Dec. 6, 2025, 6:01 a.m. ET
With Thanksgiving within the rear-view, we’re right down to the ultimate stretch of the NFL season. Week 14 is up subsequent and extra groups can be eradicated from playoff competition with these outcomes.
Meaning extra fanbases and groups are looking forward to the offseason, together with the NFL Draft. That is one of the best ways to construct a constant contender and look no additional than some high rookies in 2025. Emeka Egbuka and Tyler Warren have tremendously helped the passing recreation in Tampa Bay and Indianapolis, respectively. Rookie operating backs in each conferences have shined because the season has worn on, reminiscent of Cleveland’s Quinshon Judkins and Chicago’s Kyle Monangai.
This subsequent draft class will look barely completely different than the 2025 crop of gamers. The 2026 NFL Draft class can be outlined by high defensive gamers as soon as once more, because of a duo of stars from Ohio State. Prospects at edge and defensive deal with might be constructing blocks for the long run. This can be the most effective linebacker class in years for a league determined for improved play from the place.
And, as at all times, there are quarterbacks. Tennessee at the moment holds the highest decide as soon as once more however already has its quarterback of the long run in Cam Ward. So what ought to they do – and the place do the highest passers find yourself? This is our newest first-round prediction for the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Tennessee Titans: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Reese is within the dialog for greatest participant within the draft, no matter place. The Titans want extra expertise as they usher in a brand new teaching workers. Reese is likely one of the greatest linebacker prospects in trendy historical past with the body (6-foot-4, 243 kilos), velocity and soccer IQ to deal with myriad obligations.
2. New York Giants: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Giants have a humiliation of riches at edge rusher, in order that they go for a operating mate for 2024 high decide Malik Nabers. Tyson’s not a burner however separates at will with excellent physique management at 6-foot-2 and 200 kilos. He is a landing machine with 19 scores in his final 21 video games.
3. New Orleans Saints: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
New Orleans sees all the high quarterback choices fall to them at No. 3 and pounce on the most secure decide with Mendoza. The Heisman contender presents a excessive ground along with his processing, fast launch, accuracy, timing and soccer IQ. At this level, Tyler Shough hasn’t completed sufficient to maintain the Saints from taking the possibility.
4. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Las Vegas’ offensive woes might be attributed to Chip Kelly however they will must have a plan in place for the quarterback of the long run. Simpson could be in competition for the highest quarterback off the board if not for his lack of expertise. The Raiders might sit him behind Geno Smith to begin the 2026 season and convey him in if a change is required.
5. Cleveland Browns: QB Dante Moore, Oregon
Cleveland cleans up the trio of high quarterbacks with Moore. The Oregon product could return to Eugene to additional hone his abilities, but when not, the Browns might soar on the alternative for a contemporary begin at quarterback. Moore’s deep ball and mobility are sturdy fits, however he wants some enchancment for his pre- and post-snap reads.
6. Washington Commanders: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Washington faces Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott twice a yr and New York has one of many high left tackles within the league in Andrew Thomas. They’ve to enhance their move rush. Bain’s energy and manufacturing needs to be a welcome addition to the Commanders’ protection line.
7. New York Jets: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
New York missed out on the highest quarterbacks in order that they go for by far the most effective participant on the board and maybe the most effective participant within the class. Downs is the best trendy security, whose ceiling on the NFL degree is proscribed solely by his future defensive coordinator.
8. Arizona Cardinals: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love is the best trendy operating again and could be a seamless transition away from James Conner if the crew desires to maneuver on. Arizona went all-out on protection within the 2025 NFL Draft and would swing the opposite method with the home-run hitter and receiving risk Love.
9. Los Angeles Rams (by way of Atlanta Falcons): OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Rams‘ quarterback Matthew Stafford is taking part in like an MVP-caliber quarterback in 2025. To get an analogous degree of manufacturing from him in 2026, Los Angeles wants to make sure he is protected as a lot as potential. Fano is the highest deal with within the class with stable dimension, athleticism, physique management and bend.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Cincinnati has loads of wants on its roster however defending quarterback Joe Burrow needs to be a precedence. Mauigoa’s energy in a 6-foot-6, 325-pound body might make him a superb match at both guard or deal with. He is spent most of his profession in Coral Gables at proper deal with however might kick inside to begin his profession.
11. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jermod McCoy, LSU
Minnesota wants an infusion of younger expertise on the again finish of its protection. McCoy is the highest cornerback within the class regardless of lacking the 2025 season with an damage. His mixture of dimension, athleticism, ball manufacturing and play recognition means he might slot in both man or zone schemes
12. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Miami’s spent on the defensive entrance in current drafts, in order that they select to deal with the again finish to enrich that funding. Delane will not take a look at in addition to others on the mix however his manufacturing in opposition to SEC competitors is tough to disregard. Quarterbacks have solely focused him 35 instances in 11 video games. The result is been 13 catches for 147 yards and nil touchdowns.
13. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Kansas Metropolis signed George Karlaftis long-term this previous offseason, however he isn’t a No. 1 move rusher. Faulk is younger however has the instruments to probably be that on the NFL degree. His dimension (6-foot-6, 275 kilos) and energy present a basis value creating.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Pittsburgh hardly ever makes use of its first-round decide on large receivers, however it wants extra expertise outdoors. Tate’s taken a step in 2025 with Emeka Egbuka out at Columbus and is an enormous play ready to occur because of his top and dominance on the catch level.
15. Carolina Panthers: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Tetairoa McMillan has shined for the Panthers at large receiver and Carolina takes one other weapon to spherical out the group right here. Lemon is likely one of the most secure picks on the place this season and has shades of Egbuka’s recreation as a dependable slot weapon who nearly at all times will get further yardage.
16. Dallas Cowboys: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Dallas’ protection took a step with the addition of Quinnen Williams in the midst of the defensive entrance. The move rush off the sting will get a lift in Bailey, one in every of school soccer’s best edge rushers this season.
17. Detroit Lions: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Detroit’s offensive line is not imposing its will because it has in years previous beneath Dan Campbell. Ioane is a decide to get again to that place. The Nittany Lions‘ offensive lineman is highly effective at 6-foot-4 and 335 kilos with the athleticism to hold in move safety and run over defenders within the run recreation.
18. Houston Texans: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
The Texans‘ offensive line is beginning to flip issues round after being one of many worst items within the league for a lot of the season. They nonetheless want reinforcements, although, and Proctor is an outlier at 6-foot-7 and 360 kilos. He struggles with consistency however might change into a long-term starter both at deal with or guard.
19. Baltimore Ravens: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Baltimore’s protection misplaced Nnamdi Madubuike earlier within the season and will use extra depth behind him. Woods had excessive hopes getting into 2025 however underperformed, very similar to the remainder of the Clemson protection. He has the instruments to be a Professional Bowler within the center and wishes to enhance his consistency to succeed in his potential.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Woods’ teammate Parker goes a decide later to the Buccaneers who might use extra assist off the sting. At 6-foot-3 and 265 kilos, Parker strikes nicely with a strong bull rush. His size with that energy would make him a constructing block for Todd Bowles’ protection.
21. Buffalo Payments: LB C.J. Allen, Georgia
Buffalo’s protection performed nicely in opposition to Pittsburgh however was on tempo previous to that recreation to complete because the worst unit by factors allowed beneath Sean McDermott since 2018. They want extra funding on that facet of the ball, they usually did not add a lot within the entrance or secondary in 2025. Allen is firmly the LB2 in an excellent class and will enhance the run protection as an entire along with his imaginative and prescient and certain tackling.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Jaire Alexander didn’t work out because the Eagles’ No. 2 cornerback and that is been a weak spot on that facet of the ball. Terrell is barely undersized at 5-foot-11 and 180 kilos however competes extremely arduous in protection and in run protection. With Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean within the constructing, he would not must lock down the opponent’s high receivers.
23. New York Jets (by way of Indianapolis Colts): QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
New York opted for the highest prospect on the board earlier within the spherical. Right here, they use one in every of their further picks on a possible quarterback of the long run. Sellers has unbelievable instruments at 6-foot-3 and 240 kilos however wants time to develop as a passer. He could return to high school in 2026 or declare for the draft. Within the latter state of affairs, a crew would doubtless be prepared to take an opportunity on his excessive ceiling.
24. San Francisco 49ers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
San Francisco opts to take the highest pass-catcher on the board close to the tip of the primary spherical with Sadiq. The Oregon tight finish is by far the highest prospect on the place within the draft with the velocity to be a vertical risk however the body to tackle blocking assignments.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Odafe Oweh’s been a terrific addition off the sting for the Chargers from the commerce deadline, however the crew might use extra funding up entrance. Howell is barely undersized at 6-foot-2 and 250 kilos with quick arms however his burst and bend make him a participant value creating. A inventive defensive playcaller like Jesse Minter might give you myriad methods to deploy him.
26. Cleveland Browns (by way of Jacksonville Jaguars): OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
Cleveland’s offensive line is growing old, with looming free-agent questions. After taking a quarterback of the long run earlier within the first spherical, they get an excellent pass-protecting deal with on the again finish. Tiernan is very large at 6-foot-7 and 320 kilos with the arm size to maintain move rushers at bay.
27. Dallas Cowboys (by way of Inexperienced Bay Packers): LB Sonny Kinds, Ohio State
Dallas addressed edge earlier within the spherical and choose to shore up the center of the protection with one other Buckeye linebacker. Kinds was initially thought-about the higher linebacker getting into the season earlier than Reese’s ascension. He presents related dimension (6-foot-4, 240 kilos) with elite athleticism, good response and stable tackling.
28. Seattle Seahawks: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has change into one of many high large receivers within the league in 2025, because of an unbelievable marketing campaign. With the highest offensive linemen off the board, Seattle opts to seek out him a operating mate for the long run. Boston’s dimension (6-foot-4, 210 kilos) and contested catch capability make him a stable No. 2 choice to enrich Smith-Njigba.
29. Los Angeles Rams: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Los Angeles’ protection has been among the finest within the league in 2025 however might use extra home-grown expertise at cornerback to develop. Cisse is likely one of the quickest cornerbacks within the class at 6-foot and 190 kilos. He has the protection abilities to leverage his athleticism and persist with large receivers all through their routes.
30. Denver Broncos: Edge LT Overton, Alabama
Denver’s protection is likely one of the greatest within the league they usually select as soon as once more to spend a first-round decide on that facet of the ball in 2026. Overton does not have a ton of move rush manufacturing however has the scale (6-foot-3, 275 kilos) and bend the Broncos like on the place. He would not must be the crew’s high risk off the sting instantly and will work as much as an even bigger position with time.
31. Chicago Bears: DT Christen Miller, Georgia
Chicago’s run protection might use a lift and Miller presents an excellent anchor and play power within the center at 6-foot-4 and 305 kilos. In a division with the likes of Detroit and Inexperienced Bay, that’d turn out to be useful sooner or later. He has the instruments to be a contributor as a move rusher however hasn’t been requested to take action a lot in Georgia.
32. New England Patriots: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
New England might go numerous methods with this decide however choose to provide Drake Maye one other weapon within the passing recreation. His dimension (6-foot-5, 200 kilos) pairs nicely with good go off the road to provide the Patriots a vertical risk. Regardless of his lengthy levers, he is proven a stable capability to function beneath as nicely.
Leave a Reply