We’re over a month into both the NFL and college football seasons, so now is a great time to go back and reevaluate what the upcoming 2026 draft class could look like. This far out, specific prospect-to-team fits are difficult to project, but we’ve seen enough through the opening weeks of the season to begin to paint a picture of what different teams are missing.

This mock is much more of a “what I would do” mock than one that’s based on what I think will happen, as are all mocks made this time of year. However, I did include a few players I’m a little lower on but are still considered near-first-round-locks by most in the industry.

A lot is sure to change between now and the end of the college season, let alone the pre-draft circuit, but here’s where things stand as of now. Draft order per Tankathon’s projections, prior to Week 5’s results.

1 — New Orleans Saints: Miami ED Rueben Bain Jr.

I’ve had Bain going No. 1 overall all summer, and he’s exploded through the first month of the season. With a huge frame and a technical refinement that belies his age, Bain is not only one of the best pass-rushing prospects we’ve seen in years, he’s one of the best run defenders at the position, too. The power Bain plays with is immense and he has the speed and agility to pay it off with a dizzying array of moves. I don’t think there’s a quarterback worthy of this pick, and in that case, Bain is the unquestioned choice here.

2 — New York Jets: Clemson DT Peter Woods

Clemson has easily been the most disappointing team in college football this season. With that, many assume that their defensive stars must be struggling, but nothing could be further from the truth. It may not show up in the box score — Woods has yet to record a sack on the season — but when you turn on the tape, he’s just as disruptive as he was a year ago. He got off to a slow start, but over the last two games, he’s been an absolute force in the backfield. His run defense has stayed steady this whole time, and now he’s starting to turn his flashes of greatness into consistent pressure on the quarterback. The Jets have been looking for a running mate for DT Quinnen Williams for some time, and Woods is more than qualified.

3 — Tennessee Titans: Utah OT Spencer Fano

The Titans badly need to add talent to this offense, and they should start with 2025 No. 1 overall pick QB Cam Ward’s protection. He’s been pressured on almost half his dropbacks so far this season, which is an impossible situation for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. Fano is the clear top tackle in this class, continuing his dominance as a run blocker and beginning to refine his game as a pass blocker, as well. His movement skills and smooth athleticism are enticing, and he keeps his hands and feet well-coordinated. Fano would ideally pair with second-year OT JC Latham to form Tennessee’s bookend tackles of the future.

4 — Miami Dolphins: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson

The league has been blessed with studs at the receiver position coming through the college ranks in recent years, and Tyson is the latest. Tyson suffered a collarbone injury towards the end of last season that caused him to miss the final few games of the season. He’s back with a vengeance, tearing up college football to the tune of 39 receptions for 483 yards and seven touchdowns through five games. It’s been sensational performance after sensational performance for Tyson, and he’s got the frame, skillset and athleticism to be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. 

5 — Cleveland Browns: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa

The Browns need a quarterback, but they can get one with their second first-round pick. First, they need to fix one of the worst tackle situations in the NFL. To that end, Mauigoa is the perfect pick. He’s been arguably the best tackle in college football through the first month of the season, with unreal athleticism paired with a well-studied understanding of the moves defenders will try to beat him with. Mauigoa is excellent at protecting his outside shoulder, using a clean kick slide to hold the edge without overextending and exposing his inside shoulder. In the run game, he’s a mauler, moving people and creating vertical displacement as easily as he can make plays in space.

6 — Baltimore Ravens: Clemson ED T.J. Parker

It hadn’t been a banner start to the year for Parker, who entered the season with consensus All-America hype, but he’s picking up steam. He has two sacks on the season and a 17.3-percent pass rush win rate, a notable jump from the 15.3-percent he produced last season. His technical refinement is among the best in the class, and he’s a major plus as a run defender, as well. Parker’s ability to stack-and-shed in the run game is impressive, and he plays such fundamentally sound football. The Ravens need all the help on defense they can get.

7 — Las Vegas Raiders: Duke QB Darian Mensah

I’m planting a flag here: Mensah is my QB1 as it stands today. We’ll see how the rest of the season plays out, but as many of the expected top quarterback prospects have faltered, Mensah has thrived. Through six games, he has 1,838 passing yards and 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions, and he’s completing almost 70 percent of his passes. Mensah’s tape is littered with high-level NFL throws, and his ability to make jaw-dropping plays out of structure is reminiscent of some of the best quarterback prospects in recent years.

8 — Carolina Panthers: Ohio State S Caleb Downs

The Panthers are the worst team in the NFL at defending the middle of the field, and Downs is an easy fix to that problem. He’s been every bit as good as he was a year ago, with 19 tackles and an interception through four games. In coverage, he’s lockdown, capable of manning the slot or taking zones at safety. He thrives in run support, flying around the field like a missile to blow up plays and make otherworldly tackles. Downs is arguably the safest pick in this draft.

9 — New York Giants: USC WR Makai Lemon

The Giants already have one stud at wide receiver. How about another? Aside from Bain, there might not be a bigger draft winner in college football so far than Lemon. In five games, he has 35 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns, shredding defenses with his combination of speed and control. He makes fantastic catches week after week, running crisp routes and blowing past defenders after the catch. Lemon is a dynamic, versatile weapon who can be an elite playmaker in the NFL.

10 — Houston Texans: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor

There’s some question as to whether Proctor will stick at tackle or slide inside to guard at the NFL level. Either way, Houston needs him. He struggled against the speed of the Florida State defensive line in Week 1, but he’s bounced back since. With a massive frame and bone-crunching power in his hits, Proctor is a people mover up front. When he puts his hands on a defender, he displaces them with ease, and he plays with strong technique in pass protection as well. He’s an NFL starter from Day 1, the only question is his positional landing spot.

11 — Dallas Cowboys: Tennessee ED Joshua Josephs

Josephs’ 2024 tape was excellent, but he played a part-time role on Tennessee’s defense last season. The question I had over the summer was how he’d respond to greater defensive responsibility, and he’s passed that test with flying colors. Josephs has 22 tackles, three sacks, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles on the season with a strong 20.4-percent pass rush win rate. His best game came against the team’s biggest test in Georgia, and he’s holding his own as a run defender too. Josephs’ speed off the edge is the best in the class.

12 — New England Patriots: Washington WR Denzel Boston

Boston is quietly putting together a strong campaign. He has 25 catches for 346 yards and four touchdowns in five games, already taking a noticeable step forward on tape. Boston thrives in contested catch situations with his big frame, but he’s not in them often. I’ve been impressed with his route running this year, and he’s gaining separation against both man and zone coverages. The Patriots need a go-to receiver for second-year QB Drake Maye, and Boston can absolutely be that.

13 — Denver Broncos: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

After flashing immense upside towards the end of last season, Sadiq was a popular sleeper name on many summer boards, my own included. While he hasn’t quite had the monster breakout that some expected, he’s showcasing everything NFL teams want to see. With 15 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns in five games, we knew Sadiq is a dynamic receiving threat. He’s an athletic mismatch and can line up all over the formation, with a versatile route tree and impressive production after the catch. Where he’s shown the biggest improvement is as a blocker, and his growing abilities there have made him a steady riser.

14 — Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

McCoy hasn’t played yet this year due to a torn ACL suffered in January. We should see him soon, however, as Tennessee HC Josh Heupel said that he’s returned to practice and they’re ramping him up in return-to-play protocols. McCoy was stellar last season for the Volunteers, and the Rams need a bigger corner who can match up with some of the athletic freaks the league deploys at wide receiver. McCoy would give him that, and he’s a guy you can trust in one-on-one coverage — provided he’s able to return to his old form over the course of the season.

15 — Chicago Bears: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

The Bears don’t have much of a run game at the moment, and it’s time for them to get an upgrade at running back. Love is a dynamic offensive weapon who can line up across the formation, run routes against cornerbacks and destroy teams on the ground from the backfield. On the season, he has 444 rushing yards and six touchdowns to go with 14 catches for 160 yards and another three scores.

16 — Washington Commanders: Auburn ED Keldric Faulk

Faulk’s production doesn’t jump off the page, but he’s a coach’s dream. He’s a big-bodied edge rusher with an intense power profile, and he can play all over the defensive line. Winning the edge with speed isn’t his game, but he can go through blockers, and he knows how to hand-fight to win at the line of scrimmage. His best work comes in run defense, however, and his presence alters how offenses have to plan their rushing attacks. On the season, Faulk has 10 tackles, two sacks and three passes defensed.

17 — Arizona Cardinals: LSU CB Mansoor Delane

Maybe it’s just the injuries, but the Cardinals still feel like they’re one corner away. Delane has been a standout through five games, with 20 tackles, an interception and four passes defensed. He’s equally comfortable in press-man or deep zones and has the speed and movement skills to mirror any receiver. His awareness in zone coverage lets him drop like a safety, and though he’s a hair undersized, he holds up well against bigger receivers one-on-one.

18 — Minnesota Vikings: Penn State CB A.J. Harris

Cornerbacks like Harris don’t just grow on trees. While he only has 14 tackles, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery on the season, the truth is he hasn’t been targeted much. If you’re looking for a one-on-one, lockdown man cover corner, Harris is your guy. He’s athletic and long, able to disrupt receivers off the line and stay sticky with them through their routes. Harris is the perfect fit in Vikings DC Brian Flores’ scheme.

19 — Cincinnati Bengals: Iowa OT Gennings Dunker

Dunker plays right tackle at Iowa but he’s a guard in the NFL. The Bengals’ offensive line has been historically bad so far this year, so bad that they just need to take the best lineman available. That would be Dunker, who’s a mauler in the run game with plus athleticism to make plays on the move. He’d immediately upgrade Cincinnati’s league-worst run game and, at guard, projects to be a good pass protector as well.

20 — Kansas City Chiefs: Florida DT Caleb Banks

Banks has only played in one game so far for the Gators this season. He played 27 snaps in Week 3 against LSU, generating one pressure on 17 pass rush reps. When healthy, however, Banks has serious pass-rush upside. Quickness in his lower half is what impresses me most about Banks, and he’s a big body with nimble feet who can knife into the backfield to make plays.

21 — Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Iowa State DT Domonique Orange

The Cowboys addressed their pass rush with their first pick, so now let’s go back to the well and get them a run-stuffer in the middle. Orange, or “Big Citrus,” is a huge nose tackle who can plug up holes, man double-teams and stuff runs to his side of the line. With 10 tackles on the season, he doesn’t always make the plays himself, but he frees up others to do so. For his size, he’s surprisingly quick and he plays with good hands. This lets him make plays in the backfield and he can produce as a pass rusher, with eight pressures on the season.

22 — Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Oregon QB Dante Moore

I think Moore is going to go higher than people expect. He’s a big-bodied pocket passer who can make every throw in the book. On the season, he has 1,210 passing yards and 14 touchdowns to just one interception, and he’s completing almost 75 percent of his passes. He’s not just a product of his environment, either — he has a big-time throw rate of 7 percent and a turnover-worthy play rate of just 1.3 percent. Moore makes smart decisions with the football without playing conservatively, and he has all the tools an NFL team could want in a franchise passer.

23 — Seattle Seahawks: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

The Seahawks struck gold picking an Ohio State wide receiver in this range a few years ago, so why not go back to the well? Tate’s been productive this season, with 24 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns in five games, and his tape is stellar. He’s a big-bodied receiver who runs great routes and has strong, natural hands at the catch point. Tate generates consistent separation and wins in contested situations when faced with them. Plus, he’s a great blocker on the perimeter, too. He’d be a great fit in the Seattle system.

24 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Texas A&M ED Cashius Howell

Howell was the most productive pass rusher on the Aggies’ vaunted defensive line last season, and he’s picking up right where he left off. He has 13 tackles, seven sacks and two passes defensed on the year with a 22.3-percent pass rush win rate. Howell can get after the quarterback, and the Bucs could use some more pass rush production long-term. Now, Howell’s run defense is a little more up and down, and you’d like to see him be more consistent. But few players can get after the quarterback the way he can.

25 — Indianapolis Colts: Texas CB Malik Muhammad

A physical corner with 10 tackles and two passes defensed on the year, Muhammad has all the tools to be a No. 1 corner in the NFL. He’s long and athletic, with easy movement skills and quick hips to stay sticky in man coverage. At Texas, he plays a lot of press, but he’s equally effective in zone coverage. When he can play with the ball in front of him, he makes smart reads and is rarely fooled by the quarterback. He’s not afraid to mix it up in run support, either. Muhammad has allowed just four catches on the year.

26 — Pittsburgh Steelers: Oklahoma QB John Mateer

Mateer is an interesting evaluation, and I think opinions on him will be split. He’s fearless with the football, ripping into tight windows and sometimes getting himself into trouble. When in rhythm, he makes fast reads and can move the ball effectively in the quick game. But he also thrives on the run and out of structure, creating consistently with his legs. Mateer is totally at ease making off-platform, on-the-run throws to create big plays. On the season, he has 1,215 passing yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions, completing 67.4 percent of his passes. He also has 190 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

27 — San Francisco 49ers: Texas Tech ED David Bailey

As far as designated pass rusher types go, Bailey is the best in this class. He has 11 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble on the season, with a 26.3-percent pass rush win rate. Bailey isn’t small by any means and he’s not a negative against the run, but he’s a speed rusher through and through. He’s done well adding counters to his game this year, as he can now punish tackles for oversetting when attempting to account for his pure speed off the edge.

28 — Detroit Lions: Auburn C Connor Lew

The Lions need a long-term center, and Lew is the best in this class. Big, athletic and smooth, Lew is a stalwart in pass protection. He walls off defenders as well as anyone, using his strong hands to disrupt pass rushers at the point of attack, and he has quick feet to recover when initially beaten. I wouldn’t call Lew a people mover in the run game, but he’s effective. He’s ideally suited to an outside zone or counter scheme that would get him on the move and in space.

29 — Los Angeles Chargers: Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.

An old-school thumper of a linebacker, Hill flies around the defense with incredible range. He can shut off the water on the offense sideline to sideline, making an impact in run defense with smart run fits and a sure tackling form. On the season, he has 17 tackles and two forced fumbles. While Hill struggles a bit more when asked to cover one-on-one, he’s a quality underneath zone defender, and he has the movement skills to work up the seam or retreat quickly to gain depth off the snap.

30 — Los Angeles Rams: USC QB Jayden Maiava

Maiava is another quarterback prospect I don’t think enough people are talking about. A transfer from UNLV, he’s a big-bodied quarterback with a huge arm and decent mobility. With a 7.4-percent big-time throw rate to just a 2.6-percent turnover-worthy play rate, Maiava pushes the ball downfield and creates big plays without sacrificing turnovers. He has 1,587 passing yards and 11 touchdowns to one interception, and added four touchdowns on the ground in five games. Maiava is built like a prototypical NFL quarterback and this season, he’s showcasing some refined quarterbacking skills. I see him as a surefire first-round prospect.

31 — Buffalo Bills: Illinois CB Xavier Scott

Scott will unfortunately miss most of the rest of the 2025 season with a lower leg injury he sustained in Illinois’ Week 3 win against Western Michigan. But he continued to build on last season’s success over the first few weeks of the year. With 6 tackles and two passes defensed in two and a half games, Scott plays all over the defense, taking reps at safety, in the slot and in the box. He can rush the passer, blanket receivers one-on-one, or patrol the back end as a safety. Scott is a versatile defensive weapon that can immediately upgrade several positions.

32 — Philadelphia Eagles: Alabama ED LT Overton

A jumbo edge rusher who can also play inside, Overton is a powerful presence on the defensive line. The highlights he puts out would make you think he’s a top 10 pick, but he has just 12 tackles and two sacks on the season. While Overton has never been able to put it all together consistently, he’s a quality run defender and people mover on the defensive line who’s good for a few unreal pass rush reps each game. Coaches will want to get their hands on this guy to try and mold him into what he can be, and if he goes to the right spot, it will be scary.