We've hit the midway point of the college football season, and the 2026 NFL Draft board is already starting to sort itself out. The quarterback class has flipped on its head, as preseason darlings like Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier have cooled off, while names like Ty Simpson and Fernando Mendoza continue to surge.
As always, there are a few surprise risers and some familiar names sliding down the board, but the real strength of this class lies up front, where a trench-heavy first round is beginning to take shape, loaded with potential Pro Bowl-caliber talent on both sides of the ball.
Here is the 2026 NFL Draft order, per Tankathon , after Week 8. NFL Mock Draft Round 1 Round 1 - Pick 1
Ty Simpson QB Alabama • Jr • 6'2" / 208 lbs
Projected Team New Orl

CBS Sports

Massillon Independent
ABC 7 Chicago Sports
The Newnan Times-Herald
NFL Carolina Panthers
NFL Buffalo Bills
The Shaw Local News Sports
WISC-TV Channel 3000
The Greenville News
The Daily Beast