As the sports calendar moves past the NCAA tournament and The Masters, focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft. In the latest mock draft from Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, a pair of quarterbacks are projected to go in the first round, while Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is a surprise top-10 pick.
The mock features several teams with multiple first-round picks, but a team trading back into the late first round makes a notable splash. The selections see Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) going first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Arvell Reese (Edge/LB, Ohio State) heading to the New York Jets at number two.
Rueben Bain Jr., the productive Miami pass rusher, is projected to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 10th overall pick. The mock highlights his high motor and production, contrasting with last year's first-round selection for the Bengals.
Other notable picks include Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) to the Kansas City Chiefs at number nine, and a run on offensive linemen in the mid-to-late first round. The full two-round projection addresses team needs and fits for top prospects across the league.