It’s only the second week of the 2025 NFL season, but we’re already starting to see some needs for teams making themselves clearly known at this point. We’re also starting to see some fascinating prospects emerge quickly at the college level.
The 2026 NFL Draft looks like it’s going to be loaded on the offensive line, but teams will also be hunting for future franchise quarterbacks. The big question about the young quarterbacks right now is whether or not the players we expected to be 1st-round caliber actually are 1st-round caliber.
Using our latest 2025 NFL Power Rankings for the draft order, we’re taking another way-too-early look at the 1st round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Which teams are bold enough to take quarterbacks off the board early? Which teams cash in on the depth of the offensive line class? What needs are forming early on?
2026 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-round predictions after Week 1 action
1. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
We saw a decent debut in Week 1 for Spencer Rattler, and the jury’s still out on both him and Tyler Shough as franchise options going forward. If the Saints end up with the #1 overall pick, however, the decision on position will be easy. They will need to reset at quarterback. It feels like a good time to remind everyone that Garrett Nussmeier’s dad – Doug – is the offensive coordinator for the Saints right now.
2. Miami Dolphins: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
You could really go on either side of the line for the Dolphins here. We saw Miami go after Kenneth Grant with their top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and here they take Peter Woods to pair up with him. The Dolphins could be looking at a reset next offseason if they finish this poorly, and they would have needs all over both sides of the ball.
3. Carolina Panthers: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
If the Panthers finish with the 3rd-worst record in the league, there’s almost no scenario in which Bryce Young comes away completely unscathed. This bad of a finish would likely mean a hard reset at quarterback, though the Panthers also have so many needs right now on the defensive side of the ball.
4. New York Giants: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
We’ll see how the Giants handle the situation right now with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and the promising rookie Jaxson Dart. It seems likely we’ll see Dart sooner rather than later. If he can show the Giants something this year, they don’t need to be overly impatient. Get him some help on that offensive line and keep building.
5. Tennessee Titans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
If there was one thing that was very clear about the Titans’ debut against the Denver Broncos, it’s that they need help on the offensive line. Cam Ward was sacked six times by six different players, but it was one guy consistently getting beat: Dan Moore. And Steelers fans all around the world said in unison, “We told you so.” The Titans need to get a true solution at tackle for their QB.
6. New York Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The New York Jets hired former Denver Broncos executive Darren Mougey to their front office this offseason, and Mougey was in Denver during the Peyton Manning era. Here, as fate would have it, he gets to build his Jets team around the latest Manning to reach the NFL. Arch had a rough opener against Ohio State but bounced back in a big way. He’s got all of the talent and tools to be a franchise QB.
7. New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The New England Patriots have been expected to be one of the league’s biggest breakthrough teams this season, but Week 1 gave us some indicators that they have a long way to go. Obviously, they at least have pieces in place at critical positions with Drake Maye at QB, Will Campbell at left tackle, and Christian Gonzalez at cornerback. The edge rusher spot needs attention next, and Faulk might be the best in this class.
8. Seattle Seahawks: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
If the Seattle Seahawks truly want to see Sam Darnold succeed long-term, they are going to need to get him additional weapons to work with. Getting rid of a guy like DK Metcalf who can win vertically could turn out to be an extremely ill-advised move. Having a player like Jordyn Tyson, who is outstanding in the vertical passing game, paired up with Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be fantastic.
9. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
It would be just like the Browns to miss out on the top quarterback prospects in the class, but we’ll see how the rest of the year progresses. It’s not like quarterback is the only need on the offseason list for the Browns, it’s just the most significant one. Spencer Fano looks like he’ll be able to come into just about any NFL program and start at tackle immediately, and the Browns might have needs at both tackle positions.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys have multiple first-round picks to work with in next year’s draft, so they have some flexibility. If they are taking the best player on their board here, it’s hard to imagine it would be anyone other than Caleb Downs. He might get pushed down the draft order due to the way the league values the safety position, but he’s widely considered one of the four or five best players in this class overall.
11. Indianapolis Colts: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Early injuries this season have highlighted a potential long-term need for the Colts at the cornerback position. They also brought in Xavien Howard as a last-minute addition along with making a trade with the Vikings for Mekhi Blackmon, so you can tell this is a position they feel needs some attention. Jermod McCoy is working his way back from an injury in January, but still has the chance to be CB1 of the class.
12. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Get used to seeing the Chicago Bears take running backs in early 2026 NFL mock draft predictions. Especially if they have a chance to take the top back off the board, this is an area of the offense Ben Johnson is going to want to be way more dynamic in 2026. The Bears still have plenty of time to evaluate the guys they already have in-house, but I wouldn’t be shocked at a big-ticket free agent and high draft pick joining this roster next year.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Las Vegas Raiders will probably just take the best defensive player on their board in this scenario. New general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll inherited a roster that was already rough on defense, but then they let a lot of the most notable players go. It’s going to be a fun evaluation season with a number of former high draft picks and reclamation projects on that side of the ball. TJ Parker would be a great pairing with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby off the edge.
14. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
If the Browns are going to be convinced enough to take a quarterback in the 1st round, they’d probably just take him with their first pick and not risk it. But in this instance, they get their guy one way or the other. Fernando Mendoza, like many of the projected top QBs in this class, got off to a slower start, but bounced back in a big way the second week of the college season. He continues to be one of the most intriguing possible 1st-round talents in the country.
15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Houston Texans would probably love for this draft class to be top-heavy on the defensive line, but that’s not looking like it will be the case. They could very well find themselves in the mix for early offensive line help as well, but Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq might be too tantalizing to pass on here. He’s not only a dynamic pass-catching option, but physical in the running game as well.
16. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The biggest need on the Los Angeles Rams roster right now looks like the cornerback position. We’ll see where things go for them at the quarterback position long-term with Matthew Stafford’s health and retirement status seemingly always a question these days, but a corner like Avieon Terrell would be a great piece, and they have multiple 1st-round picks to play with anyway.
17. Minnesota Vikings: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Vikings got a great performance late in Week 1 from starting quarterback JJ McCarthy, who was making the first start of his NFL career in the regular season. McCarthy is likely going to need some more weapons after this season with the Vikings having to make some tough decisions in the near future about Jordan Addison’s long-term status with the team.
18. Detroit Lions: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
The Detroit Lions could be in for a long season if they can’t get back on track rather quickly. Picking this high in the first round would indicate they’ve missed out on the playoffs entirely. If that happens, you’d have to think the defense would be a big reason. The Lions need more help off the edge, and Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei has been one of the most impressive pass rushers in the country over the last two years.
19. Arizona Cardinals: Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn
One of the biggest pending free agents on the Arizona Cardinals roster is right tackle Jonah Williams. Williams could very well be re-signed by Arizona, but they also might look to cash in on the depth of this offensive line class regardless. Xavier Chaplin is still a bit rough around the edges as a prospect, but has great size and traits to be a future starter. The Auburn offensive line has a couple of guys who might be future 1st-round picks.
20. Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
This year has to be the final straw for Chiefs GM Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid. They’ve had so many issues on the field and off with their wide receiver position that it might be past time to reset. The Chiefs, frankly, could use an overhaul of their entire skill position groups next offseason. Hollywood Brown is better suited as a WR4 at this point in his career and nobody knows what the future holds for players like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
The Steelers have not gotten first-round production at this point out of their top pick in 2023, Broderick Jones. He seems to be the subject of discussion on a weekly basis, and as much as this team needs to figure out its long-term quarterback position, you can’t shoehorn someone into this slot. We’ll see if other quarterbacks emerge, but for now, it’s not a bad option for the Steelers to capitalize on the depth of this year’s offensive line crop.
22. San Francisco 49ers: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
When you watch Chris Bell play, you can see a lot of Deebo Samuel to his game. He’s a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-2, 227 pounds, and he can make plays in space. The 49ers would have probably preferred to keep Samuel if they weren’t having those contract issues, especially after seeing the impact he’s made early on for the Commanders. They reset the clock here and get another valuable weapon for the offense.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Buccaneers just don’t have many weaknesses on the roster right now overall. They’ve done a great job of reloading on both sides of the ball since winning the Super Bowl a few years back, as well as keeping guys around on second (and third) contracts. The one position they might want to get younger after this season is at linebacker, where Sonny Styles brings some fun playmaking ability. A former safety, Styles has great size, speed, and that heat-seeking missile mentality.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Even after using a first-round pick this past year on Shemar Stewart, the Bengals might be going right back to the well yet again in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Trey Hendrickson’s contract is resolved for now, but he will probably walk in the 2026 offseason. Rueben Bain has been outstanding early this season for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes, racking up 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss, and an interception in the first two weeks of the season.
25. Denver Broncos: Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
If there’s one position the Denver Broncos have been absolutely snake-bitten in recent years, it’s the linebacker position. We’re still waiting on the 2025 debut of Dre Greenlaw, while Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad man the position for Vance Joseph’s defense. Luckily for the Broncos, this upcoming class of linebackers looks pretty great. Whit Weeks is one of a number of guys generating attention after racking up 125 total tackles last year.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Once again, the Rams are a team to watch in the 1st-round quarterback sweepstakes, but nobody needs to force anything. If the Rams have a chance to add another playmaker to their defense who can fly around the field, rush the passer, and make plays in coverage, Hill fits the bill. He already has two forced fumbles early this season after racking up 17 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles last year.
27. Washington Commanders: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell, a former transfer out of Bowling Green, has been one of the most productive edge rushers in college football this season. He has three sacks in the first two games of the year along with three tackles for loss. All of his three sacks came on back-to-back-to-back downs, so if he can maintain a level of consistency, he’ll skyrocket up boards. Nobody near the top of either conference needs EDGE help as bad as the Commanders.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Los Angeles Chargers want to continue building through the trenches on both sides of the ball, and I think we’ll see them do just that in next year’s draft. They went after running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 draft, so they’ll likely get back to the meat and potatoes here in 2026. David Bailey would be a really nice addition for them off the edge, a player who has been dominating the pass rush win rate department in 2025.
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
The Dallas Cowboys used their top pick in this 2026 NFL mock draft to fortify the defense with a number of pending free agents at safety. Here, they use the first pick from the Micah Parsons trade to add another playmaker to the defensive line. While Caleb Banks is going to need to be vetted in the pre-draft process for some concerns teams have off the field, his size and talent are undeniable.
30. Baltimore Ravens: LT Overton, DL/EDGE, Alabama
The Baltimore Ravens always do a great job of finding value at every turn of the NFL Draft, and this would be another great example of that. LT Overton is considered by some to be an “EDGE” and others to be a defensive end. Whatever he is, the Ravens can use his versatility on the defensive front. He can bring pressure from multiple alignments and we know this front office loves to bring in former Crimson Tide players.
31. Buffalo Bills: Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon
The Buffalo Bills are a team that should be expected to be in plenty of shootouts. With how often and easily their offense scores, their defense simply has to be able to weather the storm and make plays when it matters most. That’s where you want to have playmakers in the secondary like Dillon Thieneman who has been a defensive quarterback at the college level. He’s got an outstanding feel for the game and would be a great value this late in round one.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
The Philadelphia Eagles can go with the best player on their board here and that would lead us down a wide variety of paths. There’s no doubt that they have an affinity for going after big men early on in the draft under GM Howie Roseman, but they could also upgrade their depth at tight end. There has been some talk over the last year or so about the team maybe entertaining the idea of trading Dallas Goedert, but they haven’t had anything in place behind him. Max Klare could give them exactly that.