NFL mock draft 2026: New No. 1 pick emerges alongside 6 QBs

We are just two weeks into the 2025 NFL season.

So it is mock draft time, of course.

With ten teams clocking in at 0-2, and those fanbases reaching for the panic button, it is time to dip our toes into the mock draft world. Yes there is a lot of football left to be played, and fortunes will rise and fall, but here is an extremely early look at how the first round could — could — shake out next April.

Note: A word on methodology. The draft order was created using the current Super Bowl odds for each team as currently listed by FanDuel as of Wednesday, September 17. In the case of equal odds, ties were broken in accordance with the NFL rules on determining draft order, starting with strength of schedule. A final tweak to the order was made at the end of the first round, given the fact that right now the Buffalo Bills have the second-best odds of winning the Super Bowl, while the Baltimore Ravens have the best odds according to FanDuel.

Since two AFC teams will not be in the Super Bowl, the Bills were moved to pick No. 30 while the Dallas Cowboys (via the Micah Parsons trade with the Green Bay Packers) were moved to pick No. 31.

In terms of making the picks, Mark Schofield and James Dator rotated making the selections, with Mark on the clock first with the New York Giants.

Without further ado here are the picks, along with some thoughts on a few of the more interesting selections.

If the New York Giants are indeed picking first, then Brian Daboll is likely out of a job along with Joe Schoen. So quarterback could be an option for a new GM/HC tandem, even with the presence of Jaxson Dart. But assuming Dart shows enough when we see him on the field later this season, protecting him will be a top priority for the Giants next season. Spencer Fano has played on both the left and the right side -- and gave up just one sack in 2024 when moving to RT -- and would give the Giants a tremendous tackle option.

This just makes too much sense. The QB ordering is still shaking out, but Nussmeier looks like the top guy now. It’s a position of greatest need, he’s a Louisiana native, an LSU legend, and his dad is the offensive coordinator for the Saints. Put it in stone.

Yes, this one comes with a huge caveat that Arch will enter the draft without being a lock to be a Top 3 pick. Las Vegas represents everything that would take a flier on Manning: The desire to make noise with a big-name player, and the hubris to assume that Pete Carroll and Tom Brady can turn Arch into the QB we thought he’d be.

The flipside of this is that there aren’t many franchises you could see the Manning family trust their progeny with. Brady having so much influence with the Raiders makes this a distinct possibility over other struggling organizations.

New England did a solid job adding around Drake Maye this past offseason, but they still need to improve the pass catchers around him. Tight end is an option here as well, with Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq a player to watch, but Tyson gives that WR room a boost.

That sound you hear is Patriots fans shuddering at an Arizona State WR …

This just screams Jerry Jones. But it would be a tremendous pick for Dallas.

The tight end is a huge part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, as well as Brock Purdy’s success. As amazing as George Kittle is, he’s just become too injury prone to build around.

Let’s have some fun. With Matthew Stafford’s age and back, adding a quarterback seems like a priority for the Rams. While the value was not there earlier in the round, having a pair of first-round picks gives Les Sneed some options. And John Mateer paired with Sean McVay is one heck of an option.

Jack Campbell and C.J. Allen is one tremendous linebacker pairing. And with Alex Anzalone entering a void year in 2026, finding a replacement might be on the to-do list this upcoming offseason.

Keon Coleman is developing into a nice young receiver, but this team still needs more weapons for Josh Allen. Lemon represents the small, YAC speedster this team has been lacking.

Do the Ravens need another linebacker? No. Do they need much of anything? Also, no. The Ravens are gonna Raven and work the board to perfection and get the best falling player in the class instead of reaching for a position of need.