Even though the 2026 NFL Draft is an entire year away, that won't stop us from trotting out mock drafts. This first-round mock has QBs flying off the board. It does feel like on the surface that next year's NFL Draft will be much deeper at QB, which is great news for certain teams.
In today's NFL, as we all know and have seen, teams aren't going to win much without an above-average QB at least. And teams probably won't win Super Bowls without an elite QB. The 2026 NFL Draft could look a lot different than what this first-round mock will say, but you just never know if we end up being quite close here.
Let's dive into a 2026 NFL mock draft in which QBs fly off the board in Round 1.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks flying off the board In Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns - LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Cleveland Browns drafted two quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who join Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in the QB room. It's an interesting situation, but one thing is clear: this team very likely does not have a franchise QB in the building.
LaNorris Sellers is just oozing with potential and checks all of the physical boxes. He is firmly in the running to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is the first pick in our latest mock draft.
2. New York Jets - Arch Manning, QB, Texas
I have seen some people talk about whether or not Arch Manning would even declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, as quickly ascending to the NFL from college might not be something a "Manning" does.
It will be interesting to see if that actually comes true, but if he were to declare, he'd also be in the running to be the first overall pick. He heads to the New York Jets with the second pick in this mock draft.
3. New Orleans Saints - Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Another QB who could throw his hat into the mix in the 2026 NFL Draft is Cade Klubnik of Clemson. The New Orleans Saints did use a second-round pick on Tyler Shough in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Shough is not a slam-dunk prospect, and the Saints may not even have an idea where their QB position sits heading into 2025.
Derek Carr is apparently dealing with a shoulder injury, so it is not clear yet if he'll be ready for the start of the 2025 NFL Season. However, if the Saints end up picking third overall, it would be hard for the, in my opinion, to pass up on a first-round QB prospect, as there was not one available to them with pick nine in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Klubnik heads to the Saints with pick three in this NFL mock draft.
4. Tennessee Titans - Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
A top pass-rusher from Penn State? Yes, please! One team that could pick very high in the 2026 NFL Draft that may not take a QB is the Tennessee Titans, who used the first overall pick on Cam Ward this past draft. Ward is absolutely going to get every chance to be the guy, and the hope here is that the Titans do not rush anything and allow him the leash to develop.
Now yes, if Ward is historically bad and clearly not cutting it even as a rookie QB in the NFL, the Titans might already want to change course, but I doubt that will be the case. They'll look to bolster their defensive front and get nastier on defense in what could be a huge draft for the future of the franchise. Tennessee takes Dani Dennis-Sutton at pick four in this mock draft.
5. New York Giants - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The New York Giants are a mess, but they may have started to clean up some of their mess this past offseason when they used a first-round pick on Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft. Dart is not going to play immediately, as Russell Wilson is likely starting for them, but if nothing else, at least the Giants took a swing on a QB.
Heading into the 2025 NFL Season, Dart may end up red-shirting in his rookie season like other franchise QBs in the NFL have done. The Giants might hand the keys over to him in 2026, so fielding a top offensive line would be very important. That's a huge driving force in why we mocked Francis Mauigoa from Miami at pick five in this mock draft.
The Giants always seem to need another starting-caliber offensive lineman, and that might just be the case next April.
The New York Giants bolster their OL in this NFL mock draft.
6. Carolina Panthers - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
I could actually see the Carolina Panthers resetting at QB if they end up with the sixth overall pick, but Caleb Downs might be too good of a prospect for them to pass up. Furthermore, if the Panthers can't get a year three jump from Bryce Young, I could actually see this team trying to swing a veteran QB trade. I believe this because their roster is actually good on paper, so they may want to find a win-now solution.
Caleb Downs from Ohio State might be the best non-QB prospect heading into the new college football season and is already on pace to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Panthers make the move in this mock draft to draft him.
7. Indianapolis Colts - Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The Indianapolis Colts have a disastrous QB situation as we progress into the 2025 NFL Season, but they did draft Riley Leonard in the NFL Draft, and I am so serious when I say that Leonard may already be their best QB. That sounds insane, but it just might be true.
It's still likely that one of Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones is their Week 1 starter, so them finishing with a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is likely. In this case, we could see Indy blow it up in a way and part with long-time GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen.
A new front office might want to immediately make a push for a potential franchise QB, so they take a stab at Garrett Nussmeier from LSU at pick seven in our recent NFL mock draft.
Would this be the right move for the Colts?
8. Cleveland Browns - Kadyn Proctor, QB, Alabama
Remember, the Cleveland Browns will have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, as they were able to get the first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars due to them trading down three spots into the Jags original slot at pick five. The Browns missed out on Travis Hunter but did still draft a blue-chip talent in Mason Graham from Michigan.
Well, the Browns use their second first-round pick on Kadyn Proctor, a top tackle prospect. If you told Browns fans that their first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft were LaNorris Sellers and Proctor, they might absolutely take that right now. It would be a wise move for this franchise to prioritize the most important the positions on a football field.
Kadyn Proctor heads to the Browns at pick eight in this 2026 NFL mock draft.
9. Las Vegas Raiders - Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Geno Smith this past offseason, but Smith is not a franchise QB, so the Raiders should operate as if they have that need. Them picking ninth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft should tell the front office that an upgrade at QB needs to happen. Well, Drew Allar is there for the taking and is already the fifth QB taken within the first nine picks.
It should be a QB rich draft, and with three franchise QBs in the AFC West already, the Raiders have to join the party at some point if they want to actually contend within the division, let alone the entire AFC.
Drew Allar is the pick for Vegas in this mock draft.
10. Los Angeles Rams - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Los Angeles Rams are another team that currently has two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, as the Atlanta Falcons shockingly traded their first-round pick next year to move back up in the first round for James Pearce Jr, a pass rusher from Tennessee.
It does not seem like a great move for Atlanta, but the Rams are not complaining, and the Falcons may have given the Rams some ammunition to actually move up in the 2026 NFL Draft for a future franchise QB. For now, though, we will draft as if the Rams do not have to address their QB situation quite yet.
They'll use the Atlanta Falcons original first-round pick on Peter Woods, a defensive tackle from Clemson, and this pick would fall right in line with what positions this front office has prioritized lately. GM Les Snead and his colleagues have done a stellar job at rebuilding this defense with young, explosive talent along the DL.
That should not change next draft.
11. Arizona Cardinals - DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado
The Arizona Cardinals have really done a nice job at rebuilding their defensive front this offseason, adding players like Walter Nolen, Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Calais Campbell. As of now, it is hard to see a clear weakness on the defensive side of the ball, but a future need at cornerback could be on the table.
Offensively, this unit has no more excuses. If Kyler Murray is for sure their future leader, he's got to hit his stride and maintain it in 2025. Marvin Harrison Jr is returning for a crucial year two, and the offensive line is good on paper. The Cardinals picking 11th in the 2026 NFL Draft would be a regression, but here we are.
They'll use the 11th pick in this mock draft on CB DJ McKinney from Colorado to help out their secondary. However, I would not sleep on this team from winning the division in 2025.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
The Dallas Cowboys have been searching for a second viable wide receiver for a while now. Could Jalen Tolbert hit his stride in 2025? Perhaps...
However, Dallas may have a hard time passing up Antonio Williams at pick 12 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Williams could compliment CeeDee Lamb nicely and might finally be the missing link to this offense.
A first-round need at running back might actually be present as well, but it is typically easier to find starting RB production than it is WR production.
In 2025, the Cowboys seemed to come away with a great class, using their first-round pick on Alabama guard Tyler Booker. This coming season could be huge for Dak Prescott as well, but if he is still in the picture in 2026, he'd surely love another weapon on offense.
13. Miami Dolphins - Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
This could be a very crucial season for the Miami Dolphins, as this team has had all the talent in the world but has not seen the success that comes with it. Much of their lack of success could be attributed to Tua Tagovailoa, their good-not-great QB who struggles to stay on the field.
It's actually a double-whammy in that he is injury prone and also isn't an elite QB. Well, the Dolphins could keep putting an emphasis on the trenches even in the 2026 NFL Draft. Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon could be a nice first-round pick for them, as they took Michigan DT Kenneth Grant in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Even if a new regime enters Miami in 2026, the trenches is never a bad place to start by any means. I would also not be shocked if some trade chatter with Tagovailoa started if 2025 didn't go all that well.
14. New England Patriots - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The New England Patriots potentially going from the fourth pick to the 14th pick would be a huge sign of a positive season. The Patriots took Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and may have done enough on offense to help Drake Maye take another leap.
They could be in a position to load up the roster and take the best player available in the 2026 NFL Draft. That might be Rueben Bain Jr, one of the best pass rushers in the country.
With Mike Vrabel being a defensive head coach, he might pound the table for some blue-chip talent on that side of the ball. The New England Patriots could be a frisky team in 2025 and may be better than you think.
15. Seattle Seahawks - Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
The Seattle Seahawks absolutely got worse this offseason, and that could translate onto the field in the 2025 NFL Season. Sam Darnold might be an upgrade over Geno Smith, but everthing else is questionable.
Mike Macdonald was able to lead this team to 10 wins in 2024, so we know he can coach, but much of the players who were there last year are gone, so it's clearly been a new era of Seattle football.
They could keep that up and draft cornerback Will Lee III from Texas A&M and continue to stack their secondary with young talent. Of note, the Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe in the 2025 NFL Draft, so they may have just set the stage for the future at that position.
Being that they can cut Sam Darnold after just one season, this team might take another bold path in 2026.
16. Chicago Bears - Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
The Chicago Bears have really done a nice job with this roster over the last few offseasons, adding players like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland. This offense truly has no excuses entering 2025.
Ben Johnson is now the head coach and will be tasked with trying to get the most out of Caleb Williams. The one area where they could stand to improve in the future, though is at running back, as D'Andre Swift does not appear to be their long-term answer. Heck, he could be on the trade block as we speak.
Someone who should be the RB1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Nicholas Singleton of Penn State, and this RB class is not nearly as deep at last year's, so that might give the Bears every reason to use their first-round pick on him.
17. Houston Texans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Houston Texans definitely had an active offseason, and it seems like GM Nick Caserio is never afraid to make roster changes. The main issue with the team in the 2024 NFL Season was their poor offensive line play, so they definitely added players to that unit.
The wide receiver room, which began the year as a strength, ended up being a weakness as both Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell went down with season-ending injuries, and Diggs signed with the New England Patriots in free agency.
However, we’ll take a different approach in this 2026 NFL mock draft and give the Houston Texans Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. Joe Mixon had a good season in 2024, but he’s getting up there in age, and a regression could be on the horizon.
Houston being able to field an elite run game could help CJ Stroud and the rest of the offense for years to come.
18. Minnesota Vikings - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Hats off to the Minnesota Vikings front office for building this roster up, as it’s quite good and might be one JJ McCarthy away from being a contender. The big headlining move for the Vikings this offseason was letting Sam Darnold leave in free agency to sign with the Seattle Seahawks.
Even in a year where Darnold threw over 30 touchdowns and led the team to 14 wins, they didn’t feel comfortable keeping him around. It’s McCarthy’s turn. Well, if he ends up being a hit, the Vikings may not have many issues to deal with on offense next draft cycle.
They could simply take whoever they want, and perhaps TJ Parker could be the guy for them. The defensive line is a hugely important unit, so adding bodies to it whenever possible is a good idea.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers - Eli Holstein, QB, Pittsburgh
The most Steelers thing ever would be them again using a first-round pick on another Pittsburgh QB. They do that here in this NFL mock draft with Eli Holstein, who began his career at Alabama. The Pittsburgh Steelers did use a late-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Will Howard, so they at least took a swing on someone, but it’s not likely that Howard makes it in the NFL as a franchise passer.
Historically, late-round QBs do not. The Steelers may also still be holding out hope that Aaron Rodgers decides to sign with them, but even if he does, them picking 19th overall would still be on the table.
Pittsburgh has to figure out the QB position if they want to get out of this rut of winning nine or 10 games and losing in the Wild Card Round. Perhaps Eli Holstein can be that answer for them.
20. Denver Broncos - Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
With seven tackles for loss and 76 total tackles in 2024 for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Deontae Lawson could find himself hearing his name called in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Denver Broncos might just be a fit. Their defensive line could actually be a huge priority for them next offseason with the expected free agents, but they did draft two young DL pieces in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The linebacking unit could use some young talent, as their projected starters are Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw, who they signed in free agency. Greenlaw could be here for a few years, but he does come with an injury history.
The Broncos could put the finishing touches on another elite defense with Deontae Lawson at pick 20 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
I don’t know about you, but I am a bit shocked that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their first-round pick on a wide receiver - they took Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State at pick 19 in the 2025 NFL Draft and have pick 21 in this 2026 NFL mock draft.
Tampa does have more of a long-term question on defense in my opinion, so I went with linebacker CJ Allen from Georgia here. Tampa again won the NFC South in the 2024 NFL Season but did lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Washington Commanders.
I have said this many times - the Buccaneers are a good-not-great team that does need a few high-end players get over the hump and become a legitimate contender in the NFC for years to come.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Los Angeles Chargers used the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on North Carolina running back, Omarion Hampton. They again have the 22nd overall pick in our latest NFL mock draft and will address the defensive side of the ball now with Mansoor Delane, a cornerback from LSU.
The Chargers did add some notable talent to the offensive side of the ball this offseason, and while the offense was efficient in 2024, it wasn’t explosive. If LA can field an explosive offense in 2025, it actually might turn the front office’s attention back to the defensive side of the ball, where reinforcements in the secondary could be had.
Delane to the Chargers in this mock draft. LA won 11 games in the 2024 NFL Season, more than doubling their win total from 2023. However, they got throttled in the first round of the NFL Playoffs against CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans.
23. Green Bay Packers - Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
Right now, it does seem like Jaire Alexander returning to the Green Bay Packers is on the table. For much of the 2025 NFL Offseason, a divorce seemed likely. Well, even if Alexander does return, he would not be here for the long-term and would still present an eventual CB need.
The Packers are another one of those teams who are good-not-great, so we’ll see if they can make any progress in the loaded NFC North in 2025. I happen to think that they can, since the Minnesota Vikings are turning to a de-facto rookie QB, and the Detroit Lions lost both of their coordinators to head coaching jobs.
What Green Bay wants is right in front of them, so if they can’t get it done, it won’t be anyone’s fault but their own. In this 2026 NFL mock draft, we have them bolstering an already good secondary with Domani Jackson from Alabama.
24. Los Angeles Rams - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Los Angeles Rams have been among the best teams in the NFL at drafting over the recent half-decade or so. They’ve totally rebuilt their defensive line and have hit on a ton of players. All of a sudden, much of this roster is quite young and looks a lot different than the superteam they assembled in the 2021 NFL Season.
GM Les Snead hopes to keep this up with Dillon Thieneman, a safety from Oregon. The Rams could use more secondary help, and they could also use a legitimate enforcer at inside linebacker, but we have them addressing safety here in this mock draft.
With Matthew Stafford back in the mix for the 2025 NFL Season, the Rams again figure to be a Super Bowl contender. How much longer will Stafford play, though?
25. San Francisco 49ers - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The San Francisco 49ers were apparently offered a second-round pick for George Kittle, but turned it down. If you ask me, that is horrific roster-building from John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. Kittle is getting old and is clearly not going to be a long-term fixture for them at this point.
But they may have proved me wrong with a four-year extension for the tight end, as it seems like they still view the former Iowa Hawkeye as a crucial piece of their defense. The Niners have said goodbye to a ton of former veteran players this offseason, including Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, and Deebo Samuel.
This team is in a new era of football but still hope to compete and perhaps earn a Wild Card playoff spot. In this mock draft, they are actually picking 25th, so they did indeed make the postseason. With Brock Purdy likely getting an extension soon, the Niners will have to hit on some young players, so perhaps Jordyn Tyson, a WR from Arizona State, can be their next NFL Draft gem.
26. Cincinnati Bengals - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Stop me if you have heard this before: the Cincinnati Bengals need offensive line help. They did address the OL in the 2025 NFL Draft, but given that this team is poorly run, there will always be multiple notable roster holes. It’s unfortunate, but here we are.
The Bengals will be an elite team in 2025 if they can simply field an average defense, but that obviously was a challenge in 2024, as they ended up in a 4-8 hole at one point before winning five games in a row to end the season.
Cincy doesn’t address defense in this NFL mock draft, but they took a crucial position and grab Blake Miller, a tackle from Clemson.
Will we see the Bengals bouncing back in the 2025 NFL Season?
27. Washington Commanders - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Hats off to the Washington Commanders for the work they have done over the last year. GM Adam Peters has turned this team around in short order, as they hit on Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Daniels proceeded to carve out maybe the best rookie season in the history of the NFL.
Between the regular and postseason, the Commanders won 14 total games and added Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel via trade this offseason. It is clear that this team wants to make a run at the Super Bowl, and seeing as they did make it to the NFC Championship Game in 2024, a Super Bowl run is on the table.
They have the 27th pick in this 2026 NFL mock draft and will bolster their offensive line with Caleb Lomu from Utah. Offensive line isn’t always a sexy pick, and they used a first-round pick on Josh Conerly Jr in 2025, but it’s always a potential need.
28. Baltimore Ravens - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Taking Malaki Starks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens are serious about taking their defense to the next level. Starks will be a perfect chess piece next to Kyle Hamilton, one of the best safeties in the NFL.
The Ravens have not won multiple games in the postseason since the 2012 campaign, when they won the Super Bowl. It’s truly been that long, and at some point, we have to talk about maybe the head coach being the primary issue.
Maybe no one wants to outwardly say it yet, but has John Harbaugh maxed himself out in Baltimore? Would it be time for some fresh blood? The answer might be yes, but I do not anticipate Harbaugh going anywhere.
The Ravens will continue stacking talent and take linebacker Sonny Styles from Ohio State in our latest mock draft.
29. Detroit Lions - Harold Perkins Jr, LB, LSU
We have said this before, but if not for some brutal defensive injuries in the 2024 NFL Season, we might be talking about the Detroit Lions having won the Super Bowl. When healthy, in my view, this is the best roster in the NFL. GM Brad Holmes has done a sensational job in the NFL Draft, as he’s hit on a ton of players.
It’s actually to the point where he’s done so well in the draft that he legitimately may not be able to pay all of his draft successes. That isn’t a bad problem, as it tells us that they have a great front office process.
Perhaps Harold Perkins Jr can be the next first-round success for the Holmes regime in Detroit. The Lions might actually have a notable wide receiver need in a year, but it does feel like the defense has typically always needed more help, so that’s the route we will go in this mock draft.
Perkins to the Lions at pick 29.
30. Buffalo Bills - Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Taking Maxwell Hairston in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills make it two years in a row with a first-round CB and grab Tacario Davis from Washington. The Bills are yet another team who simply cannot get over the hump in the NFL playoffs.
They lost to the Kansas City Chiefs (again) in the AFC Championship Game. For all of 2024, the Bills had the better roster, better QB, and were simply the better team, period. It makes you then wonder what this team is going to need to defeat the ‘bad guys’ going forward.
GM Brandon Beane made a huge investment in the defensive line, which is a great place to start, but even with their secondary additions this offseason, another huge need on the backend might still be present in the 2026 NFL Draft.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Kansas City Chiefs are picking 31st overall in this 2026 NFL mock draft, and they go with Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk, who had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2024 as a sophomore. He’s already got the upside and the production, so this could end up being a massive get for the Chiefs a year from now.
The Chiefs used their first-round pick on Josh Simmons, a tackle from Ohio State, and if not for a brutal knee injury, Simmons would have gone a lot higher, so methinks the Chiefs got themselves a future left tackle, and a legitimate one at that.
It’s needed, as in both of their Super Bowl losses, Patrick Mahomes was running for his life. They got brutalized and spit out by the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LIX in what was a truly embarrassing performance.
We’ll see if the OL can be more stable in 2025, but they did trade Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, so they are down their best OL heading into the new season.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The defending Super Bowl champions will obviously look to become one of the handful of NFL franchises to win two Super Bowls in a row. This is their second title under GM Howie Roseman, who has been among the best in the NFL for years and is already a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Roseman has had to re-do the defensive side of the ball a bit this offseason, as Milton Williams and Josh Sweat left in free agency, and they traded CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans. Oddly enough, I could see a major WR move on the horizon as well, as both DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown have been coexisting nicely, but it would not shock me if one of them was moved next offseason for some cap relief.
The Eagles could try to replenish the room with WR Denzel Boston from Washington, perhaps not missing a beat on offense.
There you have it, a 2026 NFL mock draft, highlighting the first round.