Todd McShay releases Way-Too-Early 2026 NFL mock draft, excludes Arch Manning

NFL Draft expert Todd McShay released his Way-Too-Early 2026 Mock Draft now that the ‘25 edition is in the rearview mirror. Spoiler alert, there’s no Arch Manning.

McShay excluded him considering there’s a chance the Texas QB declares for the 2027 draft instead. But, there’s still a huge run on quarterbacks in this mock.

Again, it’s early, so McShay’s picks are certainly going to change rather drastically. Let’s dive in.

1. New York Jets: Garrett Nussmeier, QB – LSU

Based on McShay’s projections, the Jets will say hello to the No. 1 overall pick. If that’s the case, it probably means they need a quarterback, again.

Gone is the Justin Fields experiment after one year and incomes Nussmeier. He has the early lead for top QB in college football, at least among draft eligible ones, next season.

2. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, DB – Ohio State

Downs could very well be the best overall player next season. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year at Alabama and then transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban’s retirement.

He helped the Buckeyes win the national title and was a unanimous All-American. McShay doesn’t have him lasting long in this mock draft, going to New Orleans.

3. New York Giants: Peter Woods, DL – Clemson

Now, if you want to talk about a Clemson defensive lineman that flew under the radar, it was definitely Woods. It was because his stats weren’t gaudy, but he’s a force in the middle.

Heck, Clemson might have one of the best tandems in college football. McShay likes this pick to the Giants considering the team just took Abdul Carter a week ago. This could be an all-time scary unit if they develop.

4. Los Angeles Rams: LaNorris Sellers, QB – South Carolina

The Rams get their new franchise quarterback with Sellers, who is an athletic freak. He certainly put South Carolina’s offense on the map in 2024.

McShay won’t be done with quarterbacks in this first round as this seems to be a richer class than 2025. Sellers likely sits for a year or two behind Matthew Stafford before taking over.

5. Cleveland Browns: Cade Klubnik, QB – Clemson

Hey another quarterback to the … Browns? That’s right. The 5 man QB room, as of May 5, 2025, gets another for 2026.

Klubnik had a lot of potential coming into college, but truly didn’t unlock it until the 2024 season, helping Clemson to an ACC title and CFP appearance. So basically, McShay believes Cleveland will truly invest next year after finding out their current crop didn’t quite work out.

6. Carolina Panthers: Francis Mauigoa, OT – Miami

Mauigoa is a solid selection for the Panthers, per McShay, giving Bryce Young some better protection up front. Who knows if Carolina picks this high again, but if they do, this could be the pick.

Mauigoa had a great sophomore season, being named All-ACC Second Team. He was also a freshman All-American in 2023.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Drew Allar, QB – Penn State

Another quarterback! This time the Raiders get their guy in Allar, who was teased as a prospect for the 2025 class. The Penn State signal caller has the size and tools.

It’s about refining for Allar and if Pete Carroll can coach him up, he might be pretty darn good. McShay can’t see this man dropping out of the top 10 as of now.

8. Indianapolis Colts: Blake Miller, OT – Clemson

The Colts go out and get a solid offensive lineman to protect their quarterback, however that position looks in 2026. Maybe Anthony Richardson?

Anyway, McShay goes with Miller, another Clemson player in the top 10. He’s a multi-time All-ACC selection, including First-Team in 2024.

9. Cleveland Browns: T.J. Parker, EDGE – Clemson

Parker is a guy that flew under the radar this past season because he wasn’t draft eligible yet. It’s hard to fly under the radar when you log 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss though!

If he increases production again in Year 3, watch out. McShay has him in the top 10 of his mock draft and Cleveland gets another pass rusher!

10. New England Patriots: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE – Miami

The peak of Bain in college was in 2023, not quite 2024, at least based on the stats. If he turns back the clock, he’s going to be one to watch all season long.

Pass rushers come at a premium in the NFL and are sorely needed if you want to contend at the highest level. Maybe the Patriots can take a jump by selecting him, as McShay has them doing.

Todd McShay Way-Too-Early 2026 Mock Draft

11. Tennessee Titans: Nyck Harbor, WR – South Carolina
12. Seattle Seahawks: Germie Bernard, WR – Alabama
13. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB – Tennessee
14. Dallas Cowboys: Evan Stewart, WR – Oregon
15. Arizona Cardinals: Deontae Lawson, LB – Alabama
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Domani Jackson, CB – Alabama
17. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB – Notre Dame
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk, EDGE – Auburn
19. Denver Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr., LB – Texas
20. Houston Texans: Isaiah World, OT – Oregon
21. Minnesota Vikings: Jyaire Hill, CB – Michigan
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Max Klare, TE – Ohio State
23. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT – Alabama
24. Green Bay Packers: Gabriel Jacas, EDGE – Illinois
25. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR – Ohio State
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Suntarine Perkins, LB – Ole Miss
27. Tennessee Titans: Avieon Terrell, CB – Clemson
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Antonio Williams, WR – Clemson
29. Detroit Lions: Makai Lemon, WR – USC
30. Buffalo Bills: DeAndre Moore Jr., WR – Texas
31. Baltimore Ravens: Caleb Banks, DL – Florida
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Joe Royer, TE – Cincinnati