Dante Moore Shakes Up 2026 NFL Draft Order

The 2026 NFL Draft landscape has shifted dramatically following the divisional round of the playoffs, and it’s only January. With Oregon quarterback Dante Moore Jr. announcing his return to school, teams across the league are scrambling to adjust their draft boards and strategies. The quarterback market, already thin, has suddenly become even more competitive, and the ripple effects are being felt from the top of the order right down to the projected late first-round picks. Let’s break down the latest developments, the key prospects, and the storylines shaping what’s already one of the more unpredictable draft seasons in recent memory.

On January 19, 2026, the latest full first-round mock drafts were published, reflecting the new reality after the divisional playoff round. Four more picks were locked in, and the top 28 selections are now set, pending any blockbuster trades that could shake up the order. But the headline-grabbing news is Moore’s decision to stay at Oregon, a move that’s left quarterback-needy franchises like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams in a bind. As one analyst put it, “Dante Moore was all but guaranteed to be the first or second overall pick come April, but instead elected to return to Oregon.”

The Las Vegas Raiders, however, are breathing a sigh of relief. They hold the first overall pick and are projected to select Fernando Mendoza, the dynamic quarterback from Indiana. Mendoza’s résumé is nothing short of spectacular: a Heisman Trophy winner who led the Hoosiers to a perfect 15-0 season and a berth in the National Championship Game, with more touchdowns than incompletions in the College Football Playoff. Scouts rave about his poise, athleticism, and leadership. “It’s hard not to love the attitude, the build, and the total package of the Indiana signal-caller,” one draft report noted, comparing Mendoza to a more-athletic Kirk Cousins with the potential to be a top-10 NFL quarterback for the next decade.

The New York Jets, picking second, must pivot from their quarterback dreams. With Moore off the board and no clear QB2 consensus, the Jets are projected to select Arvell Reese, a versatile linebacker from Ohio State. Reese’s 2025 campaign was impressive—6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 69 tackles in 651 snaps. He’s considered a hybrid front-seven defender, able to rush the passer and drop into coverage. “He’s a defensive cornerstone for Aaron Glenn and the Jets,” reads one scouting summary, though some question whether his ‘positionless’ label could cause him to slide on draft night.

Quarterback uncertainty looms for the Arizona Cardinals as well, but their focus appears to be on the trenches. With the third pick, they’re projected to grab Francis Mauigoa, a behemoth right tackle from Miami who logged over 2,700 snaps in three seasons. Mauigoa’s athleticism and pass-blocking prowess make him a safe bet to shore up Arizona’s offensive line, regardless of who’s under center next fall.

The Tennessee Titans, picking fourth, are targeting a sure-handed weapon for young quarterback Cam Ward. Carnell Tate, the Ohio State wide receiver, fits the bill. Tate didn’t drop a single pass in 2025 and posted 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games. His blend of size, athleticism, and reliability has evaluators calling him “a near-lock to be a 1,000-yard receiver in this league.”

Meanwhile, the New York Giants, under new head coach John Harbaugh, are projected to select Jordyn Tyson, an Arizona State wideout with a knack for beating man coverage. Tyson’s productivity over the past two seasons has been eye-catching, though injury concerns linger. Still, with Malik Nabers’ injury exposing the Giants’ lack of depth and Wan’Dale Robinson likely departing in free agency, Tyson could be the missing piece for quarterback Jaxson Dart and the offense’s long-term outlook.

At pick six, the Cleveland Browns are expected to invest in their offensive line with Spencer Fano, Utah’s junior tackle who has allowed just one sack over two seasons and 800-plus pass-blocking snaps. The Browns’ quarterback situation remains unresolved, but Fano’s versatility and consistency could help stabilize the offense, no matter who’s taking snaps next year.

The Washington Commanders, with the seventh pick, are eyeing pass-rush help in Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami. Bain’s nearly 25% pressure rate, 66 hurries, and 11 sacks in 2025 have scouts buzzing, even if concerns about his arm length persist. “Bain is a pure artist in that capacity off the edge,” a draft analyst said, projecting him as an immediate impact player for Washington’s defense.

Wide receiver Makai Lemon from USC is the projected choice for the New Orleans Saints at number eight. Lemon racked up 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games last season, dazzling with his agility and big-play ability. Though he’s smaller than some of his peers, his dynamic movement and elusiveness make him a threat at every level of the field—a perfect fit for a Saints team seeking offensive playmakers.

The Kansas City Chiefs, picking ninth after a rare playoff miss, are set to bolster their defense with Texas Tech’s David Bailey, a senior edge rusher who posted 15 sacks in 2025. Bailey’s explosive first step and strength have evaluators touting him as “the best pure pass-rusher on the Chiefs the moment he puts on the jersey.”

Other notable projected first-rounders include Miami Dolphins cornerback Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Los Angeles Rams cornerback Mansoor Delane (LSU), Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Peter Woods (Clemson), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Avieon Terrell (Clemson). Each pick reflects a careful balance between immediate needs and long-term upside, with teams hoping to find the next franchise cornerstone or difference-maker.

The impact of Dante Moore’s return to Oregon can’t be overstated. Teams like the Jets, Browns, Steelers, and Rams, all of whom had quarterback on their wish lists, are now forced to explore alternative options—whether that means trading up, targeting veterans in free agency, or taking a gamble on less-proven prospects later in the draft. As the rest of the order solidifies and the pre-draft process heats up, expect more twists and turns as franchises jockey for position and try to outmaneuver one another.

With the draft just months away and so much uncertainty still in play, one thing’s for sure: the 2026 NFL Draft promises high drama, big surprises, and plenty of intrigue for fans and teams alike. The picture will only get clearer as we move past the Super Bowl and the final draft order becomes official, but for now, the anticipation is building—and every team is dreaming of finding the next big superstar.