Lead: As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine opens in Indianapolis, general managers and scouts are poring over prospects whose performances could reshape April’s draft. This two-round mock projects how 64 selections might fall before teams see final combine numbers and interviews. It assumes a Browns–Cowboys blockbuster trade that alters the early order and highlights quarterbacks and defensive playmakers expected to climb or fall after Lucas Oil Stadium drills. Early entries such as Fernando Mendoza, Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and Carnell Tate anchor the top of this projection.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Combine in Indianapolis is underway and will heavily influence teams’ April draft decisions, especially for quarterbacks and edge defenders.
- Mock projects 64 picks across two rounds; No. 1 is the Las Vegas Raiders taking QB Fernando Mendoza from Indiana.
- No. 2 projects the New York Jets selecting safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State), reflecting an unusual early safety pick driven by elite talent.
- Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is forecast at No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals as a versatile LB/EDGE who can change front-seven dynamics.
- Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is projected at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans; the mock notes coach Robert Saleh’s likely interest despite arm-length concerns.
- No. 5 shows the New York Giants selecting WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State) to pair with Malik Nabers and support young QB Jaxson Dart.
- The mock emphasizes that combine performance can elevate mid-tier prospects (e.g., Dillon Thieneman, Ty Simpson, Zachariah Branch) into first-round conversations.
Background
With the 2026 Scouting Combine taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, college prospects from across the U.S. will undergo timed drills, positional workouts and interviews with NFL teams. The Combine historically changes draft boards: measurables and medical reports can confirm or complicate tape-based evaluations. This year’s class lacks a clear consensus “generational” prospect at the top, which increases the likelihood clubs prioritize best-available talent over positional norms.
Front offices are juggling roster needs, coaching changes and varying draft capital. Notable context in this mock includes the Raiders’ urgent search for a franchise quarterback and the Jets’ defensive overhaul under new personnel leadership. Coaching hires, such as the Titans’ move to Robert Saleh in this projection, shape which traits teams will value — notably edge power and tenacity for Saleh’s system.
Another major context is trade activity. This mock treats a Browns–Cowboys blockbuster as a scenario that significantly reshapes early selections; the presence of such a trade increases unpredictability for teams sitting near the top. Until terms are confirmed, that transaction is treated as a model assumption impacting draft order rather than a settled fact.
Main Event
1 — Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana. Mendoza arrives as the class’s top quarterback in this projection. Scouts admire his accuracy and processing but note he is not universally viewed as a generational prospect. The Raiders, desperate for a long-term signal-caller, figure to take the swing on Mendoza’s ceiling rather than wait.
2 — New York Jets: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State. Selecting a safety so high is unconventional, yet this mock places Downs at No. 2 because of his playmaking instincts and range. The Jets’ staff, still reshaping a secondary that struggled to create turnovers in 2025, could prioritize an elite defensive back who changes coverage schemes.
3 — Arizona Cardinals: LB/EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State. Reese’s athletic profile and disruptive potential push him into the top three. There remains debate about his pro position — linebacker or edge rusher — but his explosiveness and length make him an upside pick for teams seeking pass-rush flexibility.
4 — Tennessee Titans: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL). Bain projects as a high-effort interior/exterior defender who can set the edge and pressure quarterbacks. Despite questions about arm length that could impact pass-rush leverage, his physicality and motor fit the mold a defensive-minded coach like Robert Saleh would value.
5 — New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State. The Giants use an early pick on a polished route-runner to complement Malik Nabers and support rookie QB Jaxson Dart. Tate’s ball skills and contested-catch ability make him a natural second option in an ascending passing attack.
Analysis & Implications
Positional value in this class is atypical: a safety and a linebacker/edge appear among the first five selections in this mock because top-tier offensive studs are limited. That dynamic forces teams to weigh upside and immediate fit over traditional positional priority. Teams with pressing quarterback needs (like the Raiders) still appear willing to spend premium capital on a developmental passer when control of the offense is the top priority.
The Browns–Cowboys trade scenario in this mock illustrates how a single transaction can have ripple effects across several teams’ strategies. If a team moves up to acquire a preferred talent, clubs below may pivot to best-available players rather than position-specific board plans. Injuries, medical flags discovered at the Combine, or surprise workout results could amplify that volatility.
From a roster-building standpoint, taking high-upside defensive players early signals a league-wide emphasis on playmakers who can create turnovers and pressure. That trend reflects analytics showing turnover margin and pass-rush win rate as strong predictors of short-term defensive improvement. Conversely, teams that fail to find a reliable quarterback early may seek veteran bridges or trade paths during the season.
Comparison & Data
| Pick | Team | Player | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
| 2 | New York Jets | Caleb Downs | Ohio State |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | Arvell Reese | Ohio State |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | Rueben Bain Jr. | Miami (FL) |
| 5 | New York Giants | Carnell Tate | Ohio State |
The table above summarizes the mock’s top five picks. It highlights a defensive tilt with three of five top selections coming from defense-heavy profiles and three players from Ohio State. That concentration underscores how program pedigree and scheme-ready traits can elevate prospects in uncertain classes.
Reactions & Quotes
League voices offered measured takes on the mock and the Combine’s potential impact.
This mock underscores how much a single trade can reshuffle draft math and force teams to reassess positional priorities.
NFL Mocks analysis
That observation frames why front offices pay close attention to pre-draft trade talk: moving up or down changes not only who a team selects but how others react to the new order.
Several scouts see Mendoza as the top passer in this class, even if evaluators differ on his long-term ceiling.
League scout (anonymous)
Scouts emphasize process and refinement for Mendoza; his Combine workouts and interviews will be weighed against tape to determine whether he is day-one ready or a developmental project.
Teams are warming to taking positionless playmakers early when the overall talent pool lacks a clear top offensive star.
Draft personnel director (anonymous)
That mentality helps explain unconventional early picks, like a safety at No. 2 in this mock: teams may prioritize immediate impact traits over positional traditions in a thin class.
Unconfirmed
- The specific terms and timing of the Browns–Cowboys blockbuster trade referenced in this mock have not been publicly confirmed and are treated here as a scenario assumption.
- How individual Combine workouts and medical evaluations will alter the full two-round order remains unknown until drills and interviews conclude.
- Any mention of coaching hires (for example, the Titans hiring Robert Saleh in this projection) reflects this mock’s assumptions and may not match finalized front-office moves.
Bottom Line
This two-round projection captures a draft environment defined by uncertainty at the top and a premium on playmaking defenders and developmental quarterbacks. The Combine in Indianapolis will be decisive: measurable results and medical information can validate tape-based evaluations or force teams to pivot. Readers should treat the Browns–Cowboys trade in this mock as a scenario driver rather than a confirmed transaction until official details emerge.
What to watch next: Combine testing numbers for Mendoza and other QB prospects, workout spikes from mid-round hopefuls trying to enter the first round, and any trade announcements that change draft position. Teams and fans should expect volatility — and active movement — between now and draft weekend in April.
Sources
- NFL Mocks — two-round 2026 mock draft (media: sports news outlet)