2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys' Micah Parsons replacement; top QBs land in the AFC East

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.

2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 6-10: Patriots, Broncos land top receiver talent

No. 6: Houston Texans – Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami (FL)

Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is the second tackle and second player out of Miami off the board as he goes to the Houston Texans with the No. 6 overall pick.  Currently winless, the Texas are a team with more talent than their record indicates.   A step back this season allows for them to draft high in the draft and correct their offensive line in front of C.J. Strough.  They get a franchise-caliber tackle in Mauigoa who could be considered the best tackle in the draft.

No. 7: New England Patriots – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Patriots got their quarterback in Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft, they secured their left tackle with the selection of Will Campbell in the 2025 NFL Draft and now they get their No. 1 wide receiver with the selection of Jordyn Tyson who is the top wide receiver in the draft.  Big, athletic and fast, the Maye to Tyson combination will be a dynamic one in Foxborough.

No. 8: Las Vegas Raiders – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Pete Carroll turns his attention to the defensive side of the ball with the selection of Jermod McCoy. As one of the top, if not the top, cornerback prospect entering the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy is an instinctive defensive back who can help anchor and eventually lead the Raiders’ secondary, especially under the guidance and coaching of Carroll.

No. 9: Cleveland Browns– John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

With two first round picks, the Cleveland Browns can afford to take another chance at the quarterback position.  Heisman Trophy contender John Mateer will be an interesting choice in the top 10.  Although he is currently recovering from hand surgery, Mateer’s early season performance at Oklahoma was not only impressive, but eye opening for NFL teams looking for a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft.  The Browns could set up an interesting QB competition with Mateer, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders competing to be the guy in 2026.

No. 10: Denver Broncos – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Sean Payton and Bo Nix get a key weapon at the receiver position in USC’s Makai Lemon.  With receiver being a top need for the Broncos, they won’t hesitate on Lemon who brings lightning-quick acceleration to the Broncos’ offense.  As an outstanding route-runner, Lemon is a threat anywhere on the field, including down the field as a deep threat option.  Perhaps a match made in heaven for the Broncos in 2026.

2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 11-15: Cowboys land next defensive star?

No. 11: Dallas Cowboys– T.J. Parker, ED, Clemson

As tempting as it would be for the Cowboys to continue to add on offense, they need more talent defensively after the trade of Micah Parsons.  With their first of two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, expect them to address that with the selection of T.J. Parker who is a force off the edge with this combination of speed and power.  He also has the knack of forcing turnovers as he had six forced fumbles in 2024.  His versatility along the line also makes him an intriguing option for any team looking for a defensive difference maker.

No. 12: Carolina Panthers – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

The Panthers will have their eye on Parker, but with him going to Dallas a pick ahead of them, they go with his Clemson teammate Peter Woods with the No. 12 overall pick.  A team looking for a defensive identity, Woods will give them that and a player with the ability to dominate as an interior lineman or on the edge.  This 6-foot-3, 315-pound ball of power will be a tone setter defensively for the Panthers.

No. 13: Kansas City Chiefs – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Patrick Mahomes gets a new tight end with the selection of Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft.  Yes, that means the team moves on from Travis Kelce who could be playing in his final season in the NFL.  Even if Kelce gives it a go in 2026, he will likely move down to a second option at tight end as Mahomes masters a connection with the talented Sadiq who is an instant threat with the ball in his hand. 

With his explosiveness and athleticism at the tight end position, it will seem unfair for him to join a team like the Chiefs and a QB like Mahomes.  But, if the season ended after Week 3, the Chiefs would have a top 15 pick which is a sweet spot for a player like Sadiq.

No. 14: Chicago Bears – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Bears get their running back in Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.  After a slow start to the season, the top ranked running back prospect going into the 2025 season showed off his talent in a Week 4 win for the Fighting Irish.  In a 56-30 win over Purdue, Love rushed for 157 yards on 19 carries showcasing his explosiveness on the ground.  As a dual-threat impact player out of the backfield, a perfect addition for Ben Johnson’s offense.

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No. 15: Los Angeles Rams via Atlanta– Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

The quarterbacks begin to come off the board again.  Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams make Oregon’s Dante Moore the fifth quarterback off the board.  With prototypical size and athleticism at the QB position, Moore is emerging up the draft board and joins the group of talented signal callers in this draft.  With 962 yards passing through 4 games, Moore could find himself in the top 10 by draft time.  The Rams, who have Falcons pick, may still have a stop to select him there.

2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 16-20: Ravens, Lamar Jackson land a new playmaker

No. 16: Washington Commanders – Cashius Howell, ED, Texas A&M

Selecting in the middle of the first round, the Commanders get a defensive find in Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell.  A team that looks set on offense, Dan Quinn’s squad turns its attention inserting young talent defensively.  They added Trey Amos at corner in the 2025 NFL Draft and by adding Howell, they get a young player off the edge with speed and a high motor, a player who will make his presence known to opposing quarterbacks.

No. 17: Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

The Lions have a couple of needs they can address at this spot. They go with defensive line/edge with the selection of Auburn’s Keldric Faulk.  At 6-foot-6, 288 pounds, he has the size, athleticism and speed to be the perfect complement to Aidan Hutchinson on the opposite side of the line.  What stands out about Faulk is that he is an edge defender who can get to the quarterback as well as defend the run.  A player the Lions won’t be able to resist at this spot.

No. 18: Los Angeles Rams – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Another Clemson defender goes off the board in Avieon Terrell.  The Rams address their need at cornerback with their second pick in the first round.  Terrell is not only a tremendous pass defender but can be dangerous in the return game as well.  Just a Sophomore, there’s a chance he returns to school, but if he declares a great opportunity for the Rams or any team to select an impact type cornerback with room to grow.

No. 19: Baltimore Ravens– Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Ravens get Lamar Jackson another weapon in Denzel Boston.  At 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, the Washington star is a big target who has no problem going up and snagging the ball away from defenders.  That makes him a down-the-field target as well as a red zone weapon.  With the way Jackson prolongs plays, a play maker with the size and natural talent of Boston can thrive as a second or even third option in the offense.

No. 20: Cleveland Browns– Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

With their second first round pick, the Browns complete their offensive reload over the last two drafts with the selection of Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.  With great size and speed at the wide receiver position, Tate is a route running technician who will fit in the mix of young offensive players, which includes his former Ohio State teammate Quinshon Judkins.  The question for the Browns’ offense in 2026 will of course be at the QB position.

2026 NFL Mock Draft No. 21-25: Top prospects fall to Steelers, Cardinals

No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Any given week, Penn State’s Drew Allar can go from a top 5 pick to the end of the first round.  In this NFL Mock Draft, he goes No. 21 to the Steelers which is an interesting fit because it keeps him in the state of Pennsylvania for one.  In Allar, the Steelers also get a QB with size, a big arm and an ability to move outside the pocket.  Where Allar goes in this draft depends on the other quarterback competition.  But, for a team who should be in position to make the playoffs in 2025 behind Aaron Rodgers, may not miss a beat in 2026 by adding Allar, a player fans will already be familiar with. 

No. 22: Minnesota Vikings – A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State

The Vikings get their cornerback with the selection of Penn State’s A.J. Harris.  Minnesota will be criticized for passing on safety Caleb Downs, they do get one of the top secondary defenders in the Big 10 in Harris who not only has ideal size for a cornerback but also plays down in the box and is a great run defender.  Not a bad pick at all for the Vikings.

No. 23: Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Every draft has that top 10 talented player who slips down in the draft.  The drama in this mock draft is Caleb Downs somehow sliding all the way down to No.23 to the Arizona Cardinals.  There really isn’t a reason for the slide other than the needs of teams drafting ahead of the Cardinals.  In Downs, Arizona gets their safety of the future and a player, like Will Johnson, who will be playing with a chip on his shoulders after sliding down in a draft where he is projected as a top 10 pick at the very least.

No. 24: Seattle Seahawks – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama

Speaking of players who slide, the Seattle Seahawks will say thank you as Kadyn Proctor slides to them at No. 24.  A team looking to re-establish the offensive line, the Seahawks find their tackle in Proctor who is a mountain when it comes to size and an absolute force in protecting the passer. 

No. 25: Cincinnati Bengals – Gennings Dunker, T, Iowa

Joe Burrow will be thrilled with this pick.  With the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bengals select Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.  Not as massive in size as the other tackles taken ahead of him, Dunker is still elite when it comes to pass protection.  He also has great athleticism and technique in his run blocking ability.  He also plays with a mean streak that should help set the tone for the rest of the Bengals’ offensive line.

2026 NFL Draft No. 26-32: Cowboys double dip on defense

No. 26: Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

The Cowboys double dip along the defensive line with the selection of Caleb Banks. A top ranked defensive lineman, Banks is both physical and versatile in his ability to anchor the middle of the defensive line. With a high motor, he and T.J. Parker should help anchor the Cowboys’ front seven in different ways than Parsons, but with the talent to be impact players going forward. 

No. 27: Buffalo Bills – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech

The Bills use the No. 27 overall pick on Texas Tech’s Davis Bailey. A devastating pass rusher, Bailey will give the Bills that young defensive end they have been looking for.  With already 3.5 sacks through 4 games in 2025, Bailey is a player rising up the board.  If the Bills get him here, watch out AFC.

No. 28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The first linebacker off the board is Georgia’s CJ Allen.  There will be a lot of focus on Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr, who is the top ranked linebacker, but the Buccaneers will go with Allen who is more of a box linebacker. A tackling machine with great closing speed, Allen will find his niche quickly in Tampa.

No. 29: Indianapolis Colts – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Okay, let’s say the Colts have their quarterback in the revived Daniel Jones.  With the No. 29 overall pick, Indianapolis goes with cornerback Mansoor Delane out of LSU.  There will still be plenty of quarterback talent to choose from on Day 2, so the Colts solidify their secondary with Delane who brings scheme versatility and an aggressive nature to the backfield.

No. 30: San Francisco 49ers– Isaiah World, T, Oregon

The 49ers get their Trent Williams replacement with the selection of 6-foot-8, 313-pound tackle Isaiah World.  A player has all the ingredients to be dominant in the NFL, World will be a safe pick for the 49ers late in the first round.

No. 31: Los Angeles Chargers – LT Overton, ED, Alabama

One of the top edge rush prospects falls to the Chargers at the end of the first round.  With the No. 31 overall pick, the Chargers address their edge rush needs with Alabama’s LT Overton.  With his tremendous physical attributes and run-stopping presence, the addition of Overton will help the Chargers continue their transcendence in the AFC.

No. 32: Philadelphia Eagles – R Mason Thomas, ED, Oklahoma

The Eagles can do almost anything with the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.  In this NFL mock draft, they go with Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas who has three-down versatility as well as great speed.  He is undersized but has the strength to master his way through and around bigger blockers.  This could be another Jihaad Campbell type steal for the Eagles.