2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting first round heading into combine workouts

Our latest 2026 NFL mock draft breaks down the full first-round outlook ahead of scouting combine drills beginning Thursday.

The NFL scouting combine has a way of changing things. What it alters, however, might be perception more so than actual draft boards.

The annual summit in Indianapolis holds a special place on the league's offseason calendar, marking a two-month march to the start of the 2026 NFL draft itself. For front offices, a bulk of the evaluation work has already been completed, with multiple general managers this week reinforcing that the combine merely serves as one form of a check on a much larger process. But while teams prioritize the information gleaned from medical updates and meetings with prospects, that behind-the-scenes fodder gets overshadowed by the fanfare of on-field work and testing.

As workouts begin Feb. 26, here's our latest NFL mock draft first-round projection:

No combine workout for the obvious choice for the top spot – and none is necessary. Mendoza cleared nearly every bar he faced en route to winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to a national title, and an on-field session would do little to address his most prominent ding: a shortage of resourcefulness when things break down. Circle his pro day if you really must see him throw again in an exhibition setting, but his spot atop the draft is seemingly secure.

Maybe the projection to full-time edge rusher could be a little more complicated than some are willing to admit, with Reese still having considerable work to do to become a preeminent threat in that phase. Still, even in an off-ball role, Reese gets wherever he needs to be in a hurry, demonstrating a punishing punch before harnessing an impressive finishing touch. It's a nice bonus to this pre-draft process that he'll test alongside others.