New NFL Mock Draft With Coaches, Execs, Scouts Projecting Top 10 Picks Revealed in Report

Ahead of the start of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday, final predictions for how things will play out are continuing to be revealed.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe spoke to "numerous coaches, executives and scouts from a variety of teams" to put together a mock draft of this year's top 10 picks:

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

It has been a given for nearly the entire pre-draft process that the Las Vegas Raiders will use the No. 1 pick to land 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

There has been more of a debate over who the New York Jets will select at No. 2 between Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. While Howe predicted that Reese would be the pick, ESPN's Peter Schrager declared on Tuesday's episode of Get Up that he feels the Jets will select Bailey.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department also predicted that Reese will land in New York in its mock draft. A scout told Howe that it will come down to whether the Jets believe they can bring out his full potential on the field.

"If you want a guy who has more freakish ability and versatility, but you're working with more of a projection, you go with Reese," the scout said. "It's how comfortable you are with the projection, and you have to have a plan with how you're going to use him."