The last week of the college football regular season is here, with rivalry weekend kicking off across the country. For some prospects, this will be their final chance to put tape out there for scouts, while others are just starting the most important stretch of their seasons with the College Football Playoff upcoming.
With that, I have my sixth 2026 mock draft for you all. I included a few players I haven’t yet discussed in this one to highlight some other top prospects. We’re sure to see some crazy risers in the coming months, too. It feels like the first round is less settled than it’s been in years.
1 — Tennessee Titans: Miami ED Reuben Bain Jr.
This is the best-case scenario for the Titans. Last season, they took QB Cam Ward No. 1 overall to be the future of their offense, and now they get a defensive cornerstone to build around. Bain is one of the best edge rusher prospects we’ve seen in years, with elite strength at the point of attack and an advanced pass rush plan. He doesn’t necessarily have the prototypical frame or dimensions, but neither did Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. Like Anderson, Bain has to tools to dominate, even if they’re unorthodox.
2 — New York Giants: Ohio State LB Arvell Reese
Reese is a phenomenal off-ball linebacker prospect, but he might be even better as a pass rusher. He’s got the size to hold up on the edge in the NFL already and some of his pass rush reps are reminiscent of the league’s best. This would add to New York’s logjam at edge rusher, but at some point, you just take the best player on the board and figure it out later.
3 — New Orleans Saints: Clemson DT Peter Woods
Woods is still learning to be consistent down-to-down, but his best reps make him look like a game-wrecker on the interior. His athleticism is otherworldly and NFL coaches will be falling over themselves to coach up his tools. The Saints need to rebuild from the ground up.
4 — New York Jets: Oregon QB Dante Moore
Moore has been rumored to be returning to school next year for a while, but that may be premature. He’s QB1 or QB2 on most boards, and after guys like Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier hurt their stock significantly by returning to school this year, Moore may decide to make the jump as a projected top 10 pick.
5 — Las Vegas Raiders: Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Simpson isn’t the most accurate quarterback, nor does he have the strongest arm. But he has executed Bama’s offense at an extremely high level in just his first year as a starter, and displays a lot of traits that translate to the NFL game.
6 — Cleveland Browns: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Regardless of what the Browns do at quarterback, they need to upgrade the league’s worst receiving corps. Tyson is the top receiver in this class. He can beat press coverage on the outside and has sharp route-running skills to create separation at all three levels of the field.
7 — Washington Commanders: Ohio State S Caleb Downs
Downs is as close to a sure bet as you can have in the draft. He changes the math in run defense with his ability to fly up from his safety spot and erase running lanes. When Downs plays downhill, he’s unstoppable. It’s rare to see a safety go this high, but this class is a little shallow when it comes to top-end talent, which could benefit Downs.
8 — Cincinnati Bengals: Auburn ED Keldric Faulk
If you want an edge-setter in the run game, look no further than Faulk. He’s still learning to use his athleticism in his pass rush, but the flashes of potential are certainly there. Listed at 6-6 and 285 pounds, he’s built in the same mold as former high picks like Jaguars ED Travon Walker and Georgia ED Mykel Williams.
9 — Arizona Cardinals: Utah OT Spencer Fano
Fano’s movement ability at his size gives him immense upside. With mammoth strength and rare fluidity in space, he’s a road-grader in the run game and has a high ceiling in pass protection. This would give Arizona a bookend to LT Paris Johnson who’s been settling into his own this year.
10 — Miami Dolphins: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
There isn’t a better catcher of the football in this class. Tate’s body control at the catch point is unreal and he makes highlight-reel receptions every week. Pair that with sound route running and disciplined footwork, and you have a worthy top 10 pick.
11 — Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): USC QB Jayden Maiava
Maiava is my QB1 as it stands, but he’s getting significantly less buzz than some of his counterparts. I love his ability to attack the middle of the field and layer passes from different throwing platforms and arm angles. He’s not really a runner, but he can make plays on the move. He won’t slip through the cracks for a local team like the Rams.
12 — Minnesota Vikings: LSU CB Mansoor Delane
Delane is putting together a fantastic season for the Tigers and his versatility will be highly coveted in the league. He can play off zone or press man with equal effectiveness.
13 — Carolina Panthers: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
Mauigoa has the tape to be an NFL tackle and the build to thrive at guard as well. He plays with power and clean footwork, clearing lanes on the move. His punishing, road-grading style is a perfect fit for the Panthers, and should help keep a strength strong even if there’s not an obvious spot in the lineup right away.
14 — Dallas Cowboys: Tennessee ED Joshua Josephs
The best pure speed rusher in this class, Josephs is more than just a one-trick pony. He’s performed well in run defense this season and is adding more moves to his arsenal. He’d help Dallas replace some of the pass rush firepower they lost this offseason.
15 — Kansas City Chiefs: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Everyone outside of Kansas City will hate this, I know, but it’s such a clean fit. The Chiefs haven’t gotten much at all from their running game this year, and Love is a versatile backfield weapon in both phases of the offense. Kansas City desperately needs an explosive element to its backfield and no one does that better than Love in this class.
16 — Pittsburgh Steelers: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza is a tricky evaluation. He doesn’t do many NFL things for Indiana, as the Hoosiers are so talented that he just ends up throwing a lot of screens and RPOs and they win big anyway. But he’s got an NFL frame and arm talent, it’s just a question of how well his skills will translate.
17 — Houston Texans: Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane
Ioane is clearly the top interior offensive lineman in this class. His tape is great in both run blocking and pass protection, and the Texans need an upgrade badly.
18 — Detroit Lions: Texas Tech ED David Bailey
College football’s sack leader, Bailey’s game is so much more diverse now than it was at Stanford last year. He’s an every-down player with a relentless motor and arguably the best bend off the edge in the class.
19 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clemson ED T.J. Parker
Parker is a technician on the defensive line, a stalwart against the run who knows how to manipulate opposing tackles as he rushes the passer. His limited athleticism will likely cap how high he goes, but he’s a safe pick.
20 — Baltimore Ravens: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
McCoy has yet to play this season as he continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered in January, but his 2024 tape is that of a top 10 talent. If he has clean medical evaluations this spring, he’ll likely be a first-round pick even if he never plays a snap for the Volunteers this season. He’s the kind of value the Ravens love to snap up further down the board.
21 — Buffalo Bills: USC WR Makai Lemon
Lemon would give the Bills some dynamism at wide receiver that they just don’t have right now. He’s a vertical threat and after the catch monster who can torch defenses at a moment’s notice.
22 — Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
Proctor plays left tackle for Alabama but he’s a guard at the NFL level. He generates a ton of power off the line and moves quickly for his size (listed at 6-7 and 366 pounds). A move inside will protect him from his weaknesses at tackle where he’s been inconsistent.
23 — San Francisco 49ers: Texas A&M ED Cashius Howell
Howell transferred to the Aggies from Bowling Green last season and didn’t miss a beat. He’s taken his game to a new level this season, powering A&M’s elite defense and performing as one of the nation’s most productive pass rushers. Howell blends physicality and quickness in a way that makes him tough to stop.
24 — Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
A converted safety, Styles’ fluidity and range in coverage could see him go a lot higher than this. He’s the sort of linebacker that every NFL team wants, one who can cover tight ends, backs and slot receivers while still being a positive contributor in the run game.
25 — Los Angeles Chargers: Iowa OT Gennings Dunker
Another college tackle who will play guard in the NFL, Dunker is a fire hydrant who generates serious movement off the line of scrimmage. While his lack of length gets exposed at times, his quick feet make him a great guard prospect. The Chargers need to make sure the offensive line is a permanent strength going forward.
26 — Chicago Bears: Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington
One of my favorite players in this class, Washington just moves differently for a massive nose tackle. He can command double teams and collapse the line of scrimmage just as easily as he can knife into the backfield with surprising agility and quickness. Listed at 6-3 and 320 pounds, Washington should be on an early watch list for Scouting Combine standouts.
27 — Seattle Seahawks: San Diego State CB Chris Johnson
An elite zone corner, Johnson plays with impressive instincts and awareness. He has the best ball production in the class and the versatility to play in a variety of schemes. With several pending free agents at cornerback, the Seahawks should be in the market and will likely find a lot to like about Johnson.
28 — New York Jets (via IND): Texas CB Malik Muhammad
An instinctive corner with size and physicality to his game, Muhammad is as versatile as they come. He can play off coverage or lock someone up in press, and he’s as fundamentally sound as anyone in the class with serious athletic upside. After trading CB Sauce Gardner, corner is a big need for the Jets.
29 — Philadelphia Eagles: Alabama ED LT Overton
Overton just feels like an Eagles player. He’s a jumbo edge rusher who can also play on the interior, and he is a force against the run. While he’s still developing as a pass rusher, he flashes individual plays that few can replicate.
30 — Denver Broncos: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Broncos need a tight end, and Sadiq stands above the rest in this class. At his size, his speed and ability to defeat man coverage make him a matchup nightmare. He wanted to improve as a blocker this season, and he’s showing just that. Broncos HC Sean Payton talked last year about wanting “jokers” on offense and Sadiq fits that mold.
31 — Los Angeles Rams: Tennessee CB Colton Hood
A big corner with a physical playstyle, Hood is effective in both man and zone schemes. His length disrupts receivers at the catch point and he has great instincts when playing his area. With McCoy out, Hood has really stepped up for the Volunteers. If you had to pick a weak spot for the Rams that could bite them, it’s cornerback.
32 — New England Patriots: Washington WR Denzel Boston
A true X receiver at 6-4 and 209 pounds, Boston is a sharp route runner and contested catch demon. He offers a skillset the Patriots don’t really have, and he is fluid after the catch in a way many players his size just aren’t.
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