Insider poll reveals split opinions on top 2026 NFL Draft prospect
With the 2026 NFL offseason approaching and free agency set to begin in March, early draft evaluations are already generating debate among league decision-makers. A survey of executives, coaches, and scouts highlighted a lack of consensus regarding the best overall talent in the upcoming draft class — and notably left Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza outside the top two.
The poll identified Ohio State defensive standout Arvell Reese as the most highly regarded prospect, earning the majority of first-place votes from league insiders. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love finished second, while Mendoza and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs each received limited support.
The results underscore how positional value and pure talent evaluation can diverge during draft discussions.
Reese and Love emerge as elite prospects with top-five expectations
Reese’s rise reflects the league’s continued emphasis on versatile defensive playmakers. Scouts view the Ohio State linebacker/edge hybrid as a potential three-down defender capable of impacting both the pass rush and coverage phases. His combination of physicality, athletic flexibility, and positional versatility has positioned him as a likely top-five selection.
Love’s standing just behind Reese is fueled by elite production. The Notre Dame running back has amassed 35 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, showcasing scoring efficiency and big-play explosiveness that could make him the first running back selected in the draft. Several evaluators project him as a top-10 pick, a notable achievement at a position often devalued in modern roster construction.
Indiana vs. Oregon: showtime. 🍿
Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are the projected No. 1 and No. 2 picks in @Jordan_Reid‘s 2026 NFL mock draft 📈 pic.twitter.com/cV8UIgmDlm
— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2026
Mendoza’s draft stock remains tied to positional demand
Despite finishing outside the top two in pure prospect grading, Mendoza remains widely viewed as the favorite to be selected first overall. League insiders continue to emphasize the premium value placed on quarterbacks, particularly those with franchise-altering upside.
One NFC executive suggested that Mendoza’s path to the top selection appears almost inevitable regardless of whether another player carries a higher individual grade. The sentiment reflects a long-standing draft pattern in which quarterback need frequently outweighs best-player-available logic.
Historical trends support that outlook. Quarterbacks have been chosen first overall in 21 of the last 28 drafts, including seven of the previous eight, reinforcing the likelihood that teams prioritize long-term stability at the position above all else.
Raiders positioned as potential landing spot for Mendoza
Early projections indicate that the Las Vegas Raiders could hold the top pick, making them a logical destination if Mendoza remains the consensus quarterback target. For a franchise searching for sustained offensive leadership, selecting a quarterback may be viewed as a foundational move regardless of alternative elite prospects on the board.
Ultimately, Mendoza’s draft outcome may depend less on comparative prospect ranking and more on organizational need and quarterback scarcity — factors that consistently shape draft strategy across the league.
Indiana QB and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
“My LinkedIn status is now ‘Open to Work’ and I’m officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 23, 2026
What the debate signals about the 2026 draft class
The divergence between talent evaluation and expected draft order highlights the complexity of roster building in the modern NFL. Reese and Love may represent the most complete prospects in the class, yet Mendoza’s positional importance keeps him firmly at the center of draft conversations.
As the offseason progresses and the scouting process intensifies, further clarity will emerge. For now, the early narrative suggests a draft defined by elite defensive talent, high-impact skill players, and a quarterback whose value extends beyond traditional grading metrics.
