With NFL spring meetings underway in Phoenix this week and team executives facing reporters, attention is turning more intently toward April’s 2026 draft — and one of the earliest full projections arrived Friday. In Yahoo Sports’ 2026 mock draft 7.1, Fernando Mendoza of Indiana is tabbed No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while a pair of Ohio State defenders — Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles — land inside the top three as the class’ college-countrymen dominate early slots.
The mock — compiled by Yahoo’s Charles McDonald (odd-numbered picks) and Nate Tice (even) — opens with the Raiders taking Mendoza at No. 1, a selection the authors frame as an expected move after Las Vegas traded quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets. The projection underscores the Raiders’ pivot to a rookie passer; local reporting this week has also linked Las Vegas to veteran help to shepherd a rookie, indicating a wider organizational commitment to a quarterback reset. At No. 2 the Jets are predicted to add Ohio State edge/linebacker Arvell Reese, and the Arizona Cardinals follow at No. 3 with off‑ball linebacker Sonny Styles — signaling a top‑three heavy on defensive talent and a rare early run on linebackers.
Several teams projected to take immediate, position‑specific swings: the Tennessee Titans are slotted to pick Texas Tech edge David Bailey at No. 4, with the mock noting a preference to continue building the trenches rather than drafting a high‑end back. The New York Giants are a surprise at No. 5, where Yahoo places Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love — a pick the authors justify by pointing to the presence of John Harbaugh and former Ravens run‑heavy coordinator Greg Roman on the Giants’ staff, and a belief that New York could prioritize a game‑breaking runner.
Other notable selections include Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling at No. 6 to the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 7 to Washington, and LSU corner Mansoor Delane at No. 8 to the New Orleans Saints. Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. projects to fall to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9, while Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy is pegged at No. 10 to the Cincinnati Bengals. The mock emphasizes fits between player traits and team schemes — from rule‑of‑thumb positional value to specific schematic need — rather than strict consensus rankings.
Ohio State prospects feature heavily across the board; beyond Reese and Styles, the mock lists Carnell Tate (No. 14 to Baltimore) and Kayden McDonald (No. 18 to Minnesota) among the first‑rounders, reinforcing the program’s strong showing in the prospect class. The projection also flags medical and development considerations: Florida tackle Caleb Banks, projected No. 19 to the Carolina Panthers, reportedly suffered a foot fracture at the combine and is expected to be sidelined until June, while several offensive line prospects are forecast to be first‑round targets for teams seeking long‑term protection up front.
Yahoo’s 7.1 mock seeks to match perceived team needs with the top remaining prospects across all 32 first‑round slots; the authors note that the picture will continue to shift in the coming weeks as spring meetings wrap, pro days proceed and April’s draft draws nearer. Between trades already completed and veteran moves surrounding potential rookie quarterbacks, the mock underscores how quickly front offices are recalibrating ahead of one of the draft’s deeper, more defense‑heavy classes.