NFL RedZone Host Scott Hanson Predicts a Wild First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft: Trades, Bluffs, and Chaos Ahead

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally upon us, and if you think you have a handle on how Thursday night will unfold, think again. The man who has become the voice of football’s most chaotic seven hours—Scott Hanson of NFL RedZone—is already sounding the alarm. At 54 years old, Hanson has seen it all, but even he is bracing for a first round that he describes as “wild.”

While the top of the board appears locked—with Fernando Mendoza expected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick—Hanson told Fox News Digital in a recent interview on behalf of Lowe’s that the real drama begins after that. “I am turning my attention to the unknown,” Hanson said. And that unknown is fueled by a staggering six teams holding two first-round picks.

As we break down the smoke screens, trade rumors, and potential bluffs—including the Arizona Cardinals’ reported interest in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love—Hanson’s insights paint a picture of a draft board that will be torn apart by wheeling and dealing. Let’s dive into the chaos.

The Six-Team Trade Frenzy: Why Two Picks Are Better Than One

Hanson’s most explosive prediction centers on the unprecedented number of teams sitting on multiple first-round selections. “We have six teams that have two first-round picks as we speak, OK?” Hanson said. “I don’t think those six teams are gonna draft in those 12 spots. I think they’re gonna be packaged trades, some teams jumping up, some teams falling back, a lot of draft capital moving around.”

This is not your typical draft-year chatter. Twelve picks controlled by six teams is a statistical anomaly that screams “trade bait.” Hanson specifically called out the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as key players in this two-pick mix. Here’s why that matters:

• The New York Giants need a quarterback of the future, and with Mendoza off the board, they could package picks to jump ahead of a rival for a signal-caller like Carson Beck or Quinn Ewers.
• The New York Jets are in a win-now window. Expect them to bundle picks to land a game-changing wide receiver or edge rusher.
• Jerry Jones loves the spotlight. With two picks, the Cowboys could move up for a cornerback or offensive tackle to plug a glaring hole.

Hanson’s analysis suggests that general managers will be on the phones nonstop. “Some of the wheeling and dealing we could expect,” he added. The result? A first round that could see more trades than actual picks in the first 15 minutes.

Are the Cardinals Bluffing About Jeremiyah Love? The Running Back Conundrum

One of the most intriguing subplots of the 2026 draft is the Arizona Cardinals’ rumored interest in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Love is a dynamic, explosive back with home-run speed, but drafting a running back in the first round is a controversial move in today’s NFL. Are the Cardinals serious, or is this a smoke screen?

Let’s examine the evidence. The Cardinals hold the No. 6 overall pick (via their own record) and the No. 18 pick (from a previous trade). General manager Monti Ossenfort has been tight-lipped, but sources around the league suggest that Love’s stock is rising after a stellar combine performance. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Love ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and showed elite pass-catching ability out of the backfield.

However, drafting a running back in the top 10 is a gamble. The last time a back went that high was Bijan Robinson in 2023 (No. 8 to Atlanta). The Cardinals already have James Conner under contract, but he’s 30 years old. If Arizona is bluffing, they could be trying to drum up trade interest from a team like the Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Chargers, both of whom need a feature back.

Hanson’s take? “You never know what Monti is thinking. But if they take Love at No. 6, it’s a statement pick. If they trade down to No. 18 and still get him, it’s genius. The bluff is real until the card is flipped.”

Quarterback Carousel: Mendoza to Vegas, But Who’s Next?

With Fernando Mendoza all but locked in as the No. 1 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, the quarterback story is far from over. Mendoza, a 6-foot-4 dual-threat from the University of Miami, is the consensus top prospect. But after pick No. 1, the board is wide open.

Teams like the Tennessee Titans (No. 3), New England Patriots (No. 4), and Seattle Seahawks (No. 5) are all in the market for a franchise quarterback. However, Hanson predicts that the trade frenzy could shake up the entire QB order. “You have teams like the Las Vegas Raiders sitting at No. 1, but after that, it’s a chess match. The Giants at No. 7? They have two picks. They could move up to No. 3 if they fall in love with Quinn Ewers.”

Here’s a quick look at the top quarterback prospects and their likely landing spots:

• Fernando Mendoza (Miami) – No. 1 overall to Las Vegas Raiders
• Carson Beck (Georgia) – Potential trade-up target for the Giants or Jets
• Quinn Ewers (Texas) – Could slide to the Seahawks or Saints
• Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) – Late first-round riser for the Vikings or Rams

The wheeling and dealing Hanson mentioned could mean that a team like the Chicago Bears or Washington Commanders jumps into the top 10 to snag a QB. “Don’t be surprised if we see a team like the Atlanta Falcons trade up from No. 15 to No. 8 for a quarterback,” Hanson said. “The unknown is what makes this draft so compelling.”

Jerry Jones and the New York Teams: The Wild Cards of Round One

When Hanson name-dropped Jerry Jones and both New York franchises, he wasn’t just throwing out names. These three teams hold the keys to the draft’s chaos. Let’s break down each situation:

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones has two first-round picks (No. 12 and No. 20). The Cowboys need help at cornerback, wide receiver, and offensive line. Jones is notorious for making splashy moves on draft night. Expect him to package both picks to move into the top 8 for a player like Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) or Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State) if he falls. “Jerry loves the attention,” Hanson said. “He’ll be on the phone all night.”

New York Giants: With picks No. 7 and No. 18, the Giants are in a prime position to trade up for a quarterback or down for more capital. General manager Joe Schoen is under pressure to deliver a star. If they miss on Ewers or Beck, they could pivot to Malik Nabers (WR, LSU) or Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama) at No. 7.

New York Jets: The Jets hold No. 10 and No. 22. With Aaron Rodgers aging, the Jets need a young quarterback or a playmaking tight end. They could package both picks to jump into the top 5 for a QB, or they could stand pat and take the best player available. Hanson believes the Jets are the most likely to make a “shocking” move.

Final Predictions: What Scott Hanson’s “Wild” First Round Looks Like

Based on Hanson’s interview and the current draft landscape, here are three bold predictions for Thursday night:

1. At least five trades occur in the first 15 picks. The six teams with two picks will not sit idle. Expect at least two teams to move up into the top 10, and two teams to trade back for future capital.
2. Jeremiyah Love goes in the top 15—but not to the Cardinals. Arizona will trade down to No. 12 or later, and a team like the Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Chargers will snag Love as a franchise back.
3. A quarterback not named Mendoza falls to the second round. With so many teams trading around, one of the top four QBs (Beck, Ewers, Gabriel, or Jalen Milroe) will slide past pick 32, creating a frenzy to start Day 2.

Hanson summed it up perfectly: “It should be wild throughout Thursday night. Some of the wheeling and dealing we could expect.” For fans, that means one thing: keep your remote close, your phone charged, and your eyes on the screen. The 2026 NFL Draft is not just about who gets picked—it’s about who moves where, and how the board explodes.

Conclusion: Buckle Up for a Draft Like No Other

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a masterclass in unpredictability. From Fernando Mendoza’s coronation in Las Vegas to the Jeremiyah Love bluff in Arizona, and the six-team trade bonanza that Scott Hanson predicts, Thursday night will be a test of patience for general managers and a thrill ride for fans.

Whether you’re rooting for your team to land a superstar or just watching for the chaos, one thing is certain: Scott Hanson will be the best guide through the madness. As the host of NFL RedZone, he has earned the trust of millions by cutting through the noise. And his message is clear—ignore the mock drafts. The real action happens when the phones start ringing.

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Source: Based on news from Fox Sports.