With my 16th combine in the books, it’s time to translate what happened in Indianapolis into how it could affect the early rounds of the NFL Draft. Obviously, free agency is still going to be a major domino in the process, but the combine gives us breadcrumbs to how teams are thinking.
I gathered plenty of NFL feedback during combine week and included some of it in this mock draft (including one interesting trade scenario, noted below by an asterisk).
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
It was surprising how little Mendoza-to-Vegas buzz there was in Indianapolis. But that likely reflects how much of a foregone conclusion this pairing seems to be at No. 1.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
Reese had one of the most impressive workouts at this year’s combine — full stop. His athletic testing was outstanding, as expected, but his on-field performance was even more remarkable. His blend of speed, explosion and violence separates him in this class.
“Dude stole the freaking show,” an NFL scout said.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
In terms of NFL ceiling, Mauigoa might not be on the level of past No. 3 picks. But this is a different draft, and he brings a high floor — one which would immediately upgrade the Cardinals’ right tackle spot.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Should the Titans, at this point in their roster construction, invest a premium pick at running back? Debatable. But with money to spend in free agency, Tennessee should be in a much more stable place before we get to April.
An AFC scout for a team that already has an established running back called Love “the best player in the draft.” Instead of getting hung up on positional value, the Titans should focus on “impact value” and what a talent like Love could do not only for the run game, but the passing game and offense overall. Head coach Robert Saleh spent the last year watching Christian McCaffrey’s impact on the San Francisco 49ers and could see similar potential in Love.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
For much of the season and pre-draft process, I felt like I had to convince doubters of why Styles deserved to be a top-10 pick. After his workout in Indianapolis, the skeptics have disappeared.
But it wasn’t just what Styles did on the field, which prompted a standing ovation when he walked into one team’s interview room. His interviews with NFL teams were “phenomenal,” according to a team source.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
“Easily the best O-line workout this year.”
The feedback from others matched that praise from a team source and was universally glowing about Fano’s combine performance. (“He confirmed the big grade I put on him,” was another good reply from a team scout.)
His shorter arms (32 1/8 inches) will be interpreted differently by each team, but Fano is too well-liked across the league for him to fall down boards.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are looking for speed and violence off the edge, and Bailey offers both. He took a jump as a run defender this past season and would improve the Commanders’ pass rush immediately.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Social media seems to care more than NFL teams about Tate’s 40-yard dash time — he clocked in at 4.53 seconds, although that official time has been under dispute. He averaged 32.5 yards per touchdown catch in 2025 and showed the ability to win at all three levels of the field, which is something quarterback Tyler Shough would love to see in the Saints’ offense.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs address their multiple needs this offseason. If they wait until the draft to make a splash at edge rusher, Bain — and his ability to constrict the pocket with his power — would make sense. He remains a polarizing prospect among NFL teams. He’s got a lot of fans, and plenty of critics.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Count the Bengals among several teams that generally don’t draft safeties early in the first round. But Downs is different and will force front offices to rethink that stance. His intelligence, intangibles and on-field impact immediately will make the other 10 defenders on the field that much better.
11. Miami Dolphins: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Over the last few months, I’ve been pushing Freeling as an ascending prospect with talent worth an early-pick investment. His combine performance was uneven (NFL scout: “His testing was good. His positional workout wasn’t good at all.”), but a 1.71-second 10-yard split in the 40 at his size is impressive.
Freeling would be a great building block for a new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, looking to revamp the roster.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
In the history of their franchise, the Cowboys have drafted only one LSU cornerback (Morris Claiborne) — and it didn’t go well.
Delane doesn’t have elite size or speed (we will see if he runs a 40 before the draft), but he has an outstanding feel for coverage in man or zone, anticipating and driving on routes.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
History tells us the Rams don’t draft cornerbacks in the first few rounds, but that position on their depth chart needs almost a complete makeover. Terrell, whom several scouts singled out as having the top cornerback workout at the combine, makes plays against both the pass and run.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
Good players have a habit of falling to the Ravens in Round 1, and this would be just the most recent example. Ioane is one of the best players in the draft, although his lack of positional versatility could help him land in Baltimore’s lap.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
I don’t think general manager Jason Licht is necessarily looking to target a tight end with a top-15 pick, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bucs believe Sadiq is the best player available here. He’s been TE1 in this class from the summer until now, and his freaky combine performance was the cherry on top.
