1. Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning, Texas
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Heading into 2026, it's a three-way battle for Arizona's starting quarterback job between Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and third-rounder Carson Beck. Perhaps one of that trio emerges as an effective short-term starter, but the more likely situation is the Cardinals are drafting near the top of the board again next spring. Arch Manning had a tumultuous 2025 campaign, but did seem to find his rhythm late in the year, and will be the beneficiary of a much improved Texas receiver room. If he continues to develop, with his namesake, he is the favorite to be No. 1 off the board in 2027.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
It came as a major surprise that Dante Moore opted to stay in school for another season despite being projected as the No. 2 overall pick this past NFL Draft. Clearly, Moore feels like there is unfinished business at Oregon, and a stellar season could bump him to the No. 1 overall selection come next spring. The Jets are still very much in the quarterback market and land Moore with this pick in a move that came a year later than expected.
3. Miami Dolphins
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Miami spent big to bring in Malik Willis from Green Bay to be their new starting quarterback, but have arguably the worst receiver corps in the NFL. The Dolphins did invest a lot of draft capital into the position group this past spring, but it's a group that still desperately needs a headliner. Jeremiah Smith is a superstar who has put together two monster seasons in Columbus, and could be in store for an even greater junior campaign. He'll likely be one of the most hyped wide receiver prospects we've seen in some time coming out of school.
4. Cleveland Browns
C.J. Carr, QB, Notre Dame
It appears the plan for Cleveland in 2026 is to trot out Deshaun Watson for one more run, as he's expected to be cleared medically after missing the entirety of last season. It's a wait out the clock situation for the Browns, who can finally get off his contract following the season and instead start anew with a high selection next spring. C.J. Carr was tremendous in his first season as a starter in South Bend, and has the upside to rise even higher with another strong performance.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Not since 2003 have a pair of receivers gone in the Top 5 of the NFL Draft together, but the 2027 Class has a chance to change that. Jeremiah Smith is essentially a lock near the top of the board, and Cam Coleman could also find himself hearing his name called early on. Coleman impressed over two seasons at Auburn but now has a chance to increase his exposure catching passes from Arch in Austin. For the Raiders, he provides them the big-play threat on the outside for Fernando Mendoza they are sorely lacking.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Seaton, OL, LSU
Jordan Seaton is widely viewed as the top offensive linemen in the Class of 2027, a two-year starter at Colorado who LSU invested a lot of money in over the offseason to bring to Baton Rouge. Seaton has all the physical traits of a franchise left tackle, and the Falcons need desperate help on the O-Line after Kaleb McGary's surprising retirement this offseason.
7. Tennessee Titans
Trevor Goolsby, OT, Texas
The priority for Tennessee this offseason was clear: surround Cam Ward with as much talent as possible. And while the Titans did a great job investing in receiver, the offensive line still has some question marks, notably at left tackle with Dan Moore Jr. Unless he rebounds, Tennessee should have no issues taking the third Longhorn off the board in this spot, with big-bodied blocker Trevor Goolsby.
8. New Orleans Saints
Colin Simmons, DE, Texas
The run on Longhorns continues here at pick eight, as Colin Simmons becomes the first edge rusher to be taken. Simmons has had two highly productive seasons in Austin, and most NFL folks believe he's only scratching the surface of what he can bee as a defender. The Saints youth movement continues by adding an impact player on the defensive line.
9. New York Giants
Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
Prior to last season, Ryan Williams was one of the faces of college football and appeared destined for stardom after an impressive freshman campaign at Alabama. Instead, his sophomore season fell flat, and he's now out to prove himself in 2026. He has the speed and explosiveness to be a game-changer, but has to round out his skillset and prove he's worthy of first-round billing for next spring.
10. Washington Commanders
Dylan Stewart, DE, South Carolina
Another player that appeared destined for greatness before taking a step back last fall, Dylan Stewart will be aiming for a resurgence in 2026. He has jaw-dropping burst off the line and looks the part at 6'5", 250 pounds, but faced constant double and triple teams a season ago. If he can regain form, this could be a fun little homecoming for the D.C. area native.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
For a team that has struggled to defend the pass for years, it came as a notable surprise Minnesota waited until the fifth round to take a cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft. The organization may be wary at the position after several major misses, but Notre Dame's Leonard Moore would offer superb value at this spot. Moore is an elite playmaker on the defensive end, with five interceptions to his credit last fall.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
The Steelers have taken a quarterback each of the last two NFL Drafts, but does anyone actually believe either Will Howard or Drew Allar is their long-term answer? This time around, they invest early on, with Miami's Darian Mensah. Now on his third school, Mensah has a proven body of work at the college level, and will look to elevate his NFL future with the reigning National Runner-Up Hurricanes.
13. New York Jets
Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
With the pick acquired in the Ahmad Gardner deal, the Jets continue to support a defense that needs all the help it can get. Consistency has been a problem for Ellis Robinson IV through the early portion of his Georgia career, but he's widely viewed as a likely Day One NFL prospect. This will be a big season for him to prove he can be a leader on a Georgia defense that took some uncharacteristic lumps in 2025.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
Tampa was connected with Kenyon Sadiq throughout a long stretch of the 2026 NFL Draft process, before the Oregon product became a New York Jet. A year later, the Buccaneers get their Duck tight end, this time being Jamari Johnson. Johnson has the physical tools that translate to the next level, and he's widely considered a breakout candidate after snatching up 510 yards last fall.
15. Cincinnati Bengals
Brice Pollock, CB, Texas Tech
Texas Tech spent a sizable chunk of money to bring Brice Pollock over from Mississippi State prior to last season, and it quickly became clear why. Pollock looked the part as a smooth defender with wonderful hands for a defender. With the Bengals cornerback room potentially going through a major overhaul as several players hit free agency, this is a great fit.
16. New York Jets
David Stone, DL, Oklahoma
Well, this would be one heck of a Draft for the New York Jets. They snag their franchise quarterback second overall, and have a chance to round out the defense with multiple other first-round selections. With the secondary in a better spot now that Robinson is locked down, New York bolsters the interior D-Line with Oklahoma's David Stone.
17. Chicago Bears
Ahmad Moten Sr., DL, Miami (FL)
It came as quite the surprise Chicago waited to address interior defensive line this past Draft, so something tells me this could be a priority next spring. Ahmad Moten is a relentless interior defender who has a chance to really shine this fall now that Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. have departed from Coral Gables.
18. Houston Texans
Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
Texans fans probably aren't rejoicing over the idea of investing another high NFL Draft selection on the offensive line, but if this offense is to hit its full potential that unit absolutely must improve. Cayden Green will be attractive as a blocker who can play either tackle or guard, with years of experience inside the SEC.
19. Detroit Lions
Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Playing on a bad Mississippi State team these last few seasons, Kelley Jones has been a bit hidden from a lot of the general college football public, but NFL teams have their eyes on him. Jones is an imposing presence at 6'4" and he had a very impressive season for the Bulldogs in 2025, allowing an FBS-low seven receptions.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
K.J. Bolden, S, Georgia
I've been awaiting the K.J. Bolden breakout for some time now and while he was solid in 2025, even greater things appear on the horizon. The talented safety is rangy and never afraid to come up and make plays in run support, but he can also disappear for long stretches of time. If he lives up to his potential this fall, this could end up being a steal for Jacksonville.
21. Carolina Panthers
Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU
The Panthers were another team that appeared to be in the mix for Kenyon Sadiq, but they instead addressed offensive line by taking Monroe Freeling. Still, providing Bryce Young ample weapons should be a priority, and LSU's Trey'Dez Green is the type of prospect that someone is going to fall in love with him in the pre-Draft. Green is already LSU's career record holder for touchdowns by a tight end, and he could be in store for a huge 2026 in Lane Kiffin's offense.
22. Denver Broncos
Carter Smith, OL, Indiana
Garrett Bolles has been a staple on the Denver offensive line since the Broncos took him in the first-round a decade ago. However, the tackle is turning 34, and the Broncos have to start thinking for the future at this spot. Carter Smith returned to school after a disappointing showing in the National Championship Game, and will be counted on heavily to steer this offense in the right direction with some real turnover. He makes sense for Denver as either the Bolles replacement, or to move inside to guard.
23. Dallas Cowboys
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
The Hoosiers go back-to-back here, with Charlie Becker off the board. The reasoning is sound: while Dallas franchise tagged George Pickens, it's likely he'll be too expensive to be their long-term No. 2 option at wide out. Instead they can add a rising star in Becker, who would absolutely feast in this offense with defenders focused on CeeDee Lamb.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
We know how much Jim Harbaugh values controlling the line of scrimmage, and this selection makes sense in a lot of ways. Will Echoles made major strides in this Ole Miss defense last season, and has ample upside at this range in the first. With Dalvin Tomlinson getting up there in years and on an expiring contract, the Chargers see Echoles as a replacement.
25. Kansas City Chiefs
Damon Wilson II, DE, Miami (FL)
Despite taking Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas to shore up their defensive line, I would not be surprised to see the Chiefs aiming to further bolster the pass rush next offseason. You can never have too many great pass rushers in this league, especially in a division with this group of quarterbacks. Damon Wilson II was a big-name transfer from Missouri to Miami this offseason, and has a chance to show out with the void left by Mesidor and Bain.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio State
Philadelphia has been preparing for Lane Johnson's expected retirement for some time now and while Markel Bell was a fine addition in the third round, you get the sense they still need to invest more in the tackle spot. Austin Siereveld has been a steady piece on the O-Line for the Buckeyes for several seasons, and is another player who could eventually buck inside to guard in the pros.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Koi Perich, S, Oregon
Koi Perich burst on to the scene with a monster true freshman season at Minnesota before taking a step back last fall. Now, he makes the jump to Oregon, where he'll play a key role now that Dillon Thieneman is playing on Sundays. The move to the Ducks has a chance to raise his NFL profile, and the Niners need help at safety after not addressing the position in the 2026 NFL Draft.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Is this finally the year the Ravens secure their heir to Derrick Henry? The surefire Hall-of-Famer still plays at a high level, but he'll be 33 at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign. The Ravens look to the future with Missouri's Ahmad Hardy, who has totaled exactly 3,000 yards over the first two years of his college career. He's not a Jeremiyah Love-type prospect at this position, but is certainly worthy of this range in the late first.
29. Buffalo Bills
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
Buffalo opted to wait until the fourth round to address a clear need at linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. One could imagine they'll be ready to move on the position earlier next spring, especially with Dorian Williams on a contract year. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa tore his ACL last November so his status for 2026 is somewhat in doubt, but NFL folks love his versatility. He's most natural on the outside, but has the athletic gifts to imagine he could move around for whatever Jim Leonhard and the Bills are looking for on this side of the ball.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
Despite the fact he likely would have been a first or second rounder this year, Matayo Uiagalelei opted to wait on the pros and spend one more season in Eugene. It's a chance for him to establish himself as one of the truly elite edge rushers available, on a team with National Championship aspirations. The reigning Super Bowl Champions could certainly use further reinforcements in the pass rush.
31. New England Patriots
Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
Will this selection be New England's much longer, or is it bound for Philadelphia in the A.J. Brown deal? Even with the Patriots set to bring in Brown, the receiver corps will need further work. Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte are weak No. 2 and 3 options, and both will be free agents next offseason. Nick Marsh was very impressive at Michigan State, and I suspect even greater things will be in store in Bloomington.
32. Los Angeles Rams
T.J. Moore, WR, Clemson
No matter your thoughts on the Ty Simpson selection at 13, you had to have to be surprised the Rams waited on receiver until the sixth round. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are a great 1-2 punch currently, but Adams is past his prime and the rest of the receiver room is thin. T.J. Moore has flashed potential over two seasons at Clemson, and most believe he has true star potential. This could be a huge year to prove himself as Chad Morris returns as Tiger offensive coordinator.
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