SportsFeature
Gen Z is shaking up IndyCar's Millennial, Gen X established order
IndyCar's championship sees a Gen Z takeover with young drivers leading the pack.
ESPN News1 min read
NFLPreview
2026 NFL mock draft: Cowboys move up for Ohio State star; Cardinals land QB with late trade
TL;DR
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza projected as the No. 1 pick to the Raiders. The draft order remains uncertain, especially for teams like the Jets, Cardinals, Titans, and Giants.
Key points
- 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away
- Fernando Mendoza projected as No. 1 pick to Raiders
- Draft order remains uncertain for several teams
- Browns may trade down from No. 6 pick
- Potential chaos in draft if Browns find a trade partner
Mentioned in this story
Fernando MendozaLas Vegas Raiders
Cleveland BrownsNew York JetsArizona CardinalsTennessee Titans
Getty Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is now less than a week away, which means it's time for my one and only mock draft of the cycle.
Some things about this draft are well known. At the very top, we know that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be going No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. We don't yet know whether he'll start right away or sit behind Kirk Cousins to begin his career, but there's no real mystery about where he'll be playing his professional football.
After that, though, it seems like just about everything is up in the air. The Jets could go a number of different directions at No. 2, as could the Cardinals, Titans and Giants at Nos. 3, 4 and 5, while everyone in and around the league suspects that the Browns would love to trade down from the No. 6 pick, which could throw the entire board into chaos if they're able to find a partner.
There are also several teams with multiple first-round picks, allowing those squads to change the shape of the draft if they so choose. With a class that teams feel is light on star power at the top but strong through the second and third rounds, we could be in for some significant surprises.
With all that in mind, here's how we see things playing out.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. You can find more draft coverage at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts andregular evaluations of the top prospects.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Q&A
Who is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is projected to be the No. 1 pick, going to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Which teams are expected to make significant moves in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Jets, Cardinals, Titans, and Giants are all expected to explore various options with their picks.
What impact could the Browns trading down from the No. 6 pick have on the draft?
If the Browns trade down from the No. 6 pick, it could create significant chaos in the draft order, affecting multiple teams' strategies.
Will Fernando Mendoza start immediately for the Raiders after being drafted?
It is uncertain whether Fernando Mendoza will start right away or sit behind Kirk Cousins at the Raiders.
