This pick has been all but locked in for a while now, and there’s no reason to believe that anything that happened at the combine changed things. Mendoza may not start from day one—Raiders GM John Spytek said in Indianapolis last week that he’s “not necessarily in favor of running [a rookie quarterback] out there right away”—but he has all the tools to develop into the franchise passer Las Vegas needs. 

Reese showed off his electric speed at the combine last week, posting a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds. The Buckeyes star is a loose, flexible athlete who would bring incredible versatility to the Jets defense, and he’s capable of making high-impact plays at both the linebacker and edge rusher spots. 

The Cardinals need help at the right tackle spot, but it may be too tough for them to pass up on an electric edge rusher here in Bailey. The former Red Raiders star showed off his explosive traits at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and jumping 35 inches in the vertical jump and 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad jump. Those numbers confirm what we had already seen on tape: that he’s an excellent athlete who can bring heat off the edge.

There will be some teams that downgrade Bain or even outright remove him from their boards because of his short arms (just 30 7/8 inches), but for the Titans, his incredible production and hair-on-fire demeanor could outweigh those concerns. Bain is a tone-setter who can create havoc off the edge or line up inside in certain situations.

The Giants could go in any number of directions at this spot, but it’d be tough to argue with a decision to bolster the trenches. Mauigoa can drop in as the bookend for left tackle Andrew Thomas, giving New York a tough and physical blocker who can upgrade the run game while protecting Jaxson Dart. 

Even after trading for former Texans lineman Tytus Howard, the Browns still need help all across their offensive line. Fano is athletic and nimble footed in pass protection and has a nasty demeanor in the run game. He brings experience at both tackle spots and can be a player for the team to build its offensive line around.

Styles blew the doors off at Lucas Oil Field last week, registering one of the most electric athletic performances the combine has ever seen. The rangy and versatile linebacker ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds while posting simply ludicrous numbers in the explosion tests, with a 43.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2-inch broad jump. Styles brings the speed, instincts, and tackling reliability to change the entire complexion of the Washington defense. 

With Alvin Kamara inching nearer to the end of his illustrious career in New Orleans, the team grabs a highlight-reel-creating successor in Love. The former Notre Dame star would give head coach and play caller Kellen Moore another big-time playmaker to scheme up in his offense—and because of his explosive play potential as both a runner and pass catcher, Love should help make Tyler Shough’s life a little bit easier in 2026. 

The Chiefs would add some real speed to their offense by grabbing Sadiq, and the former Oregon standout can give the team a long-term succession plan for Travis Kelce. Sadiq posted historic numbers in combine testing on Friday, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds (fastest ever among tight ends) and jumping 43.5 inches in the vert (second best) and 11 feet, 1 inch in the broad jump (third). He’s a dynamic mismatch creator in the passing game, and he can hold his own as a blocker.

The Bengals desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball, and Downs should provide a huge boost. The former Buckeyes safety is a do-it-all playmaker who can line up at multiple spots on the field, bringing instincts in coverage and range as a run defender.

The Dolphins are in a transition phase and will be heading into the 2026 season with a new GM (Jon-Eric Sullivan), a new coach (Jeff Hafley), and (almost surely) a new quarterback. Whoever ends up under center for Miami will need some support, and Tate is just too good to pass up at this spot. The former Buckeyes star is a silky-smooth route runner with automatic hands and can line up everywhere on the field. He’d be an excellent complement to Jaylen Waddle and should provide a big boost for the team’s next signal caller. 

The Cowboys have focused heavily on the trenches in the early part of the draft over the past five years, and they stick to that strategy here, grabbing a high-upside edge defender in Faulk. The former Auburn star is big and strong, and he brings excellent length to the position, giving Dallas a day-one impact player as a run defender while offering scintillating potential as a pass rusher. He impressed at the combine, measuring in at 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, with over 34-inch arms and an 82-inch wingspan. He showed off his explosiveness with a 35-inch vertical jump as well.

The Rams badly need reinforcements at cornerback, and they look to bolster that spot here, grabbing a big-time playmaker in Delane. The former Tigers star lacks elite size and speed but makes up for it with uncanny instincts in coverage. He’s comfortable in any scheme and gives the team a day-one starter on the outside. 

The Ravens look to bolster the trenches with this pick, grabbing an immediate-impact player in Ioane. The former Penn State standout is a stone wall on the interior offensive line and brings some nasty to the run game. He should help give Lamar Jackson a cleaner pocket while paving the way for Derrick Henry in the run game. 

The Buccaneers add some oomph to their edge group with this pick, grabbing a high-energy rusher in Mesidor. The former Hurricanes star is explosive and incredibly tenacious off the edge, giving the team a three-down early-impact playmaker. He’ll be a nice complement to Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey on the Tampa Bay front. 

The Jets continue to restock the shelves on the interior defensive line with this pick, grabbing a dynamic defender in Woods. The former Tigers star is nimble yet powerful, giving New York a gap-shooting penetrator who can also hold up against the run. He’ll pair nicely with the newly acquired T’Vondre Sweat on the inside. 

The Lions bolster the defensive end spot opposite Aidan Hutchinson here, grabbing an athletic and physical edge player in Parker. The former Clemson standout is tough and powerful at the point of attack and should immediately boost Detroit’s run defense, and he also offers upside as a pass rusher.

The Vikings grab their long-term successor to Harrison Smith. Thieneman is a rangy and instinctive defensive back who can line up and make plays all across the back seven. He solidified himself as a first-rounder with an impressive combine, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash while jumping 41 inches in the vert and 10 feet, 5 inches in the broad jump. 

Considering he missed almost all of the 2025 season with a foot injury, Banks is one of the biggest wild cards in this draft. But the Florida product’s top-tier combine performance makes him worth the risk. Banks measured in at 6-foot-6, 327 pounds with 35-inch arms and nearly 11-inch hands and then ran the 40-yard dash in 5.04 seconds while jumping 32 inches in the vert and 9-foot-6 in the broad jump. Those are incredible numbers for any defensive tackle, not to mention one with his rare dimensions. He will fit in nicely alongside Derrick Brown on Carolina’s defensive front. 

After adding pass rusher Keldric Faulk with its first of two first-rounders, Dallas addresses the secondary here. Hood is tough and physical in coverage and likes to crowd receivers early in their routes. He gives the Cowboys the type of playmaking talent they need on the outside.  

For a team that became known for its receiver-drafting prowess under former GM Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh’s depth at the position currently is laughable; after DK Metcalf, the only other receivers on the roster worth mentioning are Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson. Tyson fits a huge need and complements Metcalf well, giving the Steelers a big-bodied pass catcher who can win at all three levels with his quickness and size.

The Chargers’ offensive line was devastated by injuries in 2025, and last offseason’s signing of Mekhi Becton didn’t play out as hoped. This team needs reinforcements in the trenches. Proctor is a mountain of a man who could line up wherever he’s needed in L.A., but most likely fits best at one of the guard spots. He brings the power to move people off the line and should help provide a cleaner pocket for Justin Herbert going forward. 

There’s some doubt that A.J. Brown will return to the Eagles in 2026, but even if he does, Philly could stand to add to their receiver depth. Boston is a big-bodied playmaker who wins at the catch point and is dangerous in the red zone. He can play outside but is extremely tough over the middle too, giving Philly plenty of options in their passing game. 

The Browns added to their offensive line with the first of two first-round picks, and now they add some talent to their wide receiver corps. Lemon is a tough, rugged pass catcher who wins with body control and focus at the catch point and can make hay after the catch. He’s a nice complement to Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman and does his best work out of the slot. 

Freeling was one of the biggest winners of last week’s combine, measuring in with prototypical size (6-foot-7, 315 pounds with 34 3/4-inch arms and 10 3/4-inch hands) while showing off top-tier athleticism and movement skills (notching a 4.93-second 40-yard dash, 33.5-inch vertical jump, and 9-foot-7 broad jump—all of which ranked top-five among offensive linemen). He gives the Bears a long-term answer at left tackle. 

With Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin, and Darnell Savage all set to hit free agency, the Bills take a swing here on a playmaking safety. McNeil-Warren is a rangy, instinctive defender who flies around the secondary and homes in on the football. He can do a little bit of everything, from coverage in the back end to run support near the line of scrimmage. 

The Niners bulk up on the defensive line here, grabbing a top-tier space eater and run defender in McDonald. The former Buckeyes stalwart should help shore up the team’s far too leaky run defense and offers some untapped upside as a pocket-collapsing force against the pass.

The Texans’ offensive line rebuild continues here. After trading away multiple starters over the past two years, Houston adds a potential long-term starter in Lomu, who brings the light feet and natural movement skills to play on the blindside. 

The Rams are planning for the future here, grabbing the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford. Simpson could use a little time to learn the ropes after starting just 15 games in college, but he’s more polished than that limited résumé would lead you to believe. In head coach and play caller Sean McVay’s scheme, Simpson could emerge as a point guard–type quarterback who knows how to distribute the ball to his playmakers.

The Broncos bolster their linebacker group here and grab a rangy, aggressive playmaker in Hill. The former Longhorns star showed off his athleticism at the combine, posting a 4.51-second 40-yard dash while jumping 37 inches in the vertical and 10-foot-5 in the broad jump. That speed and explosiveness show up on tape, too, as he routinely shoots gaps in the offensive line to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Hill has the traits to start right away for Denver.

The Patriots need to continue to add playmakers around quarterback Drake Maye, and Concepcion fits the bill. The former Aggies playmaker is lightning quick as a route runner at all three levels and provides run-after-the-catch talent. He can play on the outside or in the slot for New England. 

With Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe set for free agency, the Seahawks look to restock the shelves at cornerback. Terrell is a ferocious, high-energy defender who helps to set the tone for his teammates and brings the versatility to play both outside and in the slot. He’s sticky in coverage, brings effort as a run defender, and flies in like a bat out of Hades as a blitzer. He should fit right in on Seattle’s defense.