How Todd McShay and Peter Schrager's Latest NFL Mock Drafts Compare 2 Weeks Out

We're less than two weeks away from the 2026 NFL draft, and the early predictions vary. Everyone still expects the Las Vegas Raiders to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, but things are a little less certain after that.

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has been trending as a likely pick for the New York Jets at No. 2, but that opinion is not universal. ESPN's Peter Schrager recently released his first mock of the season and had the Jets taking Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey instead.

The question is whether New York will bet on Reese's upside or take the "safe" route by drafting the more polished Bailey.

"At No. 2, the Choices are straightforward: the polished edge (David Bailey) or the upside play (Reese)," The Ringer's Todd McShay wrote in his mock draft 3.0. "If you're building for 2027 and beyond, you bet on traits.

Here, we'll examine other early mock selections from Schrager and McShay, along with the most noteworthy similarities and differences.

Comparing McShay and Schrager's Top 16

AP PhotoJ Mast

Indiana QB prospect Fernando Mendoza

McShay's top 16 Mock Selections

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

11.  Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

13. Los Angeles Rams: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

16. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Schrager's Top 16

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

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

11. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

13. Los Angeles Rams: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

15. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

16. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Jeremiyah Love Isn't Falling Out of the Top 10

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Notre Dame RB prospect Jeremiyah Love

It's interesting to note that, while the orders were certainly different, McShay and Schrager had very similar top-15 lists. Miami edge-rusher Akheem Mesidor and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq were the only players who didn't appear on both lists.

Toward the top, it's also interesting to note that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was a top-five selection in both mocks.

Schrager paired Love with the Tennessee Titans, though he cautioned that new head coach Robert Saleh could be in the market for a pass-rusher.

"I just don't think the Titans will pass on Love," Schrager wrote.

McShay paired the former Irish star with the New York Giants, though he admitted he wasn't convinced it would be the pick. However, McShay also noted that Love isn't likely to slide much further than fifth overall.

"League intel suggests the Giants are one of the most likely teams to take Love in the top 10 (along with the Commanders and Chiefs)," McShay wrote.

The Bleacher Report Scouting Department also sent Love to the Titans in its latest mock draft.

It's looking very likely that Love will be a top-five selection, and his draft floor should keep him in the top 10.

Omar Cooper Jr. On the Rise?

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Indiana WR prospect Omar Cooper Jr.

Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport recently released his picks for the draft's biggest risers and fallers. While Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. wasn't mentioned, it feels like the former Hoosier is on the rise.

Cooper is the 23rd-ranked overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's latest big board. While he didn't show up on the Scouting Department's mock draft, he was a top-16 selection in the mocks of Schrager and McShay.

"Every GM I speak to seems to love Cooper," Schrager wrote. "He's fearless and tough as nails—and he produces, with 937 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The comp I've heard is Deebo Samuel, and I don't think that's too wild to consider."

Schrager's notes match up well with B/R scout Dame Parson's scouting report on the wide receiver:

"As part of Indiana's explosive offense, Cooper became a proven, versatile target who did the necessary dirty work. He's a fearless competitor who is not afraid of contact or making collision catches."

NFL coaches and quarterbacks want dependable pass-catchers. If general managers do "love" Cooper, as Schrager suggests, the receiver may indeed be an early first-round pick.

At this point in the offseason, when players "fly up draft boards," it's often a case of media opinions catching up with those of NFL front offices.

Caleb Downs Could Fall Out of Top 10

AP Photo/John Froschauer

Ohio State S prospect Caleb Downs

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the top-ranked prospect at any position on the B/R Scouting Department's big board. He has the tools and the traits to be a legitimate difference-maker and to fill multiple roles in a secondary.

"Downs is the single best prospect for the 2026 draft cycle," Daniel Harms of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "With his experience in Matt Patricia's defense, he's going to hit the ground running for whatever NFL team drafts him."

McShay noted that Downs could be a candidate for the Giants at No. 5. If New York is in on the talented safety, there's a non-zero chance that he could be one of the top two defenders off the board on opening night.

Of course, Downs could also slide to the middle of the first round and out of the top 10.

McShay paired Downs with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10, while Schrager paired him with the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12. That feels late for the best prospect in the draft. As Davenport noted, however, safety simply isn't viewed as a premium position.

"As good as Downs is, he also plays a position that tends to be devalued in the NFL," Davenport wrote. "There hasn't been a safety drafted in the top 10 since Jamal Adams went sixth overall to the Seattle Seahawks in 2017."

McShay and Schrager both seem to view Downs as a borderline top-10 pick. It'll be interesting to see if teams feel similarly or if one of them will make Downs the first top-five safety since Eric Berry in 2010.