Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft:
Las Vegas Raiders:
Las Vegas lost at home to the Giants, and that gives them a firm grip on the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. 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. The Raiders roster has a serious lack of talent, and it would be surprising if they won in Week 18. Las Vegas should take advantage of having the No.1 pick and add a long-term starter at quarterback. They could consider Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oregon’s Dante Moore, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson, depending on which ones enter the draft.
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
- 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
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles
- Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski
- Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
- Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 
The Browns defense flexed its strength again in a win over the Pittsburgh. Cleveland held the Steelers to only six points and shut down the Steelers’ passing offense. This offseason, the Browns need to add more receiving playmakers to their offense. With their pick from the Jaguars, they could target receiver help later in the first round.
With teammates like Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith, Tate has gone under the radar, but he is a talented receiver in his own right. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has good size, runs well enough, and has flashed big-play ability while never being the No. 1 featured receiver. Thus far in 2025, Tate has 48 receptions for 838 yards with nine touchdowns. In 2024, Tate had 50 receptions for 698 yards and four touchdowns. Tate flashed as a freshman in 2023, catching 18 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. Tate has athletic upside and untapped potential. He could make sense for the Browns’ second selection in the first round.
Houston Texans: Ola Ioane, G, Penn State 
The Texans’ defense was tremendous again in leading Houston to a huge win over the Chargers. Houston clinched a playoff spot, and the Texans enjoyed their rookie wide receivers hauling in touchdowns. Houston struggled to run the ball, with Woody Marks averaging only 3.7 yards per carry on 19 carries. To help their offense next year, they could use more power blockers at the point of attack.
The 6-foot-4, 334-pound Ioane is a strong blocker at the point of attack with the ability to generate movement in the ground game. He is also a reliable pass protector. Ioane is explosive, can mirror speed rushers, and plays with physicality with a nasty streak. Ioane looks like a guard for the NFL and probably does not have the length to kick outside to tackle. Ioane would help the Texans’ ground game and improve the interior protection for C.J. Stroud. Ioane would make a lot of sense for one of the Texans’ second-round picks.
Baltimore Ravens: Damon Wilson, DE, Missouri 
With Jordan Love and Lamar Jackson out, Baltimore got a huge win over the Packers thanks to the brilliance of Derrick Henry. The legendary back ripped off 216 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries. While Love was out, Malik Willis played well and completed 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards. Baltimore needs to add more edge rush talent to help their defense next season.
In 2025, Wilson had 23 tackles, nine sacks, two passes broken up, and one interception. Wilson was a rotational backup at Georgia in 2024, totaling 22 tackles with three sacks and two forced fumbles. He transferred to Missouri after the season, and Wilson has been impressive with the Tigers. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Wilson has quality size with speed off the edge. Sources say he has good character as well. He could be a nice fit for the Ravens in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Cowboys got a road win over Washington to improve to 7-8-1 on the season. Dallas won by a touchdown, but Washington still managed to make it a one-score game despite being without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota. Dallas allowed 138 yards on the ground on only 16 carries. With one of their first-round picks, the Cowboys could add some linebacker talent for the middle of their defense.
In 2025, Styles had 81 tackles, three passes defended, one interception, .5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Styles (6-4, 243) has a lot of talent and started to play up to his potential during the 2024 season. He finished with 100 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes broken up. In 2023, he recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted, plus he has been very good in pass coverage. Styles started out as a safety, but was eventually moved to linebacker. Given his size, he fits best as a linebacker in the NFL. Styles is fast, athletic, and versatile. He could be a valuable zone coverage linebacker who is also a sideline-to-sideline run defender. Styles could be a good addition with one of their first-round picks.
Denver Broncos: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon 
The Broncos clinched the AFC West with a road win over the Chiefs. Kansas City started Chris Oladokun at quarterback, and Denver improved to 13-3. While they got the win, Denver did not have a great night offensively, with Bo Nix only throwing for 182 yards and R.J. Harvey (14-43) being held in check on the ground. Denver could target more offensive line talent to improve the interior and give them a tackle to prepare as a replacement for Mike McGlinchey.
The 6-foot-8, 309-pound 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 manipulate them. He has some power at the point of attack and blocks with a mean streak. With overwhelming mass, he can knock defenders flat on their backs and will bury them with a violent pancake block. World needs some development, but the potential is there for him to be developed.
New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Giants improved to 3-13 with a road win over the Raiders. While this win almost certainly cost New York the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Giants will still have a high first-rounder to possibly auction to a quarterback-needy team. New York could also add a special talent if they stick and pick. The Giants did not have to matchup against Brock Bowers, but the Raiders still had success using the tight end as Michael Mayer had a good game for Las Vegas. High in the first round, the Giants could consider adding Reese to help them defend pass-receiving tight ends.
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. Reese is a sideline-to-sideline run defender who is tough at the point of attack. He is also capable of dropping into coverage, moves well in zone, and is a dangerous pass rusher. 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 be a top candidate for New York’s first-round pick.
Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee 
The Dolphins improved to 7-9 with a win over Tampa Bay. Miami picked off Baker Mayfield twice and had a strip-sack in the fourth quarter to help protect their lead. Miami did allow some coverage busts to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans late in the game, but it was too little too late for the Bucs. Last week, Joe Burrow gave an illustration as well that the Dolphins need more cornerback talent. They might be picking too low to land LSU’s Mansoor Delane, but they could get a good corner in McCoy in the middle of the first round.
McCoy did not play in 2025, but his 2024 tape was so good that he could still be a first-round pick. The 6-foot, 190-pound McCoy had an excellent sophomore season with 44 tackles, four interceptions, and seven passes broken up. He played well in 2023 with 31 tackles, two interceptions, and seven breakups. McCoy is an instinctive corner with good ball skills and a willing tackler. He would be a nice addition to the Dolphins’ defense and help them defend their division rivals.
Team Draft Report:
In this section, we take a deeper look at specific teams and where they stand regarding the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tennessee Titans:
Once again, Titans fans are enduring a painful season of football as Tennessee struggles on a weekly basis. Owner Amy Adams Strunk is the catalyst for the franchise losing as she has made some poor decisions with hiring head coaches and general managers. It remains to be seen if Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi were good hires as president and general manager, but the early results look bad. Like many owners who tried to duplicate the Patriots with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Strunk looks like she tried to follow the Chiefs model, but she can’t bring Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid with her new hires. The Titans have to make a good hire at head coach to help get the team pointed in the right direction.
In my latest mock 2026 NFL Draft, I have the Titans taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and he could be the best player available. Tennessee has bigger needs than a safety to pair with Amani Hooker, but Downs is a special safety, and he would help them with defending quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
Tennessee could also consider adding some edge rush talent. They could use a true replacement for Harold Landry and could consider a speed rusher like Texas Tech’s David Bailey. However, they might be able to land a similar, smaller, fast quarterback hunter in the second round with prospects like Texas A&M’s Cashius Marsh, Missouri’s Damon Wilson, or Oklahoma’s R. Mason Thomas.
The other huge need on the Tennessee roster is more receiving talent for Cam Ward. There is no receiver prospect that is worthy of going to the Titans’ top-five pick. However, if they are able to trade down, they could target some receiver help for Ward with prospects like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, or Washington’s Denzel Boston in the first round. In the second round, some options to consider include USC’s Makai Lemon, Louisville’s Chris Bell, or Alabama’s Germie Bernard.
The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be critical for the Titans. They have to spend wisely in free agency and hit on their draft picks. If they don’t show progress in 2026, Strunk will have to consider replacing Brinker and Borgonzi. Tennessee will be a fascinating team to watch in the spring of 2026.
New York Jets:
The last regime in New York under former general manager Joe Douglas was a failure when Douglas ignored one team executive who wanted them to stick with Sam Darnold and draft Kyle Pitts, Ja’Marr Chase, or Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead, Douglas listened to Rex Hogan and selected future mega-bust quarterback Zach Wilson with the second-overall pick. That pick led to wasted years for the Jets and started another regime change.
New York is in the midst of another rebuilding project, as Jets owner Woody Johnson has been utterly incompetent at making good hires for head coach and general manager. From speaking with sources, Johnson has been manipulated by search firms during his GM hires, and that happened again last offseason. However, I think the Jets hired a good head coach candidate in Aaron Glenn. Glenn is a great leader of men, and he has the final say in the organization, according to sources. In the 2026 offseason, Glenn has some huge decisions to make to get New York going in the right direction before the New York impatience kicks in and puts him on the hot seat.
In my latest mock 2026 NFL Draft, I have the Jets taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, and he would be a great fit in the New York offense. Glenn brought offensive coordinator Tannor Engstrand with him from the Lions, and Engstrand is running the Lions’ scheme in New York. The Lions’ scheme is complex and puts a lot on the quarterback’s plate to put them in the right play. Simpson is a smart quarterback with excellent instincts and decision-making. As a coach’s son, Nussmeier is a smart quarterback, and he has a good arm with accuracy. While Simpson does not have a skill set like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, Simpson could be a good scheme fit to be the captain of the Jets offense with his arm and mind. Aside from Simpson, the Jets could consider trading up for Fernando Mendoza or potentially taking Oregon’s Dante Moore.
Aside from the quarterback, New York has another critical area to improve in their offense. Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, and Allen Lazard are better as depth wideouts rather than being starting fodder across from Garrett Wilson. In the middle of the first round, the Jets could use their pick from the trade of Sauce Gardner to the Colts to add a weapon for their young quarterback. They could consider a wide receiver like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, or Washington’s Denzel Boston in the first round. In the second round, some options to consider include USC’s Makai Lemon, Louisville’s Chris Bell, or Alabama’s Germie Bernard.
Defensively, the Jets could use replacements for Gardner and Quinnen Williams. In the first round, a cornerback like LSU’s Mansoor Delane or Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy could be worthy top-20 picks. If they were to trade down from their pick with the Colts, there could be some tackle options to consider, like Clemson’s Peter Woods. There are other sturdy nose tackle candidates, but a nose tackle is not a good value in the first round for a team like the Jets that needs some difference makers. If Jermaine Johnson is not in the long-term plans, an end to pair with Will McDonald could also be a consideration. However, the offensive needs are more important and critical to address.
The Jets are loaded with draft picks in 2026 and 2027. With five first-round picks, New York could put together a tremendous roster if it hits on their draft picks. They have drafted offensive tackles in back-to-back drafts, and now they need to hit on other premium positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and cornerback. If Aaron Glenn can make the right decision at quarterback, New York could have a quick rise in the AFC similar to the rival Patriots, who got it right with Drake Maye.
