The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in a few short days, but Draft Week is officially here. Check out our updated NFL mock draft for a full first-round projection.
For those who might be curious, my draft week began with a chat with expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Look for some content soon on that front, but we had a wide-ranging discussion that included a breakdown of his favorite play from last season … and it might not be what you expect.
Until then, and until the draft, here are the latest rumors to tide you over.
NFL insider Adam Schefter released an extensive piece morning outlining everything he is hearing as draft week begins, which serves as a perfect jumping-off point for us.
Many analysts believe that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love might be the best football player in this entire class. Read our breakdown of what makes Love so special.
Schefter previously identified Washington at No. 7 as his floor, but when it comes to his ceiling, the third pick in the draft might be where we could see the running back hear his name called. According to Schefter, “[t]here are some who believe he could go as high as No. 3 to Arizona,”
While the Cardinals are still pursuing potential trade options, and the team “would like to find a team willing to trade up so they can acquire more picks,” if Arizona stays in that spot “some around the league believe they could pull and early draft surprise and select Love in a slot slightly higher than he has projected to go.”
However, if you want to connect some dots there is a scenario where the Cardinals trade out of No. 3, and Love still comes off the board in that spot. On Sunday, Cardinals beat writer Johnny Venerable reported that the Cardinals have engaged in trade discussions with the Kansas City Chiefs. Venerable speculates that the Chiefs could be coming up for a pass rusher, but the Chiefs have been linked to Love throughout the pre-draft process, even after acquiring Kenneth Walker III.
According to Schefter, the trade between the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams might have hurt Ty Simpson the most.
Schefter notes that his sources indicate that Simpson was in play for the Rams at No. 29, a scenario that was a common theme to early mock drafts here at SB Nation. But when the Chiefs and the Rams pulled off the trade involving cornerback Trent McDuffie, sending the cornerback to Los Angeles in a deal that moved that pick at No. 29 to Kansas City, it eliminated the chances of Los Angeles drafting Simpson in the first round.
After their pick at No. 13, the Rams are not back on the clock until the end of the second round, and it is widely believed that Simpson will come off the board before No. 61.
Beyond the Rams, Schefter notes that the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals are the two teams most interested in the Alabama quarterback. The Jets are not expected to draft Simpson at No. 2 nor at No. 16, but could hope he falls to them at the top of the second round. Arizona picks right after the Jets on Friday, at No. 34, but they could move back into the first round in a trade, securing the all-important fifth-year option.
That is the scenario we contemplated in our latest mock draft.
As noted in our latest mock draft, we have the Cardinals executing a trade back into the first round with the Miami Dolphins and selecting Simpson at No. 30.
But if Miami stays in that spot and drafts a player, wide receiver is absolutely on the table.
Following the Jaylen Waddle trade, and the release of Tyreek Hill, the top wideouts in Miami are Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, and Jalen Tolbert. Miami currently has a pair of picks in the first round, now at No. 11 and another at No. 30.
It is expected that cornerback Mansoor Delane is in play for the Dolphins at No. 11, with perhaps one of the top defenders such as Rueben Bain Jr. or Caleb Downs options as well if they fall to Miami in that spot.
As for No. 30, I’ve been told by those closer to the organization that wide receiver is absolutely an option if they stay and make a pick, with options such as KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in play for them at that spot.
Another concern raised by Schefter in his extensive piece Monday morning involves Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
The bruiser has become the favorite to be the first offensive lineman taken on Thursday night, but there are some medical concerns that have come to light in recent weeks. According to Schefter, “scouces say he has a herniated disc in his back.” This condition required a return to Indianapolis for a medical recheck, and while Schefter reports that the injury is “not a significant issue and, and it is asymptomatic,” he also reports that teams “say that if it worsens at all, Mauigoa would then need surgery that could sideline him roughly three months.”