2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded with multiple shocks, stories, and high expectations. Fernado Mendoza, the Heisman winning quarterback from Indiana, was the first overall pick of the draft going to the Las Vegas Raiders. Everyone expected Mendoza to go 1 so that was not a shock to anyone. Mendoza stayed home with his family and watched the draft in his home. Mendoza also won the National Championship with Indiana last season and the Raiders hope that will result in a Super Bowl in their future. The Second Overall Pick was more up in the air then the Mendoza pick as the Jets could have gone different ways but they selected David Bailey, an Edge from Texas Tech.  Bailey had a very good college football year and stood out at the combine earning him the 2nd overall selection.. Bailey is a very unique player; he does not wear any accessories on the field. 

 “It’s kinda a superstition but I just feel faster, And as a “D” end it gets messed up anyway. I like the low socks and rolling up my pants, I just feel faster with nothing on.” Bailey said in his pre draft interviews.

With the third overall pick the Arizona Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love running back from Notre Dame, which has the potential to be a good pick for the Cards. He is a great player and can really help their team out. The thing is that drafting a running back with the third overall pick means giving him a rookie deal of 4 years 52.5 Million dollars which is by far the most money given to a running back. There are high expectations for Love to come into Arizona and be dominant. The question is do they have enough support on the offensive line.

With the Fourth overall pick the Tennessee Titans selected Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver Ohio State. Tate came into the college football season being overlooked by his partner in fame Jeremiah Smith who had an outstanding freshman year, taking the college football world by storm. This season Smith was supposed to continue that dominance although he was overlooked because of the success that Tate was having on the field. Tate was able to boost his draft stock by statically having a better season than Smith. Smith is a projected top 10 pick in the 2027 draft.

The fifth overall pick of the New York Football Giants took Arvell Reese, a versatile linebacker from Ohio State. Reese is a freak of nature, an absolute stud. At age 20, his ceiling is extremely high and the Giants are hoping he is the missing piece on defense.

“ He is the best of the bunch, he has everything: the violence, the power, the strike, the length, the bend, the acceleration. His pro day was so impressive. He’s the best defensive player for sure. He’s the best edge defender I’ve seen in a few years. I’m not sure about pure pass rush, but edge defender, yes.” Bruce Freedman said. 

The rest of the top ten concluded with Mansoor Delane, Defensive back from LSU going to the Kansas City Chiefs. Sonny Styles Linebacker from Ohio State going to the Washington Commanders. The New Orleans Saints took Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. The Cleveland Browns selected Spencer Fano Offensive Tackle from Utah. The Top 10 Wrapped with the New York Football Giants taking Francis Mauigoa Office tackle from Miami.

Some facts about the draft included:  the Miami Dolphins had the most picks with 13, the most common position was wide receiver with 36 WR drafted and the least common was running backs with 14 RBs drafted. A player from Nigeria was drafted 251 by the Philadelphia Eagles overall and he has never played a snap of football. Uar Bernard is 6 foot 4 inches 306lbs and 6% body fat. He ran a 4.63 forty yard dash which was faster than this year's defensive player of the year and arguably best defensive player ever Myles Gerret. He has a 40 inch vertical and a 10 foot 10 inch broad jump. Bernard is an absolute freak of nature the Eagles are hoping to develop him into a great football player, it is a low risk high reward because most 7th round picks don't end up making rosters anyway and  the Eagles might have gotten a steal. 

“ If the Eagles are any good at their job at making great athletes good football players then this guy is gonna be awesome. He has all the tools in the tool shed and is an absolute animal. He fell to the 7th round because he never played a down of football, but if they can develop him he has first round ability.” NHS senior Nick Pavia said. 

The Navy Midshipmen had a very historic draft. The Midshipmen had 2 players selected in the draft for the first time since 1956. They were:  Landon Robinson a defensive lineman to the Cincinnati Bengals and Eli Heidenrich a running back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heidenrich was a 7th round pick and usually unless you're a first round pick you don't walk the stage of the draft but for the kid from Pittsburgh being drafted in Pittsburgh to the Pittsburgh Steelers was fitting in that he was able to have that honor. Heidenreich was in Naval uniform walking the stage and gave a Navy salute to the crowd which fired up the day 3 draft crowd. Both players are allowed to play in the NFL while deferring active duty service. 

The NFL Draft  gives great hope for many franchises across the league and many things to talk about and look at as the draftees talk to the media, perform in training camp, and give an overall feel for the team. Every team leaves the draft thinking they won but as we all know the ultimate proof will happen next February with the crowning of a Super Bowl Champion.