Even as the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, any sense of certainty remains elusive.
With less than two weeks left until the start of the first round in Pittsburgh, the buzz is growing around various possibilities for teams' potential paths. But late insights don't always have the signal-to-noise ratio, leaving a distinct shapelessness to an inherently fluid event. And with so many moving pieces, a true structure for the first round and beyond might not emerge until the first few names are called out on draft night.
Here's our latest 2026 NFL mock draft and projection for the full first round:
The draft discussion around Mendoza has already shifted to how the Raiders can best set up the quarterback for long-term success. With Kirk Cousins coming aboard, Las Vegas might opt for a more patient approach than NFL teams typically exhibit with No. 1 picks behind center. But Mendoza has given every reason for the Silver and Black to believe he'll be a quick study in Klint Kubiak's scheme. Still, a satisfactory class depends on more than his mere arrival, as there's significant work to be done in the receiving corps and throughout a defense that looks liable to yield shootouts.
From January through March, the consensus opinion had Arvell Reese was pegged for the spot. Now, Bailey is the hot name linked to Gang Green. While Reese's body type and forcefulness against the run might make him a more natural running mate for wiry edge rusher Will McDonald IV, there's not a ton of projection required when it comes to Bailey's ability to pester quarterbacks. For a regime that has to balance long-term growth with showing some proof of concept in Year 2 of the build, the savvy Stanford transfer could be just the kind of cornerstone required for the reconfigured front seven.
