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No pressure, just months of conversations to whittle down in order to predict the top-10 picks of the NFL Draft.
That’s how it feels to do this top-10 mock draft each April. It’s a blast to study the best players in the class through teams’ eyes, but when it’s time to assign the picks in this format, it’s easy to see how teams can consume their entire 10-minute window when they’re actually on the clock — there are so many logical choices.
For this mock draft, we solicited input from numerous coaches, executives and scouts from a variety of teams to understand how they think the top 10 will shake out. They went through their picks and the rationale behind each decision, then we sorted through it all to find a consensus.
It still felt like there could have been a thousand permutations. But this is the one we’ve chosen:
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This has essentially been a done deal for weeks, as Mendoza and Raiders leadership have gotten very comfortable with each other throughout the pre-draft cycle — meeting at the combine, virtually, in Bloomington following his pro day and then on an official visit to the team facility that went as well as expected.
Mendoza’s performance down the stretch solidified his standing among potential top-tier QBs, so teams were already becoming comfortable with him as a top pick before he celebrated a national title. When Oregon’s Dante Moore returned to school, Mendoza became the obvious candidate to go No. 1. To his credit, he had a terrific pre-draft circuit.
The Heisman Trophy winner isn’t generally viewed as being on the same level as Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye of the 2024 class, but Mendoza has an opportunity to grow into the Raiders’ franchise quarterback if they can stay the course around him.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/edge, Ohio State
Last week, we broke down the decision between Reese and David Bailey, with Bailey earning the edge because there’s less projection to his game. But the Jets canceled Bailey’s official visit, which wouldn’t make a lick of sense if they intended to select him. This development sent a strong signal to the rest of the league that the Jets have been leaning toward Reese.
“Why would you cancel it unless it’s the smokescreen of all smokescreens?” an executive from another team observed. “But that wouldn’t make sense because you’d want to spend as much time with him as possible before you draft him.”
Reese has versatility on top of versatility. He can play off the ball on run downs and on the edge in passing situations, or whatever combination the Jets choose.
“I love the explosiveness,” another team executive said.
Reese handled a variety of roles and assignments for coordinator Matt Patricia’s complex defense, so he’s well-prepped for life in the NFL. His role should continue to evolve.
“If you want a guy who has more freakish ability and versatility, but you’re working with more of a projection, you go with Reese,” a scout said. “It’s how comfortable you are with the projection, and you have to have a plan with how you’re going to use him.”
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
Bailey is the best pass rusher in the draft, so this should be viewed as a win for the Cardinals. While he might not be viewed as the same caliber prospect as someone like Myles Garrett or Nick Bosa, league evaluators believe — with a high degree of confidence — Bailey will be a very good player for a long time.
“Bailey is the safest pick here,” an executive said.
Another exec summarized Bailey’s game last week: “Bailey is just so explosive and dynamic of a rusher, just true game-wrecking speed and explosiveness off the edge. He can get home when he wants. He can affect the game. He can win with speed. He’s got speed to power (ability).”
There’s been late buzz connecting the Cardinals to running back Jeremiyah Love, but some teams believe it’s a smokescreen to generate trade interest. The Cardinals need too much help elsewhere to select a back, especially since they don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback or enough of an offensive line to complement Love.
“This is where it gets interesting,” a third exec said.
The Cardinals need help everywhere on defense, and there are plenty of teams that have fallen in love with linebacker Sonny Styles. They also need to improve their offensive line, and there’s better value a bit lower on the board, which could be the root of their interest in trading out.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This one does not feel like a smokescreen.
“It just makes too much sense,” an executive said. “They’ve been tied to him the whole time.”
If it comes down to Love and Styles, here’s a tiebreaker: It’s been noted the Titans could find a starting inside linebacker early in the second round, but they won’t find anyone comparable to Love, who can make an impact as a runner and receiver to improve quarterback Cam Ward’s quality of life.
“(Love) is probably the best pure talent in the draft,” another executive said.
Love has a style similar to Alvin Kamara’s, but with more big-play explosiveness. He could be used similarly to the Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs.
Coaches and executives also made compelling cases for the Titans to select Styles, an offensive tackle or a wide receiver. Ultimately, everyone kept circling back to Love.
5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is the best defensive back in the class, and that’s where the Giants need the most help, at least defensively. No, he doesn’t play a premium position, but the Giants can answer another need at No. 10.
“He’s a rock-solid person, teammate, leader,” an executive said. “He’s about as clean of a prospect as you’re going to get.”
Coach John Harbaugh likes to build his team from the inside out, and he’s traditionally gotten tons of production and leadership from his safeties. Downs was a Nick Saban favorite, helped run the defense at Ohio State and figures to be a high-quality presence in the NFL for a decade.
There’s absolutely a case to be made for Styles, a wide receiver or a tackle at this spot. With board strategy in mind, that should whittle down this choice to Downs and Styles, and then leave the Giants to take the best available player at No. 10.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami-Fla.
The Browns need an offensive lineman, a point made by every coach and executive who participated in this story. Mauigoa was the prospect most often brought up by the group.
This is also where the top 10 could get turned on its side. The Browns were 8-26 over the past two seasons and replaced two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski with Todd Monken, so they could go in any direction.
They are also candidates to trade down, and this could be a spot for the Dallas Cowboys, who have made it known they’re willing to move into the top 10. The Browns could drop from No. 6 to No. 12 and get one of the top tackles or possibly a top-two receiver, and this would be a logical spot for the Cowboys to get Styles, who should be in play at No. 7 and possibly No. 8.
Another idea: A coach raised the possibility of the Browns selecting Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. to pair with Garrett. While they’d be reinforcing a strong position, nobody has ever complained about having too many pass rushers — especially with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson in the division.
Monken was a long-time wide receivers coach, so he might prefer Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson. But this pick has been screaming offensive line for a while. If we mocked trades, this would be Styles’ floor.
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
We’re going to learn something about the Commanders with this pick.
Styles is perfect for coach Dan Quinn’s system as a converted safety with quality coverage skills, high-end athleticism and a motor that won’t quit.
“Styles is the best player in the draft, regardless of position,” a coach said. “He’s the best inside linebacker prospect of the last 10-15 years.”
Teams love Styles. He’s a freakishly gifted athlete who can help run a defense, and one executive said he’ll probably be a CEO after his playing career. Styles is aces across the board.
But what if ownership has a say in the matter? Quarterback Jayden Daniels desperately needs receiver help beyond Terry McLaurin, and the Commanders already spent big on defense in free agency. They’re building a new stadium and might love the idea of pairing Daniels with Tate or Tyson to rev up the fanbase.
There might be a more compelling case for the Commanders to take a wideout here, but Styles drew a lot of love from the panel and seems too perfect for Quinn to ignore.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Saints really like quarterback Tyler Shough, so they’ll get to work supporting him. This would pair Tate with former Buckeye Chris Olave.
Tate is already a professional route runner with top-quality ball skills and better playing speed than track speed. (Remember the confusion over his combine 40 times? Yeah, teams never really cared about that.)
Tate and the Saints have been a popular connection throughout the pre-draft cycle, but some executives believed a tackle like Kadyn Proctor should also be in play at No. 8. And since the Saints need a cornerback, Mansoor Delane also figures to be a consideration.
But if the Saints have something in Shough — and they believe they do — they’ve got to give him the tools to thrive. Because if Shough makes a jump in 2026, they’ll make a push for the NFC South title.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs are coming off their worst record (6-11) since 2012. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL. And they haven’t made a top-10 pick since selecting Mahomes in 2017.
All that’s to say: This is a tougher one to forecast because of the extenuating circumstances.
Delane is the best corner in the draft and improved considerably after transferring to LSU. He moves with ease, tackles well and plays with good instincts and vision. The fit would make sense after the Chiefs traded cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a package that included the No. 29 pick.
The Chiefs’ greatest need, though, is on the offensive line. They need to retool that unit, particularly at tackle, and Mahomes’ injury should create urgency. Proctor and Spencer Fano would make plenty of sense. Proctor’s style is well-suited for coach Andy Reid’s offense and was very close to being the pick here.
This class of offensive linemen is imperfect, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some teams are more comfortable with some of the prospects’ flaws than others.
Jordyn Tyson also got some love for this spot. To be blunt, teams were not jazzed up over the idea of the Chiefs adding another playmaker to Mahomes’ arsenal. The Chiefs are in a terrific spot to restock in a hurry.
10. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson alleviated hamstring concerns last week with his private workout, so he has a realistic chance of getting into the top 10. And with the way teams have discussed him, the top-10 might be more likely than not.
Tyson has a strong frame, really good ball skills and can show off his playmaking ability after the catch. Quarterback Jaxson Dart would be thrilled to pair him with Malik Nabers. Harbaugh would be just as thrilled to make Downs and Tyson his first two picks as the Giants’ new coach.
“That’s a pretty good combo,” an executive said of the prospect of Downs and Tyson. “I think (Tyson) is going to be a really good pro.”
