Wilson’s 2026 NFL mock draft 4.0: Rams don’t just lose to Falcons — they make their draft situation worse
Seven teams could be looking for a QB in a decided thin class
Dec 29, 2025
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11:18 pm ET
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1 min read
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The Las Vegas Raiders finally catch a break. While the Browns were complicating things for the Steelers in their quest to wrap up the AFC North in Week 17 — and, in the process, realistically falling out of range for the top two and possibly three quarterbacks — the Raiders were outclassed by the Giants, the other two-win team entering the penultimate week of the 2025 regular season.
That result puts Las Vegas in pole position to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. There will be debate about whether Mendoza is worth the top pick (he is) or whether other quarterbacks could challenge him for QB1 (they can in theory, but Mendoza is the surest thing as of late December). Either way, a year after passing on Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart at No. 6 in favor of running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders have no choice but to draft a quarterback this spring.
After that, it’s worth watching how the rest of the class shakes out. A long list of quarterbacks has already opted to return to school in 2026 — either staying put or entering the transfer portal — which could push QB-needy teams like the Jets, Cardinals, Browns, Saints (though Tyler Shough increasingly looks like the future there), Dolphins and even the Steelers to explore trade-up scenarios for prospects such as Dante Moore or Ty Simpson.
In this mock, there are no trades, but three quarterbacks come off the board in the top five, leaving the Browns — who own two first-round picks in 2026 — on the outside looking in. Instead, Cleveland addresses wide receiver and offensive line, signaling a commitment to the two rookie quarterbacks it drafted last spring, at least for now.
It also means the Cardinals, picking fifth, land Simpson as QB3 in the class — the third time since 2018 that Arizona has used a high first-round pick on a franchise quarterback.
Elsewhere, the first round features five wide receivers, edge rushers and cornerbacks, along with four offensive tackles and two interior offensive linemen.
OK, let’s get to it.
Note: This is the current NFL Draft order after Week 17 (via Tankathon).
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly mock drafts and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.
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