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

Arch Manning


* Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Last update: Monday, April 28, 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 4/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/24)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28)
(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

Unless Tyler Shough impresses as a rookie, New Orleans could be looking for a replacement for 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: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

The Titans add a young difference-maker for the defensive line.

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.

3. NFL Team Logo for Browns Cleveland Browns: Kayden Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Browns grab a left tackle.

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:
Rd: 1 Pk: 4

4. NFL Team Logo for Browns Cleveland Browns: Jaylon Guilbeau, CB, Texas

The Browns grab more cornerback talent to go with Denzel Ward.

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

Click links to see the Browns' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 1 Pk: 3

5. NFL Team Logo for Raiders Las Vegas Raiders: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

The Raiders grab a long-term starter. They can tutor Nussmeier behind Geno Smith for a year and then it over to the young 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.


6. NFL Team Logo for Giants New York Giants: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

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

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.


7. NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

The Bears add an edge rusher to go across from 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.


8. NFL Team Logo for Panthers Carolina Panthers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 3/31/25): Jalon Walker, LB

The Panthers add a cornerback to go with Jaycee Horn.

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.

9. NFL Team Logo for Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Dallas could use an impact player at safety.

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.


10. NFL Team Logo for Patriots New England Patriots: Mateo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

The Patriots select a young edge rusher to build their defense around.

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.


11. NFL Team Logo for Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Keon Sabb, S, Alabama

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.


12. NFL Team Logo for Jets New York Jets: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

The Jets need a long-term 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.


13. NFL Team Logo for Colts Indianapolis Colts: Amare Farrell, CB, Indiana

The Colts continue to build up their secondary.

In 2024, Farrell has been a tough defender for the Hoosiers. He had 49 tackles with four interceptions and one pass batted. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has good size to go along with ball skills.

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

Arizona adds some edge rush talent to go with the interior tandem of Walter Nolen and 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.

15. NFL Team Logo for Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

Joey Bosa is gone while Khalil Mack is not a long-term starter. Here is a young edge rusher for Los Angeles.

Bain had an excellent freshman season for Miami, totaling 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 44 tackles. The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder has the upside to be better as he gains experience. Bain was injured to start 2024 and didn’t debut until early October. He had 23 tackles with 3.5 sacks thus far.


16. NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Seattle grabs more wide receiver talent to help Sam Darnold.

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.