2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jeremiyah Love heads to the NFC East, Las Vegas Raiders find their QB of the future, and an off the wall WR1
Early 2026 NFL mock draft features a run on defense, and an unusual quarterback hierarchy.
We may be 261 days until the 2026 NFL Draft officially kicks off, but as you know, time flies by very quickly. Unfortunately for some NFL fans out there (cough, cough, Saints, Titans, and Browns), the excitement for the 2025 season does have some realism attached to it. Every team is in a different place foundationally, some Super Bowl contenders, others being pretenders, and even more in full rebuilding mode.
The 2026 Draft offers an opportunity to help teams wherever they are as an organization, and add the future foundations for each team potentially. It’s never too early for a little mock draft action, and to have some fun, here is a collaborative one. Along with my fellow A to Z Sports teammate Destin Adams, we bring you an early mock draft for the 2026 class. We alternated sets of eight selections in this particular exercise, with Destin getting things kicked off.
A few disclaimers before we begin: the order is working off of the latest Super Bowl odds according to ESPN. No, I don’t have a crystal ball, and I don’t hate your favorite team. You also didn’t include Texas quarterback Arch Manning in this mock draft either, working with the assumption that he most likely returns for the 2026 college football season. So relax, sit back, and enjoy the greatest August mock draft of all time.
- New Orleans Saints: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
If the Saints finish with the top pick there will certainly be a good argument for them to go QB. However, I don’t think their roster is ready to add another even if Tyler Shough proves he isn’t the guy. So instead, they go with T.J. Parker out of Clemson, who is coming off a fantastic sophomore year and many expect to take another step forward in 2025. The Saints need to add more consistent pass rush, and their defensive line will be hurting even more in the near future when Cam Jordan elects to hang up his cleats. – Adams
- Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Back-to-back edge rushers off the board to start – are you not entertained! The Titans just drafted QB Cam Ward out of Miami so if they find themselves this high in the draft again in 2026, the obvious first choice for the selection needs to be an edge rusher. Their current edge room leaves a lot to be desired with the headliners being Arden Key and Dre’Mont Jones along with rookie Oluwafemi Oladejo. One of Ward’s teammates from last year at Miami, Rueben Bain Jr., could be a great fit. He wasn’t able to build off his impressive freshman year due to him dealing with a soft tissue injury throughout his sophomore season. He has big plans for 2025, and if he can stay healthy, I believe he will for sure be in the conversation to be a top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. – Adams
- Cleveland Browns: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
What is there left to say about Ohio State safety Caleb Downs that hasn’t already been said? He’s been one of the best football players in college since the moment he logged his first snap at Alabama and helped lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship last season. The Browns need to add players their fans can rally behind after the last couple years got rid of a lot of goodwill the new front office and coaching staff had built in Cleveland. Grabbing a player that a large portion of Ohio sports fans already adore in Downs who also happens to be a very dynamic player would feel like a big win for the Browns. – Adams
- New York Giants: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Giants could have already handed the keys to their starting QB job to 2025 first round pick Jaxson Dart by the time the 2026 NFL Draft arrives. To give him the best chance to succeed, the Giants offensive line needs to improve as well as their offensive weapons. There isn’t a WR/TE expected to be a part of the 2026 NFL Draft that is worth considering using the 4th pick in the draft on. So instead, I have the Giants forming a lethal tackle duo for the future between Andrew Thomas and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. – Adams
- New York Jets: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
It took five picks, but the first QB is finally off the board in this mock draft, and it’s Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. I believe Klubnik is going to have a monster season which will force anyone who doesn’t think he is in discussion to be the first QB drafted to see the vision. If the Jets find themselves in the top five, I think it’s fair to assume Justin Fields wasn’t able to solidify his spot as the team’s franchise QB. And if that’s the case, you can’t rule out QB with this selection. – Adams
- Carolina Panthers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Clemson’s Peter Woods is viewed by many as one of the top prospects projected to be a part of the 2026 NFL Draft class. Him not playing a premium position could hurt his overall draft stock but here I have the Panthers adding a potential elite player to a roster that desperately needs more talent. – Adams
- Indianapolis Colts: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Many will be shocked the Colts didn’t go QB here, and trust me I shocked myself a little bit as well. With Klubnik off the board here though I think the Colts could look elsewhere before forcing a QB pick just to say they took one. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is a stud and played a big role in protecting Cam Ward and his success at Miami that led him to be the number one overall pick. If he landed with the Colts, he would slide into RT and likely replace Braden Smith who the team could move on from or he could retire after the 2025 season. The Colts would then have a tackle duo of Bernhard Raimann and Mauigoa, which would give them a great offensive line foundation to protect Anthony Richardson or whoever the team’s starting QB is come 2026. – Adams
- Las Vegas Raiders: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Raiders made a big move trading for QB Geno Smith this offseason after hiring legendary coach Pete Carroll. A couple years back it was reported that Carroll and the Seahawks had every Seahawks had interest in the QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the three top QBs in the class all came off the board before their pick at five. Rumors said Carroll was a big fan of Richardson so I could also see him being a big fan of South Carolina’s dual threat QB LaNorris Sellers. – Adams
- Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Cleveland Browns are an absolute mess right now, especially on offense. Their quarterback room is a collection of promising younger players and veteran stop gaps, and who knows what the future behind center really is. While Shedeur Sanders may have some argument as the future at quarterback, he is still just a fifth round selection, and that isn’t going to stop you from taking a quarterback you like. Mendoza fits the prototype at 6-5 and 225 pounds, with requisite arm talent and processing skills. It’s an easy pick with him being available for their second selection. – Roberts
- Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Without googling, who are the projected starting cornerbacks for the Dolphins heading into the 2025 season? Maybe a combination of Storm Duck, Jack Jones, and Cam Smith gets some sickos excited, but I’m not one of them. If not for the leg injury this offseason, people would be talking about McCoy a lot more. He is a press man cornerback who is extremely physical, and can run. There may not be an easier evaluation in this class if McCoy fully recovers, especially with how he dominated the SEC last season at just 19 years old. – Roberts
- New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Is there a cleaner scheme fit for the Patriots scheme than Faulk? At 6-6 and 288 pounds, he is an impressive athlete who makes his living off of the edge, but he can also reduce down as a pass rusher as well. The movement skills for a player of Faulk’s size is rare. His game is very reminiscent of Buffalo Bills standout Gregory Rousseau, but he is an even bigger and more explosive version. – Roberts
- Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein is getting long in the tooth, and left tackle Alaric Jackson is dealing with an injury as well. While it might not look like the “biggest need” on paper, Fano would be a welcomed addition as the heir apparent at right tackle, and a player who could also play a couple of different positions. Fano is also a perfect fit into Sean McVay’s running scheme, whether they want to focus on more outside or inside zone. – Roberts
- Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
What in the World are the Seahawks going to do at right tackle? Dad jokes aside, the former Nevada transfer is how you draw it up physically. He still needs a lot of work technically, but you can’t teach this combination of length, foot quickness, and flexibility. There is Pro Bowl upside here if World can take a big step in his lone season with Oregon. The talent is very much there, and he could end up being the top offensive tackle in this class when all is said and done. – Roberts
- Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
After we spent months mocking a running back to Dallas in the 2025 NFL Draft, they instead opted to go the veteran route this past offseason. If a talent like Love is on the board, it’s hard to believe that the Cowboys would make a similar decision again. At 6-0 and 215 pounds, Love is a dynamic athlete who has the ability to create a big play every time he touches the football. He also is a much more powerful runner than you would think. His all around upside is unreal. – Roberts
- Arizona Cardinals: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Under head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals run a hybrid defense that can work between even and odd man fronts. That would be perfect for Overton, who has the length, bend, and overall movement skills to play a variety of alignments for a prospective defense. He needs to become a lot more of a consistent player, but the athletic tools are all there. Everyone in Tuscaloosa is expecting him to take a substantial jump this season. – Roberts
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
This is a pick with some projection needed, but you would be hard pressed to find a more physically impressive pass catcher in the 2026 class than Bell. At 6-1.5 and 227 pounds, Bell possesses surprising straight line speed and explosiveness. He also has uncommon change of direction skills for a player his size, and has moments of winning as a route runner, at, and after the catch. There is expected to be a lot more on Bell’s plate this season, and he has the look of a big breakout star. Don’t be surprised if he is thoroughly in the conversation to be the top wide receiver selected by season’s end. – Roberts
17. Chicago Bears: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Bears are hoping new head coach Ben Johnson will be able to get Caleb Williams back on track after a lackluster rookie season. Their WR room has talented players, but I could see the team looming to move on from a couple pieces in the near future and allowing Johnson to hand pick players that he views as better fits for his scheme. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is a player I think will catch Johnson’s eye. He has the ability to play on the outside or in the slot, elite separator, and reliable hands. – Adams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
The Buccaneers have been trying to improve their pass rush over the last few seasons, but haven’t been able to find that alpha the room needs. Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton is coming off a great year where he and Abdul Carter terrorized opposing QBs. Now he will be asked to lead the room and take the next step in his career. If he is able to deliver, he will hear his name called in the first round and set himself up for a successful pro career. – Adams
- Denver Broncos: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
The Broncos took RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but I don’t think that should stop them from adding a player like Nick Singleton. Singleton was a player multiple teams across the NFL were watching closely in case he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. His combination of size, speed, and strength makes him a unique RB prospect. He could form a great duo with Harvey, but also has the ability to be a three down back. And giving Bo Nix a reliable run game would help the Broncos get the most out of his rookie contract window. – Adams
- Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The final touch needed on a very talented Vikings defense is another CB. There are a few options they could consider, but I think the best fit is Clemson’s Avjeon Terrell. He has excelled in both man and zone coverage and blankets his assignment on tape. If he can improve his ball skills this season, he will probably hear his name called even higher than pick 20. He has all the upside to be a team’s true number one CB, and that’s exactly what the Vikings are looking for. – Adams
- Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Texans’ offensive line was one of the worst in the league in 2024, and on paper, it got even worse this past offseason. It’s highly likely their first round pick come 2026 is an offensive lineman. Utah’s Caleb Lomu is one of the top LT options in this class and would be a day one starter for the Texans who I think will quickly regret replacing Laremy Tunsil with Cam Robinson. Lomu would help reset the position for the Texans and would give the team a reliable option to protect franchise QB CJ Stroud’s blindside for the foreseeable future. – Adams
- Green Bay Packers: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
The Packers need to find an elite pass rusher to complement Rashan Gary in the edge room who is a very reliable run stopper at the pro level. Uiagalelei took a big step forward last season for the Oregon Ducks. He improved his sack total from two his freshman year to 10.5 as a sophomore. His large frame at 6-6 gives him some great length off the edge, and the speed he has to pair with it helped him be one of the top pass rushers in all of college football last year. And it would make him a solid fit to develop with the Packers to become their lead pass rusher going forward. – Adams
- Los Angeles Chargers: A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
A.J. Harris’s ability to make a difference against the run as well as in coverage is going make multiple teams fall in love with him. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is bound to be on that list when he sees how willing Harris is to do anything it takes to help his team win games. The Chargers need more talent at CB, and Harris would be a day one starter with plenty of upside to develop in their system. – Adams
- Los Angeles Rams: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The Los Angeles Rams were at a crossroads with Matthew Stafford this offseason, but luckily, they were able to keep their QB around. I do think this situation should lead them to start aggressively looking for his future replacement, and the 2026 NFL Draft class has multiple intriguing options. One of the best fits for Sean McVay’s system on paper would be Penn State’s Drew Allar. Opinions or him online vary, but Allar has a lot of fans across the NFL, with many believing he could have been a first-round pick if he would have declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. His natural skill and the ability to sit behind and learn from Stafford for a year or two honestly makes this seem like a perfect fit. – Adams
- Washington Commanders: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Commanders acquired Von Miller this offseason, but obviously his days are numbered due to age. Thomas wins in very similar ways as a standup rusher, including an unreal first step, bend, and closing speed. Yes, Thomas is a bit of a size outlier, but there isn’t a more consistent pass rusher in this class than him. Whether you pop on Alabama, Vanderbilt, or any other game in 2024, No. 32 was all over the field and hunting quarterbacks. – Roberts
- Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Passing on defensive tackle in an extremely deep 2025 class was a bizarre move by the Bengals. Luckily they had an absolute alien fall into their lap here at pick No. 26. At a hair over 6-6 and 333 pounds, you won’t find many more impressive athletes on the interior than Banks. He is still a bit rough around the edges, but the athletic skills are absurd. When Banks is playing with consistent leverage, and a strong first step, he is unblockable. He is expected to take that next step this upcoming season. – Roberts
- San Francisco 49ers: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
The 49ers could stand to find an upgrade for right tackle Colton McKivitz, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will also be 38 years old prior to the 2026 season. Shelton is an outstanding athlete who would excel in Kyle Shanahan’s outsize zone running scheme. He is also an extremely smooth pass protector who always looks in control. While Shelton doesn’t “dominate” like some others in the class, he is even more consistent. He just wins reps, and keeps his quarterback upright. – Roberts
- Kansas City Chiefs: Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
With Trent McDuffie playing both outside and in the nickel at times, the Chiefs have one of the very best defensive backs in the NFL. Outside of McDuffie, the cornerback room could use some attention. Jackson feels like their type as an outside cornerback, possessing a long frame with impressive overall movement skills. Jackson is consistently in great position as a cover man. He needs to locate the football better, but he flashed that in 2024 for the Crimson Tide after transferring over from USC. – Roberts
- Detroit Lions: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Lions drafted another linebacker? It might sound odd to some, but Detroit actually did a lot of digging into this past year’s linebacker class but opted to improve the interior defensive line early instead. Alex Anzalone has dealt with a lot of injuries during his career, and there’s a possibility his days are numbered in Detroit. Allen being on the board was a bit of a surprise, and made this decision even harder. His game is eerily similar to former Bulldog star Roquan Smith, possessing a stellar combination of instincts, explosiveness, and hit power. – Roberts
- Baltimore Ravens: Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn
The Ravens love their speed on offense, so let’s double and triple down here with Singleton. The Georgia Tech transfer has an argument as the fastest player in college football returning in 2025. He is also extremely quick, and one of the better route runners in the class. Whether it is as a route runner, or after the catch, Singleton is a hard player to keep under wraps. He is one of those players you hold your breath every time he touches the football. – Roberts
- Buffalo Bills: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
While everyone and their mother just wants to talk about Caleb Downs, there are several other impressive safety prospects in the 2026 class to know. If you love intelligent safeties on the back end that also have nice combinations of size, physicality, closing speed, and versatility, then Ramsey is your guy. The UCLA to USC transfer needs a lot more love as an overall football player. He is fantastic, and an immediate upgrade for the Bills. – Roberts
- Philadelphia Eagles: Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
Saka isn’t a household name yet, at least not for the NFL Draft sickos out there, but he is one of the more impressive pass rushers physically in all of college football. At 6-4 and 247 pounds, Saka has an ideal frame to put substantially more weight on without compromising his athleticism. His first step is outstanding, and so are his bend and closing burst. There is some boom or bust to Saka’s game, but the Eagles are the type of team that can take that risk. – Roberts