The kickoff of the 2025 college football season means that it's time to turn the future prospects page to the 2026 NFL Draft.
After some real quarterback concerns developed with the '25 class taken this past April, next April looks a lot more fruitful for first-round talent at the position.
Arch Manning isn't a lock to be top QB, as there's some uncertainty if he will leave Texas after starting just one season. Even if he does declare early, he needs to be sharp for the Longhorns, starting with the Ohio State opener, to keep his stock higher than other passers.
Week 1 of college also provides a fun head-to-head showcase between LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson's Cade Klubnik, also among our projected first-round crop of QBs. See which three other QBs make the top 32 picks as Sporting News clocks with its second early mock draft.
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NFL Mock Draft 2026
(Order based on Sporting News' preseason NFL power rankings)
1. New Orleans Saints
Arch Manning, QB, Texas (6-4, 219 pounds)
For the Saints to "March to Arch," their quarterback room post-Derek Carr needs to be as bad as advertised, as they have some other offensive assets on the line and at the skill positions. The chance to play for his namesake grandfather's team in his hometown would be hard to turn down.
2. Cleveland Browns
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds)
The Browns' once solid offensive line is crumbling with age, especially at the tackles. Fano lines up as an elite replacement for right tackle Jack Conklin.
3. Indianapolis Colts
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (6-1, 205 pounds)
The Colts should be making a fuss about drafting a QB above all else in 2025, as the post-Andrew Luck bad fortunes continued with Anthony Richardson. They need to go back to aggressive but accurate downfield passing and seasoned leadership
4. New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205 pounds)
The Giants addressed some of the void for safety playmaking minus Xavier McKinney by signing former Dolphins star Jevon Holland, but they could use a dynamic duo to clean up on the back end.
5. Tennessee Titans
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 285 pounds)
The Titans should have their eye on improving their defensive front after taking Cam Ward No. 1 overall, and Faulk has some Myles Garrett-like upside.
6. New York Jets
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson (6-2, 210 pounds)
The Jets may not be long for Justin Fields as their starting QB, especially with the potential of a well-rounded rising star like Klubnik falling right to them. Don't be shocked if he ends up ahead of Manning and Nussmeier before the end of the season.
7. Carolina Panthers
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-3, 315 pounds)
The Panthers went for wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in 2025, so it's time to address their big defensive holes with the highest-upside defender available in this class.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)
The Cardinals' offensive line isn't the worst with its current mix, but it also isn't near the best. They should tap into the size and strength of this class early with a key pass protection upgrade.
9. Miami Dolphins
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 193 pounds)
The Dolphins said goodbye to Jalen Ramsey in a blockbuster trade with the Steelers. They can get his shutdown-caliber replacement here.
10. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (6-3, 240 pounds)
The Browns threw some draft darts at the position in 2025, from Dillon Gabriel to Shedeur Sanders. They need to stop playing the same game and start being solid with a potential dual-threat franchise passer.
11. New England Patriots
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 200 pounds)
The Patriots' recent history of drafting wide receivers remains suspect, something they hope to change with third-round pick Kyle Williams. They could still use a nice-sized "X" receiver since Stefon Diggs is a makeshift solution.
12. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (6-3, 242 pounds)
The Rams will likely land this potential successor to Matthew Stafford because of his experience and accurate pocket passing. Allar is ripe to become Sean McVay's next Jared Goff-like success.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
13. Las Vegas Raiders
- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-3, 265 pounds)
The Raiders busted with Christian Wilkins (also a Clemson product) inside to help Maxx Crosby. Parker can be the Tiger they need to give Crosby the ideal bookend.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds)
The Steelers need to get serious after one season of Aaron Rodgers and once again try to find their new Ben Roethlisberger. Going back to red in the Midwest can pay off with the smart, do-everything Mendoza.
15. Seattle Seahawks
- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-6, 304 pounds)
The Seahawks' offensive tackle combination hasn't worked out the way they wanted with Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas. Lomu has the potential to start and star on either side.
16. Dallas Cowboys
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 180 pounds)
The Cowboys need to think about the best defensive player available. Terrell, brother of Falcons star A.J., can give them a potential coverage superstar.
17. Chicago Bears
- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-3, 275 pounds)
The Bears have been good on the pass rush after getting Montez Sweat, but they should be drafting for more depth in 2025. Bain can help their front in many ways in several spots.
18. Minnesota Vikings
- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 206 pounds)
The Vikings are riding with a combination of Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason to lead their backfield. They should want to show Love what he can do as the missing power back they need in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
19. Houston Texans
- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)
The Texans should not waste any more time finding a strong pass-protecting replacement for Laremy Tunsil in front of C.J. Stroud.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas (6-3, 238 pounds)
The Buccaneers are about to further transition in their defense from a long-time position of strength, as Lavonte David is creeping toward the end. Hill is the ideal young replacement in the middle for Todd Bowles.
21. Denver Broncos
- Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-6, 330 pounds)
The Broncos can feel good enough about their strong offensive line to tap into help on the other side. Banks can make their group even stronger vs. the run and pass.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama (6-5, 278 pounds)
The Cowboys will love Overton's size, power, and versatility, and he will be a welcome chess piece in the defense to get an upside Micah Parsons potential up front.
23. Cincinnati Bengals
- Connor Lew, C/G, Auburn (6-3, 300 pounds)
The Bengals might be better inside than outside, but they are still weak with their anchor in the middle, Ted Karras. Lew would be the technically sound line-caller and run blocker they need snapping to Joe Burrow.
24. San Francisco 49ers
Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn (6-7, 348 pounds)
Chaplin should be very intriguing to the 49ers as Trent Williams' athletic, big-framed replacement.
25. Los Angeles Rams
- Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas (6-7, 312 pounds)
The Rams brought back Alaric Jackson but need to think about the future of right tackle after Rob Havenstein. Goosby can be that answer if he boosts his run blocking to go with his pass-protecting juice.
26. Los Angeles Chargers
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 245 pounds)
The Chargers passed on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland in 2025. They should want some youthful upside at the position when trying to make it work with Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin this season.
27. Washington Commanders
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195 pounds)
The Commanders locked up Terry McLaurin but need to realize Deebo Samuel isn't a long-term No. 2. Tate would be ideal in that role with his big-play ability to further boost Jayden Daniels' downfield passing.
28. Buffalo Bills
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (6-0, 205 pounds)
The Bills tapped into cornerback help with Maxwell Hairston in 2025. Now, they need to look for a major overall upgrade from safeties Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop.
29. Detroit Lions
- Isaiah World, OT, Oregon (6-8, 309 pounds)
The Lions need to make sure they stay ahead of some offensive line hits. While Penei Sewell keeps locking down the right side, they should think about World with Taylor Decker slowing down.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Chiefs will think about several positions, per usual, but they should be fine landing on a situational explosive pass rusher with untapped run-stopping potential.
31. Baltimore Ravens
Will Lee III, CB, Mississippi State (6-1, 189 pounds)
The Ravens went cornerback in the first round in 2024 with Nate Wiggins, but they can't expect that Jaire Alexander will be more than a short-term Band-Aid.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State (6-5, 243 pounds)
The Eagles need to think beyond Dallas Goedert soon, and Klare can emerge to make this another two-TE first round with Kenyon Sadiq also going early.