Draft order will be based on my power rankings until week 9 or so, which will then switch over to the “if the draft was today” draft order.

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Week 3 Power Rankings

1. (2) Buffalo Bills (2-0)
2. (1) Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
3. (3) Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
4. (4) Green Bay Packers (2-0)
5. (8) Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)
6. (9) Detroit Lions (1-1)
7. (10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
8. (5) Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)
9. (15) Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
10. (6) Washington Commanders (1-1)
11. (7) Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
12. (11) Denver Broncos (1-1)
13. (12) San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
14. (13) Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
15. (14) Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
16. (16) Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
17. (17) Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
18. (24) Indianapolis Colts (2-0)
19. (19) Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
20. (18) Houston Texans (0-2)
21. (25) New England Patriots (1-1)
22. (22) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
23. (20) Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
24. (26) Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
25. (28) New York Giants (0-2)
26. (23) New York Jets (0-2)
27. (27) Cleveland Browns (0-2)
28. (29) Tennessee Titans (0-2)
29. (21) Chicago Bears (0-2)
30. (30) Miami Dolphins (0-2)
31. (31) Carolina Panthers (0-2)
32. (32) New Orleans Saints (0-2)

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Garrett Nussmeier, as is the case with most of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, has not been great through three weeks. Still, he is the only draft eligible quarterback I feel comfortable mocking at the top spot right now. Going up against Clemson and Florida is never an easy task, but he has done enough to lead his team to a 3-0 record. The questions about decision making remain, but there is plenty of time for him to right the ship and stamp his ticket to the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. As for the Saints, Spencer Rattler has been okay, but if they end up with a top pick, a new quarterback would be the wise decision, especially if it is a pro-ready local product like Nussmeier.

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The Panthers have spent a lot of early draft capital to rebuild its offense, which is a smart move with a young quarterback. However, that has caused the defense to suffer. There is shockingly little talent on that side of the ball. Rueben Bain Jr. is off to a monster start as a junior, ,reminding everyone of why he was so highly sought after as a freshman. .He has put his injury riddled sophomore season behind him, showing his powerful pass rushing moves and all around impact as a defender, with 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and even an interception.

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The Dolphins front office spent the past several seasons chasing stars with big names, trading draft picks and letting young players go in the process. Now, this is a roster that is catastrophically shallow. Offensive line, tight end and every level of the defense could use multiple upgrades. One pick will not fix things, but it will be a necessary first step to rebuild a broken roster. . Peter Woods is the best prospect available that fills a need. Although he only has three career sacks, Woods is a complete defensive tackle, able to get after the quarterback and plug up holes against the run. With Zach Sieler and Kenneth Grant already on board, defensive line could quickly become a strength in South Beach.

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It has been more of the same for the Chicago Bears, who are once again looking up at the rest of the NFC North. The team has spent multiple first round picks on the offensive side of the ball in recent years. Thanks in part to that, the defense has given up a league worst 79 points through two games. T.J. Parker may not have the raw talent that Rueben Bain Jr. does, but he is a very hard working pass rusher who should be a double digit sack artist in the NFL. Clemson has really struggled out of the gate, but that is not the fault of the defense, which is loaded with NFL prospects.

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The Titans let go of Harold Landry during the off-season, and the roster lacks that difference maker at pass rusher. This is a very deep class for EDGE rushers. I could see up to ten or so wind up as first round picks. Keldric Faulk is not the pure pass rusher as either Rueben Bain Jr. or T.J. Parker, but he may be a more well rounded prospect. He is big, strong and can hold up against the run, meaning he could play either end or outside linebacker in Tennessee’s 3-4 scheme.

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Quarterback is an obvious need here, but this quarterback class has been an absolute mess so far. So much so that I do not see an obvious upgrade over either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. Perhaps the Browns will draft a signal caller with their next first round pick, but with elite talents available at other positions, they should go that direction. Francis Mauigoa may be a right tackle only, but he has been the best and most consistent offensive lineman so far this year. The Browns need two new starting tackles, and Mauigoa, who has blocked for both Cam Ward and Carson Beck, has the experience and athleticism to become a Pro Bowler.

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Justin Fields is not a long term option for any team. This Jets franchise has to be snake bitten when it comes to drafting quarterbacks. Mark Sanchez, Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson, they just cannot seem to get it right. New York has to keep trying, however. LaNorris Sellers has his question marks, and unfortunately will be out for a while with a head injury, but has the look of a future starting quarterback. He is big, strong, a tough runner and can drop back and pass as well. I am always worried about redshirt sophomores, and Sellers cannot afford to miss out on SEC experience, but it is too early to hit the panic button and remove him from my top ten.

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With Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers and others, the Giants could have a decent offense within the next year or two. Building an offensive line, which has been a problem in New York, has to be the priority. Evan Neal is a certified bust, but Spencer Fano can be that bookend to Andrew Thomas that this roster needs. Fano is extremely athletic and would be a real asset in the running game. He could be a Pro Bowl at tackle or an All Pro at guard.

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The Rams have only had one first round pick since 2016, so having multiple picks in the top round is uncharted territory. This is a deep roster, but one that could use youth at a variety of positions, especially offensive tackle. Kadyn Proctor has struggled with consistency as a junior, including a tough matchup against the Florida State Seminoles, but is worth the gamble here. He is a top notch athlete for a man his size, and could be a monster asset in the run game.

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The Raiders used first round picks to draft tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty during the past two drafts. Both players were considered top five talents that fell a bit due to positional value. Here, they draft another top notch talent who plays a position not often valued during the NFL Draft. Caleb Downs may be the best prospect in this class. He tackles like a linebacker and covers like a cornerback. The Raiders do not have anyone with the talent and leadership ability of Downs on the roster.

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Thanks to the Travis Hunter trade, Cleveland has two first round picks, and should use both to fortify the offensive and/or defensive lines. Matayo Uiagalelei is a bit one dimensional as a strong pass rusher but developing run stopper, but he has 15.5 sacks for his career and counting. Pass rushing is always very highly sought after when the draft rolls around, and as long as Uiagalelei keeps getting after the quarterback with such frequency, I will continue to mock him in the top 20.

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Drake Maye looks like a keeper for the Patriots. The next order of business is drafting him an elite pass catcher. I had my question marks about Jordyn Tyson coming into the season, but he has emphatically answered every single one of them. He is in a class of his own as far as skill position players in this class. Whether playing against the FCS (Northern Arizona), SEC (Mississippi State) or non-Power Five (Texas State), Tyson has been completely unguardable. A top notch route runner, if he can clean up the drops that plagued him as a redshirt sophomore, the sky is the limit.

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Off the ball linebacker is another position that is not highly valued during the draft, but Anthony Hill Jr. is a special talent. He reminds me a bit of a Penn State Micah Parsons, who was a more well rounded player in college than he ended up becoming in the NFL. Hill Jr. can play middle linebacker, or you can line him up outside. He has 13 career sacks. The Seahawks defense lacks play making ability, and Hill Jr. can do that from a variety of fronts.

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The Colts have gone two games without punting or turning the ball over on offense. I do not care which teams they went up against, that is extremely impressive. I seriously doubt that will continue, but perhaps this is the year Indianapolis can focus on defense during the draft, especially the secondary. Jermod McCoy is close to returning from a serious injury he suffered this past January. He is a solid cover guy with a strong ability to pick off passes. He has six interceptions during his first two years at Tennessee.

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The Cardinals are building a solid all around roster, but could still use additional pass rushing help. Dani Dennis-Sutton will look to follow in the footsteps of Micah Parsons, Chop Robinson and Abdul Carter, who were alphas for the Penn State Nittany Lions defense who became first round picks. So far so good for DDS, who has two sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior.

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Dallas has spent big money locking up players recently, and may not have the money to splurge on George Pickens. CeeDee Lamb is an alpha on one side, but the Cowboys have struggled to fill out the rest of the receiver depth chart. I am a big Carnell Tate fan. The stats may not look all that impressive, but he has had to fight for scraps playing opposite Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith. Tate is off to a tremendous start as a junior, and is coming off of a 5 catch, 101 yard, 1 TD performance.

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It is a real shame that Joe Burrow cannot stay healthy. He may be out for the year, which means this is most likely another lost season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Perhaps they can use the off-season to build a more well rounded team, instead of ignoring the offensive line and most of the defense. I have Avieon Terrell even with Jermod McCoy when it comes to CB1 in this class. He may be a bit undersized, but plays tough, is a very solid tackler and has the potential to be an elite man cover guy.

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The 49ers are still somewhat of a Super Bowl threat, but the roster got old and shallow in a hurry, so things might be nearing the end. This team needs youth wherever it can get it. I thought Mansoor Delane was a fringe first round pick when he was at Virginia Tech, and moving to LSU, a school that routinely develops first round cornerbacks, was a smart move. He is a solid cover guy, a good tackler, and has 7 career interceptions.

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Houston needs offensive line help, but I think Jeremiyah Love would represent better value here. Joe Mixon’s career is in jeopardy and Nick Chubb is nearing the end of his. Love bounced back from a subpar opening game. Notre Dame catered the offense to him, as he had 23 carries and 4 receptions. Love may not be Ashton Jeanty, but he is a legitimate three down back in his own right, both as a runner and receiver, and those players are still worth first round selections.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers may always win too many games to be in position to draft an elite quarterback of the future, but they have to keep trying. Drew Allar is a fringe first rounder. He has the size and arm strength, but has struggled with consistency and decision making. I have not closed the first round book on Cade Klubnik yet, and I am interested to see how Fernando Mendoza fares once Indiana plays some actual good teams, but I will still go with Allar here.

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Troy Franklin looks like a keeper as a rookie, and Courtland Sutton is still under contract. Finding a true slot guy could bring this Broncos offense to new heights. I truly believe the Antonio Williams injury is the main reason Clemson’s offense has struggled so badly in the early going. He was a true safety net for Cade Klubnik as a junior, routinely picking up first downs and finding the end zone. If he can return from injury, he should be a first round pick as an ideal slot receiver, kick returner and gadget player.

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Most of the Vikings cornerbacks are upcoming free agents. This team chose to ignore the position in the first round of the 2024 draft, but may not be able to do that again. Malik Muhammad may not have picked off a pass since his freshman season, but is a solid cover guy and a tremendous athlete. The Longhorns have struggled in 2025, but that is not the fault of the defense. Muhammad helped shut down a potent Ohio State offense during Week 1..

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The Commanders have gone in with veteran additions like Deebo Samuel and Marshon Lattimore, but after trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young a couple of seasons ago, the pass rush still leaves a lot to be desired. David Bailey is a fringe first rounder because he is undersized and a bit one dimensional as a pass rusher, but that ability will get him looks. Moving from the dumpster fire that is Stanford to Texas Tech should help him improve as well.

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With two first round picks and a deep roster, the Rams can afford the luxury of drafting a top safety here. Dillon Thieneman had one of the most impressive true freshman seasons I have ever seen, with 106 tackles and 6 interceptions for Purdue. He has not picked off a pass since, but had another 100 tackles for a miserable Boilermakers squad in 2024. He moved on to Oregon in hopes of stamping his ticket to the first round of the draft. He has a linebacker mentality when it comes to getting after the quarterback, but is athletic enough to hold his own in coverage.

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It is early, but Josh Simmons looks like he could be the long term answer on the left side of the Chiefs offensive line. They could also use an upgrade on the right side, so why not go to that well again with Isaiah World? Like Dillon Thieneman, World also moved on to Oregon in hopes of improving his draft stock. He has great size and agility, and is a big reason the Ducks offense is humming.

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The Buccaneers may have a Super Bowl offense, but they could use a bit more juice on its front seven defensively. LT Overton is a bit of a tweener, but has good size and the ability to rack up some sacks, even though he only has four during his Alabama career. He could also hold his own as a run defender.

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The Lions are a contender, thanks to its elite offense. The defense has done enough to not be a huge liability, but Detroit should spend most of its draft capital on that side of the ball. AJ Harris is still a bit of a project, but is a good tackler and has CB1 size. He will only be 20 years old during the 2026 NFL season.

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Middle linebackers do not often go in the first round, but there are exceptions, including CJ Allen’s 2024 teammate, Jihaad Campbell. Allen is a tackling machine, already racking up 22 through three games as a junior. The Chargers need a three down thumper in the middle of its defense, and Allen would be a great fit.

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This pick is heading towards Dallas for Micah Parsons, and the Cowboys could use it to replace some of the pass rushing production it lost. Cashius Howell is no Parsons, but he has a similar frame, and 18.5 sacks during an impressive five year career. He may be more of a situational pass rusher, but at this point in the draft, the Cowboys could do worse.

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The Ravens, as usual, have one of the better rosters in the NFL, thanks in large part to shrewd, solid drafting. They can get ahead of things once again by drafting Cayden Green, who could push either Andrew Voorhees or Daniel Faalele at guard. Green may be interior only, but he is very strong, and a solid all around blocker. He is a plug and play option in the Donovan Jackson mold.

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Philadelphia has the deepest roster in the NFL, making this a “best player available” situation. Makai Lemon has been an impossible cover early on for the USC Trojans. He is averaging almost 20 yards per reception, and would make an unfair slot option playing next to AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith in the Eagles offense.

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Buffalo is a real contender to win the whole thing, but they are not perfect. The secondary needs an infusion of talent. DJ McKinney has held his own for an overmatched Colorado defense. He is a solid tackler, and has four interceptions since his redshirt sophomore season.

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