The NFL preseason is here, meaning fans will get their first chance to see their favorite team’s rookies live. While they do that, we real sickos have already begun to wrap up summer scouting. Our reward? An all-new, three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft chock-full of analysis for all 97 picks.
Don’t agree with the selection? Be the GM and run your own mock draft using PFSN’s free NFL Mock Draft Simulator!
1) Cleveland Browns
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The Cleveland Browns are no strangers to selecting quarterbacks with famous last names; this time, they’ll end the “slide” with the No. 1 overall pick.
Arch Manning has all the physical tools and family pedigree to be the next elite NFL quarterback, but we haven’t seen enough tape to label him as such (just two career starts). That said, even if he isn’t the QB1 of the class, Cleveland needs a savior, and the Texas Longhorn has all the intangibles to carry the franchise on and off the field.
2) New York Jets
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Peter Woods should not be able to move the way he does as a 6’3″, 315-pound defensive tackle. His versatility provides shades of Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones, although he shouldn’t be asked to rush off the edge at a similar rate. There aren’t many plug-and-play prospects in the class (at least at this stage), but the Clemson Tigers standout is firmly one of them.
3) New Orleans Saints
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Bryce Young was my QB1 in the 2023 NFL Draft, so it’s no surprise Cade Klubnik enters the 2025 season holding the same mantle.
Klubnik isn’t as much of an outlier as Young was size-wise (listed 6’2″, 210), but he’s still not an elite athlete, nor does he have the strongest arm. Nevertheless, he has something you simply can’t coach to the level some believe: anticipation and accuracy.
4) Tennessee Titans
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Tennessee Titans have their leader on offense in Cam Ward, but they are still searching for his counterpart on defense. Enter Caleb Downs.
The do-it-all safety has dominated offenses since stepping onto the field as a true freshman for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Size? Check. Athleticism? Check. Football IQ? Triple check. Give Downs free rein on the back end, and watch nearly every defensive metric improve.
5) New York Giants
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Francis Mauigoa has lived up to his billing as a five-star recruit, emerging as a 6’6″, 315-pound force who earned second-team All-ACC honors as the Miami Hurricanes’ left tackle in 2024.
He pairs his exceptional frame and movement skills with advanced hand usage and rare flexibility, thriving as an adaptable blocker even if occasional lapses and less-than-elite length hint at possible guard appeal in the NFL.
6) Carolina Panthers
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
At 6’5″ and 288 pounds, Keldric Faulk is a unicorn at EDGE, pairing rare size and explosive movement with truly elite power, length, and pursuit speed.
He turned a massive corner in 2024 with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss, stacking and shedding in the run game while hinting at enormous multiphase upside, even as his pass-rush repertoire and pad level are still rounding out.
7) Indianapolis Colts
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
All aboard the Nuss bus! Garrett Nussmeier also has NFL bloodlines, with his father being longtime NFL OC/QBs coach Doug Nussmeier. Garrett isn’t the elite physical talent Anthony Richardson is, but if the Indianapolis Colts are selecting in the top 10 again, they likely want to pivot as far away from that profile as possible.
At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, Nussmeier wins with his ability to deliver under pressure, consistency, and gunslinger mentality.
8) Cleveland Browns
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
There are several talented running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Jeremiyah Love is far and away the crème de la crème. From a never-give-up will to his elite acceleration, Love is the most complete back on the board.
Never forget when Jeremiyah Love had one of the most iconic, tenacious, gritty runs in college football history 🍀 pic.twitter.com/WE1XHTOH2N
— Jake Franklin Football (@JakeFranklinFB) July 20, 2025
With Nick Chubb retired, the Browns will need a new long-term backfield mate to pair with their new face of the franchise.
9) Las Vegas Raiders
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Las Vegas Raiders are in dire need of a WR1 since Davante Adams’ departure, and that’s exactly what Jordyn Tyson can be for the Silver and Black. The 6’2″, 200-pound prototype X receiver posted a staggering 75-1,010-10 line in his first real collegiate action since 2022.
From his strong hands to an impressively mobile frame, Tyson has what it takes to lead an aerial assault.
10) Los Angeles Rams
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Colts may have passed on LaNorris Sellers’ ultra-athletic build, but the Los Angeles Rams don’t. Matthew Stafford has flirted with retirement for a few years now, and at some point, it won’t be flirting.
Sean McVay has never had an athlete on par with Sellers under center. Just imagine what he could do with a true dual-threat under center, especially after refining his game for a year or two behind Stafford.
11) Arizona Cardinals
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Caleb Lomu may not come out in 2026, but if he does, he could vie for the first OT off the board. He’s explosive and flexible at 6’5″ and 302 pounds, but what’s most impressive was his technical refinement as a redshirt freshman last year.
12) Dallas Cowboys
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
T.J. Parker looks like one of the safest bets in the 2026 NFL Draft after exploding for 11 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles as a sophomore, building off a strong true freshman year.
At 6’3″, 265 pounds, he combines dense, explosive power with a polished pass-rush arsenal that features advanced hand work and moves. While his bend isn’t elite, Parker’s blend of force, technical maturity, and relentless hunting gives him a reliable early-round profile.
13) Miami Dolphins
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
A frontrunner for the CB1 race in 2026, Jermod McCoy is a complete, scheme-versatile coverage defender whose game far exceeds his 5’11”, 193-pound frame.
With elite explosiveness, long-strider burst, and sticky short-area fluidity, McCoy closes in a flash, dictates releases with physicality in press, and shows sharp throttle control and vision in zone.
14) New England Patriots
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Since stepping onto the college stage, Rueben Bain Jr. has been a disruptive force for Miami, posting 7.5 sacks, 13 TFLs, and three forced fumbles as a true freshman before battling a calf injury in his sophomore year.
At 275 pounds, he boasts rare compact mass and natural leverage, pairing explosive acceleration with brutal knockback power, slick pass-rush variety, and impressive upper/lower body synergy.
15) Seattle Seahawks
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
With a rare blend of burst, leverage, and finishing power, Utah Utes standout Spencer Fano is a genuine candidate to be the first tackle off the board in 2026. His anchor and technical polish are still developing, but Fano’s scheme-proof run blocking and high make his first-round hype more than justified.
16) Chicago Bears
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Caleb Banks broke out at Florida in Year 2, using his 6’6″, 325-pound frame, 35″ arms, and freakish mobility to rack up four sacks and seven TFLs while flashing rare stack-and-shed and pass-rush upside.
Though not at the level of Clemson juggernaut defensive tackle Woods, Banks offers overwhelming size, burst, and forklift power, throwing around blockers with swims, swipes, and long-arms that belie his age and frame.
17) Houston Texans
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
At 6’6″ and 369 pounds, Kadyn Proctor is a massive lineman, but he’s more than just his size. He’s started for two years at left tackle and significantly improved from Year 1 to 2, especially as a pass blocker. Another year of improvement should only cement his place in Round 1.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Dillon Thieneman emerged as an instant-impact defender with the Purdue Boilermakers, racking up 106 tackles and six picks as a true freshman before taking his all-around game up another notch in 2024. At 6’0″, 207 pounds, he’s a savvy, versatile safety. Now headed to the Oregon Ducks, Thieneman’s football IQ and playmaking ability make him a prime early-round riser.
19) Pittsburgh Steelers
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Is there any other quarterback in the class who screams Pittsburgh more than Drew Allar? His massive frame (6’5″, 235), movement skills, and cannon for an arm make him a must-watch player on Saturdays, but he isn’t quite there mentally to say the same come Sundays. He may be more NFL-ready right now, but he could be near his ceiling as a processor.
20) Denver Broncos
Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Antonio Williams is the kind of wide receiver who checks both the film and analytics boxes, breaking out as a true freshman and then capturing over 23% of Clemson’s receiving volume (plus a third of its touchdowns) in 2024. At 5’11”, 190 pounds, he’s a quick route runner and RAC threat with burst.
While his catch radius isn’t elite, and he suffers from occasional focus drops, Williams’ proven ability to get open and create after the catch fits right into the modern NFL.
21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
C.J. Allen wasted no time making his mark for Kirby Smart, emerging as an old-school linebacker with new-school juice who helped anchor the Georgia Bulldogs defense in 2024.
Though a fairly average 6’1″, 235 pounds, Allen plays much bigger, combining field general instincts, trigger-quick recognition, and elite range with punishing physicality as both a run defender and blitzer.
22) Los Angeles Chargers
Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Jalon Kilgore is one of the most fun players to watch in the entire 2026 NFL Draft. He has shades of Derwin James in his game as a primary nickelback with the ability to cover the deep third and operate as a tight end eraser closer to the line of scrimmage.
23) Green Bay Packers
DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado
Opposite Travis Hunter in 2024, DJ McKinney quietly locked down the Colorado Buffaloes’ boundary, nabbing three interceptions (including a pick-six), nine pass breakups, and three tackles for loss in a breakout year.
With a long, lean 6’2″, 190-pound frame and sticky recovery speed, McKinney is a physical press corner who smothers receivers at the line and attacks run support with attitude. While he still needs to tighten up his ball tracking, his two-phase impact and raw talent could easily launch him into Day 1 territory.
24) Los Angeles Rams
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
Domani Jackson has seemingly fallen out of the national conscience following his transfer from the USC Trojans to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but he actually improved following the move. The former five-star has all the athletic foundation to become a lockdown corner, which is the type of bet you make in the bottom of Round 1.
25) San Francisco 49ers
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Isaiah World steps in as Oregon’s prized transfer after three years starting for the Nevada Wolf Pack, where he earned back-to-back All-Mountain West nods. At 6’8″, 309 pounds with near-35″ arms, he lives up to his name, combining a true titan’s frame with explosive movement skills, power, and the ability to overwhelm defenders snap to snap.
26) Cincinnati Bengals
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
PFSN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings has been a huge Dani Dennis-Sutton fan for over a year now, and it’s easy to see why. He put his stamp on 2024 with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss opposite Abdul Carter and now looks to keep the Penn State Nittany Lions pass rusher pipeline rolling.
At 6’4″, 266 pounds, he’s the total package: dense, long, explosive, and flexible, mixing arc speed and raw power to disrupt in multiple ways or drop into coverage.
27) Washington Commanders
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Akin to Tyson, Denzel Boston is a big-bodied WR able to create separation at the top of routes or out-muscle DBs at the catch point. He moves well for his 6’4″ frame and also has enough speed to threaten vertically. He’ll never be a decisive route runner who causes corners to stumble out of their cleats, but he doesn’t have to be.
28) Baltimore Ravens
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Matayo Uiagalelei isn’t often lumped in with the 2026 NFL Draft’s top EDGE prospects, but his 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024 turned plenty of heads in the Big Ten. At 6’4″, 270 pounds with ideal length, explosive traits, and a surprisingly polished pass-rush arsenal, he checks all the early-round boxes physically and technically.
29) Detroit Lions
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Safety, linebacker, it doesn’t matter: Sonny Styles is a difference-maker. His 6’4″, 235-pound frame is a menacing force over the middle of the field but also comes equipped with the speed to operate sideline to sideline.
30) Buffalo Bills
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
If Makai Lemon were a few inches taller (5’11”, 190), he’d battle for WR1 in the class. He makes up for his limited height with sheer explosiveness, searing play speed, and standout body control at all levels of the field. He does the one thing that matters most at the position better than anyone else in the class: separate.
31) Kansas City Chiefs
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Working his way from JUCO to the SEC, Will Lee III has blossomed into an all-conference defender with two picks and 10 pass breakups in 2024, leveraging his near-6’2″ frame, 32″ arms, and rare size/speed blend to dominate on the perimeter.
Lee’s disruptive range and redirection skills make him a handful for any receiver, even as his press technique and footwork are still sharpening. Trent McDuffie does his best work from the nickel for the Chiefs, so establishing a true outside presence is a two-for-one deal.
32) Philadelphia Eagles
LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
A physical specimen at 6’4″, 284 pounds with near-34″ arms, LT Overton is a hybrid EDGE/DT whose explosive burst and raw power are custom-built for a modern NFL front. His pass-rush execution and arsenal are still developing, but the former five-star already thrives as a disruptive looper on stunts and a tone-setter in the run game.
If Overton can take the next step with his refinement and production, his blend of ready-made size and versatile athleticism could vault him up draft boards.
2026 NFL Mock Draft | Round 2
33) Cleveland Browns
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane is one of the most experienced players in the class, playing 400+ snaps in each of the last three years (and 700+ in the last two). However, his time with the Virginia Tech Hokies has come to an end, as he’s transferred to the LSU Tigers, where he hopes Brian Kelly can maximize his potential.
34) New York Jets
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
I don’t see the first-round hype with Fernando Mendoza. Yes, he has an NFL frame (6’5″, 225), but he’s not much of an athlete, and he really struggled to see zone defenders last year. Nevertheless, he could enjoy success with Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers after transferring from the Cal Golden Bears, and there’s enough of a technical foundation to hang your hat on.
35) New Orleans Saints
Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Gabe Jacas is a 6’3″, 275-pound wrecking ball, using devastating power with natural leverage to blast tackles onto their heels. The Illinois Fighting Illini have deployed him as a two-point stance outside linebacker, but his physical tools translate best as a down EDGE, where he quickly turns his raw power into a pocket-crushing force.
36) Tennessee Titans
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Of course, all the hype in Columbus surrounds phenom Jeremiah Smith, but don’t sleep on Carnell Tate. Much like Emeka Egbuka early in his career, the Ohio State wide receiver has simply been behind elite pass catchers on he depth chart, but now is his time to shine opposite Smith.
There are few holes in his game, as we’ve come to expect from Brian Hartline-coached receivers, but a breakout year could propel him toward Round 1 come April.
37) New York Giants
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
What can’t Anthony Hill Jr. do? He only falls out of the first round due to positional value, but one could argue he actually outplays that issue. He’s the heart of Texas’ vaunted defense, which has been to back-to-back semi-finals, and he’ll be a large reason why they could challenge for a national title in 2025.
38) Carolina Panthers
Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Seasoned and versatile, Austin Barber enters 2025 with 26 career starts split between both tackle spots and brings a calm, battle-tested presence to the bookends. His 6’5″, 314-pound frame checks all the size boxes, combining length with nimble movement and natural knee bend.
39) Indianapolis Colts
Trey Zuhn III, OT, Texas A&M
Towering at 6’7″, 320 pounds, Trey Zuhn III enters his redshirt senior year aiming to sharpen his profile after already drawing draftable grades from scouts in 2025. He’s got the size, power, functional athleticism, and competitive fire to regularly control edges, even with less-than-ideal arm length for the position.
40) Jacksonville Jaguars
Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
Dontay Corleone has consistently delivered for the Cincinnati Bearcats since bursting onto the scene as a redshirt freshman with three sacks and six tackles for loss. At 6’1″, 320 pounds, he’s a stout nose tackle with rare gap control, natural leverage, and the kind of mass that eats up space.
41) Las Vegas Raiders
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
If Avieon Terrell’s name looks familiar, it’s because he’s the younger brother of former Clemson star and current Atlanta Falcons corner A.J. Terrell. Although he isn’t quite the same size/speed monster that A.J. was, Avieon is still a ball hawk who has caused headaches for QBs targeting his side of the field the last two years.
42) Atlanta Falcons
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Zachariah Branch is betting the house on his transfer from USC to Georgia, and it may just work out. Lincoln Riley struggled to utilize his explosive athleticism to its maximum potential. While Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs aren’t exactly known for their aerial assault (especially now with questions under center), his offense is far more translatable to the pros than Riley’s.
43) Arizona Cardinals
Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
Illinois just churns out solid defensive backs, and Xavier Scott is the next up. The primary slot cornerback is a gnat in coverage, but also is willing to lay the boom in the run game, improving his tackle rate in each of the last three years.
44) Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Much like Branch taking his raw athletic upside to the SEC, Kevin Concepcion left the NC State Wolfpack for the Texas A&M Aggies. The program took a massive step forward in its first year under Mike Elko, and Concepcion hopes to be a part of yet another leap before making his own jump to the big leagues.
He’s a slot weapon that slices defenses up underneath and even has experience taking touches from the backfield.
45) Miami Dolphins
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Max Klare is fresh off a 51-684-4 receiving line campaign … with Purdue. Now at Ohio State, expectations are sky-high, and while his numbers will likely be reduced (due to playing alongside a stacked WR corps), he’s destined for a Day 2 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
46) New England Patriots
Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
After transferring to Alabama from the Michigan Wolverines, Keon Sabb took a crash course in playing a more versatile safety role. He primarily lined up in the deep third with the Wolverines, but with the Crimson Tide, he saw more snaps in the slot and box. And just when he was beginning to find his groove, he suffered an injury that knocked him out of the second half of the year.
Health permitting, Sabb should return in 2026 and serve as the defense’s Swiss Army knife, crashing down against the run and covering all levels of the field.
47) Seattle Seahawks
A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
There was a lot of hype surrounding A.J. Harris after he transferred from Georgia last year, and he more than lived up to it. As a first-year starter, he routinely shut down his side of the field, allowing zero receptions in five games during the 2024 season.
48) Chicago Bears
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Kaytron Allen is often referenced as the RB2 in Happy Valley, but his skill set is easier to translate than Nick Singleton’s. He’s the definition of a workhorse back, able to churn through short yardage while also having the burst to turn up field when he sees a crease.
49) Houston Texans
DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
Six years into his Clemson career, DeMonte Capehart hasn’t drawn first-round attention or a full-time starting role, but his presence on the interior can’t be ignored. Measuring 6’4″, 315 pounds, he’s a long-armed, strength-driven gap occupier who stuffs run lanes and flashes short-area burst to disrupt upfield.
50) Minnesota Vikings
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Singleton may not have the size teammate Allen does, but he has superior athletic traits, specifically when it comes to ripping runs downfield.
Ultimately, it comes down to the type of back you want. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears went for the early-down back, while the Vikings aim for their Aaron Jones successor.
51) Pittsburgh Steelers
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Few offensive tackles in the 2026 class move as naturally as Blake Miller, who returns to Clemson as a rare fourth-year starter with nearly 3,000 career snaps and 41 starts to his name.
At 6’6″, 315 pounds, he’s an explosive, light-footed tackle who covers ground effortlessly. While boosting his play strength is the next step, Miller’s athleticism and proven experience make him an ideal zone-blocking prospect.
52) Denver Broncos
Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida
Tyreak Sapp is a broad 6’3″, 276-pound brick wall on the edge, and it shows in run defense. He’s still honing his craft as a pass rusher, and although his floor is rather low in that aspect, his ability to stop the run will cause him to come off the board early.
53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
On the heels of a breakout 2024 season with three sacks and 11 tackles for loss, Zane Durant is rocketing up draft boards as a potential first-round-caliber DT in the 2026 class.
At 6’1″, 288 pounds with excellent leverage, length, and first step, he knifes through gaps in the run game and stacks blocks with compact power. That gap-penetrating toolkit makes Durant a tailor-made fit as an odd-front interior playmaker with clear impact starter upside.
54) Los Angeles Chargers
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Entering his sixth year after productive stints with the Wyoming Cowboys and at USC, Emmanuel Pregnon is an ascending mauler whose journey from unranked recruit to second-team All-Big Ten says everything about his trajectory.
With a massive 6’5″, 320-pound frame and long, powerful arms, he quickly establishes contact, anchors with notable strength, and flashes surprising lateral range for his size.
55) Green Bay Packers
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Deontae Lawson has found a home in the second level of Kane Wommack’s defensive scheme. He improved as a cover man after struggling mightily in 2023 and even improved in his strongest area: run defense. With the lateral agility to flow from gap to gap and the pop on contact to stun offensive linemen, Lawson could rise even higher by the end of the season.
56) Los Angeles Rams
Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Texas
A breakout 2024 season saw Quintrevion Wisner rack up 1,064 rushing yards and five touchdowns while adding real value as a pass catcher with 44 grabs for 311 yards. Standing 6’0″, 194 pounds, he carves defenses with timely acceleration, agile processing, and an instinctive feel for pace.
57) San Francisco 49ers
Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn
There are plenty of 5’10”, 180-pound WRs in the collegiate ranks, but Eric Singleton Jr. is among the best of them. His speed (both horizontally and vertically) makes up for his current shortcomings in terms of route running and feel against zone. That said, if he doesn’t improve those aspects by the end of the season, he could hear his name called closer to Day 3 than Round 2.
58) Cincinnati Bengals
Parker Brailsford, OC, Alabama
There are few linemen as consistent as Parker Brailsford in pass protection. His smaller size (6’2″, 290) certainly caused issues in the SEC trenches, particularly in the run game, but he actually improved in pass pro after shining there with the Washington Huskies in 2023.
59) Houston Texans
Le’Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M
Breakaway speed and rare contact balance immediately leap off the tape when Le’Veon Moss is healthy, as evidenced by his 4.4 yards after contact per carry before a knee injury ended his 2024 campaign.
Built from a sprinter’s background with a powerful lower half, he looked tailor-made for outside-zone schemes and flashed clear NFL-caliber traits in the Aggies’ backfield. If Moss can regain form following injury, his home-run vision and finishing strength hint at a productive future.
60) Baltimore Ravens
Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
Jaishawn Barham arrived at Michigan in 2024 with high expectations after notching 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks with the Maryland Terrapins, but his first year in Ann Arbor saw some growing pains. His trademark physicality flashed at 6’3″, 248 pounds, but inconsistent instincts and coverage play plagued his campaign.
That said, Barham is an explosive, power-packed athlete who can pop at the point of attack, control blocks, and deliver hits on the move.
61) Detroit Lions
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
David Bailey has emerged as a buzzy 2026 NFL Draft name thanks to his upside as a pass-rush specialist. At 6’3″, 250 pounds with plus length and fast-striding acceleration, he thrives running the arc from wide alignments, using his speed and compact build to stress OTs early.
While he still needs to improve his run defense to see more every-down work, Bailey’s value as a designated pass rusher is already evident.
62) Buffalo Bills
Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU
Patrick Payton arrives at LSU as a 6’6″, 255-pound fifth-year senior boasting 31.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks across 26 starts with the Florida State Seminoles. With a long, twitchy frame and rare upfield burst, he consistently sets the edge, flattens in pursuit, and flashes the length and power to stack and shed in the run game.
If Payton fine-tunes his hands and continues adding functional strength, his high-ceiling traits and relentless style could easily push him into early-round territory.
63) Kansas City Chiefs
DeAndre Moore Jr., WR, Texas
Texas has churned out top-tier wide receivers in recent seasons, and the trend should continue in 2026 with DeAndre Moore Jr. While his modest 39-456-7 receiving line in 2024 isn’t exactly eye-opening, it was just his first season with meaningful offensive snaps.
Moore is explosive off the line, using his acceleration to uncover quickly and reach top speed in an instant, which is the exact skill set the Chiefs need at the position.
64) Philadelphia Eagles
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Ja’Kobi Lane isn’t the separator that his fellow USC wide receiver is, but he makes up for it with his lanky 6’4″, 200-pound frame. He’s a premier red-zone threat, as proven by his 12 touchdowns on 43 receptions last season.
2026 NFL Mock Draft | Round 3
65) Cleveland Browns
Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M
An imposing 6’6″, 320-pound junior, Chase Bisontis returned to Texas A&M and flourished after making the move from right tackle to left guard, where his power and physicality anchored one of the SEC’s best ground games. Though his pass protection is still developing, Bisontis showed marked growth inside, using strong hands and improved balance to draw early NFL notice.
66) Philadelphia Eagles
Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Loaded with raw athleticism and still scratching the surface, Gracen Halton brings rare explosiveness and a four-star pedigree to the defensive front. At 6’2″, 285 pounds, he’s a true power generator who can breach the pocket on traits alone, but his hand placement and run defense still need polish before he’s ready for a bigger role.
67) New Orleans Saints
Zeke Berry, CB, Michigan
After two years as a reserve corner, Zeke Berry earned the starting nod in 2024, forcing nine incompletions and snatching two picks. He struggled with missed tackles and was picked on quite a bit on the outside (64 targets), but a significant improvement in both areas could rocket his draft stock.
68) Tennessee Titans
Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
Explosive off the edge at 6’3″, 247, Anto Saka flashes rare speed, bend, and ankle flexion, making him a nightmare to contain. With a sky-high ceiling as a pass-rush and chase specialist, Saka’s next-level traits could translate in a big way as he rounds out his toolbox.
69) Houston Texans
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Harold Perkins Jr. has been one of my favorite linebackers to watch over the last three years, but a lack of defensive imagination and injuries have caused many to look elsewhere recently.
Not me. Perkins is still the uber-athletic hybrid defender who can blitz and cover with the best in the class, which we saw flashes of as true freshman.
70) Carolina Panthers
Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Sam Leavitt, Cam Skattebo, and the Arizona State Sun Devils offense were all the rage last year, but the defense quietly did more than hold its own during the team’s rise. A large reason for their success was Keith Abney II, who broke up nine passes and intercepted three more.
71) Indianapolis Colts
Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Now entering his fifth year at Texas, Michael Taaffe brings sharp instincts and football IQ to the Longhorns’ secondary after working his way up from walk-on to starter.
At 6’0″, 189 pounds, he’s a high-processing deep safety with quick feet and exceptional recognition, though his lighter frame shows at times when tackling in space.
72) Jacksonville Jaguars
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is one of college football’s more unique tight end prospects after logging 24 catches for 308 yards and two scores in 2024 as an Oregon backup, even mixing in five rushing attempts.
Standing 6’3″, 245 pounds with a rocked-up build and a multi-sport background, Sadiq’s burst, range, and flexibility jump off the tape.
73) Las Vegas Raiders
Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson
Blake Miller isn’t the only Clemson OT worthy of early-round contention. Tristan Leigh has started at left tackle the last two years for Dabo Swinney’s squad, and while it hasn’t always been pretty, he has all the raw tools to mold into a long-term NFL starter.
74) Atlanta Falcons
Keanu Tanuvasa, DT, BYU
After flashing promise in limited action as a redshirt at Utah, Keanu Tanuvasa built on that early intrigue with three sacks, 11 TFLs, and four pass deflections across strong 2023 and 2024 seasons. Now making the jump to the BYU Cougars, he looks to channel his athleticism, agility, and never-ending motor into even bigger numbers and a rising 2026 NFL Draft stock.
75) Arizona Cardinals
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Like many fellow Indiana stars, Elijah Sarratt followed head coach Curt Cignetti from the James Madison Dukes to Indiana and instantly hit the ground running.
He’s the epitome of a football player, making tough grabs, blocking in the ground game and for his fellow WRs, and giving his all on every play.
76) Pittsburgh Steelers
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Lining up alongside Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock in 2024, Davison Igbinosun helped anchor an Ohio State secondary that powered the Buckeyes to their first national championship in over a decade. With rare length at 6’2″, 193 pounds, and vertical speed tough to match, he stands out for his press ability, range, and growing playmaking skills.
77) Miami Dolphins
Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
Josh Cameron broke out in 2024 with 52 catches for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns, providing the Baylor Bears with a big-bodied, reliable target.
At 6’1″, 218 pounds, he combines density, burst, and strong hands to win in the short and intermediate game, even if his top-end speed and analytical profile don’t stand out … yet.
78) New England Patriots
Jaeden Roberts, OG, Alabama
Jaeden Roberts enters Year 3 as Alabama’s full-time starter and profiles as a well-known name for the 2026 NFL Draft. He boasts rare size and imposing length at 6’5″ and well over 300 pounds. His power and physicality jump off the screen, with the ability to move defenders in the run game and deliver forceful strikes in pass protection.
79) Seattle Seahawks
Connor Lew, OC, Auburn
Connor Lew is one of the top center prospects in the 2026 class, quickly earning a starting job at Auburn and holding it down with Freshman All-American honors. At 6’3″, 302 pounds, he brings natural leverage and surprising strength to both run and pass protection.
If he keeps building on his rapid rise, Lew could push for early-round status.
80) Chicago Bears
Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana
Amare Ferrell anchored an Indiana defense that ranked sixth nationally in points allowed and helped earn a College Football Playoff berth, compiling 49 tackles and four interceptions. At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, his impressive versatility and athleticism make him a rising 2026 NFL Draft prospect.
81) Miami Dolphins
Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Xavier Nwankpa is a former five-star recruit with all the tools you could ask for in the deep third. That said, he isn’t nearly as technically refined as you’d expect from an Iowa Hawkeyes defender. Perhaps 2025 is the year he puts it all together for an elite send-off.
82) Minnesota Vikings
Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Last summer, Tacario Davis was talked up as a potential CB1 candidate. After a down year in his final season with the Arizona Wildcats, he’ll look to reclaim his place in the conversation with a talented Washington secondary under Jedd Fisch.
83) Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
Eric Rivers is a bit of a hidden gem, having played for the FIU Panthers to begin his career. Now with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he’ll have the opportunity to fill Eric Singleton’s WR1 shoes and put his talent on display in the ACC.
84) Denver Broncos
Lander Barton, LB, Utah
Utah standout Lander Barton is the epitome of an NFL linebacker. He’s a bit of a throwback in terms of his bone-rattling skill set, but he’s also athletic enough to survive over the middle in coverage. He’s snagged four interceptions over the last two seasons, taking two of those back for six points.
85) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already had success with one former Oregon back, so why not target another? Makhi Hughes, a Tulane Green Wave transfer with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in the American Conference, is actually of a similar playstyle to Bucky Irving, and the two could form a productive duo for years to come.
86) Los Angeles Chargers
Jack Endries, TE, Texas
Jack Endries’ national exposure has been muted with Cal, but after transferring to Texas, that shouldn’t be the case any longer. He’s a field-stretching tight end with the mobility to press vertically and gain yards after the catch underneath.
87) Green Bay Packers
Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Allar, Allen, and Singleton aren’t the only Penn State offensive players who deserve top-100 consideration. Drew Shelton protected Allar’s blind side last year after serving as a swing tackle for the two seasons prior. He can clean up his hand usage and footwork, but the framework of a starting OT is there.
88) Los Angeles Rams
Charles Jagusah, OT, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive tackle Charles Jagusah is very much a projection and may very well return for another collegiate season, especially if he doesn’t have a satisfactory return from offseason arm surgery. Still, he has the physical makeup of a future starting tackle in the pros.
89) San Francisco 49ers
Judge Collier, CB, South Carolina
Judge Collier is next off South Carolina’s CB-to-NFL conveyor belt. He’s physical at the line and at the catch point, but it’s his long speed that impresses most, as he’s rarely beaten downfield.
90) Cincinnati Bengals
Christian Gray, CB, Notre Dame
Last year was Christian Gray’s first as a starter, and while it wasn’t without its warts, he showcased the talent that helped lead the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
91) Washington Commanders
Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
Mikail Kamara’s path to collegiate stardom wasn’t expected, but it was destined. His shorter stature (6’1″, 265) likely limits how high he will be selected in the draft, but he has the violence, motor, and pass-rush arsenal combo that defensive coordinators salivate over.
92) Baltimore Ravens
DJ Campbell, OG, Texas
A 6’3″, 330-pound sentient boulder playing along the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line? Good luck to the rest of the AFC North with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield.
93) Jacksonville Jaguars
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
D’Angelo Ponds may not have the size (5’9″, 170) you’d expect from a CB1, but he can more than just survive on the outside, similar to Jack Jones. His athletic tools allow him to stay on top of routes, and his processing speed mitigates damage when matched up against towering pass catchers.
94) Buffalo Bills
Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
Jam Miller can be the thunder to James Cook’s lightning (assuming the Bills take care of the standout running back’s ongoing contract situation), using his 220 pounds to bulldoze up the middle and churn out the short-yardage downs to keep Cook fresh for the sideline-to-sideline damage.
95) Kansas City Chiefs
Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma
The Chiefs have needed a game-altering back for some time, and while Brashard Smith is a true weapon out of the backfield, he’s a former wide receiver who likely can’t withstand the down-in, down-out workload of the running back position long term.
You know who can? Cal transfer Jaydn Ott, who has the physical skill set to operate as a true three-down back.
96) Philadelphia Eagles
Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT, Wake Forest
Fa’alili Fa’amoe followed former Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest for his sixth and final collegiate season. Standing 6’5″, 314 pounds, with 34″ arms, has the mass and length to keep pockets clean. He’ll never be a mauler in the ground game, but he has the movement skills to be a starter with continued technical improvement.
97) Jacksonville Jaguars
Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin
At 6’8″ and 320 pounds, there are few players larger than Riley Mahlman in the 2026 class. He has room to improve technically and can struggle against lower-leveraged, quicker EDGEs, but you can’t coach his size and length.
