Depending on when exactly you are reading this, the 2026 NFL Draft is just over 24 hours away. Again, we know what will happen at No. 1, which is when the Las Vegas Raiders will select quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Read SB Nation’s exclusive interview with Mendoza for more on his journey from two-star recruit to No. 1 overall draft pick.
After Vegas makes its pick, the rest of the order is anyone’s guess. The New York Jets are reportedly weighing two defensive players at the No. 2 overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals are looking to trade down from No. 3, and the Tennessee Titans could go running back at No. 4 overall. The Giants have two top-10 picks, and they’ll have a tough choice at No. 5.
So let’s round up the latest guesses in today’s spin around the carousel of rumors.
Could the 2026 NFL Draft see a run on offensive tackles, inside the first 15 selections?
That is the scenario contemplated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared this on social media Tuesday:
In talking to teams today, wouldn't surprise to see four OTs go in first 15-17 picks. Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano are consensus. Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor have worked their way into conversation — feet, length, prototype LT and SEC pedigree. NFC exec: 'Would have said…
Fowler is not alone in thinking that offensive linemen could be a big part of the discussion on Thursday night. His ESPN colleague Dan Graziano wrote this on Wednesday morning:
I’m predicting at least seven and as many as 10 offensive linemen get picked in the first round. There’s a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots. Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he’s there.
In our most recent mock draft, we had seven offensive linemen coming off the board, right in line with Graziano’s prediction. However, the “run” on offensive tackles did not come until the 20s, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking Blake Miller at No. 23 and the Cleveland Browns adding Max Iheanachor at No. 24.
Ever since the New York Giants swung the big Dexter Lawrence trade, we have been trying to decipher their plans for both No. 5, and No. 10. That was a focus on Monday’s rumors roundup, and we revisit their plans here today.
On Monday we discussed reporting from Connor Hughes of SNY, who mentioned Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love, and Caleb Downs as options at No. 5. Hughes also believes that a trade would be possible if somehow David Bailey were on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 5. Then at No. 10, offensive linemen come into play, as well as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
However, Graziano notes that from what he has been told, at No. 5 “their most likely picks would be Love (if he’s still there) or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Multiple people have told me they believe Downs would be the Giants’ pick even ahead of linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs’ college teammate.”
As for No. 10, if it is not Tyson then Graziano believes they will draft an offensive lineman.
Who might that be? Graziano mentions Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, which is in line with a name I’ve been hearing more and more regarding that pick at No. 10. Stay tuned …
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns remain a talking point as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
According to longtime NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline, some teams have deemed his injured knee — he missed 2025 following ACL surgery — a “degenerative” condition:
Several teams have red-flagged the combine medicals of Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, per @TonyPauline “I’m told that red flags were raised after teams deemed McCoy’s knee to be a degenerative condition.“ pic.twitter.com/dxyfthzZGR
Additional reporting indicates that McCoy might need an additional surgery to replace a “bone plug” used to repair a “cartilage defect” in that knee, and that the concerns are not related to the initial ACL repair:
An update on Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, via @TomPelissero: Doctors are concerned that he will need another surgery to replace a bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee.The concerns are NOT about his surgically repaired ACL. pic.twitter.com/KXvIKPFNpH
This is starting to feel like last year with Will Johnson, the cornerback who was considered a top-ten pick but fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round due to his own injury history.