The NFL Draft is only five months away, and offseason buzz is beginning to build. The NFL and college football landscape is shifting fast, and so are draft boards. With draft stocks shifting every weekend, it’s the perfect time for a mid-November mock draft.
Note: Draft order reflects the standings through Week 11 of the NFL season and includes no trades.
After using last year’s top pick on Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans would be in a strong spot to trade down with several QB-needy teams lurking behind them. But in this no-trade mock draft, the Titans stay put and add linebacker Arvell Reese, who would be an immediate game wrecker for their defense.
Reese has been one of the most versatile forces on the Ohio State Buckeyes’ standout defense this season. His combination of coverage ability, range, and pass-rush upside makes him a true chess piece for whoever takes over as Tennessee’s next head coach. With that kind of Swiss Army knife skill set, Reese has the tools to justify the No. 1 overall pick.
Like Tennessee, the New York Giants would be in a strong position to trade back with a team searching for a franchise quarterback. Forced to remain at No. 2, the Giants have multiple options. With Arvell Reese off the board and No. 2 feeling too early for a receiver to pair with Malik Nabers, the Giants choose to solidify right tackle.
Spencer Fano projects as a plug-and-play starter opposite established star Andrew Thomas. At 6-6 and 308 pounds, he would quickly become quarterback Jaxson Dart’s new best friend. Shoring up protection for a franchise quarterback is always a smart choice, even this early in the draft.
This would be a dream scenario for the Cleveland Browns, who have been searching for a franchise quarterback since returning to Cleveland in 1999. Fernando Mendoza is my top-rated quarterback in this class, and landing him at No. 3 would be tremendous value.
Mendoza has produced at every stop in college, and he has the traits to finally turn the Browns around. The Indiana Hoosiers’ quarterback offers a strong blend of accuracy, arm talent, and mobility. He has also been clutch all season for the Hoosiers, which is something Cleveland badly needs in their franchise guy.
The New York Jets are also searching for a franchise quarterback, and here they take the high-upside yet steady option in Dante Moore. Moore opened the season on fire for the Oregon Ducks, cooled off for a stretch, and has surged again in recent weeks.
As of now, he’s my No.3 quarterback in this class, but I believe his Pro Day and combine testing will make scouts around the league fall in love. It is also rumored that Moore could return to Oregon for another year, but for now, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn will get his guy of the future.
The run on quarterbacks ends here, as the Las Vegas Raiders select their guy of the future in Ty Simpson. Veteran Geno Smith has not delivered this season, and with jobs potentially on the line, the team needs a new direction at quarterback.
Simpson has faced NFL-level defenders all year in the SEC and has guided the Alabama Crimson Tide to several key wins. His accuracy has been inconsistent, but his mobility and arm strength stand out. Accuracy can improve under legendary head coach Pete Carroll, so the Raiders secure their quarterback of the future.
With rookie quarterback Tyler Shough coming on as of late, the New Orleans Saints take the best player available at No. 6. Reuben Bain Jr. has a legitimate case as the top overall prospect in this class, making his selection here outstanding value.
Bain has been a dominant presence for the Miami Hurricanes all season, even while consistently drawing double teams. At 6-3 and 275 pounds, he projects as a day-one starter in New Orleans. The Saints also have a pressing need on the edge, so this pick fills a major roster hole while adding immediate impact.
Only one season removed from an NFC Championship appearance, the Washington Commanders’ 2025 campaign has been a disaster. Injuries and a lack of defensive talent have left the team with needs across the board.
By selecting Caleb Downs, the Commanders land one of the top players in college football. Downs would provide an immediate boost to Washington’s aging secondary, with his ball-hawking instincts and tackling ability making an instant impact under head coach Dan Quinn.
Like Washington, the Cincinnati Bengals’ season has been derailed by injuries and a struggling defense. With edge rusher Trey Hendrickson likely to leave in free agency, the team must address defense here.
Keldric Faulk has been one of the fastest risers on draft boards this year, emerging as a key piece of Auburn’s top defense in 2025. Paired with last year’s first-round pick Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati’s defensive line would gain youth, talent, and energy.
The Arizona Cardinals need to give quarterback Kyler Murray more weapons if they want him to thrive. In what may be his last chance to prove himself, the team adds versatile receiver Jordyn Tyson opposite Marvin Harrison Jr.
Tyson has starred for the Arizona State Sun Devils over the past two seasons. Should his medical clear and testing impress as I expect, he could end up going much higher. As my top-rated receiver in this class, he gets to stay in-state for the Cardinals. With a 35-inch vertical and game-breaking deep-threat ability, Arizona lands the playmaker they’ve been missing.
Thanks to the 3-7 Atlanta Falcons, the Los Angeles Rams could hold a top-10 draft pick while being Super Bowl contenders. At No. 10, they make the smart choice, selecting tackle Francis Mauigoa to replace the aging and soon-to-be free agent Rob Havenstein.
Mauigoa is a versatile offensive lineman, as he can also play guard. At 6-6 and 315 pounds, he would project as a day-one starter for head coach Sean McVay.
The 2026 NFL Draft class is stacked from top to bottom with talent. Over the next five months, prospects will rise and fall on draft boards based on their performance, medicals, and testing. The draft order will likely shift dramatically over the next eight weeks, so expect plenty of movement leading up to April.
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