Way-Too-Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Loaded QB class goes early

The NY Jets are officially finished with their first draft of the Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn era, coming away with some very enticing young prospects in right tackle Armand Membou, tight end Mason Taylor, and cornerback Azareye'h Thomas in the first three rounds.

Now that the clock has struck midnight, Mougey and his team of scouts will likely be hard at work trying to find players that could keep this team on the path to success. The same goes for everyone else in the league, especially in a year regarded to be superior to 2025 in terms of quality.

This 2026 NFL Mock Draft is a good snapshot of which players should be in everyone's crosshairs heading into the college football season.

2026 NFL Mock Draft V 1.0

Note: Tankathon was used to construct the NFL Draft order

1. Cleveland Browns: Arch Manning, QB, Texas

If Manning plays up to his potential this year and shows off his tremendous downfield arm, he could follow in his family's footsteps and emerge as the next great Manning quarterback to be taken high in the draft order. Will Manning reverse the Browns' lousy QB luck?

2. Tennessee Titans: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Parker, who tallied 11 sacks during his sophomore season, has more potential to mirror Abdul Carter and become a Top 3 lock than anyone else in a class that is somewhat thin at pass rusher. Parker would start right away in Tennessee.

3. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State

Downs is so technically proficient and skilled at breaking up plays that he could emerge as the best overall player in this draft, even though he is a safety. Downs is the best safety prospect since Kyle Hamilton, which will appeal to New Orleans.

4. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The brother of recent Jets draft pick Francisco Mauigoa, the Hurricanes right tackle has all the physical traits and technical refinement needed to become a lockdown pass protector for the Giants.

5. New York Jets: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

Sellers, even including Manning, may have the best combination of traits of any quarterback in this class. With strong running ability and a powerful arm at 242 pounds, Sellers could be very appealing to the Jets if Justin Fields is unable to move the needle under center.

6. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Quarterback could be considered if Bryce Young has Carolina here once again, but Hill is such a safe and versatile player that the Panthers can throw him at the heart of their defense for the immediate future.

7. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Protecting Manning with Jacksonville's pick will be the most important task the Browns have on their ledger. Proctor made good on his immense potential last year, and another strong season should lock him into the Top 10.

8. Indianapolis Colts: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

If the Colts are picking here, that's bad news for both Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen. Allar is a big, strong-armed QB like Richardson, but his accuracy and touch will set him apart as a pocket passer.

9. Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Pete Carroll might need one more big cornerback to complete his ideal secondary in Las Vegas, and McCoy should be able to become an instant first-rounder if he keeps locking down the SEC's best.

10. New England Patriots: Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

The Patriots did a good job of getting Drake Maye some help, but their front-seven may not be as dominant as one would expect. Bain can fly off the edge, and he should be in for a double-digit sack season if he improves his biggest technical issues.

11. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Nussmeier has an arm that belies his size, and that ability to distribute the ball accurately and on time will appeal to Sean McVay. Atlanta may have just handed the Rams an ideal successor to Matthew Stafford.

12. Arizona Cardinals: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a very enticing young prospect, but he can't do it all by himself. Williams caught 11 touchdowns last season, and a passing game returning many of their heavy-hitters could help Arizona get even more smitten with the Tigers product.

13. Seattle Seahawks: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The much-hyped recruit is next in line at the Ohio State wide receiver next to Jeremiah Smith. Tate's size and the ease with which he pulls in contested catches could make him a future No. 1 target for Sam Darnold (or Jalen Milroe) in Seattle.

14. Miami Dolphins: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Adding Woods right next to 2024 draftee Kenneth Grant could help solidify the Miami defensive line for the next 10 years. A people-mover and run-game maestro, Woods is one of the more high-floor players in this class.

15. Dallas Cowboys: Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina

Harbor's production is lacking, but it shouldn't be too hard for Dallas to see a 6-5, 240-pound receiver with speed that has been verified as low as 4.3 in the 40-yard dash and 10 seconds flat in the 100-yard dash as a future star.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

Klubnik's college career was hanging on by a thread, but he appears to have shown enough accuracy and improved skill at fitting the ball into tight windows to get Pittsburgh interested in him as a possible Aaron Rodgers successor.

17. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

After surprisingly choosing not to pick a running back in this draft, Chicago can load up on the most versatile ball-carrier in next year's class to fully build Caleb Williams one of the best offenses in the league.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

The Minnesota secondary was ravaged by free agency, and Harrison Smith may retire soon. Muhammad should stick around the first as the season trudges on, as he could be a dream candidate for Brian Flores' defense.

19. Denver Broncos: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon

A former tar recruit who has consistently produced in college, one more strong year from Stewart could help him link up with Bo Nix as one of Denver's featured options.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama

After choosing to pass on Jihaad Campbell in this Draft, Tampa could find their Lavonte David successor this year by adding another top-tier athlete in Lawson.

21. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Banks has a very good shot to establish himself as a first-round lock by resetting the line of scrimmage, which could be very appealing for a Houston defense that is squishy inside.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, EDGE/DT, Auburn

Faulk has a chance to go in the Top 10 if he fulfills his tremendous athletic potential, and the Chargers would be thrilled with him if he fell this far.

23. Green Bay Packers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

The Packers didn't add a pass rusher with one of their premium picks in the 2025 Draft, leaving them in position to draft the next great Nittany Lions pass rusher.

24. Los Angeles Rams: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Protecting both Matthew Stafford and his successor will be important, and Fano's power makes him one more strong season away from locking himself into the first round of the draft.

25. Cincinnati Bengals: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

AJ Terrell's younger brother, Aveion could provide instant starting-level play for a Bengals team that was criticized for not spending any of their premium draft picks on secondary players in 2025.

26. Washington Commanders: Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Kliff Kingsbury and Dan Quinn are never going to turn down an opportunity to get more players around Jayden Daniels, and Tyson could end up with a very compelling case to be WR1 at the end of this process.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

World was a Nevada transfer who was regarded by many as the top available player in the portal. World may be the Trent Williams successor that San Francisco has been searching for.

28. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU

Getting Josh Allen more help is a strategy that makes a ton of sense for Buffalo, especially one who could take over the No. 1 spot in what should be a very up-tempo Tigers offense.

29. Detroit Lions: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon

If Aidan Hutchinson isn't back to his old self, Detroit will urgently need a sack master like Uiagalelei (who had 10.5 sacks last season) in the most urgent way.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M

The Ravens could use another quality starter next to center Tyler Linderbaum, and Reed-Adams might be able to flex his muscles in a weak interior offensive line class to become the top available guard.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State

After missing out on many of the top running backs in a loaded 2025 class, Kansas City will need to eventually upgrade over Isiah Pacheco with a possible Pro Bowl talent like Singleton.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama

In classic Eagles fashion, a perfect role player for a team who needs some pass rush juice falls to them. Overton brings 5-star recruit pedigree and versatility to the fold.