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Ray's 2026 NFL Mock Draft Predicts Top Picks
Analyst Kellerray Hutsell Zandell forecasts the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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With the 2025 NFL season coming to a close, the league is turning its attention to the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Analyst Kellerray Hutsell Zandell has released his first official mock draft, predicting where the top prospects will land in the first round.
Why it matters
The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events in professional sports, as teams look to add top talent to their rosters. Zandell's mock draft provides an early look at how the first round could play out, giving fans and teams a sense of the potential future stars that will be available.
The details
Zandell's mock draft has the Las Vegas Raiders selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the first overall pick. Other notable selections include the New York Jets taking linebacker Arvell Reese from Ohio State at #2, the Arizona Cardinals choosing offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from Miami at #3, and the Tennessee Titans snagging edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami at #4.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April or early May 2026.
The players
Fernando Mendoza
A quarterback from Indiana University who is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arvell Reese
A linebacker from Ohio State University who is expected to be a top-5 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Francis Mauigoa
An offensive tackle from the University of Miami who is considered one of the best offensive line prospects in the 2026 draft class.
Rueben Bain Jr.
An edge rusher from the University of Miami who is projected to be a high first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kellerray Hutsell Zandell
A sports analyst who has released his first official mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft.
What they’re saying
“This is by far the easiest pick to make. The Heisman quarterback put on a show this season and set himself apart as the clear No. 1 quarterback in this draft. The Raiders need a quarterback and more importantly a fresh start and this pick gives them both.”
— Kellerray Hutsell Zandell, Sports Analyst (dailyevergreen.com)
“The 6-foot-4 243-pound linebacker out of Ohio State was a dominant force for arguably the best defense in college football this season. Reese is not necessarily as technically sound as the other defensive stars in his class, but his size and athleticism makes him a day one difference maker that the Jets need on their roster.”
— Kellerray Hutsell Zandell, Sports Analyst (dailyevergreen.com)
What’s next
The 2026 NFL Draft order will be finalized after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. Teams will then have the opportunity to sign free agents and make trades ahead of the draft, which could impact the projected selections in Zandell's mock draft.
The takeaway
Zandell's 2026 NFL mock draft provides an early glimpse at how the first round could play out, highlighting some of the top prospects that are expected to be selected early. While these projections are subject to change, the mock draft gives fans and teams a sense of the talented players that will be available in the upcoming draft.
