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Practices begin Friday for the East-West Shrine Bowl, and four days later, the Senior Bowl begins its three-day practice showcase ahead of the Jan. 31 kickoff.
The NFL combine is a little over one month away. Draft season, by all accounts, is here—as is Sports Illustrated’s top-six first-round projections...
1. Las Vegas Raiders (3–14): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
While the Raiders still haven’t hired a coach, Mendoza remains a no-brainer. Geno Smith led the NFL with 17 interceptions this season, and Mendoza is the top quarterback in the class. The Heisman Trophy winner grew up watching and idolizing Tom Brady, who’s now a minority owner in Las Vegas. At 6' 5" and 225 pounds, Mendoza has a strong arm, three-level accuracy, a tremendous blend of pre- and post-snap processing and the athleticism to be a scrambling threat.
2. New York Jets (3–14): Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Jets’ draft choices may have been more impacted than any other team by Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s decision to stay in school. Moore appeared likely to change shades of uniform color, going from Oregon’s legacy green to the Jets’ Gotham green, but he opted for another year with the Ducks. However, Reese is a fine consolation prize. The 6' 4", 243-pound Reese can play linebacker and edge rusher, and he’s explosive, violent and rangy. He can be a game-changing piece on the Jets’ defense.
3. Arizona Cardinals (3–14): Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami
The Cardinals still don’t have a coach or an offensive coordinator, and they haven’t decided on quarterback Kyler Murray’s future. Mauigoa will be a popular pick for the Cardinals in mock drafts. Arizona needs upgrades at guard and right tackle, and the 6' 6", 315-pounder can play either spot.
4. Tennessee Titans (3–14): Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
The Titans have a franchise cornerstone in Jeffery Simmons, but no other blue-chip players on their defensive line. Bain, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, projects favorably as a game-wrecker early at the next level. The 6' 3", 275-pound Bain is rooted in power. He sets a strong edge and has active hands to discard blockers in the run game. He was one of college football’s best pass rushers due to his hands and an arsenal of pass-rushing moves.
5. New York Giants (4–13): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Giants coach John Harbaugh drafted defensive backs three of the past four years with the Ravens, including two safeties—Kyle Hamilton in 2022 and Malaki Starts in ’25. New York needs to upgrade its skill-position talent around second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, but it must also elevate a defense that ranked in the bottom fourth in yards and scoring. Downs starred for three years and pairs athleticism and instincts with the versatility to play in the box, in coverage and make plays in pursuit.
6. Cleveland Browns (5–12): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns’ new coaching staff faces a dilemma at quarterback, and apart from Mendoza, no other passers in the draft rank high enough to gamble at No. 6. Regardless, Cleveland needs to add weapons and give receiver Jerry Jeudy a running mate. Tate, a standout for the Buckeyes this fall, stands 6' 3" and 195 pounds. He has a wide catch radius, strong hands to finish through contact and can stretch defenses vertically. He’s not the draft’s most explosive receiver, but he’s a tough, competitive, reliable pass catcher worthy of a top-10 pick. | 
