My “Appropriately Early” Preseason Mock Draft

Welcome back to The McShay Report! Today, I’m debuting my “appropriately early” 2026 Mock Draft. 

I’ve always done a “way-too-early” mock, but it’s difficult to get a good feel for future draft classes without taking the time to dive deep into the tape and gather any behind-the-scenes intel that pops up between the end of the NFL draft and the first week of the college season. I spent all summer doing that prep and feel more confident and comfortable with this set of 32 names—14 of which are new—than I did when my first 2026 mock released in May. 

That’s not to say there won’t be tons of changes between now and next April, though. It’s actually the point of this exercise—to serve as a benchmark and show how my evaluations and opinions evolve throughout a calendar year. 

One process note before we begin: The draft order was determined using FanDuel’s playoff odds and tweaked toward the bottom to accurately reflect how NFL playoff seeding affects draft positioning. 

With that disclaimer out of the way: Cleveland, you’re on the clock!

If the Browns are picking no. 1 in 2026, it means none of their quarterbacks did enough to claim the job long term, including Shedeur Sanders, despite his impressive preseason debut. It would also likely signal a regime change at both head coach and general manager. Enter Klubnik, who’s calm in chaos and has enough mobility and arm strength to succeed at the next level. Klubnik would be the organization’s 11th QB drafted—and fifth in Round 1—over the past 20 years.

The Saints drafting this high would mean a rough rookie year for Tyler Shough, but Kellen Moore believes in him, so I’m not going QB here. For me, it came down to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Clemson pass rusher T.J. Parker. With Cam Jordan on retirement watch after this season, I have New Orleans taking Parker, a power-based edge whose game should translate well to the NFL and whose premium position could be a greater need for the Saints.

Get to know Fano’s name! He’s still getting stronger and developing, but my goodness, his agility and range as a blocker—in the run and pass game—are beautiful to watch on tape. Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, and Greg Van Roten are all set to become free agents after this season, and starting left tackle Andrew Thomas is coming off a Lisfranc injury. New York drafted Marcus Mbow in Round 5 of the 2025 draft, and while I like his potential as an OG/OC, he’s very much a developmental guy.

If the Jets pick fourth overall, which I don’t suspect will be the case, the Justin Fields era will be short-lived. In that scenario, I’d have New York taking Nussmeier, who lacks the ideal size of Drew Allar and the dizzying athleticism of LaNorris Sellers but has the accuracy, timing, leadership, and experience to reach the top half of the first round next April.

The Titans need to stack drafts with really good football players, and Downs might be the best the ’26 class has to offer. He’s my highest-graded player on tape heading into the 2025 season, with unmatched football character, work ethic, and explosive physical traits. The top five may be a little rich for a safety, but Downs is special, and there could be a need at the position if Amani Hooker signs elsewhere in free agency after the season.

Las Vegas used five of its first six picks on offense this year, so in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix, I wouldn’t be surprised if it reverses that trend next April. But if the Raiders are picking this high, it means the Geno Smith–Pete Carroll reunion did not work out as hoped. Drafting Sellers would give minority owner Tom Brady the developmental project he covets at the QB position and would allow Sellers to develop for a year behind Smith in 2026. 

Sellers has all the physical traits to succeed at the next level, and if everything falls properly, I’ll view him as the highest-ceiling quarterback prospect in this class. That said, I hope he returns to South Carolina for one more year of development before taking his talents to the next level.

The Panthers selected edges in Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2025 draft (Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, respectively) and added IDL free agents Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton to play alongside Derrick Brown … but you can’t have enough good pass rushers! And Woods is one of the top three prospects that I studied on tape this offseason. He moves well, has lightning-quick hands, and plays all along the line of scrimmage.

Proctor dealt with a shoulder injury and some up-and-down performances last year, especially late in the season, when he appeared to lack conditioning. But he’s a massive OT (6-foot-7, 370 pounds) with impressive natural movement skills for his size and downright nasty flashes of power. This is a huge year for Proctor, who has the talent to emerge as a top-10 pick if he does his part. Miami brought in OG Jonah Savaiinaea in Round 2 of the 2025 draft, but the offensive line is still a massive question mark heading into this season—especially at OT with Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson penciled in as starters.

The more I studied Faulk this offseason, the more I believed he will be one of the big risers in the 2026 class. His 6-foot-6, 285-pound frame is awfully attractive to NFL teams, and with nine sacks and 45 tackles last year, he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. Edge was a priority draft need that was not addressed by the Bears in 2025. Adding an emerging talent like Faulk would do wonders for the group, especially if they get more out of Montez Sweat moving forward.

Jarran Reed re-signed, but he’s not getting any younger. Adding a young difference maker like Banks—who shows impact-starter traits—opposite an immovable force like Byron Murphy II would set this interior DL up for years to come. 

Finding a receiver to play opposite CeeDee Lamb is still a priority. Adding a big, physical, and versatile threat like Tyson would make sense. The Cowboys showed interest in Tetairoa McMillan this past April, and I could see them looking for the 2026 version of him. 

That said, this may be a little rich for the position in the 2026 class. There are a bunch of good players but no clear-cut WR1s at this point, like we’ll have in 2027 with Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams. Let’s also see what happens with the Micah Parsons situation. Oregon LB Matayo Uiagalelei could be in play even after Dallas drafted Donovan Ezeiruaku in April.

Uiagalelei will be a household name in college football by midseason. He has a strong, sturdy build and showcases good bend, burst, and hands. He’s also flashed power as a pass rusher (10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last year) and is an effective run stopper.

They could also go with Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams to pair with Klubnik, but adding a pass rusher opposite Myles Garrett is the smarter personnel move.

The Colts didn’t address the offensive line early in the 2025 draft, and RT Braden Smith will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Lomu moves well and has a ton of potential—I expect him to have a breakout year in 2025. It wouldn’t shock me if both Utah tackles are Round 1 guys come next April. 

Williams is a dynamic playmaker with outstanding route running at all three levels and good ball skills. While I could see the Pats taking a defensive standout here—or even a TE if a guy like Max Klare breaks out—adding another playmaker for Drake Maye will be a priority. Kyle Williams should offer a good return on investment as a third-round pick, but there are still unknowns surrounding Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins.

Aaron Rodgers is a one-year solution, and sixth-round pick Will Howard looks more like a good career backup than the quarterback of the future. Mendoza isn’t there yet, but I saw a lot of positives—including a snappy release, excellent touch, and a plus arm—in his tape this summer.

Don’t be surprised if the Rams move one of their first-round picks in 2026 to gain an additional first-rounder in 2027 in pursuit of Arch Manning. But if they were to stick and pick, I’d have them going with Mauigoa, who’s expected to make a big jump entering his third college season in 2025. 

Mauigoa measures 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, and his natural habitat is right tackle. He’s a really smooth-moving zone blocker with the tools to emerge as a first-round pick. Rams starting RT Rob Havenstein will be 34 years old next year and is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Love is the elite running back talent of the 2026 class, with shades of Bijan Robinson (burst and finishing) and Joe Mixon (patience) to his game. With James Conner turning 31 years old next year, Arizona could get younger at the position while also adding tons of upside. Wide receiver could be in play here if the right value is available, as Greg Dortch and Zay Jones are set to become free agents in 2026. Offensive tackle could also be a position of need if Jonah Williams exits via free agency after this season.

McCoy is the most gifted cornerback prospect in the 2026 class—if he returns to full health. His return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his ACL in January is highly encouraging. The Vikings have a bit of a patchwork group at cornerback and will likely be in the market for a young difference maker next offseason.

Hill is a fast, versatile, and productive playmaker who has racked up 180 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks with three pass breakups and five forced fumbles over the last two seasons. He’s my LB1 entering the season and could thrive in a defense like the one in Denver. Alex Singleton will be a free agent after this season, and Dre Greenlaw will be entering his age-29 season in 2026.

Bain isn’t the fastest edge, but his power-based game translates to the NFL. He’s loaded with core power, snap in his hands, and the torso flexibility to bend the edge while engaged with offensive tackles. He was an absolute terror as a freshman, and I’m counting on him to bounce back from a sophomore campaign that was riddled by a soft-tissue injury suffered in the opener versus Florida.

Bailey is yet another talented edge in the 2026 class. I’m pumped to see what he does for a Texas Tech program that invested seemingly endless funds into him (from Stanford) and 15 other portal transfers this offseason. Bailey is still developing into a complete player, but at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, he shows a vicious first step and a lot of bend around the edge.

I’m expecting a big jump from the Georgia transfer. He had 48 tackles with five pass breakups and one interception last season. The 6-foot-1, 191-pound former five-star recruit has the tools to emerge as the first Penn State cornerback to be selected in Round 1 of the NFL draft.

Jackson is a USC transfer who tallied 52 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions during his first season in Tuscaloosa. He wisely turned down the 2025 NFL draft to return for one more season of refinement—and that’s exactly what he needs, particularly with some of his breaks on the ball and press technique. But he’s an explosive athlete with elite speed.

At 6-foot-8 and 318 pounds, World has the size and experience to thrive in the Ducks offense—and parlay his fifth collegiate year into a first-round spot in 2026. Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson are unrestricted free agents next year, and while Houston drafted Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery in Round 2 this past April, there’s still work to do to rebuild C.J. Stroud’s front line. 

Styles has a great nose for the ball and made huge strides as a starter last season. He’s a very good run stopper, but what jumps out on tape is his athleticism and ability in coverage. 

At 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, Keenan is a power run stuffer who showcases more playmaking ability than we’re used to seeing from an Alabama IDL. He recorded 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season, and I’m expecting even more from him as a pass rusher in 2025.

Overton has long arms and is a smooth athlete for his frame (6-foot-5, 283 pounds). He’s still developing an array of pass rush moves, but he’s a powerful player with a strong upper body. I could see him flying up draft boards throughout the season.

At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Boston uses his big frame to box defenders out and make tough, strong catches in traffic. He has very reliable hands and can play outside and in the slot. Selecting him would give Patrick Mahomes a physical and reliable playmaker to complement speedsters Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. 

Shelton is more of a projection than a finished product. He had his share of struggles last year, but I envision him taking a huge leap in 2025. His combination of length, agility, and flexibility is hard to find. 

Allen has the athletic tools and instincts to develop into Georgia’s next great linebacker. He had 76 tackles and four pass breakups last season and should emerge as the alpha Bulldog on that defense with the exit of Jalon Walker in April’s draft. Baltimore could have a need at LB after this season, with Roquan Smith entering his age-29 campaign in 2026. 

Keep an eye on Klare in Columbus this season. The Purdue transfer is a toolsy tight end who hauled in a team-high 51 receptions for 684 yards and four scores last season. At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, he’s a good target and should become a focal point of the Buckeyes’ pass game—and a security blanket for whoever wins Ohio State’s quarterback competition.

I had a conversation recently with someone at LSU about Perkins’s fall camp. The light has come on. He’s playing fast again and doing the little things that he was struggling with last year—reading keys, locating the ball, and sifting through traffic. If Perkins returns to being the playmaker he was in 2023, when he tore opposing offenses apart as an edge rusher, he could ascend into the Round 1 conversation. I thought about going with Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton here but landed on Perkins with the news of James Cook’s extension.