Jordan ReidOct 15, 2025, 06:20 AM ETCloseJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on X
play0:31Horton’s 16-yard TD catch puts Alabama on topTy Simpson connects with Isaiah Horton for a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama the lead.
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Horton’s 16-yard TD catch puts Alabama on topTy Simpson connects with Isaiah Horton for a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama the lead.
play6:00Jeremiyah Love’s StoryJeremiyah Love’s success has come from truly embracing who he is.
The 2025 college football season has fully entered conference play, and we’re exactly one-third of the way through the 2025 NFL season. That means it’s a perfect time to take a look at the 2026 NFL draft and forecast the first 32 picks.
Keep in mind that there’s plenty of time between now and the start of the draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh. Beyond multiple months of football still ahead, some players could decide to head back to school, while others could surprisingly declare early. We also have predraft events such as all-star games and the combine, which will shake up boards. And every team’s needs will continue evolving as they move toward the upcoming offseason.
Our draft order for this mock draft is based on the standings as of today. Three teams have multiple picks: the Rams (from the Falcons), the Browns (from the Jaguars) and the Cowboys (from the Packers).
Here are my projections for all 32 first-round picks in 2026, starting with the Jets looking for another quarterback. (Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.)
The Titans took care of the quarterback need in the 2025 draft by picking Cam Ward, but they still have a ton of needs around him and on the other side of the ball in 2026. Edge rusher is near the top of the list, and the 6-6, 270-pound Faulk is an NFL-ready run defender who continues to show flashes as a pass rusher. He has two sacks this season and had seven as a sophomore in 2024. Tennessee, which will be bringing in a new coach in the offseason, has to find some difference-makers.
With Jonah Williams scheduled to become a free agent after the season, the Cardinals need to find a young, long-term solution at right tackle. Fano is a punishing run blocker who generates movement with ease. He has allowed only two pressures all season and is an extremely effective, quick-footed pass protector who can mirror edge rushers. Fano and Paris Johnson Jr. could serve as a talented pair of bookends for that Arizona line.
The Bengals could address their offensive line here, but Woods would provide a penetrating presence in the middle of the defense, too. Cincinnati took edge rusher Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 draft, and Woods could pair with him as a difference-maker on the inside as the Bengals build toward the future. Woods has only 0.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss this season, but his high-end traits should translate into an impact player at the next level.
The Texans’ offensive line issues are well-documented, and they need a talent infusion. Mauigoa is a strong, dependable protector, but there are varying opinions on where he’ll play in the NFL. Some scouts think he’s best suited as a guard, but others peg him as a true right tackle, where his 0.7% pressures allowed percentage ranks seventh in the FBS. Houston needs help across the front, though, so Mauigoa would provide a boost no matter where he plays.
Bailey has been a force off the edge this season, and he leads the FBS with a 24.6% pressure rate to go along with 8.5 sacks, which are tied for first. He is a constant disruptor who can win with speed or power. And with Micah Parsons now in Green Bay, the Cowboys need a potent pass-rushing presence outside, which Bailey could provide. Dallas’ 11 sacks are tied for 22nd in the NFL, and that defense is giving up 6.2 yards per play, which ranks 30th.
Delane is the best cornerback in the 2026 draft and would fit well with a Panthers secondary that allows opposing quarterbacks a QBR of 63.7, sixth-worst in the NFL. Delane has excelled since transferring from Virginia Tech; opponents are completing just 24.0% of their passes into his coverage this season, sixth best in the FBS. He can mirror and match receivers in man coverage, and his awareness of passing concepts also makes him effective in zone coverage.
Jeremiyah Love’s StoryJeremiyah Love’s success has come from truly embracing who he is.
Jeremiyah Love’s success has come from truly embracing who he is.
A pass-catching tight end is near the top of the Commanders’ needs, with Zach Ertz turning 35 next month and on an expiring contract. Sadiq would be an appealing successor, providing Jayden Daniels with versatility in the passing game and serving as a dependable run blocker. Sadiq is young — he doesn’t turn 21 until March — but he has continued to improve in his first season as a starter. He has three TDs this season.
The Vikings have been better at cornerback than expected, with Byron Murphy Jr. and free agent hit Isaiah Rodgers standing out. But they’re still lacking long-term solutions on the outside. Terrell — the younger brother of veteran Falcons corner A.J. Terrell Jr. — is a tough prospect with an ability to make plays on the ball. He would be a welcome addition to Brian Flores’ defense. Terrell has 24 pass breakups and three interceptions over three seasons.
The Bears have struggled to generate a pass rush this season, as their team pass rush win rate of 28.2% is 30th in the NFL. They need impactful rushers off the edge, and Parker is a power-based rusher with strong hands and a good initial burst. He has also been productive, with 18.5 career sacks — including 11 in 2024.
While Warren McClendon Jr. has been serviceable at right tackle the past two weeks in place of Rob Havenstein, the Rams need a long-term blocker. Havenstein is 33, he is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, and his health is a question mark. Meanwhile, Lomu is effective in space, and his movement skills fit the Rams’ zone-blocking scheme well.
A run-and-chase linebacker, Allen is a quick mover at the second level and fills gaps with great physicality. He has an advanced feel for reading and reacting, and he is showing improvement in pass defense. That makes him not only one of the top linebackers in this class but also a perfect fit for a Bills defense with two linebackers (Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson) on the other side of 30.
A first-year starter, Washington has climbed boards during the first half of the season. He’s an explosive interior presence who has the power to shock and shed against the run. His hand power also helps him penetrate the backfield as a pass rusher. With Teair Tart set to be a free agent after the season, Washington could pair well with former Oregon teammate Jamaree Caldwell, who Los Angeles took in the third round in 2025.
Even with the emergence of Kayshon Boutte, and free agent signing Stefon Diggs recapturing his pre-injury form, there’s no such thing as too many receivers for quarterback Drake Maye, especially with Diggs turning 32 in November. Lemon is a do-it-all target who can play the slot and outside. He’s highly productive (44 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns this season), and his body control and catch radius help him make miraculous catches look routine.
McCoy has yet to play after suffering a torn ACL while training in January. The timeline for his return is still uncertain. But McCoy picked off four passes last season before the injury, and the Rams could use help at cornerback. They’ve gotten by with retreads at corner such as 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr., but McCoy is a potential shutdown option on the outside once he returns to full health, something they haven’t had since Jalen Ramsey in 2022.
This team-prospect pairing makes too much sense. Tate is one of the most polished receiver prospects in this class, with dependable hands and the route-running ability of an experienced NFL veteran. His type of play can translate right away into the Browns’ offense, which could use more pass catchers alongside Jerry Jeudy. Tate is the next man up in the Ohio State receiver pipeline to the NFL, and he’d be a good fit with Dante Moore, whom we slotted to Cleveland at No. 3.
Hill is a versatile playmaker who is capable of playing the edge along with the second level, where the Seahawks have lacked consistency this season. Even though Hill has zero sacks in 2025, he combined for 13 sacks in his first two college seasons. Off-ball linebacker Drake Thomas will be a restricted free agent in 2026, while edge Boye Mafe is an unrestricted free agent. Hill has the physical profile that coach Mike Macdonald covets and can be used in a variety of spots in Seattle’s scheme.
Banks was viewed as a potential top-15 pick entering the season, but he suffered a foot injury in the preseason that has limited him to one game after he reaggravated it, requiring surgical repair. Banks had 4.5 sacks in 2024 and would represent great value for the Cowboys, who are rebuilding a defense that is last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (411.7) and 31st in points allowed per game (30.7).
Ty Simpson connects with Isaiah Horton for a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama the lead.
Wilson has shined since transferring from Georgia in the offseason, as his 19.8% edge pressure percentage is sixth best in the FBS. Wilson is tied for 10th in the country with 5.5 sacks after a two-sack performance this past weekend against Alabama. He has surged near the top of a deep edge class, and with Kwity Paye set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, Wilson could be a nice fit in Indianapolis.