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NFL Nation
There are solely three games left within the 2025 NFL season, then all eyes will flip to the offseason. So let’s verify in with groups which have a top-10 decide within the 2026 draft, which begins April 23 in Pittsburgh.
The Raiders have the No. 1 decide for the primary time since 2007, they usually appear poised to pick out a signal-caller. However might they be keen to entertain a commerce for the highest choice? The remainder of the highest 10 additionally presents intrigue. How can the Titans greatest help quarterback Cam Ward — the No. 1 decide from 2025 — at No. 4? Would the Chiefs think about making a splashy transfer with a uncommon top-10 choice? What sort of method is sensible for the Giants at No. 5?
We requested our NFL Nation reporters to reply one large query about every group with a top-10 choice. Let’s dive in. (And for extra on these 10 picks, in addition to the remainder of Spherical 1, take a look at Mel Kiper Jr.’s new mock draft.)
Soar to a group:
ARI | CIN | CLE | KC | LV
NO | NYG | NYJ | TEN | WSH
Would the Raiders entertain a commerce for the No. 1 decide?
I doubt it. It is arduous to think about the Raiders passing on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, particularly after possession, including Tom Brady, attended the College Football Playoff National Championship.
After Geno Smith‘s tough 2025 season, the Raiders want to usher in a younger signal-caller who can develop with working again Ashton Jeanty and tight finish Brock Bowers. Mendoza has proven the toughness, accuracy and talent to ship in pressured conditions — traits that Las Vegas would covet from the quarterback place. Given the present state of the group, there is not any want for the Raiders to overthink this choice. — Ryan McFadden
What’s the almost certainly route that the Jets will absorb addressing QB?
They will not draft a quarterback right here until the Raiders one way or the other go on Mendoza. Likelihood is, the Jets could have an all-encompassing plan: purchase a veteran or two (maybe Malik Willis or Kirk Cousins), launch Justin Fields and draft a quarterback with the No. 16 or No. 33 decide.
The later draft decide might be Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss. This could cowl their short- and long-term pursuits. And if the Jets cannot safe a quarterback of the long run, they will look towards 2027 and begin a “March for Arch” marketing campaign. — Wealthy Cimini
Which facet of the ball is the larger want this offseason?
Offense, no doubt. The Cardinals spent lots in free company final offseason rebuilding the protection solely to see it underperform — it gave up 40 or extra factors 4 occasions and 37 in two different video games. However the offense wants upgrades in a couple of areas to assist Arizona get again on monitor after a 3-14 season, beginning with the offensive line.
There are no less than two line positions — guard and proper sort out — that should be addressed. Plus, getting one other receiver to enhance Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson could be helpful. — Josh Weinfuss
How can the Titans greatest help Cam Ward with this decide?
Though it is on the opposite facet of the ball, the most effective factor to do is add an impactful go rusher to group up with defensive sort out Jeffery Simmons and assist create favorable discipline place. A stout, turnover-generating protection would give Ward and the offense shorter fields to work with and extra alternatives to attain factors. The Titans completed fifteenth in go rush win price in 2025, and Simmons’ 11 sacks had been six greater than the following closest participant (Jihad Ward). — Turron Davenport
The Giants have lots of wants. Will they only take a “greatest participant out there” method with this decide?
The Giants might use one other offensive playmaker, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, cornerback or security. They positively have choices. With new coach John Harbaugh now the largest voice within the room, something is feasible. However one thing tells me he’ll construct from the trenches (the identical as he did in Baltimore 18 years in the past), particularly along with his want to make the Giants a “extra bodily group.” — Jordan Raanan
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Outdoors of QB, what different wants might the Browns fill with their two first-rounders?
Offensive line and vast receiver. Cleveland’s offensive line is growing old and in decline. With just one Week 1 starter underneath contract for the 2026 season, basic supervisor Andrew Berry acknowledged the place group could have a “truthful quantity of turnover” within the offseason.
The Browns might additionally use a dynamic playmaker on the skin. Cleveland’s go catchers accounted for the second-fewest yards within the NFL (3,152) in 2025, behind solely the Jets. — Daniel Oyefusi
After the Commanders had the NFL’s oldest roster in 2025, which place wants the largest reboot?
Washington’s offense has a powerful basis, due to its line and quarterback Jayden Daniels. However the protection wants youth, pace and athleticism — particularly on the sting.
The Commanders have one rotational defensive lineman underneath 28 years previous. Their prime go rusher, Dorance Armstrong, tore his ACL in October. However realistically, each space of the protection must be upgraded after the group finds a brand new coordinator. — John Keim
Are the Saints extra more likely to choose a possible successor to linebacker Demario Davis or defensive finish Cameron Jordan with this decide?
The Saints in all probability will not put themselves in a single field, as offensive wants will take a excessive precedence. In the event that they do take a defensive participant with a excessive decide, it is extra seemingly they’d attempt to discover one other defensive finish to enhance Chase Young and Carl Granderson versus taking a linebacker.
New Orleans hasn’t drafted a linebacker within the first spherical since Stephone Anthony at No. 31 in 2015. They’ve taken 4 defensive linemen throughout that interval, together with defensive ends Payton Turner at No. 28 in 2021 and Marcus Davenport at No. 14 in 2018 (through a trade-up with the Packers). — Katherine Terrell
For example Notre Dame working again Jeremiyah Love continues to be on the board. May the Chiefs make a splashy transfer to repair their run recreation?
Boy, that is such an alluring possibility. The Chiefs desperately have to improve their speeding assault, and Love has demonstrated dynamic playmaking capacity.
The higher possibility, although, is for Kansas Metropolis to prioritize whomever is the most effective go rusher out there with this decide. The Chiefs’ go rush was a legal responsibility in 2025 (tied for twenty second with 35 complete sacks) and defensive sort out Chris Jones will flip 31 this summer season. One other succesful participant subsequent to Jones and George Karlaftis is extra needed than choosing Love. — Nate Taylor
What does historical past inform us about which place Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor will lean towards in Spherical 1?
The Bengals have not used a top-10 decide on protection since 2010, after they drafted USC linebacker Keith Rivers with the No. 9 decide. However they can not afford to observe historical past this time.
The group wants playmakers on protection. Given the costly investments in Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on offense, discovering a go rusher or elite defender is the logical transfer for a group that has been poor defensively lately. Cincinnati tied with Chicago for final in go rush win price this season. — Ben Child
