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

Arch Manning


* Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Last update: Saturday, Jan. 18, 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, and 2022 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 1/15): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (1/17)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (1/18)
(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: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

2024 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Shedeur Sanders, QB The Titans could look for more impact players along the defensive line by the time of the 2026 NFL Draft.

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.

3. NFL Team Logo for Patriots New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

2024 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Will Campbell, OT The Patriots grab a young edge rusher to build around on 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.


4. NFL Team Logo for Browns Cleveland Browns: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Travis Hunter, CB

By the 2026 draft, the Browns could be drafting their replacement for Deshaun Watson.

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.


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): Omarr Norman-Lott, DT 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: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

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

The Bears could use more tackle talent to help protect Caleb Williams.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Mauigoa is talented and could be a riser over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.


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

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

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 Commanders Washington Commanders: Harold Perkins, OLB, LSU

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Luther Burden, WR

The Commanders could use some youth at linebacker.

In 2024, Perkins has 16 tackles. 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.


12. NFL Team Logo for Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers: Mateo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Emeka Egbuka, WR

By the time of the 2026 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh could be looking for some edge-rushing youth.

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.

13. NFL Team Logo for Colts Indianapolis Colts: Antonio Kite, CB, Auburn

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

The Colts need more cornerback talent.

With Alabama, Kite flashed ability as a backup and special teams contributor in 2023. In 2024 after transferring to Auburn, Kite had six tackles with an interception in four games before going down with an injury. The 6-foot-1, 182-pounder could breakout before the 2026 draft.

14. NFL Team Logo for Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars: Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

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

By the time of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jaguars could be looking for another pass rusher to go with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.

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.


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

2025 NFL Mock Draft (as of 1/17/25): Alfred Collins, DL

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 Booker, G

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.