The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL On the Clock, 2026 NFL Draft picks one through six: Certainty at the very top, and then...
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Mar 24, 2026 Trevor Sikkema, a Pro Football Focus draft analyst, joins to mock the first six 2026 picks. They debate QB versus defense and whether teams should prioritize tackle or playmakers. Short takes cover trades, fit questions, and which prospects feel like sure things at the top of the board.
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Fernando Mendoza Deserves Top Pick Consideration
- Trevor Sikkema and Robert Mays see Fernando Mendoza as a legitimate No.1 QB prospect, not just a default pick in a weak class.
- Mendoza improved dramatically at Indiana, showing high completion, willingness to attack the middle and deep field, and fewer turnover-worthy plays than earlier in his career.
Draft The QB When Your Window Aligns
- If you're a team in clear need of a franchise QB and believe in a prospect's traits, draft him rather than stockpile picks or wait for next year's class.
- The Raiders' free-agent moves (Tyler Linderbaum, defensive additions) signal readiness to hand Mendoza the keys immediately.
Mendoza's Transformation From Cal To Indiana
- Trevor recalls Mendoza's transformation from Cal to Indiana, contrasting turnover-prone early tape with the polished, downfield-attacking season at Indiana.
- He highlights Mendoza's uncommon opposite-hash sideline throws as NFL-level evidence of growth.