College football has arrived, and as fans settle into their Saturday routines, they'll do so with an eye towards April and the 2026 NFL Draft. Every clash of collegiate titans will linger into the pre-draft cycle, dominating discourse and shaping how teams approach the offseason.
There's plenty of time for stocks to fluctuate and sleepers to emerge, but as the NFL Draft becomes an increasingly popular date on the football calendar, the demand to get to know next season's cast of characters has pushed interest into the summer.
Fortunately, it's never too early to forecast the first round. With a class stocked at a handful of high-value positions, opportunities to find meaningful contributors will be plentiful.
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NFL Mock Draft 2026
1. New Orleans Saints
- Arch Manning, QB, Texas (6-3, 216 pounds)
There's a ton of uncertainty around Manning entering the draft by the January deadline. Between NIL checks, the chance to build a legacy at Texas and the unforgiving nature of the NFL, it'd be hard to blame him for staying.
Still, turning down the chance to go first overall is bold, and Manning is talented enough to earn that capital.
In his two starts last season, Manning showcased high-level arm talent and above-average athleticism. More importantly, his post-snap processing resembled an experienced passer, and he remained poised out of structure. Doing so deep into the College Football Playoff is a tougher task, but he'll enter the season as my top quarterback with little hesitation.
MORE: Arch Manning sends clear message to Ohio State
2. Cleveland Browns
- Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (6-1, 200 pounds)
Nussmeier has already made a solid case to go in Round 1. On one of the most talented teams in the country, he's poised to take another leap.
Granted an honorary No. 18 by the Tigers, Nussmeier is the right man to lead Cleveland out of the Deshaun Watson era. As a passer, his ability to make plays out of structure exceeds his average tools. He stretches the field while keeping the ball out of harm's way and manages the pocket well, allowing him to start from the jump.
Nussmeier does everything head coach Kevin Stefanski needs from his quarterback without the chaos that has defined his Browns tenure.
MORE: Browns didn't take long to sign a 4th QB to replace Kenny Pickett
3. Tennessee Titans
- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-3, 265 pounds)
Parker is the consensus top edge rusher in the class, sporting impressive speed-to-power and a pro-ready ability to play the run. Tennessee has holes across the roster; spending at a valuable position is a good way to start.
Edge rushers Arden Key and Dre'Mont Jones lag behind the Titans' interior linemen and promising young defensive backs. Injecting pass-rushing upside into a unit without sacrificing size would give Tennessee another building block in the trenches for the third time in four years.
4. New York Giants
- Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-2, 315 pounds)
The Giants may have created the league's best defensive line when they paired edge rusher Abdul Carter with Brian Burns and nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. But cowards die a thousand times before they are dead, and the opportunity to add another blue-chip prospect to the unit would be too lucrative to pass up.
Woods is a preternatural run defender with the athleticism and hand usage to inspire real potential as a pass rusher. Subsequently, he'll begin the season as the top player on my board. Adding him as the final piece to New York's defensive line would optimize each of its stars, creating elite pass rush synergy and unlimited upside.
With Jermaine Eluemunor and Marcus Mbow lessening the need for a new addition opposite Andrew Thomas, the Giants have enough excuses to pull this off.
5. New York Jets
- LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (6-2, 240 pounds)
Sellers has more than enough tools to be the first pick come April. Just how high he goes will depend on the progress he shows within structure this season.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) August 26, 2025
In East Rutherford, Sellers would be able to sit behind Justin Fields for a season, although his arm strength and athleticism would give him answers to defensive tests, helping him push for playing time. The Jets are clearly willing to operate a quarterback-run-heavy offense, and if Sellers hits, he has the upside to match the demigods atop the conference.
MORE: LaNorris Sellers' athleticism earns South Carolina quarterback national praise
6. Carolina Panthers
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-5, 270 pounds)
The Panthers allowed the most points in NFL history a season ago, then spent a first-round pick on the other side of the ball. If Bryce Young can continue to stave off replacement, it makes sense to invest heavily in the defensive line.
Faulk is a polished pass rusher with near-elite athletic traits and an ability to stay on the field against the run. He'd add credibility to a unit that added two edge rushers on Day 2 this past spring.
7. Indianapolis Colts
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson (6-2, 210 pounds)
Indianapolis needs a new quarterback. Whether or not the current regime survives long enough to pick the next one remains to be seen, but the Colts won't be signing up for the Anthony Richardson experience again.
Klubnik is far steadier than his potential predecessor. He's an unfinished product, particularly when dealing with pressure in the pocket. Still, Klubnik is a strong processor who is accurate to every level of the field and athletic enough to utilize in the ground game.
Indianapolis isn't very far from competing for an AFC South title. Klubnik's competence helps that cause while retaining enough potential to get excited about.
MORE: Cade Klubnik says 'growth through failure' has him and his Tigers on verge of special season
8. Las Vegas Raiders
- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-2, 275 pounds)
Pete Carroll's teams weren't afraid to add to the trenches with the Seattle Seahawks. Las Vegas can use help on both sides of the ball, and Bain's versatility adds to his appeal. He's an edge rusher by trade and can stay on the field against the run. He can moonlight as an interior pass rusher on passing downs when necessary, too.
Bain has made a solid case to be the top edge rusher in the class. Alongside Maxx Crosby, he can help continue the makeover that began on offense in recent months.
9. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-5, 308 pounds)
Your guess for the first tackle taken in April is as good as mine.
In a pick-your-favor crop of linemen, Fano boasts an elite athletic profile and plenty of polish. He's scheme-versatile, capable of recovering well and pro-ready as a run and pass blocker.
The Browns' offensive line is getting old fast. Protecting next year's quarterback and aiding the ground game in one move, Cleveland could use an injection of talent up front.
10. Miami Dolphins
- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-6, 360 pounds)
For all the excitement of the Mike McDaniel era, the Dolphins seem to be stuck in Groundhog Day. Their fragile offense, built on finesse, continues to fracture from injury and inconsistency. In 2024, the ground game collapsed, particularly between the tackles, ranking 31st in expected points added per rush.
Speed is the name of the Dolphins' game, but this offensive line desperately needs more mass. No early-round prospect in this class offers more of it than Proctor. He moves well for his size and has a strong feel for technique, rather than relying on his gargantuan frame. Tua Tagovailoa's health is paramount, but it's the run game that fuels the offense.
Proctor's presence is impossible to ignore. His impact would be immediate.
MORE: Kadyn Proctor NFL Draft scouting report makes case for another first-round Alabama tackle
11. New England Patriots
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (5-11, 205 pounds)
Downs has long been viewed as a blue-chip prospect bound for NFL stardom. New England's defense has some interesting pass rushers to complement a strong interior, and adding Downs to Christian Gonzalez in the secondary would make the unit more potent, creating turnovers for an offense on the rise.
Positional value is the only reason why Downs might fall out of the top 10. He'd be a steal in the middle of Round 1, blending athleticism with nuance and plenty of versatility.
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12. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-4, 225 pounds)
Believing the latest Matthew Stafford conspiracy theories isn't wise. Believing the Rams are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback is common sense.
Mendoza has the processing Jared Goff didn't have in the early years of the Sean McVay era. He does, though, have the kind of arm talent that Stafford helped showcase over the past few seasons.
A big-game hunter with ample athleticism, Mendoza is a good fit for Los Angeles. Surrounded by Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams and (potentially) Davante Adams, the Rams' "rebuild" might only take a training camp.
13. Seattle Seahawks
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 180 pounds)
Terrell's blend of burst, processing and run support makes him one of the top defenders in the class. His positional value and athleticism help him check additional boxes, but what strikes me most is the confidence that is almost dripping off him on each rep.
Terrell is comfortable in man and zone, good at the catch point and aggressive against the run. He is everything Mike Macdonald wants in a corner. While the need isn't as drastic as some other selections in Round 1, this kind of pro-ready profile demands consideration.
14. Arizona Cardinals
- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-5, 315 pounds)
Paris Johnson Jr. was a nice start to rebuilding the offensive line. Mauigoa, as an easy first-round prospect, is a strong next step.
He's a dominant run blocker who should light up the pre-draft circuit, and while there is a chance he shifts inside to guard at the next level, Arizona should have room for him up front. Jonah Williams is an adequate starter with little long-term commitment, opening the door for the Cardinals to be flexible this spring.
The Cardinals are going to be at their best when quarterback Kyler Murray is headlining a high-level ground game. Mauigoa provides that boost while raising the unit's potential in pass protection.
15. Dallas Cowboys
- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-3, 235 pounds)
Let me know if this sounds familiar. The Cowboys find themselves a high-profile freak athlete from a prominent school, and he instantly makes a splash.
In the few years before Jerry Jones turns his second contract into a circus, Styles would give America's Team another dynamo at the second level. Styles plays the run well for his size, has significant experience at safety to buoy his coverage projection and is explosive enough to make an occasional play as a blitzer. He has some tackling issues to clean up, but there's a lot to get excited about in his profile.
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16. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (6-4, 236 pounds)
The Steelers have spent the offseason positioning themselves to find a quarterback in 2026. They waited to trade George Pickens until after the draft, leaving them with 12 picks at their disposal. If Pittsburgh has to trade up for a passer, it will, especially with a year of the Aaron Rodgers experience coloring its perception.
Allar is a bit of a project, headlined by incredible tools. He isn't particularly comfortable within the pocket and has some processing kinks to iron out. Still, Allar avoids turnovers without sacrificing aggression. Another year at Happy Valley should serve him well.
17. Chicago Bears
- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 212 pounds)
There's precedent for Ben Johnson offenses taking stud running backs in Round 1 (that Jahmyr Gibbs kid can play!), and the middle of the first round is an easier pill to swallow than a top-10 pick.
Love will enter the year as the consensus RB1, boasting exceptional long speed, short-area elusiveness and good decisions between the tackles. Chicago is still building the offense in its vision, and the running back room is visibly behind the receiving corps and offensive line. Johnson may continue to split carries for his backs, but dynamic athletes can turn games upside down, and that is often worth paying for.
18. Minnesota Vikings
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (5-10, 193 pounds)
Minnesota is a weird team to project. The Vikings don't need heavy investments at quarterback, receiver, offensive tackle or edge. Their linebackers are fun, safety Josh Metellus is a star and Brian Flores's system doesn't need superb cornerback play to flourish.
Yet, it's hard to imagine Minnesota contending for a Super Bowl without occasionally beating teams with man coverage. McCoy would be an instant upgrade on the boundary. He's scheme-versatile, a good athlete and flashes the kind of physicality Flores can weaponize.
19. Houston Texans
- Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-5, 308 pounds)
With so many top tackles flooding the first round, some team is bound to have each contender as its prized possession. Few would be surprised if Lomu tops Houston's board. The Texans are desperately in need of reinforcements up front, especially to keep C.J. Stroud upright.
Lomu's polish in pass protection might be the best in the class. He has high-level hand usage and great athleticism, excusing the development he still needs in the ground game. Moving Tytus Howard back to left guard would allow Houston to start two young tackles while keeping its best five linemen on the field.
20. Denver Broncos
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas (6-2, 239 pounds)
Hill is largely seen as the top off-ball linebacker in this class, and it isn't without merit. He's a good athlete who might run in the low 4.50s and has flashed against the run and pass. Hill has a strong feel for fitting against the run. He positions himself well in zone and has the speed to erase traditional targets in man.
The Broncos might have the league's best defense. The linebackers, though, are the weakest unit on that side of the ball. Hill is a stabilizing presence over the middle of the field who can help Denver stay atop leaderboards despite the inherent noisiness of defenses year-over-year.
MORE: No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State preview
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21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia (6-1, 235 pounds)
Tampa Bay doesn't have a ton of major needs. Allen is a bit of a luxury selection, sans the potential departure of Lavonte David.
Still, there's a lot to like.
Allen is an exceptional run defender for his size, filling dutifully with elite explosiveness. He's a quick processor who teleports into the backfield and boundary to erase angles and generate tackles for loss. I have some questions about his coverage when flipping his hips, but another season in the middle of Georgia's defense could help ease those concerns.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
- Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-5, 329 pounds)
Predicting what the Chargers might do in April comes down to a handful of assumptions. We know they want to win in the trenches, and that they aren't overly concerned with positional value in Round 1. An influx of talent is necessary on the interior, even after this offseason's additions.
That unit is weakest at nose tackle, and Banks is the early favorite to be the first early-down lineman taken in April. His explosiveness and pass-rush win rates are encouraging, although he doesn't project to be a real producer at the next level. Instead, his size and athleticism can help him stick against the run and set up the unit's playmakers for success on passing downs.
23. Green Bay Packers
- LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 280 pounds)
The most popular positions in Packers mock drafts this season are bound to be corner and edge rusher. While the roster's timeline and overall talent suggest a luxury pick is possible (if not likely), positional need is worth considering.
Overton has the size teams covet and stands out against the run, elevating his floor. He can moonlight inside, but is at his best winning with speed-to-power along the edge. Overton has the ingredients necessary to rise into the top 15 this season, and if he can develop better counters, falling to Green Bay could soon feel like a pipe dream. In the meantime, he's a pro-ready contributor who can add some juice to a pass defense that ranked 28th in success rate a season ago.
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24. Washington Commanders
- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-1, 195 pounds)
The Terry McLaurin contract saga is over. The Commanders ensured their star would be on the field for the second year of their Super Bowl window. They didn't, however, make a firm long-term commitment.
Washington can get out of the deal fairly easily if McLaurin slows down in his early 30s.
A Tyson selection would add to an offense that isn't all that strong out wide while preparing the offense for McLaurin's eventual departure. I like him best in the slot, but Tyson is versatile, wins at every level of the field and should test well. He's a smooth separator and an ample Robin to McLaurin's Batman, giving the Commanders ammo to compete atop the NFC.
#ArizonaState WR Jordyn Tyson is an menace in one-on-one situations. Legit separation skills whether he’s lined up out wide or in the slot. He's the real deal. #NFLDraft2026 pic.twitter.com/V4KJUTw55e
— Ray G (@RayGQue) July 5, 2025
MORE: Jordyn Tyson NFL Draft scouting report showcases early favorite for 2026 WR1
25. Cincinnati Bengals
- Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon (6-4, 270 pounds)
Trey Hendrickson is back. The duration of his stay in Cincinnati is anyone's guess. This Bengals defense is still in desperate need of talent, and in a world where Hendrickson leaves, the pass rush would be untenable.
I like Shemar Stewart, but he's a much safer projection against the run than as a double-digit sack artist. Adding another first-round edge who can take pressure and attention off Stewart and his development is thus an easy fit.
Posting 13 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks as a sophomore, Uiagalelei's production checks the box. On a star-studded Ducks roster, he'll have more chances to flash in 2025.
26. San Francisco 49ers
- Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn (6-5, 338 pounds)
Trent Williams is a star on the blindside. As retirement nears, the 49ers must find a worthy replacement.
Chaplin isn't getting as much hype as his early-first-round counterparts, although that shouldn't disqualify him from the OT1 conversation. He's a proficient pass protector whose blend of mass, length and athleticism makes him an instant starter. He handles speed and bend exceptionally well and can succeed in the zone-rushing responsibilities required in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
27. Los Angeles Rams
- A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State (6-0, 184 pounds)
With quarterback filled earlier in the draft, the Rams can go just about anywhere with their second first-round pick.
In 2024, rookie linemen Braden Fiske and Jared Verse gave the front seven a facelift. Taking Harris could provide a similar boost to the secondary, where Los Angeles lacks difference-makers on the boundary.
As a press-man corner, there's plenty of runway for Harris to develop into a top corner. He checks the boxes physically and athletically and will play the first half of his rookie season before turning 21, should he enter this class.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
- Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (6-0, 207 pounds)
The Chiefs are a little hard to project after investing in the trenches this spring. The secondary has improved in recent years, but additional reinforcements could add potency to a defense destined to play in January. One less liability on the back end is something Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson can't take advantage of with everything on the line.
Kansas City remains a sneaky tight end spot. Thieneman, though, raises the floor of the defense. He can fly around playing centerfield and throw his body around in the box, giving Steve Spagnuolo another toy to play with.
29. Detroit Lions
- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds)
Detroit screams luxury pick, and no player in this class embodies that quite like Bailey. At this point, his projection is solely as a part-time player, wreaking havoc as a pass rusher. His bend, explosiveness and closing speed are all among the best in the class at his position.
The Lions still have one of the best rosters in the sport and will be expected to play late-January football. Keeping pace with Detroit's offense is going to be difficult. Doing so with Aidan Hutchinson and Bailey pinning their ears back is a terrifying task.
The Lions can afford to gamble, and Bailey's path to productivity is clear, even if it comes in a limited role.
30. Buffalo Bills
- Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina (6-1, 211 pounds)
The Bills have arguably the worst safety duo in football. A late-summer Jordan Poyer signing isn't changing that.
Kilgore has experience as a deep safety, although his versatility is more apparent between the slot and box. He'd add instant credibility to a defense that needs more young talent (and fewer former Bills). Kilgore has the requisite athleticism to cover whomever and enough size to pack a punch. Buffalo would add the upside of above-average ball skills and the floor of his safe tackling, offering multiple paths to production.
31. Baltimore Ravens
- Jake Slaughter, OL, Florida (6-4, 294 pounds)
Slaughter isn't necessarily the clear top interior lineman in this year's class, but he has guard-center versatility and athleticism to spare. He's an easy fit for the zone principles that Baltimore frequently wins with and would create an awesome combination with center Tyler Linderbaum.
Perhaps a matter of nominative determinism, Slaughter is dangerous at the second level and amplifies the Ravens' biggest strength: the duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield. After five consecutive seasons spending first-round picks in the secondary and on the boundary, Slaughter is a solid bet to make at the back end of Round 1.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State (6-4, 265)
For all the defensive line depth Philadelphia has boasted in recent years, the unit is a bit thinner than fans have grown used to. In any event, the Eagles are happy to rotate in talented linemen, and adding another horse to the stable is a welcome endeavor.
Dennis-Sutton's size and early-down run defense are foils to the smaller, faster edge rushers that Philadelphia has in its arsenal, but he isn't without juice as a pass rusher. His burst, bend, hand usage and power are all passable, giving him the ingredients to grow into a sack artist and multiple avenues to finding success.
Dennis-Sutton isn't Abdul Carter or Micah Parsons, but he has a chance to continue Penn State's pass-rushing pipeline and aid a defense with Super Bowl expectations.
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