ESPN has released its way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft, projecting Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik to go first overall to the Cleveland Browns via trade with the Tennessee Titans. The mock draft, published Thursday, features four quarterbacks selected in the first round.
The projection includes two hypothetical draft-day trades, with the Browns moving up from the third spot and the Los Angeles Rams jumping from 11th to seventh overall. Cleveland uses its second first-round pick (acquired from Jacksonville) to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at fifth overall.
\"Klubnik made huge strides in his second season as a starter, finishing 2024 with 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions,\" ESPN noted. \"He could be the long-term answer.\"
Quarterback Class Draws Attention
The mock features four first-round quarterbacks: Klubnik (1st), South Carolina\'s LaNorris Sellers (4th), LSU\'s Garrett Nussmeier (7th), and Penn State\'s Drew Allar (8th). Sellers is described as a \"true dual-threat\" quarterback with \"superb traits\" similar to Donovan McNabb.
Arch Manning is not included in the mock as the expectation is that he won\'t leave Texas for the NFL until the 2027 NFL draft. The Athletic also published a preliminary mock draft this week and had Manning at No. 1 while Klubnik wasn\'t in the first round.
Clemson dominates the early selections with three players projected in the top nine picks. Beyond Klubnik, defensive tackle Peter Woods lands with Tennessee at third overall, while edge rusher T.J. Parker goes to Indianapolis at ninth overall.
Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, described as a \"massive prospect at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds,\" is projected second overall to the New York Giants. The Oregon tackle Isaiah World rounds out the top six picks, heading to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Kansas City Chiefs close out the first round by selecting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at 32nd overall, continuing their pursuit of secondary depth.
2026 NFL Mock Draft First Round
1. Cleveland Browns (via projected trade with TEN): Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson 2. New York Giants: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama*
3. Tennessee Titans (via projected trade with CLE/JAX): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson*
4. New York Jets: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina*
5. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
7. Los Angeles Rams (via projected trade with CAR): Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
8. New Orleans Saints: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
9. Indianapolis Colts: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson*
10. New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn*
11. Carolina Panthers (via projected trade with LAR/ATL): Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas*
12. Seattle Seahawks: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah*
13. Dallas Cowboys: Ja\'Kobi Lane, WR, USC*
Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee*
Arizona Cardinals: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Pittsburgh Steelers: LT Overton, DT, Alabama
Chicago Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*
Minnesota Vikings: A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State*
Denver Broncos: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State*
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia*
Houston Texans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami*
Los Angeles Chargers: Nic Anderson, WR, LSU*
Los Angeles Rams: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah*
Green Bay Packers: DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado*
Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Washington Commanders: Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon*
San Francisco 49ers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson*
Buffalo Bills: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Detroit Lions: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Baltimore Ravens: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas*
Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Kansas City Chiefs: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon*
Via Jordan Reid/ESPN