With week 13 of the 2025 NFL season in the rearview, more and more teams and fanbases continue to shift their focus to the 2026 NFL Draft. Many teams may be targeting a new franchise signal caller from this year's quarterback class, but possibly not the top two teams in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants currently sit atop the draft order, both of which selected quarterbacks just one year ago. Both Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart have shown some promise, so what direction will their teams go this year in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Ohio State Buckeyes dominate the beginning of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft
After the top two teams, quarterback-needy franchises are aplenty. Which ones will pull the trigger? Which prospect will be the first quarterback off the board? Time will tell which players will even enter the draft and opt not to return to school, with underclassmen dominating the top of the class.
Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Oregon's Dante Moore, and Alabama's Ty Simpson seem to be rising to the top of nearly every 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Which other players will join them? Edge rushers like Reuben Bain, Keldric Faulk, and David Bailey? Wide receivers like Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon? Offensive linemen like Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu, and Francisco Mauigoa? Where will star running back, Jeremiyah Love, end up?
All of these players will find homes in this two-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, giving some projection and analysis for fans of teams without a first-round pick, like the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, and Indianapolis Colts.
2026 NFL Mock Draft 1-6: Two Buckeyes and three quarterbacks to start things off
With the first two picks of this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, teams guided by rookie quarterbacks go with Ohio State Buckeyes on the defensive side of the ball. While both teams would surely like to add some offensive support for their young passers, the best players in the draft are defenders, and both happen to play in Columbus.
No. 1: Tennessee Titans - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese has had a breakout 2025 season for the Buckeyes, rapidly rising to the top of the 2026 NFL Draft board. His versatility, tenacity, and athleticism are all valuable traits at the next level. With 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a linebacker, Reese could be the closest weapon to Micah Parsons available in this draft and will be a huge piece to build around for whatever coaching staff takes over the Tennessee Titans.
No. 2: New York Giants - Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
Caleb Downs came into the 2025 season renowned as one of the best players in college football, and he has backed it up this year for the Buckeyes. It may seem a little early for a player who primarily lines up at safety, but for a defense that has struggled as much as the Giants have, Downs could come in, contribute, and lead the secondary right away, no matter how they deploy him alongside Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin.
No. 3: New Orleans Saints - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Even though the New Orleans Saints also selected a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tyler Shough has not been overly impressive, and Fernando Mendoza is just too good to pass up. Mendoza was solid at Cal, but has been electric since getting to Bloomington, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated record with his processing, accuracy, and leadership. He may be the best bet in this 2026 NFL Draft to go in and immediately turn the Saints offense around with head coach Kellen Moore.
No. 4: New York Jets - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
After a failed experiment with Justin Fields, the New York Jets find themselves desperate for a quarterback once again. Ty Simpson, the young signal caller for the Alabama Crimson Tide, has shown flashes of elite arm talent. With very minimal starting experience, development will be the key for Simpson at the next level. With Fields under contract through next season, bridge quarterback Tyrod Taylor currently in the fold, and the Jets in a clear rebuild mode after trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the deadline, they could be a team willing to be patient with a guy like Simpson.
No. 5: Las Vegas Raiders - Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
The Las Vegas Raiders are another team that certainly could be in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, but after trading for and extending Geno Smith last offseason, the team may need to stick with him for a bit while rebuilding the rest of the roster. The Raiders defense has been abysmal this year, and Rueben Bain could very well end up as the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Hurricanes' edge rusher would give Las Vegas a running mate for Maxx Crosby while they look to reshape their roster.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns - Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Rumors have been swirling that Dante Moore is very likely to go back to Oregon. However, if he keeps playing the way he has for the Ducks, becoming a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft may be too tempting to pass up. Here, the Cleveland native Moore goes home to the Cleveland Browns, who go back-to-back Oregon quarterbacks. Yes, the Browns have Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel from last year's draft, and we will see if Sanders can prove to be a viable option for the future, but as of now, there is little doubt that the Browns will be in the quarterback business once again.