NFL Draft Mock: Defense Dominates Early

0:00On April 2nd, we're just three weeks from the 2026 NFL draft kickoff, and free agency has teens rethinking their boards big time. In the latest essentially sports mock draft, version 4, the Las Vegas Raiders snag Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza at number 1 to solve. Their signal collar, woes. New York Jets grabble howlstay linebacker Arbel Reese, second for that three-down defense, while Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans load up on edge. Russia's David Bailey and Rubin Bain Jr. Teams like the Giants and Brown's Ilinebackers and tackles early, with sunny styles and Spencer Fano fitting those gaps perfectly. Washington commanders pivot to Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love, at 7 to ditch their committee backfield, and Kansas City Chiefs target Miami. Tackle Francis Mauigoa 9th for right side protection. Fans are buzzing over these defensive heavyweights up top, especially with QBs scarce after the Raiders pick. It shows how free agency plugs some holes but opened others, like secondaries for Bengals

1:04and dolphins grabbing safeties and corners, Caleb Downs and Mansour Delane. Deeper in round 1, Cowboy's roll the dice on injured corner. Simpson at 21, round 2 keeps the pace with Jets doubling down on Clemson DL, Peter Woods and Cardinals taking Tackle Blake Miller. Expect more trades and twists as mocks evolve, but this version nails post-free agency needs. Defense dominates early, offenses build later. Draft Knight's going to be fire.