2026 NFL draft: Execs, scouts, players on top prospects

When the NFL combine begins this week in Indianapolis, it’ll be the next step in the evaluation process 2026 nfl draft (April 23-25, ESPN and ABC).

Each spring presents prime opportunities for NFL teams to scout prospects: the All-Star Games (senior bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas, among the more notable), the combine and individual pro day in Pittsburgh leading up to this year’s draft. Teams also have the opportunity to bring up to 30 players to their facility during the spring. While each team approaches events differently, there are a few key things they’re looking for at each milestone.

“The football aspect, that resonates right now. We’re trying to confirm the things we’re seeing and then obviously you know who are the guys who love the game and are doing all the little things to further their careers and help the organization achieve its goals,” he said. New Orleans Saints Running backs coach Joel Thomas, who coached the U.S. team during the Senior Bowl in January.

Combine teams will interview players, put them through workouts and share medical information. Pro Days and the Top-30 Tour allow teams to interact with players who opted to skip the combine or were not invited to the program.

An NFC executive told ESPN that it may still be difficult to evaluate players’ draft stock after the season. “Most of the work done in the postseason is usually confirmation or confirmation of what you already believe,” he said.

Where do things stand right now? ESPN’s Jeff Legvold, Jeremy Fowler and Roman Modrowski used the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl and Super Bowl as an opportunity to poll executives, coaches and players on three big questions about the class. will be las vegas raiders Keep the No. 1 pick and draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza? Who is the best prospect in this class, regardless of position? And which prospects will be the most exciting to see on Sundays this fall? (Each reporter asked one question, and the number of answers to each question varied.)

Jump to a question:
Will the Raiders retain the No. 1 pick?
Who is the best prospect in the class?
Who are the NFL players you are most excited to watch?

Will the Raiders retain the No. 1 pick and select Fernando Mendoza?

Keep selection: eight votes
Trade the pick: zero vote

The Raiders are smart to remain in the public eye without commitment, but people around the league understand that. For executives and scouts, the answer to this question is clear: There is no chance the Raiders will move up from the top spot and draft a QB. Indiana.

“Never, never,” said an AFC official about the Raiders moving away from the top pick. pittsburgh steelers Coach Mike Tomlin.

Acquiring a capable starting quarterback on a rookie contract is the envy of most front offices. The Raiders have that chance — perhaps the only chance in the draft — with a slam-dunk passer at the top. That’s Mendoza, Heisman Trophy winner Who performed in his final collegiate season. It was a performance for the ages, like Star Turn By joe burro (Cincinnati) and jayden daniels (Washington) during his final season at LSU.

An NFC executive said, “The Raiders have a bad roster, but Mendoza is the best passer in the draft and it’s not close.” “You can’t ignore it. He’s accurate at all levels of the field with good hands, plus size and good character.”

Those same evaluators believe Mendoza could be a good fit for a Raiders team that needs a dose of his excitement.

A different NFC executive said of the QB’s demeanor, “That might be his superpower.” “…He’s really so focused, and I think people will gravitate towards that.”

Some voters considered the option if trading the first pick could yield a bigger fish like Burrow or Baltimore. lamar jackson. But such deals are considered unlikely at best.

The Raiders were last in the NFL in total offense (245.3 yards per game) last season. Mendoza won’t have a ton of talent in Vegas in Year 1, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Raiders spend aggressively on the offensive line and skill positions in free agency. Vegas is second in salary cap space at nearly $88 million tennessee titans. — Fowler

Who is the best prospect in the class, regardless of position?

Arvel ReeseLB/AGE, Ohio State: five votes
jeremiah loveRB, Notre Dame: three votes
caleb downsS, Ohio State: a vote
Fernando MendozaCubby, Indiana: a vote

Almost from the time that Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was selected with the No. 1 pick of the 1998 NFL Draft, it seemed like teams had two draft boards each year: the quarterback board and everyone else. Twenty-one quarterbacks have been selected No. 1 in the last 28 drafts, including seven of the last eight years.

So, when asked about the best prospect in this year’s draft, every scout or personnel executive who participated in the survey immediately said they believed Mendoza would be the No. 1 pick. And he said Mendoza was easily the best quarterback on the board and certainly one of the best players in the draft.

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Why is Fernando Mendoza Field Yates’ top prospect in the 2026 draft?

Field Yates and Ben Solak discuss what makes Fernando Mendoza the top overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“But it won’t mario williams-type year,” said an NFC general manager. “I don’t see many, if any, scenarios like this [Mendoza] No matter where everyone is graded, he doesn’t go No. 1. “Some grades will be a little higher.”

Williams was one of seven nonquarterbacks taken No. 1 in those past 28 drafts. houston texans He was voted No. 1 in 2006. He ultimately was named to four Pro Bowls along with one first-team All Pro selection in his 11-year career, but Vince Young (No. 3), Matt Leinart (No. 10) and Jay Cutler (No. 11) were all first-round quarterbacks that year.

When it comes to who is the best prospect in the 2026 class regardless of position, that honor goes to Reese based on our polling. The Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher was a multitasking player in the Buckeyes defense, boasting athleticism, physicality and walk-in starter ability as a three-down player. He has tremendous potential as an edge rusher with his vast range of off-ball abilities.

Love, who had a combined 35 rushing touchdowns the past two seasons, received the most votes behind Reese. For a league looking for an explosive game, the Notre Dame running back is a player who can emerge in a big way, and the fact that he is not considered a scheme-dependent back will make his list of NFL contenders long. — Legvold

Which draft prospects are current NFL players most excited to see on Sunday?

two weeks ago he helped Seattle Seahawks win super bowl lxFirst-team All-Pro defensive end leonard williams Watched Mendoza lead Indiana to a national championship. Mendoza’s iconic scramble and stretch on the goal line was one of the most memorable in the history of the championship game, but there was something else that stuck with Williams.

“He just seems like a great, humble kid,” Williams said during Super Bowl week. “He seems to be happy where he is. I think that kind of attitude, coupled with his athleticism and playmaking ability, changes the locker room wherever he goes.”

Mendoza’s 27 red zone touchdowns (with no interceptions) were the most in FBS, and his 79.2% adjusted completion percentage was second in the country. But Mendoza made an impact even when the ball was not in play.

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Who will the Jets draft at No. 2?

Field Yates and Mina Kimes speculate what the Jets could do with the No. 2 pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

“Being in the league [11 years]It’s not always about your ability to make plays, it’s about your ability – especially at quarterback – to impact a team. His demeanor and his temperament, the way he basically is, you can see it,” Williams said.

patriots protect mike onwenu He said he’s also excited to see what Mendoza can do in the NFL.

“Based on the year he’s had, and watching him as a leader, watching him address the team and watching him address the media, he continues to lead from moment to moment,” Onwenu said.

Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez He said he’s looking forward to welcoming the wide receiver to Arizona State jordan tyson However, for the NFL. Tyson has battled injuries the past two seasons, but ESPN’s Field Yates has him going number 8 For the Saints in their most recent mock draft.

Gonzalez’s interest in the 6-foot-2, 200-pound wide receiver goes beyond statistics.

“He’s from the same area as me, near Dallas,” Gonzalez said. “And we have the same agent. So I know him a little bit. Great guy, great athlete. Excited to see him in this league, and he’s going to be a great player.”

patriot special teamer alex austin He also chose Tyson after watching some of his highlights on YouTube.

“He’s really athletic,” Austin said. “I’m excited to see what he does. I think he can be a great weapon. He’s legit.”

seahawks rookie safety Nick Ammanvori He had a standout season at South Carolina after being named first-team All-American. It’s no surprise that some of the prospects Emmanavori is eyeing have SC connections.

“I love [South Carolina CB] brandon sisse,” Emmanvori said, ”and [Clemson WR] Antonio Williams. … I [Williams] Played with him in high school, in college, he’s from Irmo, South Carolina, where I’m from. Hometown rival. Great college career. They’re the same people I encountered coming out of college.”

Emmanwori also mentioned Ohio State’s Reese and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delaney Among the prospects he is most excited to watch.

Mendoza wasn’t the only player who had a strong championship game. miami defensive lineman reuben ben jr Had one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. “He’s an exciting player,” Patriots linebacker jack gibbens Said about him. “I’ve seen him in a few playoff games and he seems like he’s definitely a guy to watch.”

And finally, the Seahawks defensive tackle geran reid Alabama receiver chosen jermay bernard That’s the prospect he’s most excited to watch.

“Why? Because I went to Alabama,” Reed said. –Modrowski

ESPN Saints reporter Katherine Terrell contributed to this story.