2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jeremiyah Love Slips; Who Grabs Ty Simpson?

Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love has seemingly become a top-five staple in the majority of mock drafts as of late, but should he go that high? Should the Pittsburgh Steelers add a quarterback in the first round of this year's draft, with Aaron Rodgers' future still in question? Do the Philadelphia Eagles have to add a wide receiver as rumors about A.J. Brown's future persist? 

FOX Sports Research aimed to answer those questions in our latest first-round mock draft. With most of the big dominoes in free agency already falling, those answers might define the rest of the NFL offseason as teams begin to report for their spring programs. 

But as we're still two-plus weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft, let's take a closer look at how we think the first round will go, factoring in team needs, combine performances and production from this past college football season. 

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Despite a Pro Day performance that didn't meet expectations, Mendoza is still a lock to go to Las Vegas. He has exhibited all the tools you want to see in a top QB prospect: elite arm strength, the ability to throw into tight windows, and sneaky mobility for a 6-foot-5 signal caller. The Heisman winner led all of FBS with 41 passing touchdowns this season, which is also the Indiana single-season record. 

Here's another lock in this draft. Reese is the best player available and New York has multiple holes to fill. He's cemented himself as the clear-cut best linebacker in the country. Due to his elite speed for his size, he can drop back into coverage as an off-ball