Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft:
Tennessee Titans:
Tennessee got a win over Cleveland, and that loosens their hold on the No. 1 pick. If Tennessee gets the No. 1 pick, it would make sense to auction the pick to load up on draft picks to rebuild the Titans’ roster.
New York Giants:
At 2-10, New York is hot on the heels of the Titans for the No.1 pick. If New York gets the No. 1 pick, it could look to trade down and get a lot of picks to build around Jaxson Dart.
Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders are dealing with the ramifications of years of bad management by Mark Davis. After Davis allowed the NFL league office to bully him into blowing up the playoff team that had been built by Jon Gruden, Davis has made a number of terrible hires at head coach and general manager.
Top General Manager Candidates:
- Notre Dame general manager Mike Martin
- Atlanta Falcons vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior personnel executive Byron Kiefer
- Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew
- Detroit Lions senior personnel executive John Dorsey
- Houston Texans assistant general manager Chris Blanco
- Former Indianapolis Colts chief personnel executive Morocco Brown
- New England Patriots senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith
- Buffalo Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray
- Las Vegas Raiders vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt
Top Head Coach Candidates:
- Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman
- Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard
- Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
- Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
- Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia
- Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
Head Coach Hot-Seat Tracker:
- Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon
- Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris
- Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State 
The Saints pulled off a surprising upset with a road win over Tampa Bay. Tyler Shough ran for two touchdowns, and the Carl Granderson-led defense came up with an interception and some key fourth-down stops to get their third win of the season. New Orleans receivers did not help Shough very much, and clearly, the Saints badly need more playmakers for their young quarterback.
Tyson has 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. On top of being a good wideout, Tyson has blocked well. Tyson was a dangerous weapon for the Sun Devils in 2024 as he hauled in 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tyson is quick with easy acceleration. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has adequate size and showed big play ability in 2022, averaging 21.4 yards per reception (22-470-4). Tyson could be a plug-and-play upgrade for New Orleans across from Chris Olave.
Buffalo Bills: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville 
Josh Allen out-dueled Joe Burrow in a shootout win for the Bills. Burrow threw four touchdowns, but also had two interceptions, while Allen had four combined scores with no turnovers. Allen did not get much help from his receivers as the Bills’ most productive players through the air were the tight ends and James Cook. Gabe Davis (2-21), Khalil Shakir (2-16), and Keon Coleman (2-16) did not produce despite playing a weak Bengals secondary. Buffalo needs to get Allen more receiving weapons.
To open 2025, Bell has 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns. Bell (6-2, 220) was a solid receiver for the Cardinals in 2024, catching 43 passes for 737 yards and four touchdowns. With a strong build, Bell is physical and tough, but he also has good speed and runs well for a thick-built receiver. Bell would be a nice first-round pick for Buffalo.
Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 
The Vikings got a win over the franchise formerly known as the Redskins. Washington was incapable of scoring a single point despite Jayden Daniels coming back from injury. Minnesota’s defense has not been bad this year, and this game gave more proof of that. The Vikings are 5-8 and are missing the playoffs this year because of he struggles of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. To help their defense next season, Minnesota could use a young talent at safety to replace Harrison Smith.
In 2025, Downs has 52 tackles with two interceptions, one pass broken up, and one sack. In 2024, Downs had 76 tackles with six passes broken up and two interceptions. Downs was phenomenal for Alabama in 2023, recording 107 tackles, two interceptions, three passes broken up, and a forced fumble. After the season, he transferred to Ohio State. Downs (6-0, 205) has the potential to be a safety that is a true first-rounder. He would be a true replacement for Smith.
Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Titans got their second win of the season, despite struggling to defend Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Cam Ward threw for only 117 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Sanders threw for 364 yards with three touchdowns, one rushing, and an interception. Harold Fannin Jr. (8-114-1) also ripped up the Tennessee defense. Taking a linebacker like Reese would help the Titans to defend a weapon like Fannin and help limit coverage options in the middle of the field.
Thus far in 2025, Reese has 62 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Team sources feel that Reese is a special player as they like his instincts in combination with being big and athletic. At 6-foot-4. 238 pounds, Reese is a large linebacker with a versatile skill set. In 2024, Reese had 43 tackles with .5 sacks as a rotational backup. Reese could make sense for the Titans’ first-round pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Branson Cisse, CB, South Carolina 
The Steelers got a huge road win over the Ravens, with Pittsburgh getting a huge day out of D.K. Metcalf to help their limited offense. Pittsburgh couldn’t run the ball, but Aaron Rodgers and Metcalf were effective in leading them to 27 points. The Steelers’ defense got an interception, but struggled to defend Zay Flowers (8-124), and Pittsburgh needs more cornerback talent.
Cisse has been an impressive cover corner for South Carolina in 2025. He has 27 tackles with an interception, five passes batted, and a forced fumble. In 2024, he had 28 tackles with five passes broken up. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has quality size to go with speed and athleticism. He could be a starting man corner in the NFL. He could be a good fit in the Steelers’ defense.
Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 
The Dolpins improve to 6-7 after dominating the Jets in New York. Miami has shown some fight after a rough start to the season. If Miami continues to play competitive football, they could save the jobs of their head coach and starting quarterback. If they do come back next season, improving the blocking to protect Tua Tagovailoa and help the ground game would make sense for Miami.
Mauigoa was a star recruit and one of the top players in the nation. After choosing the Hurricanes, Mauigoa has been a starting tackle the past three seasons. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder has a quality skill set with upside, but has not been dominant. Some team sources feel he might be better off moving inside to guard in the NFL, but he could be a starting right tackle or guard as a pro. In the middle of the first round, Mauigoa could make sense for the Dolphins.
Detroit Lions: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon 
The Lions got a huge win on Thursday Night Football to keep Detroit in the NFC playoff race. Al Muhammad had three sacks to lead a defense that produced three turnovers while Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs carried the offense. Detroit’s offense has been among the best of the NFL, but they have had some feast-or-famine games this season. To regain more consistency, the Lions need to improve their run blocking. Perhaps they have the makings of a good young interior with Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, and Miles Frazer, but they could use a young left tackle. Taylor Decker is aging and expensive. Detroit may need to use his salary to re-sign players like Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch.
The 6-foot-8, 309-pounder World dominated at Nevada, and has played well at Oregon in 2025. As a pass blocker, World has a natural build with good size, strength, and length to play on the edge. He does a nice job of sinking his weight to stop bull rushes, and he shows an impressive ability to kill speed to power attempts. World does an excellent job of sustaining his blocks with the upper body strength to tie up defenders. In the ground game, World uses his strong upper body to knock defenders back and push them around. He can manipulate and turn defenders. World would be a good pick to develop behind Decker in 2026 and then form a good tandem with Penei Sewell for years to come.
Team Draft Report:
In this section, we take a deeper look at specific teams and where they stand regarding the 2025 NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons have had a disappointing season, and it is tough to comprehend what went wrong for Atlanta. The defense is improved; they have drafted very well on both sides of the ball and have one of the most talented young rosters in the NFL. Obviously, losing Michael Penix Jr to a season-ending injury was crushing, but I think offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has not done a good job of utilizing the Falcons’ weapons. Without a first-round pick, Atlanta needs to nail their second-day picks and add some contributors that can help Atlanta break out next season.
In my latest mock 2026 NFL Draft, I have the Falcons taking Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson, and the Falcons could use more cornerback talent to go with A.J. Terrell. Jackson would give them a big press-man corner that can challenge large receivers. Other cornerbacks they could target include Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, Texas’ Jaylon Guilbeau, Colorado’s D.J. McKinney, and Indiana’s Amare Farrell.
Offensively, the Falcons could consider adding some talent to the interior of their offensive line. They could consider a long-term starter at center with Florida’s Jake Slaughter in the second round. Auburn’s Connor Lew would have been a second-rounder before he tore an ACL in October, but he might be a nice value for the Falcons in the third round. If they want to add a guard, Penn State’s Ola Ioane could be a good addition.
Atlanta has the talent to make a big jump in the 2026 season. They have elite young talent at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and pass rushers. If Penix comes along, and they give him some more help in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Falcons could make a big jump next year.
The Saints are a huge rebuilding project, and they are going to need to draft well over the next few years and make some smart free agency signings to improve their roster. The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be a huge opportunity for New Orleans to lay a foundation for becoming a playoff contender again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Tampa Bay has two games coming up against the Carolina Panthers, and if they split those, the Buccaneers should win the NFC South for the fifth straight season. The Bucs have dominated the South since Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield came to Tampa Bay. Despite the Super Bowl roster aging out, the Bucs have done a marvelous job of continuing to make the postseason. Despite being constrained with little salary cap room and picking low in the draft, Todd Bowles has kept them competitive and in the playoffs.
The Bucs have a lot of young talent on offense and one of the most dangerous scoring attacks in the NFL, but they need more talent on their defense. Adding more edge rush talent has to be a top priority, and Tampa Bay is fortunate that there could be a lot of good pass-rushing options in this draft. In my latest mock 2026 NFL Draft, I have the Bucs taking Missouri edge rusher Damon Wilson. Wilson could be an excellent edge rusher to go across from YaYa Diaby. Wilson is quick, athletic, and has a good motor. He also has good football character and fits the profile of the type of players that Tampa Bay has drafted. Other first-round ends they could consider include Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Miami’s Rueben Bain, Missouri’s Zion Young, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, and Clemson’s Will Heldt. Adding more pass rush would make a lot of sense for Tampa Bay.
Along with edge rusher, Tampa Bay needs more help in the front seven with some youth at linebacker. Lavonte David can’t play forever, and the Bucs could use some young talent at linebacker. They won’t be picking high enough for Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, but there are other good options in the early rounds of the draft. Some prospects to consider include Georgia’s C.J. Allen, LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr., Pitt’s Kyle Louis, Texas’ Anthony Hill, and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez. Taking a pass rusher in the first round and one of these linebackers in round two could be a good plan for the Buccaneers.
Offensively, the only position that could make sense in the first round is wide receiver. Emeka Egbuka is off to a great start, but Mike Evans can’t play forever, and Chris Godwin is not a long-term player at this point in his career. In order to maintain their status as an elite offense, Tampa Bay will need to reinvest in playmakers for Mayfield to work with. In the first round, they could consider players like Washington’s Denzel Boston, Louisville’s Chris Bell, and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Any of them would be good options as long-term replacements for Evans and a mismatch weapon to go with Egbuka.
The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be critical for the Buccaneers to become more potent in taking on the elite teams in the NFC. Another good draft could push Tampa Bay into the Super Bowl in the years to come.
