SYNOPSIS: Similar to last year, this year’s NFL draft seemingly lacks drama because it’s not loaded with franchise QBs. Virtually all mock draft and betting sites have Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza as a lock going to the Las Vegas Raiders with the #1 overall pick. However, the next QB (likely Alabama’s Ty Simpson) may not come off the board until late in the first round, if that. After the first pick, the draft is wide open with many experts torn between Ohio State LB Arvell Reese and Texas Tech DE David Bailey as the #2 overall pick. Reese is recognized as having a higher ceiling while Bailey is more developed and presumably has a higher floor. Given that the New York Jets have that pick, the likely will blow it and make the wrong choice between past results vs. potential. The draft should be interesting to see how high Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love goes (I predict #4) and how many Ohio State players go in the top 10 (I predict 4).

2026 T10B MOCK NFL DRAFT

METHODOLOGY

After returning to my roots and creating a mock draft simply based on the numbers for the 2025 NFL Draft, I accurately predicted:

• the first four picks in the correct order;
• the first seven picks with 5-7 out of order;
• 13 of the first 15 picks (including 8-13 out of order).

Of note, I used a blend of other mock drafts, player grades and betting odds to create my list. While some might [reasonably] challenge the basis for my approach, I have come to realize that other presumed experts must use similar criteria based on how much they moved in unison with betting odds over the last 2-3 days.

While I didn’t use AI in my ranking, I included the results of Google Gemini for comparison purposes. I initially tried ChatGPT until I saw it had some players who already went in the 2025 draft and another who withdrew from the 2026 draft many months ago. In honor of my favorite blowhard NFL draft expert, Mel Kiper Jr., who offered to quit if Jimmy Clausen wasn’t a successful NFL QB, I’ll offer to quit preparing mock drafts if/when AI does a better job predicting the results than I do. Clausen has been out of the league for 10 years after finishing with his career with 2,500 passing yards, 7 TDs, 14 Ints and a 1-13 record, yet Kiper will be blowing hard again tonight. Point being, my threat is about a real as Kiper’s hair.

Without further ado, I offer the 2026 T10B Mock NFL Draft.

2026 T10B MOCK NFL DRAFT – THE PICKS

2026 T10B MOCK NFL DRAFT