The seasons hasn’t begun but, and nonetheless we may give a 2026 NFL Mock Draft the ol’ school strive. The massive story within the 2026 class is quarterbacks, with there already projected to be 5 first rounders at QB obtainable. This may greater than doubtless change, and naturally some gamers will rise whereas others fall, however that is based mostly on one of the best data we now have to this point.
Earlier than you come at me over the draft order, please know this comes from NFL Mock Draft Database on the time of writing. As does the consensus huge board, which swimming pools mock drafts from dozens of sources to assemble a mean estimate of draft place for every participant.
No. |
Group |
Participant |
Place |
School |
Consensus Huge Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans Saints | Cade Clubnik | QB | Clemson | 1 |
| 2 | Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) | Fraudulent proctor | OT | Alabama | 8 |
| 3 | Tennessee Titans | T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson | 4 |
| 4 | New York Giants | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah | 9 |
| 5 | New York Jets | Arch Manning | QB | Texas | 2 |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State | 5 |
| 7 | Indianapolis Colts | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU | 7 |
| 8 | Las Vegas Raiders | LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina | 3 |
| 9 | Cleveland Browns | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson | 6 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee | 12 |
| 11 | New England Patriots | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn | 11 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana | 14 |
| 13 | Seattle Seahawks | Rueben Bain | EDGE | Miami | 15 |
| 14 | Arizona Cardinals | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Our Girl | 13 |
| 15 | Dallas Cowboys | Francis Muua | OT | Miami (FL) | 10 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Drew all | QB | Penn State | 17 |
| 17 | Chicago Bears | Caleb Banks | DT | Florida | 20 |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | Matthew Uigalelei | EDGE | Oregon | 23 |
| 19 | Houston Texans | Caleb quarry | OT | Utah | 18 |
| 20 | Denver Broncos | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State | 16 |
| 21 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson | 19 |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | Dani Dennis -utton | EDGE | Penn State | 21 |
| 23 | Inexperienced Bay Packers | L.T. Overton | EDGE | Alabama | 25 |
| 24 | Washington Commanders | Antonio Williams | WR | Clemson | 26 |
| 25 | Cincinnati Bengals | Christian Miller | DT | Georgia | 34 |
| 26 | San Francisco 49ers | Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon | 24 |
| 27 | Los Angeles Rams | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State | 30 |
| 28 | Kansas Metropolis Chiefs | Max clar | The | Ohio State | 39 |
| 29 | Detroit Lions | Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas | 22 |
| 30 | Buffalo Payments | Sonny Kinds | LB | Ohio State | 29 |
| 31 | Baltimore Ravens | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington | 28 |
| 32 | Philadelphia Eagles | Isaiah World | OT | Oregon | 27 |
What’s up with Arch Manning?
The most important wild card of the 2026 class is Texas QB Arch Manning. Nephew of Peyton and Eli, Arch was probably the most highly-touted quarterbacks of all day out of highschool. Nevertheless, Texas’ turnaround led to him being locked on the depth chart behind Quinn Ewers, with Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian worrying about messing with a superb factor.
There’s a probability Arch could possibly be the No. 1 choose, however it could take a record-breaking 12 months to cement him as the highest choose. Even when Manning has a unbelievable first 12 months as a starter it is going to fear some groups sufficient to push him down the board barely. There’s additionally the prospect (as grandfather Archie hinted) than Manning is not going to enter the 2026 draft in an effort to enhance his inventory.
Cade Klubnik is my No. 1, however I’m not tremendous assured in it
I feel Klubnik is a unbelievable quarterback and can be an excellent professional, however I can’t shake this sense that the Saints can be very tempted by Garrett Nussmeier if the LSU quarterback has a stable rookie season. Not solely is he already a possible Prime 10 choose, however his father, Doug Nussmeier is the offensive coordinator in New Orleans.
The Saints are a corporation who love their roots, and there’s loads to love about Nussmeier at QB. It makes me marvel in the event that they gained’t make the nepo rent, not strictly due to nepotism — however as a result of they know precisely what they’re getting within the LSU quarterback. He’s a prototypical pocket passer with out a lot that’s troublesome to mission his transition to the NFL, even when which means missing some upside.
My favourite choose on this mock is Peter Woods to the Browns
Everytime you’re writing a mock it’s finest to try to strategy every choose independently with out making an attempt to guess forward an excessive amount of or manufacture a house for a participant. On this case I’ve Clemson DT Peter Woods going to Cleveland with the No. 9 choose.
I don’t care that this group took Mason Graham final 12 months, as a result of Graham and Woods are extraordinarily completely different defensive tackles. Woods is a an unimaginable area eater on the DL, and a plus-level run stopper. There’s a really actual probability {that a} line with Myles Garrett, Mason Graham, and Peter Woods may develop into probably the most terrifying models of the trendy period.
It was very tempting to pressure quarterback both at No. 2 or right here, however I’ve a sense they’re going to roll with what they’ve — no less than for yet one more 12 months. Fixing the trenches is at all times a sensible transfer, and the Browns are a sensible franchise after they don’t need to be beholden to their proprietor.
Regulate Caleb Downs
The best a security has ever been drafted is a two-way tie at No. 5 general between Sean Taylor and Eric Berry. If anybody has an opportunity to interrupt that ceiling it’s Ohio State’s Caleb Downs.
It’s uncommon to strategy a university soccer season and already see a prospect who’s functionally good. Positive, there are tough edges to spherical out with each participant as they enter from school, however Downs is such a elegant, utterly, NFL-ready security that he looks like a type of guys who’s going to be a lock for All-Professional for a decade with out an excessive amount of thought.
The Browns at No. 2 (or wherever they find yourself) was a spot I actually considered having Downs go, and that would completely occur. Sure, he’s that dang good.
3 Feedback
