2026 NFL mock draft: Preseason edition includes 5 QBs taken in first round, including a big surprise at No. 1

After only two quarterbacks (Cameron Ward and Jaxson Dart) went in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, I fully expect that to change next April. The only question is, which ones? 

The 2026 class is chocked full of talent at the quarterback position, but also features so many unknowns for one reason or another. For that reason, the No. 1 overall pick is a total crapshoot to project at this point in time.

After quarterbacks, get ready for offensive tackles and defensive ends to dominate the first round, which this mock draft reflects. Nineteen of the 32 picks below hail from those three positions. They are also a little more clear cut, as I would be shocked if the first two edge rushers and first three offensive tackles off the board in the mock draft below don’t end up as first-rounders. That’s not a bad draft to be strong in, as they are three of the four highest-paid positions in the game currently.

With Week 1 of the college football season kicking off this weekend, let’s kick off mock draft season with projections for all 32 picks in the first round.

The 2026 NFL Draft order was determined using the reverse Super Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook as of this writing.

2026 NFL Draft preseason big board: Arch Manning included in ranking of top 50 prospects, but he’s not No. 1

Mike Renner