Dane Brugler’s final 2026 NFL mock draft, released on April 23, 2026, projects Jeremiyah Love as a top-five selection and Caleb Downs headed to the Modern York Giants in the first round. The Athletic analyst’s projection places Love with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 while Downs is slated for New York at No. 20. Brugler’s mock draft, published ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, outlines a first round where quarterback Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese to the New York Jets at No. 2.
The mock draft reflects a shift in early draft priorities, with Mendoza — the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana’s national championship quarterback — established as the clear consensus No. 1 pick. Brugler notes Mendoza’s “intuition, throwing accuracy and confidence” as defining traits that have solidified his status as the QB1 in this year’s class. His projection aligns with broader consensus among analysts, who have consistently viewed Mendoza as the franchise quarterback the Raiders have sought since relocating to Las Vegas.
At No. 2, Brugler projects the Jets selecting Arvell Reese, a versatile edge defender from Ohio State capable of playing in multiple front configurations. Reese’s profile highlights his physical tools and potential to develop into a dominant pass rusher, fitting New York’s reported interest in adding hybrid looks under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. While Texas Tech’s David Bailey was also considered a strong candidate for the Jets’ second pick, Brugler concludes Reese better matches the team’s desire for schematic flexibility in 2026.
The Cardinals’ selection of Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 represents a notable deviation from recent trends, as Arizona opts for a running back despite not being traditionally viewed as a position of critical need. Love, a Notre Dame product, has drawn attention for his combination of size, speed, and pass-catching ability out of the backfield. Brugler acknowledges the pick could be debated in terms of roster construction timing but emphasizes Love’s versatility as a three-down back capable of contributing in both rushing and receiving roles.
Beyond the top five, Brugler’s mock draft includes several other notable projections. Fernando Mendoza’s landing spot with the Raiders is described as having “set in stone” since his Heisman-winning 2025 season, during which he led Indiana to its first-ever national title. The mock draft also projects Caleb Downs, a defensive back from Alabama, to the Giants at No. 20 — a selection that would address New York’s need for secondary depth and playmaking ability in the backend.
Brugler’s full seven-round mock draft, referred to as “Mock Draft 4.0,” includes a monumental trade proposal involving the Dallas Cowboys. According to the projection, Dallas trades its two first-round picks to move into the Top 10 and select a highly coveted defensive prospect. This scenario underscores the Cowboys’ aggressive pursuit of impact talent despite lacking a first-round selection in the actual draft order, reflecting a strategy aimed at accelerating their roster rebuild.
The mock draft was released as part of Brugler’s annual “The Beast” draft guide, which he unveiled the week prior to publishing his full projections. His analysis has become a staple in pre-draft coverage, known for blending film evaluation with team-specific scheme fits and front-office tendencies. In this year’s edition, Brugler emphasizes the importance of scheme compatibility, particularly for edge rushers and defensive backs, noting how coordinators’ preferences are shaping early-round decisions.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, teams across the league are finalizing their boards amid heightened scrutiny of quarterback evaluations, pass-rush versatility, and defensive backfield athleticism. The draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 24, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, marking the first time the event has returned to the city since 2015. The first round will be televised nationally, with coverage beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
For ongoing updates, official draft tracking, and real-time pick-by-pick coverage, fans can refer to the NFL’s draft headquarters website or follow the league’s verified social media channels. Post-draft analysis will focus on how well teams addressed their stated needs, particularly in areas like pass rush, secondary depth, and offensive line construction — all areas highlighted in Brugler’s projections as focal points for early-round activity.
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