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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 Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State In one of the recent episodes of my digital show, “The Joel Klatt Show,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Carnell Tate to Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who is also an Ohio State alum. I like the idea of pairing those two together. I also wonder if the Saints would pick Downs. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley knows how impactful an elite safety can be, as he coached Derwin James during his years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. But New Orleans needs to give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough some weapons. Giving Shough a steady, downfield threat in Tate would be good. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU The Chiefs have got to shore up their secondary. I think there’s a belief out there that the Chiefs might go for offensive help, which is why the Giants might have to pick Jordyn Tyson at No. 5. So, don’t be surprised if the Giants take Tyson at No. 5. But I think If that’s the case, maybe Kansas City really needs help on defense — particularly in the secondary. Delane is the top corner in the draft, making this a perfect fit and value for the Chiefs at No. 9. 10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Truth be told, I had a previous edition of a mock draft ready to go — until the Giants opted to trade defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick. That mock draft will never see the light of day, though, and I now know that they’re targeting Tyson, like I said before. Tyson’s had some injury history, but he’s got great athletic bloodlines and teams have really fallen in love with him. He’s rising up draft boards as we get closer to the draft. 11. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State First-year head coach Jeff Hafley isn’t in a great position. The Dolphins need to build up their roster while carrying a lot of dead salary. One way to overcome that is by drafting the best player available. Remember, Hafley was once Ryan Day’s defensive coordinator at Ohio State, meaning I don’t think there’s any NFL head coach who’ll have better intel on Downs than Hafley. Miami has needs everywhere, and Downs can be a tone-setter for the rebuild. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) The Cowboys have big-time needs at edge and the secondary. Rueben Bain has slipped here in my mock draft, and it’s not at all tied to the recent report about his alleged reckless driving incident. Teams have known about that for quite a bit. His fall here is more related to his arm length. Some might think that’s not a big deal, but Bain isn’t a pure speed rusher. If you’re a power rusher, like Bain is, you’ve got to get into the offensive lineman and extend off it. That’s why his arm length matters to some extent. Still, Bain’s too good for the Cowboys to pass up. Dallas has to take Bain at No. 12, as long as he’s available. Bain plays his butt off on every play and still produced when teams focused on stopping him. 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC I do think there’s a chance the Rams really love Carnell Tate and try to move up to get him. Don’t be surprised if that happens. I also think they’d like Makai Lemon. He’s perfect for the Rams’ offense, and I think I want to see him in Sean McVay’s offense more than anything else in this year’s draft. Lemon’s spatial awareness is off the charts. He’s so good in the middle of the field. He understands coverage and how to create space. He’s also an absolute dog at making contested catches. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State This, of course, is going to happen. It might not feel like the most Ravens pick of all-time, but it feels like it. The Ravens always sit there and get the biggest no-brainer or best value pick in the draft. Vega Ioane is the best offensive lineman in this draft. He does play on the interior, so that’s why he slides a bit, but the Ravens get the toughest and nastiest offensive lineman available at No. 14, running to the commissioner to get the pick in. Baltimore also has to replace Tyler Linderbaum in the interior of that offensive line. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) I thought about a wide receiver here, with Mike Evans leaving for the 49ers. However, Tampa Bay also has a big need at edge rusher. Akheem Mesidor is relatively old for a top prospect (he’ll be 25 when the 2026 season begins). He did produce at a high level, though. That maturity can also pay off for whoever drafts Mesidor. 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Jermod McCoy would have been a top-10 pick in last year’s draft had he been eligible and not hurt his knee in January.. McCoy worked out at Tennessee’s pro day and ran a sub-4.4 in the 40. He’s showing in workouts that he’s back from the ACL tear he suffered last offseason. [2026 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt’s Top 50 Prospects Show Changing of the Guard in CFB] 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama Former Lions left tackle Taylor Decker was released earlier this offseason, and we know that this is a team that has heavily relied on their offensive line for success in the past. I’ve been told that Kadyn Proctor won’t make it past the Lions at No. 17. The belief has been that right tackle Penei Sewell will move to left tackle in 2026. However, drafting Proctor means the Lions can keep Sewell at the position he has earned three All-Pro nods at, while having Proctor play left tackle. 18. Dallas Cowboys (trade with Minnesota Vikings): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon I love doing trades in mock drafts, but it’s hard to work one out that makes sense for both teams. Dallas jumps up a couple of picks because it’ll be valuing Dillon Thieneman at safety. Minnesota also has a safety need, but the Vikings might be fine with drafting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The Vikings would also only move back two picks in this scenario. Thieneman had great tape in his first two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Oregon, where he played a bit more of a different safety position. He played closer to the line of scrimmage this past season and was asked to react and play more instinctively. He didn’t do a poor job at that, but he’s better served playing free safety. 19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon I think the Panthers should continue to surround quarterback Bryce Young with talent. I know they just drafted Tetairoa McMillan at wide receiver this past season, but the Panthers can also help ease some of the issues with their offensive line and running game by taking Sadiq. He’s a great blocker and can be a real red-zone threat. 20. Minnesota Vikings (trade with Dallas Cowboys): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo As I mentioned earlier, the Vikings would probably roll with McNeil-Warren here and get a couple of later-round picks in the process. He’s actually excellent at punching the ball out, forcing nine fumbles in his college career. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana I have no inside information on this, but don’t you think we’ll get Aaron Rodgers news before the draft takes place in Pittsburgh? If you get that, then you give Rodgers something he has always wanted with the Packers: a first-round wide receiver. I love Omar Cooper, especially after calling the game where he made the incredible game-winning touchdown grab against Penn State. He fits what the Steelers want to do, and he’s great with the ball in his hands. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, edge rusher, Clemson The Chargers need help along the edge. We know coach Jim Harbaugh wants to build a run well and have his defense work from the inside and out. T.J. Parker was widely considered to be a surefire top-10 pick entering the 2025 season. He didn’t have the season that many had hoped for him, though. I don’t know what happened at Clemson this past season, but the talent is still there with Parker. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson Maybe the Eagles go with an edge rusher or a wide receiver with the A.J. Brown trade rumors still lingering. They can also grab Lane Johnson’s heir apparent at right tackle with this selection. Miller is a really experienced and good player. We know the Eagles are at their best when their offensive line is leading the way for them. 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The Browns have a big need at wide receiver, and Denzel Boston can help them in a big way. He’s a big-bodied receiver who’s terrific down the field and in the red zone. He has had a lot of production in his career, and he’ll compete for the ball in 50-50 situations. It’s a specific area of need for the Browns, and they can get a quality player late in the first round. 25. Chicago Bears: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia I think the Bears would’ve loved to have drafted one of those safeties involved with the trade I had earlier in this mock draft, but Chicago can still grab a left tackle with a lot of potential. Monroe Freeling is a prototypical left tackle, and you could ideally have him protecting quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside for years to come. 26. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Buffalo Bills): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The Bills don’t have a second-round pick, and someone is going to be itching to get back into the first round to get Ty Simpson. I think this pick is tailor-made to get traded. The Cardinals have the opportunity to not only get Simpson, but also get him on a first-round rookie contract, meaning they would have an extra year of team control. Simpson has been a bit polarizing. I’m high on him, though, and think he’s an excellent player. Even though he’s a touch undersized, he can make all the throws, especially outside the numbers and down the field. Simpson also knows what it takes to be a leader, showing that when he led Alabama to a comeback victory over Oklahoma in the CFP. My one area of concern for him is that he only started for one season. 27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Trent Williams isn’t going to play at left tackle forever. Lomu would be a good pick here. While he struggled against Texas Tech, Caleb Lomu was mostly excellent at left tackle for Utah this past season. 28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State The Texans could look to bolster their offensive line here, but I think they can look at their defense and say, “How can we get even better?” Defensive tackle is one area they can improve. Kayden McDonald was terrific in his one year as Ohio State’s starting defensive tackle. His ability to get off and get into the backfield is enticing. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams): Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn When Faulk walks into a room, you know that’s what an edge rusher is supposed to look like. The only problem is that his production in college doesn’t line up with how he looks. Faulk is 6-foot-6 and weighs 270; he looks like an Adonis. He’s got all the athleticism and potential in the world. However, he never led Auburn in sacks or tackles for loss in a season during his time there. That’s shocking to me. Maybe it was the turmoil within the program that caused his lack of production, and if there’s an organization that might feel confident enough to turn that around for Faulk, it’d be the Chiefs. That organization continues to develop defensive players in a quality way. 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State Again, the Dolphins need talent. Chris Johnson is a really talented player with lots of ball production and has been a late riser in this draft. Teams like his length as well, and while I’m not sure about the fit here, Johnson should be a first-round pick. 31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M Many believe that Eagles wideout A.J. Brown might wind up in New England later this offseason. It also signed Romeo Doubs, so I’m not sure if there’s much of a need at wide receiver. I think the Patriots roll with Cashius Howell, who fits what coach Mike Vrabel wants to do on defense. Howell was a stand-up edge rusher with lots of production at Texas A&M. He was electric and unblockable for most of the year. He has short arms, but he doesn’t rely on power. 32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame I’m leaning on what Jeremiah told me on “The Joel Klatt Show” last week, which was that Jadarian Price’s draft floor and ceiling is pick No. 32. Seattle desperately needs help at running back with Kenneth Walker leaving and Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from his ACL tear. I know Price was Love’s backup, but he’s clearly the second-best running back in this draft. There really isn’t another starting running back in the draft, either. So, they’re stuck here. Love can also return kicks, and I think Mike Macdonald will love his mentality.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Of the top 150 NFL prospects on my final Big Board, you’ll see only eight quarterbacks included, with just three among the first 100. If the draft falls that way, it will be the first since 2000 in which there weren’t at least four QBs among the first 100 players selected. Most years, the first round is the round to watch for quarterbacks. And this year is no exception, as where (and when) Ty Simpson is selected will generate huge ripple effects in this draft. But I expect the biggest run on QBs to transpire in the fourth round. We’ve documented the ups and downs of this year’s class since the beginning and end of the season. Now, with the draft finally upon us, I have grades on the top 12 draftable quarterbacks. Here is how I rank them and why. 12. Mark Gronowski, Iowa Projected round: 7/UDFAPro comp: Jaren HallBest team fits: San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys With an NCAA-record 58 career wins, including two national championships at South Dakota State prior to finishing his collegiate career at Iowa, Gronowski certainly is a winner. And he possesses NFL size, athleticism and toughness, as well. Despite what his career 103-27 touchdown to interception rate and 63% competition percentage suggest, however, Gronowski lacks ideal accuracy. He has the dual-threat ability and intangibles to stick as a backup and developmental project, warranting late-round consideration. 11. Joe Fagnano, Connecticut Projected round: 6-7Pro comp: Bailey ZappeBest team fits: New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints A traditional pocket passer with good anticipation, zip and accuracy to attack short and intermediate zones, Fagnano’s game translates better to the NFL than some of the other Day 3 candidates. However, he’s an older prospect (he turns 25 this month) and one who faced limited competition over his career, playing four seasons at Maine (an FCS school) before transferring to UConn, where his production was boosted by the presence of speedy wideout Skyler Bell. But make no mistake, Fagnano’s production was eye-popping at Connecticut: a 48:6 TD-INT ratio over two seasons as a starter. He varies his release nicely and takes care of the football, rarely putting it in harms way. Fagnano further helped his stock at the East-West Shrine Bowl. 10. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt Projected round: 6-7Pro comp: Max DugganBest team fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets Padilla is the underdog that draws so many to sports in the first place. He’s a 5-foot-10, 207-pound former zero-star recruit who built himself into a Heisman Trophy finalist and four-time team captain with victories over both Alabama and Auburn in his career. He’s best-suited for an RPO attack, showing courage and craftiness as a runner (31 rushing TDs over his career), as well as good accuracy on the move. However, that accuracy wanes as the passes get deeper, and I think he’ll struggle with the tighter windows in the NFL. He’s at his best playing off script, and not every team will be comfortable with his improvisational style and personality. That said, I love his competitiveness and creativity. 9. Haynes King, Georgia Tech Projected round: 6Pro comp: Tyrod TaylorBest team fits: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Denver Broncos It isn’t often that a quarterback leads a Power Four conference in rushing touchdowns, but that was the case with King, whose 15 scores on the ground was one more than he threw last season. Those numbers belie King’s intriguing accuracy (and willingness to test tight windows) on short to intermediate throws. He can throw the ball with zip and touch alike. He lacks the arm strength of some of this year’s other draftable quarterbacks, however, and, as such, is a bit scheme dependent. As his rushing totals suggest, King is a dynamic athlete for the quarterback position, clocking in at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He began his college career as a four-star prospect for Texas A&M but struggled with injuries there before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he steadily developed into one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history. His work ethic, competitiveness and dual-threat abilities could help him find a niche in the NFL, though likely as a backup. 8. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Projected round: 5 (No. 145 prospect rank)Pro comp: Brett HundleyBest team fits: Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks often get too much of the praise when things go wrong and Klubnik is a perfect example of how they can get too much of the blame when a team struggles. He was far from faultless for the Tigers’ disappointing 2025 campaign, watching his passing touchdowns plummet from 36 as a junior to just 16 (in 12 games), despite his completion percentage jumping to a career-high 66%. At 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Klubnik lacks ideal size and possesses only average arm strength. But he’s a quality athlete with good accuracy on short to intermediate passes, including on the move. Like a lot of athletic passers, he has a tendency to stick too long on his initial read, then skip too quickly through secondary progressions and then start to drift out of the pocket, dropping his eyes and looking for an escape route. He got into some bad habits trying to put a Clemson offense that didn’t have the dynamic playmakers it once had onto his back. I still see starter-level potential, but Klubnik needs some refining and a better supporting cast to get back to his prior playmaking self. 7. Drew Allar, Penn State Projected round: 4 (No. 120 prospect rank)Pro comp: Landry JonesBest team fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers If one were to draw up the prototypical NFL quarterback, it might look a lot like Allar. He checks in at a solid 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, and he has an absolute bazooka of a right arm. He can make every throw in an NFL playbook and enters the league as a three-year starter with a sterling 61:13 TD-INT ratio. But as I told FOX’s Eric Williams in his piece on this year’s Most Underhyped and Overhyped Prospects, I’ve yet to see Allar show the requisite instincts to translate his talent into consistent high-level play. He gets frazzled when his initial read is taken away and too often resorts to checkdowns, rather than trusting his arm (or teammates) to make critical plays. He looked like a future first-round pick back in 2023 but he’s regressed since, and his senior campaign was abruptly cut short due to a broken ankle that kept him from participating in the All-Star games and pre-draft workouts. There is no denying Allar’s allure. No one should be surprised if he is drafted earlier than my ranking. But I think he’s further away than his traits and stats suggest. 6. Cole Payton, North Dakota State Projected round: 4 (No. 116 prospect rank) Pro comp: Jake LockerBest team fits: Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers Payton is similar in many ways to the aforementioned Taylen Green in that he is a classic dual-threat quarterback whose ability as a runner is every bit as valuable as his current passing skills. His first start at the collegiate level, in fact, came at running back, not quarterback. He is a left-handed power thrower still learning the nuances of passing the ball with timing and precision. But there are some “wow” throws on tape — and an intriguing variety of them — including the standard verticals that require vision and arm strength, but also post-corners needing touch and rollouts that show off his ability to throw accurately on the move. A physical, determined runner, Payton gives off some Taysom Hill vibes, but I think he has more upside as a passer. He’ll require patience, but he is arguably the most intriguing developmental quarterback of this class. 5. Taylen Green, Arkansas Projected round: 4 (No. 113 prospect rank) Pro comp: A mix of Randall Cunningham and Anthony RichardsonBest team fits: Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles There are few players in this draft at any position with more highlight reel plays than Green, a remarkable 6-foot-6, 227-pounder who enters the NFL with a staggering 94 overall touchdowns scored over four seasons spread between Arkansas and Boise State. His explosive playmaking ability was obvious on tape, but the numbers he produced at the Combine were stunning nontheless — including a 4.36 40-yard dash and 43.5-inch vertical jump. Teams looking for a true dual-threat quarterback could see Green as a potential superstar. The concern is that Green remains quite raw as a pocket passer given his 46 career starts. He typically waits for his receivers to get open, rather than anticipating windows, staring down his primary targets and allowing defensive linemen opportunities to bat down more balls than you’d expect for a quarterback of his height. He is too quick to drift out of the pocket and drop his eyes to scramble rather than stepping up against pressure to allow pass-catchers time. Green is a lottery ticket that could pay off big, but he requires an offense catered to his skill set and there are only so many of those in the NFL. 4. Carson Beck, Miami Projected round: 4 (No. 107 prospect rank)Pro comp: Mason RudolphBest team fits: Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders Beck personifies the philosophical divide about this year’s quarterback class. Critics are quick to point out that Beck struggled in big moments. Optimists can easily counter that his cerebral play and precision passing out of pro-style offenses are why his teams consistently played in big games in the first place. Those who believe in “QB wins” as a metric note that Beck was 37-6 as a starter over his career at Georgia and Miami. Beck looks the part at nearly 6-foot-5, 233 pounds, with a snappy over-the-top delivery and good accuracy to all levels of the field. He is as good throwing the ball off play-action as any quarterback in this class, showing the pre-snap recognition that comes with facing elite competition (in games and practices) over his career. Beck is a classic rhythm passer who is fantastic when he feels comfortable in the pocket, but hasn’t consistently shown the “ice in his veins” poise to project as a frontline NFL starter. 3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Projected round: 2-3 (No. 70 prospect rank)Pro comp: Drew LockBest team fits: New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers Given where he is likely to be drafted, Nussmeier could very well prove the best value of this year’s quarterback class. That is a bold statement, indeed, given that he was benched for the final month of his final campaign. But similar to Ty Simpson, Nussmeier wasn’t surrounded by the typical LSU supporting cast — the Tigers struggled with drops, inconsistent blocking and a poor running game. An abdominal strain suffered early on limited Nussmeier’s arm strength, but that didn’t stop him from taking the risky throws into coverage that had earned him a first-round grade in my initial QB Tiers article entering the season. Nussmeier lacks ideal size at just under 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, and his gunslinger mentality is as likely to get him into trouble as it is to help him succeed, but I want that kind of “let it rip” confidence at quarterback. The son of an NFL (and CFL) quarterback and current offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, Nussmeier enters the league as mentally prepared for the complexities of the pro game as anyone on this list. At worst, I see a longtime quality backup with a chance to “surprise” as much more. 2. Ty Simpson, Alabama Projected round: 2 (No. 33 prospect rank) Pro comp: Jimmy GaroppoloBest team fits: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams Undersized and entering the NFL with just one season as a starter, Simpson’s faults are easy to see. But so too are his strengths, including the quick mental processing that comes from being a coach’s son, as well as impressive accuracy both in the pocket and on the move. He is a talented passer with as many “big-time throws” in 2025 as any quarterback in this class. And while Alabama is perennially loaded with talent, Simpson wasn’t blessed with the same caliber of a supporting cast as his recent Crimson Tide predecessors, often throwing his receivers open rather than having them break off the huge plays on their own that can pad a QB’s statistics. The track record for quarterbacks entering the NFL with less than 20 collegiate starts is frightening, and the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Simpson (15 starts, all in 2025) was beaten up by the end of this season. It takes some faith to project him as a future franchise quarterback — but the passing ability and moxie are there. 1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Projected round: 1 (No. 4 prospect rank) Pro comp: A mix of Jared Goff and Andrew LuckBest team fit: Las Vegas Raiders At nearly 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, Mendoza certainly looks the part of an NFL quarterback, and he possesses the arm strength and accuracy to star at the highest level, as well. It is his intangibles, however, that have me most excited. The composure he showed in guiding Indiana to its first national championship project well to handling the mental rigors he’ll face at the next level. There is no denying that Mendoza was aided by a relatively simple RPO-based Hoosiers offense, but too often his critics fail to mention how quickly he adapted to this scheme after beginning his career at Cal, where he also showed future NFL starter ability. No one should expect Mendoza to be a franchise savior — he lacks the elite physical traits of No. 1 overall candidates of prior years. But he’s smart, tough, determined and poised. If he’s given a quality supporting cast, the Mendoza magic can continue in the NFL.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Jon Rahm entered Sunday with the lead and a familiar challenger by his side. By day’s end, he left no doubt. The Legion XIII captain closed with a dominant 7-under 64 at Club de Golf Chapultepec, finishing at 21 under to secure a commanding six-shot victory at LIV Golf Mexico City. For the week, Rahm delivered four rounds in the 60s and steadily pulled away from the field. Paired in the final group with teammate Tyrrell Hatton — the first time the Ryder Cup duo had shared a final group on LIV Golf — Rahm quickly took control and never looked back. Behind him, a pair of fellow Arizona State Sun Devils products made a charge to round out the podium. David Puig finished solo second at 15 under after a closing 5-under 66, capping a strong week that included a third-round 62, one shy of the course record. Puig briefly threatened to make things interesting on the back nine. “Obviously, I still think I had my chances, right, even with how good he started,” Puig said. “I was 6 under after 10, three back … If I birdie 11 and 12 — I’m pretty much chipping on 11, and 12 is reachable — I definitely had my chances.” Ultimately, he was unable to capitalize on those key opportunities, leaving Rahm with too much breathing room down the stretch. Josele Ballester continued his impressive run with a final-round 67 to finish solo third at 14 under. Ballester was among the most consistent drivers of the week, leading the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and repeatedly setting up scoring opportunities. Further back, Scott Vincent finished solo fourth at 12 under in his HyFlyers GC debut, while a five-way tie for fifth at 11 under included Branden Grace, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Matthew Wolff. Hatton, who started the day two shots back, struggled to a final-round 1-over 72, while McKibbin added another steady performance to cap a strong week for Legion XIII. In the team competition, Legion XIII completed a wire-to-wire victory in emphatic fashion, finishing at 45 under and securing the 9-shot victory. Led by Rahm, the team’s consistency across all four players proved overwhelming, as they maintained separation from the field throughout the week. Fireballs GC, powered by Puig and Ballester, secured second at 36 under, while Southern Guards GC finished third at 26 under. Torque GC climbed to fourth at 22 under, with HyFlyers GC rounding out the top five at 17-under. This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

If the Dexter Lawrence trade was the true beginning of the John Harbaugh era, it opened to stellar reviews. The New York Giants’ haul was “huge,” “stunning,” and “unbelievable,” several NFL sources told me. It was widely hailed as a “steal.” But as the initial praise of the shocking trade wore down on Saturday night, and everyone began to digest the fact that the Giants traded a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the draft, those same sources kept asking the same question: “What are the Giants going to do on defense now?” It’s a fair question, with no immediate answer. It’s also why they didn’t really want to make this trade. The Giants could have done this two weeks ago, a source told me, when the Bengals dangled the 10th overall pick almost as soon as Lawrence’s demand to be traded went public. Because as surprised and thrilled as the Giants were to find someone willing to give up a top-10 pick for their disgruntled star, they knew that the deal would leave their defense with a gaping hole. “He’s a top-five defensive tackle in the league, and at his best, he might be the best,” one NFC scout told me. “Even in a down year, you see how other teams treat him. They constantly double- or even triple-team him. It doesn’t matter if it’s a run or a pass play either. His presence is the threat.” Harbaugh knew that. He had praised the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Lawrence as “not really a cornerstone” of the defense, but “more like the stone.” He insisted he needed Lawrence to fix a defense that ranked 28th overall and 31st against the run. So much of the hope and potential is wrapped in the edge-rushing trio of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter. But even in what was widely considered one of his worst NFL seasons, Lawrence was at least the second-best defensive player on the team, and maybe the most important. That’s why Harbaugh and new Giants vice president Dawn Aponte were working so hard to try to convince Lawrence to stay. They were willing to sweeten his contract a little, a source told me. They also tried to make a direct appeal to Lawrence, but his agent, Joel Segal, insisted that all the talking would be done through him. But their full-court press didn’t work, so they felt they had no choice but to look at that top-10 pick “like a gift,” a team source told me, even if it left their defense dangerously thin in the middle of the front. Veteran defensive tackles Roy Robertson-Harris and Sam Roberts aren’t in Lawrence’s class. Neither is D.J. Reader, who was brought in for a visit last week. They are professional, solid veterans who can get the job done. But none of them has Lawrence’s ability to change a game. [Dexter Lawrence Trade Grades: Why Big Move Could Have Huge Payoff for Giants, Bengals] And the team’s pre-deal concerns went deeper than that, too. The Giants are well aware of the public perception that they struggle to keep their own players. Fans are still stung from watching stars like Odell Beckham, Saquon Barkley, Julian Love and Xavier McKinney get shoved out the door, still in their prime, over the last decade. Internally, the Giants attribute that to too much turnover in the front office and with the head coach — too many changes in leadership and philosophy over the last 10 years. But Lawrence felt different to them, especially after general manager Joe Schoen signed the Dave Gettleman first-round pick to a four-year, $90 million deal in 2024. He was popular and valuable, no matter how bad the team struggled. They truly seemed to want him to stay. Lawrence left them with no choice, though. Yes, the Giants could have sucked it up and given him the extra one year and $28 million that the Bengals gave him on Sunday. But a team source told me the 28-year-old never asked for that, leaving the impression that he just didn’t want to be a Giant anymore. He had grown tired of all the losing and didn’t seem willing to give a fourth coach a chance entering his eighth season in the league— not even if that coach was Harbaugh. And with Harbaugh as intent on building a new culture and rebuilding the defense as he is, the last thing he needed was a disgruntled star who wanted to be someplace else. The deal was slightly easier to stomach because there are legitimate questions about what Lawrence still is. His stunning drop to just a half sack last season is often attributed to constant double-teams. But as one scout told me, “You know, he can beat those double teams, too.” Meanwhile, there were internal concerns about his weight last season, a source told me, adding, “He’s a great guy, but his unhappiness was clear in everything he did.” Still, the Giants understood that as good as the deal was, it wasn’t what was best for them in the short term. There is a league-wide belief that there isn’t likely to be a plug-and-play impact defender available with the 10th pick — if there was, the Bengals surely would’ve kept it. There might not even be a defensive tackle taken in the first round. The Giants will surely take one with their second-round pick (37th). And it seems like a lock one of their two first-rounders — picks No. 5 and 10 — will be used on a defensive player, perhaps Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The pieces will be there for Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to build a defense that at least ranks in the top half of the league. That’s something the Giants did only once in the seven years with Lawrence on their team. So they were bad with him and can be bad without him, and now they at least have a chance to rebuild the defense with younger, fresher, and less expensive bodies. What they replace Lawrence with, though, might not be better. They understood that. That’s why this isn’t something they wanted. It just turned into something they had to do.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Barcelona’s Champions League campaign may have ended in heartbreak against Atlético Madrid, but the performance of Lamine Yamal left a lasting impression on one of the club’s former greats, Neymar. Despite the disappointment of exiting the competition at the quarter-final stage, Yamal’s emergence as a genuine leader at the age of just 18 has convinced many that he is the heir to the throne at Camp Nou. A legendary endorsement for a rising star The teenager, who has frequently cited Neymar as one of his footballing idols, received a glowing review from Neymar. The Santos forward has rarely been as direct about a young player as he was when speaking about Yamal recently, branding the Barcelona wonderkid’s rise as “unreal.” Neymar was no stranger to the pressure of being a teenage prodigy himself, has been watching Yamal’s development closely and thinks the Spaniard is destined for the very top of the podium. The Brazilian icon, who paved his own legendary path at Camp Nou, believes the teenager is destined for the very top of the game. Neymar puts Yamal in the Messi category Neymar did not hold back when discussing the potential of the La Masia graduate, placing him alongside the most illustrious names in the history of the club. Speaking via Fabrizio Romano, the Brazilian expressed his awe at what the youngster is currently achieving on the pitch. “I truly believe Lamine is one of the greatest teenage sensations [that] football’s ever seen,” Neymar said. “There was Leo Messi, there was me — but what this kid is doing at 18 years old is simply something unreal.” Sympathy after Champions League heartbreak Neymar admitted he felt for the youngster, who was visibly devastated after the final whistle in the match against Atlético, despite individual displays that nearly sparked a famous comeback for Hansi Flick’s side. Yamal’s ability to take responsibility in the biggest games has become a hallmark of his season, much to the admiration of the global footballing community. “I felt for him when he got knocked out of the Champions League,” Neymar added. “Lamine gave everything, he even sparked the comeback. But this is football, anything can happen.” Ballon d’Or and European glory on the horizon The Brazilian superstar is convinced that individual and collective trophies are a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ for Yamal. Neymar is already looking ahead to the next campaign, where he expects the winger to reach even greater heights on the European stage. “His time is coming! I hope he wins the Champions League next year… and why not the Ballon d’Or too? He’s so special. One of those players I’ll always be rooting for, for sure,” Neymar concluded.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

NCAA Tournament star Braylon Mullins will stick around for one more season at UConn in hopes of winning a national championship instead of heading straight to the NBA. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard made his announcement Saturday on his Instagram account with highlight clips of his biggest shots and the words “unfinished business.” Mullins was projected to be a first-round pick. The 2025 IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball Award winner became a national sensation when he made a 35-footer with 0.4 seconds left to cap UConn’s incredible comeback to beat top-seeded Duke 73-72 to win the East Region title, sending the Huskies to their third Final Four in four years. He had been a key player for the Huskies once he returned from an ankle injury that kept him out of UConn’s first six games. He was fourth on the team in scoring at 12.0 points per game and also averaged 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals. He finished third on the team with 72 3-pointers, five behind Alex Karaban, who played in all 40 games, and Solo Ball, who played in 39. [2026 NBA Draft Declarations Tracker] Mullins scored 15 points in a victory over Illinois before finishing with 11 in the national championship game loss to Michigan — with both games being played about a 30-minute drive from his alma mater, Greenfield-Central High School. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Bryson DeChambeau withdrew from the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City on Sunday, citing an injury to his wrist that he did not want to further aggravate. DeChambeau, who was trying to become the first player to win three straight times on LIV Golf, started poorly at Chapultepec Golf Club and was 16 shots behind Jon Rahm when he withdrew. “I experienced some discomfort in my wrist during yesterday’s round and have decided to withdraw from the the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City to prevent further injury,” DeChambeau said on a social media post. “Not how I wanted this week to go.” DeChambeau said he would be evaluated and hoped to be at LIV Golf Virginia on May 7-10, a week before the PGA Championship. He missed the cut in the Masters last week when he took two shots to get out of a bunker and made triple bogey on his last hole. Rahm took a two-shot lead into the final round in Mexico City. The week has been filled with uncertainty surrounding the Saudi-funded league, with CEO Scott O’Neil writing a memo to staff to say LIV was assured of funding through the end of the year amid reports speculating about the league’s financial future. Also on Sunday, LIV announced it would be returning to Chapultepec next year. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals kicked off NFL Draft week with a blockbuster on Saturday night that was as big as it was rare. The Giants traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft. It was the first time a team traded a top-10 pick for a player that wasn’t a quarterback in 21 years, when the Raiders gave up the seventh overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft for Randy Moss. It’s also the first time the Bengals have traded a top-10 pick for a player in the common draft era (since 1966), according to ESPN. So was it a fair deal, and how did each team do? Here are the early grades for both teams: New York Giants The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Lawrence was a tremendous player for the Giants for most of his seven seasons. He even had huge value last year, which was generally regarded as his worst in the league. He was often the focus of opposing offensive lines, and the attention he got freed up a lot of room for edge rusher Brian Burns. But Lawrence never appeared to be in shape or motivated last year, and his pass-rushing numbers fell off a cliff — just a half sack after he had nine in 12 games the year before. He’ll be 29 this season, was incredibly unhappy after years of losing New York and wanted a sizeable raise, too. The fact that the Giants got a top-10 pick for a player in that situation, heading towards his third NFL contract, is remarkable — especially considering they didn’t have to give anything else up. And the fact that they got it from the Bengals — a team that historically treats draft picks like they’re gold bullions in Fort Knox — makes the deal even more stunning. Maybe the Giants can’t find a player like Lawrence, but good defensive tackles aren’t a rare commodity. And in the right scheme, with the right players around them, that can be enough. But the grade here isn’t about what the Giants lost, especially considering that if Lawrence finds his happiness and his old form, he’s a top-three defensive tackle. It’s about the return. A top-10 pick for a team starting over with a new coach, trying to rebuild a program, isn’t just gold. It’s platinum. Yes, it matters what the Giants do with the pick. But on paper, they’re now getting two of the 10 best players in this draft. Grade: A- Cincinnati Bengals Maybe the most stunning part of this deal was the fact that the Bengals were involved. Big moves like this just aren’t what they do. No organization has been cheaper, more static or stubborn over the years. But there’s a sense in Cincinnati that the Bengals’ Super Bowl window is starting to close, and they didn’t want another year to pass by. So give them credit for going for it all, adding a huge piece to a defensive line that lost Trey Hendrickson in free agency. They have one of the NFL’s best offenses as long as quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’Marr Chase are healthy. But they’ve struggled because of a terrible defense that was the worst in the league last year. Lawrence won’t change that by himself, but putting him inside the line with B.J. Hill, in a rotation with veteran Jonathan Allen and next to new edge rusher Boye Mafe has the potential to make them a force up front. Even if that line can make the Bengals’ defense mediocre, it could turn them into a playoff team at worst, and a Super Bowl contender at best. The reason they’re not getting more rave reviews for this bold move is the high value (financially and talent-wise) of a top-10 pick. And giving that up is a risk for a player who’s going to be 29, wanted more money (the Bengals had to tack on one year and $28 million to his existing contract), and is coming off a half-sack season that was one of the worst of his career. If that was the start of a decline, the Bengals made a huge miscalculation. But they believe a happy and motivated Lawrence will get in shape and return to his old dominant form. It also helps that, as a source told me, they were convinced that they couldn’t get a ready-to-go impact defensive player with the 10th overall pick of the draft. So they chose to use that pick in the hopes of finding that instant impact. It’s a gamble, but the payoff could be huge. Grade: B-​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Ohio State’s impressive 2025 season provided momentum heading into their annual spring game. The defense, freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. and multiple veteran contributors stood out — even in rainy conditions. Head coach Ryan Day split the roster into two separate teams: Scarlet and Gray. The Gray team took home the win, 35-26. Between the returning talent and the debut of their freshman class, the Buckeyes are shaping up to be a dangerous Big Ten competitor. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes finished the season 12-2, falling short of a College Football Playoff run to Miami (Fla.) in the quarterfinals. However, a returning Heisman finalist in quarterback Julian Sayin and superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will help fuel what’s likely to be another powerful Ohio State team. In a higher scoring game, the Buckeyes’ offense thrived, but it was the defense that turned heads. Defensive lineman Beau Atkinson stood out early, finishing the day with a sack and interception. Cornerback Devin Sanchez’s sole pass breakup against Smith was enough to remind fans of what he’s capable of, and he’ll be someone to watch this fall. Sayin’s first season as Ohio State’s starter lived up to the hype, and now has the tools to hit a very high ceiling in Year 2. Sayin’s accuracy goes without saying, as he led the nation in completion percentage (77%). The 6-foot-1 signal-caller put his ground game on display, too, scoring a 4-yard rushing touchdown early. The receiving game continues to shine and advance, especially with the addition of five-star Henry. The No. 1-ranked wide receiver in his class was put to the test and did not disappoint. He hauled in four catches for 96 receiving yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Alongside Smith, a Biletnikoff finalist last season, the duo’s combined yards‑after‑catch ability, route‑running and strength instantly elevate Day’s air-raid offense. Ohio State kicks off the 2026 college football season on Sept. 5 at home in Columbus against Ball State.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Kyle Whittingham era is now in full force at Michigan, as the dust has finally settled after a hectic offseason centered around the abrupt firing of former head coach Sherrone Moore. In the Wolverines’ spring game on Saturday, the team returned familiar faces in quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Jordan Marshall, along with a talented freshman class and several key portal additions. Whittingham split the roster into two teams, Maize and Blue. The Blue team edged out the Maize by a low score of 7-6, with the defense on both sides dominating the day. Michigan’s defense showed promising flashes throughout the day. Edges Dominic Nichols and Lugard Edokpayi, as well as defensive lineman Enow Etta, proved their talent under new defensive coordinator Jay Hill. With Hill taking over and transfers like Jonah Lea’ah joining the roster, Michigan could be primed for a breakout year on defense. In Underwood’s second spring game and his first under Whittingham, he finished 3-for-9 and 22 passing yards — an underwhelming mark by the former No. 1-ranked recruit. The sophomore signal-caller notched 2,428 passing yards and 11 touchdowns last season, but his nine interceptions remain a concern. The win for Underwood is the addition of new offensive coordinator in Jason Beck, who helped elevate Utah’s attack last season. With Beck’s system and a dangerous one-two punch at running back with freshman Savion Hiter and Marshall, the Wolverines simply need more consistency through the air to become a difficult team to face this fall. For the younger talent, freshman receiver Salesi Moa showed off his skills with a wild one-handed catch from freshman quarterback Tommy Carr, and freshman defensive lineman Bobby Kanka held the line on a massive fourth-and-one to stop the Blue team. Elite players at this age for Whittingham could be dangerous, and their Big Ten slate will be the perfect place to showcase it. Michigan kicks off the 2026 season at home in Ann Arbor on Sept. 5 against Western Michigan.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports