NFL Draft 2026: Surprises and Shifts

0:00With the NFL today, March 19th, the 2026 NFL draft is just over a month away, and with free agency winding down, teams' knees are sharpening up. NFL beatwriters ran their second mock draft this week, and it brought some big shifts from the first one. The biggest surprise? Only one quarterback came off the board in the first round, with the Las Vegas Raiders grabbing Indiana's Fernando Mendoza at number one. Top running back prospect Jeremiah Love from Notre Dame also slid way down, past teams like the Saints and Chiefs who just signed better in backs. Draft order changed, too, thanks to trades. The Los Angeles Rams sent their first rounder to the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Denver Broncos dealt theirs to the Miami Dolphins. Early on, the New York Jets went defense with Ohio State linebacker Arville Reese at number two, while the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns beefed up their lines by taking offensive tackles. The New York Giants added another linebacker in sunny styles to pair with their vets.

1:01Reactions from the writers highlighted how free agency filled some holes, letting teams chase high upside players. The Saints, fresh off adding running back Travis Etienne, pivoted to wide receiver carnell Tate from Ohio State at number eight instead of a back. The Chiefs snagged Miami edge rusher Ruben Bane Jr. at nine to boost their pass rush. Impacts could be huge, like giving young quarterbacks better protection or defences more playmakers. Love finally landed with the Baltimore Ravens at number 14, a steal for a team needing a Derek Henry successor. Later, the Rams took USC Whiteout, McCuy Lemon, and the Bengals grabbed corner Jermad McCoy. Offensive lines dominated early, with tackles going left and right to squads, like the Titans and Panthers. Ongoing buzz points to deep classes at age and corner, filling premium spots for contenders, like the Eagles and Bills. Round two picks went to teams without first rounders, like the colds taking an edge in the Falcons of Big Defense Attackle. Keep an eye on pro days, as they could shake up these projections even more.

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