Every week, Yardbarker displays the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
We’re answering the most important questions concerning the draft. With that in thoughts, listed below are 5:
Did any QB increase his inventory considerably throughout the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Bowl?
LSU Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier (6-foot-1, 202 kilos) won the Senior Bowl Offensive MVP on Saturday after finishing 5-of-8 passes for 57 yards and throwing one interception within the American Group’s 17-9 win over the Nationwide Group. He additionally rushed for a TD.
Iowa Hawkeyes QB Mark Gronowski (6-foot-2, 235 kilos), in the meantime, received East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP after ending 7-of-10 passing for 86 yards and speeding for 28 yards in a 21-17 victory for the West.
That will enhance their shares barely, however do not anticipate both quarterback to listen to his identify referred to as throughout the first two rounds of the draft. In his newest two-round mock draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller has two QBs being chosen. The Las Vegas Raiders take Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza with choose No. 1, whereas the New York Jets seize Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson with choose No. 44 within the second spherical.
NFL Mock Draft Database initiatives that Nussmeier is a third-rounder whereas Gronowski is an undrafted free agent. The LSU star is extra of a standard pocket passer, which NFL groups favor.
“He is a superb match for groups that prioritize the fast passing recreation,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson in a scouting report. “Nussmeier will work notably nicely inside a West Coast offensive system.”
Which American Group RB stood out essentially the most on the Senior Bowl?
The American Group featured a deep pool of RBs, however Indiana’s Kaelon Black might have made the strongest impression. The 5-foot-9, 208-pounder ran for 45 yards.
“I used to be stunned Black determined to take part within the Senior Bowl, contemplating he had helped Indiana win its first-ever nationwide championship per week earlier,” wrote NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah in a narrative printed after Senior Bowl practices. “The choice speaks to his competitiveness and will not go unnoticed by NFL groups. And by some means, he did not appear to be a man who had simply wrapped up a 16-game season. Every little thing he did was full velocity.”
Groups will even pay attention to his good, robust operating. Black rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 TDs in 2025.
Can Western Michigan Broncos DE Nadame Tucker be the MAC’s subsequent star pass-rusher?
The MAC has churned out a number of star pass-rushers, together with former Japanese Michigan Eagles DE Maxx Crosby (now with the Raiders) and former Buffalo Bulls LB Khalil Mack (now with the Los Angeles Chargers). Maybe Tucker (6-foot-3, 250 kilos) would be the subsequent one.
Tucker tied with Texas Tech Pink Raiders LB David Bailey for essentially the most sacks within the FBS (14.5). On the Senior Bowl, the DE logged two sacks and compelled a fumble.
“[Missouri Tigers DE] Zion Younger was this yr’s Senior Bowl Defensive MVP, however Nadame Tucker was each bit pretty much as good and had extra to achieve from a standout exhibiting,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski after the Senior Bowl. “The reigning MAC Defensive Participant of the 12 months was explosive and slippery, with the polish to complete rushes.”
In his newest mock draft for the Kansas City Chiefs, Professional Soccer Focus’ Josh Liskiewitz has the AFC West membership choosing Tucker with choose No. 146 within the fifth spherical. Which may be a steal for the rebuilding Chiefs, who missed the playoffs for the primary time since 2014 this season.
Montgomery caught the attention of scouts throughout the first Senior Bowl apply. Many will need to have been stunned to be taught he by no means performed highschool soccer at The Woodlands Faculty Park in The Woodlands, Texas.
Montgomery (5-foot-11, 190 kilos) spent a semester as a walk-on basketball participant at LSU in 2019 earlier than switching to soccer. He competed in a flag soccer league in Florida to construct a tape after which performed at FCS college Nicholls State earlier than transferring to Division III program John Carroll in 2024.
“The most effective praise I may give to Montgomery is that, based mostly on his expertise and his efficiency this week, you’ll don’t know he’s the one non-Division I prospect on the Senior Bowl,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler after Senior Bowl practices. “He has carried out a terrific job with pacing and velocity in his routes, and he is proven no panic on the catch level.”
Brugler added Montgomery might “comply with an identical path” to Pierre Garcon, a former WR for the Mount Union Raiders, a Division III powerhouse. The Indianapolis Colts took him with choose No. 205 within the 2008 draft.
Montgomery produced huge numbers in 2025, which can make NFL groups extra keen to take an opportunity on him on Day 3 of the draft. In 14 video games, he had 119 receptions for 1,528 yards and 15 TD catches.
How does presumptive No. 1 choose Fernando Mendoza slot in Klint Kubiak’s system?
The Raiders are expected to rent Seattle Seahawks OC Kubiak as their subsequent HC. Shortly after the information broke, former NFL QB/The Athletic analyst Chase Daniel raved concerning the potential pairing with Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 kilos).
“How does this match with Fernando Mendoza? I really like the match a lot,” Daniel said on X. “Raiders followers, you have to be completely happy.”
Daniel famous 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza — who tossed 41 TD passes in 2025 — performed in an Indiana offense that relied closely on RPOs (read-pass choices). To make use of these performs, an offense wants a robust run recreation, Kubiak’s space of experience. Getting into Tremendous Bowl LX, the Seahawks rank tenth within the league in speeding yards (123.5 per recreation).
Raiders followers ought to preserve an in depth eye on Kubiak’s offense in Sunday’s Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the New England Patriots. An enormous day for Seattle would give them one thing they have not had after going 7-27 of their previous 34 video games: hope.
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