It’s jarring to me that we are already nearly halfway through the college football season and a quarter of the way through the NFL season. With that, however, we can already begin to start feeling out where teams have needs and what prospects are starting to round into form who can fill those needs in the upcoming NFL Draft.

For the 2026 NFL Draft, expect plenty of conversation surrounding the quarterbacks, because the rest of the class is extremely top-heavy. However, we could have as many as five quarterbacks go in the top half of the 2026 draft, making this one to keep an eye on for years to come.

The draft order is taken from Tankathon using current NFL standings, and I don’t have any compensatory selections in either, as those have yet to be announced.

First Round

1. New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

I understand that the Jets gave Justin Fields essentially a two-year deal to be under center for them and that the problems in New York go well beyond just him, but I’m ready to call the Fields experiment over. We’ll see if Aaron Glenn and co. survive what has been an utter disaster of a season. Regardless of if they do or not, the Jets need a new franchise quarterback. Moore has aced every test he’s faced this season and has been the best quarterback in the country this year. I’m not a betting man, but I feel pretty convinced he will be the at least the first quarterback drafted at this rate.

2. Cleveland Browns: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Browns drafted both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders last year, but I don’t envision the team thinks of either as the future of the franchise. Mendoza has taken a huge step forward this year with the Hoosiers and boasts a strong blend of traits and cerebral ability that head coach Kevin Stefanski will covet for this offense.

3. Baltimore Ravens: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

A linebacker in the top three picks might be unusual in this day and age, but Reese isn’t exactly a normal linebacker. He’s the complete package at linebacker and is capable of aligning anywhere and filling in any responsibility at an elite level. In today’s NFL, that kind of versatility and play is rare and a highly-coveted skill set, no matter what people will say when they see his position. For a team in desperate need to overhaul its front seven, Reese is a perfect fit. The Ravens have paid key attention to the consensus board rankings in recent drafts, and I suspect Reese won’t leave the top three for many analysts.

4. Miami Dolphins: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

I understand that Tua Tagovailoa has plenty of money left on his deal, but it feels like his time in Miami is at the end. With Mike McDaniel likely out at the end of the season, a new regime can come in and select their own quarterback of the future, and Sellers actually boasts the arm talent to prop up a passing game once the weather gets slightly chilly.

5. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

The Saints’ pass rush has been fairly lackluster on the edges, and it feels like Cameron Jordan will hang it up at the end of the year. Thanks to a run on quarterbacks early, the Saints can snag Bain here, who has been the most dominant pass rusher in the country so far and a big reason why the Hurricanes are undefeated.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

We’ve all seen the Raiders’ offensive line this year. I don’t think I need to go much further than that. Fano is still the top offensive tackle in the class, and should form a physical duo up front opposite of Kolton Miller for Las Vegas.

7. Tennessee Titans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

After a disappointing start to the season, I thought Proctor’s last couple of performances against Georgia and Vanderbilt were enough for me to buy back in on his draft stock. I’d like for him to continue building out his consistency, but there’s a strong foundation of traits there that NFL teams will covet. For Tennessee, the Dan Moore signing has been a major flop, and something they have to fix ASAP for Cam Ward to hold up in the NFL.

8. New York Giants: Francisco Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

Once Andrew Thomas returns at left tackle, the Giants’ offensive line should hold up much better, but the future on the right side is completely up in the air. Regardless of if Brian Daboll is the head coach or if a new regime is in town, improving their play up front has to be their biggest priority this coming offseason.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

You can honestly pick any position on the Bengals’ defense and you’d have a strong argument as to why their first pick should go there. However, the Bengals have a huge opportunity here to pair arguably the best player in the draft with an area of weakness that has plagued them for years. Peter Woods is yet another monster up the middle for the Tigers, and he would be a key building block for Cincinnati up front as they retool their defense.

10. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

It sounds more and more like Travis Kelce will finally be hanging it up at the end of the season, and the Chiefs don’t have anyone else on the roster that draws his level of attention. At least, until they add Kenyon Sadiq here in round one. Sadiq is arguably the top offensive non-quarterback prospect in the draft, with freakish athletic traits and top-flight ability as a receiver. No brainer for the Chiefs here.

11. Carolina Panthers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

I’m convinced that the Bryce Young era in Carolina is pretty much over, as it’s hard to rely on his inconsistent play, and both the Panthers and head coach Dave Canales should look to find a new quarterback this offseason. Hot take? Perhaps, but Carolina’s offense feels unsustainable at the moment. Simpson has been stellar his first season as a starter, demonstrating outstanding processing and accuracy to go along with a fairly strong arm. It’s still fairly early on in the process, but it feels more and more like he will end up in the top-ten picks by the time the season ends.

12. Houston Texans: A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

I know offensive line will be a popular pick for Houston, and it probably should be, but Houston has rarely gone with consensus opinion here, and seems willing to wait and gamble to add talent at another position of need. Houston’s entire interior defensive line is set to hit free agency, and something tells me the Texans will want to keep their defensive line the strength of the team. Washington has been outstanding up front for the Ducks, using his elite combination of explosiveness and play strength to wreck shop on opposing offensive lines.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State

The Cardinals’ offensive line has been fairly uninspiring this season, and part of that, in my opinion, is a talent deficiency. That, combined with their impending departures in free agency, has me convinced that their offensive line should be the top priority in the offseason. Shelton hasn’t been as consistent as I would have hoped, but he is still putting together a good season, and has all the tools NFL teams look for.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

I imagine with Dallas’s emphasis on stopping the run up front, Keldric Faulk will be very high on their boards come draft day, with his length, play strength, and movement skills to be a true three-down defensive end.

15. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

Quarterback has to be the first position addressed by the Rams come draft day. They do not have the future post-Stafford figured out yet, and until they do, it will linger over the team. It’s still up in the air if Mateer will declare or not, but McVay has wanted a dual-threat passer for years, and Mateer’s attitude and arm talent will appeal to McVay. If he can sit for a year behind Stafford, this could be a gamble that pays off for the Rams for the foreseeable future.

16. Chicago Bears: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

It’s a shame we haven’t seen Jermod McCoy yet this season due to an injury, but that shouldn’t limit his NFL ceiling at all. McCoy is an outstanding blend of athleticism, instincts, and ball skills that make him the top corner in this draft class, even with the injury.

17. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

I think it’s safe to say the Deebo Samuel experiment in Washington has failed, and Terry McLaurin is getting older and has already battled injuries this season. Without a lot of young skill talent around Jayden Daniels, Washington’s ceiling offensively feels untenable. Tate has taken a strong leap forward this year at the wide receiver pipeline known as Ohio State, and feels like a strong bet to be the first receiver off the board in April.

18. Los Angeles Rams: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

There are linebacker options for the Rams to take here, but as long as McVay refuses to change his defensive mindset, I have my doubts the Rams will ever invest there early. Thus, I have to turn to their next biggest need: cornerback. Delane won’t be for every team with his average speed and lack of length, but the Rams have never cared about physical ability, and will covet his elite awareness, physicality, and ball skills.

19. New England Patriots: Caleb Downs, SAF, Alabama

This might be my favorite player-team fit I have ever put into a mock draft. I wrote it down and now I can’t get it out of my head. Downs is a quintessential Patriots style of player with his cerebral ability, versatility, and physicality, and he fills a need with Kyle Dugger likely leaving at the end of the season. New England capitalizes on a blue-chip prospect falling due to positional value and gets a key defensive building block to strengthen that side of the ball even more.

20. Denver Broncos: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

If anyone is wondering why I’d mock the Broncos’ a linebacker in round one, I’d suggest you turn on the film from last week’s game against the Eagles. I’ll rest my case there. Styles is an awesome weapon for the Buckeyes with his freakish traits and awareness. Him in Vance Joseph’s defense would be thrilling to break down every week and solve a key weakness of the defense.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

I will mock the Chargers a center until they finally address the position by replacing Bradley Bozeman. It’s maddening that they were content to roll with it as is heading into the season, and it’s a big reason why Justin Herbert is on pace to take more hits than Andrew Luck. Fix it, LA.

22. Minnesota Vikings: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Much like Denver, I’m making a pick for both selfish and practical reasons. I do think the Vikings need a true three-down linebacker roaming the middle of their defense, especially if it reduces Ivan Pace’s workload to something more fitting of his skill set. However, I mainly just love the fit of an athlete like Allen in Brian Flores’s defense, and I’d love to see the stuff a mad scientist like Flores could cook to capitalize on Allen’s rare movement skills, awareness, and physicality.

23. Seattle Seahawks: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State

Davison Igbinosun has always been a talented coverage player, but his film last season was maddeningly inconsistent and he was far too aggressive, leading to far, far too many penalties. However, he’s grown this season and his discipline is vastly improved so far, making him one of the most appealing coverage options in this draft.

24. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

I mean, we all know this is gonna happen, right?

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Steelers undoubtedly have to figure out who their next quarterback is, but without a lot of options here, I’m aiming for their next need over at wide receiver. DK Metcalf has been a strong addition, but he’s been the only threat in that offense so far beyond jump balls to Calvin Austin III, who is a pending free agent. Lemon’s natural separation ability would be a boon for whoever is under center next season in Pittsburgh.

26. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

When you add a quarterback early in the draft, it’s always best to pair him with either another top-flight playmaker or offensive tackle. With the way this draft class is, however, I can’t imagine Cleveland would be keen on reaching for a player at this point at offensive tackle, especially since they covet best player available. Thus, Tyson, with his route running ability and ability after the catch, won out here, and would give Mendoza a go-to receiver in a room lacking in premier talent.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

While the Buccaneers have had a strong season from free agent Haason Reddick, I think they need a long-term player here to build around for the foreseeable future. Bailey’s explosiveness, pass rush move set, and bend, he can immediately be Tampa Bay’s most disruptive edge rusher.

28. Detroit Lions: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

I feel like I’ve written about Detroit’s pass rush for years as a need, and the Lions have never added much around Aidan Hutchinson despite that. Even if it’s the definition of insanity, I’m going to do it one more time here by giving them as disruptive a pass rusher as you’ll find in Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas. There has never been a pass rusher with arms shorter than 32″, so Thomas’s 31 6/8″ arms will be something teams will consider during the draft process, but he has been so dominant as a pass rusher that I think teams will overlook it by the end of round one. Thomas’s mentality is a seamless culture fit with Dan Campbell and the Lions.

29. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The Bills have built their pass rush out of bigger, stronger defensive ends that can play on all three downs. With A.J. Epenesa and joey Bosa heading to free agency, the Bills capitalize on the opportunity to take another player in a similar mold here with Parker.

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

I haven’t been completely in love with Isaiah World’s film this season, but he is a phenomenal athlete and scheme fit in Shanahan’s outside zone offense, and the 49ers do need to start thinking about life after Trent Williams manning the left tackle spot.

31. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State

The Colts have been much improved defensively thanks to the hiring of new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. However, I think they need to upgrade their talent at cornerback if they want to take that next step defensively for the long haul. Harris fits the profile that the Colts have targeted at cornerback under Chris Ballard, and has been a strong defender for the Nittany Lions.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

The Eagles are nothing if not consistent, so keeping with the SEC theme here felt prudent, especially when it solves a need. Philadelphia’s defensive line, especially up the middle, has fallen off from last season, and they need a more disruptive option they can plug in up front. Miller has been a breakout star for Georgia this season, aligning everywhere on the defensive line and clogging up lanes and harassing opposing passers.

Second Round

33. New York Jets: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
34. Baltimore Ravens: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
35. Miami Dolphins: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
36. New Orleans Saints: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
37. Las Vegas Raiders: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
38. Tennessee Titans: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
39. New York Giants: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
40. Cleveland Browns: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
41. Kansas City Chiefs: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
42. Carolina Panthers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
43. Houston Texans: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
44. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
45. Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
46. Atlanta Falcons: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
47. Chicago Bears: Kamari Ramsey, SAF, USC
48. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
49. Los Angeles Rams: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
50. Houston Texans: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
51. Denver Broncos: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
52. Los Angeles Chargers: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
53. Minnesota Vikings: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
54. Seattle Seahawks: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
55. New England Patriots: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
56. Green Bay Packers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
57. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn
58. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
59. Detroit Lions: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
60. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
61. San Francisco 49ers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo
62. Buffalo Bills: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
63. Indianapolis Colts: Matayo Uiagalalei, EDGE, Oregon
64. Philadelphia Eagles: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

Third Round

65. Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ): Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
66. Miami Dolphins: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
67. New Orleans Saints: Jermaine Mathews Jr., CB, Ohio State
68. Las Vegas Raiders: DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado
69. Tennessee Titans: Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
70. Houston Texans (via NYG): Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
71. Cleveland Browns: Iapani Laloulu, OC, Oregon
72. Baltimore Ravens: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
73. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
74. Miami Dolphins (via HOU): Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
75. Arizona Cardinals: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
76. Cincinnati Bengals: Dillon Thienemen, SAF, Oregon
77. Kansas City Chiefs: CJ Daniels, WR, Miami (FL)
78. Chicago Bears: Austin Siereveld, OT, Ohio State
79. Pittsburgh Steelers (via DAL): Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL)
80. Atlanta Falcons: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
81. Washington Commanders: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
82. Los Angeles Rams: Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
83. Los Angeles Chargers: Greg Johnson, G, Minnesota
84. Minnesota Vikings: Waymond Jordan, RB, USC
85. Seattle Seahawks: Zakee Wheatley, SAF, Penn State
86. New England Patriots: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
87. Denver Broncos: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
88. Green Bay Packers: David Oke, DT, Arkansas
89. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cayden Green, G, Missouri
90. Jacksonville Jaguars (via DET): Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
91. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
93. Buffalo Bills: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
94. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
95. Indianapolis Colts: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
96. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor