Two Cardinals surprises and a Giants backfield move headline the latest first-round projections
With the 2026 NFL Draft just ten days away, mock draft season is hitting its peak — and the latest projections from Yahoo Sports paint a picture of a first round full of surprises, positional runs, and at least one team making a double statement before a single pick is official..
Five teams hold multiple first-round selections, but it is a team that trades back into the late first round that makes the most noise in this edition of the mock. Yahoo Sports That team is the Arizona Cardinals — and their moves are turning heads.
The Cardinals Swing Twice
Arizona’s rebuild in the NFC West is in full swing, and this mock has the Cardinals making two calculated moves that reflect the urgency of their situation. With the third overall pick, they land Monroe Freeling, an offensive tackle out of Georgia with significant upside projected as a long-term right tackle alongside Paris Johnson Jr.
Then, trading back into the first round at No. 31, Arizona gets a quarterback to try and quickly get back into contention without staying in the gutter too long. Ty Simpson has a chance to be a viable starter, which is probably enough for a team to jump up and snag fifth-year option control of his rookie contract.
Two draft selections. Two very different needs addressed. One team signaling it is serious about accelerating its rebuild before NFL draft night arrives.
Giants Add a Weapon at No. 5
New York goes a different direction than many draft analysts expected at fifth overall, selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Head coach John Harbaugh loves to have a team that can run the ball, and pairing Love in the backfield with Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart would accomplish that. Skattebo is coming off a major injury, giving the Giants a reasonable opportunity to add Love without overloading at the position.
The bigger picture here is the offensive identity Harbaugh is building through the draft. If Malik Nabers returns to full form, the Giants suddenly have a talented young core of playmakers that can keep them competitive in a tough conference.
Top Draft Picks at a Glance
Here is how the first round shapes up in the latest mock
- Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- New York Jets — Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State
- Arizona Cardinals — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
- Tennessee Titans — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- New York Giants — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- Cleveland Browns — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
- Washington Commanders — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
- New Orleans Saints — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
- Kansas City Chiefs — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Cincinnati Bengals — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Raiders Lock In Their Franchise QB
At the top of the board, there is little drama. The Raiders take Mendoza to be their new franchise quarterback, and if Kirk Cousins is willing to play mentor once the season gets going, this is a nice setup for the young signal-caller. Yahoo Sports Cousins joining a team that was always going to draft a quarterback in this spot is simply part of the plan.
Ohio State Dominates the Draft
One of the more striking storylines in this mock is the sheer volume of Ohio State talent going in the top ten. Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, and Caleb Downs all hear their names called before draft pick eleven — a testament to just how loaded the Buckeyes’ roster has been. Reese can play off the ball or on the edge, and his pass rush ability is just getting tapped into, making him a modern defensive weapon that every play caller would want.
With draft night officially ten days out, the intrigue is only building. The Cardinals’ double move and the Giants’ backfield gamble are just two of the storylines that will define how April 23 unfolds in Pittsburgh.
Source: Yahoo Sports