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NFL mock draft 2026: Top-10 shifts following breaking news
TL;DR
Rueben Bain Jr., a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, is now projected to slip out of the Top 10 following reports linking him to a 2024 car accident that resulted in a death. The draft is just 10 days away, and major surprises and trades are expected.
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes participates in the 2026 Miami Pro Day at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility on March 23, 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We are 10 days out from the 2026 NFL Draft, and the board is more or less getting set. There are going to be some major surprises down the stretch, and unquestionably some trades on draft night that shake things up, but this is one of our last attempts to predict a trade-free first round based on where the talent is falling.
There is one major change to this mock draft that can’t be ignored: Rueben Bain Jr. The Miami edge rusher was a lock to be a Top 10 pick, but draft rumors last week that something was happening with Bain broke on Sunday night as Oliver Connely reported that Bain has been linked to a 2024 car accident, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old student. ESPN has picked that story as well, and while I still have him being taken in the first round for now, there is a lot of due diligence occurring with Bain that I have him slipping out of the Top 10 as a result.
Check out our QB-only mock draft today, as well. Here’s our full first-round projection:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana |
| 2 | New York Jets | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame |
| 5 | New York Giants | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | Mansoor Delaine | CB | LSU |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jermod McCoy | CB` | Tennessee |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | Rueben Bain Jr | EDGE | Miami |
| 13 | Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) | Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Olaivavega Ioane | OL | Penn State |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon |
| 16 | New York Jets (from Colts) | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
| 17 | Detroit Lions | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | Dillion Thieneman | S | Oregon |
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama |
| 22 | LA Chargers | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | C.J. Allen | LB | Georgia |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | Kayden McDonald | DL | Ohio State |
| 26 | Buffalo Bills | Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M |
| 27 | San Francisco 49ers | Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana |
| 28 | Houston Texans | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams) | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins (via Broncos) | Colton Hood | CB | Texas |
| 31 | New England Patriots | Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn |
How do you feel about your team’s pick?
Got a question or comment about this mock? Leave it below and we’ll respond.
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This is going to be such a fun draft.
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Q&A
What happened to Rueben Bain Jr. that affected his NFL draft status?
Rueben Bain Jr. has been linked to a 2024 car accident that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old student, impacting his draft projections.
How has Rueben Bain Jr.'s draft stock changed leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft?
Bain was initially projected as a Top 10 pick but is now expected to slip out of the Top 10 due to ongoing investigations and concerns surrounding the accident.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled to take place?
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to occur in 10 days from the current date mentioned in the article.
What are the implications of Rueben Bain Jr.'s situation for NFL teams considering him?
NFL teams are conducting due diligence on Bain's situation, which may lead to hesitance in selecting him early in the draft due to potential legal and reputational risks.
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