Twelfthmandraft's 2026 Mock Draft 1.0

4 weeks into the 2025 college football season, several prospects have shown play that either moves them up or down draft boards for the upcoming cycle. With the new information, this mock draft predicts how teams will use the 1st round to set themselves up for success in the upcoming NFL seasons. Without further ado, let's get into it!

*- draft order taken from PFF

1.01: Cleveland Browns: John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

It's early, but Mateer has shown out so far this year, outshining many of the preseason favorites at the QB position. The comp to another Oklahoma QB who went to Cleveland is unmistakable, as unlike Baker Mayfield, the Browns will try to keep this one around.

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

GM Mickey Loomis finally goes with the local boy here, with Nussmeier playing right next door and being the son of the Saints OC as well. Recent LSU QBs have had an excellent track record at the next level, and Nussmeier has the accuracy and poise to continue that for the Saints. Spencer Rattler has looked very solid, but New Orleans can't pass up on a chance to land an elite signal-caller if they're picking this high.

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

GM Joe Schoen would likely try to trade down from this spot in real life, but in this no-trade mock they make their selection in Proctor. As one of the most athletically gifted tackle prospects in a long while, Proctor should be able to transition to the open RT spot opposite incumbent Andrew Thomas.

1.04: New York Jets: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

It remains to be seen if Sellers will in fact declare for the upcoming draft after some inconsistent games, but if he does his athletic potential will likely be too much for teams to pass up for too long. The Jets have some talented pieces, but after what will likely be a rough year, HC Aaron Glenn gets his guy to set up the tam for real future success.

1.05: Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

HC Brian Callahan is likely gone after this season, leaving the Titans with plenty of holes to fill in order to create a legit squad around QB Cam Ward. Priority #1 is a difference-maker on defense, and Faulk's eye-popping athleticism and run defense would make him an enticing addition here.

1.06: Carolina Panthers: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Downs is the clear-cut best player of the class in my book, with his only downside being the position he is listed as. Nevertheless, he figures to go high and the Panthers make a ton of sense, sporting a seriously weak safety room.

1.07: Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

While starting over at QB makes sense in theory after rough showings from Tua Tagovailoa to start the year, the salary cap ensures that he likely remains in Miami for the 2026 season. Instead, spending a premium pick to boost the trenches is the move here to prepare for a potential QB selection in 2027.

1.08: Las Vegas Raiders: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Geno Smith has been alright for Las Vegas after they acquired him via trade in the spring, but his advanced age makes it clear he isn't the future leader for the organization. Moore operates naturally in the pocket and can make good use of the Raiders' talented offensive weapons, including Brock Bowers.

1.09: Chicago Bears: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Bears made several splashy adds to their defense in free agency this year, but they still lack elite talent outside of star Montez Sweat. Woods has excellent versatility, having experience rushing off the edge and inside, and instantly elevates the DL play as a whole in the Windy City.

1.10: Indianapolis Colts: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The biggest revelation of the season so far might be the play of Giants castaway Daniel Jones, operating at the helm of Shane Steichen's offense with great success. If he stays on course, QB is likely off the needs list for the Colts going forward, and a defensive player makes much more sense. McCoy is coming off an ACL tear, but he will go high if he shows the same movement skills and instincts that made him great the year before.

1.11: Cleveland Browns: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon

The story of the Browns so far this year has been an elite defense being held back by a sputtering offense, rather similar to years prior. GM Andrew Berry aims to remedy that with his 2 picks, grabbing his QB of the future and some added protection up front here in World, a rock-solid LT.

1.12: LA Rams: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami(FL)

The Rams could use a QB replacement for Matthew Stafford in the near future, but the value isn't quite there at this pick. Instead, with their first of two selections, they grab the heir for their aging RT in Rob Havenstein.

1.13: Dallas Cowboys: T.J Parker, DE, Clemson

Following the debacle around star DE Micah Parsons, Dallas is predictably let with a gaping hole on their defense where #11 used to be. Parker will never fully replace the impact that Parsons had, but his pass-rushing ability can at least mean a step back up for Dallas's woeful defense.

1.14: New England Patriots: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

New England's defense has been better than expected so far in 2025, making another offensive weapon a priority for young QB Drake Maye. Tyson doesn't have game-breaking size or speed, but he does the little things right and will be a very dependable weapon almost immediately in Foxboro.

1.15: Seattle Seahawks: Reuben Bain Jr., DE, Miami(FL)

The Seahawks would've liked to take an OT here, but the value doesn't line up very well at their #15 spot. Bain is no consolation prize however, as he turns an already excellent Seattle DL into a monstrosity last seen during the LOB days.

1.16: Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Whether longtime HC Mike Tomlin is retained or not, it's time for the Steelers to stop beating around the bush regarding the QB position. Allar is hardly a finished prospect, but he has nearly unlimited arm strength and lets Pittsburgh finally stop the cycle of middling teams and have a legitimate chance at a Super Bowl again.

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

J.J McCarthy has looked uninspiring at best in his first games in purple, but it's important to remember that he's still extremely young and inexperienced at the NFL level. Here, Minnesota elects to give him one more year to figure it out, with GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah adding the last puzzle piece to his offense in a legit bellcow RB1.

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

Although the Cardinals invested their first 3 picks in 2025 on the defensive side of the football, it feels like they're still missing one final piece. HC Jonathan Gannon finds an excellent add here to the middle of his defense, adding a do-it all linebacker with great range and covering ability.

1.19: Denver Broncos: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

The 3rd Clemson Tiger to go so far in the mock, Williams is a shifty and explosive slot who separates with ease against light coverage. Although injured at the moment, he fits like a glove as another weapon for QB Bo Nix alongside Courtland Sutton.

1.20: Houston Texans: Austin Barber, OT, Florida

Despite having one of the best defenses in football, H-Town is 0-3 at the moment, with a horrific offensive line giving C.J Stroud no room to gain rhythm and make plays. Remedying this has to be the #1 priority, starting with adding a fluid and poised OT prospect here in Barber.

1.21: LA Chargers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Under HC Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have flourished, with a strong team identity and culture pushing them to playoff contention in the coming years. Terrell, like his older brother A.J, is a scrappy man defender and natural ballhawk, making him a great fit for young coordinator Jesse Minter's defense.

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

7th round rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt has been a revelation for Commanders and fantasy football fans alike, but Washington likely needs more from the room long-term, especially with Austin Ekeler going down with an injury. Singleton is a hyper-explosive runner who shines catching passes, serving him well at the next level.

1.23: Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

The Bengals are likely to miss the playoffs following a turf toe injury to stud QB Joe Burrow, but their draft needs remain the same; defense, defense, and more defense. Banks is an older prospect, but he is pro-ready because of it, and his versatility gives Cincy the best chance of competing immediately again in 2026.

1.24: Tampa Bay Bucs: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Lavonte David has sustained his high level of play for a ridiculously long time, but it has to come to an end eventually. I had tabbed Tampa to take LB Jihaad Campbell in last years draft, but here they get an arguably better player in Allen, a sound tackler who has solid pass-rush ability as well.

1.25: San Francisco 49ers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

The 49ers OL is not bad on the whole, but that all stems from LT Trent Williams, one of the best players in the league. Adding a polished guy in Miller makes a ton of sense for the future of the 49ers offense, especially seeing as Williams is 37 and getting older.

1.26: LA Rams: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

With his 2nd first round pick of the day, GM Les Snead goes back to the defensive side of the football, where the Rams have built a stable of good players still on their rookie contracts. Muhammad may never be a world-beating player, but he's a solid starter who had good athleticism and instincts for the position.

1.27: Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

GM Jerry Jones goes to defense again in the 1st round, after grabbing T.J Parker with his earlier selection. Styles has a massive build and freaky athleticism for a LB, as well as high-end tape to go with it.

1.28: Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

It feels like every year the Chiefs get mocked a TE high in expectance of TE Travis Kelce's retirement, but it feels more real this year after his announced engagement. Regardless, Sadiq is an excellent weapon for HC Andy Reid to utilize, with the ability to be lined up anywhere to create mismatches.

1.29: Detroit Lions: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Detroit still has a top OL in the NFL, but the sudden retirement of Frank Ragnow absolutely brought them down a notch. Lew has excellent technique from the OC position, and the Lions make sense to take him, given their history of taking unconventional positions in the first round.

1.30: Baltimore Ravens: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

QB Lamar Jackson already has a good stable of WRs to work with, but adding more never hurts, especially when it comes to receivers. WR Deandre Hopkins has made some big plays for Baltimore down the field, and adding a player in Boston who has that ability as well makes a ton of sense.

1.31: Philadelphia Eagles: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

GM Howie Roseman not-so-quietly shopped TE Dallas Goedert in the offseason to other teams, but no deal ended up taking place. Replacing Goedert anyway is a sensible move for the long term, and Klare's savvy route-running and soft hands make him an ideal safety blanket for QB Jalen Hurts.

1.32: Buffalo Bills: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

The Bills could use more playmakers on offense, but as long as they have MVP Josh Allen on the field, it should be enough for them to win games, instead, adding a lanky ballhawk in Lee III is the route here for Buffalo, bolstering an already talented secondary.

Teams w/o firsts:

2.43: Jacksonville Jaguars: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State

2.44: Atlanta Falcons: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

2.59: Green Bay Packers: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State