Is it too early for a 2026 mock draft? Of course. Instead, consider this more of a watch list for promising prospects in next year’s class, one that should feature a stark upgrade in quarterback talent — five passers are included in the mock below (and a few others could push for the first round).
Thirteen of the prospects in my way-too-early 2025 mock draft a year ago ultimately were drafted in the first round last weekend (eight more were selected on Day 2; six returned to school).
Before anyone gets upset about the projected order, I set it by flipping the current Super Bowl odds. Blame the betting books.
1. New Orleans Saints: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The Saints haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since Archie Manning in 1971, so it would certainly be poetic if his grandson breaks that streak. At this point, scouts believe there is a good chance Manning returns to school for his fourth year in 2026. But first, he needs to turn the hype into on-field production as a first-year starter in 2025.
2. New York Jets: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
With his dual-threat skills, Sellers was one of the most entertaining college quarterbacks to watch last season. It is probably too early to be talking about him this early in the draft, but that will change if he takes another step in his development as a passer.
3. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Evan Neal experiment was a failure in New York, which is why the Giants might be looking at offensive tackle early in next year’s draft. Fano has first-round feet and was equally effective in pass protection and as a run blocker last season.
4. Tennessee Titans: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Parker is one of those players you can’t help but notice when you are studying other players. His quickness off the ball and ability to affect the quarterback are frequent themes on his tape.
5. Cleveland Browns: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Had Allar declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he might have been the No. 2 pick (to his hometown Cleveland Browns). But he returned to school to further his development. If he continues to improve, he will be in the top-five conversation next April.
6. Carolina Panthers: Keldric Faulk, DT, Auburn
It was impossible to ignore Faulk — and his ability to disrupt the quarterback and stuff the run — when studying the Auburn-Cal tape from last season. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, with long arms, Faulk, according to scouts, will be in the conversation to be the first defensive lineman drafted next year.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
It has been almost a decade since the last top-10 safety selection (Jamal Adams in 2017). Can Downs break that streak? He played like the best safety in the country during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and there is no reason to think he won’t continue as a junior.
8. Indianapolis Colts: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
A mammoth offensive lineman, Proctor appeared dominant early last season before his play diminished late, especially in the bowl game against Michigan. Nonetheless, the talent is there for him to become a top-10 pick, if he continues to improve as a junior.
9. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Austin Barber, OT, Florida
A good-looking athlete at 6-6, 315, Barber shows off his range on pulls and climbs, and he is able to torque defenders off balance once he latches. He could interest a team such as the Browns, who have long-term question marks at left and right tackle.
10. New England Patriots: Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
The Oregon defensive line was a joy to watch this past season — 75 percent of its starters were drafted this past weekend (Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell). Uiagalelei is the lone returning starter, but he might have the highest ceiling of the group.
11. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
After playing his freshman season at Oregon State, McCoy enjoyed a breakout sophomore season after transferring to the Volunteers (13 passes defended and four interceptions). His ball instincts consistently stood out when I studied Tennessee’s defense last season.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Mike linebacker in Austin, Hill has a well-rounded skill set to make an impact as a blitzer, run stopper and cover man. The Longhorns had five defensive players drafted in the 2025 class, but their defense will be in good shape with Hill, true sophomore Colin Simmons and others.
13. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The 2027 draft class should include an epic group of wide receivers, but the 2026 class of pass catchers is a tad underwhelming at this point in the process. Of course, the Buckeyes have another first-round receiver in the pipeline, though — Tate could be Ohio State’s sixth first-round receiver in the last five years.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love is the only running back in this way-too-early mock, but he might be the class’ most exciting skill player. If he stays healthy in 2025, he will be in the Heisman discussion and cement his status as a first-round player.
15. Arizona Cardinals: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
It wouldn’t be a proper first-round mock without at least one Georgia defender. Allen was one of the best run defenders in the SEC last season and put several impressive coverage reps on tape.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The Steelers might still be looking for a long-term option at quarterback a year from now. Had Nussmeier bypassed his senior year at LSU, teams believe he could have been the second quarterback drafted in this past class.
17. Chicago Bears: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Bain burst onto the scene as a true freshman two years ago for the Hurricanes and should again be among the ACC’s top defensive players in 2025, if he stays healthy.
18. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Despite totaling just 332 receiving yards over his first two seasons in Eugene, Sadiq is poised for a breakout season in 2025 with Terrance Ferguson now in the NFL. The 6-3, 245-pound Idaho native is an athletic pass catcher for his size.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LT Overton, DT, Alabama
Although his impact appeared to tail off last season, Overton put dominant stretches together on his 2024 tape (see South Carolina). He has impressive movement skills for 285 pounds and should lead the Tide in pressures this season.
20. Houston Texans: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Clemson defensive coaches would line up the 315-pound Woods at defensive end last season to get the best four linemen on the field — and Woods didn’t look out of place. He will move inside to defensive tackle in 2025 and is on a first-round trajectory.
21. Minnesota Vikings: Jalon Kilgore, CB, South Carolina
After earning Freshman All-SEC honors in 2023, Kilgore tied for the SEC lead in interceptions (five) with Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba in 2024. Another productive season will punch his ticket for next April’s early rounds.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Tyreak Sapp, Edge, Florida
While studying the Florida defense late last season, I routinely came across Sapp standing out on the Ole Miss and Florida State tapes. At 6-2, 275, he should be the leader of the Gators’ defense in 2025.
23. San Francisco 49ers: Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
Boise State has consistently produced NFL talent, but it’s never had first-round picks in back-to-back years. There is a chance that Casey, who helped open run lanes for 2025 top-six pick Ashton Jeanty, could change that.
24. Green Bay Packers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Jaire Alexander might not be in Green Bay much longer, but Terrell — the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, reminds me a lot of Alexander. He’s undersized but an easy mover with natural cover instincts.
25. Washington Commanders: Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
Weeks was a tackling machine for the Tigers last season and looked like a future early-round pick. He suffered a dislocated ankle in LSU’s bowl game, but he’ll hopefully return to his 2024 form early this upcoming season.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The younger brother of Francisco Mauigoa, who was drafted this past weekend by the Jets, Francis Mauigoa was a big-time recruit for the Hurricanes and has started all 26 games at right tackle over the last two years. With improved consistency in 2025, he will put himself in the conversation to be a potential first-rounder.
27. Los Angeles Rams: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The fifth quarterback drafted in this mock, Mendoza was a pleasant surprise when watching the Cal offense this past season. He transferred to Indiana in the offseason, and it will be interesting to track his progress under Curt Cignetti.
28. Detroit Lions: Anto Saka, Edge, Northwestern
Saka has yet to start a game in college, so this might seem a tad early for him. But he consistently flashed on tape as a subpackage rusher (see the Maryland game), and his traits haven’t gone unnoticed by NFL scouts.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Keanu Tanuvasa, DT, BYU
A transfer from Utah, Tanuvasa missed a good chunk of last season. His strength and physicality was evident when he was on the field, though. He should be one of the Big 12’s best defensive prospects this season.
30. Buffalo Bills: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
A potential top-50 pick had he declared for the 2025 draft, Ramsey is a rangy athlete with a good feel for coverage. He gives scouts a reason to focus on the Trojans’ defense in 2025.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
A former five-star recruit, Stewart teases high-level receiving talent (see the Boise State and Ohio State tapes from last season) but needs to string together better consistency to be taken this early. Will 2025 finally be his breakout year?
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
Ozzy Trapilo, who was drafted in the second round over the weekend, locked down right tackle for Boston College while Bowry handled left tackle duties. Bowry’s run blocking needs to improve, but his efficiency patterns in pass pro drew scouts’ eyes.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Johnnie Izquierdo, Tim Warner, Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
