Here’s a prediction for the 2026 NFL Draft that might not shock anyone: Fernando Mendoza is likely to be more successful than JaMarcus Russell.
The Raiders are set to select Mendoza with the top pick for the second time ever, and honestly, it won’t take much for him to outshine Russell (chosen first in 2007), who had a rather unimpressive record during his three years.
Anyway, let’s dive into some more daring forecasts.
Who’s going to snag all the running backs? Will another quarterback enter the first round? And which veteran might get dealt for a pick?
Stick around for more insights below.
1. A running back, safety, and inside linebacker could all be top-five picks for the first time since 1981.
If this scenario plays out, some NFL executives might face scrutiny that could challenge the traditional thinking about positional value.
What seems most likely? Perhaps the Cardinals will choose Jeremiah Love at No. 3, the Titans could go for Sonny Styles at No. 4, and the Giants might settle on Caleb Downs at No. 5.
Love might also get picked at No. 4, No. 5, or even No. 7 (to the Commanders).
Back in 1981, the Saints (at No. 1) and Jets (at No. 3) selected running backs George Rodgers and Freeman McNeil. Meanwhile, the Seahawks picked up Hall of Famer Kenny Easley at No. 4, and the Cardinals grabbed linebacker EJ Jr. at No. 5.
The other top-five choice was linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
2. Ty Simpson is set to follow in Matthew Stafford’s footsteps.
There’s a realistic chance Simpson could have a draft experience similar to Jackson Dart’s.
The Alabama standout is waiting to see if the Steelers, caught in Aaron Rodgers’ indecisiveness, will choose a quarterback at No. 20. If they don’t, the Cardinals or Jets might trade up from the early second round to late first round for Simpson.
Last April, after the Steelers opted not to pick at No. 21, the Giants rushed to make a deal with the Texans for Dart when negotiations with the Chargers fell apart.
But the Rams plan to avoid that kind of tension by selecting Simpson at No. 13, the highest they’ve picked since 2016, allowing him to learn behind MVP Stafford, who’s 38. Coach Sean McVay seemed rather straightforward about Simpson, yet some in the league believe he could be a perfect fit.
3. The first round will see no veteran trades, but many could come in subsequent days, including a deal involving a Jets player.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach is known for his scouting talent. But is he good at predicting future moves?
It seems Veach anticipates increased trading activity due to varying opinions on first-round prospects at edge and offensive tackles, making teams more willing to shift around to grab their favorites.
However, other league insiders think the number of trades might decline since many big names have already been dealt, such as Jaylen Waddle, Dexter Lawrence, and AJ Brown, whose move from the Eagles to the Patriots is paused until June 1st.
The expectation here is that it could mirror 2025, a quieter draft with only four first-round trades. The second day, however, could prove more lively.
For instance, you might see edge Jonathan Greenard shipped from the Vikings to the Eagles, receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the 49ers to the Commanders, and both cornerback Kenny Moore II (Colts) and quarterback Spencer Rattler (Saints) moving to the Jets.
Maxx Crosby seems poised to stay with the Raiders, despite rumors linking him to the Lions and Bears.
4. A record number of offensive linemen are expected to be drafted in the first round.
The previous pre-merger record was 10 in 1968, and since then, nine have been drafted in 2013, 2022, and 2024.
Even without a center, this first-round group could see nine (or even ten) offensive linemen taken.
While it might not be as flashy as when six quarterbacks went in the first round back in 1983, it’s still noteworthy.
Francis Mauigoa is anticipated to be a top 10 pick, followed by Olaiba Vega Ioane, Spencer Fano, and Monroe Freeling. The real surge should happen in the latter half of the first round with prospects like Kadin Proctor, Blake Miller, Caleb Lomu, and Max Iheanakor.
Whether this aligns with modern or all-time records will come down to whether guards Chase Visontis and/or Kaylan Rutledge make the cut.
5. The Chiefs are set to draft Travis Kelce’s successor.
The most creative NFL offenses are increasingly utilizing multiple tight ends.
Kelce’s career continues to extend, yet his effectiveness has definitely waned over time.
The Chiefs (holding picks No. 9 and No. 29) might address their needs at left tackle and cornerback, even potentially selecting two cornerbacks.
However, Kenyon Sadiq, clocking in with a blazing 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, stands out as the fastest tight end prospect since 2003. He’s a versatile blocker who excels on the field. Pairing him with Kelce in 2026 and grooming him for future roles would likely be an enticing prospect for head coach Andy Reid.
The real question is whether they’ll be audacious enough to trade up from No. 29 to grab Sadiq at No. 9.
