Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft: The race for Arch Manning
The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, with seven rounds and 257 picks officially complete, and we are moving on to the 2026 event in Pittsburgh.
Next year's draft is unfolding as a sweepstakes of sorts with the top prize of Arch Manning waiting at the other end - should he decide to leave Texas. The draft likely begins at No. 2 with a host of other top prospects waiting for the rest of the teams.
The order for the theScore's way-too-early 2026 mock draft was set using Super Bowl odds from theScore Bet while balancing the number of clubs from each conference picking 19th to 32nd - the 14 spots reserved for playoff teams. We also made slight adjustments based on how the 2025 NFL Draft broke down.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Plenty of smoke is out there about Manning returning for a fourth season at Texas. However, if his hometown Saints hold the top pick, that scenario will be too good to pass up. Sure, New Orleans took Tyler Shough in the second round Friday, but if it's picking No. 1 next year, that means whoever is playing quarterback for the offense failed miserably.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Cam Ward addressed the Titans' need on offense this year, so the focus flips to defense for 2026. Enter Parker, who will build off a breakout 11-sack season in 2024 for Clemson and establish himself as the top edge-rusher in the class.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
If the Giants are picking No. 3, there's a good chance a new front office will be making the selection. It's likely Jaxson Dart's show for 2026, so New York opts to grab Mauigoa and shore up the offensive line to bolster the passer's protection.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Browns acquired this pick courtesy of a trade made with the Jaguars that saw Travis Hunter land in Jacksonville. Cleveland could use it to grab 6-foot-7, 360-pound Proctor with the first of its two opening-round selections.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs might be the most polished safety to enter the NFL in the past decade. He's a game-wrecker from the back end who can also make massive plays as a returner on special teams. Sounds like an ideal fit for head coach Aaron Glenn.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Sellers was electric last year, bursting from a player with potential to one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the SEC. That trajectory continues in 2025 and has him land with Chip Kelly's offense alongside Ashton Jeanty.
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
If the Colts have a top-10 pick, it's likely they have given up on Anthony Richardson at quarterback. However, if they want one final swing with him behind center, adding World is a smart move. World stands a monstrous 6-foot-8 and will play for Oregon in 2025 after transferring from Nevada.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Allar found himself in a number of 2025 mock drafts heading to the Browns before he opted to return to school for one final season. A year later, it's right back to the same place for the Penn State passer. Allar has all the tools needed to be a solid NFL starter, but the production has left many wanting more to this point in his collegiate career.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Tetairoa McMillan should help Bryce Young and the offense, but the defense remains a concern in Carolina. Faulk should bring some pop on that side of the ball after posting seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2024.
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
There might not be a fit more perfect in this draft than Woods joining Mike Vrabel in New England. Woods played on the outside in 2024 but will shift back inside for Clemson to his more natural position of defensive tackle. That should unlock his incredible potential and deliver a huge third collegiate season.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but it's never boring with Nussmeier at quarterback. The LSU star has the arm talent to make every single throw, and the confidence to attempt it.
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Hill might be the most versatile player in the draft, capable of covering sideline-to-sideline or rushing the passer. The Longhorns star posted eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss last season - outrageous numbers for a player who predominantly plays inside linebacker.
Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU
Anderson is set to explode in 2025 after grabbing 61 catches for 884 yards and five touchdowns last year. That should pair well with CeeDee Lamb in Dallas to give the Cowboys a solid 1-2 punch at wideout.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love is the type of running back who can change the game every time he touches the ball. The Notre Dame star is known for his breakaway speed but showed multiple times in the Irish's playoff run that he's as tough as they come at the position.
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The Bears' offense seems set with the additions made in this draft, so defense is the target area in 2026. Banks is a towering 6-foot-6, 325 pounds and can wreck run games with solid interior play.
Suntarine Perkins, EDGE, Ole Miss
Perkins is an athletic freak who also puts up the production numbers to match. The Ole Miss standout posted 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season and will surely blow the scouting community away with some incredible testing numbers.
Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
The next man up from the Georgia defensive tackle factory is Miller, another elite athlete who pops off the screen. That fits in any scheme but should be a winner in the NFC North with the powerful offensive units of the Lions, Bears, and Packers in the division.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy is the definitive lockdown cornerback in the 2026 class who also isn't shy in stopping the run. The Tennessee standout tore his ACL in January but should return to see action toward the back half of the season.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
This pick is based on the projection of Bailey rising to the next level after transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech. If he broadens his pass-rushing arsenal, the Bucs will jump at the chance to nab him at No. 19.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
At 6-foot-4, Fields represents a huge new weapon for Bo Nix and the Broncos' offense. He makes the move to Notre Dame after a successful run at Virginia - a transition that should bring more national attention for the 2025 season.
Charles Jagusah, OT, Notre Dame
If the Rams finally stick around and actually make a pick in the opening round, they are likely going to be interested in Jagusah at No. 21. The versatile Notre Dame lineman can play guard and tackle and is an absolute terror in the run game.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Texans added multiple receivers in this year's draft and bring some beef to the offensive line in 2026 with Fano from Utah. A mauler in the run game, Fano will need to improve his pass blocking during the 2025 season.
Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
Harris is an absolute load in the middle of the defensive line, excelling at clogging holes in the run game while also proving disruptive in the pass rush as well.
Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Williams shone in 2024 with 74 catches, more than 900 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. That type of production should catch the eye of the receiver-needy Chargers.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles was often overshadowed by the endless future NFLers on the Ohio State defense last year, but the linebacker was still one of the Buckeyes' most important players. Look for him to get more attention this time around as one of the leaders on that side of the ball.
Jalon Kilgore, CB, South Carolina
Kilgore has the prototypical NFL length at corner and isn't afraid to use his size in stopping the run. That combo will be crucial in joining a division with the Ravens and Lamar Jackson.
Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
A late run on receivers begins with Stewart out of Oregon. Stewart has the long speed and twitchy short-area quickness to be a threat in the 49ers' offense.
Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Burks showed flashes of his ability in his first season with Oklahoma but saw injury seriously cut his playing time. If he remains healthy this time around, expect massive production in the Sooners' new offense under coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
A move from NC State to Texas A&M puts Concepcion in the heat of the SEC for the 2025 season. If he can replicate his success from previous years, he's definitely on the board to be a first-round pick.
Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
Derrick Henry won't be able to play forever, right? Singleton is a great insurance policy as Henry gets older, with the Penn State star one of the more physical runners in college football.
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Branch flashed his elite speed at USC and now comes to Georgia looking to show he's an all-around receiving threat. If he pulls that off, No. 31 might be way too low for the electric Bulldog.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
With offensive lines focusing on Abdul Carter, Dennis-Sutton had nine sacks as Penn State made its playoff run. Whether he can produce at the same level without Carter is the question for the 2025 season.