KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE — The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the No. 1 overall pick in a 2026 NFL mock draft session held in Knoxville, Tennessee. The New York Jets followed at No. 2 by selecting Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese, while the Arizona Cardinals took Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 3.

Mendoza threw for 3,535 passing yards and 48 touchdowns in the previous college season, adding 276 rushing yards while throwing six interceptions. Bailey tied for the most sacks in the FBS last season with 14.5 and posted the second-most pressures with 81. He also registered 38 quarterback hits, the most by an FBS player since 2016. Reese recorded 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss last season.

The Tennessee Titans selected Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 4, and the New York Giants took LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 5. Delane allowed a 24.1 passer rating in coverage last season, gave up zero touchdown passes, and committed zero penalties. The Cleveland Browns rounded out the top six by selecting Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, who allowed zero sacks and had a 1.6 percent pressure rate in 2025.

The Washington Commanders selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 7. Love rushed for 1,372 yards last season, averaged 6.9 yards per attempt, gained 280 receiving yards, and scored 21 touchdowns. The New Orleans Saints took Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 8 after he caught 51 passes for 875 yards, averaged 17.2 yards per reception, and scored nine touchdowns last season.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 9. Downs recorded 250 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and five interceptions over the past three seasons. The Cincinnati Bengals took Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 10. McCoy recorded four interceptions and nine passes defensed in the 2024 season but did not play in 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL.

The Miami Dolphins selected Miami (Fla.) edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 11. Bain had 83 pressures last season and produced five sacks and 24 pressures in four College Football Playoff games. The Dallas Cowboys took Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 12 after he ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 41-inch vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Los Angeles Rams selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 13. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award last season after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards, averaging 14.6 yards per reception, and scoring 13 touchdowns. He had four games with at least 150 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Baltimore Ravens closed out the first 14 picks by selecting Penn State interior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane at No. 14.