We’re nearing the halfway point of the NFL season. As Halloween approaches, teams are assessing their rosters for potential playoff runs or rebuilding efforts.
The 2026 NFL Draft outlook continues to change. We entered the 2025 college football season viewing it as a class defined by multiple quarterbacks with franchise-changing potential, as well as great depth on the offensive line. Texas’ Arch Manning was a near-lock for the No. 1 overall pick as a franchise quarterback for a team needing a savior at the position.
Seven weeks into the season and things look very different. Manning may not declare for the draft after the season he’s having at Texas as the Longhorns struggle up front due to talent lost to the 2025 NFL Draft. The offensive line depth is still there and now we’re seeing more standout players emerge at other positions.
The honor of top prospect in the class is between two players: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. They’re both defenders who could be immediate contributors to their franchises. A wide receiver class that was thought to be a one-player position (Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson) now has multiple prospects vying for first-round consideration.
The big board of the top players in the class continues to change, as does the order for the 2026 NFL Draft. As we approach Week 7 of the NFL season, here’s our latest idea for how the first round will look come April:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. New York Jets: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza played impressively well in a huge 30-20 win over Oregon on the road in Week 7 of the college football season. He extended plays with his legs, made the right throws when needed and overcame a costly interception to lead the Hoosiers to victory against a defense full of NFL talent.
New York is getting a quarterback with an NFL arm, quick release and solid processing to understand defenses in Mendoza. He isn’t an elite athlete with a rocket arm but has a high floor as a prospect.
2. Cleveland Browns: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Yes, the Browns need help at multiple positions on offense. But let’s not overthink this; the best thing the Browns can do is take the best player available.
Bain combines good size (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) with great power and length to attack blockers off the edge. His bull rush will likely hold up in the NFL and he has good enough bend to get to the quarterback. He needs to improve setting the edge to make it at the NFL level and lacks elite explosiveness but he’s more than capable of being a double-digit sack player. He’d make an already dangerous Browns pass rush even more elite.
Bain’s value is enough to keep from considering a quarterback here, for now.
3. Baltimore Ravens: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
It still feels weird to see the Ravens in the top five of the NFL Draft order. But that’s what happens when a contender has an injury report longer than a CVS receipt. With Lamar Jackson out, the team is struggling and has the opportunity to take a high-value player like Faulk.
He’s longer than Bain at 6-foot-6 with similar power and better explosiveness. His elite tools and movement skills can give a creative defensive coordinator a versatile piece to be moved around the defensive line. His size and physicality show shades of Calais Campbell in a slightly smaller package.
4. Miami Dolphins: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
The Dolphins have plenty of needs across the roster but desperately need help on defense. Entering Week 6, the Dolphins ranked last in the league in expected points added (EPA) per play allowed on defense, per SumerSports, and last in EPA/play per rush.
Woods is a versatile defensive lineman who operates well on the outside or inside at an explosive 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. He shows shades of Fletcher Cox in his play and could be a Pro Bowl-level player on his rookie contract. He’s a three-down defender right away and can pair with Kenneth Grant to build the Dolphins’ line out for the future.
Secondary was considered as well but it’s too early for the cornerbacks on the board and too high a pick for a safety.
5. New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
New Orleans could go many ways on offense in Round 1 of this draft. We’ve opted for them to address wide receiver with their top pick, considering Rasheed Shaheed will hit free agency next summer and Chris Olave is entering the final year of his contract in 2026.
Tyson is the top wide receiver prospect in the class thanks to his outside-receiver size at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He has a knack for finding spots in zone coverage to exploit thanks to his excellent route-running. He’s not a burner but has good acceleration and speed to get off man coverage.
6. Tennessee Titans: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Tennessee is building around 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback and he needs help up front in protection. It’s hard to find a more outlier talent at the position in the class than Proctor. At 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds, there are few humans on Earth who move like this Crimson Tide tackle.
Proctor had a slow start to the season before rebounding against Georgia. He’s allowed just three pressures in his last three games of SEC competition. He could use some improvement in technique and consistency but he could be a left tackle of the future opposite JC Latham.
7. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
This may be a boring pick but boring is what Cincinnati needs to protect franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. They’ve invested in the tackle spot via the draft but Fano may be a better option at right tackle thanks to his mix of athleticism and polish.
Fano stands 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds and could either stay outside at tackle or move inside to guard, given some arm length concerns. In either case, the Bengals would welcome that up front. The team entered Week 6 with the last-ranked line by ESPN’s pass block win rate (PBWR).
8. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Dante Moore, Oregon
The Raiders have plenty of needs on defense at pretty much every position besides Maxx Crosby. But with the way Geno Smith has been playing so far in 2025, they need to consider quarterback.
In this mock, we have them taking the Oregon passer who looked like a No. 1 pick after the first month of the season. Moore was rattled against Indiana by exotic pressures and that’s an area to develop as the season goes on. He brings an impressive deep ball acumen and good mobility to make it as a scrambler at the next level.
9. New York Giants: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
New York may have a quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart and now they need to protect him. Andrew Thomas has been one of the best left tackles in the league this season and could use a building block on the other side.
Mauigoa’s a standout right tackle in Coral Gables. His NFL-caliber size (6-foot-6, 325 pounds), elite athleticism and powerful hands give him Pro Bowl-caliber potential sooner than later. Miami’s scheme asked a lot of him in both run and pass blocking, and he should be a long-term starter on the right side for the Giants, either at tackle or inside at guard.
10. Arizona Cardinals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
At this point, the best player in the draft cannot fall out of the top 10. Downs is a special talent at the position and is in the running with Bain to be the top talent in the entire class.
Arizona could use help along the offensive line, at wide receiver or other spots on defense. But Downs brings more value to the team than prospects at those positions would at this point. He’s scheme versatile enough to be more than just a safety; he can line up at deep safety, box linebacker, or slot cornerback.
His mix of elite athleticism and ideal football I.Q. makes him a weapon for a creative defensive playcaller.
11. Houston Texans: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Houston has an extension for quarterback C.J. Stroud looming and, after investing in young wide receivers during the 2025 NFL Draft, needs to protect him more. Lomu started at left tackle for Utah opposite Fano and played exceptionally well. He’s allowed just five pressures on 195 pass block reps through six games.
The 6-foot-6, 308-pound tackle has elite athletic tools and exceptional movement skills in space. He needs to develop more technically and consistency-wise but has the means to become a long-term starter along the offensive line.
12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy is a bit of a question mark in the draft. He suffered an ACL tear in January and hasn’t been on the field since. He may not see the field at all in 2025 which is a shame; he’s one of the best cornerbacks in the class.
McCoy pairs ideal size at 6-foot and 195 pounds with elite athleticism and ball production. His anticipation sets him apart compared to the rest of the class. Dallas enters Week 7 last in the league in EPA per pass allowed.
13. Carolina Panthers: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Carolina’s offense has powered the Panthers to a 0.500 record through six games, especially in the running game. There’s a solid argument to make about giving Carolina another difference-maker on offense but we’re opting to address the other side instead.
Through six weeks, the Panthers rank last in ESPN’s pass rush win rate. Derrick Brown can’t do it all from the interior. Carolina spent resources in the draft and free agency at edge last year but you can never have too many pass rushers. Parker is the last of the all-around edges in the first round.
The Clemson standout has ideal NFL size at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds with impressive explosiveness off the line and refined hand usage for his stage of development. He can line up at multiple spots which could allow the team’s 2025 draft picks to develop.
14. Kansas City Chiefs: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Sadiq is far and away the top tight end prospect in this class and should be the first off the board at the position barring injury. He’s got the size to be a factor as a blocker and the athleticism to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
The Chiefs’ offense relied on tight end Travis Kelce for years as the lead receiving threat. Kansas City could maximize Sadiq’s skillset and fit him in nicely alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy as star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ weapons for the future. He’s a vertical threat with excellent route-running skills at this stage of his development.
15. Washington Commanders: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Washington’s offensive line seems set for the future in front of franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. Now it’s time to upgrade the skill positions around him and we’re going that route instead of upgrading the defense in Round 1.
Lemon isn’t an elite athlete compared to others at the position but he has an incredible knack to find space against defenses and never lose yards after the catch. He is averaging more than nine targets per game and making the most of them. His average depth of target (ADOT) per Pro Football Focus is 9.9 yards this season, making him more than just a short-yardage possession type of receiver.
He’s reminiscent of Emeka Egbuka with how pro-ready he is as a prospect. Unlike Egbuka, he’s been deployed out wide for nearly a third of his snaps this season at USC, showing his versatility.
16. Chicago Bears: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Chicago could use some depth on the offensive line but Love is too good a value to pass up. The Notre Dame running back is one of the five best prospects in the class and by far the top running back. He’s a true three-down running back at 6-foot and 214 pounds, with the receiving abilities to add another dimension to both Chicago’s run and passing games.
Notre Dame’s offense is deploying him in both gap and zone schemes, offering even more versatility to his profile. He’s not lacking in speed, either; he won a Missouri state title in the 100 meters in high school. He’s the ideal running back for the modern NFL game.
17. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
You could make an argument for other positions at this spot but the reality is Matthew Stafford will be 38 years old by the 2026 NFL Draft. It looked like he may not even start the year healthy with nagging back issues. The Rams need to plan ahead.
Simpson continues to climb up prospect rankings as the Tide rise up the national rankings. The former top recruit is finally getting his shot as the starter this season and impressing with his quick release, pocket mobility and processing abilities despite so few starts. Simpson could spend a year under Stafford and get up to speed at the NFL game before taking over in 2027.
18. Minnesota Vikings: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme works best with good play from the linebacker position. The only downside is that top linebacker Blake Cashman has missed all but one game this season so far due to a stint on injured reserve. It’s not considered a premium position but the Vikings could use an upgrade at linebacker.
Reese is one of the best prospects at the position over the last few years. He’s a near-freak athlete at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds and not limited to his physical gifts. He understands the game well enough to fill multiple roles as a blitzer, spy, drop coverage guy or thumper in run defense. Flores’ defense would be terrifying with Reese roaming around.
19. Buffalo Bills: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Bills could use more speed in the second level on defense but with the state of the board, they go with one of the most productive pass rushers in the country. Bailey’s nine sacks are tied for the best in the country, leads the nation in quarterback hits (11), and is third in quarterback hurries (24).
At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Bailey projects as a designated pass rusher early on in his career. His bend off the line and closing speed make him an ideal threat off the edge. He can also drop into coverage if needed. He’ll need to improve his strength and hand usage to stick long-term as a run defender.
20. Denver Broncos: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Denver’s defense continues to terrorize opposing offenses so we’ll help them out on offense in this mock. Courtland Sutton turned 30 earlier this month and the team drafted Pat Bryant in the third round of the 2025 Draft as a potential succession plan on the outside.
In Tate, Denver gets another outside option. The Ohio State product will likely be the latest in a long line of Buckeye first-round wide receivers. His size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and strong hands helped him lead the country in catches of 40 or more yards through six weeks. He’s an ideal possession receiver with the football IQ to exploit defenses.
21. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
After taking arguably the best prospect overall in the class, Cleveland takes the highest-ceiling quarterback in the class in Sellers. South Carolina’s quarterback is a terrifying threat for opposing defenses in the open field. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Sellers operates like a faster Jalen Hurts in a bigger frame.
His elite physical tools are reminiscent of Cam Newton but there’s a lot of work the passer still needs to do. He has a high floor thanks to his outlier athleticism but his development from the pocket needs work to reach his high ceiling. He’s thrown some bad interceptions and taken too many sacks.
22. Los Angeles Rams: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Delane is the exact kind of prospect Los Angeles will value more than other teams. The LSU cornerback won’t test well at the combine and that’ll take him off the board for many franchises. That’s too bad. There are few cornerback prospects in recent memory with his anticipation and football IQ.
Through six games, Delane’s been targeted 22 times, per PFF. He’s allowed six catches for 77 yards on those targets. When targeted, he’s allowing a 22.7 passer rating. Los Angeles could use more help on the back end to complement their strength in the trenches, and Delane fits the bill.
23. Detroit Lions: Edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Detroit’s dealt with injuries on defense once again this year and their pass rush has suffered the most from it. Despite Aidan Hutchinson playing at an All-Pro level, the team ranks 31st league-wide in ESPN’s pass rush win rate. At this point on the board, there aren’t many edge rushers who fit Detroit’s track record besides Dennis-Sutton.
The Penn State edge rusher measures in at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds with long arms and violent hands. He’s improved each season of college as a run defender and can set the edge at the NFL level. He needs to work on his pass rush plan at the next level but could be an ideal No. 2 edge rusher in Detroit.
24. Seattle Seahawks: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Seattle’s secondary has been hit hard by injuries this season. Luckily, the team’s front seven is playing exceptional football in recent weeks so it’s not as noticeable.
Even when healthy, Seattle’s starters Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe are heading to free agency next offseason. They could use reinforcements at the position, and there’s better value here than at offensive line at this point of the round.
Terrell has NFL bloodlines – his brother is Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell – and has been a bright spot for an underwhelming Clemson team. He’s an endearing competitor with explosive athleticism to back it up on the field. At 5-foot-11, he may be off the board for some teams but would reward a team like Seattle willing to develop him.
25. New England Patriots: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Quarterback Drake Maye has leveled up in year two in New England. The team invested in left tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft in the first round and they continue to do so with the enticing Brazzell.
The Volunteers wideout stands 6-foot-5 but plays the position like a small-ball center in basketball. He has the speed to stress defenses vertically and the size to make contested catches at a regular rate. He’s also a weapon underneath and in the intermediate areas of the field. A creative play-caller could get the most out of him. There are some concerns about his lean frame at 200 pounds but he has No. 1 receiver potential.
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Outstanding coaching and scheme can only get the Chargers so far on defense. They need more star power, especially off the edge. The pass rush shouldn’t rely this much on Khalil Mack’s health.
Many teams will be out on Howell because of his size at 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds. That smaller frame packs elite athleticism that Howell deploys smoothly throughout his rush. He has the first step and speed NFL teams like at the position but he can turn that speed to power against opposing blockers at will. His athleticism means he can drop into coverage as well if needed.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Xavier Chaplin, Auburn
It’s hard to determine which position to address in Round 1 for San Francisco due to the litany of injuries the team’s faced in 2025. Depth at six positions isn’t possible, so we’re going with what feels like a glaring need for the future.
San Francisco’s star left tackle, Trent Williams, turns 38 next summer. Right tackle Colton McKivitz is having his best season in the NFL but it would be good for the franchise to think long-term. Chaplin is almost on the level of Proctor as an athlete at 6-foot-7 and 335 pounds but has played inconsistently in 2025. He’ll need time to develop and there are few better tackles to learn from than Williams.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Banks entered the 2025 college football season as a potential first-round pick thanks to his fluid movement skills at 6-foot-6 and 334 pounds. He’s shown flashes as a dominant pass-rushing nose tackle and could be near-unstoppable when paired with Jalen Carter.
A foot injury may take Banks off the board for many teams or drop him out of the first round overall, depending on how he heals. If he’s healthy, this could end up as a steal for Philadelphia. He’d make for a good succession plan for Jordan Davis, who hits free agency in 2027.
29. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): Edge Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Dallas’ pass defense needs serious help. We addressed the secondary with their first pick of the first round with McCoy and move up front to the defensive line with their second pick of the round.
Uiagalelei is one of the longer edge rushers in the class at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds. He thrived alongside NFL talent in 2024 and demonstrated his high-floor early in 2025 with a bigger role. He’s raw as a pass rusher, but would be a good addition to the stable of pass rushers Dallas is building with Micah Parsons no longer on the roster.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Pittsburgh can’t rely on Aaron Rodgers to be the quarterback of the future. He turns 42 in December and, even in a bounce-back year with the Steelers, can’t be relied upon for years to come.
Nussmeier could be the answer late in the first round. The son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, the LSU quarterback has shown flashes with his arm talent, layering and processing abilities. But he’s made costly mistakes at times and can be overaggressive when pushing the ball. He can grow into an above-average NFL starter quickly with DK Metcalf and a solid offensive line in front of him.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Eventually, the Buccaneers have to find a successor for Lavonte David, right? The franchise cornerstone turns 36 years old in January and is still playing like one of the best in the league at the position.
Allen packs power in his athletic 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame, with the speed to be an ideal run defender at the NFL level. He has the tools to be an every-down linebacker but needs time to develop in coverage. In time, he could be a serviceable replacement for David long-term.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Edge LT Overton, Alabama
Indianapolis is riding high this week with one of the most prolific and efficient offenses in the NFL. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We’ll head to the defensive side of the ball for this year’s top investment.
Colts edge rushers Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam hit free agency next offseason. Laiatu Latu has developed well in his second year in the NFL, but the team could use another rusher alongside him for the future. At 6-foot-5 and close to 280 pounds, Overton can kick inside or stay at the edge for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. He’s surprisingly bendy given his size with violent hands and an ideal motor. His run defense abilities give him a very good floor to work with in the NFL.