Every week, Yardbarker screens the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
From an Indiana quarterback to a Louisville extensive receiver, listed here are 5 gamers we’re monitoring:
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates listed Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 kilos) as their No. 5 QB on “First Draft” on Wednesday. Yates gushed over his arm.
“This child is legit,” Yates stated. “He makes quite a lot of cool throws. He makes quite a lot of very assured throws that I am unsure different quarterbacks would even see.”
That is one purpose the California Golden Bears switch produced in 2024 with out stellar weapons. This system had no offensive gamers chosen within the 2025 draft, however he accomplished 68.7 % of his passes for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 video games.
Think about what he might do at Indiana, which made the Faculty Soccer Playoff final season. Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti has said Mendoza’s arm is stronger than former beginning QB Kurtis Rourke’s (now with the San Francisco 49ers). He tied for the FBS’s Tenth-most passing TDs (29 in 12 video games) final season.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
On Aug. 8, LSU HC Brian Kelly confirmed Nussmeier has persistent patellar tendinitis in his left knee. The coach downplayed the damage. Whereas not season-ending, Yates believes it would concern groups.
“Prepare for an extended medical dialog surrounding Garrett Nussmeier from late February into March previous to the predraft course of,” he stated on “First Draft.”
The damage hasn’t affected Nussmeier’s odds of being the highest decide within the draft. As of Thursday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists him as the favourite (+340) to go No. 1 general in 2026.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder might dispel the medical questions if he excels once more in 2025. Final season, he ranked fifth within the FBS in passing yards (4,052 in 13 video games).
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
In his latest mock draft, The Ringer’s Todd McShay has the Cleveland Browns taking Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 kilos) with decide No. 1.
“If the Browns are choosing No. 1 in 2026, it means none of their quarterbacks did sufficient to assert the job long run, together with Shedeur Sanders, regardless of his spectacular preseason debut,” wrote McShay. “Enter Klubnik, who’s calm in chaos and has sufficient mobility and arm energy to succeed on the subsequent degree.”
Jacksonville Jaguars fifth-year QB Trevor Lawrence is the one Clemson participant to be taken No. 1 general within the draft. Klubnik may lead the No. 4 Tigers to a nationwide championship, like Lawrence did throughout the 2018 season.
The senior completed with the nation’s third-most passing TDs (36 in 14 video games) in 2024. With star extensive receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. returning, Klubnik might have one other huge yr. The wideouts mixed for 16 TD catches final season.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
Sadiq (6-foot-3, 245 kilos) ought to assume a much bigger position after the Los Angeles Rams took former Geese TE Terrance Ferguson (decide No. 46) within the 2025 draft.
CBS Sports’ Mike Renner ranked Sadiq as his No. 1 TE and believes he might go larger within the draft than Ferguson.
“Even when he is on the smallish facet by NFL requirements, it didn’t present up a lot as a run-blocker,” wrote Renner in a narrative revealed Wednesday. “Sadiq’s play energy was distinctive for a real sophomore and may solely enhance as his profession progresses. A possible top-20 expertise with growth.”
Sadiq — who had simply two landing catches in 14 video games final season — is not thought-about a first-rounder but. Tankathon’s latest mock draft has the Carolina Panthers choosing him with decide No. 70 within the third spherical. His inventory might skyrocket if he produces higher numbers.
Louisville WR Chris Bell
Bell (6-foot-2, 220 kilos) might test the containers for NFL groups when evaluating WRs earlier than the draft. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler charges him as his No. 2 WR.
“Along with his robust, muscular body, Bell passes the attention take a look at strolling off the bus,” wrote Brugler in a narrative revealed Thursday. “He makes use of his physicality to be a possession goal who could make robust grabs over defenders. And together with his 4.4 velocity, Bell can separate vertically or create explosive performs after the catch.”
Per Brugler, Bell should develop his route tree to enhance his draft inventory. He should additionally show that he can succeed with out QB Tyler Shough (now with the New Orleans Saints).
Bell might nonetheless be productive after recording a career-high 737 receiving yards in 13 video games final season. He has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The award acknowledges faculty soccer’s prime WR.
