It’s time to kick off the 2026 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft! We are releasing four picks at a time in one post to give you more substance to digest how the draft is unfolding. Here you can see all of our NFL mock draft coverage for the Cleveland Browns.
No. 1 – Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The selection and write-up were made by fjblessi:
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Getty Images
This is a pretty easy choice as the Raiders need a quarterback and Mendoza has a chance to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.
Mendoza has the size (6’4” 236 lbs) and work ethic that you look for in your quarterback. His strengths are his mechanics, accuracy, and poise in the pocket while making accurate reads and placing the ball where it needs to go. His weaknesses are that his arm strength is only adequate, not elite, and he is not one to hurt a defense by extending a play and making an off-platform throw. Like almost all college quarterbacks, he also benefited from heavy RPO usage.
Watching the BIG10 championship and playoff run, I was impressed by his ability to make a play when his team needed a play. He did not wow me as being a that much better than the competition for the entire game, but there is something to be said for being able to step up in the moment and Mendoza showed that multiple times in the postseason.
No. 2 – Jets – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The selection and write-up were made by Robo Dawg:
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after passing for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Getty Images
Ty Simpson is the second best quarterback in the draft, and the Jets quarterback room currently has Geno Smith, Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe. This is not a quarterback room built for the future, and any future that retains Aaron Glenn will require them not to have the #2 pick again next season. The best option that the Jets have in this draft is Ty Simpson – and it at least gives Glenn a young quarterback with potential to groom under Geno while he adapts to NFL play.
Is Simpson the second best player in the draft? He is not. But he’s the second best player in the most valuable position, which is why the Jets and their paucity of quarterback play will reach to take Simpson at #2.
No. 3 – Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The selection and write-up were made by TheLee:
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 8: Francis Mauigoa #61 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrate on stage after the second half of CFP Semifinal Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against the Ole Miss Rebels at State Farm Stadium on January 8, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.The Miami Hurricanes defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 31-27. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) Getty Images
The Arizona Cardinals are in total rebuild mode. After giving up on former #1 overall pick Kyle Murray, they’ll most likely be looking forward to the 2027 Draft to take the next franchise quarterback. Why not start protecting the future now? Francis Mauigoa is the perfect start to that rebuild and can help the running game slow some games down to perhaps steal some wins in 2026.
No. 4 – Titans – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The selection and write-up were made by wahoo7:
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 06: Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) rushes into the backfield during the Big 10 Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers on December 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Titans overhauled their coaching staff this offseason, hiring Robert Saleh as head coach and Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator. Arvell Reese gives them a hybrid-type pass rusher who can explode off the edge, similar to how Micah Parsons has been used in his career.
Adding Reese to a front seven with DT Jeffery Simmons and newly-acquired Jermaine Johnson would give him the opportunity for some one-on-one matchups where he can make game-changing plays. Although it’s tempting to draft offense here to support Cam Ward, Reese will be the engine that makes the Titans’ defense menacing in the AFC South.
Up next will be the 5-8 picks in the 2026 DBN Community Mock Draft.
