2026 NFL Draft Prospects Reveal What Teams Will Get on Draft Night

The long wait is over, as the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday night in downtown Pittsburgh with what should be a pretty entertaining first round.

It’s a virtual certainty that the Las Vegas Raiders, owners of the No. 1 overall pick, will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to begin the draft in hopes he can be their franchise player for years to come. From there, mock drafts are everywhere, which is always a sign of a little fun, or even chaos, as the project progresses.

However, there are those who have established themselves as first-round talents entering Thursday night, whether through NFL Combine and Pro Day workouts, top-30 visits from different franchises, what they recorded during their college careers, or all of the above.

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Regardless, prospects have done all they can — now it’s up to teams to determine if they fit what they need to be successful.

PK Press Club Digital had the privilege of speaking to some of these potential first-round picks before the NFL Draft began, and each of them was asked the same question: “What would an NFL team get from you if they were to call your name on draft night?”

Here are some of their responses:

OHIO STATE OLB ARVELL REESE: “I think an NFL team is going to find someone who loves the game, who loves football. Then they’re going to find someone who plays the game violently… On top of that, you have to play with hard effort. So, I think an NFL team gets that from me – someone who plays with hard effort, someone who is eager to play violently. You have to look forward to playing violently.”

Reese is quite the physical specimen, running a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, and many experts believe he has room for further growth in his body and his play on the field. He was named an All-American in 2025, accumulating 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss for the Buckeyes, although their season ended at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Now, Reese heads into the draft looking at a potentially short night when the clock starts ticking. Some are mocking him for taking him second overall to the New York Jets, and many believe he won’t be available when the top 10 picks are made. Regardless, the Edge Rusher is considered an immediate impact player on the defensive line wherever he lands.

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CALEB DOWNS OF OHIO STATE: “I would describe [myself] as a very instinctive player with great playfulness, but also all the physical qualities you will need. A player that no matter where you feel the ball is, that’s where you want it to be. Put it on [point of attack] and he’s going to do what he does.”

Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 31, 2025. (CFP/Getty Images)

A defensive Swiss army knife, Downs simply played throughout his college career, which began at Alabama before moving on to the Buckeyes and helping them win the 2025 national championship.

Like his Ohio State teammate in Reese, Downs isn’t expected to be available after the top 10 picks, but exactly where he lands remains to be seen. The fifth-ranked New York Giants have been a popular spot, especially considering the comparison to Kyle Hamilton, who John Harbaugh coached with the Baltimore Ravens before moving to New York. But teams like the Washington Commanders (No. 7), New Orleans Saints (No. 8) and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9) are also intriguing to watch, as is a potential trade.

Downs had 164 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 12 passes defensed in 44 career college games, earning him two All-American nods during his time at Ohio State. If a team is looking for a versatile defender who can excel no matter the assignment, Downs has positioned himself as that man in this draft.

ALABAMA QB TY SIMPSON: “I think it starts with my personality and how I can take over a locker room and a franchise. As a quarterback, you want to go out there and rally the troops and have an influence on the people there. So every 30 visits, every time I talk to a team, every time I Zoom with them, I hope to show my personality, my leadership, but also my knowledge of the ball and my football IQ. The tap speaks for itself, but a guy who gets people to raise their game around him is what you what I want in a quarterback, I fully feel like I can do it.”

Simpson’s confidence is what makes him who he is on the football field, whether it’s blasting a pass through defenders to his target or using his legs to gain crucial ground. He told PK Press Club Digital that his Christian faith plays a big role in playing with confidence and freedom, and he has every intention of bringing that to whatever NFL franchise wants it.

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide faces the Indiana Hoosiers in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2026. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Will it be in the first round? Although Simpson has maintained his stance that he has first-round talent, it will be interesting to see if any NFL team thinks the same through the first 32 picks. If he isn’t picked Thursday night, many simulations believe he will be taken quickly Friday, perhaps to the Arizona Cardinals, the team with the third pick in the first round, but also the second pick in the second round. The Jets also intrigue with four picks in the top 44 (nos. 2, 16, 33, 44).

Either way, Simpson is excited to get out there and prove his worth to whatever franchise takes him this week.

TEXAS TECH LB JACOB RODRIGUEZ: “I think they’re about to get someone who’s consistent. Someone who has a lot of character and integrity, and someone you want to put in a leadership position. I think it’s someone, especially in the middle of defense, who can motivate guys to get them ready to play and have someone who’s going to be stable. I’m really excited to get to where I have the privilege of living and playing, but more excited to meet the people, my teammates and everyone I’m going to be with.”

Rodriguez wasn’t always the epitome of the modern-day middle linebacker — he wanted to be a quarterback coming out of high school in North Texas. He initially went to the University of Virginia with that in mind, before the Red Raiders believed he could move to defense, as they viewed him as a safety or middle linebacker.

The transition was worth it, as Rodriguez quickly became a defensive anchor for Texas Tech, and he truly elevated his play and draft stock during the 2025 season. Rodriguez won the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Dick Butkus, and Vince Lombardi awards in 2025, while being named a unanimous All-American after accumulating a career-high 128 combined tackles (11 for loss), four interceptions, one sack, six passes defended and two fumbles recovered, one of which he returned for six points. His seven forced fumbles led all of college football through 14 games.

Texas Tech defensive back Jacob Rodriguez leaves the field before the game against Oklahoma State at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 25, 2025. (Michael C. Johnson/Imagn Images)

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Rodriguez’s tape has gotten better as the season has gone on, and maybe he’s not even at his best yet given the position change. But there’s no doubt his speed, aggression and high football IQ should translate to the NFL.

Will he be a first round pick? That remains to be seen, but he shouldn’t last long in the second round as someone who has established himself as one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.