Finally, we have made it to draft week. We've already had some drama — with the New York Giants trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick on Saturday night — and you should expect much more drama in the days ahead. Will Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love get drafted earlier than some think he will?

My latest intel suggests that might be the case. Can the Dallas Cowboys execute a trade to land a defensive player that I hear they really like? Potentially.

Will Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson get selected in the first round? I think so, but someone might have to make a move to get him. Oh, and what will the Giants now do with their two top-10 picks?

There's one player I hear they're targeting ahead of Thursday's first round. Let's dive into the answers to those questions in my final mock draft. Remember, I'll be a part of NFL Network's live coverage for the first two nights of the 2026 NFL Draft from Pittsburgh. 1.

Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana This is the pick no one's questioning. We know the Raiders are going to take Fernando Mendoza at No. 1. We've known this for the entire process.

I've really loved what they've done around Mendoza. They've got running back Ashton Jeanty. They signed All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, and I love that.

Left tackle Kolton Miller should be back after missing the majority of the season with an ankle injury. So, now they've got some juice, and they aren't in dire straits. 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State This is where things get interesting.

This should be a three-player discussion at No. 2, with Arvell Reese, edge rusher David Bailey and linebacker Sonny Styles in the mix. I don't think anybody — including those in the Jets' organization — thinks this team will be a top-end competitor this year. When you look at the draft capital they have this year and next, you're building for the future.

So, bet and bank on potential here with Reese. He's got the highest upside of anyone in the draft. I think he has the potential to be a Defensive Player of the Year, and he's got Micah Parsons-esque versatility. 3.

Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame The Cardinals are a really interesting selection. Most people believe they're looking to shore up the edge. They probably could and maybe they will, but I can't get out of my head a little thought — and it comes with some intel — of the Cardinals loving Jeremiyah Love.

We know they also like Ty Simpson, but this is too rich a spot to draft him. With the thought of potentially making a move for Simpson later in mind, why don't the Cardinals draft Love? A lot of people believe Love is the best non-quarterback in the draft.

Arizona would get a running back who can move between the tackles, hit home runs on the outside and catch passes as a slot receiver. 4. Tennessee Titans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) I've heard rumblings that there could be some movement along Tennessee's offensive line. I think quarterback Cam Ward's former Miami teammate, Francis Mauigoa, should be the pick if that's the case.

Mauigoa was dominant and was huge in Miami's College Football Playoff run. Don't be surprised if this is the fourth overall pick. 5. New York Giants: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Are the Giants trying to package their two top-10 picks to move further up?

I don't know about that. But I do know they love one of these offensive players in this draft. I think they're moving around and trying to position themselves into a place where they can target and draft Jordyn Tyson.

I don't think they'll need to draft him at No. 5, though. I know pass rusher isn't a specific need for the Giants, but if you can get the best pure pass rusher in the draft, you go and do that. I've also been told the Giants aren't in on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. 6.

Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah The Browns have left tackle questions. The problem? There isn't a pure left tackle good enough to use the No. 6 pick on.

Fano, who played right tackle the last two seasons, does have some left tackle experience, at least. Fano's a great player and was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year this past season. The Browns could move him over and fill that hole on the left side. 7.

Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Washington needs defense. In this scenario, there are some excellent defensive players on the board. The Commanders would have to be happy that they could get at least one of Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs.

They really can't go wrong picking either one, but they can say to themselves, "You mean we can get a Fred Warner-type?" Styles just blew everyone out of the water at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's the perfect combination of height, weight and athleticism.

He also has versatility in his background, starting out as a safety before moving down to linebacker. [2026 NFL Draft: Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?] 8. New Orlean