Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Once again, we’re answering some of the biggest questions about the draft. With that in mind, here are five:
How does Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza compare to past Heisman-winning QBs?
Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) won the Heisman after guiding the No. 1 Hoosiers (13-0) to their second straight College Football Playoff appearance. He’s the first player in Indiana history to hoist the trophy.
Through 13 games, Mendoza has completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 2,980 yards and an FBS-leading 33 touchdown passes. Those numbers pale in comparison to past Heisman-winning QBs.
2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 4,537 yards and 42 TDs in 14 games at Southern California. 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards and 40 TDs in 12 games for LSU. In the 2024 draft, the Chicago Bears took Williams with pick No. 1, while the Washington Commanders selected Daniels with pick No. 2.
Mendoza may be QB1 in the 2026 class, but it appears he’s not the same caliber of prospect as Williams or Daniels.
“His skill set is reminiscent of [Detroit Lions QB] Jared Goff, who also didn’t have elite physical traits, but his mind and passing talent made him the top pick in 2016,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler in a story published before the Heisman ceremony on Dec. 13. “We could see a similar situation play out with Mendoza in 2026.”
What should New York Giants do with the No. 1 pick?
If the season ended Tuesday, the Giants (2-12) would own the No. 1 pick in the draft. New York is committed to building around rookie QB Jaxson Dart, so it could trade down and address other needs, perhaps cornerback.
In a story published Tuesday, Brugler noted New York could target LSU CB Mansoor Delane (6-foot, 190 pounds), a 2025 first-team All-American.
Trading the top pick, though, could cost the Giants a shot at Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, another first-team All-American. In a story published Monday, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson wrote the 6-foot-4, 243-pound LB is “arguably the best player in the entire draft class.”
After going 5-26 over its past 31 games, New York clearly needs multiple picks to rebuild successfully. Trading down would be the smarter move for the Giants.
Will Texas Tech LB David Bailey be one of draft’s biggest risers after CFP?
Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) and Auburn DE Keldric Faulk (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) are widely considered the top pass-rushers in the 2026 class. To overtake them, Bailey (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) needs a strong performance in the CFP. It wouldn’t be surprising if he delivers one for the No. 4 Red Raiders (12-1).
The Texas Tech star ranks second in the FBS in sacks (13.5), and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as his No. 6 prospect on his updated big board.
“A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the QB,” wrote Kiper. “He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he has notably become more of a finisher this season.”
Bailey’s quick first step should attract many scouts, as it helps him win matchups regularly. Pro Football Focus credits him with a 21.6 percent pass-rush win rate, tied for the 13th-best mark in the FBS.
What matchup should you watch closely in first round of CFP?
On Saturday, No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) hosts No. 10 Miami (10-2) in the first round of the CFP at noon ET (ESPN/ABC). The game features a battle between Hurricanes offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) and Aggies DE Cashius Howell (6-foot-2, 248 pounds), potential first-round picks.
Mauigoa — who has allowed just two sacks this season, per PFF — may be the second-best OT in the draft, behind Utah’s Spencer Fano (6-foot-6, 302 pounds).
“Mauigoa is a strong and sturdy offensive tackle prospect with a lot to like,” wrote PFF’s Trevor Sikkema in a story published Dec. 1. “He doesn’t shy away from taking the fight to pass-rushers and dictating contact to throw them off their timing.”
Howell — tied for fourth in the FBS in sacks (11.5) — may have more to gain. A stellar performance would mitigate concerns about his struggles against Texas in the Aggies’ regular-season finale on Nov 28. In the 27-17 Texas A&M loss, he had no sacks.
How far could Louisville WR Chris Bell fall in draft after injury?
Bell suffered a clean ACL tear in his left knee during a 38-6 loss to SMU on Nov. 22. It’s a significant blow for the WR, who logged a career-high 917 receiving yards in 11 games in 2025.
It can take up to a year to recover from an ACL tear, meaning Bell could miss out on the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and his pro day. Before the injury update, ESPN’s Field Yates had the Denver Broncos selecting the wideout with pick No. 32 in his latest mock draft.
“At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Bell has some of the best size of any of the touted receivers in the class,” wrote Yates.
Now that the WR may miss a considerable portion of the predraft process, don’t expect him to go that high in the draft.
