Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
We’re answering the biggest questions about the draft. With that in mind, here are five:
Could Dan Orlovsky’s Fernando Mendoza-Ty Simpson take be a symptom of prospect fatigue?
Former NFL QB Orlovsky said Monday on ESPN’s “Get Up” that he prefers Alabama Crimson Tide QB Simpson to Indiana Hoosiers QB Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
“When it comes to moments of panic and big throws, real NFL throws, I think it’s clearly Ty Simpson,” Orlovsky said. “I would much rather have Ty. And I like Fernando Mendoza. This is not to slight Mendoza. I would rather have Ty Simpson at the 15-to-20 [pick] range than Mendoza at one.”
While replying to questions about Orlovsky’s take on X, Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner wrote he likes Simpson’s tape because it showcases more NFL throws. However, that doesn’t mean Mendoza’s incapable of making them.
“But, and this is a big but, just because you didn’t have to show something or couldn’t show something in college because of the players around you doesn’t mean you can’t do it,” wrote Warner.
While Indiana used an offense that relied heavily on quick passes, Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 pounds) was more accurate than Simpson (6-foot-1, 211 pounds) when pushing the ball downfield in 2025. Per Pro Football Focus, 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza went 29-of-55 (52.7 percent, No. 5 among 155 eligible QBs) on passes of 20-plus air yards, while Simpson went 26-of-62 (41.9 percent, No. 33 ). Air yards tracks the distance the ball flies from the line of scrimmage through the air.
Tankathon’s latest mock draft has the Tennessee Titans taking Love (6-foot, 212 pounds) with pick No. 4, but league insiders aren’t sure he’ll go that high.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter told colleague Pat McAfee on Monday that he believes 2025 Heisman finalist Love will land with the Washington Commanders at pick No. 7. The Ringer’s Todd McShay, meanwhile, has the New York Giants taking him with pick No. 5 in his latest mock draft.
With opinions varying, it’s unclear how early Love will go in the draft, and it could stay that way for a while. There’s plenty of smoke at this point in the offseason. Regardless, the team that grabs Love (1,372 rushing yards in 2025, No. 8 in FBS) could be getting an instant difference-maker.
“[Love’s] speed and frame compare favorably to those of 2008 fourth pick Darren McFadden,” wrote Steve Muench in his scouting report for McShay’s big board. “A bigger version of [Detroit Lions star] Jahmyr Gibbs is another comp.”
Will Indiana Hoosiers WR Omar Cooper Jr. sneak into first round?
In his new mock draft published Tuesday, ESPN’s Field Yates had the Philadelphia Eagles grabbing Cooper (6-foot, 199 pounds) with pick No. 23 in the first round to bolster their receiving corps if they trade WR A.J. Brown.
“He’s one of the best players in space from this class, averaging 7.3 yards after the catch in 2025,” wrote Yates. “Plus, he can block extremely well downfield, which would fare well for running back Saquon Barkley.”
2025 national champion Cooper broke out this past season, tying for third in the FBS in touchdown catches (13, a career high). Pair his improved pass-catching with his blocking, and that has many other draftniks believing that he’s worthy of a first-round pick.
At the end of February, NFL Mock Draft Database projected he would be pick No. 41 in the second round. As of Tuesday, the site forecasts him to go No. 26 overall.
How does Miami Hurricanes CB Keionte Scott’s 40-yard dash compare to the top DB in the draft?
Scott (5-foot-11, 193 pounds) clocked a 4.33 40 at Miami pro day on Monday. That’s faster than CB Mansoor Delane (6-foot, 187 pounds) ran at LSU Tigers pro day (4.35).