With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Penn. — which will be here before we know it.
There’s still an entire college football season and all the evaluation that comes with the NFL Scouting Combine and pre-draft workouts, but what is the 2026 NFL Draft shaping up to look like?
The order of the draft will be set by reverse Super Bowl odds, accounting for traded picks prior to and during the 2025 NFL Draft.
1) New Orleans Saints: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Although there’s chatter that Manning could stick around for one more year with the Longhorns, it would be an unprecedented move if he were to return to school if he’s projected to be the top pick come the end of the 2025 season.
Add in that it’s the Saints — his grandpa’s team — and this would be a terrific landing spot for the youngster, as New Orleans still badly needs a QB despite drafting the 25-year-old Tyler Shough in the second round in 2025. Quarterbacks rise to the top, and that’s exactly what will happen with Manning as he joins the Saints.
2) New York Giants: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
A year after drafting Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, the Giants dip right back into the EDGE market and take Parker, who’s solidified himself as the top pass rusher in the class. Giants’ EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux has a team option for the 2026 season and would likely command a big contract — the addition of Parker is much cheaper, and it infuses more youth into that position in New York.
3) Cleveland Browns: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Despite adding Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round in 2025, the Browns are headed for a season mired in uncertainty at the game’s most important position, with five passers currently on the roster. Once again expected to have a top pick, Klubnik could shore up Cleveland’s QB woes, as he’ll have been in the limelight as Clemson’s signal-caller for three full seasons and has performed extremely well at the college level.
4) New York Jets: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
From the beginning, QB Justin Fields’ two-year contract wasn’t viewed as a long-term solution for the Jets. After landing the fourth pick, Sellers is the third QB taken in the draft and represents a similar type of player to Fields, albeit not nearly as fast. He needs to show improvement in refining his mechanics, but he’s a guy who has a very high ceiling, and that’s what New York is set to bank on.
5) Tennessee Titans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
After taking their franchise QB in Cam Ward with the first overall pick in 2025, the Titans shore up their porous offensive line by taking the best tackle the draft. Mauigoa is massive, standing 6’6″, 315 pounds and could be Ward’s protector for the long run.
6) Carolina Panthers: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Widely regarded as one of the best players in college football for the past two seasons, Downs joins the Panthers in defending a suddenly high-level QB division. With Manning, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, and Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., Carolina could greatly benefit from a rangy, aggressive player in the middle of the field.
7) Las Vegas Raiders: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Star DT Christian Wilkins already has injury concerns heading into the 2025 season and the Raiders aim to replace him with the explosive Woods. Wilkins and Woods have a very similar body type and could play next to each other for a season before the Clemson DT takes over next to EDGE Maxx Crosby for the future.
8) Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Using the Jaguars’ first-rounder gained in the Travis Hunter trade, the Browns take their first step in protecting Klubnik by adding Fano.
MORE: 2026 NFL Draft Big Board
The Utah tackle graded out as one of the top run- and pass-blocking lineman in all of college football in 2024; nothing less is expected come 2025 and he’ll hear his name called within the top 10.
9) New England Patriots: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Uiagalelei has all the tools to become a top-tier pass rusher in the NFL and New England badly need a difference-maker at that position. Head coach Mike Vrabel knows the importance of a pass rush and grabs the Oregon EDGE here, who’s as physically imposing as it gets at 6’5″, 270 pounds.
10) Indianapolis Colts: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
While the cupboard isn’t completely bare at wide receiver for the Colts, their pass-catchers have repeatedly disappointed in recent years. The speedster Williams is projected as the top WR in the dr,aft and he finds a home here. It’s not inconceivable for Indianapolis to take a QB, but I’m betting on Anthony Richardson showing promise and the organization giving him one more go-round.
11) Seattle Seahawks: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Seahawks may be in the market for QB as well at this time next year, but I’m banking on Darnold having a solid year and Seattle looking to double down on protecting him. Lomu is extremely physical at the point of attack and could be the franchise LT for the foreseeable future.
12) Atlanta Falcons: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Falcons addressed an immediate need in selecting two edge rushers in the first round in 2025 — but it wasn’t enough. They add another here in Faulk, who they hope will be the missing piece in giving Atlanta a high-level defensive line. He registered seven sacks in his first season as a starter in 2024.
13) Miami Dolphins: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
On the surface, the Dolphins may seem like they have a good D-line. But a closer look reveals a group ravaged by injuries in recent years and could see the departure of Bradley Chubb come 2027. Bain has 11 sacks in his first two seasons at the college level and is a violent rusher.
14) Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
After not investing in a highly drafted RB in the 2025 draft, the Cowboys are headed towards another questionable season in terms of who will carry the ball. Love is extremely fast once he gets into the open field and could be a difference-maker for Dallas’ offense, which suddenly finds itself aging quickly.
15) Arizona Cardinals: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Linebackers aren’t often drafted this high, but Hill has a high ceiling and addresses a huge need for the Cardinals. The failed pick of LB Isaiah Simmons all the way back in 2020 has led to Arizona having a tough time finding a long-term solution; they get a monster in the middle in Hill. His 2024 stats: 113 total tackles, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception. He’d be first-round worthy in 2025 and is a sure-fire first-rounder in 2026.
16) Pittsburgh Steelers: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Steelers have had stability at the safety position with Minkah Fitzpatrick roaming the middle for the past couple years. However, his contract expires after the 2026 season and Pittsburgh could find his replacement a year early in Thieneman, who shot up draft boards during his two seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers. Now, he joins a high-level program with the Ducks which will almost certainly help his draft stock even more.
17) Chicago Bears: Cayden Green, IOL, Missouri
The Bears shored up the interior of their O-line this past offseason, but the fine print shows that 2025 is the final year of newly-acquired guard Joe Thuney. Add in that he’ll be 33 years old at this time next year and, unless they resign him to a long-term deal, could be right back in the market. Green projects as a contributor from Day 1 due to his combination of agility and strength.
18) Denver Broncos: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Broncos have their franchise QB in Bo Nix and take another step in helping accentuate him by adding Proctor. The No. 5 overall recruit in the 2023 class, Proctor has long been on draft boards. His potential is better than his current overall makeup, but Denver can manage to sit him for a season before easing him into the fire.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Although the Bucs added two cornerbacks on Day 2 in 2025, Terrell falling in their laps is too good to pass up for a unit that is still expected to be among the league’s worst. Terrell joins the same division as his brother, Atlanta CB A.J. Terrell. Both starred at Clemson, and the younger Terrell is expected to follow in his older brother’s footsteps in being taken in the first round.
20) Los Angeles Chargers: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
The age of pass-rusher Khalil Mack and departure of Joey Bosa leaves the Chargers’ defensive line in question regarding the future. They’ll almost certainly take an EDGE, and Overton is the top player on the board at this point. At 6’5″, 283 pounds, the Overton hasn’t produced at a high level yet — but is expected to take a step forward in 2025.
21) Houston Texans: Ethan Onianwa, OT, Ohio State
The Texans addressed the left tackle position in the 2025 draft in selecting Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery. They continue to add to franchise QB C.J. Stroud’s protection plan in nabbing Onianwa, who could slot in at right tackle. A transfer from Rice, 2025 will be a big season in determining whether the talented Onianwa is worthy of a first-round pick. Assuming he shows his ability, he lands with Houston.
22) Minnesota Vikings: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
A major surprise in the draft, the Vikings come out of the 2025 season uncertain about QB J.J. McCarthy’s future and head right back into the 2026 draft and take Nussmeier. The LSU passer has natural arm talent and could thrive in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system with a number of playmakers on the outside.
23) San Francisco 49ers: Rayon Wilson, LB, Georgia
The departure of LB Dre Greenlaw in the 2025 offseason has the 49ers set to give the job to third-year man Dee Winters, a career backup. Assuming that experience doesn’t go as well as expected, San Francisco would be wise to take Wilson, who is extremely fast and talented. He could serve as All-Pro LB Fred Warners’ understudy while contributing beside him early on.
24) Green Bay Packers: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
Instead of filling a major need in the first round in 2025, the Packers opted to crowd their WR room even more by taking Texas receiver Matthew Golden. There’s uncertainty over CB Jaire Alexander’s future with Green Bay now, and after a season where they’ll struggle in the secondary, Davis is the best option on the board at this point. It wouldn’t surprise me if he went earlier, making the Packers trade up to get their guy.
25) Cincinnati Bengals: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
With RB Chase Brown solidifying himself as a long-term option in the backfield, the Bengals grab another back in hopes of evenly distributing some of the load. Singleton has been a star in his first three seasons at Penn State, and that’ll be no different in 2025. He’s an electric, home run-hitting RB who could be an immediate star in the Bengals’ backfield alongside Brown.
26) Washington Commanders: Justice Haynes, RB, Alabama
The Commanders will aim to take a similar approach as Cincinnati in pairing Haynes right next to fellow Crimson Tide RB Brian Robinson Jr., who will be going on his fifth season in Washington come 2026. At 5’11”, 210 pounds, Haynes packs a punch while also having the ability to run away from defenders, adding to the dynamic abilities of the Commanders’ offense.
27) Los Angeles Rams: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The Rams decided not to add a QB in 2025 draft despite Matthew Stafford publicly deciding year-to-year regarding retirement. With another year down, Los Angeles has to address the position even if they’re a year ahead and Stafford decides to return. Allar has long been talented enough to be a first-rounder and sneaks into the first round. Being coached by offensive wiz Sean McVay is the best-case scenario for a young passer, and Allar will benefit greatly.
28) Detroit Lions: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
The Lions’ injuries along the D-line contributed to their demise in 2024 and presumably will continue to be an issue outside of Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson. Jacas has amassed 16 career sacks in three seasons and is shaping up for a big senior campaign with the Fighting Illini. He would fit well opposite Hutchinson as Detroit’s long-term pass-rushing duo.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma
The former Cal Bear, Ott recently transferred to Oklahoma and is set for a huge senior season after disappointing in 2024. Kansas City has had success with physical, aggressive ball-carriers, and they land another here in Ott, who excels in yards after contact.
30) Buffalo Bills: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
The Bills head into 2025 with question marks along their D-line. Late in the playoffs, their lack of talent on the interior could prove to be their demise, as giving too much time to Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes can be deadly. In Jackson, they gain an exceptionally strong anchor in the middle who can eat up double-teams at 6’5″, 330 pounds.
31) Baltimore Ravens: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
The Ravens’ pass-catching unit needs to be shored up in 2025 — but after not addressing the WR position with any long-term options, Baltimore will target Branch at the end of the first round. The Bulldogs WR is extremely talented and is an absolute speedster on the outside, something MVP QB Lamar Jackson hasn’t had since Marquise “Hollywood” Brown departed in 2021.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston is a physical receiver at 6’4″, 210 pounds and continuously finds a way to get open for the Huskies. The Eagles need a No. 3 receiver and, potentially, a young player who can play the A.J. Brown role in the future. With no other roster liabilities in particular, the Eagles get richer and add another strong target for franchise QB Jalen Hurts.
2026 NFL Mock Draft | Second Round
33) New Orleans Saints
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
34) New York Giants
Jalen Kilgore, CB, South Carolina
35) Cleveland Browns
Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn
36) New York Jets
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
37) Tennessee Titans
Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
38) Carolina Panthers
Dayton Everette, CB, Georgia
39) Las Vegas Raiders
Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
40) Jacksonville Jaguars
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
41) New England Patriots
Josh Moten, CB, Marshall
42) Indianapolis Colts
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
43) Seattle Seahawks
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
44) Atlanta Falcons
Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
45) Miami Dolphins
DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado
46) Dallas Cowboys
Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
47) Arizona Cardinals
Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
48) Pittsburgh Steelers
Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
49) Chicago Bears
Dani Dennis Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
50) Denver Broncos
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
51) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
52) Los Angeles Chargers
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
53) Houston Texans
Donte Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
54) Minnesota Vikings
Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan
55) San Francisco 49ers
Tree Babalade, OT, South Carolina
56) Green Bay Packers
Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame
57) Cincinnati Bengals
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
58) Washington Commanders
Roderick Kearney, IOL, Florida
59) Los Angeles Rams
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
60) Detroit Lions
Isaac Smith, S, Mississippi State
61) Kansas City Chiefs
Connor Tolison, IOL, Missouri
62) Buffalo Bills
Demonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
63) Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU
64) Philadelphia Eagles
Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Texas
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