2026 NFL Draft: CBS Sports releases new mock featuring new No. 1, Arch Manning falling

The 2025 NFL Draft wrapped up less than a month ago, and already, eyes are on next year’s event. With both the NFL and college football in the midst of their Summer offseason, CBS Sports took the opportunity to take a stab at which NCAA stars could be in the mix to be first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

CBS Sports college football experts Tom Fornelli, Chip Patterson and Ryan Wilson were joined by former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon during a recent episode of the With the First Pick podcast and collaborated on what the first round could look like.

Since the actual draft order won’t be set until after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season, CBS Sports determined the draft order for this way-too-early prediction by reversing FanDuel Sportsbook’s Super Bowl LX odds as of late April.

Check out CBS Sports’ latest way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft:

1. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

While some are already pegging NFL legacy Arch Manning as a sure-fire No. 1 overall pick, CBS Sports went against the grain. Fornelli tabbed the veteran LSU quarterback as the draft’s top-rated QB.

Of course, it’s hardly a guarantee Manning — the grandson of former Saints legend Archie Manning — is even going to enter the 2026 draft after just one season as Texas’ QB1. In this prediction, the Manning lineage doesn’t deter New Orleans from adding the experienced LSU product at No. 1.

2. New York Giants: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

With future franchise QB Jaxson Dart already on the roster, the Giants focus on adding protection around him. Here, they take a massive Crimson Tide offensive tackle at No. 2 overall.

The 6-foot-7, 360-pound Proctor was the top offensive tackle prospect as a recruit and is widely expected to be among the top picks next year. He racked up 54 knockdowns in 639 snaps in 2024.

3. Cleveland Browns: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

After trading back and landing DT Mason Graham in Round 1 last month, CBS Sports has the Browns further strengthening their defensive line in 2026. That comes with the pass-rushing Bain Jr.

With Graham in the middle flanked by veteran Myles Garrett and Bain off the edge would give Cleveland one of the NFL’s most formidable defensive fronts. It would cause havoc for opposing QBs.

4. New York Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas

After the Saints passed on their own legacy QB, the Jets don’t miss out on adding their own Manning at No. 4. That is even with Justin Fields already locked in at quarterback.

In this scenario, Manning follows in his uncle Eli‘s footsteps and takes over the Big Apple as New York’s next big thing. He would immediately replace Fields as the Jets’ QB1.

5. Tennessee Titans: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

The Titans landed their franchise QB when they selected Miami’s Cam Ward at No. 1 overall last month. Here, Tennessee looks to add Ward’s defensive equivalent in Woods.

The physically imposing 6-foot-3, 315-pound Woods would pair quite nicely alongside (or potentially to replace) Jeffery Simmons. He is signed through 2027 but has a potential out after the 2025 season.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Raiders secured their next great running back with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 in the 2025 draft. They could look to strengthen their offensive line a year later with Fano.

The 6-foot-6, 302-pound Fano brings some valuable versatility. He started 11 games at left tackle and 13 at right tackle over his first two seasons with the Utes.

7. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

After passing on adding a pass rusher in Round 1 last month, CBS Sports expects the Panthers to address their defensive deficit. They have the Panthers landing Parker from neighboring Clemson.

The 6-foot-3, 265 edge has created havoc for nearly every offense he’s faced, racking up 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 105 total tackles. That came in 27 career games with the Tigers.

8. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Browns get another Top 10 pick after dealing the No. 2 overall pick last month to the Jaguars to draft CB/WR Travis Hunter. Here, they use it to secure the best safety in college football over the past two years.

Downs was in the mix for nearly every defensive award last season and could be a darkhorse Heisman Trophy contender in 2025. He racked up 189 career tackles and four interceptions his first two years.

9. Indianapolis Colts: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

Indianapolis’ quarterback situation remains in limbo entering the 2025 season. For that, the Colts could be eager to provide more protection for whoever ultimately secures their QB1 job this season.

And that protection comes in the form of 6-foot-6, 315-pound Mauigoa. He has started all 26 games of his college career at right tackle, where he anchored the Hurricanes’ top-ranked offense in 2024.

10. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

The Seahawks shored up the deep part of its secondary with physical specimen Nick Emmanwori in Round 1 last month. Now, they do the same for the middle of Seattle’s defense a year later.

CBS Sports believes the Seahawks will tab the versatile 6-foot-3, 237-pound Hill. He can play both inside and outside after racking up 107 tackles, 16 for loss, and 7.5 sacks for the Longhorns in 2024.

CBS Sports’ way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft, pick Nos. 11-32

11. New England Patriots: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
12. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
13. Miami Dolphins: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
14. Dallas Cowboys: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
15. Arizona Cardinals: LT Overton, DL, Alabama
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
17. Chicago Bears: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
18. Denver Broncos: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
20. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
21. Minnesota Vikings: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
23. San Francisco 49ers: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
24. Green Bay Packers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
25. Cincinnati Bengals: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, OT, Texas A&M
26. Washington Commanders: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
27. Los Angeles Rams: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
28. Denver Broncos: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
29. Kansas City Chiefs: A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
30. Buffalo Bills: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
31. Baltimore Ravens: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia