The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books and there are several players who really helped their stock last week in Indianapolis. Conversely, there were some players who teams might have left Indy needing to do some more homework on.
Detroit is always on the lookout for best player available in the NFL Draft, but they do have some needs pre-free agency at center, tackle, edge rusher, cornerback, linebacker, safety and running back.
Here’s my second prediction with Mock Draft 2.0 coming out of the Combine. Feel free to disagree.
It seems destined for the Raiders to select a quarterback in the first round for the first time since 2007.
Pick: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana. The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion is the top quarterback in the class. He said at the Combine he’d love to go to Las Vegas and learn from the ‘goat’ Tom Brady.
The Jets own two first-round picks and four in the top 50. They need an infusion of young talent on both sides of the football.
Pick: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech. This was a tough decision between Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, but Bailey seems more ready to step in as a pure EDGE and make an instant impact. He tested well at the Combine with explosive traits that match his production of 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss for the Red Raiders this past season.
The big question in Arizona is who will play quarterback for the Cardinals in 2026 but there’s no clear QB option here at No. 3.
Pick: EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State. The Cardinals have needs along the offensive line and the best tackle available could be in play, but Arizona was 28th in points allowed and 27th in total defense last season. Reese might be the most versatile player in the draft being able to play linebacker or edge. He was dynamic at the Combine, running 4.46 seconds in the 40 at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds.
