2026 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Draft order is determined by current standings.
1. New Orleans Saints: LaNorris Sellers (QB/South Carolina)
The Saints, staggering under the weight of an untenable quarterback cap situation and a clear lack of a franchise signal-caller, find their reset button in the hyper-athletic Sellers. With a dead cap hit of nearly $60 million looming from the Derek Carr, Ryam Ramczyk and others in 2026, New Orleans desperately needs a cost-controlled option who can deliver immediately.
Sellers is a high-ceiling prospect with the traits teams are chasing. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he is a true dual-threat, possessing one of the strongest arms in the class and legitimate power-rushing ability. While his 2025 season showed continued growth in his command of the offense, the buzz remains around his incredible playmaking ability outside the pocket, where he consistently turns broken plays into chunk gains. Sellers’ challenge will be to speed up his field progression and refine his mechanics to shed the “raw talent” label, but his elite athletic profile and undeniable arm strength give the Saints a high-upside pick to anchor their offense for the next decade.
2. New York Jets: Garrett Nussmeier (QB/LSU)
After another season ending with a question mark at quarterback and the reality of a million cap hit on Justin Fields in 2026, the Jets finally commit to the franchise reset. Garrett Nussmeier is a stark contrast to the athletic quarterbacks the Jets have historically sought, presenting himself as the most pro-ready passer in the class.
Nussmeier solidified his position this season by demonstrating elite mental processing and poise in the pocket, completing nearly 69% of his passes while maintaining a solid 6-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio through the first four games. His scouting reports consistently rave about his quick, compact release, excellent timing, and ability to move defenders with his eyes, traits that should translate immediately to a rhythm-based NFL offense. While critics point to his average arm strength and limited running ability (just rushing yards through the first four games of 2025), his accuracy and toughness allow the Jets to secure a high-floor signal-caller whom they can build their passing attack around immediately.
3. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain (EDGE/Miami FL)
The Titans are in the early stages of a full-scale rebuild, and with quarterback Cam Ward already in place from the previous draft, the focus immediately shifts to acquiring elite talent, especially on defense. The need for a premier pass rusher is glaring, as veteran edge rushers like Arden Key are on expiring deals and the team has struggled to generate consistent pressure.
Rueben Bain is a perfect fit, projecting as the best defensive player in the class and a foundational piece for the new regime. Bain has been nothing short of a terror through the first month of the 2025 college season, boasting an elite 95.8 PFF grade, the highest in the country regardless of position, and an impressive 29.7% pass-rush win rate. Listed at a powerful 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, he wins with a rare combination of violent hands, burst and a relentless motor. He is an immediate, three-down difference-maker who can anchor the run defense and consistently get to the quarterback, giving the Titans the long-term defensive centerpiece they desperately need.
4. Cleveland Browns: Fernando Mendoza (QB/Indiana)
The Browns desperately need clarity and stability at quarterback, and Fernando Mendoza offers a high-upside profile that fits what head coach Kevin Stefanski looks for. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza has the prototypical size and elite velocity to make every throw on the field.
After transferring to Indiana from California, Mendoza has had a breakout 2025 season, establishing himself as an early Heisman contender. He leads the nation in passing touchdowns (16 through five games) and boasts an impeccable 197.8 QB Rating with only one interception, demonstrating the superior decision-making and ball security that would immediately appeal to the Browns’ coaching staff. While his draft stock is still volatile, his ability to quickly process reads and manage the pocket suggests he is the kind of high-floor, high-ceiling prospect the Browns need to finally solidify the most important position on their roster.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Francis Mauigoa (OT/Miami FL)
The Raiders have locked down their blindside protector, Kolton Miller, with a long-term contract extension, but the rest of their offensive line is questionable and lacks a foundational piece, particularly at right tackle or potentially guard. Francis Mauigoa is the type of dominant, physical presence that a team looking to establish a smashmouth running attack would covet.
6. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano (OT/Utah)
The Dolphins’ priority remains protecting the quarterback in their quick-hitting, high-octane offense, especially with the inconsistency on their right side despite the extension for Austin Jackson. Fano is a technically polished, athletic and versatile tackle who excels in pass protection, having earned a top PFF grade in the nation last season. He provides an immediate, reliable plug-and-play solution at tackle, giving Miami one of the most athletic offensive lines in the league.
7. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Downs (S/Ohio State)
The Carolina Panthers need a star on the back end of their defense, and Caleb Downs is widely considered a generational safety prospect. Downs is an elite, high-IQ defender who offers immense positional versatility, able to excel as a deep safety, a box defender or in the slot. He is an immediate leader who rarely takes false steps and plays with an infectious physicality, making him a perfect fit for a rebuilding Panthers defense.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk (EDGE/Auburn)
The Baltimore Ravens are perpetually looking to replenish their pass-rush talent, and their edge rusher situation will become critical in the 2026 offseason, with players like Odafe Oweh potentially hitting free agency.
9. New York Giants: Kadyn Proctor (OT/Alabama)
The New York Giants have an extremely urgent need for a long-term offensive tackle to pair with Andrew Thomas, particularly on the right side. Kadyn Proctor is an athletic anomaly at a monstrous size (, ) with elite raw power and anchor ability. His high-end physical traits and upside as a pure pass protector make him a necessary investment to solidify the line and protect Jaxson Dart.
10. Houston Texans: Peter Woods (DL/Clemson)
The Houston Texans continue to invest in the trenches to build an elite defensive front for DeMeco Ryans. With interior defensive line depth lacking due to expiring contracts after 2025, Peter Woods is a perfect fit. He is a disruptive, high-motor defensive lineman praised for his violent hands, twitch and versatility as a gap-shooting 3-technique. Woods’ presence would provide a blue-chip interior force to complement the team’s star edge rushers.
11. Denver Broncos: Jordyn Tyson (WR/Arizona State)
The Denver Broncos need a long-term No. 1 receiving option to fully maximize their offense under Sean Payton and support Bo Nix. Though Courtland Sutton received an extension, the team lacks long-term security at the position. Jordyn Tyson is one of the most complete and explosive wide receivers in the class, currently considered by some to be the top wide receiver prospect. He possesses elite route-running ability, vertical speed and excels at contested catches. Tyson’s big-play ability and route-running polish make him a perfect fit to be the top target in the Broncos’ vertical passing attack.
12. Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Parker (EDGE/Clemson)
The Cowboys’ trade of Micah Parsons makes drafting a premium edge rusher an existential need, as their defensive identity relied on his presence. T.J. Parker is an excellent pick to anchor the defensive line rebuild, possessing an NFL-ready body and proven college production with 11 sacks and a school-record six forced fumbles in 2024. He is a high-motor, powerful, and technically sound player who projects as an immediate, every-down starter.
13.New England Patriots: Anthony Hill Jr. (LB/Texas)
The Patriots’ linebacker unit, which heavily features veterans like Robert Spillane and Harold Landry III, lacks a long-term, elite athlete at the second level to build the defense around. Anthony Hill Jr. is an explosive, high-ceiling linebacker who provides elite sideline-to-sideline range and closing speed rarely seen at the position. A hyper-productive player at Texas, recording eight sacks and 113 tackles in 2024, he fits the modern NFL mold as a versatile three-down defender who can blitz, spy and cover, instantly boosting the Patriots’ defensive athleticism.
14. Los Angeles Rams: Drew Allar (QB/Penn State)
This pick addresses the clear future need for a quarterback in Los Angeles, as veteran Matthew Stafford is nearing the end of his career (he’s 37 entering the 2025 season and has had recent back issues). The Rams, with head coach Sean McVay, would be an ideal landing spot for a talented, physically gifted young QB to develop
15. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love (RB/Notre Dame
This pick would be a clear move to turbo-charge the Bears’ offense, particularly the run game, which is critical for supporting young quarterback Caleb Williams and the scheme of Head Coach Ben Johnson.
16. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate (WR/Ohio State)
The Commanders secure a high-pedigree, technically refined wide receiver to pair long-term with quarterback Jayden Daniels and fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Tate’s strong route-running and large catch radius make him an ideal, dependable WR2 as Deebo Samuel’s contract expires and Washington builds out its young core. He addresses a major need for offensive stability and production at the position.
17. Arizona Cardinals: Calem Lomu (OT/Utah)
This pick fills a massive need by securing a long-term starter to anchor the right side of the offensive line after Jonah Williams’s contract expires. Lomu is an athletic and technically sound tackle who would pair with Paris Johnson Jr. to give Kyler Murray two young, high-upside protectors in the trenches.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Jermod McCoy (CB/Tennessee)
Cornerback is a major and recurring need for the Vikings, whose current depth chart lacks a long-term, high-end boundary starter. McCoy is an instinctive, physical playmaker with excellent ball skills and fluid movement, making him an ideal fit for Brian Flores’ aggressive defensive scheme. He provides the high-ceiling at cornerback that the defense desperately needs.
19. Kansas City Chiefs: Avieon Terrell (CB/Clemson)
The Chiefs’ young and talented cornerback room, led by Trent McDuffie, may see some attrition in the coming years, particularly with several contracts expiring. Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of A.J. Terrell, is a high-IQ, athletic, and physical cornerback with elite run-defense and tackling skills.
He is a seamless fit for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, which values versatile, ball-hawking, and sure-tackling defensive backs who can play both man and zone coverage. Terrell adds another highly instinctual playmaker to an already strong secondary, ensuring the defense remains a championship-caliber unit for years to come.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Banks (DL/Florida)
Caleb Banks is a massive and disruptive defensive lineman from Florida, projected as a high-upside interior defensive tackle. At 6-foot-6 and more than 330 pounds, he fills a crucial, long-term need for the Cowboys’ run defense while also offering surprising pass-rush burst to collapse the pocket. He has the versatility and power to be an immediate anchor in the middle of Dallas’s defensive line.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane (CB/LSU)
Mansoor Delane is a talented, physical cornerback who transferred to LSU after a standout career at Virginia Tech, where he was an All-ACC selection. He has the ideal size (6-foot-1) and controlled aggression to be a lockdown outside corner for the Bengals, who consistently need to invest in the secondary to compete in the high-powered AFC. Delane’s instincts, ball skills (six career interceptions), and comfort in both man and zone schemes make him a plug-and-play starter to fortify Cincinnati’s defense.
22. Cleveland Browns: Isaiah World (OT/Oregon)
Isaiah World is a rare prototype at offensive tackle, boasting a massive 6-foot-8 frame and impressive quickness for his size. The Oregon transfer is a smooth, long-limbed pass protector who excels at keeping rushers at bay and neutralizing speed on the edge. World would fill a critical, long-term need on the Browns’ offensive line, giving them a franchise cornerstone to protect their quarterback.
23. Seattle Seahawks: Matayo Uiagalelei (EDGE/Oregon)
Matayo Uiagalelei is an incredibly athletic and versatile edge rusher with a perfect blend of size, power, and explosiveness off the edge. At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, he offers immediate value as a strong run-defender while his advanced pass-rush moves allow him to consistently pressure the quarterback. He would be a high-upside selection for the Seahawks, providing a cornerstone defensive playmaker to anchor their front seven for years to come.
24. Los Angeles Rams: Sonny Styles (LB/Ohio State)
Sonny Styles is a high-upside linebacker with rare size, athleticism and versatility, having transitioned from safety at Ohio State. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, his experience in the secondary gives him elite coverage skills for the linebacker position, which is a major asset in today’s NFL. The Rams are always looking for dynamic defensive playmakers, and Styles’s ability to cover, rush the passer, and play in the box makes him an ideal “modern linebacker” to solidify the middle of their defense.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C.J. Allen (LB/Georgia)
The Buccaneers are a team that historically invests in elite, three-down linebackers, making C.J. Allen an ideal fit to become the long-term successor at the heart of their defense. Allen is a high-IQ, physically dominant linebacker from Georgia, possessing elite sideline-to-sideline range and the processing speed to be an immediate defensive communicator in the NFL. Though his man coverage skills still need refinement, his combination of instincts, athleticism, and violent, reliable tackling project him as a potential Pro Bowl-caliber player.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE/Penn State)
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: John Mateer (QB/Oklahoma)
Given the uncertainty at quarterback, the Steelers invest in John Mateer, a dynamic playmaker who fits the modern NFL with his aggressive dual-threat ability. Mateer showcases a quick release, natural arm talent to attack all three levels and exceptional instincts for extending plays outside the pocket. While his frenetic style and occasional over-aggressiveness require mechanical refinement, his high ceiling and competitive fire make him the ideal developmental franchise signal-caller for Pittsburgh.
28. Detroit Lions: L.T. Overton (EDGE/Alabama)
The Lions select L.T. Overton, a powerful and versatile defensive lineman who can play both edge and defensive tackle. The Alabama “tweener” (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) is an elite run defender with a devastating bull rush, providing the gap-flexible force Detroit’s defense needs to complement Aidan Hutchinson. His high motor and physical nature fit the team’s culture perfectly.
29. Los Angeles Chargers: David Bailey (EDGE/Texas Tech)
The Chargers land one of the draft’s most explosive and technically refined speed rushers in David Bailey. The Texas Tech star is a pure pass-rush specialist with a terrific first step, giving the Chargers an immediate pressure threat to complement Tuli Tuipulotu. While his run defense needs work, his elite pass-rushing upside is too valuable for Jim Harbaugh to pass up.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Makai Lemon (WR/USC)
The 49ers continue to invest in offensive firepower, selecting Makai Lemon, one of the draft’s most nuanced and productive slot receivers. Lemon is a highly polished route runner with an elite ability to create separation and gain significant yardage after the catch. His versatility, which includes kick return experience, makes him a perfect, immediate fit for Kyle Shanahan’s play-action heavy offense.
31. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston (WR/Washington)
The Bills finally give Josh Allen a high-ceiling, prototypical X-receiver in Denzel Boston to be their long-term outside weapon. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Boston is a physical, high-point specialist with a massive catch radius who excels at contested catches. He projects as the team’s missing “alpha” outside wideout, providing a much-needed downfield complement to Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq (TE/Oregon)
Kenyon Sadiq is an elite athlete and a true mismatch weapon at tight end, making him the perfect successor to Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia. The Oregon tight end’s ability to line up all over the formation and be a dangerous vertical threat offers the Eagles a dynamic, playmaking presence in the passing game for the long-term future.
