The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner - April 23-25 in Pittsburgh - and with the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl in the books, the pre-draft picture is starting to take shape. While the top of the draft still looks like quarterback territory, a few names have started climbing boards, and others are making scouts take a second look. Let’s break down five key storylines from the past week.
Did any quarterbacks boost their stock at the Senior Bowl or Shrine Bowl?
If you’re looking for a quarterback who made the most of his all-star opportunity, look no further than LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound signal-caller took home Senior Bowl Offensive MVP honors after going 5-of-8 for 57 yards with one interception and a rushing touchdown. It wasn’t a flawless outing, but it was enough to put a spotlight on his poise and mobility.
Over at the East-West Shrine Bowl, Iowa’s Mark Gronowski impressed as well, earning Offensive MVP honors for the West Team. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound QB completed 7-of-10 passes for 86 yards and added 28 on the ground. He showed off a strong arm and the kind of dual-threat capability that today’s NFL offenses are increasingly leaning into.
Still, neither quarterback is expected to crash the first two rounds. In fact, in the latest two-round mock draft, only two quarterbacks are off the board: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to the Raiders, while Alabama’s Ty Simpson lands with the Jets at pick No. 44.
Nussmeier is currently projected as a Day 2 or early Day 3 selection - a third-rounder, per NFL Mock Draft Database - and his profile as a classic pocket passer could fit well in a system that leans on timing and rhythm, like a West Coast offense. One scout described him as a strong fit for teams that want to get the ball out quickly and keep the chains moving.
As for Gronowski, he’s still considered a long shot to be drafted, but performances like this one can open doors, especially for a QB with size and athleticism.
Which American Team running back stood out the most in Mobile?
Indiana’s Kaelon Black turned heads during Senior Bowl week - and not just because he showed up at all. Just a week removed from helping the Hoosiers win their first-ever national championship, Black suited up in Mobile and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. That kind of competitiveness doesn’t go unnoticed by NFL teams.
At 5-foot-9 and 208 pounds, Black ran hard and fast, tallying 45 yards on the ground and showing the same burst and balance that made him a 1,000-yard rusher this past season. He wrapped up 2025 with 1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and his Senior Bowl tape only reinforced his reputation as a tough, downhill runner with a nose for contact.
He may not be the flashiest back in this class, but Black’s decision to compete - and compete well - after a full season speaks volumes about his durability and mindset. In a deep running back class, that edge could be the separator.
Could Nadame Tucker be the MAC’s next pass-rushing star?
The MAC has quietly become a factory for elite edge rushers, and Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker might be next in line. He’s coming off a monster season where he tied for the FBS lead in sacks with 14.5, and he didn’t slow down in Mobile. Tucker notched two sacks and forced a fumble at the Senior Bowl, showing the same explosiveness and bend that made him the MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Tucker has the frame and motor NFL teams crave. While Missouri’s Zion Young walked away with Senior Bowl Defensive MVP honors, Tucker arguably had just as strong a week - and may have helped his draft stock even more.
One mock draft has the Kansas City Chiefs taking Tucker in the fifth round, which could be an absolute steal. With Kansas City missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, they’re in need of some fresh juice off the edge. Tucker has the tools to contribute early and the upside to develop into much more.
Who is Tyren Montgomery, and why are scouts intrigued?
Tyren Montgomery might be the most intriguing wide receiver in this year’s class - and certainly the most unconventional. The John Carroll standout didn’t play high school football, started his college career as a walk-on basketball player at LSU, and built his football résumé through a Florida flag football league before landing at FCS Nicholls State and eventually transferring to Division III John Carroll.
Now, he’s turning heads at the Senior Bowl.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Montgomery doesn’t have elite size, but his route-running, pace, and ball skills have stood out. He’s shown the ability to separate cleanly and make contested catches - traits that translate, regardless of level of competition.
In 2025, Montgomery put up video-game numbers: 119 catches, 1,528 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 14 games. That production, combined with his strong week in Mobile, could earn him a look on Day 3 of the draft. He’s drawing comparisons to Pierre Garçon, another Division III product who carved out a long NFL career after being drafted in the sixth round.
Montgomery’s story is one of resilience and raw talent - and NFL teams are taking notice.
How does Fernando Mendoza fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense?
With the Raiders expected to bring in Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, all eyes are on how the presumptive No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, might fit into the new system.
Mendoza, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Indiana quarterback and 2025 Heisman winner, threw 41 touchdown passes last season in an offense that leaned heavily on RPOs (run-pass options). That’s a natural fit with Kubiak’s play-calling tendencies, which emphasize a strong run game to set up play-action and quick reads.
The Seahawks - where Kubiak served as offensive coordinator - ranked 10th in rushing heading into Super Bowl LX, a testament to his ability to scheme up a ground attack. Pairing that with Mendoza’s quick decision-making and RPO experience could be a recipe for early success in Las Vegas.
For a Raiders franchise that’s gone 7-27 over its last 34 games, the Mendoza-Kubiak pairing offers something they desperately need: hope. And with the Super Bowl just days away, Raiders fans might want to pay close attention to how Seattle’s offense looks. It could be a preview of what’s to come in silver and black.
As draft season heats up, these are the names and narratives to keep on your radar. From small-school standouts to potential first-overall picks, the road to Pittsburgh is already full of surprises - and we’re just getting started.