Early NFL 2026 Mock Draft Predictions

1. New York Giants – Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

The one quarterback prospect I’m the highest on coming into this year is Klubnik. His performance down the stretch to help earn Clemson a spot in the College Football Playoff and a near comeback against Texas put into perspective his natural play-making ability.

Additionally, if the Giants are picking first overall, they will likely have a new head coach and GM who wants to take a swing at finding their own guy to build around instead of Jaxson Dart.

2. Cleveland Browns – Spencer Fano, T, Utah

Utah’s offensive line was incredibly underrated last year, and Fano was a big reason why. The former 4-star recruit fits the profile of a franchise left tackle to last in Cleveland for a long time.

3. Tennessee Titans – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Tennessee got its quarterback, and now it needs its premier pass rusher. Faulk is enormous and uses his length well to overwhelm offensive linemen. His presence would pop immediately for the Titans.

4. New York Jets – LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

Sellers has some of the craziest tapes of a redshirt freshman prospect you’ll ever see. His unwillingness to be tackled in and out of the pocket is rare.

Sellers will be a big name to track if he improves this season as a passer.

5. New Orleans Saints – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

If Nussmeier takes the leap that many have projected for him for multiple seasons, he’ll surely be a top-five pick. Tyler Shough won’t stop the Saints from taking him, especially because his father once played for the franchise and is now the offensive coordinator.

6. Carolina Panthers – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Caleb Downs has had the most significant impact of any player over the last two seasons. He helped lead Alabama to the College Football Playoff, he helped lead Ohio State to a National Championship, and now he can help the Panthers return to relevance!

7. Las Vegas Raiders – Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

Dennis-Sutton could be the next Penn State defender to make a massive jump in his final season. He has the length and power to become an impactful EDGE defender in the NFL.

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

If the Colts are picking this high, the Anthony Richardson project has surely failed. Allar allows them to reset, flashing a natural arm and athleticism to become a high-level starter in the NFL.

9. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy’s draft stock may be impacted by a torn ACL from winter workouts back in January. However, his tape last season was the best among eligible corners.

Dallas could create a nasty secondary with Shavon Revel and McCoy.

10. Cleveland Browns (Via Jacksonville) – T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

TJ Parker could be the most gifted of all of the gifted pass rushers in next year’s class. His burst and finishing ability are that of a potential first overall pick.

11. Seattle Seahawks – Isaiah World, T, Oregon

World is quite literally the size of a planet, listed at 6-8 309lbs when he was leaving Nevada to head to Oregon. With a chance to prove himself against P4 opponents, World could land as an early pick in 2025. A team like the Seahawks can definitely benefit from such a prospect.

12. New England Patriots – C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Linebacker typically isn’t a position teams spend on early draft picks, but Allen is undoubtedly worth it. His instincts and power are those of a future Pro Bowler.

13. Los Angeles Rams – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

6’6” 320lb defensive tackles aren’t supposed to be able to move the way Banks can.

The Rams have been very active in improving their defense since Aaron Donald retired. Now, imagine plugging Banks in at nose to harass offensive linemen!

14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State

The Steelers desperately need a young quarterback to build around after multiple failed offseasons. Leavitt flashed in the CFP how mobile and creative he is as a passer. He could provide an immediate spark for Pittsburgh.

15. Miami Dolphins – A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State

With the expectation that the Dolphins will move on from Jalen Ramsey soon, they need to find new outside corners. Harris is a former Georgia Bulldog who was impactful for Penn State’s defense last year, so he fits the bill.

16. Chicago Bears – Jeremiyah Love, HB, Notre Dame

Love has the potential to be a highly sought-after running back prospect in next year’s draft. He plays with a very similar running style to Darren McFadden and could be the final piece for the Bears creating an elite offense.

17. Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Just like Jihaad Campbell, Hill Jr. will be a rapid riser this cycle because of his rare speed and burst. Arizona has tried to seek out elite athletes recently, and Hill can be another piece to that puzzle.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Last season, Terrell was incredibly dominant on the outside for Clemson, with 12 pass breakups and two interceptions. With his fluid movement skills, he could be a lockdown coverage player for Minnesota.

19. Denver Broncos – Eugene Wilson III, WR, Florida

Wilson will be a big reason for Florida’s rise in 2026. Despite missing time last year, he wowed college football fans with a number of massive highlight-reel plays.

Denver’s receiving room could use that type of juice, so the Broncos will definitely consider Wilson III.

20. Houston Texans – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama

Houston’s offensive line rebuild will be a multi-year process. Plugging in a former five-star prospect in Proctor is how you effectively finish that rebuild, so Proctor makes a lot of sense.

21. Green Bay Packers – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Delane’s move to LSU will help further raise his overall profile, as he squares off with talented receivers in the SEC. The tall, long corner prospect has the mobility to be a reliable starter in the NFL.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama

Tampa Bay’s defense underwhelmed last year, and they didn’t effectively address their defensive line during the 2025 Draft. Overton’s flexibility and power make him a high upside player to track this year.

23. Green Bay Packers – Lawson Luckie, TE, Georgia

Georgia has pumped out tight end talent recently, and their next big name appears to be Lawson Luckie. While he only hauled in 24 catches for 348 yards last year, I expect a big leap in his junior season.

24. Washington Commanders – Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon

The pulse of Oregon’s defense runs through Uiagalelei, who racked up 10.5 tackles in 2024. The Commanders could use a presence like that on their defensive line!

25. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman was undervalued at Purdue and now gets an opportunity to shine on a championship-caliber defense. His thick build and impact as a run defender will raise eyebrows this fall, so a team like the Bengals should snap him in a heartbeat.

26. Los Angeles Rams – Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

Muhammad was a reliable outside cornerback for Texas in 2024, finishing the year with 8 pass breakups. With Muhammad and Banks joining the fold, the Rams could emerge from this draft with a scary defense.

27. Detroit Lions – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Lions have consistently looked for more defensive depth after suffering a ton of injuries down the stretch of the 2024 season. Woods plays with good leverage and power to work well among the current group.

28. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, T, Utah

Lomu joins his teammate Fanu as a first-round prospect in this mock draft. However, after this season, Lomu could be the first Ute lineman taken in the draft.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Nicholas Singleton, HB, Penn State

Singleton’s lower body strength and burst would slot in nicely as the lead running back for the Chiefs. He’d be a significant splash play threat Kansas City has needed in their run game for some time.

30. Baltimore Ravens – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Are you shocked to see an Ohio State Wide receiver in the first round? Tate was an unheralded player for the Buckeyes, with Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiash leading the way. 2025 will be his shot to make a name for himself.

31. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Jordan Tyson’s production was elite down the stretch for Arizona State before he was shut down early due to injury. While Brandon Beane was irked by questions about not drafting a WR early in 2025, he’ll get his shot in 2026.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)

The Eagles always find value in the end of first rounds, and in this circumstance, they’ll get to add a former five-star player like Maugioa to their already sturdy offensive line.