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, May 19, 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 5/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/19)
(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 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.

2. NFL Team Logo for Titans Tennessee Titans: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

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.


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

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:
Rd: 1 Pk: 4

4. NFL Team Logo for Browns Cleveland Browns: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

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

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:
Rd: 1 Pk: 3

5. NFL Team Logo for Raiders Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Raiders grab a difference-maker for their secondary.

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.

6. NFL Team Logo for Giants New York Giants: Jaylon Guilbeau, CB, Texas

The Giants grab a cornerback upgrade.

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


7. NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

The Bears add a disruptor to pair with Montez Sweat.

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.


8. NFL Team Logo for Panthers Carolina Panthers: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

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.

9. NFL Team Logo for Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

George Pickens could be one-and-done in Dallas. Here’s a long-term receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb.

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.


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

The Patriots grab more young talent for the defensive line.

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 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.


13. NFL Team Logo for Colts Indianapolis Colts: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

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.


14. NFL Team Logo for Rams Los Angeles Rams: Austin Barber, OT, Florida

The Rams grab an upgrade for the offensive line and a replacement for Rob Havenstein.

Barber had some growing pains but also showed potential in 2023. In 2024 he got better as the season progressed and became a solid blocker to protect D.J. Lagway. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder could be a riser in 2025.


Click links to see the Rams' picks across all rounds:
Rd: 1 Pk: 20

15. NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Daniel Harris, CB, Georgia

The Dolphins could use some cornerback youth.

Harris has flashed ability for Georgia in 2024, starting across from Daylen Everette. As a sophomore, Harris had 22 tackles with three passes broken up. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has the upside to improve in 2025.


16. NFL Team Logo for Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Harold Perkins, OLB, LSU

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.