As teams enter the final week of the NFL preseason and the college football season enters Week 0, NFL Mocks lands its full first round predictions based on potential team needs following the 2025 NFL season.
In what will be projected as a draft deep at quarterback and other positions like cornerback and again defensive end, this 2026 NFL Mock Draft matches top prospect talent with teams based on top needs. There is also a wild prediction that could send the top QB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft to a place familiar with the name Manning.
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Big trade shifts QB shuffle
The rumors will be wild leading up to the draft, but with the team with the No. 1 overall pick undecided about with top QB to select, the Indianapolis Colts will make a bold move and strike a deal with the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 overall pick. Which top QB will land where?
Let’s get on the clock!
No. 1: New Orleans Saints – Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
The Saints will have to decide between Arch Manning and Cade Klubnik to start the 2026 NFL Draft but will go with the more experienced Klubnik. It’s a decision that will divide WHO DAT Nation, but ultimately the Saints go with a player who can come in Day 1 and lead the franchise over a quarterback who will still have some rawness to develop at the next level.
No. 2: Indianapolis Colts – Arch Manning, QB Texas
This will be the second consecutive draft the Cleveland Browns traded the No. 2 overall pick to move down in the draft. The AFC South team that moves up will be the Indianapolis Colts who put together a trade package that starts with No. 7, No. 39 and a 2027 first round pick to select Arch Manning.
The Browns will be called crazy passing on Manning to trade down, but they have two young QB’s in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel they will feel confident in. The Colts on the other hand will be coming off the Anthony Richardson debacle and will turn to another Manning to save the franchise.
No. 3: New York Jets – LaNorris Sellers, QB South Carolina
The third quarterback off the board will be South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound quarterback will put himself in the conversation as one of the top quarterback prospects with an impressive season that will be reminiscent of Jayden Daniels at LSU. After a season with Justin Fields under center, the Jets will become intrigued with the dual-threat star ability at quarterback that Sellers possesses.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans– T.J. Parker, ED, Clemson
The Titans get their edge of the future with the selection of Clemson’s T.J. Parker. Ranked by PFF as the top edge rusher in college football, Parker’s powerful bull rush will give the Titans their most talented edge rusher since the days of Jevon Kearse. Yes, Parker can be that good.
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No. 5: New York Giants – Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
The intrigue here will be Caleb Downs for the New York Giants, but they will go with the best offensive lineman available in Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. At 6-foot-7, 369 pounds, Proctor’s huge frame and pure power instantly improves the Giants’ offensive line as they will be able to plug him in as the right tackle initially and keep Marcus Mbow and Evan Neal at the guard position.