One month of the 2025 NFL season is already down, which means a number of fan bases already have one eye on the 2026 NFL Draft.
There is still plenty of time left for teams to turn things around, but as we get into the month of October, we’ve been getting breakout seasons from prospects at the college level, and it’s hard not to be tempted to look toward the future.
In our latest 2026 NFL mock draft, we’re taking a closer look at some of those prospects on the rise, including some new quarterbacks who have entered the early 1st-round mix. If nothing else, this will give a good look at a stock report on where some prospects are at lately, and what each team’s needs are looking like after the first month of the season.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Rueben Bain goes #1, new QBs to the Browns and Rams
1. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
The Tennessee Titans thankfully already have their quarterback of the future, or at least they believe that Cam Ward can be the face of the franchise. The rest of this roster needs a lot of work, however, and general manager Mike Borgonzi knows it.
The Titans could very well be a major seller at the NFL trade deadline and we’ll see this roster get worse before it gets better. Getting a premier talent off the edge is essential, and Rueben Bain has been outstanding this season. Back-to-back years with the Titans taking a Hurricanes prospect in the top spot.
2. New York Jets: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Very few quarterbacks have been gaining the kind of steam that we’ve seen from Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza over the course of the last six months or so. Mendoza is a transfer from Cal who has been a nice spark for the Hoosiers program. He got a tough test last week on the road against Phil Parker’s Iowa Hawkeyes defense, but he has #1 overall pick stuff.
If the Jets finish this high in the 2026 NFL Draft order, GM Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn will absolutely be on the hunt for the team’s next franchise QB.
3. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
I don’t want to use the word “nepotism” in a situation like this, but you can’t help but wonder if Doug Nussmeier is still on the Saints’ staff after this season and they’re in position to take his son, does it really make the most sense? It just might.
Not only is Nussmeier one of the most consistent projected 1st-round QBs right now, but he’s going to be impressive in the pre-draft process as the son of a coach who will be able to break anything down on the whiteboard. The Saints have gotten some glimpses from Spencer Rattler, but Kellen Moore and his staff will want to pick their own QB if they finish with this bad of a record.
4. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Another prospect who has been on the rise all throughout the course of the 2025 season so far is Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, whose big-play ability is exactly what the Miami Dolphins need right now. The Dolphins just lost Tyreek Hill to an ugly injury, and I would be shocked if Hill ever played for the Dolphins again.
If Miami finishes this poorly, they’re probably going to strip things down to the studs and I wouldn’t be surprised if the quarterback position ends up part of that conversation as well.
5. Cleveland Browns: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Not only are we seeing Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore emerge as a 1st-round player for the 2026 NFL Draft, but we might be seeing him emerge as a possible top-5 overall pick. Moore has been outstanding this season, and his showing in a hostile environment last week against Penn State really pushed him up the draft board even further. The Cleveland Browns would love to build their franchise around someone with a bit of a higher floor than they’ve had in the past.
At least now, the Browns will get a closer look at Dillon Gabriel to make as informed of a decision about the future as they possibly can.
6. Carolina Panthers: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
At this rate, it’s looking like the best possible outcome for both the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young is a parting of ways after this season. We’ll see how the rest of the year progresses, but I’m less convinced by the week that the Panthers have their franchise QB of the future.
Dave Canales did not pick Bryce Young, he was given Bryce Young. If the Panthers choose Canales over Young, they’ve got to let him pick his own guy. And here, they give the fans a little bit of fan service by taking the dynamic LaNorris Sellers right out of their own backyard.
7. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The early run on quarterbacks gives the Cincinnati Bengals a chance to capitalize on some of the top defensive players falling in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, and that’s precisely what they do. Maybe they can get this guy signed before training camp? All kidding aside, if the Bengals could land a prospect the caliber of Peter Woods, it would go a long way toward revamping their defensive front, which is likely to lose Trey Hendrickson this offseason.
8. Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Las Vegas Raiders probably can’t afford to be picky about what defensive player falls to them in this pick slot. Head coach Pete Carroll is there for a good time, not a long time. The personnel defensively for the Raiders right now is a hodge-podge of failed former first-round picks and “my guys” for the coaching staff and front office. Caleb Downs could be a nice building block for them.
9. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The New York Giants seem very excited about the early returns on the Jaxson Dart investment, and they should be. Dart is a talented young player who could end up being the franchise QB this team has lacked since they drafted Eli Manning. Something they will need desperately is help on the offensive line for Dart. Starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is a free agent after the year, and it doesn’t seem like the Giants are going to be banking too much on former first-rounder Evan Neal.
10. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The dust has yet to settle on the CB1 discussion for the 2026 NFL Draft, but LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is looking like a strong candidate at this point. For the Los Angeles Rams, the cornerback position is arguably the biggest need on the roster, and with the way Matthew Stafford has been playing, they can keep building around him with blue-chip guys on both sides of the ball.
11. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
At one point, it looked like this offensive line class was going to be otherworldly. As the season has gone along, it looks like it might be one of the biggest disappointments of the year so far. Either way, the Houston Texans can’t really afford to be picky at this point. They just traded Cam Robinson to the Browns, and the overhaul of their offensive line has continued. Houston’s handling of the offensive line has been a disappointment given CJ Stroud’s simultaneous regression, so they need to keep investing.
12. New England Patriots: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
We’ve gotten the progression from Drake Maye early on this season that many had hoped to see, but the Patriots clearly still have some work to do when it comes to getting help around him. Denzel Boston is a big-bodied receiver whose red zone production is reason enough for the Patriots to bring him in, but this guy’s physicality in the run game will endear him to a coach like Mike Vrabel as well.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Well, we talked about the fact that this year’s offensive line class has been underwhelming on the field, but that doesn’t mean NFL teams are going to be taking these guys off their boards. When it comes to big men who can move, teams will bet on traits. The Arizona Cardinals have Jonah Williams set to hit NFL free agency in 2026 and could be looking for a new starting right tackle. Kadyn Proctor has the ability to be a long-time starter in the NFL, and some team is going to take a chance on that potential, even if he’s struggled a bit this season.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Alright, let’s throw a little bit of a twist in here. The Chicago Bears are usually the team that gets Jeremiyah Love in these 2026 NFL mock draft projections, but here, we’ve got a division rival getting to him first. Love has been one of the most dynamic playmakers in all of college football and would add a huge element to the Vikings’ offense. The Vikings are going to have to move on from Aaron Jones soon, and who knows if Jordan Mason will be considered a featured option. The running game needs a jolt for Kevin O’Connell.
15. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
It doesn’t matter what level of the defense you want to see them address; the Dallas Cowboys have to do something about the product we’ve seen on the field for the first month of the season. After trading Micah Parsons to the Packers, the Cowboys obviously created a bit of a hole themselves, so they’ve got to nail their upcoming picks in the draft. Keldric Faulk has some great size and versatility to move around the defensive front and be a weapon.
16. Chicago Bears: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
The Chicago Bears have been projected to take a running back in the last 800 mock drafts we’ve made, so let’s go a different direction for a change. When Ben Johnson was with the Detroit Lions, they obviously had the two-headed monster of Montgomery and Gibbs at the running back position, but those guys benefited from an absolutely elite offensive line. Jonah Jackson isn’t a long-term piece for the Bears and Francis Mauigioa can play guard if needed.
17. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This would be a godsend for the Denver Broncos, who have gotten almost nothing so far this season from free agent acquisition Evan Engram. The Broncos clearly want to go young at just about every position on the roster, and Kenyon Sadiq is the most dynamic tight end in the country right now. He’s also a physical and willing blocker. This would be an ideal fit for Denver in the 2026 NFL Draft.
18. San Francisco 49ers: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
As many injuries as we’ve seen for the 49ers in recent years, I’m not sure this would be as much of a luxury as a necessity. The 49ers moved on from Deebo Samuel in the 2025 offseason, and they’ve yet to see Brandon Aiyuk on the field. Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings have both missed time. It might be time to do a little bit of a reset at the receiver position, and Tate could be the next great Ohio State prospect.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Browns took a quarterback prospect earlier in this 2026 NFL mock draft, and here they get him some help on their already elite defense. The Browns might prefer to have a top-tier offensive line prospect available to them here, but they probably wouldn’t scoff at the chance to strengthen a strength. TJ Parker has been widely projected as a top-flight EDGE player over the last six months, so getting him to add even more talent in the pass rush department could create a lot of extra opportunities for a young QB.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
At some point, the Steelers are going to need to hit the reset button all over the roster. They have one of the oldest teams in the entire league, and so far, things are going okay for them. But the quarterback position will be in focus this offseason, and I’m guessing Pittsburgh’s higher ups are going to think too highly of the roster to take whatever QB is left at this point. Upgrading the cornerback position could be next in the priority order, possibly right alongside getting younger at receiver.
21. Washington Commanders: Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
If there’s one team that is hoping the first round is going to be saturated with pass rush prospects, it’s got to be the Washington Commanders. The Commanders have done a good job of creating pass rush so far under head coach Dan Quinn, but they need better personnel, and a young player like Rhodes could be exactly what they need. He’s been one of the best pass rushers in the country so far this season with five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
A program like Ohio State is always going to draw attention, but this team is cranking out pro prospects like never before. This guy is a game-changing player for any defense with his ability to attack the line of scrimmage, stack-and-shed, as well as be a quarterback spy. He’s got the ability to make it feel like you’ve got 12 guys on your defense. The Colts will love his traits and instant impact potential.
23. Seattle Seahawks: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Seahawks have gone after Sonny Styles in back-to-back mock drafts, and in this instance, they make it Ohio State linebackers with back-to-back picks. Sonny Styles has been a productive three-down player for the last three years at Ohio State, and is a converted safety whose athleticism will be perfect for what Mike Macdonald has historically coveted at the linebacker position. The NFL doesn’t usually prioritize off-ball linebackers in the first round, but this could be a unique year.
24. Baltimore Ravens: LT Overton, EDGE/DL, Alabama
You can almost always take it to the bank that the Baltimore Ravens are going to find great value at every juncture of the NFL Draft, and this would be no different. In a year where there might be a lack of truly “elite” EDGE prospects at the top end, someone like LT Overton could fly under the radar. A hybrid player like Overton would have previously been classified as a “tweener” by the NFL, but his versatility can help a team like the Ravens, who love drafting Crimson Tide prospects.
25. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
There will be a lot of hype around this selection because it’s the first pick the Dallas Cowboys will make after trading away Micah Parsons. I would be shocked if they used this selection to do anything but upgrade their defensive front. The Cowboys already landed Keldric Faulk earlier on in this 2026 NFL mock draft, and here they get another powerhouse product from the SEC in Caleb Banks. Banks has some off-field questions working agianst him, but the talent is there to be a top-15 player overall.
26. Kansas City Chiefs: AJ Harris, CB, Penn State
There are a lot of directions we could see the Kansas City Chiefs go in next year’s NFL Draft. The Chiefs could be looking at a full-scale rebuild of their offensive skill positions, so seeing them go on the offensive side of the ball wouldn’t shock anyone. But the Chiefs’ calling card the past few years has been their defense, and they need to keep investing on that side of the ball. AJ Harris would be the first-ever Penn State defensive back taken in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, believe it or not.
27. Los Angeles Chargers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Los Angeles Chargers lost veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack to an injury, and might have major issues on both sides of the line of scrimmage despite their investments there in both free agency and the NFL Draft. The Chargers need more of a dynamic presence off the edge and with Mack hurt, the need for another player there is amplified. Cashius Howell has been a big-time pass rusher for the Aggies and is finally getting some hype after producing while he was at Bowling Green as well.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
All offseason, the talk around Tennessee’s program – at least for the 2026 NFL Draft – has revolved around cornerback Jermod McCoy. As McCoy has slowly made his way back from an injury suffered back in January, another force has emerged for the Vols program. Colton Hood has been phenomenal so far this season after transferring from Colorado, breaking up five passes in five games and already racking up a pair of defensive touchdowns. He’s a tremendous playmaker and a great value late in the 1st round.
29. Los Angeles Rams: John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season is truly the mark of something special, as all of Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, Dillon Gabriel, Spencer Rattler, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams will be starting for different NFL teams. It’s time we acknowledge, perhaps that Oklahoma is “QBU” as far as the NFL is concerned. And John Mateer called next. The Los Angeles Rams could be the ideal NFL fit for Mateer, whose gamer mentality plays perfectly with Sean McVay’s style. He could be the ideal heir apparent to Matthew Stafford.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Philadelphia Eagles make it back-to-back Oklahoma players, and back-to-back prospects making their respective debuts in the 1st round of our 2026 NFL mock draft series. R Mason Thomas is a pressure machine off the edge, and brings a great combination of speed and physicality. He might not have the measurables to land in the top-20 overall picks, but a situation like the Eagles suits him perfectly. He can thrive in the Vic Fangio defense, especially early on as a rotational player.
31. Detroit Lions: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
We already know the Detroit Lions are not concerned with anyone’s thoughts on positional value when it comes to the NFL Draft, so they would not be afraid to take yet another off-ball linebacker early in the NFL Draft like they did with Jack Campbell a few years back. Alex Anzalone may not be in Detroit much longer, and Anthony Hill is an absolute baller who flies around the field, living behind the line of scrimmage.
32. Buffalo Bills: Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a long history of producing NFL-caliber offensive linemen, and Gennings Dunker could be the latest stud prospect for them. Some outlets are split on what his current projection is, but with experience at right tackle as well as both guard positions, NFL teams could be salivating over the chance to get this guy in their program. The Bills have a lot of pending free agents on both sides of the line of scrimmage, so a player like Dunker could help them immediately at left guard if David Edwards is gone after the season.