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.

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. Sellers is a true dual-threat quarterback with dangerous running ability and has real arm talent. His mobility, athleticism, and creativity to ad lib his team into a big play is very desired by pro teams, and Sellers could rise high if has a big 2025 season.

The Titans could target more young talent for their defense.

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.

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.

Click links to see the Browns' picks across all rounds:

The Browns could be looking at some attrition at cornerback. Here’s a young talent to build around for the long term.

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.

Click links to see the Browns' picks across all rounds:

Carolina’s defense will likely get shredded again in 2025. They need some difference makers in each position group, and here is an edge rusher that could be a core piece to rebuilding their defense.

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 Giants grab a linebacker upgrade. They need more talent in the middle of their defense.

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 Bears add an edge rusher to go with Montez Sweat.

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

Tyson was a dangerous weapon for the Sun Devils in 2024 as he hauled in 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tyson is fast with easy acceleration. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has adequate size and showed some serious speed and explosiveness in 2022 when he averaged 21.4 yards per reception (22-470-4)

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 Dolphins add a safety to pair with Minkah Fitzpatrick.

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 Patriots could consider adding more young receiver talent for Drake Maye.

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 Jets grab a franchise quarterback.

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 Colts grab a corner upgrade to go with Charvarius Ward.

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.

The Rams could use more youth on the offensive line.

With Virginia Tech, Chaplin (6-7, 338) was one of the top left tackles in the ACC in 2024. He improved as a blocker after a solid debut season as a starter in 2023 for the Hokies. Chaplin has excellent size with impressive movement skills for such a big blocker. He has the potential to be a top-50 pick next April with a strong season in the SEC.

Click links to see the Rams' picks across all rounds:

The Vikings take a replacement for Harrison Smith.

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 more linebacker talent and upgrade for the middle of their defense.

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.