NFL Scouting Combine news: Football’s ultimate pressure cooker sets the stage for a mock draft
The lights flip on in Indianapolis as the next wave of NFL hopefuls storms into Lucas Oil Stadium for the NFL Scouting Combine, running February 23 to March 2, 2026.
The Super Bowl is firmly in the rear view mirror and all eyes are now on the Combine, which is the pre-draft showcase for all the prospective future stars, writes Sports News Blitz’s Graeme Bailey.
For a week, the stadium in Indy transforms into football’s ultimate pressure cooker – a place where 40-yard dashes rewrite draft boards, interviews make or break reputations, and every rep, jump, and drill becomes a résumé line for the pros.
Coaches, scouts, and GMs circle the field like hawks, hunting for the next franchise cornerstone.
It’s not just workouts, though. It’s medicals, measurements, whiteboard battles, and the kind of behind-the-scenes whispers that shape the entire draft season.
In short: the Combine is where dreams get real and doubts get exposed – all before a single draft card is turned in.
But this also means it is NFL mock draft season and at Sports News Blitz we have delivered our first go, of which there will be a number prior to the 2026 NFL Draft which starts on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Here, we detail the pick and also the likely team needs as it stands, although this will change as clubs pick up players via free agency too.
2026 NFL mock draft 1.0
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Needs: QB, OL, WR
Rationale: Fernando Mendoza’s arm talent and poise give the Raiders a long-term answer at quarterback. The Indiana QB is odds-on to be first pick.
2. New York Jets – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Needs: OT, WR, EDGE
Rationale: Mauigoa provides the Jets with a franchise left tackle to stabilise the offence. Mauigoa looks to be the top offensive lineman in this draft.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Needs: EDGE, CB, WR
Rationale: Bain’s explosiveness gives Arizona a true defensive cornerstone and many think he is the top defensive talent in the draft.
4. Tennessee Titans – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Needs: OL, WR, DB
Rationale: Downs’ instincts and range elevate Tennessee’s secondary immediately.
5. New York Giants – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Needs: WR, OL, CB
Rationale: Lemon brings separation ability and YAC talent to a receiver-needy roster.
6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Needs: WR, OT, DL
Rationale: Tate’s polish and ball skills give Cleveland a true perimeter playmaker.
7. Washington Commanders – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Needs: LB, CB, OL
Rationale: Reese’s range and physicality anchor Washington’s defence.
8. New Orleans Saints – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Needs: QB, OL, WR
Rationale: Saints take another swing at a QB in the draft.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Needs: WR, OT, CB
Rationale: Boston’s size and vertical ability give Mahomes a true outside threat.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Needs: CB, OT, WR
Rationale: Delane’s fluidity and competitiveness strengthen Cincinnati’s secondary.
11. Miami Dolphins – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Needs: EDGE, OL, LB
Rationale: Bailey’s burst and bend add needed juice to Miami’s pass rush.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Needs: OT, RB, WR
Rationale: Proctor’s power and upside help stabilise Dallas’ offensive line.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) – Peter Woods, DI, Clemson
Needs: DI, CB, EDGE
Rationale: Woods’ strength and disruption help rebuild the Rams’ interior front.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Needs: EDGE, WR, CB
Rationale: Howell’s explosiveness fits perfectly in Baltimore’s pressure scheme.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Needs: CB, S, OL
Rationale: Terrell’s instincts and ball skills give Tampa a long-term perimeter starter.
16. New York Jets (via IND) – Sonny Styles, LB/S, Ohio State
Needs: LB, S, WR
Rationale: Styles’ hybrid versatility solves multiple defensive issues at once.
17. Detroit Lions – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Needs: WR, CB, EDGE
Rationale: Tyson’s vertical speed adds another explosive layer to Detroit’s offence.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Needs: OT, DI, CB
Rationale: Fano’s athleticism and technique help secure Minnesota’s tackle future.
19. Carolina Panthers – Kayden McDonald, DI, Ohio State
Needs: DI, WR, CB
Rationale: McDonald’s power and anchor give Carolina a needed interior presence.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB) – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Needs: RB, OL, WR
Rationale: Love’s burst and receiving ability give Dallas a modern three-down weapon.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Needs: IOL, OT, CB
Rationale: Ioane’s strength and nastiness upgrade Pittsburgh’s interior line.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Needs: TE, WR, OL
Rationale: Sadiq’s athleticism gives the Chargers a dynamic middle-field target.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Needs: EDGE, CB, LB
Rationale: Parker’s motor and length fit perfectly in Philadelphia’s rotation.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Needs: OT, DI, WR
Rationale: Freeling’s length and athletic profile give Cleveland a long-term bookend tackle.
25. Chicago Bears – Zachariah Branch, WR, USC
Needs: WR, EDGE, OL
Rationale: Branch’s elite speed and return value give Chicago a field-tilting weapon.
26. Buffalo Bills – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Needs: CB, WR, DI
Rationale: McCoy’s physicality and coverage skills help retool Buffalo’s secondary.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Needs: EDGE, OL, CB
Rationale: Faulk’s length and power give San Francisco another developmental pass rusher.
28. Houston Texans – Justice Haynes, RB, Alabama
Needs: RB, DI, CB
Rationale: Haynes’ vision and balance bring a steady, explosive presence to Houston’s backfield.
29. Los Angeles Rams – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Needs: WR, CB, OL
Rationale: The Rams know how to use someone like Concepcion and Sean McVay takes another WR he likes.
30. Denver Broncos – Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Needs: CB, EDGE, OL
Rationale: Moore’s length and upside are worth the investment for Denver.
31. New England Patriots – LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Needs: EDGE, WR, OT
Rationale: Overton’s traits and frame give New England a high-ceiling edge defender.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL)
Needs: OT, DI, LB
Rationale: Bell’s power and size help Seattle continue rebuilding its offensive line.
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