2026 NFL Mock Draft – Round 1 (1-16) – Charlie Campbell

Arch Manning


* Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Last update: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. Round 1 added.
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21, and ’22
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024 NFL Drafts.
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021

2026 NFL MOCK DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S ROUND: 1

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/18): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/17)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/19): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/22)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


1. NFL Team Logo for Saints New Orleans Saints: Arch Manning, QB, Texas

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): James Pearce Jr., DE

By the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints could be looking for a young quarterback to replace Derek Carr.

Manning has flashed his excellent skill set in relief work for Quinn Ewers in 2024. Manning has completed 68 percent of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has two rushing touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder could be a riser for the 2026 NFL Draft after he takes over as the full-time starter in 2025.

2. NFL Team Logo for Titans Tennessee Titans: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

2024 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Abdul Carter, LB The Titans add their quarterback of the future.

Nussmeier (6-2, 200) spent a few seasons as the backup to Jayden Daniels, but now he has taken advantage of the opportunity to start and has turned himself into a legit prospect for the NFL. Nussmeier completed 64 percent of his passes for 4,403 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. There is no doubt that Nussmeier has the arm talent to be a pro starter, as he has a powerful arm that has no issue going vertically downfield. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Nussmeier is getting good pro preparation from Brian Kelly and Nussmeier looks like an early-round prospect for the 2025 or 2026 NFL Draft.


3. NFL Team Logo for Patriots New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

2024 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Travis Hunter, CB The Patriots grab a young edge rusher to build around on defense.

Parker has enjoyed a breakout sophomore season for the Tigers with 57 tackles, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder has quality size and impressive instincts for a young player. In his freshman season, Parker had 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles.


4. NFL Team Logo for Browns Cleveland Browns: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Shedeur Sanders, QB

By the 2026 draft, the Browns could be drafting their replacement for Myles Garrett, or a young end to pair with him.

Faulk was a beast for Auburn in 2024, with a big-time presence behind the line of scrimmage. He had seven sacks, 45 tackles, and one forced fumble. He has shown speed and power as a pass rusher while being a big-bodied lineman to defend the run. The 6-foot-6, 288-pounder has upside to develop as he gains experience.


5. NFL Team Logo for Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Shemar Turner, DT

The Vikings take a replacement for Harrison Smith.

In 2024, Downs has 76 tackles with six passes broken up and two interceptions. Downs was phenomenal for Alabama in 2023, recording 107 tackles, two interceptions, three passes broken up, and a forced fumble. After the season, he transferred to Ohio State. Downs (6-0, 205) has the potential to be a star prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.

6. NFL Team Logo for Cardinals Arizona Cardinals: Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss

2024 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Azareye’h Thomas, CB By the 2026 NFL Draft, Arizona could be looking for more edge rush talent to go with Darius Robinson.

Perkins was a dangerous quarterback hunter for the Rebels in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks with 60 tackles and an interception. He had 38 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder needs to gain weight and get stronger for the NFL.

7. NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Kelvin Banks, OT

The Bears could consider improving their cornerback talent.

The 6-foot, 190-pound McCoy had an excellent sophomore season with 44 tackles, four interceptions, and seven passes broken up. He played well in 2023 with 31 tackles, two interceptions, and seven breakups. McCoy is an instinctive corner with good ball skills and a willing tackler.


8. NFL Team Logo for Panthers Carolina Panthers: Kayden Proctor, OT, Alabama

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Mykel Williams, DE

Even if Icky Ekwonu settles into being a reliable starter, the Panthers could use a tackle to go with him as Taylor Moton is aging.

Overall, Proctor played well in 2023 as a freshman. Except for struggling against Michigan in the college football playoff, Proctor was generally reliable to protect Jalen Milroe. Proctor (6-7, 360) is a massive blocker who could also be a right tackle candidate in the NFL. Sources from Alabama have said that Proctor has make-up and character concerns.

9. NFL Team Logo for Giants New York Giants: Keon Sabb, S, Alabama

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Cam Ward, QB

The Giants grab a true replacement for Xavier McKinney and a partner to work with Tyler Nubin.

Sabb has been a tough defender for Alabama in 2024. He had 39 tackles with two interceptions and four passes broken up. As a Michigan Wolverine in 2023, Sabb had 28 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up.

10. NFL Team Logo for Raiders Las Vegas Raiders: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Tetairoa McMillan, WR

The Raiders badly need a long-term starter and franchise quarterback.

In 2024, Allar has completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns passing, six rushing scores, and eigh interceptions. Allar completed 60 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 243-pounder has a powerful arm and the potential to be a special pocket passer.

11. NFL Team Logo for Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: Mateo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Ashton Jeanty, RB

By the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys could use a young end to pair with Micah Parsons.

Uiagalelei was a beast for the Ducks in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks with two forced fumbles, one interception, one pass batted, and 38 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder has good size, strength, and athleticism.


12. NFL Team Logo for Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars: Javon Kilgore, CB/S, South Carolina

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Kenneth Grant, DT

The Jaguars need more secondary talent.

Kilgore was a ballhawk in 2024 with five interceptions, 48 tackles and five passes defended. In 2023 he had 76 tackles with six passes broken up, one interception, and one forced fumble. Gilgore is tall, and thickly built for the NFL.


13. NFL Team Logo for Colts Indianapolis Colts: Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Tyler Booker, G

The Colts need more cornerback talent.

In 2024, Jackson had 51 tackles with seven passes defended and two interceptions. Jackson (6-1, 190) has a good skill set and potential to rise. Jackson did not become the star he was expected to be at USC, but he could blossom at Alabama. He had 32 tackles with three passes defended in 2023.


14. NFL Team Logo for Jets New York Jets: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Will Johnson, CB

By the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets could be looking for a receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson.

After Washington lost a trio of good receivers to the NFL, Boston is enjoyed a breakout season for the Huskies in 2024. He had 64 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 209-pounder has mismatch size and looks like he is just scratching the surface of his potential.


15. NFL Team Logo for Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Benjamin Morrison, CB

By the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chargers could be looking for some linebacker youth.

Hill (6-3, 235) was impressive as a true freshman in 2023, and it looked like he was scratching the surface of his ability. He totaled 67 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended. In 2024, Hill had 113 tackles with eight sacks, one pass broken up, and an interception.

16. NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Tyler Warren, TE

Seattle could use a Geno Smith replacement via the 2025 or 2026 NFL Draft.

Sellers (6-3, 242) has a big-time skill set and could be a breakout star in 2024 or 2025. In 2024, Sellers completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, and seven rushing touchdowns.