2026 NFL First Round Mock Draft For All 32 Picks: 2.0 (Early Season Edition)
There have been many surprise developments and, unfortunately, multiple league-altering injuries in the early stages of the 2025 NFL season, thus, affecting next year’s draft. As such, our predicted final standings look a lot different now compared to a few weeks ago.
With so much unfolding in the first quarter of the 2025 season, it’s a good time to dive into a brand new 2026 NFL first-round mock draft. So let’s get right to it.
Who are the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft?
1. New York Jets: Garrett Nussmeier
Justin Fields is a fine bridge QB option, but it sure looks Aaron Glenn will need a quarterback with a higher ceiling if the Jets are to compete in a tough AFC.
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is a pinpoint accurate passer with excellent football IQ and pocket poise. Pair him with Garrett Wilson, and the Jets will have hopefully ended their decades-long search for a legitimate franchise quarterback.
2. New Orleans Saints: LaNorris Sellers
Going into 2025, the Saints knew that Spencer Rattler wasn’t a long-term answer behind center. But the tank-job pays off, with head coach Kellen Moore getting his own dual-threat signal-caller in Sellers to lead the rebuild.
Moore has worked with Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, and Super Bowl-winning QB Jalen Hurts. He’ll love the athleticism and running abilities Sellers brings to spearhead an explosive offense with Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara.
3. Cleveland Browns: Cade Klubnik
Surprise, surprise. Joe Flacco isn’t the guy, and the Browns have seemingly given up on Shedeur Sanders without giving him a fair chance.
We suppose that means starting over at quarterback again. But Clemson’s Cade Klubnik has a higher ceiling than most QBs the Browns have swung and struck out on over the past 20 years in the NFL. Klubnik’s tremendous accuracy and dual-threat game would do wonders in an offense with Jerry Jeudy and Quinshon Judkins.
4. Tennessee Titans: Peter Woods
The Titans have one of football’s premier defensive tackles in Jeffery Simmons, but their front seven doesn’t offer much else. So let’s pair Simmons with the Clemson defensive tackle and give Tennessee the best interior pairing in the NFL.
Tennessee still has to rebuild the offensive line and wide receiver room, but they can do so in free agency and the later rounds. They won’t be disappointed with Woods cementing the front seven for years to come.
5. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano
Some Dolphins fans want a QB here, but it’s not realistic with Tua Tagovailoa’s $212.4 million extension just kicking in this season. Plus, another QB in Miami isn’t getting the job done behind that o-line.
In this dream scenario, though, the Dolphins snag one of the best offensive lineman prospects of the past decade. Fano, the Utah Utes’ hulking 6-foot-6 tackle, would immediately flourish as Tua’s blindside protector.
6. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson
We just can’t help but get obsessed about the idea of future Giants QB1 Jaxson Dart throwing to both Malik Nabers AND Arizona State product Jordyn Tyson. Nabers is already a top-five NFL receiver in the making, so adding Tyson would set up the Giants beautifully.
They already have a lot of young talent on defense. Throw in an offensive nucleus of Dart, Nabers, Tyson, Tyrone Tracy, and Andrew Thomas? Yeah, brighter days are coming in the Meadowlands.
7. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Parker
Like last year’s group, which finished 32nd in yards and points allowed, the 2025 Panthers D truly can’t stop a nosebleed.
Fortunately, the draft board plays out for Carolina to land the best edge rusher in this class. Clemson’s T.J. Parker is a dynamic game-changer who could give Carolina its best pass-rusher since…ahem…Brian Burns.
There would still be plenty of holes on defense to fill, but Parker and stud corner Jaycee Horn are a nice foundation to start with..
8. Chicago Bears: Jermod McCoy
The Bears’ secondary was supposed to be a strength in 2025, but it’s been ripped to shreds in the early going. And obviously, Ben Johnson’s group isn’t competing if they can’t deal with the onslaught of elite pass-catchers in the NFC North.
So GM Ryan Poles shouldn’t hesitate to take the best cornerback available when it’s his turn to pick. With the ideal combination of size, range, and athleticism, this certified ball-hawking specialist would give Chicago its best corner since Peanut Tillman.
9. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu
The 2026 NFL Draft may be seven months away, but we’d already be shocked if Houston didn’t take an offensive lineman here in the 2026 NFL Draft. Truth be told, CJ Stroud isn’t going to last long if he keeps getting sacked at this alarming rate.
After watching Utah teammate Spencer Fano land in Miami, Lomu joins him in the AFC with the task of protecting Stroud.
10. Cleveland Browns (From Jacksonville Jaguars): Kadyn Proctor
The Browns already nabbed their QB of the future earlier in this round. One year later, the decision to pass on Travis Hunter pays dividends with the Browns securing a long-term offensive tackle to protect Klubnik.
Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio would be excellent mentors for Proctor if he’s not ready to start right away, either.
11. New England Patriots: Caleb Downs
Safety isn’t the Patriots’ biggest positional need, but this would be a great value pick. The Ohio State product is widely regarded as a top-five prospect in the 2026 class, but safeties rarely go in the top-10.
Mike Vrabel is a defense-first coach who won’t pass on the chance to build a secondary around Downs and rising star corner Christian Gonzalez.
12. Las Vegas Raiders: Arch Manning
Arch Manning is playing for Tom Brady. How fitting would that be?
This would be the ideal landing spot for Manning, who can learn behind veteran Pro Bowler Geno Smith for a year while being mentored by Brady and Pete Carroll. Manning would eventually take over an offense led by two rising stars in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. Win-win-win scenario.
13. Dallas Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr.
Well, here’s Jerry Jones’ first chance to find a new heart-and-soul leader of the defense following the stunning Micah Parsons blockbuster trade this NFL offseason.
Dallas’ defense has been gashed in the early going this season, and it’s because they lack a dynamic edge rusher like, well, Parsons. Bain Jr. looks like a plug-and-play guy who would quickly emerge as the new leader of the Cowboys’ D.
14. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa
Arizona secured one bookend spot when they selected future stud Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round two years ago. The Cardinals could soon own the best offensive tackle tandem pairing in football if they select the Miami Hurricanes’ star to pair with Johnson.
15. Cincinnati Bengals: Isaiah World
The Bengals neglected the offensive line this offseason…and it led to a possible season-ending injury for Joe Burrow. Ridiculous, we know.
2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims hasn’t come around as hoped. So the Bengals will have to try over again and take the best remaining tackle, which is Oregon’s Isaiah World in this exercise.
16. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell
The Vikings haven’t had a true shutdown corner since prime Xavier Rhodes over a half-decade ago. Their pass rush and linebacker groups are excellent, but it’s long overdue for Brian Flores to enjoy the luxury of a shutdown corner.
Terrell’s elite ball-tracking skills and lockdown coverage have made him a shining star on Clemson’s defense. He would do wonders in Flores’ aggressive and ball-hawking defense.
17. Seattle Seahawks: Keldric Faulk
The Seahawks have been trying to rebuild their front seven tirelessly since the departures of cornerstones Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. In a 2026 draft class loaded with stud edge rushers, this could be the year for GM John Schneider to finally get his guy.
Seattle has “B”-level pass rushers like Leonard Williams, Boye Mafe, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Adding Faulk to the mix would help them close the gap with the Rams and 49ers in the NFC West.
18. Los Angeles Rams (From Atlanta Falcons): Drew Allar
The Rams have no pressing weaknesses, so this is the ideal opportunity to grab Matthew Stafford’s successor. We don’t know yet if Stafford will play in the 2026 NFL season, but Allar’s worth rolling the dice on regardless.
Ideally, Allar would learn behind Stafford for a year or two before taking over Sean McVay’s offense.
19. Denver Broncos: Antonio Williams
The Broncos still lack a proven No. 2 pass-catcher to complement Courtland Sutton. After investing most of their resources on defense in 2025, they can turn the focus on another weapon for Bo Nix.
Sutton’s not a kid anymore, either. Williams could potentially fill in Denver’s long-term WR1, which Sutton has held for seven years.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A.J. Harris
The Buccaneers’ pass D has been a problem for a few years now. Just imagine how special this defense could be if the secondary could complement the vaunted front seven.
The Bucs used a second-round pick on Benjamin Morrison last year, but AJ Harris has a higher upside and would fill in as a capable starter right away. There’s another weapon for Bowles to help Antoine Winfield Jr. in the secondary.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Fernando Mendoza
The quarterback run-on in round one continues.
Aaron Rodgers has already clarified that 2025 is likely his final season in the NFL. The 2026 free agent class is weak on signal-callers, so the Steelers should turn to the QB-heavy draft to get their long-term guy.
If Rodgers retires, Pittsburgh could always find a bridge QB for 2026 and have Mendoza sit for a year or two. The bottom line is that GM Omar Khan has to address the most important position if the board falls in his favor.
22. Washington Commanders: Denzel Boston
As consistent as Terry McLaurin is, he can’t single-handedly elevate an offense like top-tier receivers…AKA Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Malik Nabers.
So, finding another weapon to take some pressure off McLaurin and Jayden Daniels is necessary. Boston is a potent deep threat who’d do wonders in an offense with Daniels’ dual-threat style and ability to extend plays.
23. Indianapolis Colts: Mansoor Delane
If Daniel Jones keeps this hot start up, the Colts won’t be searching for a new quarterback next year. They’re mostly set on offense and have one of the NFL’s deepest front sevens, so the only logical option here is to take the best remaining cornerback.
LSU corner Mansoor Delane would give Indy its most talented corner since the late Vontae Davis. Delane can hold his own against top receivers in the AFC South like Nico Collins, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Hunter.
24. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Banks
The 49ers used their 2025 first-round pick on Mykel Williams to give Nick Bosa much-needed support in the pass rush department. But you can’t have too many stud defensive linemen in this league, and Banks is tailor-made for Robert Saleh’s defense.
25. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love
The Chiefs’ offense hasn’t been the well-oiled machine we’ve been accustomed to for a few years now. The lack of a real game-changing running back hasn’t helped, so it’d be nice to see GM Brett Veach take a chance on the Notre Dame star here.
The Chiefs can’t keep relying on Patrick Mahomes’ arm, and Isiah Pacheco will likely price himself out and head to free agency. Take the shot at Love here and give Mahomes a real workhorse R once and for all.
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Matayo Uiagalelei
With Khalil Mack on a year-to-year basis, the Bolts will have to start thinking long-term on the defensive line. And we all know how much Jim Harbaugh prioritizes the trenches.
Oregon’s 6-foot-5, 272-pound edge rusher is a big-game player whose nastiness in the trenches will suit nicely in LA’s hard-hitting defense.
27. Detroit Lions: Connor Lew
This would line up perfectly for the Lions, who are still trying to find a solution at center following the shocking retirement of Frank Ragnow.
Auburn stalwart Connor Lew is unquestionably the best center prospect in this year’s draft class. Here’s a good ol’ plug-and-play guy to solidify the interior offensive line for Dan Campbell. Problem solved!
28. Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare
Davante Adams has come as advertised for the Rams, but he’s also on the wrong side of 30 and could decline any time. So it wouldn’t hurt the Rams to find another young pass-catching stud to help Puka Nacua over the long run.
Sean McVay is a top-tier offensive mind, but he’s yet to work with a tight end of Max Klare’s skill level. That changes here with a sneaky-good selection of the Ohio State tight end.
29. Philadelphia Eagles: Dillon Thieneman
The Eagles will be seeking upgrades at safety after trading away CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Texans. This class has lots of capable day-one starters, and if the board plays out this way, GM Howie Roseman will have hit another home run if he lands Thieneman.
Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell are already two of the league’s top shutdown corners. Add a Swiss Army Knife like Thieneman to the mix, and Vic Fangio’s defense will somehow get even scarier.
30. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Allen
As great as the Josh Allen-led offense is, it’s clear the Bills are still devoid of potential game-wreckers on defense to combat Patrick Mahomes.
Buffalo’s D has taken several steps back since Tremaine Edmunds left for the Bears in 2023 NFL free agency. CJ Allen is a do-it-all workhorse with a physical edge who’s played in his fair share of big games at Georgia.
Buffalo’s front seven needs a youth movement. It can start here with the selection of Allen.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Sadiq
Mark Andrews is most certainly not coming back to Baltimore next year, so this is the perfect chance to draft his successor. Zay Flowers is still the Ravens’ only real explosive pass-catcher, so let’s assign Jackson a dangerous red zone weapon to take some of the workload off him, Flowers, and Derrick Henry.
32. Dallas Cowboys (From Green Bay Packers): L.T. Overton
Why not double down on pass rushers? The Cowboys need ‘em.
Unless Jerry Jones makes a big splash in trade or free agency, he’d be wise to take two pass rushers in the early round. Kenny Clark, Overton, AND Bain Jr. would be a nice haul all in return for Parsons.
2026 NFL First Round Mock Draft For All 32 Picks: 2.0 (Early Season Edition)
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