Sportsnaut
With the arrival of NFL Week 16 comes more and more teams clinching playoff berths, meaning fan bases of other clubs start to focus on the 2026 NFL Draft. This year’s class and the current 2026 NFL Draft order are particularly intriguing because of the possibilities for deals and surprises.
Following the conclusion of Week 16, let’s dive into our latest 2026 NFL mock draft.
The Arizona Cardinals are now in desperate need of a new face of the franchise and it stands to reason, given all the injuries this season, they may not be in a position like this next year. Trading up four spots does cost a premium in draft capital, but the entire organization gets a quarterback it can invest in. Fernando Mendoza would walk into a situation with a very good receiving duo (Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson) plus an All-Pro caliber tight end in Trey McBride. He needs a good supporting cast to thrive and we think the Cardinals’ pass-catchers plus a healthy Trey Benson is the right spot to maximize him.
Raider Nation might want Fernando Mendoza, but there is a case to be made that Dante Moore is just as good as a quarterback prospect. In fact, some like him even more than the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Standing at 6-foot-3, Moore is a better athlete than Mendoza, and he played really well this season despite Oregon’s receiving corps being ravaged by injuries. He is only 20 years old, but the physical tools give him a higher ceiling than Mendoza, and the Ducks’ quarterback already shows real poise when pressured.
The Cleveland Browns will likely need to explore trading up if they want to get their franchise quarterback prospect. If they cannot get that signal-caller, then the next best thing is creating a supporting cast that will elevate the quarterback of the future. Coming out of an insane pipeline program for wide receivers, Carnell Tate is already polished as a route-runner, and his hands are just as good. He is ready to be a number one wide receiver on a young team and is a better receiver prospect than Tetairoa McMillan, an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate this season.
Related: Cleveland Browns Coaching Candidates 2026
The New York Jets get the best prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arvell Reese’s athleticism and versatility stand out on the field, as fans will see during the College Football Playoff. In Aaron Glenn’s defense, Reese offers the ability to both drop back in zone coverage and hold his own, and he can be deployed as an edge rusher. It is rare to find a linebacker with this level of flexibility and...
