NFL
By: Randall Slifer
The NFL draft is finally here! The NFL draft is impossible to predict. This year, it may be one of the most difficult. There is only one clear, correct prediction: Fernando Mendoza to the Las Vegas Raiders. The rest are the random balls spinning in the bingo wheel. Let’s give it a shot anyway! First, let’s discuss the trades that happened in my predictive mock:
Kansas City Chiefs send picks 9 + 29 to the Arizona Cardinals for picks 3 + 65
The Kansas City Chiefs need more pass rush. They jump up to get one of the surefire edge rushers in this class. Kansas City still picks up pick 65, which is plenty enough to address wide receiver. In addition, it can fill the other position later on in this NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys send picks 12, 112, 2027 3rd to New Orleans Saints for pick 8
Dallas Cowboys love Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, but Sonny Styles is already gone. They need to jump some teams who need defensive back help, and they get one of the top 3 talented players in this NFL Draft.
Philadelphia Eagles trade picks 23 + 98 to the Carolina Panthers for picks 19 + 2027 7th
Howie Roseman likes to plan for the future, especially when it comes to the offensive line. It is aging and tethered. So, Howie jumps some teams that need offensive line help, and locks up a ball of clay who can be a decade-long starter.
Miami Dolphins trade picks 30 + 75 to the Los Angeles Chargers for pick 22
The Miami Dolphins have a plethora of picks in the top 100 of this NFL Draft, and they need an offensive weapon desperately. Since they have a lot of draft picks, Miami can move around a lot, and they get the outside X receiver Malik Willis needs after they traded Jaylen Waddle.
The Las Vegas Raiders trade picks 36 + 102 to the Seattle Seahawks for pick 32
Fernando Mendoza will have a revamped offensive line, Ashton Jeanty, and Brock Bowers to work with whenever the Raiders decide to start him. The wide receiver room is one of the weakest in the league, and the Raiders select a familiar face to attach an easy connection for Mendoza.
The trades make the 1st round exciting, and the last 2 years have had 5 1st-round trades, so I expect 5 again. Let’s unveil the final mock of this 2026 NFL Draft:
*Click the picture to expand*
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter at @RandallSlifer or by replying here. Let’s. Get. Drafting!
