With less than two weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, the pre-draft rumor cycle is beginning to peak. Insiders are beginning to drop intel daily and moves are starting to happen. Here’s the latest and what it means for your fantasy roster.
Per Yahoo Sports, Fernando Mendoza has opted to stay home in Miami with his family. His mother lives with multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair – draft night is a family moment, not a media spectacle, for Mendoza.
Las Vegas is taking him at #1. His dynasty price tag doesn’t change based on where he watches his name get called.
Yahoo Sports: Mendoza Won’t Attend 2026 NFL Draft →
This is the most dynasty-impactful rumor of the pre-draft cycle. Jerry Jones confirmed the Cowboys are “absolutely” open to trading up or down. Dallas holds two first-round picks (#12 and #20 via Green Bay), giving them genuine flexibility.
If they move up: they could be targeting pass rushers David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain (Miami), Arvell Reese (Ohio State), or linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State).
Dallas Cowboys Official: “Absolutely Open to Trading Up or Down” →
Here’s the intel that matters most for a lot of the fantasy community: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate – one of the top receiver prospects in this class – is drawing top-30 visit interest from teams across the board. Per NFL Draft insider Charlie Campbell:
Per sources, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate had a top 30 visit with the Cleveland Browns (6) on March 5th.
— Charlie Campbell (@DraftCampbell) March 28, 2026
Tate also had a 30 visit with the Los Angeles Rams (13) and Kansas City Chiefs (9).
Browns (#6), Rams (#13), and Chiefs (#9) all evaluating Tate tells you he’s viewed as a potential top-15 pick. If Tate lands at pick 6 in Cleveland alongside, or in the Rams offense with Stafford still throwing, he’s an immediate scheme fit target early in rookie drafts.
One of the most important and under-covered angles of pre-draft season is the medical intelligence loop. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo broke this update on Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion. Concepcion is a projected first-round pick whose injury status had been a question mark:
Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion underwent a knee scope described as routine and preventative, sources say. Cowboys team physician Daniel Cooper performed the scope last week.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2026
Concepcion, projected by many as a first-round pick, is expected to be 100 percent for rookie camp.
The takeaway: Concepcion is expected to be 100% for rookie camp, which removes a potential drop trigger for him. Everyone should expect his board position move up in the final two weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
Albert Breer of The Athletic documented the high volume of front-office firepower that showed up at Ohio State’s Pro Day in person. When GMs and head coaches travel themselves – not just area scouts – it signals heavy prioritization on specific colleges:
Credentialed for Ohio State Pro Day today …
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 25, 2026
• Bills GM Brandon Beane, HC Joe Brady
• Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan
• Giants GM Joe Schoen, HC John Harbaugh
• Jets GM Darren Mougey, HC Aaron Glenn
• Steelers GM Omar Khan, HC Mike McCarthy
• Commanders GM Adam Peters, HC…
Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Jets, Steelers, and Commanders all had GM-plus-HC combos in Columbus. Ohio State prospects moving up boards: Carnell Tate (WR), Arvell Reese (Edge), and Sonny Styles (LB) all stand to benefit from this kind of attention.
Adam Schefter told ESPN he’s “confident” Ty Simpson will be a first-round pick. Tom Pelissero went further on the Rich Eisen Show: “I don’t think Ty Simpson gets out of the first half of Round 1.” Most mock drafts still slot him early Round 2. If both insiders are right, someone is paying up big for his traits.
We profiled Simpson’s case in full: Ty Simpson SPS Scouting Report. A late Round 1 pick means more guaranteed money and a faster track to starting which meaningfully upgrades his dynasty fantasy football timeline.
Know who you want but be ready to move your rookie draft price based on landing spot updates in real time. Unless you are blown away by a players’ abilities (<1% of times), don’t pay up until you know the system they’ll be operating in. Lastly, look out for Players slipping 5-8 spots because of trade activity. They often land in better situations than originally projected.
For our recent rookie mock draft: 2026 Rookie Mock Draft 2.0 | 2026 NFL Combine SPS Recap.
Sources: NFLTradeRumors.co Rumor Tracker | CBS Sports: NFC Trade Scenarios | PFF 2026 Draft Hub
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