The 2026 NFL Draft is now in about five months, and with the college football season set to end in the coming weeks, the NFL Draft will become center-stage. It's really an ideal time of the year, as we still have the rest of the regular season, the playoffs, and the exciting free agency period.
And after all of that, the 2026 NFL Draft happens. It's a great time to be a football fan, and it's a very interesting time for teams that are slated to pick high in the coming NFL Draft, as those front offices could truly make some franchise-altering selections.
The QB class in 2026 appears to be quite strong, and our latest NFL mock draft does have a run of QBs in the first round, so let's dive into that here.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks fly off the board early in latest predictions
1. Tennessee Titans - Reuben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Tennessee Titans simply need to stack roster talent, and Cam Ward won’t develop until the Titans fill each side of the ball with better players, period. While Tennessee could field offers to trade out of the first overall pick, they keep the pick and take Rueben Bain Jr, a top-tier pass rusher.
2. New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The New York Giants might have something special in Jaxson Dart, and with no realistic OL prospects to take this high, they give Dart another weapon and grab Carnell Tate from Ohio State. With Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL, Tate could be the go-to guy in the meantime.
3. New Orleans Saints - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese could be an EDGE rusher at the NFL level, but, either way, the New Orleans Saints need better players and have a talent crisis, much like the Tennessee Titans. If I were the Saints, I am not sure I would trust GM Mickey Loomis anymore.
4. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The first QB comes off the board at pick four in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Las Vegas Raiders swung a notable trade for Geno Smith in the offseason, and to say it has not worked out would be an understatement. Until Vegas gets serious about the QB position, they’ll continue to circle the drain.
5. Cleveland Browns - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Cleveland Browns are another team that has to take the QB position more seriously, as Shedeur Sanders simply isn’t a viable player to try and develop as a franchise QB, but Dante Moore could be, and with the Browns having a top-flight defense, this team might not be all that far away from the playoffs.
It’s really going to be about putting a huge emphasis on the offensive side of the ball this coming offseason.
6. Washington Commanders - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
It’s been a year to forget for the Washington Commanders, and I really overrated this team’s roster. It lacks juice on both sides of the ball, and GM Adam Peters has to ensure he makes the most of Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract.
Drafting Keldric Faulk is not a bad idea, as creating pressure and getting to the QB is one of the three-most important things that a winning NFL team has to do, and the foundation on the offensive line is set, so a pick on the DL makes sense in my opinion.
7. New York Jets - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The New York Jets have a ton of NFL Draft capital over the next two seasons, so GM Darren Mougey has an amazing chance to get this franchise turned around, but he also has a chance to totally mess things up, too.
Ty Simpson could hear his name called high in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it might not be a bad idea for him to sit for a year. I could actually see the Jets swinging a trade for Kyler Murray in the meantime.
8. Arizona Cardinals - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Speaking of Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals feel poised to move on from the veteran QB in some capacity this coming offseason, and he is a viable starting QB. The New York Jets could make a lot of sense, but if the Cardinals do trade Murray, where do they turn at QB?
It’s hard to say right now, as the current regime might have a win-now mandate, so drafting someone in Round 1 might not make a lot of sense. They could add more explosion on the offensive side of the ball and grab Jordyn Tyson to pair with Marvin Harrison Jr.
9. Los Angeles Rams - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Los Angeles Rams actually have the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick, which is outstanding for LA, as this team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender and boasts one of the best rosters in the NFL. GM Les Snead is an expert at this and will have two firsts to perhaps do some crazy things this coming April.
Since the Rams have been so good for a while now, I get the sense that Snead would stay put and pick with the ninth overall selection. The Rams, in my opinion, could use another viable defensive back, so I went with the top CB on the board in Mansoor Delane.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Cincinnati Bengals have to focus on the defense in the 2026 NFL Draft, as the offense will typically always be in a decent spot with Joe Burrow at QB. The Bengals may also want to bring in a new and more rugged coaching staff.
Someone like Vance Joseph would make a lot of sense as the Bengals’ next head coach, but we’re a ways away from that. Caleb Downs might be the best non-QB in the country and could be a steal for Cincy at pick no. 10.
11. Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
We’ve had a bit of a run on defensive backs in this NFL mock draft. The Minnesota Vikings get in on the fun and take Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. This team has to figure out a viable QB solution in the offseason, but I really do not believe they are a threat to take another Round 1 QB.
12. Miami Dolphins - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Miami Dolphins simply have to get meaner in the trenches, so grabbing one of the best tackles in the country in Caleb Lomu makes a ton of sense.
13. Dallas Cowboys - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys are another team that will go heavy on defense in the offseason. They made notable additions in Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, but some younger players are needed.
Sonny Styles is one of the top linebackers in the country and could be a day one starter for Dallas, which has one of the best offenses in the league.
14. Kansas City Chiefs - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Kansas City Chiefs honestly need a little bit of everything and could go in a number of directions with this pick. Getting some interior DL help is a wise move, as the Chiefs’ defensive front is not all that special and not close to the unit it once was.
Peter Woods could be a great pick for GM Brett Veach, so has to begin hitting on some of these draft picks at key positions.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Pittsburgh Steelers love wide receivers, and it feels like they are always making moves at that position. The Steelers grab Makai Lemon at pick 15 from USC in this mock draft. The bigger issue for this team is the QB position and head coach, but you can’t tell that stubborn franchise that.
16. Carolina Panthers - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Carolina Panthers are 7-6 and do have a legitimate chance at winning the NFC South this year, which would guarantee the franchise a home playoff game. The Panthers may have a huge QB decision to make this offseason, but they could continue to bolster this already good roster with more pass rush talent.
GM Dan Morgan is a bit underrated if you ask me and has largely done a great job for the franchise.
17. Houston Texans - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
The Houston Texans are probably a strong offensive line away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender, so that could be a major point of emphasis for GM Nick Caserio this coming offseason, who has otherwise done a great job.
Houston is 7-5 and absolutely the best team in the AFC South right now.
18. Detroit Lions - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
It’s been another injury-riddled year for the Detroit Lions, but being 8-5 despite all the injuries is very impressive. It feels like the secondary has never been fully healthy these past two seasons, so GM Brad Holmes, one of the best evaluators of NFL Draft talent in the league, might have to pick another DB.
The Lions grab Avieon Terrell at pick 18 in our latest mock draft.
19. Baltimore Ravens - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Two Utah tackles go within the first 20 picks, as the Baltimore Ravens add to their offensive line with Spencer Fano at pick 19 in this mock draft. The Ravens began the year 1-5 but are now 6-6 approaching Week 14. However, they really haven’t played efficient football in recent weeks.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is a day one starter at tight end. The Buccaneers' current tight end, Cade Otton, is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026, so the Bucs could let him depart and reload the room with Sadiq, who has played his college football at Oregon.
The Bucs could use this pick, though, to bolster a defense that has been decimated by injuries this year. Sitting at 7-5, the Bucs actually have to fend-off the Carolina Panthers to win the NFC South title, but they should be able to do that.
Tampa has been stuck in third gear for a few years now and need someone to help them get into fourth and fifth gear.
21. Buffalo Bills - Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
It is no surprise to see the Buffalo Bills taking a wide receiver in the first round of our latest NFL mock draft. It’s really been a regression across the board for Buffalo, but the offensive efficiency has taken a bit of a nosedive.
A reason for that is this team not having a legitimate no. 1 WR, and it’s something that many other teams do not have. Taking Chris Bell could help fix this notable issue for the Bills, a team seeing the AFC East title chances slip away.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Quincy Rhodes, Jr, EDGE, Arkansas
All of a sudden, the Eagles’ pass-rush needs reinforcements. Despite all the great picks Howie Roseman has hit on, this roster does have some holes, but Roseman is a very good GM at simply finding solutions to problems.
He won’t mess around this offseason and will have the Eagles’ most pressing roster needs filled, and I think some pass-rush help is on the way in the 2026 NFL Draft.
23. New York Jets - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The New York Jets might have a new era on their hands with Ty Simpson and new KC Concepcion in the first round. This could take a couple of years to get off the ground, but the foundation might be set. Garrett Wilson is still in the picture, and there is always a chance they re-sign Breece Hall, who is a very good player.
24. San Francisco 49ers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Despite all the injuries the San Francisco 49ers have dealt with this season, the team is still 9-4 and very much alive in the NFC West, but many of the team’s key players from previous seasons are aging or simply not with the team anymore.
It’s time for a new era of 49ers’ football, and building that era in the trenches makes a lot of sense to me. Even though Alabama OL players don’t hit as much in the NFL, Kadyn Proctor could have a legit future as a high-end guard.
25. Los Angeles Chargers - Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Another team that has major OL concerns is the Los Angeles Chargers, as they have lost both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater to injuries this year, and the interior OL was already a bit of a mess coming into the season.
This could be a major reason why LA goes one-and-done in the playoffs for the second time in the Jim Harbaugh era. Simply put, this team has to pour resources into the OL this coming offseason in free agency and the NFL Draft.
Taking Isaiah World at the bottom of the first round makes a ton of sense.
26. Cleveland Browns - Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Games in the NFL are won with QB play and in the trenches, and with the two Browns’ first-round picks, they get both of those things, adding to the OL with Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State.
It’s some sound roster-building from GM Andrew Berry, and I do believe he will remain with the team after the 2025 NFL Season, as the Browns’ rookie class this year has been outstanding and a worthwhile investment thus far.
27. Dallas Cowboys - Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
The Dallas Cowboys take two defensive players with the two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s not a bad idea at all, as Dallas could be just a top-12 defense away from emerging as a Super Bowl contender in 2026 and beyond.
28. Seattle Seahawks - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Seattle Seahawks might be willing to let Ken Walker leave in free agency, especially if they can replace him with Jeremiyah Love, the best RB in the country. Seattle could use another weapon on offense.
The defense is well-built and has better players, so we could see a heavy offensive investment from the Seattle front office this coming offseason.
29. Los Angeles Rams - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
With the second first-round pick, the LA Rams grab some offensive line help and snag Blake Miller from Clemson. The Rams are a well-oiled machine, and it almost feels unfair that they have two first-round picks.
At some point, though, the Rams have to bring in a QB they believe can succeed Matthew Stafford when the veteran QB is ready to retire, which could be soon-ish.
30. Denver Broncos - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Denver Broncos have a need for a legitimate no. 1 wide receiver and simply need a go-to weapon on the offensive side of the ball. The defense is the most talented in the NFL, so we could see Broncos’ GM George Paton targeting a weapon like Denzel Boston from Washington in the first round.
31. Chicago Bears - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Chicago Bears have had a fun defense this season, but another starter or two is needed. Chicago is picking all the way down at no. 31 in this mock draft but are still able to land a legitimate LB prospect in CJ Allen from Georgia.
Chicago is 9-3 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson and could have a great future ahead of them. GM Ryan Poles, for all the criticism, has done a great job with this roster.
32. New England Patriots - LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
The New England Patriots are 11-2 on the season and definitely don’t have the best roster in the league. The Pats are playing with house money a bit and need another offseason of infusing talent before they become a Super Bowl contender.
Taking LT Overton from Alabama is a wise move, but I could also see them snagging a wide receiver or even another starter along the OL.