Guessing the Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks Post Combine


By Walter Mitchell

1. LV - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2, NYJ - Arvell Reese, ED/LB, Ohio St.

3. KC (from ARI) - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

4. TEN - Rueben Bain Jr., ED, Miami (FL)

5. NYG - Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)

6. CLE - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

7. WAS - David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech

8. NO - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.

9. ARI - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St. or Spencer Fano, T, Utah

10. CIN - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU


Cardinals receive the Chief's pick #9, #40

It just seems highly inevitable that Monti Ossenfort would prefer to trade down from #3. He indicated at the Combine something to the effect that "who knows whether we will be picking at number three." That felt like an invitation to other GMs to call about the availability of the pick. 

There's just one catch, perhaps. It would not be surprising if Monti has already assured Rueben Bain Jr. of the Cardinals taking him at #3, if he's on the board. I believe he did the same thing with Marvin Harrison Jr., who then elected to skip the customary draft workout process. And now this year, Rueben Bain Jr. has apparently elected to do the same. Coincidence? 

So, here are three mock options to consider. 


                                                                          Option A: 


Option B:





Option C:



The Red Rain Blog question is...which one do you prefer and why? If there's another scenario you are hoping for, then please present it.

Comments

  1. RedrunMarch 2, 2026 at 7:18 AM

    Put me down for option C - based on MO trade down results of past, I am opposed to wasting the #3 pick. Bain or Bailey is my stance w/#3. If we spent the 30M on FA as you laid out yesterday, I would be fine with remainder of draft too. Though I don't see a huge need for 2xDI, we just had #1 picks in successive years, one should be enough. I'd prefer to get another OG in draft (their price tag in FA has gone up in past few years).

    ReplyDelete
  2. JethroBodineMarch 2, 2026 at 8:07 AM

    Option B. Fano, Young, Miller. Not big on Branch at #65 and if available would select Jadarian Price if available or Mansoor Delane. As much as I like Conner, he will be 31 next season and most likely on the decline plus I'm not confident in the rest of the RB room.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Since 61March 2, 2026 at 8:57 AM

    Drafting Styles at 3 signals:
    Defense becomes the identity centerpiece
    OL must be addressed aggressively on Day 2
    QB still waits until 2027
    Arizona would still be building around the QB spot rather than forcing one this draft — but instead of building strictly through elite tackle play first, they’d be building a fast, modern defense anchored by Styles while using volume picks to stabilize the offensive line.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Simpleman 2026March 2, 2026 at 10:52 AM

    I would go with option C. But I see the HC sign a former Ram who is a UFA at RT in J. Noteboom. Instead of a OT in RD 4 go with a Kaytron Allen at RB as Connor maybe released. Or another option at 104 would be Guard B Stephens from Iowa.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnfortunateFanMarch 2, 2026 at 12:45 PM

    Option C>A>B for me. My #1 priority is fixing the defense and that means turning the DL into a strength. A close #2 is fixing the OL but I am hoping they can address that in FA. I'm also a big fan of taking Allar and Lorenzo Styles day 3.

    I also think that the Chiefs are underpaying in your trade. For comparison, the Jets gave up 3 2nds to move from #6 to #3 in 2018. 49ers gave up 2 future firsts to move from #12 to #3 and we all remember the Texans giving up #33 and a future 1st and 3rd to move up from #12 to #3. I know what the draft value charts say, but as a general rule the team trading up should always have to overpay a little.

    ReplyDelete

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