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

Unless Tyler Shough impresses as a rookie, New Orleans will be looking for a true franchise quarterback.

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.

The Titans could target more young talent for their defense.

Parker has had a breakout sophomore season for the Tigers, accumulating 57 tackles, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound player possesses excellent size and impressive instincts for his age. In his freshman season, Parker recorded 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles.

The Browns grab a left tackle upgrade.

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

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The Browns grab an end to pair with Myles Garrett.

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.

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The Raiders need a No. 1 receiver to pair with Brock Bowers.

After Washington lost a trio of good receivers to the NFL, Boston 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.

The Giants grab a cornerback upgrade.

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.

The Bears add a corner to help them cover Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Gulbeau showed impressive coverage skills in 2024, blanketing receivers to keep them from getting open. In 2024, he had 58 tackles with three passes broken up. The 6-foot, 190-pounder

Carolina’s defense will likely get shredded again in 2025. They need some difference makers in each position group, and could go the route of taking the best defensive player available.

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.

The Cowboys could use a long-term answer at running back.

In 2024, Love had a breakout season for the Fighting Irish, producing a lot of clutch plays to help the Irish reach the National Championship. As a sophomore, Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry for 1,125 yards with 17 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 237 yards. Love has a strong build and is a physical downhill runner. Love is a talented runner with speed and instincts. He reminds me of Nick Chubb at Georgia.

The Patriots could consider adding more young edge rush talent.

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.

The Vikings take a replacement for Harrison Smith.

In 2024, Downs had 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.

The Jets grab a corner to pair with Sauce Gardner.

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.

Anthony Richardson is heading towards bust status, and Daniel Jones could prove to be just a backup-quality quarterback. Here’s a new starter for the Colts.

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.

The Rams grab a quarterback to groom and prepare as Matthew Stafford is finishing out his career.

In 2024, Allar completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns passing, six rushing scores, and eight 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.

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The Dolphins could use some cornerback youth.

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.

The Seahawks grab a true replacement for D.K. Metcalf.

In 2024, Perkins had 16 tackles before suffering a season-ending injury early in the year. Perkins was a beast and was all over the field for LSU as a freshman in 2022, totaling 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and four passes batted. In 2023, Perkins recorded 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 74 tackles, and four passes batted. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder possesses a unique body type and is undersized as an edge defender, but there is no doubt about his explosive speed and tremendous instincts.