2026 NFL Draft: CBS Sports releases Way Too Early Mock Draft with eye-opening QB emphasis

CBS Sports released its way too early mock draft for the 2026 edition with a breakdown of the first 32 picks. It’s never too early!

What stands out about this mock draft is the emphasis on quarterbacks. And we mean early from some teams that you would think won’t select one next season.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the 2026 mock draft from CBS Sports. Josh Edwards made the predictions.

1. New Orleans Saints: Arch Manning, QB – Texas

The Saints get the hometown kid and their new franchise quarterback in this mock draft. Yes, they just drafted Tyler Shough this year in the second round, but this makes too much sense.

This is why this is an early draft. Manning has the skill and swagger to be a franchise icon like his uncles before him and his grandfather Archie, who is a Saints fan favorite. Lock it in!

2. Cleveland Browns: Drew Allar, QB – Penn State

The Browns just want to keep adding quarterbacks don’t they? That’s what the CBS Sports mock draft says with Allar.

Currently, it’s Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and yes, Shedeur Sanders. Now Allar in the mix, who seems to have the tools? Good luck figuring this one out next year!

3. New York Giants: Anthony Hill Jr., LB – Texas

The Giants get another star defender near the top of the draft like Abdul Carter. Hill might be a reach based on the board, but New York will need a linebacker.
Hill can play great in space and he’s fantastic size-wise. Seems like a luxury pick but one that could pay off right away.

4. New York Jets: Caleb Banks, DT – Florida

The Jets go defense again with Banks here, at least, doing it in the mode of head coach Aaron Glenn. Banks logged 4.5 sacks in 2024.

To get drafted this high, like this mock draft, he’ll need to step up his game. New York did not take a defensive tackle this year so next year seems likely.

5. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain, EDGE – Miami

The Titans drafted Olu Oladejo during the second day this year, but this seems like a targeted position for next season. The CBS mock draft has Bain going top five here.

The peak of Bain in college was in 2023, not quite 2024, according to CBS Sports. If he turns back the clock, he’s going to be one to watch all season long.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: LaNorris Sellers, QB – South Carolina

The Raiders didn’t invest heavily in a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the ‘26 mock draft has them getting one early. That’s despite the veteran presence of Geno Smith this coming season.

Sellers is a freak athlete and put college football on notice this past season. How he takes the next step this fall will be something to watch out for.

7. Carolina Panthers: Francis Mauigoa, OT – Miami

Mauigoa goes to the Carolina Panthers in this mock draft, giving Bryce Young a franchise tackle. One would think the Panthers would be improved in 2025, but picking this high is still a possibility.

Mauigoa makes sense here if Carolina moves on from Ikem Ekwonu or eventually move him to guard. Mauigoa seems to be a more polished prospect than older brother Francisco. 

8. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT – Utah

Since the Browns have two picks in the top 10 of this mock draft, they have to protect their franchise quarterback. You know, one of the three or four they have.

Fano is an incredibly athletic offensive tackle coming out of Utah. It’s a matter of if Cleveland will keep him at right tackle or move him over to the left side.

9. Indianapolis Colts: Peter Woods, DT – Clemson

The Colts are going to need some interior defense moving forward. So as far as this mock draft is concerned, this pick makes sense.

Woods is on an upward trajectory and could very well be locked in as a top 10 pick next season. He had three sacks last season, as well as nine tackles for loss. He steadily improved from Year 1 to 2.

10. New England Patriots: Caleb Downs, S – Ohio State

Downs might be the most intriguing player in next year’s class. The CBS mock draft has him in the top 10 in 2026. That might be too low!

He was the freshman of the year at Alabama before going to Ohio State after one season. With the Buckeyes, he was even better. He helped Ohio State to a national title and going into next season, he might be the most feared defensive back in college football.

2026 NFL Mock Draft via CBS Sports

11. Seattle Seahawks: TJ Parker, EDGE – Clemson
12. Los Angeles Rams: Garrett Nussmeier, QB – LSU
13. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT – Alabama
14. Dallas Cowboys: Carnell Tate, WR – Ohio State
15. Arizona Cardinals: LT Overton, EDGE – Alabama
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nico Iamaleava, QB – UCLA
17. Chicago Bears: Charles Jagusah, OG – Notre Dame
18. Denver Broncos: Evan Stewart, WR – Oregon
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: R Mason Thomas, EDGE – Oklahoma
20. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermod McCoy, CB – Tennessee
21. Houston Texans: Elijah Pritchett, OT – Nebraska
22. Minnesota Vikings: Harold Perkins, LB – LSU
23. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT – Utah
24. Green Bay Packers: Daylen Everette, CB – Georgia
25. Cincinnati Bengals: CJ Baxter, RB – Texas
26. Washington Commanders: Keldric Faulk, EDGE – Auburn
27. Los Angeles Rams: Malik Muhammad, CB – Texas
28. Detroit Lions: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE – Oregon
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Cayden Green, OG – Missouri
30. Buffalo Bills: Dillon Thieneman, S – Oregon
31. Baltimore Ravens: Christen Miller, DT – Georgia
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE – Penn State