NFL overreactions Week 10: Dolphins beat Bills, NFC West race heats up
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 10 slate.
NFL Week 10 action featured plenty of surprising results that shook up the projected order of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints entered the weekend in place for the No. 1 pick but thoroughly beat NFC South foe Carolina to drop from the top spot. The New York Jets got win No. 2 of the Aaron Glenn era over the Cleveland Browns, dropping down the order as well. Their neighbors, the New York Giants, squandered a lead and lost to the Chicago Bears to overtake them in the top three of the draft order. The Giants fired Brian Daboll following the loss – making it more likely they’ll stay near the top of the draft order.
Those results leave Tennessee at the No. 1 pick after 10 weeks of NFL games.
Tennessee already has a quarterback of the future and could be the first team to draft No. 1 overall in consecutive years since fellow AFC South franchise Jacksonville did so in 2021 and 2022.
They’ll likely take their top non-quarterback prospect in the class. Who that player is is up for debate but most likely a defensive player.
The Titans, Saints and Giants are all playing rookie quarterbacks at this point of the season and make up the top three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, per Tankathon. What if they all skipped out on quarterback? Here’s our prediction with that scenario in mind:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Tennessee Titans: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Tennessee already took their No. 1 overall quarterback last year in Cam Ward so they take one of the top prospects overall. Bain gets the nod here thanks to positional value as one of the most productive edge rushers in college football. His power and speed should make for a nice fit alongside Jeffrey Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat.
2. New Orleans Saints: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
With Tyler Shough getting a chance to start, we have the Saints opting against a quarterback at the top. This team needs young stars on both sides of the ball and get it on defense with Reese. The Buckeyes linebacker is one of the best players in the class, regardless of position, as an elite athlete and versatile defender.
3. New York Giants: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
New York’s priorities under a new coaching staff should be protecting Jaxson Dart and adding more weapons to his arsenal. At this point in the draft, Tyson is a better option than the offensive linemen on the board. New York’s getting an impressive route-runner who can stress defenses focusing on Malik Nabers.
4. Cleveland Browns: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Cleveland can’t believe their luck that Mendoza fell to them at No. 4. The Indiana passer should be an immediate upgrade at the position who brings a high floor from his time with the Hoosiers. He should operate like a point guard for the Browns with his quick release, accuracy and pocket mobility.
5. New York Jets: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
New York gets the next-best option in the quarterback group with Simpson. He’s a rising star in 2025 thanks to his stellar play for the Crimson Tide in his first season as a starter. His lack of experience is the only major knock; he’s shown impressive ability to handle pressure, layer the ball to multiple levels and extend plays with his legs.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs is in the conversation for the best player in the class, regardless of position. The Raiders’ defense needs difference makers wherever it can find them and Downs should be an instant impact starter. He can handle assignments in coverage and make a difference in run defense as a rookie with an All-Pro ceiling.
7. Miami Dolphins: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Miami’s secondary needs a lot of help, even before considering how many players in that group are hitting free agency. McCoy has missed all of 2025 so far with an ACL injury, but, when healthy, is an ideal outside cornerback prospect with athleticism, coverage versatility, and ball production.
8. Washington Commanders: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love is what the ideal modern NFL running back looks like. His 6-foot, 214-pound frame boasts breakaway speed potential and he’s a proven receiver in the passing game. Washington could use a versatile piece like Love to take some pressure off of quarterback Jayden Daniels to lead the Commanders as both a passer and rusher.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Cincinnati could use help at all levels of the defense but protecting their franchise quarterback is more important. Fano is our top tackle prospect but at 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, there are some size questions that may kick him inside to guard. Lining up in either spot would be welcome for this Bengals’ offensive line.
10. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): QB Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore was getting buzz early on in the 2025 college football season as a potential No. 1 overall pick. He may return to Eugene for another year but if he declares, the Rams would do well to pick him and sit him behind Matthew Stafford. Los Angeles’ starter will be 38 next season and could use a successor in-house with lots of tools like Moore.
11. Arizona Cardinals: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Arizona prioritized defense heavily in the 2025 NFL Draft so they go with offense to open things up in 2026. Lemon firmly put himself as the No. 2 wide receiver in the class as a consistent, productive slot player. He’s drawn comparisons to Emeka Egbuka in the process and could open things up for Marvin Harrison Jr. to improve.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Dallas needs more edge reinforcements with Micah Parsons gone and built up the interior by trading for Quinnen Williams. Faulk’s size aligns with what defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus used in Chicago before joining the Cowboys. He’s a versatile player who can kick inside or stay on the edge.
13. Baltimore Ravens: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Baltimore gets great value as usual in Woods. The Tigers’ defensive tackle was one of the top prospects entering 2025, but inconsistency and Clemson’s rough season have seen him drop in value. Still, there’s Pro Bowl-caliber upside with the tools to be a standout interior pass rusher and run defender.
14. Minnesota Vikings: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Minnesota needs more youth in the secondary and Delane’s high floor would be welcome. The LSU cornerback doesn’t have elite tools like other cornerbacks in the class but is as savvy as it gets. Quarterbacks have been avoiding him all season thanks to his technical skills and length at 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds.
15. Houston Texans: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Houston’s offensive line needs help in a big way and they get one of the biggest offensive lineman in the class. Proctor’s an impressive athlete at 6-foot-7 and 364 pounds. He’ll need to improve technically and consistency-wise, but his ceiling is sky-high.
16. Carolina Panthers: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Carolina’s defense is playing well despite a lack of proven talent in 2025. They’re one of the worst units in terms of pass rush and Parker could be an upgrade at the position. He can set the edge with his size and get after the quarterback with his movement skills.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Jaylen Watson’s been one of the better cornerbacks in football this season, and he’s hitting free agency next offseason. With a Trent McDuffie extension looming, the Chiefs opt to scoop up Terrell to succeed Watson on the outside. He’s slightly undersized but athletic with outstanding ball skills.
18. San Francisco 49ers: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
San Francisco’s offensive line needs help or plans for the future at multiple spots. Mauigoa plays right tackle for Miami but may end up best long-term inside at guard. In either case, the 49ers would be happy to add his power, anchor and body control.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
With Mauigoa off the board, Cleveland takes the next-best offensive tackle on the board in Lomu. The Utah product has a high ceiling thanks to his athleticism. He may end up better inside due to size concerns, but the Browns have so many long-term needs on the line that either option would be worthwhile.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Pittsburgh has to get a quarterback at some point. Aaron Rodgers isn’t the long-term answer. Sellers has arguably the best tools of any player in this class but needs development as a passer to stick long-term in the NFL. He could sit a year behind Rodgers and take over or work his way into the lineup and operate a similar offense to Justin Fields as he learns under Arthur Smith.
21. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
This is a scenario in which the Cowboys don’t re-sign George Pickens in free agency. If they do not, Tate could be another solid option to be CeeDee Lamb’s running mate. He has great size for the position outside (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), with strong route-running and impressive contested-catch skills.
22. Chicago Bears: Edge LT Overton, Alabama
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen prefers longer defensive ends who can set the edge in run defense, in addition to getting after the quarterback as a pass rusher. Overton has the size and strength to do so at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds but will need some growth in his hand usage.
23. Buffalo Bills: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Buffalo operates best on offense when the running game is clicking, but Miami exposed what can happen when it isn’t. Brazzell’s size (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) and elite burst could create mismatches for Josh Allen to break in case of emergency.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Tampa Bay keeps it simple again in the first round of the NFL Draft. Last year, the Buccaneers took the safe and productive Emeka Egbuka to great results. Bailey’s one of the most productive edge rushers in college football. He’s limited as a run defender but should be a contributor as a pass rusher from day one.
25. Detroit Lions: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Detroit’s offensive line isn’t the same dominant unit it was a few years ago. Ioane could be a pick to return that group to its heights. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Penn State product is the top pure guard in the class with his mobility and power. He’d be a day one starter for Detroit.
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
The Chargers need more talent on defense across the board. Howell could be a fun piece for defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to deploy as a pass rusher and in coverage. His athleticism and bend overcome some size concerns (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) coming off the edge.
27. Los Angeles Rams: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Davante Adams has been a perfect fit in Los Angeles for the Rams’ offense but he turns 33 on Christmas Eve. He likely has more years left in him but, like with Stafford, the Rams could think ahead and find a successor. Boston has prototypical size (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) to play outside, with standout hands and route-running.
28. New England Patriots: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
The top wide receivers are off the board, and it’s a bit early for the rest of the class. So the Patriots opt for the best pass-catcher on the board: Sadiq. He could be a matchup nightmare for defenses due to his size (6-foot-3, 245 pounds), speed, and dedication to blocking.
29. Seattle Seahawks: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Seattle’s defense is one of the best in the league, but the team shouldn’t shy away from doubling down on its investment in it. Styles moves like a safety at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds and could create a top linebacker duo in the league alongside Ernest Jones IV.
30. Denver Broncos: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are hitting free agency in 2026, leaving Dre Greenlaw as the lone linebacker on the active roster linebacker who will still be on the team next season. Allen’s ability to read and react to offenses is a huge plus with sideline-to-sideline athleticism and consistent tackling.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
It’s still TBD if Jaire Alexander can help solve the problems at outside cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell. If not, Muhammad’s an athletic ball hawk with the football I.Q. to fit in immediately with the Eagles. Concerns over his run defense acumen wouldn’t be as important with the likes of Cooper DeJean around him.
32. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): Edge Zion Young, Missouri
Young’s not the most athletic edge rusher but has a mean streak at 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds with impressive hand usage, bend and length. If coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey want a culture change on defense, Young could be a catalyst.
