The spectacle of Shedeur Sanders’ dive down draft boards felt more like a shove to many, than a free fall.
I don’t believe it was collusion. Anyone who has been commissioner in their fantasy football league can tell you it’s impossible to get a dozen people to agree on one thing, let alone 32 billionaires.
No, Sanders’ journey to the fifth round took a perfect storm, the likes of which we haven’t witnessed since George Clooney donned Batman’s cowl, Arnold Schwarzenegger played “Mr. Freeze” and director Joel Schumacher added nipples to the Caped Crusader’s suit.
Yeah, I know Clooney starred in an actual film called “The Perfect Storm,” but I’m still traumatized by “Batman & Robin.”
I had Sanders as No. 27 on my final top 100 big board before the draft, and felt he’d be a solid value anywhere between picks 25 and 40 overall. Most NFL draft analysts agreed he was either a borderline first-rounder or second round pick. Mel Kiper Jr., the Godfather of the NFL draft, had him as the fifth-best player in the draft.
Time will tell, but Sanders’ good, not great, prospect profile, a limited amount of teams who needed a quarterback, his off-the-field persona and the media circus he invites is what led to him being available with the 144th overall pick.
Such is life with the “Annual Player Selection Meeting.”
The NFL has morphed into the best reality show on television, with the draft operating as its reunion episodes and a reminder of why we stay glued to various screens during football season (on top of gambling).
My process begins 18 months out, and my watchlist currently stands at 99 players for next year. It’ll balloon to well over 200 by December.
Before I close the book on my 2024-2025 draft cycle, I couldn’t possibly leave you without at least a glimpse of the college football season and the best players we’ll all be obsessing over before the 2026 version, which will be held in Pittsburgh.
Obviously, a way-too-early mock draft isn’t about accuracy, although, 20 of the 32 players I included last year were drafted in the first three rounds last week, including 14 in the first round. All in all, 26 of 28 players who entered the draft were taken, with four prospects returning to school.
Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad signed as a priority free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a sexual assault allegation a couple weeks before the draft kept wide receiver Isaiah Bond from being chosen. The league is currently in “wait and see” mode, and if he’s proven innocent, Bond will have plenty of suitors.
This is also an attempt to match NFL teams with residual needs. Last year’s version paired 11 teams with the actual position they ended up selecting last week on night one of the draft.
Still, this exercise is more impactful if you consider it less Nostradamus, and more Farmer’s Almanac.
This year’s draft order is based on DraftKings’ Super Bowl LX futures. (Las Vegas hates your team, I do not.)
Here’s the first round of my way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft:
FIRST ROUND
1. New Orleans — Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Second-round pick Tyler Shough’s first season would have to compare favorably to the rookie campaigns of Jayden Daniels, C.J. Stroud or even Brock Purdy for the Saints to on Manning if he were available. I’d put those odds at 50/50 even if Peyton and Eli’s nephew wins the Heisman Trophy in his first year as a starter. He’s not hurting for money, both uncles stayed through their senior seasons at their respective colleges, and both were selected first overall. Interestingly enough, New Orleans hasn’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since Arch’s grandfather, Archie, in 1971. Also, the Saints have a connection to another QB prospect in this class who could potentially end up being drafted in the first round: LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. His father, Doug, is currently Kellen Moore’s offensive coordinator.
2. Cleveland — Drew Allar, QB, Penn St.
Perhaps either Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel are the Browns ticket out of QB purgatory, or it could be Allar. The Ohio native features prototypical size (6-foot-5, 238 pounds), ample arm talent and mostly wins from the pocket. He chose to return to school despite likely being a top-10 selection this year.
3. N.Y. Jets — LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
If Justin Fields doesn’t pan out, only Manning’s pedigree rivals the upside of Sellers. The SEC Freshman of the Year produced 2,534 ing yards, 18 touchdown es against only seven interceptions, 674 rushing yards and another seven TDs with his legs as a 19-year-old. He has the size (6-3, 242) and natural ability NFL teams seek in a modern QB.
4. Tennessee — T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Parker had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles as a sophomore for the Tigers. His bull rush is devastating and he’s already a solid run defender.
5. N.Y. Giants — Francis Mauigoa, T, Miami
Starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor will be a free agent after this season. Mauigoa has started at right tackle for the Hurricanes since he was a true freshman in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, the former five-star recruit was the only tackle in the FBS with two or fewer knockdowns allowed on 500-plus snaps as a -blocker last season.
6. Carolina — Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama
Right tackle Taylor Moton will be a free agent next offseason and turns 31 in August. Proctor took his lumps starting for the Crimson Tide as a true freshman in 2023, but he showed legit improvement down the stretch and that carried over to his sophomore year. He’s surprisingly agile considering his massive frame (6-7, 369), and could challenge to be the first non-QB off the board.
7. Indianapolis — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
If the Colts end up picking this high next year, they’ll likely have a new general manager, head coach and need a new QB. Until then, I’ll give them benefit of the doubt, and the best all-around defensive back in the class. Downs, who transferred from Alabama last offseason, could thrive at free safety, in the box or as a slot corner. He’s also a dynamic punt returner.
8. Las Vegas — Spencer Fano, T, Utah
Kolton Miller turns 30 in October, has made it clear he wants an extension, and likely a raise. Fano features athleticism and is a dominant run blocker. His 93.6 PFF run-blocking grade was the best in the nation by over three points last season as a true sophomore.
9. L.A. Rams from Atlanta — Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Matthew Stafford can’t play forever. Klubnik showed legitimate growth as a junior after struggling mightily his sophomore season. Only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders threw more TD es. He had 36 against only six interceptions, and was fifth among all QBs with 28 big-time throws, according to PFF.
10. Cleveland from Jacksonville — Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
The 6-foot, 190-pound Muhammad wins with quick feet and instincts. His 11 es defensed tied for the 15th most in the FBS last season. The next step is creating more takeaways (he only has one interception in two seasons).
11. Miami — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Dolphins are still evaluating the market for Jalen Ramsey, but I imagine they’re just waiting until June 1st, where they could clear an additional $10 million in cap space by dealing the All-Pro. McCoy earned first-team All-SEC recognition last season with four interceptions for the Vols after transferring from Oregon State.
12. Dallas — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.
The Cowboys ed on taking a wide receiver this year, but they still need a complement to CeeDee Lamb. The 6-foot-3, 191 pound Tate produced 733 yards and four TDs on 52 receptions while serving as the Buckeyes’ No. 3 receiver last season.
13. Arizona — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.
The Colorado transfer erupted in the second half of last year, producing 732 yards in the Sun Devils’ final six games of the regular season, which led the nation over that span. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Big 12 title game and College Football Playoff quarterfinal, which Arizona State lost in double overtime to Texas.
14. New England — Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida St.
The 6-5, 330-pound nose tackle sat out most of the 2023 season after transferring from Miami, but he established himself as a disruptor from the interior in his first full season with the Seminoles.
15. Seattle — Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Faulk was a first-team All-SEC Freshman honoree in 2023 before taking a major step forward as a rusher, going from one sack to leading the Tigers with seven. He was already a promising edge setter at 6-6, 288 pounds.
16. Houston — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Sheldon Rankins, Tim Settle and Denico Autry are all facing free agency after next season. Woods could end up in the top 5 next year. Over his first two seasons, he’s both the highest-graded and most valuable returning Power Four defensive tackle, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. This after playing out of position as an edge defender for most of his sophomore year.
17. Pittsburgh — Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona St.
I’m not sure we end up with five QBs in the first round next year, but at first glance, I can say with absolute confidence, this class is better than the one we just had, even if Manning ends up staying in school. After spending one year at Michigan State, Leavitt helped lead the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and a berth in the CFP after back-to-back 3-9 seasons. The redshirt freshman was ninth in the nation in QBR (80.0) and fifth among Power Four QBs in forced missed tackles (34) on the ground.
18. Chicago — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens will all be free agents next year. Thieneman earned third-team All-American recognition as a true freshman in 2023 after setting Purdue freshman records for interceptions (six) and solo tackles (74). He transferred to Eugene this spring, where I’m sure head coach Dan Lenning will have fun incorporating one of college football’s top athletes and best center fielders into his defense.
19. Minnesota — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Bain finished with 7½ sacks and three forced fumbles as a true freshman, earning third-team All-ACC in 2023. A calf injury hampered him last year, but his 73 pressures the last two seasons are third among returning Power Four edge rushers.
20. L.A. Chargers — LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
Edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree, and defensive tackles Da’Shawn Hand, Teair Tart and Otito Ogbonnia are all facing free agency next year. Overton spent two years at Texas A&M before ing the Crimson Tide last offseason. He features inside-outside versatility (6-5, 283) as both an ascending rusher and an already stout run defender.
21. Denver — Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
If Courtland Sutton leaves in free agency, Harbor would be a suitable replacement. In two decades, he’s the only player to top Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” in back-to-back years. Despite being as big (6-5, 235) as some edge rushers, he ran a 10.1 in the 100 meters and 20.2 in the 200 meters for the Gamecocks’ track team. It’s going to be glorious if he ever fully figures it out on the football field.
22. Tampa Bay — Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Buccaneers are still lacking an heir apparent for Lavonte David at linebacker after ing on Jihaad Campbell in favor of wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Hill earned first-team All-American recognition after producing 113 total tackles (17 tackles for loss), eight sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception as a true sophomore.
23. L.A. Rams — Isaiah World, T, Oregon
World, a San Diego native and product of Lincoln High School, ed the Ducks this spring after spending four years at Nevada. The 6-foot-8, 312-pound tackle is an agile protector who has improved every single season. He could go much higher than this if he continues to add strength and can handle Big Ten competition.
24. Green Bay — Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell could follow in his brother A.J.’s footsteps as a first-round cornerback from the Tigers. He’s a much better run defender than his brother, despite being a bit undersized (5-11, 180). His route-recognition and ball skills helped him earn second-team All-ACC honors last season.
25. San Francisco — Charles Jagusah, OL, Notre Dame
Jagusah was in line to be the Fighting Irish’s starting left tackle as a redshirt freshman before he tore his right pectoral muscle in training camp last season. He returned from injury against Penn State in the CFP semifinals where he entered the game at right guard. He then started at left tackle in the national title game. The former four-star recruit is an underrated athlete with prototypical size (6-7, 330).
26. Cincinnati — Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn St.
Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation is still up in the air, meaning edge rusher could be a position of need for the Bengals again next year despite drafting Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick. Dennis-Sutton features prototypical size (6-5, 272), athleticism, and produced 8½ sacks with 15 tackles for loss last season. He was almost unstoppable against Notre Dame in the CFP semifinals — six tackles, two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
27. Washington — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, currently the top 3 running backs on the Commanders’ depth chart, are all facing free agency after next season. Love features home run capabilities and averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, third among Power Four running backs, while producing a 38% forced missed tackle rate, which ranked second.
28. Detroit — Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Miller stepped up in a big way as part of the Bulldogs’ rotation last year, but he’ll have a prominent role next season with Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Will Brinson all in the NFL.
29. Kansas City — Nick Singleton, RB, Penn St.
Just like the Commanders, the top 3 running backs on the Chiefs’ depth chart are all facing free agency after next season. Singleton is a true workhorse back with breakaway speed, and has developed into a solid receiver out of the backfield in his three years with the Nittany Lions.
30. Baltimore — Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks surprised every one by returning to Gainesville for his senior season. The Louisville transfer features the size (6-6, 325), length and explosive traits NFL defensive coordinators covet and QBs usually lose sleep over.
31. Buffalo — Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
Perkins isn’t big enough (6-1, 210) to play at the line of scrimmage all the time in the pros, but he does a lot of the same things that got teams excited about Jalon Walker this year. He tied for the team lead with 14 tackles for loss and had 10½ sacks despite only starting eight games last season.
32. Philadelphia — Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
It doesn’t appear as if Dallas Goedert is a part of the Eagles’ long-term plans with this being the final year of his contract. Delp features prototypical size (6-5, 245), movement ability, and alignment-versatility.
