The 2026 NFL Draft is less than 10 days away. However, there are more questions than answers leading up to the big event. Let’s dive into four burning draft questions ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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NFL Draft Burning Questions
Who will be this year’s surprise first-round pick?
Every year, there is at least one pick in the first round that makes the entire NFL Draft community shake its head. The Detroit Lions selected Tyleik Williams with the 28th overall pick, even though many thought he was a second-round prospect. Similarly, the Green Bay Packers took Jordan Morgan with the 25th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, ahead of Tyler Guyton. Could a lineman be the surprise first-round pick for the third consecutive year?
There are a few potential candidates to be the surprise first-round pick this year, including an offensive lineman. Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge made it into the first round of Peter Schrager’s latest mock draft. Another potential candidate is Malachi Lawrence. The former UCF star had 20 sacks over his final three college seasons, totaling seven or more twice. More importantly, he is drooling with athletic upside, recording a 4.52 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine.
How many edge rushers will get drafted on Day 1?
Speaking of Malachi Lawrence, the former UCF star is one of a couple of potential edge rushers who could sneak their way into the first night of the NFL Draft. Gabe Jacas and R Mason Thomas have also gotten first-round buzz but seem more likely to get drafted in the second round. Meanwhile, Arvell Reese (assuming you classify him as an edge rusher), David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr. are first-round locks and likely top-10 picks.
However, up to eight edge rushers could come off the board in the first round. Keldric Faulk, Cashius Howell, T.J. Parker, and Zion Young are potential first-round picks. Most mock drafts have at least three of the four coming off the board on the first night, with Faulk and Howell the two more likely candidates. If Lawrence, Jacas, or Thomas find their way into the late first round, Parker and Young will likely have to wait until Day 2 of the draft to hear their name called.
Which cornerback will be the first one off the board?
Most mock drafts have four cornerbacks coming off the board in the first round: Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, and Avieon Terrell. However, Brandon Cisse, Chris Johnson, or D’Angelo Ponds could sneak into the first round of the draft. Yet, there are only two cornerbacks in play to be the first one drafted on Thursday night. Delane and McCoy have been the consensus top two cornerbacks in the draft class, with the former LSU star being the favorite to be the first one selected.
According to DraftKings, Delane is the betting favorite to be the first cornerback drafted at -210, while McCoy is second at +130. However, the former Tennessee star had an impressive Pro Day performance after missing the 2025 college football season and the NFL Combine because of a torn ACL. Many scouts believe McCoy’s 2024 season was better than Delane’s 2025 season. While Delane remains the betting favorite to be the first cornerback picked, don’t be surprised if McCoy is the first cornerback drafted.
Will Caleb Downs be a top-10 selection?
The safety position is one of the deepest in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Most mock drafts have three safeties coming off the board in the first round: Downs, Dillon Thieneman, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. While Thieneman and McNeil-Warren are talented prospects, Downs is the clear-cut top safety in the draft class and the only one worthy of a top-10 pick. However, will the former Ohio State star get picked in the top 10 to slide on draft night, similar to Nick Emmanwori and Kyle Hamilton?
Downs comes off the board within the first 10 picks in most mock drafts. Furthermore, DraftKings has him at -135 to be a top-10 pick. Yet, the only potential landing spot for him in the top six is the New York Giants at fifth overall, but that seems like a long shot at this point. Meanwhile, the most logical landing spot for the former Ohio State star is 10th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, Downs could slide on draft night because of the position he plays.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.