NFL Draft intel: Concerning Rueben Bain Jr. report, Arvell Reese-Cowboys rumors, Fernando Mendoza's elite work ethic

Bain — who has below-average arm length (30 7/8 inches) for an NFL edge-rusher —  could fall in the draft. Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter was involved in a car crash in Jan. 2023 that killed former Georgia Bulldogs staffer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock. Carter was a top-five pick in many mocks but slid to Philadelphia at pick No. 9 during the 2023 draft. 

In Tankthon's updated mock, the New Orleans Saints take the 6-foot-2, 263-pound DE, who had 9.5 sacks in 2025, with pick No. 8, but he may not go that high. The tragic accident could prompt some teams picking in the top 10 to remove Bain from their boards.

Will the Dallas Cowboys find Micah Parsons' replacement in Ohio State Buckeyes LB Arvell Reese?

The Cowboys have picks No. 12 and No. 20 in the first round but may use one of those to trade up. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport has tabbed the NFC East squad as the team "most likely" to do so.

One team Dallas could make a deal with is the Arizona Cardinals, who have pick No. 3. That would put the Cowboys in position to take one of the draft's top pass-rushers, perhaps Reese. The team reportedly met with the Ohio State LB during a top-30 visit on March 31. Teams can host up to 30 prospects before the draft to get to know them better.

The defender has drawn comparisons to Parsons (now with the Green Bay Packers) throughout the predraft process.

"This is through the prism of Parsons as a prospect in 2021," ESPN's Jeff Legwold wrote of Reese in a story published April 7. "At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, Reese ran a 4.46 at the combine; he has also flashed an elite finish in the pass-rush (seven career sacks) and play recognition off the ball."

Like Parsons, Reese will need time to adjust as he converts from off-ball LB to full-time edge-rusher, but he can become a star in the pros. The 2025 first-team All-American ranked first in pressure rate (27 percent) and sack rate (7.5 percent) last season among the 45 edge-rushers in Sports Info Solutions' draft matrix.

What's one thing scouts may be overlooking when evaluating Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza?

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to take 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 pounds) with pick No. 1 in the draft, but he's not viewed as a generational talent. The QB could make up for that with his elite discipline. 

"I'm very process-based which means I really like to make systems," Mendoza told Esquire's Ryan D'Agostino for a story published Monday. "So, for example, nutrition. I need to elevate my nutrition if I want to be at a certain weight. So, hey, how can I do that with a system? And that system is: One, hey, let's adopt a new nutrition habit every one to two months. ...It might be like, for example, no fried foods, no desserts. I create a regimen." 

Mendoza added he's working on making his footwork faster by doing 100-150 dropbacks every day leading up to the draft. That should help the QB, who threw an FBS-leading 41 touchdown passes last season, raise his baseline, which was already high. 

"Mendoza is a top-end quarterback prospect in any type of draft class, not just in a down cycle like this year," wrote Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice in a story published this past Friday.

What makes Arizona State Sun Devils WR Jordyn Tyson one of the more polarizing players in the draft?

The Ringer's Todd McShay said on his podcast this past Friday that Tyson (6-foot-2, 203 pounds) is the most polarizing player in the draft because of durability issues. He missed 17 games in his college career because of an ACL/MCL/PCL tear, a broken collarbone and hamstring issues. 

Tyson's tape, however, is impressive. The Arizona State star, who had 18 TD catches in three seasons with the Sun Devils, reminds McShay of four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs.

"So, the talent tells you [Tyson] belongs in that upper echelon of that wide receiver class," McShay said. "But then there are some people... who are like 'I wouldn't touch him with a late first.'" 

Those scouts may feel Tyson's injury history is too big a concern to ignore and tell their respective teams to pass on him during the draft. 

Would Tennessee Volunteers WR Chris Brazzell II fit with the San Francisco 49ers?

Per Rapoport, the 49ers are set to host Brazzell, who tied for first in the SEC in TD catches (nine) in 2025, on a top-30 visit this week.

The 49ers haven't re-signed WR Jauan Jennings, who tied for eighth in the NFL in TD catches (nine) in 2025. Could Brazzell be the next Tennessee product who thrives in San Francisco? 

 "He has the talent to become a team's No. 2 or No. 3 option," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler in his scouting report. 

The speedy WR could develop quickly under 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan, an offensive wizard. Brazzell (6-foot-4, 198 pounds) ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.