome for Arizona if this scenario were to play out.

It's not uncommon for quarterback-needy teams that don't want to reach for a one at the top of the draft to trade back into the first round later to address the position.

Yates specifically cited the New York Giants last year as an example. They used the No. 3 pick on Abdul Carter, then made a trade with the Houston Texans for the 25th pick to select Jaxson Dart.

In this scenario, the Cardinals would come out of the first round with Simpson after using the third pick on Arvell Reese.

Some of the notable picks earlier in the round, Yates has the Washington Commanders as the destination for Jeremiyah Love. Pairing him in the same offense with Jayden Daniels at quarterback has tremendous potential.

Even after giving Odafe Oweh a four-year, $100 million contract in free agency, there are still plenty of questions about Washington's defensive talent. Yates still has players like Rueben Bain Jr. and Mansoor Delane on the board, but the idea of a Daniels-Love backfield tandem would make life miserable for a lot of opposing defensive coordinators.

The biggest riser among the top prospects from Yates' previous mock is Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. He jumped up eight spots from 12 to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 after an incredible combine workout.

Even though there has been some chatter about Love as an option for the Titans, new head coach Robert Saleh comes from a defensive background. They need help on that side of the ball just as much as they need to address their offensive talent around Cam Ward.

The Titans did sign John Franklin-Myers in free agency and traded for Jermaine Johnson, so they could be more inclined to draft an offensive player in the first round. But there's really not a lot of value at their spot unless they wanna reach a little bit for a receiver like Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson.

One benefit of being a team like the Titans that still has so many roster holes is you can do anything early in the draft and it will make sense.