Reid's early NFL mock draft for next year: Which 2026 prospects could go in Round 1?

The 2026 Draft Landscape: What to Expect
The 2026 draft class is shaping up to be especially rich in offensive talent, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver. Defensive standouts are also gaining early buzz, especially edge rushers and cornerbacks with elite athletic profiles. While the draft order is unknown and heavily dependent on the 2025 NFL season, Reid’s mock gives scouts, analysts, and fans a useful benchmark for evaluating next year’s top-tier talent.

Key themes in this early outlook include:

A deep quarterback class with multiple potential top-10 picks

Strong representation from powerhouse programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State

Growing value placed on versatile defenders and elite pass catchers

The rise of underclassmen and early breakout stars entering the national spotlight

Top Quarterbacks to Watch
Quarterbacks, as always, dominate the early projections—and 2026 looks no different. Several signal-callers are already drawing first-round consideration:

1. Shedeur Sanders – Colorado
Despite speculation that he might enter the 2025 draft, Sanders chose to return to Colorado for another season under his father, Deion Sanders. This decision could elevate his stock significantly. Known for his poise, arm strength, and leadership, Sanders has a chance to be a top-5 selection if he continues to develop and performs well against top competition.

2. Carson Beck – Georgia
Beck’s efficient play and strong finish in 2024 positioned him as a sleeper first-rounder in last year’s cycle. Now returning as one of the most experienced QBs in the SEC, he enters 2025 with sky-high expectations. A polished pocket passer with NFL-caliber mechanics, Beck could anchor Georgia's offense en route to a top-10 draft slot.

3. Jalen Milroe – Alabama
Milroe is a dual-threat quarterback with elite athletic traits and a cannon for an arm. If he improves his decision-making and consistency, his ceiling could rival that of any quarterback in the class. NFL teams covet his playmaking ability and raw tools, especially as offenses trend toward mobile, improvisational QBs.

Premier Skill Position Players
This upcoming class boasts explosive talent at both wide receiver and running back, though wideouts are especially deep.

Wide Receivers
Evan Stewart – Texas A&M: A game-breaking speedster with route-running precision, Stewart has the tools to be a WR1 at the next level. His ability to stretch the field and create separation is elite.

Tetairoa McMillan – Arizona: At 6'5", McMillan combines size with exceptional body control. His contested-catch ability and red zone threat make him an intriguing first-round option.

Running Backs
Nicholas Singleton – Penn State: Though the RB position has been devalued in recent drafts, Singleton’s rare combination of power, vision, and breakaway speed could buck the trend. He’s a potential Day 1 pick in the right offensive scheme.

Offensive Line Anchors
Top-tier offensive linemen are always in demand, and the 2026 draft will offer several potential cornerstone players:

Kelvin Banks Jr. – Texas: Banks enters the season as arguably the best left tackle prospect in the nation. With prototypical size, agility, and a strong anchor, he has future All-Pro written all over him.

Emery Jones – LSU: A mauler in the run game with improving pass protection skills, Jones brings versatility to either guard or tackle.

Defensive Disruptors: Edge Rushers & Cornerbacks
While offensive talent dominates early mocks, defenders with game-wrecking potential will still find themselves highly coveted:

Edge Rushers
JT Tuimoloau – Ohio State: Returning for a final season, Tuimoloau has the chance to boost his sack production and cement his status as a top-15 pick. He’s physically gifted and fundamentally sound.

Dallas Turner – Alabama: Though slightly under-the-radar behind recent Bama defenders, Turner’s explosiveness and motor make him a nightmare for opposing tackles.

Cornerbacks
Will Johnson – Michigan: A long, rangy corner who excels in press coverage and has excellent instincts. Johnson could follow in the footsteps of other Wolverines who’ve become first-round DBs.

Travis Hunter – Colorado: Though he plays both sides of the ball, many project Hunter as a corner in the NFL. His elite ball skills and fluidity make him a potential top-10 pick.

Rising Stars & Potential Surprises
Every draft class features breakout players who rise rapidly up boards. A few names to keep on your radar include:

Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson) – A sideline-to-sideline defender with elite speed and coverage skills.

Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia) – While tight ends rarely go early, Bowers is a unicorn: he lines up everywhere and creates mismatches at every level.

Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri) – A dynamic slot weapon with yards-after-catch brilliance.

Final Thoughts: A Draft Full of Promise
While projecting a draft nearly a year out is a speculative exercise, it offers an exciting glimpse into the future of the NFL. The 2026 class appears to be deep, balanced, and star-studded, with talent spread across every position group. With another college football season on the horizon, these prospects will have ample opportunity to rise, fall, or redefine their narratives.

Key Takeaways:

Multiple quarterbacks are in the running for top-10 status

Skill positions, particularly WR, are deep and competitive

Several defenders with high ceilings are pushing into the first-round mix

Teams will place a premium on versatility, explosiveness, and football IQ

Fans, scouts, and fantasy managers alike should buckle up—2026 promises to be one of the most exciting draft classes in recent memory.