Upcoming NFL Draft Insights

Next week, we’re gearing up to dive deeper into the first 32 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.

But, for now, it’s mostly just a mix of rumors and speculation.

Let’s check out the latest developments.

Every year, there’s an abundance of chatter around trades leading up to the NFL Draft, and this year is no different.

Many experts believe the first round is likely to see a flurry of trades, especially since five teams—Chiefs, Cowboys, Browns, Dolphins, and Jets—hold two first-round picks. Interestingly, one general manager shares this belief.

That would be Chiefs’ general manager, Brett Veach.

During his pre-draft press conference, Veach hinted that the opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft promises to be quite eventful, largely due to trades.

“It should be a fun night,” Veach mentioned. “I think we’ll see a lot of trading.”

He went on to explain that the expectation for trades stems from the limited number of top-tier quarterbacks available, aside from Fernando Mendoza. Also, some prominent players like Notre Dame’s running back Jeremiah Love and Ohio State’s linebacker Sonny Stiles aren’t considered to be in “premium” positions, which typically encourages trades. There’s a rationale behind why Downs remains a leading prospect, too.

“I think fans are in for a treat next Thursday. We’ve got some solid prospects,” he commented. “It seems this year, some offensive tackles, defensive ends, and receivers are going to be closely ranked, so we might see some players slip a little lower or, alternatively, some lower-ranked guys move up.”

It’s a shift unlike any we’ve seen recently.

Veach added, “We’re not necessarily looking at two or three high-graded quarterbacks like we might in other drafts. You could see some fun surprises.”

With two first-round picks at their disposal—9th and 29th overall—the Chiefs could be one of those teams looking to shake things up.

If we focus on Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy purely based on 2024 film, he’s one of the standout players in this class.

That said, choosing him comes with some risks, considering he suffered a torn ACL during offseason training for 2025.

Dane Brugler has noted that this injury could potentially put his first-round eligibility in jeopardy.

Brugler pointed out that McCoy was rated among 14 first-round possibilities, coming in at No. 14.

“There’s a lot riding on this,” Brugler stated, referring to the risks of evaluating McCoy’s performance.

“Ultimately, it’s about the team’s appetite for risk. There’s been a lot of talk around the Cowboys and McCoy. If he’s healthy come draft day, he’s definitely a top-12 pick. Otherwise, he could slide down.”

“I wouldn’t rule it out,” he added.

In the coming days, we’ll find out more about whether McCoy’s injury will impact any decisions made by teams.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Strategy at No. 10

Let’s discuss the Bengals at the 10th spot.

Most analysts agree that reinforcing the defense—which has struggled recently—is a priority for Cincinnati. Looking at consensus mock drafts, Caleb Downs seems to be the most common pick, followed by Mansour Delane, Reuben Bain Jr., and McCoy again.

But I can’t help but wonder—might they opt for an offensive tackle instead?

Albert Brier from Sports Illustrated recently suggested, while discussing Cincinnati’s potential decisions, that an offensive lineman could definitely be in play.

[M]At No. 10, Downs might be lower than expected, but depending on their assessment of McCoy’s health, Bain might be just as appealing as the top two corners. And don’t overlook [Kadyn] Proctor as a wildcard.

Opinions on Alabama tackle Kaydin Proctor vary widely; some predict he could go as high as No. 6 to the Browns while others think he may drop to the mid-20s.

With Joe Burrow’s injury history in mind, there’s definitely a sense of urgency to secure reliable offensive linemen in front of him. It raises the question: would Cincinnati bring in Proctor at No. 10 and shift him to guard? That could be an intriguing strategy.

Yet, it seems Proctor is at least somewhere on their radar.

Quentin Johnston Trade Speculation

Social media is buzzing with rumors that the Los Angeles Chargers might look to trade wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

However, according to the general manager, don’t count on it.

“There’s a lot of chatter on Twitter,” Hortis said during his pre-draft press conference. “Let me clarify: I’ve never called about trading Quentin, and I’m not doing that now.”

The crowded wide receiver lineup for the Chargers could be fueling these rumors. Hortis mentioned enthusiasm for their receiver group, which includes Johnston alongside Ladd McConkie, Tre Harris, and Ke’Andre Lambert-Smith.

“We’re really excited about our wide receiver group,” he remarked. “Everything begins with Johnston, and I see him improving every year.”

This trade seems unlikely; the Chargers appear committed to Johnston for the time being.

Washington’s No. 7 Pick Considerations

A recent note indicated that Washington might be eyeing Notre Dame’s running back Jeremiah Love with the No. 7 pick.

Still, it’s also possible they choose the best defensive player available, a point made by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if they asked, ‘Who’s the best defensive player on our board? Let’s just go with him,’” Rapoport noted.

“A few potential names include Caleb Downs and Sonny Stiles. Both are appealing, and you can see them being discussed heavily in their decision-making process.”

Washington’s future also holds interest regarding trade options—after No. 7, they won’t pick again until the 71st spot.

Draft Predictions Starting at No. 3

Less than a week ahead of the draft, many questions remain about initial selections.

Fernando Mendoza is a lock for the No. 1 pick, and the Raiders’ actions (like adding Kirk Cousins) haven’t swayed that expectation.

The Jets, selecting second, have a few possible directions—Ohio State’s Arbel Reese was previously a favorite, but they could also consider Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey. The choice will depend on whether they need immediate help or more long-term potential.

It comes down to some key questions. Do you need assistance right away, or can you wait for future gains? “Bailey is a safer pick, but Arvell might shine in the long run,” one defensive coordinator observed. “The Jets need someone now.”

While the Jets may check in on Jeremiah Love for potential trades, it’s expected they will stick around for either Reese or Bailey. After all, this is a team that really needs defensive help.

And then the draft kicks into full gear.

With uncertainty surrounding what the Cardinals will do at No. 3, they could opt for one of their top tackles or potentially trade out entirely.

If Bailey goes second, Reese could follow at three, but the Arizona Cardinals’ plans remain murky.

It’s known that GM Monty Ossenfort wants to make an impactful move on draft day. Expect plenty of teams looking to trade down this year, and the Cardinals could be serious contenders for that strategy.

The buzz around the league is that the draft truly starts at No. 3, and there’s a lot of intrigue regarding Arizona’s decisions.

This year’s NFL Draft kicks off with that No. 3 selection.

Thoughts on the Eagles at No. 25

Much of the talk about the Philadelphia Eagles has revolved around AJ Brown’s future. As June 1 approaches, rumors swirl that he may be on his way out.

But looking at the draft, what might the Eagles do in the first round?

While many assume the focus will be on the offensive line, internal conversations reveal that general manager Howie Roseman is unlikely to make a hasty decision.

Last season was a bit of a struggle for the offensive line, but there’s evidence that the Eagles are prioritizing it in this draft, based on recent pre-draft visits. With Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson both contemplating retirement, bolstering the line seems crucial.

Yet they’re not in a hurry to make a pick. Philadelphia’s main focus is selecting top-tier talent, be it on the offensive line, for receivers, or tight ends.

This urgency is reflected in recent mock drafts, with analysts suggesting Clemson tackle Blake Miller or Kadin Proctor as solid fits for Philadelphia.

In a league-wide mock draft, SB Nation’s pick aligns with Max Iheanakor as a potential heir to Lane Johnson’s role.