The tradition continues! Every year since 2008, The Sports Bank has published a NFL mock draft, and this is our inaugural version for 2026. However, the 2026 NFL mock draft comes with a new twist! The Sports Bank LLC Owner/Founder Paul M. Banks is a Contributor to Draft Wire, USA Today’s NFL Draft focused website. So we’ll be taking snippets from Banks’ articles and linking them here, as we continue to add-in the player descriptions into our 2026 NFL mock draft.
As far as we know, The Sports Bank is the only independently-owned, mom and pop shop website to publish a mock draft in all four of the major North American sports.
Here’s the link to our 2025 NHL mock draft. For the 2025 NBA mock draft, go here. The final 2025 NFL mock draft can be found here. And our latest MLB mock draft can be found at this link.
Past NFL Mock Drafts, final editions: 2024 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
As always, enjoy our 50 worst NFL Draft buzz phrases, cliches and other assorted word salad.
Our 2026 NFL mock draft order (projected) is based on current Super Bowl odds. In cases where the odds were tied, we broke the ties via alphabetical order.
Team needs were often, but not always taken into account here.
1. New Orleans Saints, Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Quoting our Draft Wire Arch Manning article:
“Given that his uncles are Eli Manning and Peyton Manning, with his grandfather being Archie Manning, it is not hyperbole to say that he was the most hyped up freshman quarterback in history. Now the hype has already started on his NFL career, despite the fact that Manning has yet to even throw a 100 passes in college.
“There is so much publicity for him that even a given 2026 NFL mock draft that doesn’t have him going first overall, they might still mention him in the headline.”
For The Sports Bank profile of Arch Manning go here
2. New York Giants, Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Quoting our Draft Wire article:
“The 20-year-old Hoschton, GA native transferred in from Alabama last offseason, and his run stopping capabilities are top-notch. A true “run stuffer,” he can fill gaps to shut down rush lanes effectively. Downs also excels in pass coverage, and his versatility means that it’s not hyperbole to start making the Kyle Hamilton comps right now.”
3. Cleveland Browns, Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Quoting our Draft Wire article:
“Nussmeier has something the other names on that list do not- NFL bloodlines. His father, Doug Nussmeier, played a couple seasons in the league, and he’s currently the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator.
“Garrett Nussmeier got his collegiate career started right- throwing for 395 yards and three touchdowns in his debut, earning Reliaquest Bowl MVP honors along the way.”
4. Tennessee Titans, Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Titans got their franchise QB in this past draft, so perhaps in 2026 they’ll get their franchise feature back.
Will they give much Love to Jeremiyah, as potentially becoming their next Derrick Henry level bell-cow?
5. Carolina Panthers, Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
6. New York Jets, LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
It’s a Sellers market! Quoting our Draft Wire article:
“Sellers is an electric, dual threat quarterback who will be a sophomore this upcoming season. As a freshman, the Florence, SC native threw for 2,534 yards on 65% completion, 18 touchdowns, to go against just seven interceptions. He also run for 674 yards on a 4.1 yards per carry average.”
7. Las Vegas Raiders, Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Love the idea of an extremely devout Christian, and one who is as overt about his faith as possible (who also hails from a program that directly recruits off the ideals of Christian fundamentalism), going to Sin City. Just could not ask for more of a contrast!
8. Indianapolis Colts, Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
9. Los Angeles Rams via Atlanta Falcons, T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
10. Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville Jaguars, Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
11. New England Patriots, Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
12. Seattle Seahawks, Keldrick Faulk, Edge, Auburn
13. Miami Dolphins, Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
14. Dallas Cowboys, Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee
15. Arizona Cardinals, Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
16. Pittsburgh Steelers, Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Quoting our Draft Wire article:
“He might be the signal caller who’s the hardest to accurately project right now…Why such a wide variance on Allar? There is certainly no doubting Allar’s ability and talent. His size (6-5, 236) and arm strength are ideal for the league.
“His stats are solid too- 53 TD passes against just 10 interceptions, 6,302 yards passing in two seasons as a starter. However, as expectations rise this football talking season, the perceptions around Allar could start mimicking those of his head coach, James Franklin.
17. Denver Broncos, Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
18. Chicago Bears, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
19. Houston Texans, Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
20. Minnesota Vikings, Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
22. Los Angeles Chargers, Ruben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
23. Green Bay Packers, Suntarine Perkins, OLB/DE, Ole Miss
24. Cincinnati Bengals, CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
25. Los Angeles Rams, Denzel Boston, WR, Washginton
26. San Francisco 49ers, Jalen Kilgore, S, South Carolina
27. Washington Commanders, Nicolas Singleton, RB, Penn State
28. Kansas City Chiefs, Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
29. Detroit Lions, LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
30. Buffalo Bills, Anto Saka, Northwestern
Quoting our Draft Wire article:
“After getting shut out of the past two NFL Drafts, Northwestern will have a strong presence again in 2026. Yes, it is early days, but NU edge rusher Anto Saka is showing up in the first round of mock drafts and ranking in the top 30 on prospect lists.
“If he does come out, and he is selected in the first round next April, the redshirt Jr. will become the fourth Wildcat to earn this distinction since 2021.
31. Baltimore Ravens, Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
32. Philadelphia Eagles, Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter
