#2026-nfl-draft

#2026-nfl-draft

The Dolphins, under the guidance of new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley, have eight picks in the April 23-25 draft - one in the first round (No. 11), one in the second (43), three in the third (75, 87 and 90), one in the fourth (111), one in the fifth (149) and one in the seventh (227).

The Washington Commanders need more pop within the front seven moving forward. More production from the edge spot, more athleticism at linebacker, they need it all. With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Ohio State's Arvell Reese could be the focus for general manager Adam Peters. Teams searching for help in the middle of their defense will prioritize Reese due to his size and athleticism. But the question is whether he lands as a primary pass rusher or off-ball backer on Sundays.

Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa on Thursday officially declared for the 2026 NFL draft, where he is expected to be among the first players selected. Mauigoa is ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. in this year's draft. In his latest mock draft, Kiper has Mauigoa being picked No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

The NFC South hasn't had a Super Bowl contender since the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers made back-to-back appearances in the 2015-16 seasons. The division hasn't produced a double-digit regular-season winner in three of the past four seasons, with the Panthers limping to a wild-card berth after the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 regular-season finale, eliminating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the playoffs.

Would the Raiders entertain a trade for the No. 1 pick? I doubt it. It's hard to imagine the Raiders passing on Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, especially after ownership, including Tom Brady, attended the College Football Playoff National Championship. After Geno Smith's rough 2025 season, the Raiders need to bring in a young signal-caller who can grow with running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.

A lot can change between now and the start of the draft on April 23. For one, players from Indiana and Miami have until January 23 to declare for the draft. There are still predraft events, the combine and pro days over the next three months. We'll also learn more about lingering injury situations for a handful of top prospects.

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana* The Raiders haven't drafted a QB in the first round since 2007 (JaMarcus Russell). They're in desperate need of a franchise quarterback after the Geno Smith trade didn't work out, and Mendoza provides a long-term solution for a franchise that has been looking for a QB since Derek Carr was released following the 2022 season. Mendoza's poise, toughness and accuracy stood out in his lone season with the Hoosiers, as he won the Heisman Trophy while leading them to a 14-0 record. With tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders have building blocks on offense that would help Mendoza thrive right away.

With the 2025 NFL regular season coming to a close, the first 13 draft order slots for the 2026 NFL draft are set as we wait for the result of the AFC North showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Las Vegas Raiders will have the No. 1 selection, followed by the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. The rest of the order will shake out over the course of the NFL playoffs, ending with Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8.

Bowers was named to his second straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday despite battling a knee injury for six weeks. He played three games through a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise in his left knee that he suffered in the Raiders' season-opening win over the New England Patriots, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. He was then sidelined for three games to allow for recovery.

We're identifying each player in the playoff who could be selected in the upcoming draft and which round they'd fit best right now, giving brief breakdowns on prospects graded in the first three rounds. These players' draft stocks aren't etched in stone; they can all rise or fall during playoff action and the predraft process. But this is where things stand right now and a good picture of which teams could be sending a bunch of top talent to the early rounds of the draft.

This is my life here. So we on two different spectrums right now,

Remarkably, we're less than five months from Day 1 of the draft, which starts April 23 in Pittsburgh. But plenty can change between now and then. The draft order won't be fully set until mid-February, and the No. 1 pick is up for grabs. The final stretch of the 2025 season, along with all-star events, the combine, pro day workouts and a ton of predraft interviews, will ultimately determine how draft boards will be constructed. But things are starting to take shape.