Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 ... to the Jets? Reid predicts Round 1 in his midseason NFL mock draft

The 2025 assemblage shot season has afloat entered league play, and we're precisely a 3rd of the mode done the 2025 NFL season. That means it's a cleanable clip to instrumentality a look astatine the 2026 NFL draft and forecast the archetypal 32 picks.

Keep successful caput that there's plentifulness of clip betwixt present and the commencement of the draught connected April 23 successful Pittsburgh. Beyond aggregate months of shot inactive ahead, immoderate players could determine to caput backmost to school, portion others could amazingly state early. We besides person predraft events specified arsenic all-star games and the combine, which volition shingle up boards. And each team's needs volition proceed evolving arsenic they determination toward the upcoming offseason.

Our draught bid for this mock draught is based connected the current standings arsenic of today. Three teams person aggregate picks: the Rams (from the Falcons), Browns (from the Jaguars) and Cowboys (from the Packers).

Here are my projections for each 32 first-round picks successful 2026, starting with the Jets looking for different quarterback. (Note: Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.)

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QB Hot Board | Position rankings

1. New York Jets (0-6)

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana*

The Jets are 0-6 and their discourtesy is among the NFL's worst. Justin Fields hasn't worked retired to this point, and New York doesn't request conscionable a franchise quarterback. It needs a jolt of optimism. Mendoza is simply a decisive pouch passer who has impressed this play aft transferring to Indiana from Cal, throwing 17 touchdown passes to 2 interceptions with a QBR of 84.2 that ranks seventh successful the FBS. His quality to propulsion precise, on-time passes suits a Jets discourtesy that's predicated connected timing and accuracy.

2. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)

Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami*

The Ravens' 1-5 commencement has been 1 of the NFL's biggest surprises, and a defence that has taken a massive measurement backward is 1 of the main culprits. Baltimore desperately needs idiosyncratic who tin make unit up front, and Bain has a beardown statement toward being the champion antiaircraft lineman successful the country. He's a versatile 6-foot-3, 275-pound defender who tin play aggregate alignments, and his 24 pressures astatine borderline is eighth successful the FBS. His manus powerfulness and knockback spot would instantly boost a Ravens defence that needs playmakers.

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