NFL Mock Draft 2026: Edition 1 (Way-Too-Early Edition)

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

1. Cleveland Browns

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

You always see quarterbacks mocked No. 1 overall in these way-too-early mock drafts, but I'm calling it now - Caleb Downs will be the best available defender next spring. Now, that's not too bold of a take considering what Downs has done over the course of two seasons with a pair of high-profile programs in Alabama and Ohio State, but this fall feels like the year Downs becomes a true household name. He's the type of do-it-all defender who can line up anywhere and make an impact, and he'll be difficult to pass up on at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft.

2. New York Giants

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Giants hope they found their new franchise signal-caller in Jaxson Dart, but now it's about surrounding him with the right talent. They have talent on the perimeter, but the O-Line remains a perennial need for the organization. As inconsistent as Kadyn Proctor has been at times, he still projects as the top tackle available next spring.

3. New Orleans Saints

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Arch Manning is the quarterback everybody is watching in 2026, and a Manning-Saints reunion would be quite the storyline. However, there's a sense that Arch could bid his time at Texas and instead wait until 2027, depending on how things go this fall in Austin. If that is indeed the case, the Saints stay inside the state of Louisiana and select Garrett Nussmeier, who will be a Heisman favorite heading into 2025.

4. Tennessee Titans

T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

Cam Ward gives Titans fans reason to tune in for the 2025 campaign, but this roster still needs significant work, including defensive line. In this scenario, Tennessee goes to the NFL factory that is Clemson's defensive line, and adds the latest and greatest in T.J. Parker. Parker's college production speaks for itself, as he's racked up 32 tackles for loss over his first two seasons with the Tigers.

5. New York Jets

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Do we really believe Justin Fields is the quarterback to lead the Jets back to glory? There's always a chance, but the more likely scenario is New York will be shopping for a new signal-caller early on next spring. Drew Allar flirted with the idea of going pro this past offseason, but instead gears up for another run with the Nittany Lions, where an improved receiver corps could make all the difference.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

The Raiders went out and got Pete Carroll's guy in Geno Smith, but Smith will turn 35 in October. Las Vegas could find his replacement here in LaNorris Sellers, whose impressive finish to the 2024 campaign has NFL scouts intrigued. Sellers has a lot of work to do as a passer, but his arm strength and athletic ability will certainly be enough to sell an NFL organization on his long-term potential.

7. Carolina Panthers

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Despite investing draft capital on the defense in the second and third rounds with edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, Carolina's defense continues to be a major work in progress. Adding a rangy linebacker like Anthony Hill Jr. here could give the true sideline-to-sideline disruptor they've lacked at the position since Luke Kuechly retired.

8. Indianapolis Colts

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

Another quarterback goes off the board here, as Indianapolis seems destined to move on from the Anthony Richardson experiment after this season. Cade Klubnik was one of the country's biggest surprises in 2024 after an uneven 2023 campaign, and even greater things are expected this fall. With Klubnik in place, the young pass-catchers on this Colts roster could finally shine, including Tyler Warren, Adonai Mitchell, and Josh Downs.

9. New England Patriots

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (FL)

The Patriots are hopeful the selection of Will Campbell will improve a disastrous offensive line, now it's time to invest in their mediocre pass rush. Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. was a superstar as a true freshman, notching 7.5 sacks and constantly spending time in opponent's backfields, but blockers adjusted to him in 2024. This upcoming fall will tell us a lot about what he can be in the pros - a resurgent season and he's a likely Top 10 pick.

10. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville)

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

There's plenty of time to change this perception, but the 2026 receiver class is shaping up to be an underwhelming group. However, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson is likely to receive early first round consideration after a monster 2024 season in Tempe. Tyson is exceptional at making contested, difficult catches, and should be able to produce no matter who the Browns are trotting out at quarterback.

11. Seattle Seahawks

Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

T.J. Parker is the flashier NFL prospect, but his Clemson teammate Peter Woods is almost sure to be a popular name leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Freshman All-American already has an accomplished body of work at just 20 years old, and he's the type of physical interior presence that sets the tone for the entire front seven.

12. Chicago Bears

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Chicago was considered one of the frontrunners in the Ashton Jeanty sweepstakes before he went off the board to the Raiders at six. However, the Bears chose not to invest seriously in the position after missing out on him beyond drafting Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers in the seventh round. That changes here, as they get Ben Johnson a new toy to work with in Jeremiyah Love.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)

Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

With the pick they acquired when the Falcons chose to trade up for James Pearce Jr., the Rams could be looking at a long-term answer at quarterback with Matthew Stafford's better days behind him. But, cornerback is also a clear need for the team, and the run on Clemson Tigers continues with Aveion Terrell. The younger brother of Atlanta's A.J. Terrell, Aveion is far more physical than his older brother, always willing to help out in run support.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

A former Louisville transfer, Caleb Banks came on in a big way down the stretch for Florida last season, and has a chance to play himself into first-round consideration this fall. In this scenario, he would bolster a Dallas interior defensive line that has been a problem for some time.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

As of right now, Pittsburgh's quarterback room consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and Will Howard. Even if Aaron Rodgers decides to suit up for the team in 2025, this is clearly a position the organization needs to invest in. At 6'5", Fernando Mendoza looks the part and has real arm talent, if he can become more consistent. Moving from Cal to Indiana this offseason could raise his profile for interested NFL teams.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If the Cardinals truly want to unlock Kyler Murray's full potential, they have to continue surrounding him with the right weapons. Carnell Tate is the latest Ohio State receiver set to become a high NFL Draft selection, one who could form quite the lethal tandem with his former teammate, Marvin Harrison Jr.

17. Miami Dolphins

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Dolphins looked like a team in play for an offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft, but instead strengthened their defensive line with Kenneth Grant. They did select Jonah Savaiinea in the second round, but the Arizona product is most likely a guard in the pros. They add a true tackle a year later here in Utah's Spencer Fano, one of the consensus top linemen available heading into the fall.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

I was a bit surprised Minnesota opted not to address the defensive backfield at all in the 2025 NFL Draft. You have to believe the organization will be looking at either a corner or safety early on next spring, and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy is the type of prospect that is going to blow teams away in the pre-Draft process. 

19. Denver Broncos

Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon

Besides selecting Pat Bryant in the third round, Denver chose not to seriously upgrade the receiver position in this past NFL Draft. Considering Courtland Sutton is set to be a free agent, this is a position where the Broncos must continue to work on. Evan Stewart's surprising decision to hold off on the NFL for more year was likely the right choice, as he's one of the few proven commodities in what looks to be a weak 2026 receiver group.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Even with all the losses the reigning National Champion Buckeyes suffer up front, this defense is still full of future NFL guys. That includes linebacker Sonny Styles, an ultra-versatile linebacker who is set to enter his fourth year with the program, but is still just 20 years of age. Styles can line up just about anywhere and make an impact, and the Buccaneers will undoubtedly find a spot for him.

21. Houston Texans

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

Houston may have added Aireonte Ersery early on in the 2025 NFL Draft, but you can never have too many capable blockers in this league, especially when you're looking to keep C.J. Stroud upright. Francis Mauigoa is a former five-star prospect who already has the looks of a pro, protecting the blindside for Cam Ward this past fall.

22. Green Bay Packers

Malik Muhammed, CB, Texas

I had Green Bay selecting a corner in the first-round, but they instead decided to stock up on weapons for the offense. Still, when you are in a division that includes the receivers the NFC North does, this is not a position where you want questions. Malik Muhammed broke out this past season for the Longhorns, and has prototypical NFL size.

23. Washington Commanders

L.T. Overton, DL, Alabama

Washington spent big to help Dan Quinn retool this defense this offseason, but it's hard not to be tempted by the abundance of edge rushers that will be available to them in 2026. L.T. Overton had an impressive 2024 campaign, but even greater things are expected as he takes on an expanded leadership role with all the departures in the Tide front seven.

24. Los Angeles Chargers

Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

It feels like the 2026 defensive line class may not be as strong at the top as the 2025 edition, but its depth will allow a lot of NFL teams to walk away happy in the late first round and early second. Keldric Faulk is one of those names that could rise up boards if he impresses for Auburn this fall - he gives the Chargers a promising edge rusher to upgrade their pass rush.

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Charles Jaguseh, OL, Notre Dame

Joe Burrow is such a game-changer when healthy, the Bengals must do whatever they can to keep their franchise quarterback on the field. They clearly believe the same with what they did in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding multiple blockers, but I don't see any downside to continuing to add to the position. Charles Jaguseh is a likely breakout candidate for Notre Dame when 100 percent, becoming the latest Irish linemen to go pro.

26. Los Angeles Rams

Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn

Again, this is a spot where we could see the Rams find Stafford's long-term replacement, but there's no obvious selection here. Instead, they upgrade their passing attack in a different way by adding Eric Singleton Jr. Singleton Jr. eclipsed 700 receiving yards both seasons at Georgia Tech, but transferred to Auburn this offseason to play in Hugh Freeze's offense and raise his NFL Draft profile.

27. San Francisco 49ers

Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

No player in college football has been more difficult to get a read on than Harold Perkins Jr. the last three years. He looked like a future superstar with a monster freshman campaign, then disappeared his sophomore season, before missing nearly all of 2024 with injury. If he can regain his form, he'll be a first-round pick - and could give Robert Saleh a new chess piece to work with in this Niner defense.

28. Baltimore Ravens

A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State

While Abdul Carter and the Penn State front seven got most of the attention in 2024, A.J. Harris played a key role in making this secondary incredibly tricky to pass on. He feels like the type of NFL prospect that will likely slip to late first or the second round, but have a long and productive career. In other words, he feels like a prototypical Ravens draft choice in this range.

29. Detroit Lions

Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

It was genuinely shocking that Detroit waited all the way until the sixth round to add an edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sure, they worked on their D-Line through free agency, but adding a young, dynamic player off the edge to pair with Aidan Hutchinson could elevate this entire team. They do just that a year later with Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei. 

30. Buffalo Bills

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Buffalo could use a late-first round selection to upgrade the safety spot, and Dillon Thieneman happens to fall into their laps in this spot. Thieneman was a Freshman All-American for Purdue and a true game-changer with his interception abilities. So much so, in fact, that Oregon came calling with a huge NIL bag and managed to reel him away this offseason.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Eagles may have taken a pair of tackles late in the 2025 NFL Draft, but this is still a team looking for their long-term replacement for Lane Johnson. Perhaps they could find it in 2026, in Caleb Lomu. Although not quite as technically skilled as his Utah teammate Spencer Fano, Lomu's physical gifts have NFL scouts intrigued, and he has the ceiling to be a steal this late.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Yet another Oregon Duck off the board in the late first. Kenyon Sadiq rotated in with Terrance Ferguson this past fall, and had some truly impressive moments, showcasing impressive athletic gifts for the position. He has a chance to have a monster 2025 for the Ducks and cement himself as a first-rounder. For the Chiefs, they get their replacement for Travis Kelce.