Check out The Beast, The Athletic’s 2026 NFL Draft guide ranking the top prospects.
Buckle up.
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away and we’ve already seen our first big twist, as the Cincinnati Bengals sent the No. 10 pick to the New York Giants for 28-year-old All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. It’s a move that changes so much for both franchises, with potential immediate impact.
After some wobbly drafting during the Joe Burrow era, the Bengals have finally decided to push their future chips into the middle in an attempt to maximize their superstar quarterback’s window. Whether or not Lawrence will be enough to make that happen is not a question we can answer today.
It’s also a question the Giants don’t care about, as New York is now in position to make a huge splash ahead of John Harbaugh’s first season with the franchise. With all that said, let’s run through a quick top 10 mini-mock with the adjusted, post-trade draft order.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This continues to look like a safe bet, as the Raiders appear prepared to make the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner their quarterback of the future. The decision to bring in Kirk Cousins as both a veteran competitor and a seasoned mentor was one of the smartest pre-draft decisions I’ve seen.
Cousins will help push Mendoza early and be able (and, as history shows, willing) to provide invaluable advice and insight to the rookie as his first year progresses. The Raiders have a long way to go, but this would be a great first step.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
There’s some debate over whether or not the Jets prefer David Bailey over Reese here, which is fair. Bailey is the better pass rusher right now. But Reese, for me, is the closest thing we’ve seen to Micah Parsons since Micah Parsons.
His potential as a positionless front-seven chaos creator feels very real. And while Bailey is a more polished pass rusher today, I’m not sure we’ll be able to say that forever, as Reese has just scratched the surface.
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The best pass rusher in the draft, Bailey is a tick behind Reese for me on first and second down. On third down, however, Bailey’s better right now — which is why this could be a tough call for the Jets.
Either way, the Cardinals are in line to snag a pass rusher who should be ready to provide results right away. Bailey approached last season at Texas Tech like a pro and got professional results. I’d expect something similar in 2026.
4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
If the Titans are going best-player-available, this is the move. Moreover, it could also be a terrific addition for new coach Robert Saleh, who never had a talent like Styles in the middle of his Jets’ defenses. Is this high for an inside linebacker? Yes. Styles isn’t an ordinary inside linebacker, though, and it’s impossible to ignore that.
5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
To be frank: The Giants hit the jackpot with this trade. New York was already in a great position to add talent to an already intriguing young roster before Harbaugh’s first season. Now, the Giants can add two premium talents to a hungry group. Love’s presence as a true three-down weapon with legit receiving ability is perfect for Harbaugh-ball.
And if New York is hell-bent on landing Styles, it now has the capital to make sure that happens. This should be an exciting draft for Giants fans.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Fano has been my OT1 since October. Francis Mauigoa’s return trip to Indianapolis for a medical recheck on his back only solidifies this for me. I think Fano is talented enough to play either tackle spot in the NFL and probably either guard spot, too, if need be. A special athlete.
7. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Jermod McCoy’s physical potential is definitely tantalizing. But Delane, for me, is the safest cornerback and the most confident man-coverage defender in the draft. A controlled ball hawk who is very difficult to fool or stack, what you see is what you get here — and he could be among the NFL’s top shelf at CB in short order.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
When it comes to Ohio State wide receivers, people should not overcomplicate things. Tate’s 40 time was middling, but if you’ve really studied his tape you already knew that — and you don’t really care. Like current Saints WR and fellow former Buckeye Chris Olave, Tate is a well-schooled, complete receiver prospect who will make an impact as a rookie.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Another guy I pretty much refuse to overcomplicate in this class is Bain. The length concerns are real, but only to a point. I prefer Reese and Bailey as defensive line prospects over Bain, but the list stops there. His play strength, violence and quickness off the snap render his arm disadvantage useless — more than many realize. If you want to play him inside, he’ll dominate people there, too.
10. New York Giants (from CIN): Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
We’ve been running through 2025 mocks for four months now and the two players I’ve been torn about slotting to New York at No. 5 were Love and Downs. Two of my favorite X-factors in this draft, two players who can enter an NFL locker room and make an impact on Day 1. Thanks to the Bengals, the Giants now get both.