.jpg?w=1280 "NFL Combine Football")
2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks That Feel Inevitable With 2 Weeks to Go
We're almost there.
On April 23, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will take the stage in Pittsburgh and make what appears right now to be an inevitable announcement regarding the first pick of the 2026 draft.
Here's more on that as well as a handful of additional picks that seem destined to happen at this stage.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
1 of 6.jpg?w=684 "DRAFT-MENDOZA")
Who?
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner wins with his "high football IQ and quick post-snap processing," per Dame Parson of the B/R NFL Scouting Dept.
Inevitability Factor
The Raiders desperately need their next franchise quarterback, and they created a clear-cut vacancy by trading Geno Smith this offseason. Kirk Cousins has joined the fray but is considered a bridge at best. It appears the team prefers to bring Mendoza along slowly anyway. Oh, and no other quarterbacks are ranked in the top 25 on the B/R NFL Scouting Department's latest Big Board.
Potential Alternatives
If anything, it would have to be a trade out of the top spot with a team even more desperate than them. The only semi-realistic thought is the Jets handing them Nos. 2 and 16.
Potential Surprises: You never know for sure, especially with the Raiders. There is no indication they would trade down, but doing so for a king's ransom and adding someone like Ty Simpson to work with Cousins isn't 100 percent out of the question.
2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2 of 6.jpg?w=684 "Cotton Bowl Football")
Who?
The do-it-all consensus All-American has "great size and carries his frame well with no bad weight," per Matt Holder of the B/R NFL Scouting Dept, "giving him room for growth if need be."
Inevitability Factor
The Jets seem resigned to wait for their franchise quarterback after bringing in Smith from the Raiders. Reese is considered by many to be the player with the highest ceiling in this draft class, and he's an ideal fit for Aaron Glenn's defense.
Potential Alternatives
David Bailey from Texas Tech might be a better pure pass-rusher, and there's a remote possibility the Jets decide Reese could become a jack of all trades but master of none.
Potential Surprises
Bailey at No. 2, or that aforementioned world-changing trade up with the Raiders for Mendoza.
4. Tennessee Titans: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
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Who?
The national sack leader from 2025 is an "impressive athlete who is quick-twitched and has very smooth/easy change of direction skills to beat offensive linemen across faces," according to Holder.
Inevitability Factor
Things naturally become less inevitable as variables increase with each pick, but the Titans are likely to sprint with this one if Bailey does indeed get past the Jets and Cardinals (who are in more of a toss-up scenario with Bailey, Francis Mauigoa and even Simpson). Keep in mind Arizona already has Josh Sweat on the edge. The Titans signed Jermaine Johnson II in March but need more muscle rushing the passer, and new Titans head coach Robert Saleh also invested heavily in edge rushers early in his tenure with the Jets.
Potential Alternatives
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has been a popular mock draft choice for Tennessee, but this team has bigger fish to fry at more critical positions.
Potential Surprises
They could go in a totally different direction and get quarterback Cam Ward a shiny new receiver like Carnell Tate.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
4 of 6.jpg?w=684 "Georgia Tennessee Football")
Who?
The second-team All-SEC offensive tackle has a "broad frame with long torso, well-rounded build with good arm length," according to Brandon Thorn of the B/R NFL Scouting Dept.
Inevitability Factor
The acquisition of Tytus Howard won't entirely fix an offensive line that was one of the worst in the NFL in 2025. The team knows it has to offer more support to its young quarterbacks, and Freeling has the length and athleticism to hold things down on the blind side for the next decade.
Potential Alternatives
Like Tennessee, they could look to add support via a receiver instead. USC's Makai Lemon, Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson are possibilities.
Potential Surprises
What if Francis Mauigoa drops?
14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
5 of 6.jpg?w=684 "CFP SMU Penn State Football")
Who?
Per Thorn, the first-team All-American has a "stout, densely-built body type with heavy hands and very good square power."
Inevitability Factor
The Ravens need to replace three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum, and the interior offensive line was a major issue even before Linderbaum's departure. Ioane can make a major immediate impact as the best guard in this class.
Potential Alternatives
The Ravens are often a "best player available" team in Round 1, so there are about a dozen other possibilities if Ioane isn't available.
Potential Surprises
Going receiver would be unexpected but also potentially makes sense in the middle of Round 1 for a team that lacks depth at that key position.
28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
6 of 6.jpg?w=684 "AP All America Football")
Who?
The unanimous All-American "presents good size and a thick build with massive legs to help him absorb contact as a run-defender," according to Holder.
Inevitability Factor
The run-stuffer is widely expected to go off the board in the 20s, and he's exactly what Houston needs up front on D. He'd free up the team's athletic edge presences to get after it.
Potential Alternatives
Clemson's Peter Woods would serve a similar purpose but is not widely expected to drop this far.
Potential Surprises
Even with the Braden Smith signing in March, they could be so serious about fixing that offensive line that they take a tackle like Blake Miller out of Clemson.
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.jpg?w=600 "A.J. Brown Deal Not 'Firm'")
