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2026 Nfl Mock Draft Full First Round Mock Draft Predictions

Bonisiwe Shabane
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2026 nfl mock draft full first round mock draft predictions

The rising importance of the 2026 NFL Draft for several teams came into focus after last week's trade deadline. With the New York Jets having dealt cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, there are now four NFL teams that have multiple first-round picks in April. And with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants having already fired their head coaches, several fan bases are probably ready to close the book on this season and enter offseason mode. But with the first-round order still shifting significantly week to week, there's still ample time for team's draft fortunes to rise or fall. With that said, here's USA TODAY Sports' latest first-round projection and 2026 NFL mock draft: There's a strong possibility for Tennessee to possess the No.

1 pick in consecutive years after the Saints' and Browns' victories left the Titans as the only one-win team remaining. And that creates a bit of a mystery atop the order. An organization that's yet again rebooting would clearly stand to benefit from trading back and stockpiling more early selections to support Cam Ward. Yet this quarterback class doesn't seem particularly conducive to drumming up a bidding war for this choice. If Tennessee does end up in the slot and stands pat, it could supercharge its defense with Reese. Though he operates as a linebacker for the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder has Micah Parsons-like movement abilities that could be best put to use in a full-time edge rushing role.

The Titans could pair him with Jeffery Simmons to create one of the league's most formidable inside-outside tandems and then use the rest of the draft – and free agency – to focus on... A franchise with a decades-long habit of being trigger-shy when it comes to selecting quarterbacks might be hard-pressed to go this route, especially if Tyler Shough continues to exhibit the promise he displayed in... But unless the second-round rookie firmly establishes himself as New Orleans' answer at the position in the back half of the season, Mendoza might be massively alluring. The Heisman Trophy front-runner now also figures to be the favorite to be the first quarterback taken, with his game-winning drive against Penn State highlighting resiliency and a knack for operating out of structure... The 6-5, 225-pounder is the kind of precise thrower who could allow Kellen Moore to launch a new era for the organization in earnest. Technically, rookie Tyler Shough is the Saints' starter for the rest of the season.

When New Orleans goes on the clock in the 2026 NFL Draft, Shough will almost certainly become the latest high-round pick whose team uses an even higher-round pick 12 months later in the hopes... The Panthers did it in 2011 when they took Cam Newton No. 1 overall, and the Cardinals did it eight years later when they selected Kyler Murray with the top pick. And as we sit here, nine weeks into the 2026 season, the Saints are staring that first-overall selection in the face. There will no doubt be discussions in the building about trading down and what such a draft haul might do to reset this roster, but if the organization feels that Fernando Mendoza or Ty... Former Titans GM Ran Carthon and I talked about this last week on "With the First Pick," our NFL Draft podcast:

In my Mock Draft 2.0, I have just three QBs going in the first round -- and one via trade; after trading down from No. 2 to No. 5 last April, the Browns move up from No. 6 to No. 2 in this excerise for a quarterback. And much like the conversation surrounding Shough, it's fair to assume that neither Dylan Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders (or any other QB currently on Cleveland's roster) will be penciled in as the 2026 starter...

It’s only the second week of the NFL preseason, but we’re already getting a great idea of what every NFL team’s biggest needs could end up being for the 2026 NFL Draft. And some teams are more desperate than others. The upcoming 2026 NFL Draft class has yet to take shape, obviously, but it’s looking like it could end up being a really deep class of players at the quarterback position, offensive tackle, and... With the college football season on deck and a number of teams already counting down the days until the 2026 Draft, we’re going to take another early look at a full first-round 2026 NFL... The situation is obviously everything when it comes to the Manning family, and this is a situation the family would likely welcome. Everyone knows that Archie Manning has already declared we won’t see his grandson, Arch, in the 2026 NFL Draft class, but if the Saints get the #1 overall pick?

Well, that might change the narrative a bit. There’s no way the Manning family would deny Arch the opportunity to take over the franchise his grandfather was once a first-round pick of. In fact, Archie was the last 1st-round QB selected by the Saints. This would be a full-circle moment, and the Manning family will have plenty of time to assess the way the league values Arch after the college season, as well as wait to see which... The Titans could use more blocking protection for Cam Ward. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Fano has a lot of talent and has played well at tackle for the Utes.

He has been a versatile tackle with 11 starts at left tackle and 13 at right tackle heading into the 2025 season. For the most part, Fano played on the left side in 2023 and on the right side in 2024. Fano is fast, athletic, and plays with a mean streak. He is a force as a run blocker and shows a lot of athleticism to take away speed rushers. A lot of teams could fall in love with his tape. Unless Tyler Shough impresses over the final two months of the season, New Orleans will be looking for a true franchise quarterback.

Simpson has been phenomenal in 2025, leading the Crimson Tide to some big wins against tough opponents. In 2025, Simpson has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,461 yards with 21 touchdowns, an interception, and two rushing touchdowns. Simpson has shown some serious arm talent, making some beautiful throws downfield with superb ball placement to beat tight coverage. In tight games, Simpson made some great passes to lead his team to wins over Georgia and Missouri. Simpson is accurate, smart, has a strong arm, and throws with timing and anticipation. Simpson has shown superb ball security this season as well, with excellent decision-making.

The Giants grab a right tackle to help protect Jaxson Dart. The 6-foot-8, 309-pounder World dominated at Nevada, and if he plays as well at Oregon, he could skyrocket for the 2025 NFL Draft. As a pass blocker, World has a natural build with good size, strength, and length to play on the edge. He does a nice job of sinking his weight to stop bull rushes, and he shows an impressive ability to kill speed to power attempts. World does an excellent job of sustaining his blocks with the upper body strength to tie up defenders. In the ground game, World uses his strong upper body to knock defenders back and push them around.

He has real power at the point of attack and blocks with a mean streak. With overwhelming mass, he can knock defenders flat on their backs and will bury them with a violent pancake block. The Browns take their next hope for a franchise quarterback. Mendoza has completed 71 percent of his passes for 2,342 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has two rushing touchdowns as well. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder has a quality arm, reads the field well, makes good decisions, and has dangerous pocket passing ability.

Mendoza played well for Cal in 2024. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Mendoza has good size, and it will be interesting to see how he develops at Indiana. The Jets grab a franchise quarterback to build around. Moore has been a dynamic point-producer for the Ducks in 2025, making plays with his arm and legs. In 2025, Moore has completed 71 percent of his passes for 1,884 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Moore (6-3, 203) is a dangerous quarterback who is tough to defend. He has shown impressive arm talent and feel as a passer. Moore throws some beautiful deep balls and shows impressive composure and poise for a young player. The 2026 NFL Draft may not be as quarterback dominated as once perceived. There is Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Alabama’s Ty Simpson and then everyone else. The ironic part of those two being at the top of the board is those weren’t the quarterback prospects envisioned as the top prospects entering the 2025 college football season.

That is just how quick things can change in the world of football and how unpredictable things can flow once the actual games are played on the field. So, what about teams like the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns who hold top 5 picks as the season stand now and are need of quarterback talent. Once Mendoza and Simpson are off the board, could one of those teams and other teams in need of a franchise QB go in other directions and take their chances on a QB in... If they do, who are the prizes out there? When it comes to talent beyond quarterback, some of the big names and high risers are draft boards reside at Ohio State. Caleb Downs was already a name high on most NFL scouts’ radars, but suddenly names like Arvell Reese, Carnell Tate and Sonny Styles are emerging as game-changing prospects most teams will be aiming for.

Where will those players land and who will be taken No. 1 overall? This Week 11 edition of the NFL Mocks’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft explores the draft board if the season was to end today. The NFL season is past its halfway point, as the NFL trade deadline has passed for the 2025 season. The college football season is nearing the playoffs, while the NFL playoff picture is also coming into focus. Which means, it's starting to become clear which teams need to think about what they want to do in the 2026 draft.

With a remixed order and the top prospects in flux, here's Sporting News' third set of first-round projections for what will go down next April 23 in Pittsburgh: MORE: Where Fernando Mendoza, other QBs rank in 2026 NFL Draft reset (No. 1-18 order courtesy of Tankathon; No. 19-32 from Week 9 playoff picture) The 2025 NFL Draft is in the rear-view mirror, meaning it is time to turn the page to our 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Here is an early look at who could be the top prospects for next April’s draft. Continue reading as we break down this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Learn all about these prospects in this full first-round breakdown as the trenches dominate Round 1. It is a wide-open race for QB1 next year, and Sellers has the best traits of all the top quarterbacks. His film is more day two right now, but the flashes are super exciting. Notably, Anthony Richardson is the easy comp for Sellers.

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