With the 2026 NFL draft now finished and teams hoping they have their next franchise players, RantSport writer Josh Marshall takes a look at how well the top five teams did in this draft…
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, indiana – LV Raiders
The Hiesman, National champion and the consensus first overall pick in the draft, Fernando Mendoza.
The Hoosier shocked the college football world with his 41 touchdown underfeated season. Since then, he has been the clear choice for the Raiders to take in hopes that he can bring their franchise back.
Mendoza is no project QB. He is eager to learn and has an incredible arm, a leader amongst his team, and paired with veteran QB Kirk Cousins, Mendoza will have a one-of-one teacher. As well his main target being standout TE Brock Bowers.
2. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech – New York Jets
The highly predicted second pick in the draft, and the Jets got their man out of Tech.
The 14.5 sack season speaks for itself: a fast and aware edge, with three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. All three of his forced fumbles were the result of sacks, officially credited with 13 quarterback hurries on the season, as well as three pass breakups.
3. Jeryimah Love, RB, Notre Dame – Arizona Cardinals
Seemingly, the overall best player in the draft, Love, would always be a hard player to pass on, and the Cardinals took their man third.
The Notre Dame RB had a standout season, finishing with 21 total touchdowns, 18 of which were rushing. As well as finishing third in Heisman voting.
Love is an explosive and dynamic back, his agility on the charts is often seen out doing whoever is going against him. One of the best players in the draft is now one of the Cardinals’ biggest weapons.
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4. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State – Tennessee Titans
A rather shocking pick, the Titans would select receiver Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. Showing they are keen to help their former first overall pick, Cam Ward. The wide out would be the first receiver taken off the board and added to the long list of Ohio State WR’s taken in the first round.
Often a factory for wide receivers, Ohio State has produced some of the league’s best. Taking a gamble at four for Tate is one that almost can’t fail. A tall, sturdy, and savvy route-runner, he has strong hands in traffic and tracks the ball smoothly over his shoulder.
5. Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State – New York Giants
After a surprising slide to five, the Giants took the opportunity to take arguably the best Edge in this class in Arvell Reese.
Reese is coming off a highly dominant season with the Buckeyes, having been described as “violent on the edge”, a fast and hard-hitting linebacker putting up 6.5 sacks last season.
At 20 years old, Reese is still growing into his frame and his game, learning from James Laurinaitis (linebackers coach) and Matt Patricia (defensive coordinator) should give him a head start in acclimating to the pro game.
As well, playing off-ball linebacker and stand-up edge with the talent to post impact production from either spot.
Now a defensive line featuring Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and now Arvell Reese.
The pressure of being the first
The Big question now stands: will these players live up to the hype? Or even fill the pressure of being a top five pick in the NFL draft?
We have seen many times that a top five pick may not always work, even being the first overall isn’t guaranteed to succeed in the NFL,
As well, it’s sometimes the later picks or even rounds where the real gems may shine in the NFL.
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