2026 NFL Mock Draft Predictions for Next Year's Top Prospects

NFL drafts can be tough to predict even as they're happening.

Projecting them a year before they take place is, more or less, impossible. Draft boards will change dramatically between now and next year's talent grab. Things are so far from settled, in fact, that the potential No. 1 pick might not even be in it.

Still, there's some value in taking a super early assessment of this class. If nothing else, it puts the spotlight on players who could parlay a strong college football season into prominent placement on the draft board.

With that said, let's break down this class by laying out a mock first round and following with a closer look at two of the top prospects.

Mock First Round

AP Photo/John Amis

This way-too-early mock draft was ordered using championship odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and some hunch-based projections.

1. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
2. New York Jets: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
3. New Orleans Saints: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
4. Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
5. New York Giants: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
6. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
7. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
8. Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
9. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Francis Mauigoa, OG, Miami
10. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Austin Barber, OT, Florida
11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
12. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
13. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
14. Seattle Seahawks: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
15. New England Patriots: Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
17. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
18. Chicago Bears: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
19. Minnesota Vikings: Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
20. Denver Broncos: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
23. Los Angeles Rams: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
24. Green Bay Packers: Antonio Kite, CB, Alabama
25. San Francisco 49ers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
27. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois
29. Detroit Lions: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
30. Baltimore Ravens: Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
31. Buffalo Bills: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

AP Photo/Gregory Payan

There really isn't a knock on Downs. Well, other than the fact he doesn't play a premium position.

He might crack the top five of this draft anyway, because he is that type of dynamic talent.

He possesses explosive athleticism and razor-sharp instincts. He dissects things in an instant and reacts to what he sees in a blur. He is always around the football. In two seasons split between Alabama and Ohio State, he has already tallied 188 tackles, nine pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble.

He is a difference-making talent and a tenacious tone-setter. He already seems destined for stardom.

T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Parker doesn't quite have the ideal length the NFL looks for in an edge-rusher. Flip on the film, though, and you'll swear you're looking at a future star.

The college quarterbacks he has faced so far would tell you that's true. Over two seasons at Clemson, Parker has already racked up 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.

ESPN's David Hale recently labeled Parker "one of the most fearsome pass rushers in the country." In case that point needed to be made more cleanly, Parker was also pegged to be the second-best pass-rusher in the upcoming season by a group of ESPN's college football reporters.

Parker can win with speed, hands, explosion and energy. His burst looks special, to the point it would surprise no one if he winds up being the first non-quarterback taken in the 2026 draft.