Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season saw teams like the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans remain winless. The top needs of those teams will shape the 2026 NFL Draft.
With college football approaching Week 6, attention is starting to turn towards top prospects, especially at the quarterback position where a couple of QBs projected near the top of the draft board are starting to fall and QBs not talked about are starting to emerge and roar their way up the board. It’s getting interesting for sure, and more interesting depending on a decision by one of those QBs who just happen to be part of a legacy family.
2026 NFL Draft: Arch Manning declares but where will he land
Arch Manning’s decision will drive this draft. The last two NFL Mock Drafts we explored the impact of the draft if Manning returns to Texas for another season. But with quarterbacks like Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore and John Mateer emerging, how will the draft be impacting if Manning does declare?
With so many talented quarterbacks available, there is a big possibility some of the top quarterbacks get squeezed out of the first round. It does happen every year, but the storyline of the 2026 NFL Draft, certainly this Week 5 NFL Mock Draft is the number of quarterbacks who don’t go in the first round. It really will depend on how these NFL teams have quarterbacks graded when they select.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 5: Browns add another QB to the mix
In a draft order determined by current record, the New Orleans Saints are on the clock:
No. 1: New Orleans Saints – Garrett Nussmeier, QB LSU
With all the quarterback talent in this draft, should the New Orleans Saints trade the No. 1 overall pick for more draft capital? The temptation will be there, and the rumors will be flying, but they ultimately keep the pick and go with LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as the sure bet in this draft. Although the LSU offense is not looking elite through Week 5 of the college football season, Nussmeier has thrown for 1,159 yards with 7 touchdowns and still has time to stand out as the top quarterback once the 2026 NFL Draft arrives.
No. 2: New York Jets – Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana
The Jets are 0-4 to start the season and will have more to consider following the 2025 NFL season other than the quarterback position. Like the Saints, they could entertain a draft haul by trading down in this draft. The only thing stopping them with Nussmeier off the board is how much every QB guru has fallen in love with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Given his size, arm talent and athleticism within and outside the pocket, Jets fans will believe they finally got their eye. But, of course, they have been here a few times.
Fernando Mendoza 🤝 C.J. Stroud pic.twitter.com/TxfthqaWBm
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 21, 2025
No. 3: Tennessee Titans– Caleb Downs,S, Ohio State
The Titans are still searching for a win with 2025 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward under center. They will use the rest of the 2025 season to get their offense right and use the draft to continue building around Ward. Again, this could be a prime position for the Titans to gain more pieces. If they keep the pick, the best player is safety Caleb Downs who is considered a generational talent who can transcend a defense. The questions are on offense, but the Titans take a big opportunity here to fortify their defensive backfield with an All-Pro caliber talent.
No. 4: Miami Dolphins – Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins got a win in Week 4, but the loss of Tyreek Hill for the season, does open another need in the 2026 NFL Draft. Selecting at No. 4 overall, they go with their top need which is at corner. In Jermond McCoy, the Dolphins get their corner of the future and a player with lockdown ability. It will take time for him to morph into that player, but with his speed and natural instincts as a defender, he will be an instant upgrade at corner.
No. 5: Cleveland Browns – LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Browns are sitting in position to take control of the 2026 NFL Draft board with two picks that can end up being in the top 10 or at least the top 15. They will use the No. 5 overall pick on South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, but don’t be surprised if they trade the pick to a team hungry to move up in the draft to gain more draft capital. In Sellers they get a dual-threat option with the talent to be the top QB in this draft when healthy. The key word with Sellers is health, as that would be the reason he slides down to No. 5 in this draft (if not even further down).