2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Reach for LB Styles At No.2, OT Mauigoa Slips Out of Top 10

By Jesse Gantt Jr.

SANTA CLARA, CA — With the 2026 NFL Draft three months away down in the Steel City of Pittsburgh, PA, there are many things that can happen between now and then, with that being said, here is my first and initial mock draft here at INSCMagazine!

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza: Easily the safest No.1 pick since Andrew Luck. He gives the Raiders their first franchise QB in decades.
2. New York Jets: LB Sonny Styles: A major reach here at No.2, but addresses a key position that they lack a true leader in.
3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Spencer Fano: With both Fano and Francis Mauigoa on the board here, the Cards go with while they feel is the best OT on their board here.
4. Tennessee Titans: ED/LB Reuben Bain Jr: With Saleh the new head coach down in Nashville, the Titans grab their new leader on defense in the former Hurricanes star edge rusher.
5. New York Giants: S Caleb Downs: While OT, WR are also needs here for Big Blue, new head coach Jon Harbaugh drafts his version of Ed Reed in Downs to help patrol the middle of the Giants secondary for years to come.
6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate: Of there as ever a player and a team that needed each other, it’s the Browns and Carnell Tate, who steps into the role of WR1 for Shedeur Sanders and new head coach Todd Monken
7. Washington Commanders: LB Arvell Reese: The second Ohio State linebacker to go in to the top ten, and fourth Buckeye to go in the top 10 in Reese, with the NFC East open, the Comms land a much needed presence in the middle to rush the passer and get some sacks.
8. New Orleans Saints: RB Jeremiah Love: After landing QB1 Tyler Shough in the second round, the Saints give him a much needed weapon in the backfield in Love. Suddenly, the Saints have the makings of a quality team.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: LB David Bailey: Passing on Mauigoa here is foolish for the Chiefs, who need to protect Mahomes, but getting a talented pass rusher to pair with pass rusher George Karlaftis defensively boosts the Chiefs aging and suspect defense.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Peter Woods: While some may consider this a reach or even a shock, consider how the Bengals defense was such a sieve. Combine that with the impending free agency of DL Trey Hendrickson, and the Bengals may have found the perfect replacement and addressed a key area on defense.