Arch Manning goes No. 1 in way-too-early FOX Sports 2026 NFL mock draft

The ink is barely dry on the 2025 NFL Draft, but like the league's scouts, we are naturally curious about the best draft-eligible players in college football and the strength of the next incoming class. 

Think this is an exercise in futility? Think again. A year ago at this time, we unleashed our way-too-early 2025 mock draft and it correctly projected 11 first-round selections. Sure, there will be a lot of changes between now and then, but many of the elite prospects are already well-known in the scouting community.

What is less clear, of course, is the selection order. No one knows who will be picking first or hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of next season, so rather than project the entire NFL season, we simply took the inverse order of the 2026 Super Bowl odds, courtesy of DraftKings.

So, don't think of this as an attempt at wizardry, but instead a sneak peek at what looks like an even more talented crop of NFL prospects in 2026. 

Player heights and weights are according to their official school bios. 

1. Cleveland Browns: Arch Manning, QB, Texas (6-4, 225)

Yes, the Browns just invested draft picks in both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but if either was viewed as a realistic starting option, they wouldn't have lasted until the third and fifth rounds, respectively. With just two career starts, it is beyond premature to project Manning as the No. 1 overall pick, but the traits and talent are undeniable. Manning is much more athletic than his famous uncles, but possesses their prototypical size, arm strength and accuracy, as well as the poise in the spotlight that comes with growing up in such a famous family. Given that the Longhorns are replacing their receivers and much of their offensive line, Manning has plenty of work to do to justify all the hype, but at this point, he's the obvious favorite to be the first pick. 

AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns motions to quiet the crowd in the first quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ti

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2. New York Jets: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson (6-2, 210)

A stark contrast to No. 1 overall pick Arch Manning, Klubnik enters his third season as Clemson's full-time starter and on the heels of a sparkling 2024 campaign in which he completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions. While slightly shorter than scouts would prefer, Klubnik offers an exciting combination of improvisational skills, accuracy and athleticism. 

3. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205)

A year ago, I billed Colorado's Travis Hunter as the best draft-eligible player in college football, and Downs is another blue-chip talent whose greatest liability is probably that defensive backs rarely warrant top-five consideration. A Day 1 difference-maker at both Alabama and Ohio State, Downs is the ideal modern-day safety, possessing the open-field tackling skills and agility for coverage to be a threat on every play.

4. Tennessee Titans: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson (6-3, 265)

The only position even close to quarterback in value to NFL teams is edge rusher, and it is hard not to be excited about Parker's production. He broke Clemson's all-time true freshman record with 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 and grew that to 19.5 last year, with 11 of them sacks. Even better, Parker is a turnover machine off the edge, forcing an FBS-leading six forced fumbles last year. 

5. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Hill Jr. LB, Texas (6-3, 237)

A do-it-all off-ball linebacker with the diagnostic skills and athleticism to beat backs to the perimeter, drop into coverage and attack quarterbacks, Hill would have ranked among the best at his position in the 2025 draft, had he been eligible.

6. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (Fla.) (6-6, 315)

A consensus five-star recruit who Mario Cristobal has helped mold into a monster in the running game, Mauigoa has started all 26 games of his college career at right tackle, helping the Hurricanes lead the nation in points per game last year. He is quick and powerful but can get far over his skis, currently projecting better inside. 

7. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Tyreak Sapp, Edge, Florida (6-3, 274)

With the selection gained in the Travis Hunter trade, the Browns turn a good pass rush into a potentially lethal one. Sapp has a compact build yet offers intriguing positional versatility, showing enough core strength and quickness to rush from anywhere along the defensive line. He led the Gators in both tackles for loss (13) and sacks (seven) last year and could be on the verge of a monster senior season.

8. Indianapolis Colts: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 360)

If the Colts are indeed going to prioritize the running game, adding beef up front is the priority. They simply don't come much bigger than Proctor, who does carry some extra weight around his middle but is surprisingly agile given his massive frame. He's started the past two seasons at left tackle for the Tide and has as much upside as any blocker in this class. 

9. Las Vegas Raiders: Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina (6-5, 235)

Pete Carroll might see shades of his former star wideout DK Metcalf in Harbor, a remarkably explosive athlete who was actually recruited by some as a defensive end. A world-class sprinter (10.11 in the 100 meters) invited to the 2024 USA Olympic track and field trials, Harbor seemingly only needs more time to develop into an NFL star.

10. New England Patriots: Harold Perkins, LB, LSU (6-1, 220)

Similar in some respects to 2025 first-rounder Jalon Walker, Perkins is a menace as a rusher whose frame will have him moving to more of a traditional linebacker role in the NFL. Perkins is coming off a torn ACL, but when healthy, he's already proven himself to be one of college football's elite defensive playmakers, registering 27.5 tackles for loss in 31 career games. 

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball 98-yards for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20, 2

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Too-Early Chicago Bears 2026 Mock Draft Pick

16. Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 212)

For years, NFL teams were hesitant to draft backs out of Notre Dame too early, as the Irish offensive lines were often so good. With Love, however, the tape is too good. His sharp lateral cuts and smooth acceleration make him a big-play threat even when the run blocking isn't there.