3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Arch Manning Goes No. 1, Garrett Nussmeier Replaces Derek Carr

Hello, fellow draft fanatics! Another draft season has come and gone, but rest assured, we at PFSN have you covered. While most NFL Draft analysts go on vacation during the summer months, we do things a bit differently. We are grinding tape on the 2026 class and getting right back on track, full steam ahead!

I am about three weeks into summer scouting, and the early returns on the 2026 class are extremely exciting. The quarterback class is excellent, offensive tackles will go early and often, and the defensive line group is stacked.

This 2026 Mock Draft is not meant to be super predictive — it is far too early for that — but it should be used to give you a heads up on which players to focus on as we get ready for the 2025 college season.

1) Cleveland Browns

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Sure to be the apple of the 2026 class’s eye, Texas QB Arch Manning goes first overall in this mock draft. Manning hasn’t played a lot of football, but he has all the tools to be a franchise-changing quarterback.

With his poise, accuracy, and athleticism, Manning projects as a future top quarterback at the next level. I will be keen to watch his development as he gets set to play his first year as a starter.

2) New York Jets

LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

If the New York Jets are picking this high in the draft, it likely means that the Justin Fields experience was a failure. In this case, the Jets take the quarterback with perhaps the highest upside in the 2026 class, South Carolina’s QB LaNorris Sellers.

Sellers has outstanding playmaking ability as he possesses exceptional quickness, play strength, and instincts. His ability to create big plays in and out of structure will surely intrigue NFL decision-makers.

3) New Orleans Saints

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

I don’t believe that Tyler Shough will be the answer at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, and because of that, I think the team will look to add one high in the 2026 NFL Draft. One quarterback that I think is highly intriguing is Garrett Nussmeir, the LSU Tigers starter.

Nussmeier had a tremendous start to the year in 2024, but his play faltered toward the end of his season. He was predicted by many scouts to be a first-round pick had he come out, and I expect that, with a big season, he will be a very high draft pick next year.

4) Tennessee Titans

T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The Tennessee Titans added their franchise quarterback this past draft with the addition of Cam Ward and now look to add to the defensive side of the football.

T.J. Parker is one of the best players in all of college football. He is long, explosive, and has an array of rush moves to get home to the quarterback. I expect Parker to have a monster season next year and be one of the first defensive players off the board.

5) New York Giants

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The New York Giants hope that 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart is the team’s answer at quarterback. To ensure that Dart is as good as he can be, the team would be wise to draft an offensive tackle high to protect him.

Fano is a young but immensely talented offensive tackle. He has excellent size and incredible power at the point of attack. He would be a great addition to this offensive line.

6) Carolina Panthers

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

I was a big fan of Ikem Ekwonu as a prospect, but he hasn’t been as advertised in the NFL. I think the Carolina Panthers should look to improve their offensive line, and addressing left tackle makes a lot of sense this high in the draft.

Kadyn Proctor is a plug-and-play starter who flashes very good length and movement skills. He has a rare size and plays with a physical temperament. I like the idea of adding Proctor to the blindside of QB Bryce Young.

7) Indianapolis Colts

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

As you can see, the 2026 QB class looks a lot more talented than 2025, as the fourth QB goes off the board here in the first seven picks. Cade Klubnik, a former five-star recruit, finally put it all together last season and showed why he was so highly thought of coming out of high school.

Klubnik has a strong arm and throws with outstanding velocity and accuracy. He is a threat with his legs as well, having created many big plays on the ground. He would be a great player to add to replace Anthony Richardson.

8) Cleveland Browns

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If you need a receiver, you might as well bet on a Buckeye. Tate looks to take on a bigger role in Ohio State’s offense with the departure of Emeka Egbuka. He is a silky smooth route runner, has excellent hands, and good overall size.

Tate would be a great player to pair with the young Manning and give Cleveland a solid receiver core, as he could pair with Jerry Jeudy.

9) Las Vegas Raiders

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Las Vegas would be thrilled if the board fell this way. Josh Downs is very likely to carry the highest non-quarterback grade in next year’s class. He is hyper-instinctual and one of the best overall athletes to play safety that we have seen in years.

The addition of Downs would give the Las Vegas Raiders a true superstar in the back end of their defense. If you are a Raiders fan, you feel great about adding Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and Downs in three consecutive drafts.

10) Los Angeles Rams

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Los Angeles Rams are picking in the top 10 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons, who traded their first-round pick to L.A. in order to move up in the 2025 draft to select James Pearce Jr. That said, the Rams are in a great position here and could go a lot of different ways.

Jermod McCoy is one of the top corners in next year’s class. He is an excellent athlete who flashes some very good instincts and ball skills to make plays on the football.

11) Arizona Cardinals

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

Francis Mauigoa is a fascinating prospect who could be in store for a massive leap in 2026. He has a very good size and is an above-average athlete. He is a very good run blocker who is still perfecting his craft as a pass blocker.

A right tackle for all of his career, I like the idea of Mauigoa going to the Arizona Cardinals and starting opposite left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. to form a very talented tackle duo.

12) Dallas Cowboys

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

It’s not often you see a 315-pound player line up outside at defensive end, but that’s exactly what Peter Woods did last season. Woods is a massive player who has rare size and strength. While he will kick back inside to tackle his more natural position, the fact that he showed enough to win off the edge should excite NFL decision-makers.

Dallas loves to draft in the trenches in the first round, and I see no reason that changes here. Woods can come in and be an instant impact player in year one along this defensive front.

13) Miami Dolphins

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Anthony Hill Jr. is the leader of the Texas defense and will be in store for a massive season in 2025. He offers excellent size, speed, and instincts and is exactly the kind of player you want in the middle of your defense in today’s NFL.

The Miami Dolphins have continued to invest in their defense, and I believe they could still use another linebacker. With the additions of Kenneth Grant this year and now Hill, this defense will be a lot more physical.

14) New England Patriots

Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon

New England addressed offense a good amount in this past year’s draft, and I think head coach Mike Vrabel will want to get some dogs on the defensive side of the ball this time around.

Matayo Uiagalelei is a productive player who has been one of the best pure pass rushers in college football. He plays with quickness, power, and a relentless motor to get home to the quarterback. He has very high upside, and he could go even higher with another strong year at Oregon.

15) Seattle Seahawks

Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

Seattle has drafted very well over the last few years and was wise to add to the interior offensive line this past draft with the addition of Grey Zabel. I like Charles Cross at left tackle, but I do think Seattle could improve on the right side.

World is a Nevada transfer but has all the tools to be a high-end prospect. He is long, athletic, and has very good technique. Look for him to be on everyone’s radar now that he is playing for Oregon.

16) Chicago Bears

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the best pass rushers in all of college football and should be one of the highest-ranked prospects in the class come next April. He has been a productive player since the minute he stepped foot on campus as a true freshman and should be poised for a big season in 2025.

Chicago adding another pass rusher makes a lot of sense. The team went all-in on offense this past draft, but without a strong defense, this team won’t get to where they want to go.

17) Houston Texans

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

I respect the hell out of Joe Mixon, but he likely only has a few good years left in him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is his last year with the Houston Texans. Adding a workhorse for this Texans offense just feels right.

Jeremiyah Love is an explosive running back who flashes outstanding speed and vision. He was one of the best backs in the country last year and enters the season as a clear Heisman favorite.

18) Minnesota Vikings

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Kenyon Sadiq is a certified freak. He is long, explosive, and is an absolute menace with the ball in his hands. He only played a handful of snaps as he split time with Terrance Ferguson last season, but he will be the focal point for the Ducks’ offense in 2025.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy loves to throw to tight ends, and while T.J. Hockenson is in the fold, adding a talent like Sadiq would make this offense impossible to defend.

19) Pittsburgh Steelers

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

The Pittsburgh Steelers elected not to draft a quarterback in last year’s draft, but I fully expect them to be in the market here in 2026. Luckily for them, next year’s class has plenty of potential options to choose from.

Drew Allar is a polarizing prospect, and I actually like him much more than this draft selection would say. I think he has a chance to go in the top three of next year’s draft. He has all of the physical attributes you want, played well in Penn State’s biggest games last season, and did so without much help from his receivers. If he takes a step forward, watch out.

20) Denver Broncos

Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

I was mildly surprised that the Denver Broncos didn’t take a receiver in the first two rounds of last year’s draft, but that could be a sign that they like their young receivers more than most of the media thinks (Troy Franklin — big year incoming?). With that being said, I do think adding another receiver makes sense here as they continue to build around Bo Nix.

Williams is a bit undersized, but he is an explosive athlete and runs very good routes. He brings the Broncos a reliable pass-catching option who can win at all three levels of the field.

21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Keldric Faulk, DT, Auburn

There’s a good chance Keldric Faulk goes much higher than this, but I couldn’t find a match for him that I liked. Faulk is a dominant force who can play inside or outside on the defensive front.

I was shocked Tampa didn’t draft defense in the first round this past year, but I think that changes in 2026. General manager Jason Licht traditionally loves to draft defensive players, and here he decides to add another disruptive player to an already talented front.

22) Los Angeles Chargers

LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama

LT Overton will certainly be a first-round pick next season and will very likely be one of the best players in the SEC. He is a well-built edge defender who offers very good length and movement skills for the position. He was very productive last season for the Alabama Crimson Tide and will look to build on his last season with even more pressures.

The Los Angeles Chargers will look to add more talent on their defensive line as they lost a few key pieces this past offseason, including their former star rusher Joey Bosa. Overton can come in and be a physical presence up front.

23) Green Bay Packers

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Green Bay loves to draft toolsy players from good defensive programs. It’s their ethos, and while they got away from that in the 2025 NFL Draft, I think they get back to their roots here with CJ Allen.

Allen is one of the best run-defending linebackers in college football and will likely be one of the best linebackers in the country again next season. I like the idea of pairing him with former Bulldog Quay Walker.

24) Los Angeles Rams

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Matthew Stafford era will be reaching the 17th or 18th hole this season, and the Rams need to begin to look to the future at the quarterback position.

Fernando Mendoza is a name that most college football fans won’t be too familiar with, but he is certainly on the NFL’s radar. He played well this past season at Cal and now looks to take the next step forward at Indiana. Mendoza has the size, arm talent, and poise to excel at the NFL level.

25) San Francisco 49ers

Kage Casey, OT, Boise State

Trent Williams will likely retire after this next season, leaving a massive hole at left tackle. The team would be very wise to address that position in the first round in this year’s draft and do so here in this mock.

Kage Casey looks to make back-to-back years in which a Boise State player will go in the first round. Casey has excellent size, length, and athleticism, and he is one of the best tackles in the class.

26) Cincinnati Bengals

Parker Brailsford, OC, Alabama

It’s always a safe idea to give the Cincinnati Bengals an offensive line in these mock exercises, even though they never actually draft one in real life. Maybe 2026 is different!

Parker Brailsford will be one of the best interior offensive linemen in next year’s class and will likely go in the first round. He wins with very good quickness and body control to get a good position on the defender.

27) Washington Commanders

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Washington is in need of a true lockdown corner and will look to find one in the draft. Avieon Terrell is the little brother of A.J. Terrell Jr. and has a very similar game. Terrell has excellent instincts, quickness, and ball skills.

With Terrell now in the fold, Washington can continue to build a defense that must get better if this team is to reach its full potential.

28) Baltimore Ravens

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Jordyn Tyson is one of the best receivers in the country and will likely be one of the first receivers off the board come next year’s draft. He offers very good speed, hands, and route running and can win from both the slot and out wide.

Baltimore has done a good job adding talent around Lamar Jackson, but they can always stand to add more. Tyson would be a great fit in the Baltimore Ravens’ receiver room.

29) Detroit Lions

Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida

Tyreak Sapp is a talented pass rusher who flashed quite a bit when I watched Florida last season. He is quick, explosive, and wins in a variety of different ways. Look for him to have another great year and earn a high draft selection.

I was hoping the Detroit Lions drafted a pass rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson this past draft, but they did so here in this draft. A combo of Sapp and Hutchinson would be lethal.

30) Buffalo Bills

Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State

Nicholas Singleton is easily one of my favorite players in the class. If he had come out last year, he probably would have been my second favorite back behind Ashton Jeanty. Singleton is a hard-nosed runner who runs with power and violence, but he also has the home run speed to break long runs.

Buffalo may not want to extend James Cook and give him the contract he wants, so adding a dynamic bellcow just makes too much sense. Singleton would give Buffalo a workhorse back who would do well in a Josh Allen-led offense.

31) Kansas City Chiefs

DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado

DJ McKinney looks to make it back-to-back years that a Colorado corner goes in the first round. He offers very good length, athleticism, and ball skills. He isn’t a well-known prospect yet, but he will certainly be a household name come draft time.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary has been very good over the last few years, but it’s about time they add another premier talent to the mix. A corner duo of Trent McDuffie and McKinney would be an excellent tandem to work with.

32) Philadelphia Eagles

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Philadelphia Eagles work the draft board better than any team in the league and continue to do so here. Safety is a position I believe the Eagles can upgrade upon, and adding a young talent here in the first round makes a lot of sense.

Thieneman was one of the best defensive backs in the country last season at Purdue before transferring to Oregon this spring. He has very good athleticism and instincts to be a difference-making defender at the center of your defense.

2026 NFL Mock Draft | Round 2

33) Cleveland Browns

Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

34) New York Jets

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

35) New Orleans Saints

Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina

36) Tennessee Titans

Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

37) New York Giants

Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

38) Carolina Panthers

Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

39) Indianapolis Colts

Austin Barber, OT, Florida

40) Jacksonville Jaguars

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

41) Las Vegas Raiders

Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon

42) Atlanta Falcons

Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama

43) Arizona Cardinals

Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC

44) Dallas Cowboys

Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama

45) Miami Dolphins

Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

46) New England Patriots

Whit Weeks, LB, LSU

47) Seattle Seahawks

Keon Sabb, S, Alabama

48) Chicago Bears

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

49) Houston Texans

Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon

50) Minnesota Vikings

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

51) Pittsburgh Steelers

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

52) Denver Broncos

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jack Velling, TE, Michigan State

54) Los Angeles Chargers

Connor Lew, OC, Auburn

55) Green Bay Packers

Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

56) Los Angeles Rams

Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern

57) San Francisco 49ers

Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

58) Cincinnati Bengals

Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

59) Houston Texans

A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State

60) Baltimore Ravens

Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson

61) Detroit Lions

Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT, Wake Forest

62) Buffalo Bills

Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan

63) Kansas City Chiefs

Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

64) Philadelphia Eagles

Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati

Round 3

65) Cleveland Browns

Jaeden Roberts, IOL, Alabama

66) Philadelphia Eagles

Jack Endries, TE, Texas

67) New Orleans Saints

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

68) Tennessee Titans

Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon

69) Houston Texans

DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson

70) Carolina Panthers

Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State

71) Indianapolis Colts

Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor

72) Jacksonville Jaguars

Zane Durant, DT, Penn State

73) Las Vegas Raiders

Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor

74) Atlanta Falcons

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

75) Arizona Cardinals

Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana

76) Pittsburgh Steelers

Lander Barton, LB, Utah

77) Miami Dolphins

John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

78) New England Patriots

Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

79) Seattle Seahawks

Lawson Luckie, TE, Georgia

80) Chicago Bears

Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State

81) Miami Dolphins

Michael Taaffe, S, Texas

82) Minnesota Vikings

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

83) Pittsburgh Steelers

Zeke Berry, CB, Michigan

84) Denver Broncos

Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon

85) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bryce Foster, OC, Kansas

86) Los Angeles Chargers

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

87) Green Bay Packers

Dalton Brooks, S, Texas A&M

88) Los Angeles Rams

Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon

89) San Francisco 49ers

Iapani Laloulu, OC, Oregon

90) Cincinnati Bengals

Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU

91) Washington Commanders

Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M

92) Baltimore Ravens

Ashton Stamps, CB, LSU

93) Jacksonville Jaguars

Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

94) Buffalo Bills

Devonte Ross, WR, Penn State

95) Kansas City Chiefs

Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Texas

96) Philadelphia Eagles

Dane Key, WR, Nebraska

97) Jacksonville Jaguars

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss