We’re not even halfway through the 2025 NFL season, but already, many fan bases around the league are fixating on the prospects that could be available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft class has yet to take full shape yet, but there are plenty of players all over the country emerging as first-round targets, including a couple of quarterbacks who have come out of nowhere to become potential top-10 picks.
This 2026 NFL mock draft will look at the entire first round, with the order determined by our latest full NFL Power Rankings. Team needs will be determined by a number of factors, including pending roster holes due to free agency, best value by position on the board, and some of our understanding of how each individual team operates from a team-building perspective.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jets get a new franchise QB, pass rushers fly early
1. New York Jets: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
One thing has become abundantly clear through the first six weeks of the 2025 season: The New York Jets need a long-term option at quarterback. General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn have to get this one right. Fernando Mendoza came into this season with a ton of hype behind him as a big-name transfer, and he has absolutely delivered. And he just got his head coach paid at Indiana, too.
2. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
The Titans went to the Miami well of talent for their #1 overall pick in 2025, and here they go right back to that program for their top pick in 2026. Rueben Bain has been one of the most consistently disruptive EDGE players in the NFL, which would be huge for a Titans defense that needs both cornerstone pieces to build around and pass rush talent off the edge.
3. Cleveland Browns: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Cleveland Browns would probably be hoping for a college passer with more experience to fall into their laps here, but Dante Moore has been one of the hottest players in the country this year, and NFL teams never seem to get tired of betting on upside. Even with barely a dozen starts to his name, Moore has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks in college football this season, completing 72 percent of his throws.
4. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
I’d be a little surprised if the Baltimore Ravens didn’t turn things around, and essentially eliminate themselves from picking this high. But for the moment, it’s fun to think about, isn’t it? The Ravens always take advantage of their NFL Draft position, no matter where they pick, and getting one of the most NFL-ready defensive front players in Keldric Faulk would upgrade a unit that has been rough to start 2025.
5. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
There are many directions you could go here for the Dolphins. Do you take a quarterback off the board and send Tua Tagovailoa packing? Do you go after more talent to beef up the offensive or defensive line? Ultimately, replacing Tyreek Hill has got to be a top priority for this team. Jordyn Tyson has been a big play waiting to happen at Arizona State.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Part of me wants to go quarterback here for the Raiders, but I will reiterate what I’ve said in the past: I don’t know that Pete Carroll is interested in coaching a team with a young quarterback. If the Raiders decide to move on from Geno Smith, it might be in favor of another veteran option to try and push the chips all in while they can. In that case, getting the most disruptive linebacker in the country could really help this team.
7. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I think the New Orleans Saints should give Spencer Rattler another year. There, I said it. Going into this season, the Saints were tabbed as the least talented team in the league, but I was one of the only ones pushing back on that. The Saints are better than their record indicates, but they need to get younger in a number of areas. Getting David Bailey, who leads all FBS rushers in pressure rate, would be awesome.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Just about every 2026 NFL mock draft we make is an opportunity to remind everyone that Cardinals starting right tackle Jonah Williams is a free agent after this season. I’m not sold on the idea that Kyler Murray is going to be the QB of this team much longer, but whoever is out there is going to need that offensive line to be taken care of, and the Cardinals get the first one off the board here.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Dallas Cowboys fans are going to head into the 2026 NFL Draft with exceedingly high expectations. The reason for that is simple: You traded Micah Parsons, now you’ve got to make it up to the fan base. Especially if Dallas finishes this low in the standings, the pressure will be high. Peter Woods looks like one of the defensive players in this upcoming class with a relatively high floor, and can upgrade a Cowboys front that needs help everywhere (not just off the edge).
10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
When you discover a franchise quarterback, you put as much talent as you possibly can around him. The New York Giants have to consider a number of positions here with this pick, including another receiver to pair with Malik Nabers (who will hopefully be back at the start of next season). Ultimately, we went with Mauigoa, an offensive lineman at Miami who looks like he could be a starter at right guard or right tackle at the next level.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
If the Joe Flacco experiment continues to go well, perhaps the Bengals will find themselves out of the discussion for one of the 10 worst teams in the NFL and into the playoff picture. Flacco played very well against the Steelers on Thursday night. But that Bengals defense was carved up by Aaron Rodgers, and they need help all over the place. Caleb Downs is arguably the best option by a wide margin still on the board, regardless of position.
12. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah
The renovations made on the Houston Texans’ offensive line are still taking some getting used to. In fact, it really doesn’t look like the renovation project is finished. The Texans overhauled this unit in the 2025 offseason, but there is still work to be done. Caleb Lomu is the Utes’ starter at left tackle but could play either side at the next level.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The cornerback position was one of our biggest concerns for the Minnesota Vikings heading into this season, but their top guys have played relatively well. Still, they desperately need young players at that position and Mansoor Delane wouldn’t even have to change colors. The former Virginia Tech transfer has been downright dominant at LSU this season.
14. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Los Angeles Rams are run extremely well by general manager Les Snead, who is equipped with two first-round picks in next year’s draft. I would be shocked if he didn’t use one of them on the cornerback position, which is one of the only position groups on his roster that looks like it’s been neglected a little bit. Getting AJ Terrell’s little brother would upgrade this team’s secondary in a big way.
15. Carolina Panthers: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Carolina Panthers are still in a discovery phase with their roster right now on both sides of the ball, including off the edge, but this remains one of the most obvious needs long-term for GM Dan Morgan. If the Panthers can come away from the first round of next year’s draft with one of the top three or four edge guys on their board, it will be huge for them. TJ Parker was projected at one point as a sure-fire top-5 pick.
16. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
And just like that, we’re back like we never left. Jeremiyah Love is one of the most oft-projected players to the Bears in 2026 NFL mock drafts for obvious reasons, and here he is again. The Ben Johnson offense can really take off with a dynamic presence at running back, and Love is exactly that. His ability to play all three downs will make him a coveted offensive weapon in round one next year.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
At this point, it’s difficult to know whether or not this is truly Travis Kelce’s last year. In 2024, Kelce looked like he was having a pretty substantial down year, to the point that many were wondering if Father Time was coming to collect. Kelce has, to his credit, rebounded tremendously this year. The Chiefs could still draft his heir apparent, though, with Kenyon Sadiq being the absolute perfect fit.
18. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns got themselves a quarterback earlier in this mock draft, so it only makes sense for them to go after some help for him. The wide receiver position has become very interesting for the Browns with Jerry Jeudy having a horrendous 2025 campaign and the next most-targeted receiver on the roster being (checks notes) Isaiah Bond. Carnell Tate would be an absolute gift in the middle of the first round.
19. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Trent Williams might be able to play at an elite level until he’s 45 years old at this rate, but at some point, the 49ers are going to have to get themselves an heir apparent at left tackle. Many thought that could happen in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the 49ers took Mykel Williams and emphasized defense instead. Kadyn Proctor has a lot to work on, but being an understudy for Williams – even for a short time – could jumpstart his professional career.
20. Los Angeles Chargers: LT Overton, EDGE/DL, Alabama
The Los Angeles Chargers need help all over the defensive front, both on the interior and off the edge. I think Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter will absolutely love Alabama’s LT Overton in the draft process, someone who has outstanding burst off the line and can play a variety of positions up front.
21. New England Patriots: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Even with the play of Stefon Diggs so far this year, as well as the emergence of some other guys, Drake Maye needs more weapons. Every time a wide receiver’s name is mentioned in trade rumors, we’re seeing New England Patriots fans jump on Twitter/X and make comments about how that player should be on New England’s radar. The ideal solution for the long term may just be to find a stud in the draft, like USC’s Makai Lemon.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Leading up to the 2025 NFL trade deadline, I think we’re going to hear a lot about the Philadelphia Eagles in connection with pass rushers. The Eagles lost a lot of guys on their defensive front in the 2025 offseason, and it’s clear they haven’t effectively replaced them. Especially with Za’Darius Smith retiring in the middle of the year. Cashius Howell has been dominating for Texas A&M this season off the edge, racking up 8 sacks and counting this season so far.
23. Denver Broncos: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Denver Broncos will be excited to see Dre Greenlaw hit the field, but whenever that happens, it’ll be the first time this season. Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton are both free agents after the year, and with Greenlaw’s long-term health a question mark, the off-ball linebacker position should be near the top of the Broncos’ priority list. Sonny Styles is a former safety with the type of toughness and physicality that will fit right in with Denver’s defense.
24. Washington Commanders: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
In terms of overall roster building, the Washington Commanders have taken a “Moneyball” approach to their edge rusher group the last couple of years. GM Adam Peters knows he has to get some cornerstone pieces there, and Joshua Josephs could be exactly that. Josephs is making his first-round debut in my 2026 NFL mock draft series, and ranks in the top 10 in the country so far this season in pass rush win rate/pressure percentage.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
In a draft class that is loaded at the linebacker position, there might not be a more fun fit than Texas superstar prospect Anthony Hill Jr. with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald. We’ve seen Maconald’s scheme be extremely favorable for players like this in the past, and Hill’s versatility could make him an instant Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in this type of situation. I love this player-team fit more than most.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Another week, another quarterback making his debut in our first-round mock drafts. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has been playing extremely well for Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb at Alabama, completing nearly 71 percent of his throws with 16 touchdowns and just 1 interception so far this season. The Rams continue to be an intriguing landing spot for 1st-round QBs thanks to Matthew Stafford’s future being a bit uncertain.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a quarterback in the first round might be a bit of a scary one for that fan base, but you can’t judge every incoming quarterback prospect based on the failure of Kenny Pickett. We normally have Sellers way higher in mock drafts, but opinions on him seem to be split. I like the idea of his fit with Arthur Smith and the structure of Pittsburgh’s roster around him.
28. Indianapolis Colts: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
The Indianapolis Colts spent a bunch of money to upgrade their secondary in the 2025 offseason, but Charvarius Ward has already been missing some time early this season. With how well Colton Hood has played this year, it would be surprising if he lasted this long, but you never know how the chips will fall in the draft. He has a knack for making plays on the ball and already has matched his personal best with six passes defensed this season.
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): R. Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
It would only be fitting if the Cowboys used this selection, received in the Micah Parsons trade, on an EDGE rusher. R Mason Thomas is a fourth-year player but a highly productive pass rusher with 13 sacks in his last 19 games. He is one of the best at the college level at converting speed into power, and he just plays with a relentless motor. The upgrades on the defensive front for the Cowboys in this mock draft are undeniable.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
We’ve seen the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get a little snake-bitten on the offensive side of the ball this year with injuries, especially at wide receiver and on the offensive line. With Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch both out right now, the need for depth there is even more pronounced. You can’t go wrong investing in offensive linemen early in the NFL Draft.
31. Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
One way or another, the Buffalo Bills are going to have to find ways in the 2026 offseason to make substantial upgrades to their defense. It’ll be interesting to see if their struggles persist and how long they actually stick with Bobby Babich calling the plays. That unit will get some reinforcements soon on the defensive line, but a playmaker at the second level like CJ Allen would be huge for them in the offseason.
32. Detroit Lions: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The last thing Detroit Lions fans probably want at this point is another potential injury risk at any position, but sometimes, value is too good to pass up on. The conversation around Jermod McCoy has mostly been that he’s a top prospect at the cornerback position. The only reason his value might be down is because he’s still coming back from a knee injury suffered in January. He could be the steal of the 1st round in this slot.