2026 Nfl Mock Draft Updated 2 Round Projections After Sauce Gardner

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 15, 2025, 4:52 AM

2026 nfl mock draft updated 2 round projections after sauce gardner

The NFL trade deadline shocked the sports world on Tuesday. Now it is time to pick up the pieces and move forward. The New York Jets traded two of their defensive stars, waiving the white flag on the 2025 season and turning their attention to the future. How might that impact what we see next spring in the 2026 NFL Draft? Let’s answer that question and more with a mock draft. Regarding the draft order, this mock draft uses the current draft order based on NFL standings as outlined by Tankathon.

The eventual draft order next spring may look a lot different. Here are the picks, followed with some big-picture thoughts as well as a few quick takeaways on some favorite pairings and players: The NFL Trade deadline has come and gone and for one NFL team it was highly eventful and impactful on the 2026 NFL Draft. The New York Jets didn’t just make one blockbuster trade, but two as they sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2026 first-round pick and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for... That give the Jets quite a haul when it comes to draft capital as they serve as the third team with two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. How will the Jets, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys play the board?

It’s getting interesting especially with the top draft prospects starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. While quarterbacks are always the buzz at the top of the NFL Draft, it doesn’t mean they are the best players or even present as generational talent. The 2024 NFL Draft was one of the best when it comes to quarterbacks with franchise potential and although Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson are Dante Moore are sparking buzz, this is shaping up to... One of the top defenders in the nation is Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who would tempt a team like the New Orleans Saints to pass on QB to take a disruptor off the edge... There is also Ohio State defenders like Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese who can impact any NFL defense. This year’s trade deadline brought plenty of fireworks.

More than usual, actually, and plenty of teams got in on the action. The headliner, of course, was the Jets sending two-time All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner to the Colts for a pair of first-round picks and WR Adonai Mitchell. The Jets now join the Rams, Browns and Cowboys as teams with two first-round picks in next year’s draft. With the immediate ripple effect this has on the draft, now is the perfect time for an updated mock. It’s been over a month since my last mock, and as the college football season rolls on, there is plenty to update. As always, this far out, specific prospect-to-team fits are a little tricky to work out.

But given the topic is the trade deadline, I worked to match team needs more than I normally would at this point in the season. The undisputed top player in the class in my eyes, the Titans get a defensive cornerstone to pair with their planned quarterback of the future in last year’s No. 1 pick, Cam Ward. Bain shuts down his side of the line in run defense, but his pass-rushing skills are what set him apart. With an elite bag of pass rush moves and freaky burst off the line of scrimmage, Bain has the makings of a true difference-making NFL edge rusher. Second-round QB Tyler Shough will have the rest of this season to audition for the Saints’ starting spot in 2026.

For now, let’s get them another receiver to pair with WR Chris Olave after New Orleans traded away WR Rashid Shaheed at the deadline. Tyson is a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL, with a prototypical frame and fantastic ball skills. His ability to get separation at all three levels of the field is unmatched, and he wins at the catch point with strong hands. NFL Week 10 action featured plenty of surprising results that shook up the projected order of the 2026 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints entered the weekend in place for the No.

1 pick but thoroughly beat NFC South foe Carolina to drop from the top spot. The New York Jets got win No. 2 of the Aaron Glenn era over the Cleveland Browns, dropping down the order as well. Their neighbors, the New York Giants, squandered a lead and lost to the Chicago Bears to overtake them in the top three of the draft order. The Giants fired Brian Daboll following the loss - making it more likely they'll stay near the top of the draft order. Those results leave Tennessee at the No.

1 pick after 10 weeks of NFL games. Tennessee already has a quarterback of the future and could be the first team to draft No. 1 overall in consecutive years since fellow AFC South franchise Jacksonville did so in 2021 and 2022. They'll likely take their top non-quarterback prospect in the class. Who that player is is up for debate but most likely a defensive player. Related Topics: Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, Harrison Phillips, National Football League (NFL), Aaron Glenn, Darren Mougey, Dante Moore, Adonai Mitchell

The New York Jets are ripping this roster apart as Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey try to build for the future, trading away defensive cornerstones Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. The future is now, and the 2026 NFL Draft will not be even more era-defining than many expected. Gardner was sent to the Indianapolis Colts for Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks, while the Jets acquired Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick from the Dallas Cowboys for... The Jets now have five first-round picks in the next two years, and they have four picks currently projected to be in the top 50 selections. The Titans could use more blocking protection for Cam Ward. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Fano has a lot of talent and has played well at tackle for the Utes.

He has been a versatile tackle with 11 starts at left tackle and 13 at right tackle heading into the 2025 season. For the most part, Fano played on the left side in 2023 and on the right side in 2024. Fano is fast, athletic, and plays with a mean streak. He is a force as a run blocker and shows a lot of athleticism to take away speed rushers. A lot of teams could fall in love with his tape. Unless Tyler Shough impresses over the final two months of the season, New Orleans will be looking for a true franchise quarterback.

Simpson has been phenomenal in 2025, leading the Crimson Tide to some big wins against tough opponents. In 2025, Simpson has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,461 yards with 21 touchdowns, an interception, and two rushing touchdowns. Simpson has shown some serious arm talent, making some beautiful throws downfield with superb ball placement to beat tight coverage. In tight games, Simpson made some great passes to lead his team to wins over Georgia and Missouri. Simpson is accurate, smart, has a strong arm, and throws with timing and anticipation. Simpson has shown superb ball security this season as well, with excellent decision-making.

The Giants grab a right tackle to help protect Jaxson Dart. The 6-foot-8, 309-pounder World dominated at Nevada, and if he plays as well at Oregon, he could skyrocket for the 2025 NFL Draft. As a pass blocker, World has a natural build with good size, strength, and length to play on the edge. He does a nice job of sinking his weight to stop bull rushes, and he shows an impressive ability to kill speed to power attempts. World does an excellent job of sustaining his blocks with the upper body strength to tie up defenders. In the ground game, World uses his strong upper body to knock defenders back and push them around.

He has real power at the point of attack and blocks with a mean streak. With overwhelming mass, he can knock defenders flat on their backs and will bury them with a violent pancake block. The Browns take their next hope for a franchise quarterback. Mendoza has completed 71 percent of his passes for 2,342 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has two rushing touchdowns as well. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder has a quality arm, reads the field well, makes good decisions, and has dangerous pocket passing ability.

Mendoza played well for Cal in 2024. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Mendoza has good size, and it will be interesting to see how he develops at Indiana. The Jets grab a franchise quarterback to build around. Moore has been a dynamic point-producer for the Ducks in 2025, making plays with his arm and legs. In 2025, Moore has completed 71 percent of his passes for 1,884 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Moore (6-3, 203) is a dangerous quarterback who is tough to defend. He has shown impressive arm talent and feel as a passer. Moore throws some beautiful deep balls and shows impressive composure and poise for a young player. It's never fun to look ahead toward the NFL Draft in November, but the fan bases of a select group of bottom feeders have no other choice. Take the Cleveland Browns, for example. If you wanted a sense of how badly things are going for them right now, they just lost a game to a 1-8 New York Jets team that just traded both Sauce Gardner and...

Justin Fields had just 54 passing yards, yet the Jets still found a way to beat this Browns team. Wouldn't you rather look towards the draft in this instance, especially when considering the other results? This loss was obviously inexcusable for Cleveland, but honestly, it helped the Browns quite a bit with the 2026 NFL Draft in mind. Now, both the Jets and Browns sit at 2-7 with New York holding the tiebreaker, meaning Cleveland would pick ahead of them in the NFL Draft. This could allow Cleveland to change the course of their franchise. Additionally, other bottom feeders like the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints somehow found ways to beat teams that began Sunday's action above .500, meaning Cleveland's odds of getting the No.

1 pick just skyrocketed. With the results of Week 10's early slate in mind, here's a look at how the beginning of the 2026 NFL Draft is projected to shake out. 1. Tennessee Titans (1-8)2. New Orleans Saints (2-8)3. New York Giants (2-8)4.

2026 Nfl Mock Draft Updated 2 Round Projections After Sauce Gardner

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