Zak Drapeau's 2026 Way-Too-Early NFL Mock Draft: Arch Manning Not #1?
- Zak Drapeau
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
This exercise is about showcasing the 2026 Draft class and not about what team will draft where.
The team's needs are a factor of where they are drafted but if you are looking for a more in-depth scouting summary on these prospects, check out my 2026 Big Board which will be dropping on 5/7 on fansonlysportz.com.
Make sure you check out my 2025 NFL Draft content as well and follow me on Twitter (@DrapeauZak).
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1. Kadyn Proctor - NYG
Alabama Tackle
6'7" 369 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 2
Proctor is a huge Left Tackle who will be starting for a 3rd year at the position at Alabama. Incredibly agile for his size, Proctor blends the best of size, athleticism and pass protection. He will need to be more consistent this season against athletic rushers. If he can maintain his skills throughout 2026, we could be seeing one of the best Tackle prospects in a very long time.
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2. Arch Manning - CLE
Texas Quarterback
6'4" 225 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 1
The probable #1 pick either to the worst team or a QB-needy team trading up, Arch Manning's status as QB1 and #1 pick was basically a birthright. Filling when Quinn Ewers was injured, Arch showed an incredible arm and surprising wheels at Texas this year and with a full season of being the center of Texas' offense and the most watched player in college football, Manning should be the 3rd member of his family to go #1 come April.
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3. T.J. Parker - TEN
Clemson Edge
6'3" 265 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 3
The 2026 Edge class is headlined by 3 spectacular prospects and T.J. Parker out of Clemson may be the best of the bunch. At 6'3" and 265 pounds, Parker will be able to work out of a 4-3 D-End or 3-4 OLB role in the NFL. His explosiveness and handwork off the edge should increase his already impressive sacks total at Clemson, with 16.5 in his first two seasons.
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4. Caleb Downs - NYJ
Ohio State Safety
6' 205 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 4
Downs will be the next great Safety prospect following in the footsteps of Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton. Proficient as a Free Safety in coverage, Strong Safety defending the run, Slot Corner mirroring receivers and even on special teams. Downs may be the safest prospect in this class and has a chance to be the highest drafted Safety ever, (Eric Berry and Sean Taylor drafted at #5.)
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5. Drew Allar - NO
Penn State Quarterback
6'5" 238 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 6
The Saints are my pick for the #1 pick and Arch Manning sweepstakes btw. Drew Allar has the build and arm strength to be an NFL QB and 2 years starting in the Big 10 to back it up. He will need to show improvement this season especially in limiting turnovers on what should be a stacked run-heavy Penn State offense.
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6. Keldric Faulk - CAR
Auburn Edge
6'6" 288 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 8
All 3 top Edge prospects, (Parker, Faulk and Bain Jr.) are Top-10 worthy and while Parker is somewhat clear of the other 2, Keldric Faulk's athleticism for his gigantic frame also separates him for me. Able to line up in the 3, 5 or even outside the Tackle, Faulk is versatile and vicious when it comes to rushing the passer.
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7. Cade Klubnik - LV
Clemson Quarterback
6'2" 210 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 7
A strong 2025 campaign could definitely boost Lubnik up this list. The best dual threat in the class, Klubnik's 36 passing TDs and 7 rushing TDs could be a sign of things to come on a stacked Clemson team this year. If Kulbnik can clean up some slight progression issues, he could even make a push for #1.
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8. Garrett Nussmeier - IND
LSU Quarterback
6'2" 200 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 11
Nussmeier could've came out last year but has gambled and set his sights for 2026. Nussmeier had one of the highest volumes of passes last season so he threw for a lot of yards but he would also have 12 interceptions. If Nussmeier wants to be Top-10, he'll have to assure NFL scouts he can limit turnovers.
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9. Peter Woods - DAL
Clemson D-Tackle
6'3" 315 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 13
Woods has been a top talent in this class since High School where he was 4th ranked in his class. Woods is a big and versatile D-Tackle with the size to play 1 or 3 techs but the speed and hands to possibly pop out to the 5.
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10. Francis Mauigoa - CLE (via JAX)
Miami Tackle
6'6" 315 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 5
Somewhat of a drop, Mauigoa is a top talent in this class. A prototypical LT in the league, Mauigoa has started at Miami since he arrived 2 years ago and has terrific pass blocking already. He'll need some refinement in reacting to counter moves and his run blocking but he should be ready come April.
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11. Anthony Hill Jr. - SEA
Texas Linebacker
6'3" 235 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 9
Hill may be one of those guys that drops in this class because of his position but his talent deserves better. Texas' defense has been elite in the last few years and Hill Jr. may be one of it's greatest products. Hill can do it all as a Linebacker and his leadership will be cherished by any team willing to draft him this high.
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12. Nyck Harbor - NE South Carolina Wide Receiver
6'5" 235 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 14
Contrary to Hill, Harbor will probably be taken higher than his talent deserves because of how freakishly athletic he is. A regular on Bruce Feldman's "Freak List", Harbor is 6'5", 235 lbs. and runs a reported sub 4.3-40. His broad and long jump are also marked with legend at South Carolina and if Harbor can show production as LaNorris Sellers' #1 option we can see him go really high in this class.
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13. Jermod McCoy - LAR (via ATL)
Tennessee Cornerback
6' 193 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 12
CB 1 of the class, McCoy is a rangy and speedy zone corner who showed a massive improvement from his freshman to sophomore seasons. If he can continue his progression McCoy will easily top his position in a weak-CB class.
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14. Sam Leavitt - PIT
Arizona State Quarterback
6'2" 200 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 19
Another dual threat, Leavitt showed a massive improvement in the second half of ASU's magical 2025 season. Along with WR Jordan Tyson, Leavitt will have the offense centered around him this season and could turn a lot of heads. His arm strength may be a concern.
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15. Avieon Terrell - MIA
Clemson Cornerback
5'11" 180 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 16
Younger brother of Falcons' CB A.J. Terrell, Avieon is on the small side but plays much bigger than his frame. A great run defending corner, Terrell may project best to the slot in the NFL but has enough speed to be a boundary man corner as well. His 2025 season will be very telling for his progression.
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16. Jeremiah Love - CHI
Notre Dame Running Back
6' 206 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 17
The best RB in the class, Jeremiah Love's hurdles have become folklore at Notre Dame. On the smaller size, Love will need to prove he can handle a larger workload to have a team draft him this high, but averaging 7 YPC last season with his ball carrier moves is special.
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17. Spencer Fano - ARI
Utah Tackle
6'5" 304 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 15
Fano will be the next in line of the "Tackles with too short or arms" line and it's a shame. Will Campbell may have broke the trend by going #4 but Fano doesn't have his pedigree and will eventually be an NFL Guard. Still, across from Caleb Lomu at Utah, both Tackles are looking for a consistent season to boost their stock even higher.
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18. Dillon Thieneman - MIN
Oregon Safety
6' 207 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 20
Thieneman was amongst the NCAA's Top-3 Safeties in his sophomore season last year and will look to continue his form. His transfer from Purdue last year was a brilliant move as Thieneman captains the Oregon Secondary and will get a chance to shine in the spotlight in 2025.
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19. Jordan Tyson - DEN Arizona State Wide Receiver
6'1" 194 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 18
Along QB Sam Leavitt, Jordan Tyson and Cam Skattebo made huge strides last season and now Tyson will be the focal point of the entire offense. Tyson has great size and speed for an NFL "X" receiver and should have great production this year as he fights for WR1 of the class.
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20. Parker Brailsford - HOU
Alabama Center
6'2" 290 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 37
Another Alabama star that stayed after last season, Brailsford will be the Captain of a daunting O-line for the Tide. A smart and agile Center, Brailsford is tough, athletic and very smart. On the smaller side, he will have to continue to be gritty and win in the dirty areas to push for a First Round pick.
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21. Reuben Bain Jr. - GB
Miami Edge
6'3" 275 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 10
A huge fall just because of team needs and Bain's actual position, make no mistake Reuben Bain Jr. deserves a Top-10 pick. Bain's size may pigeon-hole him to a 3-4 or 4-3 D-End but he has remarkable agility and bend that will make him one of the most versatile and feared D-lineman in the class.
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22. Suntarine Perkins - TB
Ole Miss Edge/Linebacker
6'1" 210 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 23
A projection pick, Perkins will NEED to have another productive season this year to distract teams from his super small frame as an Edge. With speed and bend off the charts, Perkins caught 11 sacks at Ole Miss last season but will need to add mass to make it in NFL 3-4 schemes.
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23. L.T. Overton - LAC
Alabama Edge
6'5" 283 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 21
Overton could've been a 2nd or 3rd round pick last year but has returned and should massively improve his stock with another 10+ sack season. A large edge, Overton will be a 4-3 D-End in the league and blends strong hands with great bend for his size.
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24. Justice Haynes - WAS
Alabama Running Back
5'11" 210 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 27
Haynes is my pick for the RB of this class that improves his draft stock the most. Haynes has great speed and toughness and will have a full workload as Alabama's Tailback in what should be a focused running attack.
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25. Matayo Uiagalelei - CIN
Oregon Edge
6'5" 270 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 33
Another projection pick, Uiagalelei should have a massive season as Oregon's best edge rusher this year. With great size and length, Matayo's athleticism and frame are the kind of traits NFL scouts could have him even higher on their boards.
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26. LaNorris Sellers - LAR South Carolina Quarterback
6'3" 242 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 25
Sellers is a bulking strong arm Quarterback that could pair with Nyck Harbor to be one of the largest QB-WR duos we've ever seen in College Football. Sellers will have to show some progression in his reads before and post snap but his throw power and intelligence should keep him in First Round conversations.
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27. Deonte Lawson - DET
Alabama Linebacker
6'2" 239 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 24
The captain of Alabama's defense, Lawson is a shot caller, very smart and a great tackler. A great athlete for 240 lbs., Lawson will be another Jihaad Campbell with slightly less coverage skills.
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28. Carnell Tate - KC
Ohio State Wide Receiver
6'3" 191 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 22
What a surprise, Ohio State has another First Round Wide Receiver. Tate is a tall and long, sure-handed "X" receiver who may be overshadowed by the 2027 WR Jeremiah Smith this season but will still have the production and talent to crack a Top-32 pick.
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29. Elijah Pritchett - SF
Alabama Tackle
6'6" 305 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 30
The 3rd Alabama O-lineman to go here, Pritchett doesn't have the size or athleticism of Kadyn Proctor but he does have tremendous footwork and pass blocking. A potential problem with length could become a factor later on in the process but his true talent as a Tackle could see him go even higher.
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30. Jonah Coleman - BAL
Washington Running Back
5'9" 229 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 39
Look at his size, Coleman is 5'9" and 230 lbs. of bowling ball-runner and with great speed for that size as well. Coleman's motor and toughness allow him to shed most first tacklers and could prove to be the best power back of the class.
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31. Zachariah Branch - PHI
Georgia Wide Receiver
5'10" 175 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 28
A former #7 High School recruit, Branch has just transferred from USC where he had a disappointing 2025 campaign. His fresh start at Georgia should make him the focal point of a team with much better QB play. Great hands and blazing speed could see Branch finally realize his potential and live up to the First Round hype.
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32. Tyreak Sapp - BUF
Florida Edge
6'2" 273 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 32
Finally, Tyreak Sapp is an athletic freak who needs to refine some pass rush moves to make this selection but could easily go even higher if he does. Florida will have a very strong roster and Sapp may be the best of the team's Front-7. With a jump from 2-8 sacks this past season, another jump or plateau will be the deciding factor on if he goes on Day 1 or not.
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Honorable Mentions
Ar'Maj Reed-Adams
Texas A&M Guard
6'5" 335 lbs.
Caleb Lomu
Utah Tackle
6'5" 295 lbs.
Denzel Boston
Washington Wide Receiver
6'4" 209 lbs.
Nico Iamaleava
UCLA Quarterback
6'6" 215 lbs.
Malik Muhammad
Texas A&M Cornerback
6' 190 lbs.
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft
-Z.D.