Way-Too-Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Clemson Stars Shine, Arch Manning Absent

Buckle Up, Football Fans — The 2026 NFL Draft Talk Has Officially Begun!

The dust has barely settled on the 2025 NFL Draft, but in true football fashion, there’s no such thing as too early when it comes to draft predictions. On Monday, ESPN's Todd McShay did what he does best — dropped his way-too-early 2026 mock draft, and boy, there are already some eye-popping headlines in there!

Let’s break it down and sift through the biggest surprises, potential record-breakers, and notable absences from this ridiculously early projection. Even if the season hasn’t kicked off yet, it’s never too soon to speculate, right?

🔥 Clemson Could Make NFL Draft History in 2026

The most jaw-dropping part of McShay’s first mock? Clemson is projected to have six players go in the first round. Yep, six. That would tie the all-time record for the most first-rounders from one school in a single draft. Talk about a talent factory!

Let’s name-drop some of those projected Tigers:

• Peter Woods (IDL) — Slotted at No. 3 to the New York Giants.

• Cade Klubnik (QB) — Picked fifth overall by the Cleveland Browns.

• Blake Miller (OT) — Heading to the Colts at No. 8.

• T.J. Parker (EDGE) — A bonus pick for the Browns at No. 9.

• Avieon Terrell (CB) — Drafted 27th by the Titans.

• Antonio Williams (WR) — Snagged by the reigning Super Bowl champs, Kansas City Chiefs, at No. 28.

If these guys live up to the hype, Clemson fans could be celebrating both college dominance and NFL bragging rights next year.

🧠 Notable No-Shows: Arch Manning, Anyone?

One of the most talked-about quarterbacks in college football, Arch Manning, is noticeably missing from McShay’s first-round projections. While some believe he has No. 1 overall potential written all over him, there’s a growing consensus that the Texas Longhorn QB might stick around college for another year — aiming instead for the 2027 draft.

Love it or hate it, that decision could shake up next year’s draft board big time.

💥 Top 5 Picks (According to McShay)

Here’s a quick rundown of how the top of the draft might look if things played out today:

1. New York Jets: Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU)
   The Jets still trying to solve the QB puzzle? Shocker.

2. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs (Safety, Ohio State)
   This could be the year of the safety, and Downs leads the charge.

3. New York Giants: Peter Woods (IDL, Clemson)
   Big Blue might be bulking up that defensive line again.

4. Los Angeles Rams: LaNorris Sellers (QB, South Carolina)
   A bold move for a Rams team looking for their next franchise guy.

5. Cleveland Browns: Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson)
   Cleveland grabbing another quarterback in the top 5? Bold strategy, Cotton.

🏈 Schools Dominating the Mock

Beyond Clemson, here’s how the mock draft leaderboard by school is shaping up:

• Alabama: 4 players

• Miami (FL): 3 players

• Ohio State: 3 players

• South Carolina, Oregon, Texas: Multiple first-rounders as well

The SEC continues its iron grip on NFL talent pipelines, but the ACC isn’t far behind thanks to Clemson’s projected dominance.

📋 Full First-Round Breakdown

Just for the die-hard fans, here’s the rest of McShay’s 2026 first-round:

6. Carolina Panthers – Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)

7. Las Vegas Raiders – Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)

8. Indianapolis Colts – Blake Miller (OT, Clemson)

9. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars) – T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)

10. New England Patriots – Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)

11. Tennessee Titans – Nyck Harbor (WR, South Carolina)

12. Seattle Seahawks – Germi Bernard (WR, Alabama)

13. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy (CB, Miami)

14. Dallas Cowboys – Evan Stewart (WR, Oregon)

15. Arizona Cardinals – Deontae Lawson (LB, Alabama)

16. Pittsburgh Steelers – Domani Jackson (CB, Alabama)

17. Chicago Bears – Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)

19. Denver Broncos – Anthony Hill (LB, Texas)

20. Houston Texans – Isaiah World (OT, Oregon)

21. Minnesota Vikings – Jyaire Hill (CB, Michigan)

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)

23. San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)

24. Green Bay Packers – Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)

25. Washington Commanders – Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)

26. Cincinnati Bengals – Suntarine Perkins (LB, Ole Miss)

27. Tennessee Titans (via Rams) – Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)

28. Kansas City Chiefs – Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson)

29. Detroit Lions – Makai Lemon (WR, USC)

30. Buffalo Bills – DeAndre Moore (WR, Texas)

31. Baltimore Ravens – Caleb Banks (IDL, Florida)

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Jo Royer (TE, Cincinnati)

🧨 Sleeper Picks & Hot Takes

There are always some sleeper picks in these early mocks. A few names to keep a close eye on this season:

• Germi Bernard (WR, Alabama) – Could skyrocket up boards with a breakout year.

• Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama) – Offensive linemen aren’t flashy, but Proctor’s potential is undeniable.

• Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame) – A rare first-round RB projection — will he live up to it?

Also, don’t sleep on Rueben Bain Jr. or Anthony Hill — both defensive studs could become household names in a few months.

🧐 What This Means for NFL Teams

Teams like the Jets, Rams, and Browns targeting QBs tells us one thing: the QB carousel in the NFL isn’t slowing down. Whether these teams truly believe in their current starters or not, McShay's early draft paints a picture of franchises itching for fresh faces under center.

As for defensive-heavy teams like the Steelers and Ravens, expect them to continue their tradition of building from the trenches out.

🗓️ Final Thoughts: It’s Way Too Early, But Still Fun

Sure, we’re nearly a full year out. But if you’re a fan of the NFL Draft (or just college football in general), this mock is the perfect appetizer before the season starts. So many things can change — injuries, breakouts, transfers — but it’s always exciting to look ahead.

And let’s be real: who doesn’t love pretending to be a GM for a day?

What’s Next?
Keep an eye on these college stars as the 2025 season unfolds. Their draft stock will rise and fall dramatically, and by the time April 2026 rolls around, we may be looking at a totally different board. But one thing's for sure — McShay’s got the conversation started.