FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt published a revised 2.0 mock for the 2026 NFL Draft following the kickoff of the new league year and initial free agency moves. Klatt reordered multiple prospects after the NFL Combine and several early free-agent signings, placing Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza atop the board and elevating Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey and Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. The updated mock reflects changing team needs as veteran starters were added in free agency and fresh combine measurements altered evaluations.
Key Takeaways
- Fernando Mendoza remains the consensus No. 1 prospect; he finished 2025 with 3,535 passing yards, 41 passing TDs (48 total) and a 72.0% completion rate.
- Joel Klatt’s 2.0 shows movement after the NFL Combine and free agency, with David Bailey jumping eight spots to No. 3 following a 4.50 40-yard dash and a 35-inch vertical.
- Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is projected No. 2 after a 2025 season with 69 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
- Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is slotted as high as No. 4 after 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries and 18 touchdowns in 2025.
- Monroe Freeling, a Georgia left tackle, rose into the top-10; Klatt notes he allowed one sack across 739 snaps in 2025 and was penalized twice.
- Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is Klatt’s top wideout pick for the Giants after catching 51 passes for 875 yards and nine TDs in 2025.
- Klatt projects 32 picks in a line-rich draft, with several offensive tackles and edge rushers expected to come off the board early.
Background
The 2026 draft conversation entered a new phase once the league year opened and teams began signing veteran free agents. Free agency changes immediate roster needs for playoff contenders and rebuilding franchises alike, narrowing which positions clubs will pursue in April. Analysts often release an initial mock soon after the Super Bowl; subsequent tools such as the NFL Combine and early workouts frequently cause large shifts in prospect rankings.
Joel Klatt issued an early mock right after the Super Bowl and has now followed up with a revised version that incorporates combine testing, pro days and the first wave of free-agent transactions. Teams that added experienced starters — or declined to upgrade — change the calculus about whether to prioritize a ready-made veteran in free agency or draft a longer-term prospect. That dynamic is visible in Klatt’s adjustments, where acceleration at the top of his board reflects both measurables and shifting team needs.
Main Event
Klatt’s updated mock lists Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1, a projection grounded in Mendoza’s 2025 production and the Raiders’ inactive approach at quarterback after trading Geno Smith. Mendoza’s body of work — including a Heisman Trophy and a national title — positions him as the expected top pick if the Raiders keep the first selection.
At No. 2 Klatt places Ohio State OLB Arvell Reese, citing a sustained high level of production since 2024 and a strong 2025 line: 69 tackles, 10 TFL and 6.5 sacks. Reese’s blend of production and championship experience with Ohio State has kept him near the top of many evaluators’ boards.
David Bailey’s rise to No. 3 for the Arizona Cardinals is tied to a breakout combine showing: a 4.50 40-yard dash, 10-foot-9 broad jump and 35-inch vertical, complementing 14.5 sacks at Texas Tech after transferring from Stanford. Klatt credits Bailey’s explosiveness and pass-rush productivity for his jump into the top five.
Klatt slots Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love at No. 4 for Tennessee, a notable nod to a running back likely to be a rare top-five selection if the mock holds. Love’s 199 carries for 1,372 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and 18 rushing touchdowns in 2025 — plus 27 catches for 280 receiving yards — underpin the projection.
Other high-end placements include Ohio State WR Carnell Tate to the Giants at No. 5 and Georgia OT Monroe Freeling to the Browns at No. 6; Tate provides a vertical deep threat after a 875-yard season, while Freeling’s limited pressures allowed and heavy left-tackle snap count boost his stock in a tackle-rich class.
Analysis & Implications
Klatt’s revisions illustrate how post-Super Bowl evaluations evolve: combine testing can elevate prospects who confirm athletic upside, while free agency clarifies team priorities. For example, Bailey and Sonny Styles leapt in Klatt’s board after athletic tests that suggested pro-level explosiveness; teams that still need pass rush or hybrid linebacker-safety versatility could prioritize those players higher than before.
The mock also shows how front offices may balance immediate roster fixes against long-term upside. Teams that used free agency to address quarterback or line play needs — or that acquired veteran starters — are less likely to pick those positions early, which reshapes where high-end prospects might land. Klatt’s board implicitly assumes teams that did not sign immediate starters will be likelier to take premium prospects at those spots.
Economically, drafting a top prospect like Mendoza projects a different salary trajectory for a team than signing a veteran free agent; rookies on rookie-scale contracts free cap space in the short term but carry developmental risk. Conversely, teams that fill holes via free agency may sacrifice draft capital or cap flexibility but gain immediate competence, influencing how mid- and late-first-round picks are valued.
International and fan-facing implications include altered local expectations: markets that covet a franchise quarterback will track Mendoza closely, while teams adding explosive defenders may shift defensive schemes to maximize a hybrid player’s strengths. Scouts and general managers will continue to reconcile testing data with game tape as they finalize April draft boards.
Comparison & Data
| Player | 2025 Key Stat | Combine Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) | 3,535 pass yards, 41 pass TDs, 72.0% comp | N/A (college production) |
| David Bailey (Texas Tech) | 14.5 sacks (2025) | 4.50 40yd, 35″ vertical |
| Sonny Styles (Ohio State) | 83 tackles (2025) | 4.46 40yd, 43.5″ vertical |
The table highlights how Klatt blends production with measurable testing when reordering prospects. Mendoza’s projection is driven primarily by on-field production and awards, while Bailey and Styles strengthened their cases with elite athletic testing that translated to accelerated rises on Klatt’s board.
Reactions & Quotes
Klatt’s mock prompted immediate commentary from draft analysts and team watchers who highlighted the impact of combine testing and the timing of free agency. Below are representative reactions and the context surrounding them.
“Combine numbers changed the conversation for a handful of players; explosiveness and burst matter for edge rusher evaluations.”
Joel Klatt, FOX Sports analyst
This statement summarizes why Bailey and Styles climbed Klatt’s board: both posted top-tier explosive metrics that align with NFL pass-rush and range traits. Klatt’s assessment frames the mock as responsive to measurable-confirmed upside rather than solely college production.
“Teams that addressed veteran needs early in free agency will likely deprioritize those positions in April.”
Front-office scout (anonymous)
A scout familiar with draft planning explained that when clubs sign veterans to fill immediate holes, their draft priorities shift toward remaining gaps or best-player-available approaches. That context helps explain variations in Klatt’s team-by-team projections.
Unconfirmed
- Exact team intentions remain fluid; reported needs can change if additional veteran trades or signings occur before the draft.
- Some prospect medical evaluations and interview impressions that influenced Klatt’s board are not publicly disclosed and therefore unverified.
Bottom Line
Joel Klatt’s 2.0 mock is a recalibrated projection that blends on-field production with recent combine testing and the opening-day effects of free agency. High-profile combine performances and early signings have reshaped where several prospects are projected to land, particularly pass rushers and versatile defenders.
As teams finalize roster decisions in the weeks ahead, expect further movement. The draft will ultimately reflect a mixture of team urgency, measurable validation and tape-based scouting; Klatt’s revision is a snapshot that captures the draft market at the start of the league year rather than a final verdict.