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

The Cardinals add their future starter.

In 2025, Manning completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had 10 rushing touchdowns. Manning 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 has a strong arm and is athletic with running ability for the NFL.

Las Vegas grabs a tackle to pair with Kolton Miller to improve their protection for Fernando Mendoza.

The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder has a good skill set with size, quickness, strength, and athleticism. He was impressive as the starting left tackle at Colorado for two seasons. It will be interesting to see how Seaton handles better competition in 2026.

Miami has some young receiver talent in Malik Washington, Chris Bell, and Caleb Douglas. However, the Dolphins could still target a true No. 1 receiver for Malik Willis.

In 2025, Smith caught 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith (6-3, 215) took college football by storm as a freshman, and he dominated for the Buckeyes. In his debut season, Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He showed size, speed, athleticism, and natural feel in a tremendous freshman year, helping Ohio State win a National Championship.

The Browns grab a future starter at quarterback.

Maiava took a big step forward in 2025, completing 66 percent of his passes for 3,711 yards with 24 touchdowns passing, six scores rushing, and 10 interceptions. Maiava (6-4, 230) has a good skill set, and if he builds on his 2025 season, he could be a first-round prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft.

The Jets grab their quarterback of the future.

Moore has been a dynamic point-producer for the Ducks in 2025, making plays with his arm and legs. In 2025, Moore has completed 73 percent of his passes for 3,280 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Moore (6-3, 203) is a dangerous quarterback who is tough to defend. He has shown impressive arm talent and feel as a passer. Moore throws some beautiful deep balls and shows impressive composure and poise for a young player.

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The Giants could use a No. 1 corner for their defense.

Moore dealt with injuries but played really well in 2025. He had 31 tackles with five interceptions and seven passes defended. With Benjamin Morrison hurt, Moore was phenomenal in 2024, helping the Fighting Irish reach the National Championship. He totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 11 passes broken up as a freshman. Moore (6-2, 195) has an excellent skill set with size, speed, athleticism, and is a natural football player.

The new Falcons regime didn’t draft Michael Penix Jr., while Tua Tagovailoa is not a long-term starter given his durability issues. The new Atlanta coaching staff and front office could look to draft their own starting quarterback.

Mateer completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,885 yards with 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and eight rushing touchdowns. For the NFL, Mateer looks like a starter who could be a very dangerous signal-caller. Mateer (6-1, 224) is an accurate passer with excellent ball placement overall. He has a few throws get away from him, but Mateer has impressive precision as a passer. Mateer is very mobile in the pocket and can hurt defenses on the ground. As a passer, Mateer is similar to Baker Mayfield, but Mateer is a better athlete and more dangerous with his feet.

Mateer played well for Washington State in 2024 and impressed in his first year as a starter. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mateer has some mobility and is a gritty competitor. Some team sources have compared Mateer to former Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mateer (6-1, 224) could be a high riser during the 2025 season.

If Nic Scourton doesn’t take a big step forward in 2026, Carolina could look to add a pass rusher across from Jaelen Phillips.

In 2025, Stewart had 33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Stewart was superb for the Gamecocks in 2024. As a freshman, he was an immediate impact player, totaling 6.5 sacks with three forced fumbles, one pass batted, and 23 tackles. Stewart has a lot of potential to develop.

The 49ers could use more youth at linebacker and edge rusher.

In 2025, Simmons had 43 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes broken up. In 2024, Simmons had an excellent debut for Texas and showed serious pass-rush ability with nine sacks. He also had three forced fumbles, 48 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception. Simmons (6-3, 245) has upside and could be even better after gaining experience.

The Bears could consider adding some interior pass rush talent to go next to Montez Sweat.

Echoles was a disruptive force for the Rebels in 2025 and made a lot of big plays for them at the point of attack. The 6-foot-3, 310-pounder showed run defense and pass rush ability as he totaled 68 tackles with five sacks and five passes batted. Echoles has quickness, athleticism, and strength.

The Titans grab a running back upgrade to help Cam Ward.

In 2025, Baugh averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 1,170 yards with eight touchdowns. He has 33 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound Baugh flashed serious running ability for the Gators in 2024 as a freshman. While other backs got more carries, Baugh showed a dangerous burst and power to get yards after contact. Baugh averaged 5.1 yards per carry for 673 yards and seven touchdowns. He had four catches for 33 yards and a score. Baugh could explode if the Gators make him their feature back.

Given the contracts for Chase Young and Carl Granderson, the Saints could consider taking some edge rush youth.

The 6-foot-3, 248-pound Pierre has been a tough defender for the Crimson Tide in 2025. He has been a dangerous edge rusher with speed and physicality to push through blocks. In 2025, Pierre had 52 tackles with eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass batted. He is an ascending player with a ton of upside.

Pittsburgh has Aaron Rodgers for 2026, but needs a long-term starter. They could have a shot at one in the 2027 NFL Draft, but they will need a deep class of quarterbacks to emerge.

Sellers completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,437 yards with 13 touchdowns passing, eight interceptions, five rushing, and some yardage on the ground. He has been inconsistent, with some flashes of amazing passes and then missing some completions that he must complete for the NFL. In terms of his development as a football player, he probably should go back to college in 2026, but most players don’t think that way.

Sellers (6-3, 242) has a big-time skill set and could be a special quarterback. 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 impressive arm talent. With a cannon for an arm, Sellers can push the ball to all levels of the field with ease. His mobility, athleticism, escapability, and creativity to ad lib his team into a big play are very desirable to pro teams.

The Jets add an interior disruptor to replace Quinnen Williams.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Stone flashed some next-level ability in 2025. He was a disruptive run defender with 43 tackles on the season. Stone had 1.5 sacks as a sophomore. Improving as a pass rusher would help him to rise.

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The Jaguars could use more receiving weapons for Liam Coen’s offense.

Coleman entered the transfer portal and will play with Texas in 2026. In 2025, Coleman had 56 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns with Auburn. While other freshman receivers got more attention, Coleman (6-3, 197) flashed tremendous ability with size, speed, and athleticism. He caught 37 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns in his debut. If Auburn can give Coleman more consistent quarterback play, he could explode as a sophomore or junior.

The Patriots add a weapon for Drake Maye.

Becker flashed big-play ability with the Hoosiers in 2025 and showed an ability to stretch defenses downfield. In 2025, he had 30 catches for 614 yards with five scores. Becker illustrated some serious speed with his average of 20.5 yards per reception. To go along with speed, Becker has size and length at 6-foot-4, 204 pounds. He is reminiscent of Alec Pierce at Cincinnati.