Just mark this down as done already. Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 overall was effectively set in stone after he capped off a magical 2025 by winning Indiana\u2019s first-ever national championship in football in front of team brass, including minority owner Tom Brady<\/a>. The reigning Heisman Trophy-winner fills a major need in Las Vegas after the organization dealt last year\u2019s starter,\u00a0Geno Smith<\/a>, to the Jets last month.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThis pick feels locked in for a team that needs to find and build around a face of the franchise.\u201d<\/p>\n The Jets have a bevy of draft picks and are in full rebuild mode following a difficult first season under head coach Aaron Glenn<\/a>. With that in mind, the defensive-minded Glenn utilizes the No. 2 overall pick to lock down this class\u2019s most versatile defender in the 6-foot-4 and 243-pound Reese, who did it all for the Buckeyes\u2019 FBS-leading unit with 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2025.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cGM Darren Mougey has\u00a0loads of draft capital\u00a0and should be allowed the runway to build his squad. Reese is an unpolished diamond, but the Jets can take a swing on the upside.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cardinals are also in full rebuild mode and have an array of needs to fill, including at starting quarterback after releasing former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray<\/a> last month. But with Mendoza off the board, No. 3 is a bit too rich for Ty Simpson<\/a>. Instead, Zierlein projects Arizona will lock down the draft\u2019s most naturally- talented pass rusher in the 6-foot-3 and 250-pound Bailey<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cArizona is in position here to trade back or simply take the best player available, which happens to be Bailey in this scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n After landing franchise QB\u00a0Cam Ward<\/a>\u00a0with last year\u2019s No. 1 overall pick, the new-look Titans hand him a QB\u2019s best friend \u2014 a three-down running back. And there\u2019s no question Love, the 2025\u00a0Doak Walker Award\u00a0winner, is one of the best in years after rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThe Titans grab an explosive three-down back to help take pressure off\u00a0Cam Ward, then look to target wide receiver later in the draft.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate<\/a>, WR, Ohio State<\/p>\n After Love goes to the Titans at No. 4, Zierlein expects the Giants will instead turn their attention to another elite offensive playmaker in the\u00a06-foot-2 Tate, who ranked third in the Big Ten with an Ohio State-best 17.16 yards per catch\u00a0in 2025. Tate would provide second-year QB Jaxson Dart two exceptional options on the outside to spread the ball to. <\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThe Giants, who have just\u00a0two top-100 selections, pair Tate with\u00a0Malik Nabers\u00a0to give\u00a0Jaxson Dart\u00a0a formidable duo to grow with in the passing game.\u201d<\/p>\n This might be a bit of a reach by the Browns, but Zierlein expects Cleveland\u2019s brass to pivot from a receiver to a long-term answer at left tackle in Freeling. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Georgia tackle has the physical traits to anchor the left side of the Browns\u2019 offensive line for years to come.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cFreeling needs more polish, but he has the traits, athleticism and upside to be an effective bookend at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n After overhauling its defense in free agency, the Commanders lock up the draft\u2019s top lockdown cornerback in Delane. The 6-foot, 187-pound Delane finished second in the SEC last season with 11 passes broken up to go along with 45 total tackles and two interceptions.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThe Commanders need a plug-and-play starting cornerback in the worst way, and that is exactly what the speedy, smothering Delane offers on the outside.\u201d<\/p>\n 8. New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon<\/a>, WR, USC<\/a><\/p>\n Second-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore delivers second-year starting QB Tyler Shough<\/a> an elite playmaker that can stretch the field on the outside. Lemon is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner after ranking eighth in the FBS with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games last season.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThe Saints prioritize wideout over edge defender in this spot, grabbing the ultra-competitive Lemon to offer a high-volume option for\u00a0Tyler Shough.\u201d<\/p>\n The Chiefs take advantage of their rare Top 10 pick by securing needed protection for superstar QB Patrick Mahomes, who is questionable to start the 2026 season after tearing his ACL and MCL late last season. The 6-foot-6 and 311-pound Fano is a prototypical right tackle and could immediately slide in. <\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThe Chiefs stick with their best-available mindset and add a polished, athletic offensive lineman who can step into the right tackle spot\u00a0or bump inside in the future if need be.\u201d<\/p>\n After losing Trey Hendrickson to the rival Ravens in free agency, the Bengals round out the Top 10 by taking the Hurricanes\u2019 powerful edge. While not the most traditional in size, the 6-foot-2, 263-pound Bain brings a level of versatility and pass-rushing prowess that Cincinnati fans will love.<\/p>\n Zierlein: \u201cThe Bengals, in dire need of a pass rusher, end up landing the strongest, most physical defender at the position in this draft.\u201d<\/p>\n 11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa<\/a>, OL, Miami![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28582919_168401306_lowres-e1775064796725-1024x512.jpg\")
Adam Cairns-Columbus Dispatch\/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"Carnell](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tate-1024x538.jpg\")
Samantha Madar-Columbus Dispatch\/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"USC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/makai-lemon-16-1024x538.png\")
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles<\/a>, LB, Ohio State
13. Los Angeles Chargers (via ATL): Jordyn Tyson<\/a>, WR, Arizona State<\/a>
14. Carolina Panthers (proj. trade w\/ BAL): Akheem Mesidor<\/a>, EDGE, Miami
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq<\/a>, TE, Oregon<\/a>
16. New York Jets (via IND): Caleb Downs<\/a>, S, Ohio State
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor<\/a>, OT, Alabama<\/a>
18. Minnesota Vikings: Jermod McCoy<\/a>, CB, Tennessee<\/a>
19. Baltimore Ravens (proj. trade w\/ CAR): Olaivavega Ioane<\/a>, OL, Penn State<\/a>
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Colton Hood<\/a>, CB, Tennessee
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr.<\/a>, WR, Indiana
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Banks<\/a>, DT, Florida<\/a>
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller<\/a>, OL, Clemson<\/a>
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): T.J. Parker<\/a>, EDGE, Clemson
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman<\/a>, S, Oregon
26. Arizona Cardinals (proj. trade w\/ BUF): Max Iheanachor<\/a>, OT, Arizona State
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion<\/a>, WR, Texas A&M<\/a>
28. Houston Texans: Anthony Hill Jr.<\/a>, LB, Texas<\/a>
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Denzel Boston<\/a>, WR, Washington<\/a>
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren<\/a>, S, Toledo<\/a>
31. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu<\/a>, OT, Utah
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price<\/a>, RB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s officially April and you know what that means in the NFL \u2014 it\u2019s draft season. The 2026…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":559968,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[174547,175214,127886,218945,127698,126779,179248,42973,216825,127887,175512,174550,175227,7314,175231,175233,139553,179249,175237,175238,216826,175243,127110,175247,218963,211754,42988,126786,42169,175254,99,179252,175258],"class_list":["post-559967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-akheem-mesidor-20-clearwater-academy-international","tag-anthony-hill-23-ryan","tag-arvell-reese-23-glenville","tag-blake-miller-22-strongsville","tag-caleb-banks-21-southfield","tag-caleb-downs-23-mill-creek","tag-caleb-lomu-23-highland","tag-carnell-tate-23-img-academy","tag-colton-hood-23-eagles-landing-christian-academy","tag-david-bailey-22-mater-dei","tag-denzel-boston-22-emerald-ridge","tag-dillon-thieneman-23-westfield","tag-emmanuel-mcneil-warren-22-lakewood","tag-fernando-mendoza-22-columbus","tag-francis-mauigoa-23-img-academy","tag-jadarian-price-22-denison","tag-jeremiyah-love-23-christian-brothers-college","tag-jermod-mccoy-23-whitehouse","tag-jordyn-tyson-22-independence","tag-kadyn-proctor-23-southeast-polk","tag-kc-concepcion-23-chambers","tag-kenyon-sadiq-23-skyline-senior","tag-makai-lemon-23-los-alamitos","tag-mansoor-delane-22-archbishop-spalding","tag-max-iheanachor-22-king-drew-medical-magnet","tag-monroe-freeling-23-oceanside-collegiate-academy","tag-omar-cooper-22-lawrence-north","tag-rueben-bain-23-miami-central","tag-sonny-styles-22-pickerington-central","tag-spencer-fano-23-timpview","tag-sports","tag-t-j-parker-23-central","tag-vega-ioane-22-graham-kapowsin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=559967"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559967\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/559968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=559967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=559967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=559967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}