We are inching closer to the start of the NFL season. Teams have reported to training camp, and the first preseason game is almost upon us. While we can’t wait for the start of the NFL season, draft die-hards are also excited for the beginning of the college football season, so we can get more film to scout the future draft prospects.
Below is my latest edition of a 2026 three-round mock draft, with this exercise focused on introducing fans to names that could play a big part in the NFL Draft next April.
1) Cleveland Browns
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
There hasn’t been a more hyped quarterback prospect entering the college football season since Trevor Lawrence’s last year at Clemson. Arch Manning has been discussed as a future No. 1 overall pick for years, and while he has yet to play a ton of football at Texas, his traits are clear to see.
Manning has a prototypical build, a strong arm, and is an excellent athlete. His instincts as a passer and natural accuracy are evident when you watch him play. He would give the Browns a true franchise signal-caller for the future.
2) New York Jets
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Jets have a lot to like on their roster and have done well by signing Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner to long-term deals. With their nucleus intact, adding a quarterback of the future makes a ton of sense.
If Manning does not enter the draft, look for Sellers to be the top signal-caller taken. He has rare physical gifts and is much more of an advanced passer than given credit for. With another strong season, I’d be shocked if Sellers wasn’t a top-three pick.
LaNoris Sellers is a playmaker. pic.twitter.com/hpJaR63EkO
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) June 15, 2025
3) New Orleans Saints
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
While the Saints drafted Tyler Shough this year, I still believe they could be in the market for a new quarterback, and this year’s class has a lot to offer. Drew Allar is going to be highly polarizing as we approach the season. His highs are very high, and his lows are very low, but I still believe in his upside.
He has very good size, a powerful arm, and is an above-average athlete. As long as Allar cuts back on his turnover-worthy plays, look for him to be a high selection.
4) Tennessee Titans
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
T.J. Parker enters the draft as the clear-cut best pass rusher and will likely be the first non-quarterback off the board. He has excellent bend, explosiveness, and power. He has a knack for finishing at the quarterback and is a true sack artist who is oozing with potential.
The Titans secured their quarterback of the future with Cam Ward and now look to solidify their defense with the addition of the explosive Parker. I love the idea of adding Parker to this suddenly stacked Titans front.
5) New York Giants
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
After drafting Jaxson Dart as the Giants’ quarterback of the future, it’s time to build the team around him. One surefire way to do that is to add a stud left tackle to protect him and set the tempo for the offense.
Kadyn Proctor is the draft class’s best offensive tackle, and he is a blue-chip prospect through and through. He has rare size, power, and length for the position and easily creates movement in the run game. He still has some technical things to clean up as a pass protector, but his talent is too big to ignore.
6) Carolina Panthers
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is one of the safest prospects in this class, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have an incredibly high ceiling. He is a versatile defender who excels playing both as a split safety and as a defender down in the box. Downs flashes outstanding movement skills and instincts in coverage while also not being afraid to come down and make tackles in the run game.
Carolina needs playmakers on defense in the worst way, and it doesn’t quite matter which level they address. Adding a player like Downs will immediately improve this unit and give the team some much-needed football character.
7) Indianapolis Colts
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
The Anthony Richardson experience is all but over in Indianapolis, as he likely won’t win the QB1 competition against Daniel Jones. The Colts will have no choice but to move on and find a new quarterback of the future.
Cade Klubnik is a favorite of mine, and he plays the game like a point guard. He has a lightning-quick release, throws with good velocity, and is accurate across all three levels of the field. He may lack high-end traits, but his game is efficient.
8) Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Browns signed their star pass rusher Myles Garrett to a healthy extension this offseason and with the addition of Mason Graham in the first round, this defensive front should be one of the strongest in the league. With that said, adding another pass rusher to pair with Garrett makes a ton of sense.
Bain is an explosive athlete who offers a very good array of pass rush moves. He has solid power and can long arm tackles to collapse the pocket. Look for Bain to excel playing in this defense.
9) Las Vegas Raiders
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Make it three Clemson Tigers in the top 10 of this draft class. Peter Woods is a defensive tackle who offers rare size and plays the game with the athleticism of a much smaller player. He plays with good quickness, agility, and body control to win in the passing game, and his sheer power allows him to disrupt the line of scrimmage in the run game.
The Raiders just recently released former Clemson DT Christian Wilkins, so adding a talent like Woods would give the Raiders some much-needed help along the inside of the defensive line.
10) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Matthew Stafford era is coming to an end sooner rather than later, and it might make sense for the Rams to begin looking for their heir apparent at the position. This class boasts a ton of talent at the top of the draft, and the Rams strike while the iron is hot by selecting Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.
Mendoza didn’t do a ton at California last season, but he did flash some high-end NFL traits. He throws with touch, velocity, and can layer the football through tight windows. He makes very good decisions and plays with good instincts.
11) Arizona Cardinals
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Francis Mauigoa has been a stud since the minute he set foot on campus at Miami. He has started every game in his career at right tackle and has been dominant from the jump. He offers outstanding size and strength and is a very good overall athlete. He excels in the run game and shows good ability to move in space and land on moving targets.
Additionally, his ability to mirror in pass protection is outstanding. While there are some concerns with his overall length, Mauigoa projects as a plug-and-play right tackle in the NFL. He could excel in Arizona with a team that looks primed to make a leap in the coming years.
12) Dallas Cowboys
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This player-team pairing will continue to be in my mock drafts. The Cowboys’ current running back group is arguably the weakest in the NFL. Historically, the team performs best when they establish a strong run game and physical presence, enabling Dak Prescott to succeed with play-action.
Jeremiyah Love is by far the top running back in his class, and he is projected to be a Heisman finalist this fall after another impressive season. His dynamic running style is characterized by a potent combination of power, vision, and breakaway speed.
13) Miami Dolphins
Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
It feels like forever since the Dolphins’ passing game was cooking the NFL with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle dominating opposing defenses. Now, with Hill likely on his way out of Miami sooner rather than later, adding more pass-catching help feels like a must.
Antonio Williams really impresses with his ability to uncover from the slot. He is a dynamic route runner with separation quickness and body control. Look for Williams to be one of the first receivers off the board in next year’s draft.
14) New England Patriots
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With the Patriots looking like they have secured their quarterback for the next decade in Drake Maye, giving him playmakers will be of utmost importance. The team has invested in the receiver position over the last few offseasons, but they have yet to truly give Maye a young playmaker whom he can develop alongside over the next few years.
Jordyn Tyson is an explosive playmaker who excels as a downfield target. He’s able to win from the inside or outside, and he has the size, speed, and ball skills to dominate opposing corners. Tyson’s ability to create big plays would give this Patriots offense a much-needed boost.
15) Seattle Seahawks
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
The Seahawks have invested high draft capital in their offensive line over the last few seasons, but the results have been mixed. The team wisely added another first-round talent in last year’s draft by selecting Grey Zabel at No. 18 overall, but I still believe Seattle needs another lineman, specifically at right tackle.
Isaiah World has a chance to play himself into the first round, and he may go much higher than No. 15 with a strong season at Oregon. He has outstanding length, power, and movement skills, and plays with a physicality that NFL evaluators love. He still has some issues to work on like overextending at the point of attack, but his upside is immense.
16) Chicago Bears
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
As you can see, this tackle class is absolutely loaded. Next in line is Utah’s offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. Lomu was a first-year starter last season, but you couldn’t tell if you watched him play. He has excellent size, length, and mobility and is dominant in both phases of the game. As he continues to improve his hand placement and processing, look for him to establish himself as one of the clear top tackles in the class.
Like most teams with young quarterbacks, building the offensive line is key. Adding Lomu to this offensive line would go a long way in ensuring Caleb Williams takes the offensive leap so many are predicting him to make.
17) Houston Texans
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
With talented players like Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre in the secondary, Houston’s back end is already impressive. However, the Texans shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to draft Avieon Terrell.
Terrell is the little brother of Falcons corner A.J. Terrell, and the NFL bloodlines are easy to see. He is a quick and patient coverman who excels at vertical coverage while also being a solid defender against the run.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Safety was a need that many thought the Vikings would address in last year’s draft with Harrison Smith nearing the end of his career. While the team opted to look elsewhere with their top selection in 2025, in this mock, they select their next safety to replace Smith.
Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman is a rangy ballhawk who excels playing single-high where he can create big plays. He has outstanding range, instincts, and ball skills, and he can make plays across the field.
19) Pittsburgh Steelers
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
One thing seems certain as it relates to next year’s draft: the Steelers will be drafting a quarterback in the first round. With Aaron Rodgers already on record saying that this will almost certainly be his last season, Pittsburgh has to secure a quarterback of the future.
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier likely would have been a first-round pick had he entered the 2025 NFL Draft. A coach’s son, Nussmeier plays the game with excellent instincts, accuracy, and decision-making skills.
20) Denver Broncos
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
This is a classic “double down on a strength” type of situation. The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but could stand to add some explosiveness along the inside of their defensive line. Enter Caleb Banks.
Banks is a quick-twitched interior rusher who plays with violence and high energy. He has very good size, power, and quickness to beat his man as a rusher. In the run game, Banks has the strength to anchor at the point of attack, and he possesses the ability to fight off blocks to make a play on the ball carrier.
21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Tampa Bay has one of the best passing attacks in the NFL, and that’s without a top-tier tight end. Adding a playmaking tight end to pair with the elite receiving core that the Buccaneers already have would be borderline unfair.
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is a freak athlete who is poised for a monster season. He will very likely be the leading receiver for the Ducks, and he will get plenty of opportunities to show off his raw talent. He offers outstanding size, explosiveness and is an excellent player after the catch.
Kenyon Sadiq with the ball in his hands is awesome pic.twitter.com/uN6hXgYxlH
— Brentley Weissman (@Brentley12) June 27, 2025
22) Los Angeles Chargers
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
The Zion Johnson experiment in Los Angeles hasn’t worked out as well as the Chargers would have hoped. He’s been inconsistent and has not lived up to the hype since the Chargers selected him in the first round in 2022. Adding an interior offensive lineman makes a lot of sense, as we know the Chargers will want to be physical upfront under Jim Harbaugh.
Emmanuel Pregnon is a mauler at the point of attack and generates movement with ease. He excels in tight quarters, but his limited athleticism will limit his upside.
23) Green Bay Packers
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Jermod McCoy is one of my favorite players in this class and probably should be a bit higher. He offers prototypical size, length, and athleticism to excel in man coverage against top competition. He has excellent quickness and pure cover skills while also displaying an innate ability to play the ball in the air.
With Jaire Alexander officially no longer a Packer, McCoy could be the perfect replacement. He would be a great scheme fit and would give the Packers yet another defensive playmaker.
24) Los Angeles Rams
DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado
The Rams haven’t had a star corner since the team traded Jalen Ramsey a few years back. With the league continuing to be pass-first, talented cover corners are highly coveted.
DJ McKinney is a player who could take a huge step in 2025. He had a solid year last season, but was lost in the shuffle as Travis Hunter stole the spotlight amongst the Colorado secondary. With that said, McKinney has outstanding instincts, ball skills, and very good speed that could propel him up draft boards next April.
25) San Francisco 49ers
Austin Barber, OT, Florida
San Francisco will soon have to prepare for life without Trent Williams. He very well could retire after this season, and the team has very few options behind him. If Williams does indeed choose that path, adding a franchise left tackle will be a priority for them in the draft.
Florida’s Austin Barber is an excellent athlete who has proven to be a winning player in the SEC. He offers good balance, power, and hand use — all while showcasing an impressive ability to mirror in pass protection. He would be an excellent insert at left tackle to protect Brock Purdy’s blind side.
26) Cincinnati Bengals
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Bengals’ pass rush group is currently a mess with Trey Hendrickson holding out. While this contract dispute will very likely be sorted out by the time the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around, there is a world where edge remains a big need for Cincinnati.
Keldric Faulk is a rough and rugged edge defender who excels playing with power and strength. He is a force in the run game and shows an ability to set a firm edge at the point of attack. As a pass rusher, Faulk displays a good ability to bull rush and can also win with quickness around the edge.
27) Washington Commanders
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Nicholas Singleton was a standout running back last season and was projected as an early pick in the 2025 NFL Draft had he declared. His explosive running, excellent vision, impressive power, contact balance, and patience make him a dynamic player who projects as a future bellcow at the next level.
The Commanders, seeking to enhance their run game, could significantly benefit from Singleton’s talent. While Brian Robinson Jr. is a capable player, Singleton would provide some much-needed juice to their backfield, elevating the team’s rushing attack.
Rumored to have ~4.35 speed at 6’0″, 227 pounds, Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton is one of the 2026 RB class’ superlative athletes, pound-for-pound.
That speed is a central part of his game. Particularly on zone runs, he’s potent. Can traverse the line and explode through seams. pic.twitter.com/F741fTGN9d
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) June 17, 2025
28) Baltimore Ravens
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Washington has produced quite a few talented receivers in recent years, and Denzel Boston is the next in line. He is a savvy receiver who runs excellent routes from both the inside and outside. Boston has very good size and is an above-average athlete overall. His ball skills and body control are both outstanding.
Baltimore has steadily improved their receiving core throughout Lamar Jackson’s career, but could still use some more firepower. Boston projects as a perfect complement to Zay Flowers and would provide Jackson with yet another reliable target.
29) Detroit Lions
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei enters the 2025 season as one of the best pass rushers in the class. He has had tremendous success in his early seasons with the Ducks and is poised for a career year.
Uiagalelei is an explosive player who plays with excellent power and strength. He can win with power, quickness, and bend. While there is still some work to do with his hand use and array of rush moves, his projection in the NFL is quite clear.
The Lions boast one of the league’s best pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson, but need to continue to build this defensive line up in order for the team to continue to compete at a high level. Pairing Hutchinson with Uiagalelei would give the Lions two fierce pass rushers to anchor their defense for years to come.
30) Buffalo Bills
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Another year, another Georgia linebacker going in the first round. CJ Allen enters the season as the clear-cut number one linebacker in scouting circles and should be a sure-fire first-round pick with a strong season. He has excellent size, athleticism, and instincts, and is a playmaker at the second level. He fills the lanes with a quick trigger in the run game and displays enough speed to run sideline to sideline.
Buffalo has talented linebackers already in the fold, but with Allen still on the board, they cannot pass on him. He would fit nicely with Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, and would give the Bills three stud linebackers to man the second level of their defense.
31) Kansas City Chiefs
Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Chandler Rivers is an instinctual and physical coverman with excellent speed and short-area quickness. His fluidity allows him to mirror and match routes effortlessly. Rivers is a versatile defender who’s capable of playing both in the slot and on the outside.
Adding another top-tier player to the Chiefs’ already strong secondary makes a ton of sense. The potential pairing of Trent McDuffie and Rivers at cornerback could create a formidable and highly effective combination, further bolstering the team’s strength in this area for seasons to come.
32) Philadelphia Eagles
Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
The Eagles are always successful in the first round as they wait and let the board come to them. The same can be said here as the talented Darrell Jackson falls into their lap. Jackson is a mammoth of a man who offers excellent size and length.
He plays with a powerful lower half and a wide base, and he’s an excellent anchor in the running game. Jackson is still improving as a pass rusher, but his talent as a run defender makes him worthy of a first-round pick.
Philadelphia has continued to invest in their defensive line and it has proven to be a strategic move. Jackson would give them another capable body in their already talented defensive front rotation.
2026 NFL Mock Draft | Round 2
33) Cleveland Browns
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
34) New York Jets
Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
35) New Orleans Saints
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
36) Tennessee Titans
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
37) New York Giants
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
38) Carolina Panthers
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
39) Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
40) Jacksonville Jaguars
Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
41) Las Vegas Raiders
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
42) Atlanta Falcons
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
43) Arizona Cardinals
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
44) Dallas Cowboys
Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida
45) Miami Dolphins
Jaeden Roberts, IOL, Alabama
46) New England Patriots
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
47) Seattle Seahawks
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
48) Chicago Bears
Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
49) Houston Texans
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
50) Minnesota Vikings
LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
51) Pittsburgh Steelers
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
52) Denver Broncos
Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
54) Los Angeles Chargers
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
55) Green Bay Packers
Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson
56) Los Angeles Rams
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
57) San Francisco 49ers
Keon Sabb, DB, Alabama
58) Cincinnati Bengals
Zeke Berry, DB, Michigan
59) Houston Texans
DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
60) Baltimore Ravens
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
61) Detroit Lions
Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
62) Buffalo Bills
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
63) Kansas City Chiefs
Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma
64) Philadelphia Eagles
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
2026 NFL Mock Draft | Round 3
65) Cleveland Browns
Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
66) Philadelphia Eagles
Gabe Jacas, LB, Illinois
67) New Orleans Saints
Drew Shelton, OL, Penn State
68) Tennessee Titans
Michael Taaffe, DB, Texas
69) Houston Texans
Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
70) Carolina Panthers
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
71) Indianapolis Colts
Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
72) Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn
73) Las Vegas Raiders
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
74) Atlanta Falcons
Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
75) Arizona Cardinals
David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech
76) Pittsburgh Steelers
Dalton Brooks, DB, Texas A&M
77) Miami Dolphins
Amare Ferrell, DB, Indiana
78) New England Patriots
Jamarion Miller, RB, Alabama
79) Seattle Seahawks
Lander Barton, LB, Utah
80) Chicago Bears
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
81) Miami Dolphins
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
82) Minnesota Vikings
Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
83) Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU
84) Denver Broncos
Dane Key, WR, Nebraska
85) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
86) Los Angeles Chargers
Jack Velling, TE, Michigan State
87) Green Bay Packers
Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
88) Los Angeles Rams
Trey Zuhn, OL, Texas A&M
89) San Francisco 49ers
Nic Anderson, WR, LSU
90) Cincinnati Bengals
Iapani Laloulu, OL, Oregon
91) Washington Commanders
Nyckoles Harbor, WR, South Carolina
92) Baltimore Ravens
Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Texas
93) Jacksonville Jaguars
Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT, Wake Forest
94) Buffalo Bills
Connor Lew, OL, Auburn
95) Kansas City Chiefs
Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana
96) Philadelphia Eagles
Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan State
97) Jacksonville Jaguars
Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
