Day: April 23, 2026

Arvell Reese is considered one of the most intriguing prospects in the NFL Draft, valued for his elite versatility as both an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. He is now set to join the New York Giants, who selected him with the No. 5 overall pick. Reese, 20, won the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award and earned consensus All-American honors. He was also a finalist for the national Butkus Award and played a key role in the Buckeyes’ defense, which finished No. 1 in college football in both scoring defense (9.3 points per game) and total defense (219.1 yards per game). Here’s what else to know about Reese. Stats Reese logged 69 total tackles (34 solo), 6.5 sacks and two pass deflections at Ohio State this past season. What FOX Sports’ draft analysts have said about Reese FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt ranked Reese as his No. 3 overall prospect in his top 50 ranking and didn’t shy away from his ceiling or the high level of potential he brings to the league. “Reese has an enormous ceiling,” Klatt wrote. “He’s just scratching the surface. He had one year as a starter, and it was an outstanding year. He was basically playing two positions a lot of the time because he was an off-ball linebacker, as the lineup would tell you, but then Ohio State used him off the edge as a pass rusher and a blitzer on the interior. He’s got great bend and athleticism. If Styles wasn’t putting together one of the great combines we’ve ever seen, Reese would’ve been the one that was coming up huge.” FOX Sports lead draft analyst Rob Rang ranked Reese second overall in his top 150 prospects ranking and even compared him to one of the NFL’s best defensive stars. “A blue-chip talent who starred mostly as an off-ball linebacker at Ohio State but possesses the twitch to attack off the edge, Reese is arguably the best prospect in this class,” Rang wrote. “In terms of sheer athleticism, versatility and career trajectory, I see an awful lot of similarities between Reese and another former Big Ten star you might have heard of: Micah Parsons.” Team fit While the Giants didn’t necessarily need an edge rusher, New York needed some pass-rushing help to make up for the loss of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is also entering the final year of his rookie contract, so it was a position that New York needed to address at some point in the coming years. Draft Grade Rang gave the Giants’ selection of Reese an A-.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Carnell Tate might not have the statistical résumé that many would expect as a high draft selection, but his tape speaks for itself. He is heading to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 after putting together two strong seasons in Columbus. He played a key role in the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship run and earned First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team Academic All-American honors this past season. Along with those accolades, Tate was named the Vertical Threat of the Year award winner after leading the country with six receiving touchdowns on passes of 30 or more air yards. That type of downfield explosiveness is an element the (BLANK) could certainly use. Here’s what else to know about Tate. Stats Tate had 51 receptions for 875 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. What FOX Sports’ draft analysts have said about Tate FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Bucky Brooks ranked Tate as the No. 2 wide receiver in his top 10 ranking. He also made a strong comparison, likening the Ohio State star to a future NFL Hall of Famer. “The acrobatic pass-catcher blossomed into a hybrid WR1/WR2 candidate during his tenure with the Buckeyes,” Brooks wrote. “As the complementary playmaker opposite a future first-round pick, Tate punished opponents who attempted to double-team Jeremiah Smith. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Tate averaged 17.2 yards per catch and scored nine touchdowns in 2025, exhibiting big-play potential as a vertical threat and chain-mover capabilities as an underneath receiver in the mold of Davante Adams.” FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt ranked Tate as his No. 7 overall in his top 50 player ranking. He also believes the trend of Ohio State wide receiver success in the league will continue with Tate. “Outstanding downfield threat,” Klatt wrote. “You talk about contested catch situations; this guy is terrific. He got overshadowed because of the absolute beast on the other side of the field in Jeremiah Smith. But Tate is outstanding and he’s a technician, which is what you would expect from Ohio State. He’s a smooth route runner, 6-2 and 195 pounds. He’s got good speed and quickness. Because he comes out of that tree, you know he will produce. Every single one of these Ohio State receivers goes into the league and they’re ready-made to produce right away. Tate is one of them. FOX Sports lead draft analyst Rob Rang ranked Tate as his No. 11 overall in his top 150 player rankings. He made sure to highlight Tate’s overall game and how he can win in a multitude of different ways against defenders. “Receiver is one of the better positional groups of this year’s draft class, and Tate tops it because of his ability to win in multiple ways,” Rang wrote. “The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has excellent body control, hand-eye coordination and grit to pull in contested passes, and he’s surprisingly slippery as a route-runner with excellent tracking skills.” Team Fit Tate joins a relatively young offense in Tennessee as the Titans hope to pair him with quarterback Cam Ward for years to come. While the Titans have veterans at wide receiver like Calvin Ridley and Wan’dale Robinson, Tate stands a chance to become Ward’s No. 1 wide receiver immediately as Brian Daboll takes over as offensive coordinator. Draft Grade Rang gave the Titans’ selection of Tate a grade of B+.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

A total of 257 picks will be made in the 2026 NFL Draft, but there will also be several trades made throughout the three days as well. As some expect the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to potentially set the record for the most trades made in a first round ever, let’s keep track of all the deals made throughout the opening rounds. We’ll also have grades on each trade from our Eric D. Williams. Browns trade No. 6 to Chiefs Chiefs get: No. 6 overall pickBrowns get: No. 9 overall pick, No. 74 overall pick, No. 148 overall pick The Chiefs moved up three spots in the NFL Draft, giving up a third round pick and a fifth round pick. The Chiefs selected LSU CB Mansoor Delane. Delane was one of the top cornerbacks available. The Browns selected Utah OL Spencer Fano. Williams: Kansas City general manager Brett Veach said he expected a lot of trades in this year’s draft. And with 10 picks in this year’s draft, including two in the first round and a rare pick in the Top-10, it’s not surprising that the Chiefs moved up to fill an obvious need in LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Kansas City needed replacements in the secondary after trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams, along with losing cornerback Jaylen Watson to Los Angeles in free agency and safety Byran Cook to the Bengals in free agency. The top-rated cornerback in this year’s draft, Mansoor gives defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a developmental piece to help fill the talent void in the back end defensively. And the Chiefs didn’t have to give up much to make the trade work. Cleveland had nine picks heading into this year’s draft, including one of six teams that had two picks in the first round. The Browns need offensive line and receiver help. And with several talented options at both of those position groups, the Browns wisely traded down, picking up two selections in the process to give them 11 picks in this year’s draft. Cleveland used that pick from Kansas City at No. 9 to select Spencer Fano, the first offensive lineman taken in this year’s draft as the Browns continue to focus on upgrading the trenches. Chiefs grade: B+Browns grade: A- Dolphins trade No. 11 to Cowboys Cowboys get: No. 11 overall pick Dolphins get: No. 12 overall, No. 177 overall, No. 180 overall​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Jermiyah Love was one of the top prospects in the NFL Draft and was widely viewed as a player near the top of many teams’ boards. But he also made history on Thursday night, becoming the first running back since 2018 to be a top-five pick when the Arizona Cardinals took him with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Love was coming off a strong junior season at Notre Dame, where he set the program’s total touchdown record with 21, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis. Along with that production, Love earned unanimous All-American honors and won the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back. Here’s what else to know about Love. Stats Love had 199 carries for 1,372 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and 18 rushing touchdowns this past season. He also had 27 receptions for 280 yards and three receiving touchdowns. What FOX Sports’ draft analysts have said about Love FOX Sports lead draft analyst Rob Rang ranked Love as his No. 3 overall prospect in his top 150 ranking. He highlighted Love’s all-around versatility, pointing to his ability to impact the game as a runner and three-down back who can elevate an entire offense. “With all due respect to Heisman Trophy winner and likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Love is the best offensive prospect in this class — and frankly, I don’t think it’s particularly close,” Rang wrote. “Love isn’t just the best back in this class; he’s among a select handful of the elite runners to enter the NFL since I began scouting a quarter-century ago, offering a blend of size, quick feet and breakaway speed reminiscent of recent blue-chip backs Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson.” FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt ranked Love as his No. 2 overall player in his top 50 ranking. Not only is Love a special talent, but he believes he can be a true three-down back at the next level and make any offense better. “I just can’t get this guy out of my head. Love is so good,” Klatt wrote. “When we think about these offenses that are excelling in the NFL, a lot of them have a running back that can do a lot of things. Here’s the thing that I love about Love: He can run between the tackles to hit a home run, he can beat you on the outside to hit a home run, he can catch it to hit a home run and he can get physical yards. He does it all. He can be on the field for all three downs. This is the type of guy that can make your offense better.” Team Fit Love joins a Cardinals team that desperately needs help offensively. Arizona ranked 31st in rushing yards per game last season, with veteran running back James Conner missing most of the season due to injury. He joins first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, who was hired after a stint as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator. Draft Grade Rang gave the Cardinals’ selection of Love a B+.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

What had been mocked everywhere for months became official Thursday night: The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And then draft day really began in Pitsburgh. Stick with us, as I’ll be analyzing and grading every selection in real time. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Rang: An ideal fit for the Raiders both from a physical and intangible perspective, Mendoza isn’t just the right pick, he’s the perfect one. His prototypical size, pre- and post-snap recognition and accuracy from both the pocket and on the move should make him a star in Klint Kubiak’s offense. Even better, Mendoza has composure on and off the field needed for a team based in a city with the many, varied distractions of Las Vegas. Grade: A 2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech Rang: Bailey: Finishing dead last in the AFC in sacks, the Jets made the right choice to add this year’s top pass-rusher. Bailey’s burst and bend off the edge is elite. He is a realistic Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who projects as a 10-plus sack-a-year difference-maker. Grade: A 3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Rang: Throw out the narrative about positional value, Love’s ability to immediately boost Mike LaFleur’s offense justifies this selection. Frankly, GM Monti Ossenfort needed a slam dunk and Love should provide it. His creativity, elusiveness and breakaway speed have earned comparisons to NFL superstars like Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson from scouts traveling through South Bend for the past two years. Critics, of course, have a point about the fact that drafting a running back this year comes with zero salary relief — something that typically occurs with rookies. Love could be the best running back in the NFL next year, but the Cardinals will already be paying him close to that, regardless. Grade: B+ 4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Rang: It’s our first “upset” of the night, but two people certainly not upset with this selection are Titans quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Head coach Robert Saleh and Daboll were both fired from recent head-coaching positions because their respective offenses struggled to score. Tate isn’t an elite athlete, but his frame, speed and tracking skills help him project as a legitimate No. 1 candidate. Grade: B+ 5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State Rang: This is a fascinating selection for the Giants, as Reese gives the Giants as formidable a trio of edge rushers as there is in the NFL, teaming, of course, with recent top-10 selections Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Reese’s ability to play the off-ball linebacker position, as well as project as a dynamic pass-rusher gives head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson an awful lot of flexibility. And unlike some of the coaches who passed on Reese, Harbaugh has the security to give him time to develop. Grade: A- 6. Kansas City Chiefs (via Browns): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Rang: I love the Chiefs’ bold decision to trade up for Delane, who would not have lasted until No. 9 overall given the way the board changed once the Titans surprisingly took wideout Carnell Tate. While the gap between Delane and the No. 2 cornerback isn’t quite as big as it is at the QB and RB positions, he is unquestionably the best corner in this class and the Chiefs desperately needed to address this position. Grade: A 7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Rang: Both in Seattle and most recently in Washington, Dan Quinn was blessed to have future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker. Remarkably, Quinn will now have an even better athlete in the middle of his Commanders defense in Styles. There are only a few linebackers in NFL history with Styles’ combination of size and speed — Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher comes to mind. Washington needed to find an alpha on defense and Styles should prove to be that immediately. Grade: A 8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints Rang: GM Mickey Loomis has never been one to shy from aggressive picks, and the selection of Tyson is certainly that. Critics will point out his struggles with durability, but his tape is excellent. This is a pick about potential, but also an affirmation of Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore. If Tyson stays healthy, he’ll be a star — that’s a significant “if” though, capping this grade. Grade: B 9. Cleveland Browns (via Chiefs): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Rang: The Browns desperately needed to find a left tackle and a wide receiver from this draft, and with the top two wideouts already off the board, Cleveland’s choice was clear. It will be fascinating to see how well Fano plays in comparison to Tyson — who, of course, the Browns traded away the opportunity to draft. Fano’s size and agility should make him the Browns’ day one starter at left tackle. Grade: B 10. New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami Rang: Mauigoa starred at right tackle for The U, but I believe the Giants will move him inside to right guard. His girth and power make him an ideal fit for New York, a club looking to adopt the run-heavy attack John Harbaugh preferred at Baltimore. I actually like this fit even better than Spencer Fano in Cleveland one pick earlier — despite the left tackle position being more valued than interior blockers. Grade: A 11. Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Rang: The Cowboys allowed an NFC-worst 35 passing touchdowns a year ago, and Downs is the player in this draft best equipped to fix that issue. His remarkable instincts and speed were obvious since his true freshman season, and they’re why I had him as the best player in this draft. Critics will argue that Downs didn’t generate enough big plays, but smart quarterbacks simply stopped throwing the ball anywhere near him. The Cowboys needed a new sheriff in the secondary and they just got him. Grade: A 12. Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) 14. Baltimore Ravens 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16. New York Jets (from Colts) 17. Detroit Lions 18: Minnesota Vikings 19: Carolina Panthers 20: Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) 21: Pittsburgh Steelers 22: Los Angeles Chargers 23: Philadelphia Eagles 24: Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) 25: Chicago Bears 26: Buffalo Bills 27: San Francisco 49ers 28: Houston Texans 29: Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) 30: Miami Dolphins (from Broncos) 31: New England Patriots 32: Seattle Seahawks​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Following his National Championship and Heisman Trophy-winning season, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has added another accolade to his name: No. 1 overall draft pick. After months of speculation, the Las Vegas Raiders have selected Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza became Indiana’s first overall pick since running back Corbett “Corby” Davis in 1938, as well as the Big Ten’s first overall quarterback since Illinois’ Jeff George in 1990. Mendoza joins a Raiders team with plenty of young talent. His decorated résumé is bound to make him the Raiders’ franchise quarterback, as he has the likes of tight end Brock Bowers, running back Ashton Jeanty and an offensive-minded head coach in Klint Kubiak. FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt offered insight into what makes Mendoza a compelling quarterback in his draft class, and why he ultimately went No. 1 overall. “This has to do with his play and the value of his position. Mendoza’s 6-5 and 225 pounds, so he checks that box. Did he play great in crunch time? Yes. It’s not enough for a quarterback to be good on base downs. You better be locked up and play great when your best is needed. That’s exactly what Fernando Mendoza did in every single big moment last season, and almost all of them were away from him,” Klatt wrote in his Top 50 NFL Prospects. Mendoza finished the season with 3,553 passing yards, 48 total touchdowns, six interceptions and a 90.3 quarterback rating, which led all quarterbacks from last season. Mendoza is also decorated with awards, including a national title win, Heisman Trophy award win, Davey O’Brien award, Walter Camp award and AP Player of the Year. He also guided the Hoosiers to their first undefeated season in program history, highlighted by several clutch performances. None was bigger than the 27–24 win over Penn State, where he hit Omar Cooper Jr. for the game‑winner with 41 seconds left to move Indiana to 10–0. And in the National Championship against Miami, his fourth‑down, 13‑yard touchdown run became the play that sealed his legacy. For FOX Sports’ Rob Rang, who listed Mendoza as his fourth overall NFL Draft prospect, emphasized he may not be the most dual-threat player on paper, but he’s still the tried and true best quarterback in his class. “Mendoza doesn’t possess the strongest arm of this class, nor is he the most dynamic running threat. He is, however, the consensus top quarterback, offering an exceptional blend of anticipation, accuracy and poise to project as a longtime, high-level NFL starter,” Rang wrote in his Top 150 NFL Prospects. Following a 3-14 record, the Raiders are in desperate need of fresh players to get back in the win column. With nine total picks following No. 1, Las Vegas will look to add another receiving option next to Bowers and more strength on the defense, especially on the interior and in the secondary. The Raiders have picks 36, 67, 102, 117, 134, 175, 185, 209 and 219.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Ohio State is expected to dominate the first round of the NFL Draft, but safety Caleb Downs could prove to be the biggest wildcard of all. The safety position is often one of the most difficult to evaluate and value on draft night, much like running back on the offensive side. If anyone understands the kind of talent Downs can bring to the next level, it’s FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt. He joined “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Thursday afternoon to preview the draft and believes Downs could be one of the safest picks in the class. Klatt was even more bullish on his upside, comparing Downs to a Hall of Fame safety. “One of the comps that I like, but people shy away from, is Ed Reed,” Klatt said. “The reason is because it’s one thing to be smart, do your job on the field and then kill it on the whiteboard and really understand football. It’s another thing to allow those instincts, intelligence and preparation to show up on the field.” Downs is viewed as a player with tremendous upside, especially given his experience in three different defensive schemes throughout his time in college. He began his true freshman year at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State in 2024, where he won a national championship. “They revamped the entire defense specifically for Caleb to put him in the middle of the field and allow his instincts to be more impactful,” Klatt said. “This guy with this amount of instincts and this IQ has played in three different defenses in three years and is still the smartest player on the field.” Klatt said what separates Downs from other prospects in the class is his ability to adapt quickly and still dominate at every stop. “This guy had 100 tackles at Alabama for Nick Saban and goes to Ohio State and immediately became the best defender on the field for a national championship team,” Klatt said. “They built the entire schematics around him.” Downs is coming off a strong junior season with the Buckeyes, recording 68 total tackles, 45 of them solo, along with two interceptions. He also forced two fumbles and added a sack, showcasing his versatility all over the field. His production and range only reinforced his reputation as one of the most instinctive defensive backs in the country, consistently impacting games in multiple phases. “He can line up anywhere but then play any position from any part of the field, very similar to Reed,” Klatt said. “That’s something that Caleb can do and that disguise aspect of his game, I think, is highly valuable.” For NFL teams looking for a modern defensive chess piece, Downs may be as close to a sure thing as this draft class offers.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports