Every week, Yardbarker displays the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
With that in thoughts, listed below are 5 of the largest questions concerning the draft:
Who ought to the Miami Dolphins goal within the draft after buying and selling WR Jaylen Waddle?
On Tuesday, the Dolphins dealt Waddle and a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Denver Broncos for 2026 first-, third- and fourth-rounders.
Miami now owns decide No. 30 within the first spherical of the 2026 draft. With that choice, the Dolphins may take one other wideout to interchange 2021 No. 6 decide Waddle, maybe Washington Huskies star Denzel Boston (6-foot-4, 212 kilos).
Boston may rapidly grow to be a reliable goal for brand new Dolphins QB Malik Willis. In 2025, the WR tied for ninth within the FBS in landing catches (11).
“A Puka Nacua comparability would possibly really feel robust, however like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with pace/separation issues and excellent aggressive toughness,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report.
What should Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza enhance earlier than the draft?
The Las Vegas Raiders are anticipated to take Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 kilos) with the No. 1 general decide within the draft. The 2025 Heisman winner is taken into account a stable prospect however one who struggles to keep away from sacks. He took 25 final season, the sixth most within the Large Ten.
“Mendoza took a sack on 24.4 % of his pressured dropbacks in 2024 earlier than enhancing to 18.6 % in 2025,” wrote Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko in a narrative printed Monday. “The sooner determine could be regarding for many quarterbacks coming into the NFL, however the enchancment is an encouraging signal for his transition to the subsequent stage.”
Mendoza will not profit from an offense that makes use of a number of fast passing performs in Vegas. New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (a former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator) depends closely on play-action passes, which take longer to develop. Per Pro Football Reference, Seahawks QB Sam Darnold tried 123 play-action passes final season, No. 5 within the NFL.
To assist Mendoza develop snug in a brand new system, it will be sensible for the Raiders to let him sit and be taught for some time. Vegas appears poised to take action. The AFC West crew has been linked to Tremendous Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco, an 18-year NFL veteran.
Will North Dakota State Bison star Cole Payton emerge as QB3 within the draft?
The Ringer’s Todd McShay mentioned he now lists Payton as his QB3 within the class on a Monday episode of his podcast. He is not the one draftnik who likes the North Dakota standout. PFF’s Jordan Plocher tabbed him as a late-round choice with starter potential in a narrative printed Tuesday.
“The important thing phrase right here is starter potential, as a result of Payton lacks the expertise to be an efficient first-year NFL starter,” wrote Plocher. “The No. 234 prospect on PFF’s large board began simply 15 video games throughout his profession at North Dakota State. Nonetheless, if a crew goes to wager on an inexperienced quarterback, it’d as properly be one with Payton’s upside.”
Payton (6-foot-3, 232 kilos) ran a 4.56-second 40-yard sprint on the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis, the third-fastest time amongst QBs. His pace helped him rush for a career-high 777 yards and 13 TDs in 2025.
Questions concerning the stage of competitors, although, will dissuade some groups from taking Payton. North Dakota State has moved to the Mountain West Convention, however it performed within the FCS from 2004-25. NFL Mock Draft Database initiatives that the Dolphins will take the QB with decide No. 164 within the fifth spherical.
In his new mock draft printed Tuesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Jets taking Bailey (6-foot-4, 251 kilos) with decide No. 2.
“In my January mock draft, I had Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese right here. In February, I went with Ohio State security Caleb Downs. Now, it is Bailey,” wrote Kiper. “These are actually good choices for a Jets protection that would use a whole lot of assist, however the Jets really want an prompt affect edge-rusher.”
Bailey suits that description. He tied for essentially the most sacks within the FBS (14.5) final season, serving to the Crimson Raiders make their first School Soccer Playoff look in 2025.
Reese (6-foot-4, 241 kilos), in the meantime, had 6.5 sacks. He’ll additionally want extra time to refine his pass-rushing expertise, as he is anticipated to transform from off-ball LB to full-time edge-rusher within the professionals.
Tyson would play in the identical metropolis as his brother, Cleveland Cavaliers ahead Jaylon Tyson, if the Browns take him with decide No. 6 or No. 24 within the first spherical of the draft. The Arizona State WR told “SportsCenter” Monday that “would not be too dangerous.”
The Browns reportedly held a top-30 go to with Jordyn Tyson (6-foot-2, 203 kilos) on March 4, indicating their curiosity within the WR. (NFL groups can host as much as 30 visits with prospects to get to know them higher.) Nonetheless, Cleveland then reportedly met with Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate (6-foot-2, 192 kilos) on March 5.
Maybe Cleveland’s entrance workplace is debating whether or not it ought to choose Tate (9 TD catches in 2025, tied for No. 17 in FBS) or Jordyn Tyson (eight TD catches, tied for No. 23 in FBS). The Arizona State star’s capacity to ship within the clutch could give him an edge.
“Tyson is an NFL-ready receiver whose clutch capacity and contested catch prowess ought to give him ample alternative to earn his quarterback’s belief early in his profession,” wrote Sports activities Information Options’ Jeff Dean in his scouting report.
