{"id":404693,"date":"2025-11-25T23:52:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T23:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/404693\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T23:52:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T23:52:12","slug":"2026-nfl-mock-draft-top-10-picks-caleb-downs-to-jets-fernando-mendoza-to-browns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/404693\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Mock Draft, top 10 picks: Caleb Downs to Jets, Fernando Mendoza to Browns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Almost all eyes are on an increasingly tight playoff race as the NFL heads into its loaded Thanksgiving slate. But several teams have fallen off the playoff watchlist, meaning they can start digging in deeper on the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> class.<\/p>\n

With six weeks to go in the regular season, The Athletic\u2019s NFL Simulator<\/a> now gives the Tennessee Titans a 46 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick for a second consecutive draft, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders (17 percent) and New York Jets (15 percent).<\/p>\n

We take a look at how the top 10 picks could unfold.<\/p>\n

1. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Reese has split his time almost evenly between playing in the box and on the edge this season, and he\u2019s been equally destructive across the board. This is the 2026 NFL Draft\u2019s best Micah Parsons clone. The data is limited, but Reese\u2019s ceiling looks incredible.<\/p>\n

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Arvell Reese is QB nightmare fuel \ud83d\ude08@OhioStateFB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yFmlmkKBzV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

2. Las Vegas Raiders: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn<\/p>\n

Based on traits (and position) alone, we probably can\u2019t take Faulk out of the No. 1 pick discussion. Theoretically, the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder can do it all, from zero- to nine-technique. Faulk is a very young player with immense potential, so his pre-draft process could be huge.<\/p>\n

QB is also a possibility for the Raiders, but I\u2019m not ready just yet to slot one in the top five.<\/p>\n

3. New York Jets: Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State<\/p>\n

The Jets need everything. So, although Downs \u2014 a safety by trade who can play corner, slot or even sub linebacker \u2014 might scare people from a positional-value standpoint, he is still my favorite player, pound for pound, in the class. He\u2019s a potential culture-changer.<\/p>\n

4. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami<\/p>\n

Bain (6-3, 275) can be a tough evaluation. He still runs pretty hot and cold from a consistency standpoint, but he has an argument as the best edge in this class when the green light is on.<\/p>\n

The Raiders, Saints and Jets all could be in the QB market, so Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore remain on the board here, too.<\/p>\n

5. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah<\/p>\n

Fano\u2019s athletic potential keeps him as OT1 for now. If you want to see how big of an impact he can have, go watch Utah\u2019s recent 51-47 win over Kansas State. The Utes ran 50 times for 292 yards, with plenty of those attempts coming right behind their star junior.<\/p>\n

6. Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama<\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to be another wild winter\/spring cycle for prospective NFL quarterbacks. Simpson has been the best processor in the class, by a bit, but this is still just his first season as a starter. A long playoff run could go a long way here.<\/p>\n

7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had Jordyn Tyson as my WR1 for most of the season, and though I\u2019m still a huge fan, it\u2019s important to note he\u2019s not a lock to claim that spot. Tyson has missed a lot of time in his career because of injury, including this season. It\u2019s not unlike Puka Nacua\u2019s situation coming out of BYU.<\/p>\n

Tate, meantime, has been a revelation for the Buckeyes. He gets better every time out.<\/p>\n

8. Cleveland Browns: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/p>\n

As with Simpson, a big playoff run against top-end defenses could go a long way toward easing some of the inconsistency\/lack of data questions scouts have about Mendoza. Both quarterbacks feel like high-floor passers \u2014 they might not rewrite the NFL record book, but they\u2019ll absolutely play winning football.<\/p>\n

9. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

There will be a number of conversations about areas of need if Minnesota finishes the year in the top 10, as J.J. McCarthy\u2019s hardly having a great time right now.<\/p>\n

For my money, Love is your 2025 Heisman winner. An elite football player, Love \u2014 like Downs \u2014 is worth the positional-value debates.<\/p>\n

10. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami<\/p>\n

From Miami to \u2026 Miami. This would be a great fit, not only because the Dolphins remain absolutely desperate for more toughness in the trenches on both sides of the football, but also because Mauigoa is exactly the type of culture-setter who could help give Miami\u2019s locker room an actual identity.<\/p>\n