2026 NFL mock draft: QB class shrinks as desperate teams search for help

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6'3″

/ 275 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

Realistically, the Titans will try their best to move out of the No. 1 spot for a haul of picks. From a player fit perspective, though, Bain feels like the perfect defensive end to pair with Jeffery Simmons on the interior. He's an enforcer who resets the line in the run game and pushes pockets consistently as a pass rusher.

Clemson

• Jr

• 6'3″

/ 310 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

The Giants already have one of the most-feared pass rushes in the NFL, but they have one of the least-feared front sevens against the run. Woods would not only add to the former, but also transform the latter. He is a powerful 3-technique who'd give them the best defensive interior in the NFL with Dexter Lawrence.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6'2″

/ 208 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

2787

RUYDS

78

INTS

2

TDS

24

Simpson continues to be one of the most impressive downfield passers in college football. His ability to find throwing lanes at the intermediate level is second to none this season. He's thrown for 22 scores compared to only two interceptions this year.

Arizona State

• Jr

• 6'2″

/ 200 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

57

REYDS

628

YDS/REC

11

TDS

9

For the Saints, it's only going to get worse before it gets better. Because of that, they may choose to pass on this year's quarterback class to give Tyler Shough a little longer leash at the helm. Giving him a No. 1 receiver like Tyson would transform New Orleans' passing attack with a true every-level route winner.

Indiana

• Jr

• 6'5″

/ 225 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

2641

RUYDS

216

INTS

5

TDS

35

Mendoza has drawn comparisons to Lions quarterback Jared Goff, which would make sense with former Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand being the OC for the Jets. He leads college football with 30 touchdown passes and is averaging 9.4 yards per attempt.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'4″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

1st

Reese is the perfect modern hybrid linebacker to give a defensive coordinator flexibility. He looks just as comfortable rushing the passer as he does dropping deep into coverage. And he's got the body type to easily do both.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'3″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

39

REYDS

711

YDS/REC

18.2

TDS

7

Tate is the vertical threat the Commanders offense has sorely missed with Terry McLaurin sidelined for most of the year. The long, rangy receiver is averaging 18.2 yards per reception while hauling in 84.8% of his targets.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'0″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

1st

The Rams are a nickel-base team through and through. They want as many defensive backs on the field as possible on every play, and Downs is the kind of defender who can keep them strong against the run, even out of those looks.

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6'0″

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

1st

RUYDS

1135

YDS/ATT

6.4

REYDS

274

TDS

17

Obviously the Bengals need help defensively, but they've spent so much draft capital on that side of the ball in recent years that free agency might be where they have to turn to fix things. Adding Love to their room of playmakers gives them a terrifying amount of speed.

Tennessee

• Jr

• 6'5″

/ 200 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

4th

REC

52

REYDS

873

YDS/REC

16.8

TDS

8

Brazzell is a throwback deep threat at 6-foot-5 with exceptional wheels. The Cardinals have really been missing a vertical element to their passing attack this season, so Brazzell's 12 deep catches would be a welcome addition.

Utah

• Jr

• 6'6″

/ 308 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

This one is predicated on Mike McDaniel still being the head coach, as Fano is the perfect fit for his offense. He's an incredibly athletic run blocker who could slot in at either guard or tackle.

Texas Tech

• Sr

• 6'3″

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

5th

Bailey brings back the juice the Cowboys' pass rush lost when they traded away Micah Parsons. He's the most explosive rusher in the draft and leads college football with 71 pressures.

Tennessee

• Jr

• 6'0″

/ 193 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

McCoy has still yet to play a snap of football this year after a January ACL tear, but his sophomore tape was still good enough to keep him as CB1. He can be the island-man corner the Vikings defense has been missing this season.

Auburn

• Jr

• 6'6″

/ 285 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

1st

Faulk has high-end developmental tools, but unrefined tape. He needs to go to a good spot to develop, and Baltimore has as strong a track record in that regard as anyone.

Miami (Fla.)

• Jr

• 6'6″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

If the Chiefs really don't make the playoffs, they'll be looking to revamp the offensive line in front of Patrick Mahomes once again. Mauigoa is the perfect right tackle to replace Jawaan Taylor. He'd form one of the league's best double-team combos with Trey Smith.

Penn State

• Jr

• 6'4″

/ 328 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Ioane isn't the left tackle the Texans need, but he's a high-end pass protector nonetheless, and beggars can't be choosers. He'd be a Day 1 starter at left guard.

Penn State

• Jr

• 6'4″

/ 328 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Panthers have a lot of holes to fill defensively, but none seem more pressing than cornerback. Terrell is a distinctly different type of corner from Jaycee Horn, as the Clemson corner is more capable of handling shiftier, smaller receivers.

Oregon

• Sr

• 6'5″

/ 318 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

4th

The Lions want to keep their offensive line a dominant unit, and this is how you do it. Pregnon is having a standout year after transferring from USC. He's only allowed two pressures all season.

Georgia

• Jr

• 6'1″

/ 235 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Allen is built in a lab to play linebacker for Todd Bowles. He's exceptional coming downhill, as he's one of the best run defenders in college football.

Utah

• Soph

• 6'6″

/ 308 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Lomu has all the traits to be a high-end pass protector in the NFL. He's already been one this year for Utah. He's allowed only six pressures all season.

LSU

• Sr

• 6'0″

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

38th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Delane has been the stingiest corner in college football this season. On 34 targets, he's allowed only 13 catches for 167 yards with two picks and nine pass breakups. He's an immediate upgrade from what the Steelers have.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6'3″

/ 326 lbs

The Chargers' rotation of defensive tackles has been lacking the depth Jim Harbaugh usually prefers. That changes with the addition of McDonald. He's the single best run-defending defensive lineman in the country.

Clemson

• Jr

• 6'3″

/ 260 lbs

Parker has had a disappointing season, but the physical talent is obviously still there. He's a powerful three-down 4-3 defensive end. His addition would provide the 49ers some insurance with Nick Bosa's health and give them a rotation of edge rushers.

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6'5″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

4th

Styles is another infusion of athleticism into the Cowboys' front seven. He's the best sideline-to-sideline linebacker in college football. His ability to cover ground at the second level would be a massive value-add in coverage for the Cowboys.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6'7″

/ 366 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

3rd

Proctor is likely to end up as a guard at the next level, but Ben Johnson's offense is one where he could still play tackle. That's because it's so predicated on the run game, where Proctor is an easy people mover.

Texas A&M

• Jr

• 5'11”

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

45th

POSITION RNK

9th

REC

47

REYDS

787

YDS/REC

16.7

TDS

10

Concepcion is the separator the Bills offense has been missing. He'd add a vertical element as well as the ability to be their go-to guy on third downs. He's caught 47 passes for 787 yards and eight scores this year.

Georgia

• Jr

• 6'4″

/ 310 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

51st

POSITION RNK

4th

Miller is yet another versatile defensive tackle to add to the Seahawks' rotation up front. The Seahawks thrive by stopping the run with their front four, and Miller can do just that. He's got a prototypical 3-4 defensive end body type with long arms to two-gap in the NFL.

USC

• Jr

• 5'11”

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

71

REYDS

1090

YDS/REC

15.4

TDS

10

Lemon is the perfect slot to pair with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell on the outside. He brings a level of reliability the Jets have been desperately missing. He's dropped only three passes on 126 catchable targets over the past two seasons.

Cincinnati

• Sr

• 6'4″

/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Golday is a former edge rusher who's turned into one of the most complete linebackers in college football. He still has that edge size but moves like an undersized linebacker in space.

Northwestern

• Sr

• 6'7″

/ 325 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

63rd

POSITION RNK

4th

Tiernan has been one of the most impressive pass protectors in college football this season with only eight pressures allowed all year. He's a four-year starter who has experience on the right side as well, where he started in 2022.

Oregon

• Jr

• 6'3″

/ 245 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

52nd

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

30

REYDS

407

YDS/REC

13.6

TDS

6

This is consistently one of my favorite fits in the draft for a few reasons. Dallas Goedert turns 31 years old in January and is an impending free agent. Even if he's re-signed, the Eagles still play a good deal of two-tight end sets. Sadiq is the perfect No. 2 tight end with his high-level explosiveness, YAC ability and blocking in space.

Washington

• Jr

• 6'4″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

36th

POSITION RNK

7th

REC

52

REYDS

730

YDS/REC

14

TDS

9

With Bo Nix's spotty accuracy this season, adding another big-bodied wideout with exceptional ball skills is probably a good idea. Boston is exceptional at plucking the ball outside of his frame and would give them a second receiver who can haul in the back-shoulder throws Nix is so good at.

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