Peter Schrager unveils his 2026 NFL mock draft, projecting picks based on insider intel. With Round 1 starting April 23 in Pittsburgh, teams like the Las Vegas Raiders are nearly locked in on Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana, to pair with Kirk Cousins. The Raiders’ strategy hinges on building around Mendoza, leaving nine picks to address roster gaps.

The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals target pass rushers: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech, and Arvell Reese, LB/edge, Ohio State, respectively. Arizona’s defense, which allowed 28.7 points per game in 2025, prioritizes adding playmakers like Reese. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans favor Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame, despite pass-rush interest, citing his 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025.

Offensive needs drive the New York Giants (Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami) and Cleveland Browns (Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah), while the Washington Commanders (Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State) address a porous defense. The New Orleans Saints (Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami) and Kansas City Chiefs (Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State) focus on defensive disruption and offensive firepower, respectively.

The Cincinnati Bengals (Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU) and Miami Dolphins (Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State) target shutdown corners and WR depth. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys (Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State) and Baltimore Ravens (Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon) aim to bolster secondary and tight-end corps. Schrager notes the 2026 draft’s outcome will hinge on balancing positional value with long-term roster building.