NFL Mock Drafts: Combine Week Reshapes the 2026 First-Round Picture

NFL mock drafts are shifting fast heading into the first on-field workouts of the 2026 scouting combine on Thursday, Feb. 26 (ET). With draft season entering its most measurable phase—timed runs, jumps, interviews, and medical checks—many first-round projections are tightening at the very top while widening everywhere else.

NFL Mock Drafts Enter Combine Week With A Clear No. 1

Across the newest round of NFL mock drafts, one theme is consistent: quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the projected No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders. Multiple major projections have converged on that pairing, and some consensus trackers list Mendoza as the unanimous top selection at this stage.

What’s driving the stability is simple: the Raiders’ long-term quarterback timeline remains the biggest roster question, and Mendoza’s profile is being treated as the cleanest solution in this class before testing begins.

Wide Receiver Surge Becomes The Defining Early Trend

If the top pick looks locked in, the most dramatic positional story in NFL mock drafts is at wide receiver. One recent first-round projection sends seven wideouts into Round 1—tying the all-time record for that many receivers in the opening round of a single mock.

That’s not just a projection quirk; it reflects how teams are valuing explosive, separation-oriented targets and how the middle of Round 1 is being treated as a sweet spot for receiver talent. If several top wideouts test well in Indianapolis, the run could start earlier and push other positions—corner, interior defensive line, even some tackles—down the board.

Premium Positions Feel Volatile Behind The Top Pick

While quarterback at No. 1 has become a common anchor in NFL mock drafts, the next tier is far less settled. There is no universal “can’t-miss” consensus at several premium spots. Offensive tackle, edge rusher, and wide receiver are frequently framed as the most valuable positions behind quarterback, yet evaluators are still debating which prospects separate from the pack.

That uncertainty is exactly why combine week matters so much. Small differences in explosiveness, arm length, agility, and interviews can reorder clusters of similarly graded players. A tackle with elite short-area movement can jump multiple spots. An edge rusher who tests like a top-tier athlete can turn mid-first-round buzz into top-five momentum almost overnight.

Consensus Boards Hint At Team Needs—But Testing Could Flip Fits

Consensus-style NFL mock drafts currently show patterns that align with team needs near the top: quarterback at No. 1, followed by heavy attention to defense, offensive line, and wide receiver. Some projections slot a linebacker at No. 2, while others push edge rushers or tackles into those early slots depending on scheme fits and roster priorities.

What changes next is often less about “need” and more about confidence. Teams can like a prospect on film but hesitate without a clean medical check or without athletic testing that confirms the traits the tape suggests. Combine week frequently turns a good fit into a safe fit, and safety moves players up draft boards.

What To Watch Before The 2026 NFL Draft In Pittsburgh

The 2026 NFL Draft runs April 23–25 (ET) in Pittsburgh, and the next two months usually bring the sharpest swings of the entire cycle: combine testing, early March roster moves, and pro-day confirmations.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the combine-week pressure points shaping NFL mock drafts right now:

The bottom line: NFL mock drafts are treating Mendoza-to-Raiders as the early foundation, but everything from picks 2 through the late teens looks primed for combine-driven change—especially if wide receivers dominate testing and premium-position contenders finally create separation.