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Way-too-early A to Z Sports 2026 NFL mock draft

A mock draft in August? It’s never too early for our college football experts here at A to Z Sports. With the college season just a couple of weeks away, NFL scouts and front offices will begin evaluating players from across the nation. Here is our first of what will be many 2026 mock drafts over the next several months.

1. New Orleans Saints, Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker: “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.” —Destin Adams

2. Tennessee Titans, Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.: “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 be in the conversation as a top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.” —Destin Adams

3. Cleveland Browns, Ohio State S Caleb Downs: “What is 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, helping lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship last season. 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.” —Destin Adams

4. New York Giants, Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor: “The Giants could have already handed the keys of their starting QB job to 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart by the time the 2026 NFL Draft arrives. There isn’t a WR or TE worth using the 4th overall pick on. So instead, I have the Giants forming a lethal tackle duo for the future between Andrew Thomas and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor.” —Destin Adams

5. New York Jets, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik: “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. If that’s the case, you can’t rule out QB with this selection.” —Destin Adams

NFL Draft

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.

Destin Adams

The latest on Matthew Stafford’s injury

The Los Angeles Rams are entering the 2025 season with Super Bowl aspirations, but are already experiencing a major scare with quarterback Matthew Stafford. A couple of weeks ago Stafford was said to be dealing with simple back soreness, but wasn’t expected to miss significant time.

Fast forward to this past Wednesday it was revealed that Stafford has an aggravated disc and had to receive an epidural to help him deal with the pain. He was supposed to be back at practice by this time, but it now appears he won’t participate in preseason whatsoever.

The Rams have labeled Stafford as week-to-week and insist that he’ll be ready for Week 1. Back injuries can be tricky and linger on long-term. When you also factor in that Stafford is 37 years old, there is certainly cause for concern. L.A.’s backup QB is veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, who is more than capable of holding things down for a while should Stafford miss regular season games.

However, if Stafford’s back problems are a season-long issue, trying to win a Super Bowl with Garoppolo at the helm will be much more challenging. Looking much further down the line, it has been heavily speculated that the Rams are already coveting Texas QB Arch Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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