2026 NFL mock draft: Former first-round pick predicts QB frenzy in top 10 and defensive dominance
Dante Moore and John Mateer climb into the top 10, but it's another QB taken No. 1
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The first month of the 2025 college football season has come to a close, and we can begin to make some way-too-early projections for the 2026 NFL Draft. I don't see tons of guys whom I would give high-first-round grades to; there are a lot of solid players, but also a lot of guys who could be boom or bust, especially at quarterback. I would not be overly excited if I had to pick a quarterback this year.
Some things that stand out early to me:
- The depth of quarterback class looks stronger than anticipated with the play of Fernando Mendoza at Indiana, Dante Moore at Oregon and Miami's Carson Beck, Alabama's Ty Simpson and Arizona State's Sam Leavitt looking like Day 1 picks. QB1 is still anyone's guess at this point in the season, though. The player I do have going No. 1 overall, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, entered the season as a top-10 prospect in most spaces but there has been talk he may benefit from another year in school -- and Sellers is currently not even in CBS Sports' top 50 prospect rankings! There's that much variety.
- The offensive tackle class looks a little weaker this year, while there are some really good interior offensive linemen who will get drafted over the first two days.
- The defensive line class looks strong again with a number of quality players, but Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. looks like the only player worthy of a top five pick early on. However, that is a valued position, and Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods has traits to like.
- The wide receiver and cornerback classes look to have some excellent prospects as well, with multiple prospects right on the first-round fringe.
It's still very early on, and there will be a lot more tape to evaluate, as the vast majority of prospects need more tape against quality competition, not to mention those overcoming injuries. With conference play in full bloom, there will be a better understanding of some of these prospects' potential, and there will no doubt be a few guys who rise.
The 2026 NFL Draft order was determined using the reverse Super Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook as of Monday morning. Prospect rankings are via CBS Sports' top 50 big board.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Sellers is still a bit of a projection but he has rare skills that are hard to find and will be hard to pass on. Sellers has a cannon for an arm and has improved his decision-making early in 2025 despite being under duress for much of the season. Sellers has exceptional athletic ability on his large frame and can turn negative situations into explosive plays. He's a high-level athlete who has progressed as a passer and someone whose best days are ahead.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Bain has been the best player in the country in September, dominating the line of scrimmage in both phases and embarrassing his opponents weekly with his relentless speed to power. Bain plays with a relentless motor and is a major disruptor for the Hurricanes. I got some Dwight Freeney vibes (minus the spin move) while watching him.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Woods at this spot is a bit of a reach, as his 2025 season has been subpar to this point. Woods shows great twitch and the ability to not only take on double teams but win the majority of them. Woods has a quick first step and excels when stunting in both phases. Woods has the traits to be a highly productive defensive tackle at the next level but also has a high bust factor based on his September production.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Not a sexy pick this early, but Downs is the safest player in the draft and a Day 1 starter. He's a high IQ player who is a leader and an alpha and will be a future multi-year Pro Bowler. He excels at erasing tight ends and is equally good as a run-stuffer who can play in the box and is an excellent tackler in space. Downs is a three-year starter at the highest levels of football under three elite systems at Ohio State.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Mauigoa has excellent power and the ability to move defenders against their will, and also the ability to anchor against power rushers. He has lots of experience and is very well coached. A Day 1 starter at right tackle, though I think he can excel inside as a guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Ducks continue to churn out much-improved transfer quarterbacks, and Moore has looked very good early after a year of development under offensive coordinator Will Stein. Moore plays like a seasoned veteran and throws an accurate ball not only in the pocket but also on the run. Moore looked cool under pressure in a hostile white-out game against a really talented Penn State defense last weekend and showed the country he can also run around and through defenders if needed.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Mateer's season has taken a hit, as thumb surgery is the only thing that has slowed him down so far this year. The dual-threat quarterback is a winner and operates at a high level for a team that needed a reboot under center. Mateer is a weapon using his legs and is a high-level processor at reading defenses and delivering the ball on time and with great accuracy.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Faulk has ideal size and length and the ability to rush anywhere on the defensive front. A slippery rusher with a good get-off and excellent hands, he can develop his power more to take his game to the next level. He's solid vs. the run as well, with the ability to set the edge and knock back offensive tackles.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Nussmeier was my QB1 entering the season and has elite traits the NFL covets with the ability to make every throw on the field and fit the ball into tight windows. However, there are some moments that leave you wanting more. His decision-making is suspect at times, but the NFL loves to project, and I think this is what gets him drafted high. I get some Brett Favre vibes watching him.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Tyson is on another heater in 2025 and looks even more polished after a breakout season last year. He's exceptional at tracking the ball in the air and shows great contact balance after the catch to maximize YAC. Tyson shows long speed to win vs. press coverage and has the ability to thrive in the middle of the field and in the red zone. He's a dynamic player who looks like a future superstar.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Harris is a giant and disruptive defensive tackle who moves well for his size with excellent lateral quickness and length. He's good at block recognition and has the ability to find the path of least resistance. He has powerful hips at the point, and his ability to match the hand with his length is a weapon when he can't get home. Coaches rave about his work ethic.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Rhodes is a versatile and twitchy edge rusher who has had a breakout start to the season for the Razorbacks. He has a wide variety of moves and shows strong change of direction and the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. He has the potential to be a major riser.
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From
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - Pick 13
Delane has elevated his play at LSU after a disappointing and inconsistent 2024 at Virginia Tech. He's a playmaker playing like a No. 1 cornerback with excellent hips and breaks, and his ball skills are exceptional. Delane plays with quick feet and excellent route recognition and has the experience to be a top corner at the next level.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Love's production is down this season, but he is still the same guy he was in 2024. Love has exceptional vision and patience and is a weapon as a receiver. He's a rare first-round talent with an enormous ceiling playing behind a somewhat struggling offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Fano will be in the No. 1 offensive lineman conversation due to his weekly consistency over the last few seasons in both phases. Fano plays with good technique and has excellent feet, and I believe the ability to play on the blindside. His best days are still ahead, but I like the power at the point and the ability to move people. Fifteen is too low for his talent.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Mendoza is playing some good football, and the Steelers are likely to be in the quarterback market. I need to see Mendoza more against higher-caliber competition, but the dual-threat signal-caller is balling out early. Mendoza does a nice job of reading the defense and has the arm strength to deliver the ball on time and through tight windows. He's a good processor and athletic enough to extend and create on the move.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Bailey is a natural pass-rusher with the ability to win with speed off the edge, and he shows exceptional quickness in condensed spaces. He needs to continue to stack up good film against Big 12 competition. It was a good start versus Utah's talented offensive tackles, but he can still improve his run defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Tate is next up at WRU and underrated nationally. He can beat you anywhere on the field, and his ability to track and high point the ball in contested-catch situations is as good as anyone in the country. He's a dependable and trustworthy receiver who's a good route runner and has strong hands that can move the chains.
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From
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 - Pick 19
World has a giant frame and exceptional length and wingspan to go along with good feet. World is still a work in progress but looked good against a very good Penn State front in a hostile environment. World's ability to generate power and movement in the run game has been excellent this season. He has the ability to move up to the No. 1 offensive tackle conversation with steady play this year.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Hill has the range to run sideline to sideline and also the size to excel in the box. He can stay on the field for every defensive snap and also excels rushing the passer. He has a bright future at the next level with instincts you look for as a box linebacker.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Proctor had an inconsistent start but is playing well of late and should benefit from kicking inside at the next level. Excels as a run blocker and can move defenders against their will. Massive humans like him are hard to find, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he develops into a solid pro on the interior.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
A twitchy edge rusher with an explosive first step, Howell has finally put it all together in his second year with the Aggies. He wins with speed and a long-arm move, while also flashing the ability to counter inside when tackles overset. Plays with strength and a relentless motor.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Sadiq is a fluid mover who runs like a big wide receiver with natural ball skills, consistently catching it away from his body and getting north. He understands how to find soft spots in coverage and is a dependable target. He has big-play potential after the catch and is a better blocker than given credit for.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
An explosive playmaker who can stretch the field as both a receiver and kick returner, Lemon is dynamic, physical and USC's go-to option in critical moments. He combines top-end speed with strong hands and impressive range.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Orange is having a dominant start to the season and playing at a high level for the Cyclones. He uses heavy hands at the point of attack and shows exceptional quickness for his size. A disruptive presence who would garner more buzz if he played for a bigger program.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
One SEC coach said Hood was the best corner they faced this season, and the stats back it up. He's sticky in coverage, tracks the ball well in the air, and breaks up passes with timing. Also underrated in run support and flashes uncommon physicality for the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Anthony has great size and length off the edge and has terrorized opponents all year. He shows excellent get-off with the ability to win using both speed and power. A disruptive pass-rusher with a high ceiling and his best football still ahead of him.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Miller is a violent, disruptive interior presence who impacts both the run and pass. He uses heavy hands, twitch and pass-rushing ability despite constant double teams. Projects well as a three-technique and could rise quickly up boards.
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From
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 - Pick 29
An experienced corner with elite man-coverage skills, Terrell has excellent recovery speed if beaten off the line. He tracks the ball well at its highest point, flips his hips smoothly and plays with great technique. Young but ready to make an immediate impact.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Parker is a twitchy rusher who lacks ideal length but compensates with an explosive first step and quick counters inside. Though he had a slow September, his 2024 tape was excellent. He shows good burst, reads oversets well and has lateral quickness to disrupt offenses.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Anderson is a dynamic playmaker and threat to score anytime he touches the ball. He can line up anywhere but excels in the slot. A polished route runner with sticky hands, Anderson looks poised to continue LSU's wide receiver tradition.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
McCoy has yet to play in 2025 while recovering from an ACL injury, but scouts still rank him as one of the top corners based on his 2024 film. Excellent in man coverage with strong ball skills. If healthy, the risk is worth the reward here.
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