2026 Way too Early Mock Draft

Which prospects are set to star on Sundays in the future of the NFL?

Although the 2025 draft just concluded, many top prospects remain in college football, looking to showcase their talents for future draft classes. In fact, star talents such as Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, and Colin Simmons have 2 years remaining at a minimum at their respective schools before entering the professional world. That said, what could next year's draft look like in Pittsburgh, and which prospects are expected to headline the class? Let's get into it.

-draft order taken from my early season projections

1.01: Indianapolis Colts: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Anthony Richardson was hyped as the future in the city of the Combine, but injuries have severely hindered his development. If the Colts end up with this high of a draft pick, a new QB is almost certain to be the pick. Drew Allar has his flaws to work through as well, but his sky-high arm talent merits a high selection no matter the regime in Indy.

1.02: Tennessee Titans: T.J Parker, DE, Clemson

Cam Ward is hopefully the guy in Nashville going forward, but HC Brian Callahan still has one of the worst defenses in the league to figure out. Parker is a one-man terror off the edge who fits in beautifully alongside stud DT Jeffery Simmons.

1.03: New York Giants: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

With 2022 first rounder Evan Neal set to transition over to guard, New York is again in need of a new bookend tackle to pair with Andrew Thomas. Proctor's huge 6'7 frame and nimble feet make him well up to that task, and a strong pick no matter the regime in place next year.

1.04: New Orleans Saints: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

With the retirement of Derek Carr, the Saints are in major need of a true top signal-caller to rebuild their franchise around. GM Mickey Loomis likely hoped 2025 second rounder Tyler Shough is the guy, but with a top 5 pick, QB will again be under serious consideration. Nussmeier, the local kid, is a polished and savvy thrower, as well as the son of the current Saints OC.

1.05: New York Jets: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The second pick already from a stacked Clemson DL, Woods is a explosive mover who uses violent hands to remove obstacles on his way to the quarterback. If Justin Fields can earn himself one more year in the Big Apple, Woods is a natural pick to bolster an already stacked defense.

1.06: Cleveland Browns: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

With a logjam of average quarterbacks following the Deshaun Watson debacle, the Browns have 2 first rounders to shift their team back in a positive direction. Sellers is one of the most athletic QBs ever to enter the draft, and has a strong character to go along with it, very different from past leaders in Cleveland.

1.07: Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

My personal top player in the 2026 class, Downs has absolutely everything you could want in a top safety for the professional game. After picking Brock Bowers in 2024 and Ashton Jeanty in 2025, Vegas continues loading up at nonpremium positions in Round 1.

1.08: Carolina Panthers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Panthers offense should turn a new leaf behind QB Bryce Young in Year 3, but the defense is still lacking in premier talent for the most part. Despite McCoy suffering an ACL injury, he is an ultra-fluid player who can create a strong secondary tandem with incumbent Jaycee Horn.

1.09: Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

The Bears invested heavily to create an ultra-young offense in this years' draft, but Montez Sweat could still use some help on the defensive front. Banks has an excellent frame and strength for the DT position, and DC Dennis Allen will utilize him well as a pass-rusher.

1.10: Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Vikings already have an elite offense for the most part, but some growing pains with raw QB J.J McCarthy wouldn't be a major surprise. Like when JJ played college ball at Michigan, adding a workhorse RB1 with monster potential could let him take a huge step in 2026 and beyond.

1.11: Los Angeles Rams (ATL): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The first of 2 first round picks for LA following the James Pearce Jr. trade with the Falcons, GM Les Snead aims to bolster the line up front for his offense. Fano is polished in both the run and pass game, making him an instant upgrade in Hollywood.

1.12: New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

After retooling on offense in 2025 with consecutive picks of Will Campbell and Treveyon Henderson, the focus will be shifted to the other side of the football in Foxboro, where impact players are also needed. Faulk's towering 6'6 frame and unreal agility and movement give him the highest ceiling of any pass-rusher in the class.

1.13: Seattle Seahawks: Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

After a offensive reset started by the trade of leaders Geno Smithand D.K Metcalf, the Hawks will look to compete with a younger signal-caller at the helm. The DEs on the roster are getting older and more expensive, so adding a proven and productive player here in Uiagalelei makes a ton of sense.

1.14: Arizona Cardinals: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

As HC Jonathan Gannon continues to load up on his defense, a true LB1 is still a spot that could really use an upgrade. Enter Anthony Hill, a player in the mold of Demario Davis who can take this defense to a top 10 unit almost instantly.

1.15: Cleveland Browns (JAX): Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

After drafting their QB of the future, GM Andrew Berry would do well to invest in the protection upfront for him. World is a versatile talent who is expected to show out after transferring up from Nevada, boosting his draft stock in the process.

1.16: Denver Broncos: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

Bo Nix has proven himself for the Broncos, and they will be trying to create a Super Bowl window with him on a cheap rookie deal. Courtland Sutton is a solid alpha WR, but adding a shifty and smooth slot target in Williams should take the passing game to another level in 2026.

1.17: Pittsburgh Steelers: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Aaron Rodgers might get Steel City to their standard 9 wins, but his advanced age means they still need a successor as soon as possible. Mendoza showed flashes at Cal, so developing for a year in a pro-style offense at Indiana should set him up well for a potential high selection.

1.18: Washington Commanders: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State

Incumbent Brian Robinson jr. is an okay back, but has yet to reach 1000 yards in a season. Singleton is a much more explosive option as well as a better pass-catcher, making him a strong potential pairing with elite young QB Jayden Daniels.

1.19: Miami Dolphins: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

No matter who the quarterback is in Miami, the trenches still need work for any chance at contention, especially with the retirement of longtime OT Terron Armstead. Miller is a people mover in the run game and another potential first round pick from the Tigers.

1.20: San Francisco 49ers: Cam Calhoun, CB, Alabama

After losing former Pro Bowl CB Charvarius Ward to the Colts, the secondary is definitely a spot where SF could use another impact player. Calhoun looked strong in man coverage at Utah before transferring, and could be a top pick if he fares well against the SEC.

1.21: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State

After the loss of star Abdul Carter to the NFL, Dennis-Sutton figures to take over as the primary player in a stacked Nittany Lions defense. His bull rush would be very useful on a Bucs defense that could use more sacks.

1.22: Los Angeles Chargers: Aveieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The brother of top Falcons CB A.J, the younger Terrell has excellent ball skills and long speed in the secondary. He could start immediately on the outside on a very young Chargers defense.

1.23: Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Although a new receiver was high on the needs list for Dallas, they solved that problem with a trade for disgruntled Steeler George Pickens. However, they could also use a safety, and Thieneman fits the bill as an elite tackler i run support.

1.24: Kansas City Chiefs: Ar'maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M

The interior OL was one of Kansas City's greatest strength in previous years, but it could take a step back after the trade of Joe Thuney. Trey Smith's future is also uncertain after playing 2025 on the franchise tag, so Reed-Adams could be a smart pick to bolster the unit.

1.25: Houston Texans: LT Overton, DE, Alabama

The Texans have one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the game currently with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, but the latter is getting older with only 2 years left on his contract. Going back to Alabama like with Anderson, adding Overton here would be a smart move to plan ahead and maintain a stacked DL for years to come.

1.26: Cincinnati Bengals: Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan

The Bengals have a long history with Michigan defensive backs, with DJ Turner and Daxton Hill both currently starting. Adding Hill only stands to improve a porous defense, as a twitchy and instinctual player who can play on the outside or in the slot.

1.27: Los Angeles Rams: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

The Rams are another team who could use a big-time CB, with few replacements in sight after the trade of stud Jalen Ramsey after their Super Bowl run in 2021. Muhammad is a very solid technician at the CB position and would plug up one of the few holes on an ultra-young defense.

1.28: Philadelphia Eagles: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami(FL)

The great Lane Johnson might finally be reaching the end of a glorious career, and the Eagles are a team who like to be well ahead of the curve on the offensive line. Mauigoa is a high-floor player who could benefit greatly from the tutelage of coach Jeff Stoutland.

1.29: Baltimore Ravens: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

2023 pick Trenton Simpson hasn't worked out as the Ravens would've liked, getting benched this past season. Allen is particularly strong in coverage and would replace the departed Patrick Queen seamlessly.

1.30: Green Bay Packers: Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M

You can never have too many pass-rushers in the NFL, and the Packers are a major proponent of that principle. Howell is a fluid pass-rusher who could flourish learning from incumbent players such as Rashan Gary.

1.31: Buffalo Bills: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Even though Josh Allen can carry the Bills perfectly well on his own, it wouldn't hurt to get him another true weapon to work with down the field. Tyson has ideal versatility and completes a deep Bills WR room.

1.32: Detroit Lions: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

After the surprising retirement of start C Frank Ragnow, GM Brad Holmes will likely be looking at replacements in the 2026 draft. Slaughter fits the bill as one of the top center prospects this decade.