The NFL Draft is almost upon us, and teams are deep into their draft strategies, looking to better prepare their rosters for the future. Dane Brugler published a new mock draft this Wednesday, which gives us a very good idea of how things are set to go later in the month.
Here are five picks that, if they go as Brugler predicts, could change the future of the teams that make them.
Top 5 Picks That Could Shape the 2026 NFL Draft
#5 Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is considered a generational talent who can do far more than your average running back, with him contributing considerable receiving yards, too.
Even with the devaluation the position has gone through in modern times, due to the lack of durability running backs have, Love is widely expected to become a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft.
Dane Brugler has him as the No. 7 overall pick by the Washington Commanders, highlighting that with Jayden Daniels and Love in their roster, the franchise would have one of the best back fields in the league.
#4 Sonny Styles
Styles is a pro-ready linebacker who comes from a First Team All-Big Ten season in 2025, having won the national title in 2024 while also getting a Second Team All-Big Ten selection. He’s considered a player who could change the face of a defensive unit and would even be mature enough to wear a radio receiver from his rookie season.
Per Dane Brugler, his destination would be the Dallas Cowboys, who are in dire need of improving their defense, one of the worst in the NFL last year.
He could take over the spot left by Micah Parsons when he moved to Green Bay. He sees Dallas giving Cleveland the 12, 20 picks of this draft, alongside a fourth-round pick of next year, to get the sixth and 39 pick of this draft. Styles would go on the No. 6 spot for the Cowboys.
#3 Caleb Downs
Another Ohio State standout, Downs was twice a Unanimous All-American and a First Team All-Big Ten selection. In 2025, he also won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Jim Thorpe Trophy.
He’s considered by some the best defensive player available in the draft, and even though picking a safety in the top 10 is unusual, Brugler thinks the New York Giants need to revamp their defense.
Also, John Harbaugh drafted safeties in the first round three times in his 18-year tenure at Baltimore. It wouldn’t be the craziest of choices for him. Downs at No. 5 to the New York Giants.
#2 Arvell Reese
Yet another Ohio State defensive player, and the second linebacker in our list. Arvell Reese was a Consensus All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2025.
Reese is of particular interest because of his versatility and his ability to play as an edge or be a full-time pass rusher. The team eying him is the New York Jets, who need just about everything. His versatility would be a great asset for a team that doesn’t have that many resources. Reese to the Jets at No. 2.
#1 Fernando Mendoza
Was there any other answer to this? He’s the man of the moment, having won the Heisman Trophy while leading the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever Big Ten and national championship titles. While he isn’t the most breathtaking No. 1 pick in history, he was the most efficient passer in college football last season, and his character is without reproach.
His leadership ability and work ethic are unquestionable, and he would bring to the locker room the kind of seriousness the Raiders are in dire need of. With Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty already in Las Vegas, the Raiders are starting to look, on paper, as one of the scariest offenses in the NFL.
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