2026 NFL Mock Draft v1.0
Draft order is determined by current Super Bowl odds on FanDuel.
1. New Orleans Saints - Cade Klubnik (QB/Clemson)
The Saints are in dire straits. They have a ton of dead money tied up through years of restructuring contracts, Derek Carr retired this offseason due to injury and the team’s stars are getting long in the tooth. After a year of second rounder Tyler Shough hnadling the reigns they are projected to finish with the worst record in the NFL.
Fortunately, they own the top pick in a deep quarterback class. Garrett Nussmeier and Arch Manning (who is from New Orleans) are knocking on the door to go first overall. Still, right now the safest pick is Klubnik, who is accurate on short and intermediate throws and already throws his passes at NFL-level anticipation.
2. Cleveland Browns - Garrett Nussmeier (QB/LSU)
Cleveland’s quarterback room is in disarray. Deshaun Watson is out for 2025 and there is a chance he has thrown his last pass in what has been a disappointing tenure in Cleveland. Also in the quarterback room is 40-year-old Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, who is on his third team in as many seasons, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Nussmeier, whose father, Doug, played quarterback in the NFL and is currently the Saints offensive coordinator. He has the best deep ball in this class, but plays a bit recklessly. If New Orleans ends up with the top pick and somehow doesn’t clean house with the coaching staff, he could very much be in the mix to go first overall and play with his father.
3. New York Jets - Arch Manning (QB/Texas)
The Jets let Aaron Rodgers walk in free agency and replaced him with Justin Fields, a former first-round pick who is on his third team in as many years. The Jets have pieces on offense to make some noise, but if they are picking third next spring, Fields could be on his way out.
The youngest Manning was one of the highest recruits ever coming out of high school, but he has a limited sample size in college so far. There is also a chance that he will return to Texas.
4. New York Giants - Caleb Downs (S/Ohio State)
The first non-quarterback-needy team, New York has a number of ways to go here, but we are opting for Downs, the younger brother of Colts wide receiver Josh Downs. Downs has been compared to the last safety who was drafted in the top five, former Chief Eric Berry.
5. Tennessee Titans - T.J. Parker (EDGE/Clemson)
Tennessee may ultimately be an ideal trade candidate as they look to build around Cam Ward, but for now they stand pat and add a difference maker on the edge in Parker. A strong finisher with elite hand technique, Parker will need to show some consistency in 2025 to help solidify his top-five draft status.
6. Carolina Panthers - Francis Mauigoa (OT/Miami FL)
While Ikem Ekwonu is fully entrenched at left tackle and has improved each season, Carolina has a hole at right tackle where 31-year-old Taylor Moton is entering free agency. Mauigoa is best projected as a right tackle with All-Pro upside and should help anchor the Panthers offensive line for years to come.
7. Indianapolis Colts - LaNorris Sellers (QB/South Carolina)
Surely, some Colts fans won’t be happy to see this selection, as Sellers has drawn comparisons to Anthony Richardson, but he is more polished than the incumbent Colts signal caller and could see his stock explode if he builds upon a solid 2024 campaign. Sellers is surprisingly mobile for a quarterback his size and comes with great arm strength, but he will need to work on his decision making, especially when under pressure.
8. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza (QB/Indiana)
The Raiders acquired Geno Smith this offseason and gave him an extension, but he is also 34 and the Raiders may be better suited finding a young signal caller to build around. Mendoza has been compared to Jared Goff by NFL draft analyst Todd McShay.
9. Miami Dolphins - Jermod McCoy (CB/Tennessee)
Miami has several options to go here, including defensive line or offensive tackle, but I am slotting McCoy here in the wake of Miami trading Jalen Ramsey. McCoy will miss 2025 after tearing his ACL in January, so his draft slot could be determined by how well his recovery is going.
10. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta) - Drew Allard (QB/Penn State)
The Rams use the draft pick acquired from Atlanta to find their franchise’s future signal caller. Matthew Stafford, who is now 37, has two years left on his deal, so he would likely serve as the starter in 2025 before Allar takes over in 2026.
11. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville) - Kadyn Proctor (OT/Alabama)
Cleveland is in bad shape at left tackle after letting the oft-injured Jedrick Wills walk in free agency. Armed with two first-round selections, they immediately grab protection for new franchise signal caller Garrett Nussmeier.
12. Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano (OT/Utah)
Paris Johnson Jr. took a big step forward in his sophomore season and has solidified himself as the anchor of the Cardinals offensive line. At right tackle, however, Arizona is starting Jonah Williams, who is in his walk year and has never been able to live up to his draft status. Utah will have two tackles selected in the first round (should they both declare).
13. New England Patriots - Peter Woods (DL/Clemson)
Woods has shown incredible versatility along the defensive line while at Clemson, lining up and playing well at every technique, making him a chess piece that Mike Vrabel would love. Woods slips a bit here, but New England won’t be complaining as they land a player who has drawn comparisons to Quinnen Williams.
14. Seattle Seahawks - Rueben Bain (EDGE/Miami FL)
Seattle’s offensive line is still in disarray aside from Charles Cross, so offensive tackle could be had here, but edge rushers are another significant need and Bain has some serious upside. He has shown he can win inside and outside at the college level, but he does need to improve as a run stuffer.
15. Dallas Cowboys - Anthony Hill Jr. (LB/Texas)
Dallas stays local and takes a linebacker oozing with athleticism. An effective blitzer, Hill could help open up more opportunities for Micah Parsons.
16. Chicago Bears - Jeremiyah Love (RB/Notre Dame)
The Bears have struggled to establish a consistent ground game, ranking 25th in rushing yards per game in the 2024 season. Love’s dynamic skill set could provide the Bears with a home-run threat in the backfield, complementing their offensive scheme. His ability to contribute in the passing game would also provide quarterback Caleb Williams with an additional weapon, aiding in offensive balance and versatility.
17. Houston Texans - Caleb Lomu (OT/Utah)
The offensive line was already a problem in Houston before they traded away Laremy Tunsil. Houston has to make protecting C.J. Stroud a priority in the 2026 offseason.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Avieon Terrell (CB/Clemson)
The younger brother of Falcons All-Pro cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon is strong in man and zone and could potentially elevate to CB1 if Jermod McCoy’s knee is slow to heal.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jordyn Tyson (WR/Arizona State)
With Aaron Rodgers likely playing in his final NFL season, Pittsburgh is a prime candidate to trade up and select a quarterback, but for now, they pivot to Tyson, who can fill George Pickens’ vacancy.
20. Denver Broncos - Keldric Faulk (DL/Auburn)
Faulk is fluid like an edge but built like a defensive tackle, giving the Broncos a player who can be a chess piece along the defensive line.
21. Los Angeles Chargers - Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE/Penn State)
The Chargers let Joey Bosa sign with Denver this offseason and are relying on 34-year-old Khalil Mack to be their primary pass rusher. Dennis-Sutton is the latest reason why some are starting to call Penn State Pass Rush U.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Matayo Uiagalelei (EDGE/Oregon)
The Bucs let Joe Tryon-Shoyinka sign with Cleveland this offseason and replaced him with Haason Reddick, who is on a one-year deal. Yaya Diaby progressed nicely in 2024, and Tampa should look for a complementary piece to build upon his development.
23. Los Angeles Rams - Isaiah World (OT/Oregon)
The Rams got their long-term heir at quarterback, and now they get their cornerstone tackle to protect him. World transferred to Oregon from Nevada and had an impressive 82.3 PFF pass-blocking grade last season for the Wolf Pack.
24. Green Bay Packers - C.J. Allen (LB/Georgia)
A speedy off-ball linebacker who can easily get from sideline to sideline, Allen has drawn comparisons to Roquan Smith. Green Bay declined Quay Walker’s fifth-year option, so Allen would serve as his replacement.
25. Cincinnati Bengals - L.T. Overton (EDGE/Alabama)
Yes, another edge for the Bengals, but they may not have a choice if they are unable to resolve the contract dispute with Trey Hendrickson. Myles Murphy has not lived up to his draft billing and could see his option declined next spring.
26. San Francisco 49ers - A.J. Harris (CB/Penn State)
San Francisco lands a physical, press-man corner with elite athletic traits to shore up a unit desperately in need of depth.
27. Washington Commanders - Antonio Williams (WR/Clemson)
Between Terry McLaurin’s contract situation and Deebo Samuel’s age, Washington may find itself needing to replace both starting wide receivers next season. Williams has great footwork and runs crisp routes, but won’t blow you away with his speed.
28. Kansas City Chiefs - Dillon Thieneman (S/Oregon)
One of the hardest workers in this draft class, Thieneman is a film junkie with the aggressiveness and ballhawk skills that can help him thrive at the next level.
29. Detroit Lions - Caleb Banks (DL/Florida)
The Lions went through a gauntlet of injuries on defense last year, and the injury bug has already struck them again this year with the announcement that defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the season with a torn ACL. Banks is a big-bodied defensive lineman who can get the best of offensive linemen with his movement and leverage.
30. Baltimore Ravens - Ja'Kobi Lane (WR/USC)
A perpetual need in Baltimore, Lane would replace the 33-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, who is in Baltimore for just this season.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Eli Stowers (TE/Vanderbilt)
Dallas Goedert is back in Philadelphia on a one-year deal, but he is also 30 and the Eagles could look to inject some youth in the position. Originally a four-star quarterback recruit, Stowers is a solid route runner and effective after the catch, but still raw as a blocker.
32. Buffalo Bills - Christen Miller (DL/Georgia)
A big-bodied defensive tackle who can clog lanes and absorb double teams, Miller won’t be mich of a factor as a pass rusher, but will still fill an important need for the Super-Bowl-or-bust Bills.
