Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
With that in mind, here are five of the biggest questions about the draft:
Who should the Miami Dolphins target in the draft after trading WR Jaylen Waddle?
On Tuesday, the Dolphins dealt Waddle and a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Denver Broncos for 2026 first-, third- and fourth-rounders.
Miami now owns pick No. 30 in the first round of the 2026 draft. With that selection, the Dolphins could take another wideout to replace 2021 No. 6 pick Waddle, perhaps Washington Huskies star Denzel Boston (6-foot-4, 212 pounds).
Boston could quickly become a dependable target for new Dolphins QB Malik Willis. In 2025, the WR tied for ninth in the FBS in touchdown catches (11).
“A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report.
What must Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza improve before the draft?
The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to take Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 pounds) with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The 2025 Heisman winner is considered a solid prospect but one who struggles to avoid sacks. He took 25 last season, the sixth most in the Big Ten.
“Mendoza took a sack on 24.4 percent of his pressured dropbacks in 2024 before improving to 18.6 percent in 2025,” wrote Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko in a story published Monday. “The earlier figure would be concerning for most quarterbacks entering the NFL, but the improvement is an encouraging sign for his transition to the next level.”
Mendoza won’t benefit from an offense that uses several quick passing plays in Vegas. New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (a former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator) relies heavily on play-action passes, which take longer to develop. Per Pro Football Reference, Seahawks QB Sam Darnold attempted 123 play-action passes last season, No. 5 in the NFL.
To help Mendoza grow comfortable in a new system, it would be wise for the Raiders to let him sit and learn for a while. Vegas seems poised to do so. The AFC West team has been linked to Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco, an 18-year NFL veteran.
Will North Dakota State Bison star Cole Payton emerge as QB3 in the draft?
The Ringer’s Todd McShay said he now lists Payton as his QB3 in the class on a Monday episode of his podcast. He’s not the only draftnik who likes the North Dakota standout. PFF’s Jordan Plocher tabbed him as a late-round option with starter potential in a story published Tuesday.
“The key phrase here is starter potential, because Payton lacks the experience to be an effective first-year NFL starter,” wrote Plocher. “The No. 234 prospect on PFF’s big board started just 15 games during his career at North Dakota State. However, if a team is going to bet on an inexperienced quarterback, it might as well be one with Payton’s upside.”
Payton (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the third-fastest time among QBs. His speed helped him rush for a career-high 777 yards and 13 TDs in 2025.
Questions about the level of competition, though, will dissuade some teams from taking Payton. North Dakota State has moved to the Mountain West Conference, but it played in the FCS from 2004-25. NFL Mock Draft Database projects that the Dolphins will take the QB with pick No. 164 in the fifth round.
In his new mock draft published Tuesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Jets taking Bailey (6-foot-4, 251 pounds) with pick No. 2.
“In my January mock draft, I had Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese here. In February, I went with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Now, it’s Bailey,” wrote Kiper. “These are really good options for a Jets defense that could use a lot of help, but the Jets really need an instant impact edge-rusher.”
Bailey fits that description. He tied for the most sacks in the FBS (14.5) last season, helping the Red Raiders make their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025.
Reese (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), meanwhile, had 6.5 sacks. He’ll also need more time to refine his pass-rushing skills, as he’s expected to convert from off-ball LB to full-time edge-rusher in the pros.
Tyson would play in the same city as his brother, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson, if the Browns take him with pick No. 6 or No. 24 in the first round of the draft. The Arizona State WR told “SportsCenter” Monday that “wouldn’t be too bad.”
The Browns reportedly held a top-30 visit with Jordyn Tyson (6-foot-2, 203 pounds) on March 4, indicating their interest in the WR. (NFL teams can host up to 30 visits with prospects to get to know them better.) However, Cleveland then reportedly met with Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) on March 5.
Perhaps Cleveland’s front office is debating whether it should select Tate (nine TD catches in 2025, tied for No. 17 in FBS) or Jordyn Tyson (eight TD catches, tied for No. 23 in FBS). The Arizona State star’s ability to deliver in the clutch may give him an edge.
“Tyson is an NFL-ready receiver whose clutch ability and contested catch prowess should give him ample opportunity to earn his quarterback’s trust early in his career,” wrote Sports Info Solutions’ Jeff Dean in his scouting report.
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