In our latest two-round projection, we witnessed a massive shakeup that saw Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) and Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M) skyrocket into the first-round conversation!

With the “Blue Chip” talent pool shifting, the New York Jets kicked off the second round by snagging Avieon Terrell. In a division defined by elite quarterback play, finding a corner with Terrell’s Clemson-bred instincts at pick 33 is the definition of value.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans proved that the best way to win the draft is to let the board come to you. By waiting until the second round to grab Anthony Hill Jr. and D’Angelo Ponds, both teams secured Day 1 starters without the “top-10” price tag. Ponds, in particular, represents a massive win for a Titans secondary looking to reset the culture in the AFC South.

Perhaps the most polarizing move of the mock was Ty Simpson’s ascent into the first round. By moving the Alabama signal-caller into the top 32, the Cleveland Browns are forced to pivot. While the Browns opted for technical security with center Connor Lew, the Steelers also stayed aggressive under center, landing Garrett Nussmeier at 76 to compete in a wide-open QB room.

If you’re looking for the pick that will be graded an “A+” three years from now, look no further than Zachariah Branch to the Atlanta Falcons at 48. In an era where “high-end” playmakers are the ultimate currency, getting a home-run threat like Branch outside the top 40 is highway robbery.

Other notable Round 2 values include Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt) to Miami, a mismatch nightmare for a Dolphins offense that thrives on speed. Malachi Fields (WR, Notre Dame) to Tampa Bay, the “Pro’s Pro” who provides immediate reliability for the Bucs’ passing game. And Gabe Jacas (DE, Illinois) to Detroit, a high-motor edge rusher who fits Dan Campbell’s “kneecap-biting” philosophy like a glove.

The 2026 NFL Draft class is proving that there is no consensus. Teams aren’t just drafting for talent; they are drafting for identity. From the Jets’ defensive doubling-down to the Texans’ trench-warfare approach, the battle for AFC supremacy is being fought in the mid-rounds.

Check out the full Round 2 breakdown below to see if your team found their next superstar!

The Miami native has rapidly ascended draft boards, earning a “Franchise Player” designation reserved for athletes who possess the rare ability to fundamentally shift a team’s culture and trajectory from day one.

Standing 6’5″ and weighing 225 pounds, Mendoza fits the classic physical archetype of an NFL signal-caller.

However, his evaluation suggests a level of polish that far exceeds his frame. Scouting reports highlight his elite accuracy across all three levels of the field:

• Layered Passing: Mendoza demonstrates the rare ability to alternate between a “heater” for tight windows and a touch pass for layering over linebackers.

• Pro-Style Discipline: While many modern prospects over-rely on their legs, Mendoza remains a pocket-first technician. His ball placement, particularly on back-shoulder fades and high-difficulty throws, is considered elite for the collegiate level.

• Mental Processing: His ability to identify coverage shells pre-snap and manipulate safeties with his eyes post-snap is cited as his most “pro-ready” trait.

The “It” Factor

Beyond the physical metrics, Mendoza is defined by an intangible “clutch factor.” Leading Indiana to the National Championship has solidified his reputation as a big-game hunter who thrives when the lights are brightest. This “dagger” mentality—the ability to put a game away in the fourth quarter—is what has NFL front offices viewing him as a cornerstone rather than just a starter.

Even the discourse surrounding his “eccentric” or “quirky” personality has been reframed by many analysts as a competitive advantage. His unique way of processing the game and his singular focus are often seen as indicators of a high football IQ, reminiscent of some of the league’s most cerebral champions.

With the Las Vegas Raiders holding high draft capital, the connection between the franchise and Mendoza has become the primary storyline of the off-season. The prospect of pairing Mendoza with existing weapons like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty has created a sense of “Super Bowl or bust” expectations for his rookie year.

The consensus is clear: Mendoza is the most “sure thing” at the position in years. If a team provides him with even a moderate support system on the offensive line, he has the ceiling to lead a franchise to the promised land.
For teams in need of a savior, the 2026 Draft begins and ends with Fernando Mendoza.

Moore was widely viewed as a potential top quarterback in the upcoming draft cycle, and the Jets were already looming as a likely destination given their draft position and ongoing instability at quarterback. Instead, Moore opted to go back to Eugene, buying himself another year of development and, just as importantly, another year of control over where he might land next.

Around the league, this is not being framed as fear or uncertainty about the NFL. It is being viewed as leverage. Returning to Oregon allows Moore to refine his game, boost his draft stock, and avoid being tied to a franchise still searching for an identity. The Jets’ recent history with quarterbacks, coaching turnover, and roster instability is not exactly an easy sell for a young passer trying to set the foundation of his career.

This kind of maneuvering is not new. Quarterbacks with options have increasingly used eligibility, NIL money, and program stability as tools to shape their professional futures. Moore staying at Oregon fits that trend. It is less about running from the league and more about choosing timing and situation.

If the rumor is accurate, it sends a clear message. Moore wants to enter the NFL on his terms, not as the next name dropped into a chaotic rebuild. Whether that stance ultimately benefits him will depend on his play next season, but for now, the decision looks calculated, not emotional.

The Jets may still find their quarterback of the future, but Dante Moore appears content making sure it will not be him, at least not yet.

At the top of SI’s player rankings sits edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), a disruptive force off the edge who has drawn comparisons to high-impact pass rushers because of his length and power. His presence atop the board underscores how elite edge defenders remain premium commodities.

Joining Bain among the premier prospects are elite secondary and offensive talent. Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) is widely regarded as one of the most complete wideouts in the class, combining size, route precision, and contested-catch ability. Caleb Downs (Ohio State) stands out as a true playmaker in the defensive backfield with range, instincts, and versatility that could elevate a team’s secondary early in his career.

Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (Miami) is another top name, offering elite size and athleticism on the line that could make him one of the first blockers off the board. Mauigoa’s combination of power and mobility projects well in both pass protection and run schemes.

Beyond those core names, Flick’s board includes other high-end prospects likely to hear their names early. Dynamic edge rusher T.J. Parker (Clemson) and fellow pass-rush threat Keldric Faulk (Auburn) both bring disruptive potential that NFL defenses crave. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) remains a notable quarterback prospect with pro-style accuracy and experience against strong competition. Ashton Stamps (LSU) is among the top cover corners in college football, while Peter Woods (Clemson) anchors the interior defensive line with power and run-stopping ability. Nick Singleton (Penn State) rounds out the early look as one of the best running backs in the class, blending power and explosiveness.

SI’s 2026 mock emphasizes how deep and varied this draft class could be, with talent across key positions and multiple prospects capable of becoming foundational pieces for rebuilding NFL franchises.

It’s a move that mirrors the Oklahoma City Thunder’s long-term blueprint. The Thunder famously turned short-term pain into sustained power by stacking first-round picks through trades and smart asset management. Right now, OKC holds about six first-round slots across 2026 and 2027, thanks to swaps and protections built over years of patience.

For the Jets, this marks a philosophical shift. After years of chasing patchwork solutions and veteran stopgaps, the organization finally looks ready to tear it down and build from the ground up — deliberately, methodically, and with an eye toward sustainability.

The parallel is clear: Sam Presti’s model in Oklahoma City has become the modern rebuild playbook. Collect assets. Draft with precision. Stay flexible. Let the future come to you.

If the Jets can follow through — turning those five first-rounders into cornerstone players instead of just more turnover — this could be the first real sign of organizational maturity in years. For once, it’s not about chasing quick fixes. It’s about building something that can actually last.

Moore, who transferred to Oregon after a brief stint at UCLA, has quickly emerged as one of the most polished young quarterbacks in the nation. McShay praised his smooth mechanics, advanced accuracy, and ability to manipulate defenses—traits that stand out even in a stacked 2026 QB class.

The declaration comes as Oregon prepares for a marquee matchup against Penn State, led by fellow top quarterback prospect Drew Allar. McShay has already made clear where he stands, writing in The McShay Report that Moore’s poise and passing consistency put him ahead of Allar heading into the season.

With scouts already circling and expectations rising, Moore will have every opportunity to solidify himself as QB1 on draft boards. If he delivers on McShay’s lofty projection, Oregon could be sending one of the most highly touted passers of the decade into the NFL.

Thamel surveyed 25 NFL scouts and executives, asking them to project who will ultimately emerge as the top quarterback in the class. The responses revealed both excitement and uncertainty across the league, with seven different signal-callers receiving at least one vote.

Leading the pack was South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, who earned eight votes, edging out LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (seven). Sellers’ combination of size, arm talent, and dual-threat ability has scouts intrigued about his ceiling as a franchise quarterback.

Behind the two frontrunners was a group of contenders, each drawing support from multiple evaluators. Miami’s Carson Beck and Oklahoma’s John Mateer received three votes apiece, while Penn State’s Drew Allar earned two. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Texas star Arch Manning rounded out the list with one vote each.

The spread of votes underscores how fluid the quarterback landscape remains, with no clear consensus QB1 emerging just yet. Still, Sellers’ showing suggests that momentum is building around the Gamecocks’ rising star as the 2026 draft cycle begins to take shape.

If Sellers can build on his breakout campaign in Columbia, he could position himself as South Carolina’s first quarterback ever to be selected No. 1 overall.

Kiper, visibly frustrated, used multiple segments to hammer home his belief that Sanders was the best quarterback in the class and accused the league of missing the mark entirely. His tirades became so persistent that even major draft moments—like the Giants trading up for Jaxson Dart—were overshadowed by Kiper’s continued campaigning for Sanders. Viewers watched in disbelief as Sanders highlight reels played while other prospects were being drafted, turning ESPN’s coverage into what some felt resembled a PR push for the Colorado QB.

Critics pointed out that this wasn’t just passionate analysis—it bordered on obsession. Kiper brought up how he was “right” about Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Joe Montana in an attempt to validate his stance, ignoring the many misses on his résumé. For someone who’s been covering the draft for decades, his unwillingness to engage in reasonable debate—or acknowledge the role his own hype plays in shaping quarterback evaluations—struck many as hypocritical.

Ironically, Kiper, who has long attacked analysts and fans for going against consensus evaluations, now finds himself doing just that—defending a Day 3 quarterback pick against actual league consensus. The ESPN coverage leaned so heavily into Sanders commentary that some fans began questioning the network’s objectivity. One viewer summed it up bluntly: “The Shedeur glazing was crazy.”

The spectacle was capped off by fellow ESPN analyst Louis Riddick comparing Sanders to Tom Brady—arguing that if Sanders ends up with a similar career arc, teams will have “a lot of questions to answer.” While technically true, the comparison felt like more hot air in what had become an emotionally charged, highly biased draft broadcast.

Mel Kiper Jr. is a legend in the world of draft coverage—no one disputes that. But his 2025 performance didn’t feel like the wisdom of a seasoned expert. It felt like it may have been the unraveling of one.

Ward, who began his career at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State and later Miami, completed a meteoric rise to the top of the draft. Despite the unprecedented nature of his journey and the inspiring narrative behind it, the spotlight remained stubbornly fixed elsewhere.

Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III summed up the sentiment in a now-viral tweet:

“Cam Ward has to be the least celebrated 1st overall pick that was a QB ever. That sucks because it’s a disservice to the player, person and success story he is.”

The media and fans alike seemed more focused on Shedeur Sanders—who was projected by some to go on Day 2 but slipped to the fifth round—than on celebrating Ward’s moment. Even on social media, fans pointed out the imbalance.

“Everyone was worried about Shedeur. Cam’s moment got overshadowed,” said a post by @thecollegefootballu.

Followers echoed the concern in the comments:

“Nothing against Shedeur, but Cam deserved so much more recognition.”
“Bro went from Incarnate Word to Wazzu to Miami to first overall and we aren’t hearing any of that.”

Ward’s story is the embodiment of perseverance and development—climbing from the FCS ranks to the biggest stage in football. Yet, his achievement has flown under the radar, raising questions about what narratives the football world chooses to amplify.

While Sanders’ name commands attention due to his high-profile lineage and polarizing persona, Ward’s quiet grind to greatness might be the more compelling story—one that deserves far more applause than it received.

Trailing behind the SEC is the Big Ten with a strong showing of 11 picks, proving its place as a consistent contributor of pro-ready players. The gap between these two Power Five titans and the rest of the field, however, is striking.

The Big 12 managed only 2 draft picks this year, tying with the ACC, which also saw just 2 of its athletes selected—far below expectations for conferences that typically pride themselves on depth and visibility. The sharp decline may raise questions about development pipelines and national competitiveness moving forward.

Meanwhile, two smaller conferences also made their mark: the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) each had one player drafted, a reminder that NFL talent can emerge from beyond the Power Five spotlight.

The 2025 draft class underscores a growing disparity between the SEC and its peers. With premier facilities, deep recruiting pools, and high-profile coaching staffs, the SEC continues to set the standard—and the NFL is watching.

As draft analysts and fans alike break down the class in the weeks to come, one thing is clear: the path to the pros still runs strongest through the South.