2026 NFL Mock Draft – Week 1 Edition
Draft order is based on current standings.
1. New Orleans Saints - Garrett Nussmeier (QB/LSU)
The Saints were in need of a long-term solution at quarterback even before Derek Carr’s sudden retirement. Nussmeier, a highly-touted prospect from LSU, has the arm talent and poise to lead a franchise for years to come.
2. New England Patriots - Keldric Faulk (EDGE/Auburn)
I love Week 1 mock drafts because we’re going to see some wild team placements, like New England sitting with the No. 2 pick. Sure, in this scenario, a trade down is an option unless Mike Vrabel has really soured on Drake Maye, but I’d like to think they’d go after a complementary edge rusher to Harold Landry, who exploded in his Pats debut.
3. New York Jets - Drew Allar (QB/Penn State)
Justin Fields played well in his Jets debut, but I want to see more consistent results from him, especially as a passer, before moving off of the Jets taking a quarterback.
4. Miami Dolphins - Spencer Fano (OT/Utah)
I have a feeling Miami is going to blow it all up either by the trade deadline or in the offseason. If both head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are gone, this could threaten Tua Tagovailoa’s long-term future with the team and may make Miami a dark horse club to select a quarterback (plus they have an out on Tagovailoa’s contract after 2026). But regardless of who is under center next year, the offensive line continues to be a mess.
5. Carolina Panthers - Peter Woods (DL/Clemson)
Carolina stays local and snags another defensive tackle to play alongside Derrick Brown. Woods, a versatile player from Clemson, can play multiple positions and create havoc in the trenches.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Rueben Bain (EDGE/Miami FL)
Another pick that is unlikely to remain, Baltimore adds a replacement for soon-to-be 35-year-old free agent Kyle Van Noy.
7. Los Angeles Rams - LaNorris Sellers (QB/South Carolina)
Using the pick they acquired from Atlanta on draft day last year, the Rams find their new franchise signal caller. Matthew Stafford is under contract for next season, but he is 37 and was held out of the preseason due to back issues. This could be his final NFL season.
8. Cleveland Browns - Arch Manning (QB/Texas)
Manning entering the draft depends on a number of factors, but I think if he is ultimately perceived as the fourth quarterback of the draft, he is going back to Austin. I also can see the Manning family pulling another Eli if the Browns select him, but Cleveland has to swing for the fences after the Deshaun Watson debacle.
9. New York Giants - Kadyn Proctor (OT/Alabama)
It feels like the Giants have had offensive line issues since the Bush administration. Andrew Thomas is an All-Pro caliber player, but he hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year. Jermaine Eluemunor is serviceable at right tackle, but also replaceable. New York needs to protect Jaxson Dart.
10. Detroit Lions - TJ Parker (EDGE/Clemson)
Another unlikely draft slot, Detroit gets a stellar pass rusher to line up across from Aidan Hutchinson.
11. Tennessee Titans - Francis Mauigoa (OT/Miami FL)
Tennessee goes back-to-back with first-round Hurricanes. Dan Moore had a rough debut against Denver.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Jeremiyah Love (RB/Notre Dame)
Javonte Williams scored twice against the Eagles, but also couldn’t muster 4.0 yards per carry despite Philadelphia being without Jalen Carter. Love is a do-it-all back who could elevate this offense.
13. Chicago Bears - Caleb Lomu (OT/Utah)
With Darnell Wright entrenched as their right tackle, Chicago needs to look for a blindside protector for Caleb Williams.
14. Kansas City Chiefs - Caleb Downs (S/Ohio State)
Downs could have gone as high as second to New England in this mock. Instead, he falls to another team picking at an improbable position.
15. Houston Texans - Anthony Hill Jr. (LB/Texas)
Offensive line is the clear-cut need, but with all the top offeinsive lineman gone, Houston pivots to another need.
16. Seattle Seahawks - Jordyn Tyson (WR/Arizona State)
Right now the only reliable wide receiver on this roster is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Tyson gives Sam Darnold a new weapon.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Cade Klubnik (QB/Clemson)
The Steelers take a shot on a quarterback with a high ceiling in Klubnik. He has the athleticism and arm talent to be a successful NFL quarterback as the Steelers try (again) to find their successor to Ben Roethlisberger.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy (CB/Tennessee)
Death, taxes, Minnesota needing a cornerback. McCoy is extremely talented, but also an injury risk.
19. San Francisco 49ers - Trevor Goosby (OT/Texas)
Trent Williams is 37 and enters the final year of his contract in 2026 should he decide to continue to play. Here is a long-term replacement for him.
20. Washington Commanders - Matayo Uigalelei (EDGE/Oregon)
The Commanders add to their pass-rushing arsenal with a player who has a prototypical frame and an explosive first step. Uiagalelei’s athleticism and versatility allow him to line up in a variety of spots on the defensive line, making him a headache for offensive coordinators.
21. Los Angeles Rams - Avieon Terrell (CB/Clemson)
The Rams look to shore up their secondary with a press-man corner who “loves physically challenging receivers.” Terrell’s experience as a former wide receiver gives him a solid understanding of route concepts, and he has the fluid hips and quick backpedal to stay glued to his man.
22. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza (QB/Indiana)
I see Geno Smith as just a stop-gap for the Raiders, but if Mendoza is the pick, the high-ceiling but raw rookie would benefit from serving as Smith’s understudy for a year.
23. Cleveland Browns - Isaiah World (OT/Oregon)
Cleveland wastes no time finding a protector for Arch Manning.
24. Los Angeles Chargers - Caleb Banks (DL/FLorida)
The Chargers grab a powerful interior disruptor in Banks, who boasts an elite blend of size (6’6″, 325), length, and surprising lateral agility. He’s a raw talent who needs to refine his technique and pad level, but his explosive first step and ability to consistently command double teams will free up other defenders and make him an immediate factor in the run game.
25. Buffalo Bills - LT Overton (EDGE/Alabama)
Buffalo finds a young pass rusher to line up across from Greg Rosseau.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE/Penn State)
The Buccaneers get a high-effort, high-motor edge defender with a prototypical frame and advanced run-defending skills.
27. Cincinnati Bengals - Domani Jackson (CB/Alabama)
While some of Jackson’s on-field play has been inconsistent, his tools and upside are undeniable, and he is a player who is one good season away from being in the top-five discussion.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Malik Muhammad (CB/Texas)
Both Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland are locke dup long term, but you can never have enoough corners in today’s league and Dallas lands the best player available.
29. Arizona Cardinals - Sonny Styles (LB/Ohio State)
Styles’ combination of size, athleticism and strength makes him a player with immense upside, and with some development, he could become a dominant presence in the middle of their defense.
30. Indianapolis Colts - Dante Moore (QB/Oregon)
Indianapolis could back off of a quarterback if Daniel Jones continues to play as well as he did in the season opener, but for now, I will side with history.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Carnell Tate (WR/Ohio State)
A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are both locked up long-term, but the Eagles have been trying to scrape the bottom of the barrel for NFL talent for a third wide receiver. A team with few holes, they can afford to take a risk here.
32. Denver Broncos - C.J. Allen (LB/Georgia)
Allen is a player who can be trusted to get the rest of the defense lined up and is a true leader on the field.
