The 2025 NFL Draft continues to be heat, however it’s by no means too early to familiarize one self with the prospects who may very well be part of subsequent yr’s class. Fairly than take into account this a concrete projection about the place these gamers will probably be taken a yr from now, followers ought to have a look at it as extra of a watch checklist. The prospects beneath needs to be stars of school soccer this fall and have the potential to achieve the heights attained by these taken Thursday evening.
Inexperienced Bay set the usual for internet hosting the NFL Draft expertise and now the burden falls on Pittsburgh.
With out additional ado, let’s kick this off!
The 2026 NFL Draft order was decided utilizing the reverse Tremendous Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook from earlier than the 2025 NFL Draft kicked off. For extra draft protection, you possibly can hear in-depth evaluation on “With the First Decide” — our NFL Draft podcast with analyst Ryan Wilson and former Titans common supervisor Ran Carthon. You could find “With the First Decide” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and so on.
Arch Manning has tried 95 passes since arriving in Austin as an early enrollee two years in the past, however that could be a reflection of the group’s funding in former No. 1 total recruit Quinn Ewers. Actually, he possible would return in 2026.
Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, noticed prolonged motion in victories over Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State final season. The thought of Arch Manning at No. 1 total is a steep projection, however the pedigree is there.
The opposite attention-grabbing storyline to this choice is that Arch Manning will start his profession the place his grandfather, Archie Manning, started and spent 12 of his skilled seasons. In actual fact, the franchise has not used a first-round choose on the place since Archie Manning in 1971.
However wait, there’s extra. Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is the daddy of LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is anticipated to be one other high quarterback prospect on this draft.
Allar is an unrefined product, however he has plenty of the traits that may enchantment to NFL groups. The Ohio native grew up eager to play for Cleveland. The Browns are clearly stockpiling picks to both take their quarterback of selection or transfer round to get that participant. The third-round choice of Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round choice of Shedeur Sanders just isn’t going to alter that reality.
A linebacker just isn’t going to go this early within the draft, however the Giants don’t want a quarterback. Hill has been a private favourite to observe early within the course of. He has nice measurement for the place and can also be an excellent athlete able to taking part in in house.
Banks is a taller prospect that throws his weight round. There’s a stack and shed ingredient to his recreation. After recording 4.5 sacks this previous season, Banks might want to take his recreation to a different degree. The Jets had been linked to defensive tackles main as much as the 2025 NFL Draft, however they didn’t choose one this yr.
The Titans did draft UCLA move rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo on Day 2, however they may goal assist on the place once more subsequent yr. Bain has the scale to meet just a few totally different positions for Tennessee, however his manufacturing must be extra of what was seen in 2023 moderately than 2024.
Geno Smith may begin and play most, if not all, of the 2026 season earlier than giving method to Sellers. Smith will flip 35 in the course of the upcoming season and quarterbacks don’t usually carry out at a excessive degree this late into their careers. Sellers confirmed plenty of development for the Gamecocks this previous season and should still have one other degree to take his recreation.
7. Carolina Panthers: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Carolina picked up Ikem Ekwonu’s choice, however there’s a world the place they transfer on from him after the season or doubtlessly even convert him to offensive guard. Mauigoa would give them a brand new left sort out on a rookie contract. Mauigoa’s older brother, Francisco, was drafted within the fifth spherical by the Jets.
8. Cleveland Browns (through Jaguars): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns secured a second first-round choose as part of buying and selling again from No. 2 to No. 5 within the 2025 NFL Draft in order that the Jaguars may transfer as much as choose WR/CB Travis Hunter. With that, Cleveland selects the Utah offensive lineman. Fano is an extremely athletic proper sort out who would profit by including extra mass. The thought could be Cleveland flipping him to the left facet; a technique that didn’t precisely work out with former first-round choose Jedrick Wills.
Indianapolis went tight finish within the first spherical as anticipated, however you will need to establish items to that inside defensive position within the coming years. The hope is that Woods continues on his upward trajectory.
Downs is without doubt one of the finest prospects eligible for subsequent yr’s draft. Whereas security is at the moment and sure will probably be a necessity for the Patriots subsequent yr, security just isn’t usually valued at a degree that justifies top-10 consideration. Downs is a particular expertise, although.
11. Seattle Seahawks: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Parker is the second Clemson defender off the board on this occasion. He managed 11 sacks final season, however extra impressively, additionally had six pressured fumbles. Parker does an excellent job focusing on the quarterback’s arm on dropbacks.
12. Los Angeles Rams (through Falcons): Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The Rams secured a second first-round choose as a part of their commerce with the Falcons, who moved again into the primary spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft to pick out James Pearce Jr. at No. 26 total. Matthew Stafford is the current, however the ‘Will he, will not he?’ retirement rumors will yearly persist till he does name it a profession. Nussmeier has a robust arm and had been taking part in at a excessive degree throughout parts of final season. The Tigers loaded up with move catchers and need to push the ball downfield. Nussmeier is the son of the Saints offensive coordinator.
Terron Armstead introduced his retirement this offseason, however the Dolphins will get an prolonged have a look at final yr’s second-round choice, Patrick Paul. If that doesn’t go as deliberate, then the franchise may go in a distinct path as a part of the 2026 draft. Proctor is an enormous human being who in all probability must play a bit lighter to maximise his foot quickness and suppleness.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate is the token Ohio State large receiver within the first spherical. Will he comply with within the footsteps of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin, Emeka Egbuka, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and others earlier than him? Tate is much from a given, however one to observe in what could also be one other skinny large receiver group.
15. Arizona Cardinals: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Overton has prototypical measurement for an NFL move rusher and the athleticism is there as nicely. He was trending towards being part of the 2025 draft, however opted to return to Tuscaloosa. Overton ought to have much more alternatives this coming season with Que Robinson, Jihaad Campbell and others shifting on for the reason that season ended.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA
As of penning this, Pittsburgh has not signed Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback room is Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Will Howard proper now. A yr in the past, Iamaleava was nearly a foregone conclusion to be part of way-too-early mock drafts. The 2025 season didn’t go as anybody anticipated and Iamaleava has since transferred again to the West Coast. As with all of those quarterback prospects, Iamaleava has not performed at a No. 16 total degree, however the items are there if he can put all of it collectively.
Chicago invested closely in its offensive line this offseason, however Joe Thuney is scheduled to hit free company a yr from now. Jagusah provides them a less expensive, cost-controlled starter coming off what many hope could be a breakout yr for Caleb Williams.
Courtland Sutton is slated to be a free agent subsequent offseason. The expectation is that Denver will get a deal accomplished with its star move catcher, however Stewart is a possible substitution within the first spherical.
Thomas just isn’t bringing prototypical measurement to the place, however there is not going to be many prospects extra entertaining. He’s in fixed movement from the time he takes the sphere. He produced 9 sacks and one pressured fumble final season.
20. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy had 4 interceptions final season after transferring in from Oregon State. He has good measurement and the ball manufacturing to match. Jim Harbaugh nabs a ball hawk for the secondary within the first spherical.
Houston recognized its offensive line as some extent of weak point and made modifications this offseason. These points will possible proceed into subsequent yr based mostly on the present development of the unit. Pritchett is an unfinished product that groups have been making an attempt to get within the switch portal from Alabama for the previous two years.
Perkins is a staple in way-too-early mock drafts at this level. Sadly, he’s now coming off a considerable damage, however from an athletic standpoint, few stack up in addition to Perkins. LSU has deployed him in a wide range of methods, however he needs to be listed as a playmaker.
23. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The opposite Utah offensive sort out comes off the board. Lomu appears the a part of a big-time NFL left sort out. The 2026 NFL Draft could be his first yr of eligibility, so there’s bodily maturation that’s nonetheless going down. There are glimpses of some superior technical work and Lomu may very well be part of a robust offensive sort out class.
Admittedly, I used to be greater on Everette than most others earlier than he introduced his return to Athens. At 6-foot-1, 190 kilos, he appears the half and had three interceptions to his title in 2024. Inexperienced Bay signed Nate Hobbs in free company.
25. Cincinnati Bengals: CJ Baxter, RB, Texas
For some, Notre Dame working Jeremiyah Love is the highest working again prospect on this class, however Baxter’s freshman yr was actually encouraging. Now, he’s coming back from damage. The final three working backs that I included in way-too-early mock drafts have been Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Ashton Jeanty. Baxter just isn’t in the identical class as these three gamers, however there’s a lot to love.
Faulk is a protracted physique who has the entire instruments. It’s just like Gregory Rousseau popping out of Miami. He may take the struggle to the offensive linemen extra usually and pressure the difficulty, however that might include time.
27. Los Angeles Rams: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba set the tone for that Longhorns secondary and each will now be paid to do the identical within the NFL. It’s Muhammad’s unit now. He has good measurement, however it could be good if that translated to extra ball manufacturing this season.
28. Detroit Lions: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
The youthful brother of D.J. Uiagalelei has been impactful since arriving in Eugene. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound move rusher recorded 10.5 sacks, two pressured fumbles and even one interception final season alone. Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell and Derrick Harmon are gone from that Geese defensive position. The longer term lies within the arms of gifted prospects like defensive sort out Bear Alexander and Uiagalelei.
Missouri has accomplished a wonderful job producing offensive linemen; two have been drafted this yr alone. Inexperienced, a one-time Oklahoma switch, has prototypical measurement and energy for an offensive guard. The Chiefs establish their alternative for Joe Thuney a yr after making the transfer.
Thieneman’s instincts cannot be taught or replicated. The Purdue switch had six interceptions and two pressured fumbles as a real freshman. He needs to be focusing on that degree of manufacturing for the Geese and alternative will probably be out there contemplating the gamers who left that secondary unit for the reason that season ended.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Miller is a younger prospect with nice measurement, however Bulldogs who play important minutes normally get drafted. With Warren Brinson, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker gone, Miller steps right into a distinguished function. Baltimore fortifies its defensive position.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
Penn State doesn’t signal defenders with a low athletic ground. Dennis-Sutton has the ceiling to achieve this level and the Eagles could be greater than obliged to take him within the first spherical given their observe document addressing the offensive and defensive strains early.
