With the start of NFL free agency just four days away, FOX's Colin Cowherd has unveiled his latest mock draft.
Just like every other sports analyst in the business, Cowherd has the Las Vegas Raiders to use the No. 1 pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner had 3,535 passing yards and 48 total touchdowns during his only season with the Hoosiers.
"Fernando Mendoza is easily the best quarterback prospect. Is he Matt Ryan plus Heisman Winner? 16-0 at a non-traditional power, big arm, moves well, humble, gratitude, and you get that rookie quarterback contract for the next four to five years," Cowherd said.
Where things get interesting is the No. 2 spot in Cowherd's mock draft. As of this weekend, he has the New York Jets taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, not Ohio State's Arvell Reese.
"My second pick is a little different than everyone else's mock. I think the Jets draft David Bailey, the best pure edge [in the draft]," Cowherd said. "He'll walk into the Jets - on one side you'll have Will McDonald, on the other it's David Bailey. I hear about Arvell Reese - Arvell Reese projects as an edge rusher. I don't trust the Jets to get that right. This guy is a plug-and-play guy. He will be starting the first week."
Here's the top 10 from Cowherd's mock draft:
Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza
New York Jets: David Bailey
Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa
Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese
New York Giants: Caleb Downs
Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate
Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane
New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love
Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano
Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles
Cowherd's predictions don't always age well.
If you're not fond of Cowherd's current predictions, just know he whiffed on several teams leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. For example, he had the New York Giants selecting Shedeur Sanders with the No. 3 overall pick.
Cowherd also had the New England Patriots selecting pass rusher Abdul Carter and the Dallas Cowboys drafting running back Omarion Hampton.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. There's no question Cowherd's predictions will change between now and then.
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