10 2026 NFL Draft Predictions with Under a Month to Go
A prediction isn't a prediction if it comes true. Then, it's called foresight.
April looms and the NFL draft rapidly approaches. The event itself is one of the most difficult things in sports to accurately project and predict. At the same time, certain approaches simply seem logical based on the clues left throughout the evaluation cycle and the movement seen since the start of the new league year.
For example, the first four picks of this year's class already seem fairly obvious. The draft is set to truly begin when the New York Giants are on the clock with the fifth overall pick.
Those statements may be an oversimplification. Curveballs are definitely possible, particularly when trying to predict parts of the draft at the onset of the MLB season instead of the days leading up to the yearly festivities.
What's the fun in waiting? Right now, the current outlook of certain situations point to specific outcomes before lying season kicks into overdrive.
Las Vegas Raiders Will Provide Fernando Mendoza With a Weapon in Round 2
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No drama exists around this year's first overall pick. The Las Vegas Raiders' selection of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza feels like the closest thing to a certainty that arises during any NFL draft cycle.
Once that pick is made, the Raiders enter phase two of their plan, which should be to do everything in their power to properly build around the Heisman Trophy- and national championship-winning quarterback.
Too often, struggling franchises don't place enough talent around their first-round quarterbacks. The Raiders can't make the same mistake.
Technically, tight end Brock Bowers is the No. 1 receiver in Las Vegas' offense. The squad's actual wide receivers lack a consistent threat, particularly one capable of drawing attention away from the Georgia product.
Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and the recently signed Jalen Nailor each present specific skill sets and growth potential. However, they're second or third options at best in any other NFL offense. The same can be said of the Raiders if the organization doubles-down by choosing a wide receiver with this year's 36th overall pick.
A potential opportunity may exist where Mendoza's teammate, Omar Cooper Jr., is available with the selection. He led the Hoosiers in receptions and receiving yardage last season, and he's crept into the first-round conversation as of late.
Beyond Cooper, a big-bodied target such as Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II, Washington's Denzel Boston and Notre Dame's Malachi Fields should all be under consideration since they can be true X-receivers in Klint Kubiak's system.
Las Vegas could choose to wait and address the position with the 67th overall pick. Georgia State's Ted Hurst, Ole Miss' De'Zhaun Stribling and North Dakota State's Bryce Lance each has the build and athletic profile to fill that role. Mendoza's other favorite target at Indiana, Elijah Sarratt, could be an option as well.
However the board falls, the Raiders must add talent around Mendoza or run the risk of stunting his initial development.
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Finds Himself Among Top 5 Draft Picks
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In order for a running back to be a top-five draft pick, the prospect must be special. Jeremiyah Love is.
The Bleacher Report Scouting Report grades the Notre Dame product as the incoming class' second overall prospect regardless of position.
"Love is a dynamic and explosive running back who possesses the skill set to be a complete weapon in an NFL offense," B/R scout Dame Parson wrote. "He combines home-run top-end speed with route-running and pass-catching ability to impact the offense in multiple ways."
Running backs continue to be viewed as devalued despite everything that names such as Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley bring to the table. Not coincidentally, each of those mentioned was selected among the top eight picks of their respective draft class.
In Love's case, an argument can be made that this year's class isn't quite as strong near the very top, which presents a great chance of him being a top-five choice. Two situations really make this specific prediction a strong likelihood.
First, the Tennessee Titans own the fourth overall pick. While Tony Pollard remains on the roster after another 1,000-yard campaign, Love offers more thanks to a complete skill set. New Titans head coach Robert Saleh saw what McCaffrey did for the San Francisco 49ers while serving as their defensive coordinator. Love can immediately take pressure off last year's No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward, as well.
If the Titans pass, the New York Giants should absolutely be in play for Love's services. Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo may already be rostered, but head coach John Harbaugh just came from the Baltimore Ravens, where he saw how Derrick Henry helped elevate that offense.
Love is a premium talent, with the potential to create a dynamic set of triplets alongside quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers.
A reason exists why the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs made big investments in veteran running backs at the onset of free agency despite owning top-10 draft picks. They never expected Love to be available when they were on the clock.
New York Giants Trade Out of No. 5 Overall Draft Pick
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The New York Giants' initial pick can be where the entire draft turns, because they should move out of this year's top five and add extra draft assets.
Currently, the Giants own seven selections, but four of those aren't until the 145th slot or later. New York doesn't even own a third-round pick thanks to last year's deal with the Houston Texans, so it could trade up and choose quarterback Jaxson Dart.
General manager Joe Schoen has done a good job reshaping the roster in John Harbaugh's image.
The Giants brought in tight end Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard, who previously played for Harbaugh as part of the Baltimore Ravens. Defensively, New York added linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Newsome II. There is no screaming need for the Giants once they're on the clock with the fifth pick.
Of course, the team could add another wide receiver or add an elite talent like Jeremiyah Love or Caleb Downs. Instead, the Giants should look to add more picks early in the process to improve the roster's overall depth.
What's interesting about New York's current setup is it sits one pick ahead of the Cleveland Browns, who desperately need a new left tackle. The Los Angeles Rams or possibly even the Detroit Lions could be in play depending on how far the Giants are willing to drop.
Maybe a potential trade partner sees the Browns as an obstacle from getting the top wide receiver prospect since Cleveland has a significant need there as well. The New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins all need a new weapon in the passing game and may prefer to have their choice of prospects.
Either way, the Giants are positioned well to be the inflection point of this year's top-10 selections.
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Jordyn Tyson Gets Drafted Before Carnell Tate as Class' WR1
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Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State's Carnell Tate are both excellent targets capable of immediately helping an NFL passing attack. But only one can be the first wide receiver selected in the 2026 draft class.
Tate tends to be the favorite, but Tyson more closely fits the profile that a team will want in a No. 1 target.
Of the two, Tyson is more explosive. He is the class' most dynamic receiving threat.
"Tyson thrives at attacking angles and leverage," Parson wrote. "His routes are run with the intent to step on the defensive back's toes quickly.
"He is a fluid mover with short-area quickness and sudden separation traits to be a three-level receiver. ... Tyson has excellent body control and hang time as he attacks passes downfield. [He also] possesses top-end speed and acceleration to be a vertical/deep weapon."
However, his status as the clear WR1 has been held up by a concerning injury history.
Tyson didn't finish any of collegiate seasons unscathed. In 2022, he suffered a devastating knee injury where he tore the ACL, MCL and PCL, which forced a redshirt 2023 campaign. He didn't finish the 2024 season due to a broken collarbone. Last year, the two-time first-team All-Big 12 performer became sidelined with hamstring issues.
His medical report is a lot, which rightly creates pause within the scouting community. But the upside is immense. Tyson actually produced more than Tate over the last two seasons despite playing in five fewer games.
Granted, Ohio State also featured Jeremiah Smith, who will be in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in 2027. However, that setup also speaks to the fact that Tyson produced at a higher level as a top target on a less-talented squad.
Tate feels like a sure thing. Whichever team drafts him knows exactly what it's going to get, which comes with a ceiling. Conversely, Tyson presents limitless upside to be a high-volume target.
Ultimately, his selection will be based on an NFL medical team's comfort level with his long-term prognosis. All it takes is one organization selecting among the top 10 to choose Tyson as the first wide receiver off the board.
Georgia's Monroe Freeling Emerges as OT1
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Monroe Freeling isn't the top offensive tackle prospect in the 2026 class. He isn't even counted among the top three among his position group. However, he presents the most upside at a premium position.
The trio of Utah's Spencer Fano, Alabama's Kadyn Proctor and Clemson's Blake Miller currently reside atop Bleacher Report's offensive tackle rankings, courtesy of scout Brandon Thorn.
Each of those mentioned has established himself over multiple years of high-level collegiate play, while Freeling only has one full year as a starter under his belt.
Even so, Freeling doesn't present the same type of limitations as the others.
Fano lacks length and is most comfortable at right tackle. The latter can be said of Miller. Proctor may be projected to guard by some teams. On the other hand, Freeling has all of the physical capabilities a team is looking for when trying to find a franchise left tackle.
The 21-year-old prospect measured in over 6'7" and weighed 315 pounds, with arms nearly 35 inches long. Freeling's movement skills and flexibility are obvious as well. The second-team All-SEC honoree posted one of the best relative athletic scores of all time among offensive tackle prospects, according to Kent Lee Platte.
Due to a lack of starts and overall reps, Freeling does require developmental work regarding his technique to become more consistent. He will experience his fair share of struggles early in his career as he hones his craft, so some patience is needed even if he's drafted as high as fifth or sixth overall.
At the same time, Freeling's raw physical tools and growth potential will likely supersede other offensive tackle options that are currently more polished or not destined to protect a squad's blind side.
Alabama's Ty Simpson Will Be QB2, 1st-Round Draft Pick
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The 2026 quarterback class basically boils down to Fernando Mendoza and everyone else.
Despite no other signal-caller challenging the Indiana product among the positional rankings, the group shouldn't be viewed as a complete waste. Other passers still offer starting potential, with Alabama's Ty Simpson profiling as another first-round possibility.
"Absolutely," Simpson said when asked if he will be a first-round selection. "I feel like I've done everything I can, but it's not up to me. I just know that wherever I go, I'm going to give it my all and make sure I'll put my best foot forward.
Simpson played tremendously well through the first half of the 2025 season before multiple injuries slowed his progress.
According to the Tuscaloosa News' Colin Gay, the former Crimson Tide quarterback played through a lower back issue, gastritis and elbow bursitis before being benched in a College Football Playoff meeting with the Indiana Hoosiers due to a broken rib.
When Simpson was dealing, he looked every bit the part of a future NFL starter.
"Simpson's dropbacks are rhythmic and well-timed with the route concepts down the field," Parson wrote. "[He reads] the entire field and works through his progressions; going from first to last read.
"Simpson is a highly accurate quarterback, who fits passes between defenders with immense touch."
Considering the need still found around the league, the former 5-star recruit should be confident about hearing his name called during the first frame. He should be in play as soon as the New York Jets are on the clock with the 16th overall pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers better consider all avenues. The Cleveland Browns own a second first-round pick, with an opportunity to challenge Shedeur Sanders atop the team's QB depth chart.
The possibility of a team trading back into the first round to secure its preferred quarterback, while also gaining the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, will almost certainly be in play.
New York Jets Trade Back into 1st Round To Make 3rd Selection
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The New York Jets have massive amounts of draft capital, which they should use to find their franchise quarterback.
Geno Smith isn't the answer. The 35-year-old veteran may not be as bad as what everyone saw last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he's clearly not the long-term solution for Gang Green. The Jets need to be aggressive now, because next year guarantees nothing.
As it currently stands, the Jets own four of this year's top 44 picks, as well as two extra first-round selections in the 2027 class. The ammunition is available to do something this year and create a lasting impact in hopes of an organizational turnaround.
In order to maximize this year's class, the Jets can use their initial two selections (second and 16th overall) to continue this offseason's defensive overhaul. Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and a cornerback, such as Clemson's Avieon Terrell, could go a long way to completing that side of the ball, particularly after all the previous offseason additions.
At that point, the Jets should get aggressive and be the team to make a run at Ty Simpson. Some may argue he could realistically be available at the top of the second round, which is a possibility. However, it's better to ensure the acquisition of a preferred quarterback, particularly when another team or two could be in play for his services.
As mentioned earlier, the back end of the first round features at least two AFC North squads in limbo at the game's most important position. Furthermore, the Arizona Cardinals sit one pick behind the Jets in the second round. The Cardinals are in no better position at quarterback, with their current plan to start Jacoby Brissett. However, the Jets are in a much stronger spot regarding the flexibility to move back into the first and secure Simpson's services.
The Jets aren't unaccustomed to three first-round selections. It occurred just four years ago. While two of those are no longer on the team after being traded, they helped the team's current setup.
Simpson landing in New York without the need to immediately run the team, get his footing and eventually take over the offense may be the ideal setting for the one-year collegiate starter.
New England Patriots Will Trade 1st-Round Pick to Philadelphia Eagles for A.J. Brown
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The New England Patriots set their sights on acquiring Alec Pierce at the start of free agency but never really had a chance to sign the market's No. 1 wide receiver.
They then turned their attention to Romeo Doubs, though he shouldn't be viewed as the solution when it comes to beefing up New England's passing attack. A trade for A.J. Brown would be.
The Patriots remain the most likely landing spot for Brown's services, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Financially, a deal makes the most sense after June 1 when his dead salary-cap hit decreases by over half upon spreading it over two seasons. However, New England can entice the Eagles to get a deal done earlier by offering up a first-round pick.
The market says such a deal isn't outlandish. The Buffalo Bills surrendered a second-round pick to acquire D.J. Moore's services, while the Denver Broncos flipped this year's first-round selection to the Miami Dolphins for Jaylen Waddle.
At 28, Brown is the same age as Moore and only a year older than Waddle, while producing more throughout his career.
The Patriots won't find as impactful of a performer, at least in the short term, with this year's 31st overall pick. New England is again operating at a Super Bowl standard. Brown can help elevate the entire offense while reuniting with his first head coach, Mike Vrabel.
Philadelphia could be patient to preserve as much financial flexibility as possible. But it will be difficult for general manager Howie Roseman to forgo a first-round pick this year when Brown's value can diminish by waiting, because the Eagles will lose leverage as time goes on.
With essentially one serious suitor, that team knows the price only rises if it must absorb a significant portion of Brown's contract and falls if it does not.
With or Without Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers Select Another QB, Albeit Not in 1st Round
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The Pittsburgh Steelers organization believes it can still compete with the NFL's best, hence the open-door policy for Aaron Rodgers despite the veteran quarterback turning 43 later this year.
Rodgers remains noncommittal about playing another year, although the expectation is for him to return for this upcoming season. Still, the Steelers must address quarterback beyond him and what's already on the roster.
Their first-round selection (21st overall) will most likely be reserved for an instant-impact rookie, either on the defensive side of the ball or offensive line. But Pittsburgh can't keep intentionally leaving itself in limbo at the game's most important position. Some type of investment is needed to start developing a plan beyond the immediate.
Penn State's Drew Allar is a fascinating option, specifically for Pittsburgh. The 6'5", 228-pounder fits what the Steelers usually prefer. He also provides significant upside with starter potential, particularly for a team that isn't ready to sink a first-round pick into the position.
The Penn State product entered this past season with first-round hype, though. He could be targeted somewhere on the draft's second day and be a realistic long-term option two or three years down the road.
If Pittsburgh doesn't land Allar, the Steelers could look toward supercharged athletic options and add something specific to the offense in Year 1.
Arkansas' Taylen Green or North Dakota State's Cole Payton can immediately provide short-yardage or red-zone options instead of having 300-pound tight end Darnell Washington behind center and Rodgers simply standing there staring into space. Both prospects present elite athletic profiles definitely worth a look a little later in the process.
The Steelers can then go into 2027 with someone to compete with Will Howard and possibly garner a starter without having to endure a down season.
Green Bay Packers Acquire QB Anthony Richardson for Day 3 Draft Pick
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As the old saying goes: "Where there's smoke, there's fire."
In this particular case, a match between Anthony Richardson and the Green Bay Packers almost seems destined.
"Green Bay, which did a tremendous job of developing Malik Willis after acquiring him from Tennessee for next to nothing, was the other team rival front offices pointed to the most as a landing spot for Richardson," Jason La Canfora reported for SportsBoom.
One NFL general manager told La Canfora: "Green Bay, I bet, brings him in."
Also, ESPN's Stephen Holder specifically identified the Packers as "one particular team to monitor" in regards to Richardson's trade market.
Currently, Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord are Green Bay's backup options. Richardson presents significantly more upside, particularly in a situation where he has time to sit, learn and develop behind Jordan Love. He's still only 23 years old and a former fourth overall draft pick.
The Colts started him too early. He wasn't ready for the responsibility of being an NFL quarterback or facing professional defenses. Both sides failed each other.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis found a different solution in Daniel Jones, who signed a contract extension this offseason. General manager Chris Ballard will almost certainly move Richardson at a steeply discounted price, likely a Day 3 draft pick.
The Packers can capitalize by bringing in another underdeveloped, top-shelf athlete and let head coach Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich get back in the lab and go to work.
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