The 2025 NFL Draft is now in our rearview mirror. Therefore, it’s time to move on to the 2026 NFL Draft. While it might be too early to break down prospect film, it’s never a bad time for a way-too-early mock draft. Therefore, let’s not waste any time and dive into it.
This mock draft is for the first round only and will include six hypothetical trades. The draft order is set based on the reverse Super Bowl odds.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1) New Orleans Saints – Cade Klubnik (QB – Clemson)
If the Saints land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it likely means Tyler Shough had an awful rookie season. Therefore, expect them to select a quarterback with the top pick.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Indianapolis Colts receive pick 2. Cleveland Browns receive picks 7, 2027 & 2028 first-rounders.
2) Indianapolis Colts (via Browns) – Drew Allar (QB – Penn State)
Unfortunately, Anthony Richardson seems like a bust, while Daniel Jones isn’t the long-term answer. The Colts pay a heavy price to move ahead of several quarterback-needy teams to secure the Penn State star.
3) New York Jets – LaNorris Sellers (QB – South Carolina)
The last time three consecutive quarterbacks came off the board at the start of the NFL Draft was in 2024. While the upcoming class isn’t as elite, don’t be surprised when multiple passers come off the board to teams who didn’t take one this year.
4) Tennessee Titans – T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)
While the Titans used their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Oluwafemi Oladejo, they could use more help rushing the quarterback. Parker would give them a No. 1 caliber edge rusher.
5) New York Giants – Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)
Andrew Thomas has struggled to stay healthy lately, missing 11 games in 2024 and seven in 2023. Proctor could start at right tackle and give the Giants options if Thomas continues to miss time with injuries.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Los Angeles Rams receive pick 6. Carolina Panthers receive picks 10, 2026 second-rounder.
6) Los Angeles Rams (via Panthers) – Garrett Nussmeier (QB – LSU)
The Rams have made one first-round pick since hiring Sean McVay as their head coach in 2017. With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Los Angeles has the firepower to move up to secure the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford.
7) Cleveland Browns (via Colts) – Peter Woods (DL – Clemson)
Hopefully, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel shows enough as rookies to be the Browns’ long-term starting quarterback. However, don’t be surprised if they move back regardless and add more long-term draft capital. Pairing Woods with Mason Graham and Myles Garrett would give Cleveland one of the top defensive lines in the NFL.
8) Las Vegas Raiders – Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)
Las Vegas signed Maxx Crosby to a massive contract extension earlier this offseason, keeping him on their books through the 2029 season. However, the superstar could use more help chasing down quarterbacks, especially with Tyree Wilson totaling eight sacks in 33 career games.
9) Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville) – Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)
Denzel Ward could be a cap casualty after the 2025 season. More importantly, Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson Jr. are heading into the final year of their rookie contracts.
10) Carolina Panthers (via Rams, Atlanta) – Anthony Hill Jr. (LB – Texas)
The Panthers didn’t select a linebacker during the 2025 NFL Draft. Carolina has lacked a difference-maker in the middle of their defense since Luke Kuechly retired.
11) New England Patriots – Isaiah World (OT – Oregon)
While the Patriots just used the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Will Campbell, some have concerns about him holding up at left tackle. World would allow the team to move Campbell to guard or right tackle.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Minnesota Vikings receive pick 12. Miami Dolphins receive picks 19, 2026 second-rounder.
12) Minnesota Vikings (via Dolphins) – Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)
Downs should be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft despite being a safety. He would be an excellent long-term replacement for Harrison Smith and give Minnesota the perfect option to defend the young, talented tight ends in the NFC North.
13) Seattle Seahawks – Antonio Williams (WR – Clemson)
The only wide receiver guaranteed to be on Seattle’s roster in 2026 is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Therefore, the Seahawks will likely use an early-round pick to improve their wide receiver core.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Chicago Bears receive picks 14, 2026 fourth-rounder. Arizona Cardinals receive picks 16, 2026 third-rounder.
14) Chicago Bears (via Cardinals) – Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)
Chicago swaps Arizona mid-round picks to jump ahead of the Dallas Cowboys for the clear-cut top running back in the draft class. While D’Andre Swift will remain the Bears’ starting running back in 2025, the team can get out of his contract next offseason.
15) Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Banks (DL – Florida)
It’s a make-or-break year for former first-round pick Mazi Smith in 2025. Unfortunately, he has played fewer than 48% of the snaps both years in the NFL, which could lead to the Cowboys using their first-round pick in 2026 on his replacement.
16) Pittsburgh Steelers – Domani Jackson (CB – Alabama)
Darius Slay signed a one-year deal with the Steelers earlier this offseason. However, the veteran is a stop-gap option and is near the end of his career. Jackson would be an excellent long-term option to pair with Joey Porter Jr.
17) Arizona Cardinals (via Bears) – Francis Mauigoa (OL – Miami)
The Cardinals used only one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on their offensive line, selecting Hayden Conner in the sixth round. However, that won’t be the case next year when Jonah Williams is set to be a free agent. Mauigoa can replace Williams at right tackle or move inside to guard.
18) Houston Texans – Austin Barber (OT – Florida)
Houston made several changes to their offensive line this offseason. However, they still have a lack of long-term options on the roster. Barber could step in as a rookie protecting C.J. Stroud’s blindside.
19) Miami Dolphins (via Vikings) – A.J. Harris (CB – Penn State)
Reportedly, Jalen Ramsey’s days in Miami are coming to an end. Yet, the Dolphins waited until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft to add a cornerback. Harris would be the team’s top cornerback as a rookie.
20) Denver Broncos – Christen Miller (DL – Georgia)
How much more help does the Broncos defense need? The answer is none after drafting Jahdae Barron this year. However, John Franklin-Myers is a free agent after the upcoming season and is unlikely to return in 2026.
21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Suntarine Perkins (EDGE – Ole Miss)
Nearly every mock draft had the Buccaneers taking an edge rusher with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, they waited until the fourth round to select. Don’t expect that to be the case again next year.
22) Los Angeles Chargers – Matayo Uiagalelei (EDGE – Oregon)
Joey Bosa left this offseason, while Khalil Mack is playing on a one-year deal. Uiagalelei would pair well with Tuli Tuipulotu, giving Los Angeles two dynamic long-term edge rushers.
23) Green Bay Packers – Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)
Unfortunately, Lukas Van Ness has been a bust and is heading into a make-or-break season. The Packers will likely be looking for edge rusher help early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
24) Los Angeles Rams – Malik Muhammad (CB – Texas)
Reportedly, the Rams could trade for Jalen Ramsey after he played for the team from 2019 through 2022. However, that is a stop-gap option for a team that has needed help at cornerback for years.
25) San Francisco 49ers – Keon Sabb (S – Alabama)
The 49ers lost Talanoa Hufanga in free agency earlier this offseason. Furthermore, Malik Mustapha is coming off a torn ACL injury, putting his start to the 2025 season in doubt. Yet, San Francisco waited until the fifth round to add a safety.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Kansas City Chiefs receive pick 26. Cincinnati Bengals receive picks 31, 2026 third-rounder.
26) Kansas City Chiefs (via Bengals) – Nick Singleton (RB – Penn State)
While the 2026 NFL Draft running back class isn’t as deep as this year’s group, there are two first-round prospects. The Chiefs jump ahead of the Washington Commanders for Singleton in this mock draft, ending their messy running back by committee backfield.
27) Washington Commanders – Evan Stewart (WR – Oregon)
Washington added Deebo Samuel, Michael Gallup, and Jaylin Lane to their wide receiver room this offseason. However, Samuel and Gallup are free agents after the upcoming season, while Lane was a fourth-round pick. More importantly, Terry McLaurin is heading into the final year of his contract.
28) Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)
Few teams value their offensive line more than the Lions. Unfortunately, Taylor Decker is getting up in age and could be a cap casualty after the 2026 season. Fano could spend next season as the team’s swing tackle before taking over protecting Jared Goff‘’s blindside in 2027.
29) Baltimore Ravens – Darrell Jackson Jr. (DL – Florida State)
The Ravens added two impact players on defense during the 2025 NFL Draft. However, they waited until the sixth round to draft a defensive lineman despite Travis Jones being a free agent after the upcoming season.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
Pittsburgh Steelers receive pick 30. Buffalo Bills receive picks 2026 second-rounder, 2027 first-rounder.
30) Pittsburgh Steelers (via Bills) – Sam Leavitt (QB – Arizona State)
Unless you believe sixth-round rookie Will Howard is the team’s long-term quarterback, the Steelers will need to spend an early pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a passer.
31) Cincinnati Bengals (via Chiefs) – Jalon Kilgore (S – South Carolina)
No one was surprised to see the Bengals spend most of their 2025 draft capital on defense. However, they need help in the secondary with starting safeties Geno Stone and Jordan Battle set to hit the open market over the next two years.
32) Philadelphia Eagles – LT Overton (EDGE – Alabama)
No team values their defensive line more than the Eagles. Yet, they waited until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft to add an edge rusher despite losing Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat this offseason.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
