Through Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season, there are some surprises as far as teams near the top and bottom of the league. While no one expected the Indianapolis Colts behind the resurrection of Daniel Jones to be 3-0, the greater shock is the Houston Texas sitting at 0-3.
There is still a ton of football left in the season, but if it was to end after Week 3, there would be an interesting draft order and some top prospects landing in interesting places.
2026 NFL Draft: Another draft of quarterbacks and tackles
In a draft filled with quarterback potential and offensive tackle talent, NFL teams in need of either position will have an opportunity to select from top talent. In assuming Arch Manning stays at Texas for another season, who is the QB prize of this draft class? What will teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns do with two first round picks? Either of those two teams can hold the 2026 NFL Draft in their hands depending on where they land in the draft order with their own picks as well as the picks they obtained.
Let’s also not forget about the Los Angeles Rams, another team with two first round picks. Could that Falcons pick end up much higher than expected. If it does, how will that impact the QB carousel expected in the first round of the draft?
2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 1-5: Jets and Saints set the tone at QB
In a draft order determined by current record (prior to Thursday night’s game), the New York Jets are on the clock:
No. 1: New York Jets – LaNorris Sellers, QB South Carolina
The Jets will have a tough decision with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In a talented draft class, can this AFC East squad finally get it right at the QB position? Depending on which quarterback emerges as the top option by the end of the season and which direction the Jets want to take their offense in 2026, it should come down between a dual threat quarterback like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers or a gunslinger like a Garrett Nussmeier or Drew Allar.
Let’s go with Sellers who at this point in the season has the edge as the top QB in the draft class. His overall talent could be special with the Jets, especially if the offense can put up yards like they did in Week 1 with Justin Fields under center. In Sellers they get a QB who can get the ball down the field while manipulating the pocket with the threat of making plays with his feet.
No. 2: New Orleans Saints – Garrett Nussmeier, QB LSU
The Saints keep LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier in the Bayou state with the No. 2 overall pick. Like the Jets, they will have their choice of talented quarterbacks. If Arch Manning doesn’t declare, Nussmeier looks like the best fit for a Saints team that has been more competitive than expected with Spencer Rattler behind center. In Nussmeier they get a quarterback with more arm talent, an ability to make quicker decisions and a player who has the natural instincts and toughness as a leader on the football field. That is what you want in a young franchise changing QB.
No. 3: Miami Dolphins – Fernando Mendoza, QB Indiana
Until the Dolphins’ offense looks explosive again with Tua Tagovailoa under center and win some games, this AFC squad will be best served to move on and reset with a new quarterback under center. Through a winless start to the season, the Dolphins are looking at a top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and an opportunity to select one of the hottest quarterbacks in college football in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. With his pocket poise, talented arm and sneaky athleticism, Mendoza in Miami is the franchise reset the team needs at the position.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans– Rueben Bain Jr.,ED, Miami
The Titans end the QB streak with the selection of exciting EDGE rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick. Tennessee got their quarterback in Cam Ward in the 2025 NFL Draft and with their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, they will reunite teammates from the University of Miami. In Bain Jr, they get a young player off the edge who can be a difference maker in the front seven, especially with Jefferey Simmons and T’Vondre Seat anchoring the middle. If second-round pick Oluwafemi Oladejo emerges as the 2025 NFL season progresses, the Titans can form a nice, young duo to wreck quarterbacks with Bain Jr. on board.
No. 5: New York Giants – Spencer Fano, T, Utah
With Jaxson Dart under center for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season, the New York Giants turn their attention to building around and in front of the young quarterback. With the No. 5 overall pick, the Giants get their tackle with the selection of Utah’s Spencer Fano who will not only protect Dart’s blind side, but make his presence known in the run game as well. The Giants currently have Andrew Thomas holding down the left tackle position, so Fano will solidify the right side of the line and give the Giants a left tackle replacement if they move on from Thomas who has battle injuries over the last couple of seasons.