Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
From an Indiana quarterback to a Texas Tech edge-rusher, here are five players we’re tracking:
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
In a 63-10 Week 4 blowout over No. 23 Illinois, Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) completed 21-of-23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns. On Monday, the Senior Bowl named him Offensive Stock Up Player of the Week.
“There is no set-in-stone QB1 for next year, and Mendoza’s play is putting him into that conversation,” wrote ESPN’s Matt Miller in a story published Sunday. “The success of on-target passers like [Detroit Lions four-time Pro Bowl QB] Jared Goff — whom Mendoza reminds me of — will only help to boost his stock if his strong play continues.”
Mendoza lacks mobility. Through four starts, he has rushed for just 76 yards and two TDs on 22 carries. However, his accuracy could offset that concern. He ranks second in the FBS in completion percentage (76.8 percent) behind Ohio State QB Julian Sayin (78.9 percent).
Teams love QBs with great accuracy, which could make the Indiana star a first-rounder. In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected Mendoza with pick No. 15.
Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
After watching Miami dismantle Florida 26-7 in Week 4, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler dubbed Bain the top defensive prospect he’s seen this season. The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is undersized for an NFL edge-rusher, but he has turned that into an advantage.
“Bain’s consistently low pad level out of his stance allows him to approach offensive tackles (usually much taller than him) with upward motion,” wrote Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema in his scouting report published Sept 5. “When contact is made, he forces linemen up and on their toes or heels instead of fully grounded. This takes away their power.”
PFF credited Bain with the FBS’ second-most pressures (22) in four games. Against Florida, he had a season-high 10 pressures on 29 pass-rush snaps.
Oregon QB Dante Moore
Moore (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) is one of the draft’s early risers. In his latest mock, CBS Sports’ Mike Renner has the Pittsburgh Steelers taking him with pick No. 12.
“Moore has been the breakout star at the quarterback position this season,” wrote Renner. “In four games this season, his arm talent and athleticism are on full display.”
Through four games, he has completed 74.7 percent of his passes for 962 yards and 11 touchdowns and tossed one interception. He threw for a season-high 305 yards in a 41-7 Week 4 drubbing of Oregon State.
No. 6 Oregon (4-0) will travel to No. 3 Penn State (3-0) for a game Saturday night at 7:30 ET (NBC/Peacock). The matchup will be huge for Moore’s draft stock. The Nittany Lions rank 12th in the FBS in passing yards allowed (123.3).
TCU WR Eric McAlister
On Monday, the Senior Bowl named McAlister (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) its Offensive Player of the Week. In a 35-24 Week 4 win over SMU, he had eight receptions for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
“[McAlister] just took over the game,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said postgame, via Ian Napetian of Horned Frogs on SI. “Great players make big plays in big games, and that’s what he did.”
Did the impressive performance move the needle for NFL scouts? In a piece published Monday, Brugler reported one game “won’t put [McAlister] in the top 100,” but it should get him more attention.
Scouts will want to see if he can produce against better competition. SMU has allowed the FBS’ most passing yards (334.5) this season.
Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey
Per PFF, Bailey had four pressures in No. 12 Texas Tech’s 34-10 road win over Utah in Week 4. This performance should bolster his résumé, as he bested Utes right tackle Spencer Fano — a potential first-rounder — throughout the game.
“Matched up across from Fano for much of the game, Bailey’s first-step quickness kept Fano off-balance,” wrote Miller. “At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, his ability to counter with power and use of his arm length really frustrated the Utah right tackle.”
Bailey has frustrated many offensive tackles this season. He’s tied for 12th in the FBS in sacks (3.5) through four games. The Stanford transfer also has eight tackles.
The 2026 edge-rusher class is deep, but Bailey could be a first-rounder. Tankathon has the Los Angeles Chargers grabbing him with pick No. 31.