- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 783,601
- Reaction score
- 53
Now that four weeks of the 2025 NFL season have played out, it's time to break out the first mock draft of the year. My colleague here, Curt Popejoy, has bitten the mock draft bullet a couple of times already, but this is my first set of projections for the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's still absurdly early for the projections to be counted upon as predictive. It's more about identifying needs for teams and plugging in potential players who, at this point in the college football season, look like they might wind up in that range of the first round. Lots of football to be played yet at both levels, but this is where I see prospects as of October 1st and how they might interest teams.
The draft order is based on the current NFL Waiver Wire order, which updated after the conclusion of Week 4.
Mendoza has brought much more than just a lot of NFL tools to the Hoosiers. He's got gravitas and infectious positive leadership to elevate those around him. Winning at Indiana (!!) should mean something for a team like the Saints who are desperate for a winner as much as a capable arm at QB.
Sellers has made some spectacular throws and makes them look easy. The physical attributes are sky-high with the promising Sellers, enough that a team spinning its wheels like the Jets should take notice at the top of the first round.
Tennessee is the first team on the clock that doesn't need a new QB, as Cam Ward is still growing as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. Bain is an incredibly impactful pass rusher with a very high ceiling but also a high floor--and the Titans cannot afford a miss here.
Much of this projection hinges on if Oregon's last QB, Dillon Gabriel, can show anything as a third-round rookie over the remainder of the Browns season. Moore is a much more dynamic thrower and athletic presence who is checking a ton of scouting boxes in his first year running the Ducks.
Watching Fano brings back fond memories of scouting Penei Sewell when the Lions star RT was at Oregon. The Dolphins can certainly find good use for a bedrock talent at a premium position like Fano.
One of the big reasons why the Ravens have emerged as picking in the top 10 is a toothless defensive front with Nnamdi Madubuike sidelined. Woods is active, aggressive and aware as an interior player with some positional fluidity.
Downs might very well be the best player in this draft class regardless of position, and his preternatural savvy of always being when and where he needs to be can elevate an entire Raiders defense.
The Panthers enter Week 5 with an anemic sack and pressure rate. Uiagalelei is quickly playing his way into this lofty draft strata with an outstanding blend of size and relentless athleticism.
New York needs long-term pieces to help strengthen the entire offense, and adding a physically dominant tone-setter like Mauigoa to the right side of the line looks to be a great place to start. Mauigoa is as NFL-ready as can be desired of an offensive tackle.
Dunker plays right tackle exactly how you'd expect a burly dude with a ginger mullet flowing out of his helmet would play. He might be a better guard at the next level. For a team like Houston that still looks to need at least two new starting offensive linemen in 2026 (and beyond), draft the talent and figure out who fits where later.
Tyson looks like an ideal complement to a healthy CeeDee Lamb, blessed with size, YAC-ability and great routes from either outside or in the slot. The Cowboys defense is in dire need of help, but Tyson would be very difficult to resist in this scenario.
The Patriots need impact players on the defensive front, and Parker is capable of wreaking havoc early and often. He's a tough projection because, like the entire Tigers team, he hasn't had the year expected. I like how Parker would fit into Mike Vrabel's defense.
Building around Bo Nix means getting him a big target who can make big plays. That's Brazzell, who has shown the route-running skills to transcend the negative connotations of playing in the Volunteers' pro-unfriendly offense. Few players have done more to help themselves this college season than the 6-5 Brazzell.
Delane had great scouting tape while at Virginia Tech and he's only amplified that with his play for LSU. High-floor cover corner with physicality and high-end upside--exactly what the Rams need to keep building a young defense monster.
Proctor is a giant edge-setter of an offensive tackle. He's got some technical things to clean up, but Proctor fits the desired Ben Johnson type of tackle as a behemoth with agile power.
Tate looks to be the latest in a long line of Buckeyes wideouts who are ready to roll right away into the NFL and make impact plays. Washington has one of those already in Terry McLaurin, but he needs more help.
Reese is a do-it-all backer with freaky athleticism that jumps off the Ohio State game film. The Cardinals have bigger needs around the roster, but an impact field general in the middle of the defense is not something to be ignored.
McCoy hasn't played yet in 2025 due to a knee injury, which makes his draft stock quite volatile--think Shavon Revel from the 2025 draft class. The skills are there with McCoy to rise this high, and in this scenario the Vikings take the chance on a premium talent at a position of dire need.
Love reliably grinds out tough yards but also brings the explosive big-play ability that would be tough to resist with a healthy Joe Burrow. The interior OL help comes later. As does CB and DT.
I'll give you my current three-round dream vision for the Chiefs: Faulk in the first, Penn State OL Drew Shelton in the second and Texas A&M WR Kevin Concepcion in the third.
Lots of options for Dallas to address their meek defense here, and I rolled with Banks for his combination of high floor and high ceiling. The Cowboys cannot afford to draft a backup in the top 50 anymore.
The Browns need more than just a new quarterback. That QB (Moore in this scenario) also needs a premium wideout to help. That's Lemon, who is always open and can make things happen after the catch.
Abney might not have the best size, but his coverage instincts and tenacity look best-in-class. He can be an island corner for a Seahawks team that is already shopping Tariq Woolen.
At some point, the Rams will need to select Matthew Stafford's eventual successor. Nussmeier is a divisive prospect, but at this point he looks like a great value for L.A. here.
It's always nice when players who return to school after pondering the draft go out and address their weak points. That's precisely what Sutton has done with his all-around run defense and violence with his hands. That'll play nicely in Tampa Bay, which has some tough roster decisions coming all along the defensive line.
Styles has great eyes and lightning-quick reaction speed in the middle of the field, and he's also got an edge to his game. The Colts quietly have some nice defensive talent but lack a real identity, and Styles can mold that.
Smooth, physical outside cornerback with nice length and ball skills. Sounds like something every team could use, eh? Pittsburgh needs some permanence at outside CB that would allow Jalen Ramsey to be more of the elite playmaker he's proven he can be.
Lomu has been fantastic in the run game but also at using his length to win in pass protection on the edge. The Lions need to address life after Taylor Decker, who remains strong but is aging quickly, and also build immediate depth on a talented but paper-thin OL.
The Chargers sorely need some youthful reinvigoration along the defensive front, and Bailey can make that pay off right away. He's a twitchy pass rusher with a barrage of moves to get into the backfield.
A big, sure-handed target who checks the "does all the little things" box, Boston is a ready-to-roll outside receiver who can help keep the Niners offense as dangerous as possible--when they're all healthy.
Lew winds up being the only center projected in the first round here. Hard to say if that sticks across the next six months, but he's a premium prospect at the position, and Connor McGovern seems upgradeable in the pivot.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
With Dallas Goedert poised for free agency, tight end looks to be the biggest hole on the Eagles roster. As Howie Roseman often does, he plucks a talent many expected to go much earlier and sates a roster thirst in the process.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Mock draft update: Projecting the 2026 first round after NFL Week 4
Continue reading...
It's still absurdly early for the projections to be counted upon as predictive. It's more about identifying needs for teams and plugging in potential players who, at this point in the college football season, look like they might wind up in that range of the first round. Lots of football to be played yet at both levels, but this is where I see prospects as of October 1st and how they might interest teams.
The draft order is based on the current NFL Waiver Wire order, which updated after the conclusion of Week 4.
1. New Orleans Saints - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza has brought much more than just a lot of NFL tools to the Hoosiers. He's got gravitas and infectious positive leadership to elevate those around him. Winning at Indiana (!!) should mean something for a team like the Saints who are desperate for a winner as much as a capable arm at QB.
2. New York Jets - LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Sellers has made some spectacular throws and makes them look easy. The physical attributes are sky-high with the promising Sellers, enough that a team spinning its wheels like the Jets should take notice at the top of the first round.
3. Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami FL
Tennessee is the first team on the clock that doesn't need a new QB, as Cam Ward is still growing as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. Bain is an incredibly impactful pass rusher with a very high ceiling but also a high floor--and the Titans cannot afford a miss here.
4. Cleveland Browns - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Much of this projection hinges on if Oregon's last QB, Dillon Gabriel, can show anything as a third-round rookie over the remainder of the Browns season. Moore is a much more dynamic thrower and athletic presence who is checking a ton of scouting boxes in his first year running the Ducks.
5. Miami Dolphins - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Watching Fano brings back fond memories of scouting Penei Sewell when the Lions star RT was at Oregon. The Dolphins can certainly find good use for a bedrock talent at a premium position like Fano.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
One of the big reasons why the Ravens have emerged as picking in the top 10 is a toothless defensive front with Nnamdi Madubuike sidelined. Woods is active, aggressive and aware as an interior player with some positional fluidity.
7. Las Vegas Raiders - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs might very well be the best player in this draft class regardless of position, and his preternatural savvy of always being when and where he needs to be can elevate an entire Raiders defense.
8. Carolina Panthers - Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
The Panthers enter Week 5 with an anemic sack and pressure rate. Uiagalelei is quickly playing his way into this lofty draft strata with an outstanding blend of size and relentless athleticism.
9. New York Giants - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami FL
New York needs long-term pieces to help strengthen the entire offense, and adding a physically dominant tone-setter like Mauigoa to the right side of the line looks to be a great place to start. Mauigoa is as NFL-ready as can be desired of an offensive tackle.
10. Houston Texans - Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
Dunker plays right tackle exactly how you'd expect a burly dude with a ginger mullet flowing out of his helmet would play. He might be a better guard at the next level. For a team like Houston that still looks to need at least two new starting offensive linemen in 2026 (and beyond), draft the talent and figure out who fits where later.
11. Dallas Cowboys - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson looks like an ideal complement to a healthy CeeDee Lamb, blessed with size, YAC-ability and great routes from either outside or in the slot. The Cowboys defense is in dire need of help, but Tyson would be very difficult to resist in this scenario.
12. New England Patriots - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Patriots need impact players on the defensive front, and Parker is capable of wreaking havoc early and often. He's a tough projection because, like the entire Tigers team, he hasn't had the year expected. I like how Parker would fit into Mike Vrabel's defense.
13. Denver Broncos - Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
Building around Bo Nix means getting him a big target who can make big plays. That's Brazzell, who has shown the route-running skills to transcend the negative connotations of playing in the Volunteers' pro-unfriendly offense. Few players have done more to help themselves this college season than the 6-5 Brazzell.
14. L.A. Rams (from ATL) - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane had great scouting tape while at Virginia Tech and he's only amplified that with his play for LSU. High-floor cover corner with physicality and high-end upside--exactly what the Rams need to keep building a young defense monster.
15. Chicago Bears - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor is a giant edge-setter of an offensive tackle. He's got some technical things to clean up, but Proctor fits the desired Ben Johnson type of tackle as a behemoth with agile power.
16. Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate looks to be the latest in a long line of Buckeyes wideouts who are ready to roll right away into the NFL and make impact plays. Washington has one of those already in Terry McLaurin, but he needs more help.
17. Arizona Cardinals - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese is a do-it-all backer with freaky athleticism that jumps off the Ohio State game film. The Cardinals have bigger needs around the roster, but an impact field general in the middle of the defense is not something to be ignored.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy hasn't played yet in 2025 due to a knee injury, which makes his draft stock quite volatile--think Shavon Revel from the 2025 draft class. The skills are there with McCoy to rise this high, and in this scenario the Vikings take the chance on a premium talent at a position of dire need.
19. Cincinnati Bengals - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love reliably grinds out tough yards but also brings the explosive big-play ability that would be tough to resist with a healthy Joe Burrow. The interior OL help comes later. As does CB and DT.
20. Kansas City Chiefs - Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
I'll give you my current three-round dream vision for the Chiefs: Faulk in the first, Penn State OL Drew Shelton in the second and Texas A&M WR Kevin Concepcion in the third.
21. Dallas Cowboys (from GB) - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Lots of options for Dallas to address their meek defense here, and I rolled with Banks for his combination of high floor and high ceiling. The Cowboys cannot afford to draft a backup in the top 50 anymore.
22. Cleveland Browns (from JAX) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Browns need more than just a new quarterback. That QB (Moore in this scenario) also needs a premium wideout to help. That's Lemon, who is always open and can make things happen after the catch.
23. Seattle Seahawks - Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
Abney might not have the best size, but his coverage instincts and tenacity look best-in-class. He can be an island corner for a Seahawks team that is already shopping Tariq Woolen.
24. Los Angeles Rams - Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
At some point, the Rams will need to select Matthew Stafford's eventual successor. Nussmeier is a divisive prospect, but at this point he looks like a great value for L.A. here.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
It's always nice when players who return to school after pondering the draft go out and address their weak points. That's precisely what Sutton has done with his all-around run defense and violence with his hands. That'll play nicely in Tampa Bay, which has some tough roster decisions coming all along the defensive line.
26. Indianapolis Colts - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles has great eyes and lightning-quick reaction speed in the middle of the field, and he's also got an edge to his game. The Colts quietly have some nice defensive talent but lack a real identity, and Styles can mold that.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers - Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
Smooth, physical outside cornerback with nice length and ball skills. Sounds like something every team could use, eh? Pittsburgh needs some permanence at outside CB that would allow Jalen Ramsey to be more of the elite playmaker he's proven he can be.
28. Detroit Lions - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu has been fantastic in the run game but also at using his length to win in pass protection on the edge. The Lions need to address life after Taylor Decker, who remains strong but is aging quickly, and also build immediate depth on a talented but paper-thin OL.
29. L.A. Chargers - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Chargers sorely need some youthful reinvigoration along the defensive front, and Bailey can make that pay off right away. He's a twitchy pass rusher with a barrage of moves to get into the backfield.
30. San Francisco 49ers - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
A big, sure-handed target who checks the "does all the little things" box, Boston is a ready-to-roll outside receiver who can help keep the Niners offense as dangerous as possible--when they're all healthy.
31. Buffalo Bills - Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn
Lew winds up being the only center projected in the first round here. Hard to say if that sticks across the next six months, but he's a premium prospect at the position, and Connor McGovern seems upgradeable in the pivot.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
With Dallas Goedert poised for free agency, tight end looks to be the biggest hole on the Eagles roster. As Howie Roseman often does, he plucks a talent many expected to go much earlier and sates a roster thirst in the process.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Mock draft update: Projecting the 2026 first round after NFL Week 4
Continue reading...
