Our picks and predictions for the 2026 NFL season
Joe Rivera, Chris Bumbaca and Adam Kaufman break down their predictions for the 2026 NFL season on the latest episode of the Sports Seriously NFL Vodcast.
The NFL stock market is fluid and never stops.
Unlike the situation on Wall Street, there is no closing bell when it comes to football. Drama is inevitable, situations change and transactions are in excess. It’s both thrilling and exhausting for everyone involved, especially when the best time to buy stock is never clear.
Coming into the 2026 NFL preseason, expectations were high for some exciting rookies. Not everyone rose to the occasion.
It’s the hard part of evaluating performance during these exhibition games. Many teams keep their stars and key starters on the sidelines, wrapping them in bubble wrap until kickoff of the real Week 1.
That leaves backups and others to fight for jobs. The quality of play might not be there, but we can still draw some conclusions about the trajectory of where these rookies are in comparison to the draft night hype.
Here’s a look at stock situation for some 2026 NFL Draft picks.
Stock up, stock down after NFL preseason
Stock up
Ty Simpson, Los Angeles Rams
A stunning pick on draft night, many questioned the Rams for prioritizing the future instead of the present. Simpson’s preseason performance instead shifted the narrative to, why can’t it be both? Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season, but the Rams’ season is one quarterback injury from disaster. Simpson gives them some insurance and a little hope for the post-Stafford years.
Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
It’s not often that a rookie steps into a situation as good as this. Price is the de facto RB1 for the Super Bowl champions, with no real competition in the backfield. Not bad for a college backup. Even better, Price received no game action in the preseason – evidence that the team values him in a similar light as the other starters.
Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
This was Ashton Jeanty’s backfield. The key word being “was.” Washington shined in the exhibition games, totaling 23 carries for 168 rushing yards to seemingly carve out a bigger role than expected. Jeanty finished his preseason with three carries for 16 yards before suffering an ankle injury. It now appears that Washington might be heading for more of a split with Jeanty than operating as a clear backup.
De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers
The Stribling pick was a stunner on draft night, leading to many questions and confusion amongst those in the football world. Just months later, there was no bigger winner in the preseason than the 49ers rookie. An instant fantasy darling that produced throughout the exhibition slate, the Ole Miss product is primed to be a big piece for Kyle Shanahan’s team. Turns out, no one is questioning that pick anymore. Instead, they’re riding this stock to the moon – much like those that held GameStop shares in 2021.
Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens
Lane wasted no time climbing up the depth chart, establishing himself as a receiver that can be counted on when needed. The third-round pick is already working his way into a starting role, which could grow even more depending on what happens with Rashod Bateman and his legal situation. Lane tallied three catches, 38 yards and a touchdown in his preseason debut before essentially being put on ice for the remainder of the exhibition contests. The Ravens are desperate for someone to emerge alongside Zay Flowers. It appears Lane is that guy.
Stock down
Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders
The clear QB1 in the draft looked like anything but that in the preseason. He totaled two interceptions in three games, proving that he is far from a finished product. He’ll almost certainly take a seat as Kirk Cousins likely gets the starting job, barring a surprise. However, the Raiders probably would’ve liked the decision to be a little more difficult after investing the No. 1 overall pick in a prospect deemed to be “pro ready.”
Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona invested the No. 3 overall pick in Love to transform not only the franchise, but the offense as well. In his only action of the preseason, he showed flashes of exactly that. Love totaled 14 touches for 73 scrimmage yards against the Raiders. Then he was diagnosed with an ankle injury, derailing his offseason. To make matters worse, every indication from the Cardinals appears to be that Love won’t be the featured back. Instead Arizona will feature a committee that also includes James Conner and Tyler Allgeier. That isn’t going to make anyone feel good about the Notre Dame product heading into the season.
Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans
Six targets. No catches. One drop. The Ohio State receiver was the first one off the board in April, so the lack of production is fairly alarming. It’s not like receivers haven’t experienced issues in the preseason before – look no further than Ja’Marr Chase’s drop issues in 2021. However, the Titans are relying on Tate to get the best out of Cam Ward – who was also shaky in the preseason. Expectations are high for the rookie. So far, he hasn’t delivered.
Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints
Injuries were the thing that hurt Tyson’s draft stock. It didn’t take long for that to become an issue in the pros after the rookie picked up another hamstring injury early in the preseason. Now he is expected to miss two months, putting a return somewhere around late October. In some ways, this could make for a lost season for the Arizona State product.
Eli Stowers, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles drafted Stowers in the second round, leading many to believe he would be the eventual successor to Dallas Goedert. He finished the preseason with just three catches for 12 yards and hasn’t shown any signs of moving up the depth chart. Stowers then picked up a hamstring injury, slowing his development even more. The quarterback-turned-tight end has proven to be a raw prospect that needs more time before making an impact at the next level.