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Week 8 Draft Outlook: Saints Rise to No. 1 as QB-Heavy 2026 Class Takes Shape

Evaluators increasingly slot Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza atop the board, with Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. leading the non‑QB tier.

Overview

  • Tankathon’s updated order now lists New Orleans at No. 1 and the Jets at No. 2 after New York’s first win, according to CBS Sports.
  • FanSided’s Week 8 update still had the Jets at No. 1 earlier, highlighting how midseason draft projections vary by outlet and methodology.
  • Both pieces frame Fernando Mendoza as the leading quarterback prospect and a top-pick candidate based on his production for Indiana.
  • Mock top-10s continue to feature several quarterbacks, with Dante Moore, Ty Simpson and LaNorris Sellers joining Mendoza in early projections.
  • Rueben Bain Jr. is presented as the consensus top non‑quarterback, with other early non‑QB targets including safety Caleb Downs and tackle Spencer Fano.