Windy City Gridiron
WCG’s lead draft analyst shares his way-too-early Round 1 mock for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft has wrapped up and concluded. That means it’s officially time to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft!
For most, it’s far too early to start talking about next year’s draft. Honestly, I don’t blame you. Friend of Windy City Gridiron James Fox recently shared one of my old Round 1 mock drafts for the 2025 draft that I did in August of 2024. I got 15 names right before the start of the new regular season, with seven of my Round 1 players going in Round 2.
It also shows how much can change in a pre-draft cycle. Cam Ward, the top overall pick in the class, didn’t crack Round 1. Four players ended up returning to school for another year. Players like Deone Walker, Quinn Ewers and Denzel Burke all went on Day 3 of the 2025 draft.
That said, draft preparation is a year-round process for NFL teams, and it’s the approach I like to take for my preparation, as well. It helps me gain some more context surrounding prospects deeper into the process, and it gives me more time to add as many players to my big board as possible.
A lot will change between now and the 2026 NFL Draft, but I’ve decided to share my early first-round mock draft for next year’s class, regardless. I want to give all of you a quick rundown of certain prospects to keep an eye on going into next year, as well as showcase potential team needs across the league that still exist after this year’s draft.
I won’t be going in-depth with each of these prospects, as I’m still very early in my analysis periods for each of them. That said, I’ll provide a breakdown of my selection for Chicago, whom I’m sure Bears fans will enjoy. Without further ado, let’s begin.
The draft order is based off the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator. Picks are made by me. Hooray!
1. Browns: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
2. Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
3. Saints: Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
4. Titans: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
5. Giants: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
6. Panthers: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
7. Colts: Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA
8. Browns: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
9. Raiders: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
10. Rams: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
11. Cardinals: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
12. Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
13. Dolphins: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
14. Patriots: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
15. Seahawks: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
16. Bears: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Coming off a 1,125-yard season as a sophomore in 2024, Love enters the pre-draft process as my RB1 for the 2026 NFL Draft.
I came away impressed with Love’s athleticism, whether it’s his initial acceleration once he finds a gap in between the tackles, his agility out in the open field, or his breakaway speed...
